Among the three great Limit Douluo in the world, Yang Xiong actually admired and respected Qian Daoliu the most.
Given Qian Daoliu's strength, if he had disregarded his promise to Tang Chen back then, he could have completely annihilated the Clear Sky Sect. He could even have used his Limit Douluo strength to directly eliminate all the top experts in the world, allowing the Spirit Empire to easily unify the continent.
However, Qian Daoliu was the person Yang Xiong understood the least. To say he had no ambition would be false, as he supported Bibi Dong to become the emperor of the Spirit Empire and cultivated to the Limit Douluo level.
But to say he was a gentleman was also untrue, as he condoned Bibi Dong's attacks on the major sects and even acted as the mastermind behind them.
Facing Qian Daoliu at this moment, Yang Xiong finally seemed to understand Tang Chen's words. In Tang Chen's eyes, Qian Daoliu was a coward.
Perhaps Tang Chen had long understood Qian Daoliu's character, which was why they had that agreement back then, and why he planted the seeds for the Spirit Hall's eventual destruction.
"Senior, there's one thing I've never understood. Why did you arrange for Qian Renxue to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace back then? Otherwise, with Qian Renxue's talent, her strength today would definitely be far greater than this."
Qian Daoliu fell silent upon hearing this, only speaking after a while.
"Xiao Xue is too competitive. Everyone in the Spirit Hall dotes on her, and she never gets any real experience. Xiao Xue also wanted to prove herself, which is why I arranged for her to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace."
"It seems my decision back then was wrong. Xiao Xue has been hiding her true face and her personality all these years. For a Soul Master, this is a major taboo."
"Especially after Xiao Xue lost to you back then, her mindset seems to have changed. She's always wanted to challenge you again. I didn't expect her to lose even more miserably this time."
Yang Xiong smiled and said, "Perhaps this loss is a good thing for Qian Renxue. Only by truly experiencing winning and losing can she understand the cruelty of battle and stop being so arrogant."
Qian Daoliu nodded. "Perhaps. After losing to you back then, Xiao Xue has cultivated diligently these past few years, and her strength has improved very quickly. But I also know that her heart is always filled with unwillingness, wanting to truly prove herself."
"Losing to you again this time might increase her determination and strengthen her belief in becoming stronger."
...
Yang Xiong and Qian Daoliu chatted indifferently for a while, discussing their insights on the changes in Soul Masters and even the situation on the continent, like two outsiders.
Not only was Yang Xiong wary of Qian Daoliu, but Qian Daoliu was also clearly a little wary of Yang Xiong.
Yang Xiong's recovery ability made Qian Daoliu feel it was a bit exaggerated. After all, he had just gone through a major battle, yet his injuries had recovered so quickly, and even his soul power had been restored.
Before Qian Daoliu left, Yang Xiong spoke again.
"Senior, there's something I don't understand. I wonder if Senior can help me clarify it."
Qian Daoliu smiled. "Young friend's strength is outstanding. There should be nothing in this world that can trouble you anymore. This old man has merely lived a few more years. Young friend can speak freely."
Yang Xiong's expression was serious. "Senior, with your strength, would you really lose to Tang Chen and Bo Saixi? At least based on the battle with Qian Renxue just now, the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul should theoretically be undefeated."
A smile appeared at the corner of Qian Daoliu's mouth. "Is winning and losing really that important? Back then, the strength gap between us three great Limit Douluo was very small, and each had their own strengths. There was no real concept of winning or losing."
Only then did Yang Xiong look thoughtfully at Qian Daoliu's departing back. For people of their strength and realm, it was difficult to determine a winner unless they truly fought to the death.
In Spirit City, Qian Renxue returned covered in injuries.
Everyone in the Douluo Hall gathered together, and even Bibi Dong came to the Douluo Hall.
Bibi Dong's face was cold and gloomy.
"Xiao Xue, I told you in advance not to challenge Yang Xiong, but you wouldn't listen. Now you've learned your lesson."
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth. "My matters are none of your business. Even if I lost, I lost fair and square. Can you defeat Yang Xiong?"
Bibi Dong's face flickered between cloudy and clear upon hearing this, and she eventually left the Douluo Hall.
The other six great enshrines were all concerned about Qian Renxue's injuries, while only Qian Daoliu sat in the center of the great hall.
Qian Renxue revealed a hint of dejection.
"Grandpa, I've disappointed you. I didn't expect to lose to Yang Xiong again. I didn't expect to lose so miserably this time."
As Qian Renxue said, fighting a Quasi-Titled Douluo with 98th-level soul power had no precedent of losing in this world. Qian Renxue would probably be nailed to the pillar of shame for the rest of her life.
Qian Daoliu seemed much more serious than usual.
"Xiao Xue, have you thought about why you lost? Have you thought about why, in terms of soul power level, the flying attribute of your martial soul, and even your soul bone configuration, you were much stronger than Yang Xiong, yet the result was such a miserable defeat?"
Qian Renxue thought carefully before speaking.
"Grandpa, I underestimated him this time. If I had used the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul's combat power in the sky, I could definitely have defeated Yang Xiong. Even if I couldn't win, I definitely wouldn't have lost. After all, Yang Xiong is only a Quasi-Titled Douluo and can only rely on Sword Control to fly."
Qian Daoliu shook his head. "Xiao Xue, you're still thinking too simply. I've carefully studied Yang Xiong's experiences. He wasn't that strong at first, not even as strong as Hu Liena and the others."
"But in just ten years, he is countless times stronger than the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall back then, and even I can't do anything to him. His strength can be said to be the strongest among the younger generation."
"Moreover, through my observation, Yang Xiong's martial soul has undergone multiple changes over the years. You should know that for a martial soul to evolve, the pain Yang Xiong has endured and the life-and-death situations he has faced over the years are definitely far greater than yours."
Qian Renxue said, "Grandpa, is it because I haven't gone through as many life-and-death trials?"
Qian Daoliu nodded. "That's just one reason. When facing life-and-death choices, Yang Xiong is more courageous than you, more reckless, and moves forward without hesitation. He is ready to risk his life at any time. This is something that cannot be compensated for in experience."
Qian Renxue carefully reviewed the battle before speaking.
"Grandpa, I understand. I will definitely not lose to Yang Xiong again. I will definitely not be as hesitant as I was this time."
After leaving the Douluo Hall, Bibi Dong's face was incredibly sinister, but also filled with apprehension.
She was well aware of Qian Renxue's strength. She didn't expect Yang Xiong to be able to defeat Qian Renxue, especially since the Body Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind Yang Xiong had gradually begun to join the battlefield. This meant she would likely have to face Yang Xiong head-on next.
"Yang Xiong, you just wait. I don't believe that with your mortal strength, you can contend with true Gods."
...
In the Star Dou Great Forest, Tang San had recently obtained multiple soul rings under the guidance of Xiao Wu and Tang Chen.
Especially after accepting the recruitment of the Evil God King, according to the Evil God King's requirements, all the soul rings he chose were of the evil and dark attributes.
Tang San continuously absorbed five top-tier soul rings, including a 100,000-year-old Netherworld Python. This not only gave Tang San a 100,000-year soul ring but also a 100,000-year soul bone.
Now Tang San's strength had reached level ninety-six. In a short period, he had increased his soul power by a full nine levels from level eighty-seven.
Moreover, all five of Tang San's soul rings exceeded fifty thousand years. After absorbing five soul rings of dark and evil attributes, the Clear Sky Hammer became incredibly heavy, with the weight of the martial soul itself reaching several thousand jin.
And Tang San now had a full five soul bones. Besides the head soul bone initially given by Tang Hao, all the soul bones were biased towards dark and evil attributes.
This included the Mantis Leg External Soul Bone, the 90,000-year Black Scale Merman Left Arm Soul Bone, the 100,000-year Netherworld Python Left Leg Soul Bone, and another one from the Dark Night Demon Wolf's right leg.
This Dark Night Demon Wolf's right leg soul bone also came from a soul ring absorbed by Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer, with a lifespan reaching the 80,000-year level.
In terms of lifespan, basically none of the soul bones had a low lifespan, especially the Mantis Leg External Soul Bone, whose lifespan had also exceeded eighty thousand years.
And after continuously absorbing so many evil-attributed soul rings, the originally emerald green Mantis Leg External Soul Bone had now gradually turned dark green, looking extremely bizarre.
Now Tang San's combat power was extremely strong. Although he was only level ninety-six, he was already comparable to a level ninety-eight Titled Douluo.
Now there were not many high-level soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest that met Tang San's requirements, so Tang Chen decided to take Tang San out of the Star Dou Great Forest first and return to the Clear Sky Sect.
Tang Chen was very confident in Tang San's strength. With Tang San present now, the Clear Sky Sect had no safety issues in the short term.
And after staying in the Star Dou Great Forest for such a long time, Tang Chen's physical injuries showed a tendency to worsen. It was estimated that the time he had left to live would not be too long.
Tang Chen's original plan was to cultivate Tang San and then fulfill his last wish before he died.
Tang Xiao and Tang Hao were very confident in Tang San's improvement. Now Tang San could still absorb the last two soul rings. If he could find a 100,000-year soul ring, he might reach level ninety-eight, or even ninety-nine was possible.
And after Tang Chen finished explaining everything about the Clear Sky Sect, he prepared to go to Sea God Island alone. After being away from Slaughter City for such a long time, his longing for Bo Saixi deepened, and he didn't want to delay for even a moment.
The Clear Sky Sect had been in close communication with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Body Sect recently. After discussions, the three sects all decided to send more experts to the front line.
Lin Gong of the Body Sect led several Titled Douluo, plus a thousand soul masters, and had already rushed to the front line.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, led personally by Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, also rushed to the front line with two thousand soul masters. In addition, Bone Douluo was also on the front line. On the surface, it could be said that all their trump cards were revealed.
After a resolution, the Clear Sky Sect, with Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, Tang San, and two elders, led half of the soul masters to the front line. At the same time, there was also an elder already on the front line, while two Titled Douluo remained within the sect.
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