Among the three Limit Douluo in the world, Yang Xiong admired and respected Qian Daoliu the most.
If Qian Daoliu had disregarded his promise to Tang Chen, he could have annihilated the Hao Tian Sect with his overwhelming power as a Limit Douluo. He could even have eradicated all the top-tier experts in the world, allowing the Spirit Hall Empire to effortlessly unify the continent.
However, Qian Daoliu was the person Yang Xiong found hardest to understand. If he truly lacked ambition, he wouldn't have supported Bibi Dong in becoming the emperor of the Spirit Hall Empire, nor would he have reached the level of a Limit Douluo.
But if he were considered an honorable man, why did he tolerate Bibi Dong's attacks on various sects and even act as the hidden mastermind behind them?
Only now, as Yang Xiong faced Qian Daoliu directly, did he begin 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 personality, which is why their agreement had been made—and why it planted the seeds for the eventual downfall of the Spirit Hall.
"Senior, there's something I've never quite understood. Why did you send Qian Renxue to infiltrate the Tian Dou Imperial Palace back then? With her talent, her strength today should far exceed what it is now."
At this question, Qian Daoliu fell silent. After a while, he finally spoke.
"Xiao Xue is too headstrong. Everyone in the Spirit Hall doted on her, leaving her without any real trials. She wanted to prove herself, so I arranged for her to go undercover in the Tian Dou Imperial Palace."
"Looking back, my decision was a mistake. Over the years, Xiao Xue has hidden not only her true identity but also her personality. For a soul master, this is already a major taboo."
"Especially after her loss to you—her mindset seemed to change. She's always wanted to challenge you again. I didn't expect her to suffer such a crushing defeat this time."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "Perhaps this loss will be a good thing for Qian Renxue. Only by experiencing both victory and defeat can one understand the cruelty of battle and stop being so arrogant."
Qian Daoliu nodded: "Perhaps. After losing to you, Xiao Xue has trained hard these past few years, and her strength has improved rapidly. But I know she's always harbored resentment and wants to prove herself."
"This time, losing to you again might deepen her resolve and strengthen her determination to grow stronger."
…
Yang Xiong and Qian Daoliu exchanged casual conversation, discussing their views on the evolution of soul masters and even the state of the continent, almost as if they were outsiders.
Yang Xiong felt a deep wariness toward Qian Daoliu, but Qian Daoliu clearly harbored some apprehension toward Yang Xiong as well.
Yang Xiong's recovery ability left Qian Daoliu feeling somewhat astonished. After all, despite having just fought an intense battle, Yang Xiong's injuries had healed so quickly, and his soul power had even been restored.
Before Qian Daoliu departed, Yang Xiong spoke up once more.
"Senior, there's something I don't quite understand. Could you help clarify it for me?"
Qian Daoliu smiled: "Young friend, your strength is extraordinary. There should be nothing in this world that can stump you. I'm merely older, so feel free to ask."
Yang Xiong's expression turned serious: "Senior, with your strength, could you really lose to Tang Chen or Bo Saixi? At least based on the battle with Qian Renxue just now, the Six-Winged Angel martial soul should theoretically be unbeatable."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Qian Daoliu's lips: "Does winning or losing really matter that much? Back then, the gap between the three of us Limit Douluo was minuscule, and each of us had our own strengths. There was no clear winner or loser."
Yang Xiong watched thoughtfully as Qian Daoliu's figure disappeared into the distance. At their level of strength and cultivation, unless they engaged in a life-or-death battle, it would be difficult to determine a victor.
In the Spirit Hall City, Qian Renxue returned, covered in wounds.
Everyone in the Douluo Hall had gathered, including Bibi Dong, who had come to the hall.
Bibi Dong's face was cold.
"Xiao Xue, I warned you not to challenge Yang Xiong, but you refused to listen. Now you've learned your lesson, haven't you?"
Qian Renxue clenched her teeth: "My affairs are none of your concern. Even though I lost, it was an open and fair fight. Could you really defeat Yang Xiong?"
At these words, Bibi Dong's expression shifted uncertainly, and she eventually left the Douluo Hall.
The other six elders focused on Qian Renxue's injuries, while Qian Daoliu sat alone in the center of the hall.
Qian Renxue revealed a hint of desolation.
"Grandfather, I've disappointed you. I lost to Yang Xiong again, and this time, the defeat was even more devastating."
As Qian Renxue said, with her Level 98 soul power facing off against someone on the verge of becoming a Title Douluo, there was no precedent for such a loss. Qian Renxue would likely be forever remembered as a disgrace.
Qian Daoliu appeared far more serious than usual.
"Xiao Xue, have you thought about why you lost? Consider this: in terms of soul power level, the flight attribute of your martial soul, and even your soul bone configuration, you're superior to Yang Xiong in every way. So why did you suffer such a crushing defeat?"
After careful thought, Qian Renxue finally spoke.
"Grandfather, I underestimated him this time. If we consider the combat ability of the Six-Winged Angel in the sky, it should have been enough to defeat Yang Xiong. Even if I couldn't win outright, I shouldn't have lost. After all, Yang Xiong is only on the verge of becoming a Title Douluo and relies solely on sword flight."
Qian Daoliu shook his head: "Xiao Xue, you're still oversimplifying things. I've studied Yang Xiong's journey carefully. In the beginning, he wasn't that strong—perhaps even weaker than Hu Liena and the others."
"But in just ten years, he's become countless times stronger than the Spirit Hall's golden generation from back then. Even I can't match him now. His strength is undoubtedly the pinnacle among the younger generation."
"Moreover, through my observations, Yang Xiong's martial soul has undergone multiple evolutions over the years. You should understand the pain and life-and-death trials he's endured to evolve his martial soul—far more than you've experienced."
Qian Renxue asked: "Grandfather, is it because I haven't gone through as many life-and-death trials?"
Qian Daoliu nodded: "That's only one reason. When faced with life-or-death decisions, Yang Xiong showed greater courage and determination. He was willing to throw everything away and charge forward fearlessly, ready to sacrifice his life at any moment. This kind of experience cannot be compensated for."
After reflecting deeply on the battle, Qian Renxue finally spoke.
"Grandfather, I understand now. I will not lose to Yang Xiong again, and I won't hold back like I did this time."
After leaving the Douluo Hall, Bibi Dong's face was filled with both malevolence and apprehension.
She was well aware of Qian Renxue's strength, yet she couldn't believe Yang Xiong had defeated her. Especially now that the Body Sect and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect were gradually joining the battlefield, she knew she would soon have to face Yang Xiong directly.
"Yang Xiong, just wait. I refuse to believe that a mere mortal like you can stand against a true god."
…
In the Great Star Dou Forest, Tang San, under the guidance of Xiao Wu and Tang Chen, had recently acquired multiple spirit rings.
After accepting the invitation of the Evil God King, all the spirit rings he selected were of evil and dark attributes, as per the Evil God King's requirements.
Tang San had consecutively absorbed five top-tier spirit rings, including one from a hundred-thousand-year-level Netherworld Python. This not only gave him a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring but also a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
Now, Tang San's strength had reached Level 96, increasing by a full nine levels from his previous Level 87 in a short period of time.
Moreover, all five of Tang San's spirit rings exceeded fifty thousand years in age. After absorbing five spirit rings of dark and evil attributes, his Hao Tian Hammer became incredibly heavy, with its weight alone reaching several thousand pounds.
Tang San now possessed five soul bones. Aside from the head soul bone originally given to him by Tang Hao, all the others leaned toward dark and evil attributes.
These included the mantis leg external soul bone, the ninety-thousand-year Black-Scaled Mermaid left arm soul bone, the hundred-thousand-year Netherworld Python left leg soul bone, and a right leg soul bone from the Dark Night Demon Wolf.
This Dark Night Demon Wolf right leg soul bone came from one of the spirit rings absorbed by Tang San's Hao Tian Hammer, reaching eighty-thousand years in age.
In terms of age, none of these soul bones were low-tier. The mantis leg external soul bone, in particular, had surpassed eighty thousand years.
After continuously absorbing so many evil-attribute spirit rings, the originally emerald-green mantis leg external soul bone had gradually turned ink-green, appearing extremely eerie.
Tang San's combat strength was now incredibly formidable. Although he was only at Level 96, his strength rivaled that of a Level 98 Title Douluo.
With the Great Star Dou Forest now lacking high-level soul beasts that met Tang San's requirements, Tang Chen decided to leave the forest temporarily and return to the Hao Tian Sect.
Tang Chen was highly confident in Tang San's strength. With Tang San present, the Hao Tian Sect's safety was assured for the time being.
However, Tang Chen's prolonged stay in the Great Star Dou Forest had worsened his injuries, and his remaining time was likely limited.
Tang Chen's original plan was to nurture Tang San and fulfill his final wish before passing.
Tang Xiao and Tang Hao were very confident in Tang San's growth. Tang San still had room to absorb two more spirit rings, and if he could find hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, he might reach Level 98—or even 99.
After settling all matters within the Hao Tian Sect, Tang Chen prepared to head to the Sea God Island alone. Having been away from Slaughter City for so long, his longing for Bo Saixi had deepened, and he didn't want to delay any longer.
Recently, the Hao Tian Sect had been closely communicating with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Body Sect. After discussions, the three sects decided to send more experts to the frontlines.
Lin Gong of the Body Sect had already led multiple Title Douluo and a thousand soul masters to the frontlines.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, personally led by Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, had also sent two thousand soul masters to the frontlines. Additionally, Bone Douluo was already stationed there, openly revealing their full strength.
After deliberation, the Hao Tian Sect decided to send Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, Tang San, and two Elders to lead half of their soul masters to the frontlines. One elder was already stationed at the front, while two Title Douluo remained to guard the sect internally.
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