The Douluo Hall wasn't originally built by the Spirit Hall. According to legend, the Douluo Hall existed even before the Spirit Hall came into being. In fact, the earliest Spirit Hall was formed under the banner of honoring the Douluo Hall, uniting a group of powerful spirit masters who revered it.
The Douluo Hall is led by a single Hall Master—a position reserved only for the one who holds the greatest reverence for the Hall. This Hall Master also oversees the conferral ceremonies for newly anointed Title Douluo.
And the current Hall Master is none other than the legendary Title Douluo himself—Qian Daoliu!
At that moment, a tall figure stood beneath the angel statue. Though he looked old, his snow-white robes were spotless and pristine, exuding an air of strict precision.
This man was Qian Daoliu.
After escorting Li Chang'an into the hall, the elder who had led him there bowed and quietly withdrew. Clearly, what was about to be discussed was highly confidential—not for others to hear.
"You are Li Chang'an?" A voice rang through the hall—deep and majestic, carrying the overwhelming pressure of a peerless Title Douluo.
"Junior Li Chang'an greets the Grand Elder!" Li Chang'an bowed respectfully, his tone sincere.
After all, this was Qian Renxue's grandfather. And in the future… likely his own grandfather-in-law.
"Hmm. Come here," Qian Daoliu motioned. "I didn't summon you on my own accord. This time, it was at the request of the Angel God."
That statement caught Li Chang'an off guard.
Qian Daoliu himself seemed a bit annoyed. Li Chang'an is just a Holy Son—not even of the Angel Martial Soul—and yet the Angel God, who hasn't shown themselves in a hundred years, suddenly appears… and it's for him?
"Uh… oh." Li Chang'an blinked in confusion, unsure why the Angel God would want to see him.
'Could something be changing in the Divine Realm?'
But that didn't make sense—his cultivation was still stuck at Spirit Saint. He wasn't even close to divine level yet. He didn't even know how he was supposed to become a god.
As Li Chang'an approached the angel statue at the center of the hall, a phenomenon occurred.
The already radiant hall was suddenly flooded with even stronger golden light.
The massive six-winged angel statue began to radiate intense golden flames from the giant sword it held aloft, saturating the room with an indescribable holy aura.
Though the golden light remained steady, ten shimmering golden panels gradually appeared before Li Chang'an.
'What…?'
Eight golden panels usually meant succession of Qian Daoliu's position.
Nine golden panels represented the Nine Angel Trials—the prerequisites for inheriting the Angel God's divinity.
But ten?
Qian Daoliu fell into deep thought.
At that moment, the angel statue suddenly moved—as if it had come alive. A massive angelic silhouette appeared over it, glowing brilliantly.
'Was this… the Angel God descending personally?'
'No, that wasn't possible. The Divine Realm was forbidden from interfering directly with the mortal plane.'
At most, this was a projected image.
Li Chang'an quickly came to that conclusion and turned his gaze toward the angelic figure, waiting for it to speak.
"Greetings, esteemed bearer of the Holy Martial Soul."
The Angel God's voice echoed softly.
Qian Daoliu, standing nearby, was utterly stunned.
'I'm a Limit Title Douluo! I've served the Angel God for decades, and yet the Angel God addresses him first?'
Li Chang'an frowned. "Holy Martial Soul? You're saying my martial soul is… a Holy Martial Soul?"
He didn't know exactly how high-level the Pangu Axe was, but calling it a "Holy Martial Soul" felt… underwhelming.
"Yes. In the Divine Realm, we classify any martial soul capable of overpowering gods as a Holy Martial Soul," the Angel God explained patiently. "Until now, they existed only in legend. You… are the first to possess one."
'Overpowering the Divine Realm?'
Li Chang'an finally understood why the gods hadn't interfered with him before—they were clearly afraid of the Pangu Axe.
"But I must warn you," the Angel God continued, "the Divine Realm is far from peaceful. Your martial soul is not just a threat—it's an opportunity."
"Many gods now seek to possess you, or more precisely, to integrate your martial soul into the Divine Realm in hopes of elevating it to the next tier."
"Your existence has sent shockwaves through the Divine Realm. Though we can no longer track your location, our gods are preparing."
"Within ten years, a grand Divine Inheritance War will begin. Gods like the Sea God, Asura God, Food God, and more will descend to choose successors."
"That will also be your moment of greatest danger."
"They plan to defeat you using their inheritors—then extract your martial soul, eliminate you, and absorb your power into the Divine Realm. That way, they'll erase an unpredictable threat… and elevate our Divine Realm to the next level."
"Among those to be 'cleansed' in this upheaval will be myself—and the Rakshasa God."
"That is why I've taken the risk to descend here and warn you. The time is coming."
After finishing, the Angel God said no more. He believed Li Chang'an would understand.
Li Chang'an did indeed grasp the situation: his martial soul wasn't just powerful—it was enough to scare the gods and draw their greed.
Thankfully, they still couldn't act directly. For now, they could only attempt to eliminate him by empowering successors to do it instead.
"You've changed many things," the Angel God added. "But some threads are being pulled back into place. You must have sensed it."
"I believe in you, bearer of the Holy Martial Soul. You'll bring a different outcome—not only for the Divine Realm but also for my Angel lineage."
"There's no need to respond. This place will soon be under surveillance. I must go. Good luck."
The angelic figure disintegrated into countless golden lights and vanished.
'Dang, no formal exit? Just drops the info and poof? '
Li Chang'an couldn't help but silently complain.
Still, he now had a clearer picture of the Divine Realm's political landscape.
In short: within ten years, several people would become gods. The Divine Realm would then use them to eliminate him—and incidentally, the Angel God and Rakshasa God, too.
'But what will I look like in ten years…?'
He wasn't sure.
Then again, he had already been working on his "Flip the Divine Realm" plan for a while now. This didn't really change much. The Angel God had simply confirmed the stakes.
'Looks like I need to work even harder. Can't flip the table without the strength to do it.'
Just as Li Chang'an was lost in thought and preparing to leave, he suddenly felt someone tug on his sleeve.
He turned around—it was Qian Daoliu!
"Grand Elder… what is it?" Li Chang'an looked down at the elder's hand.
'Wait, does he think I swing that way? Because I definitely don't.'
"Chang'an, let me ask you… Do you have someone you like?"
Qian Daoliu forced a smile—an awkward one. Truth be told, he hadn't smiled in years.
But today, he had to smile. A Holy Martial Soul? Recognized by the Angel God? A god-slaying potential?
If they didn't secure this young man now, someone else would.
"Uh… Grand Elder, what's the meaning of this?"
Li Chang'an's thoughts raced.
'Wait—does he want to marry me off to his granddaughter?'
'If I get Qian Renxue, that means I've got the Elder Hall in my pocket. If I've already got Bibi Dong, then that's the Pope's Hall. At this rate… I'll have the whole Spirit Hall under my thumb!'
"My granddaughter—you've met her, I believe,"
Qian Daoliu said frankly. "I'd like to take the liberty of arranging a betrothal between you two. What do you say?"
The old man spoke without shame.
"An engagement? Grand Elder, I do like Xue'er… but I also have… feelings for others," Li Chang'an replied tactfully, seizing the chance to test his limits.
If he didn't start laying down terms now, he might never get the chance again.
"No problem!" Qian Daoliu said with exaggerated generosity. "You're a man. I understand. A few confidantes—nothing wrong with that."
"You really don't mind if I have a few… confidantes?" Li Chang'an pressed again.
"Not at all!" Qian Daoliu said with conviction. "And you'll have my full support. Once you reach the Contra Level, the entire Elder Hall will follow your lead."
In Qian Daoliu's mind, Li Chang'an's romantic interests were probably just some young girls around his age. Five, maybe ten max. Can't be that many, right?
Once the boy became a Contra, Qian Daoliu could finally retire in peace. Well, maybe enjoy a few more years as Grand Elder… just for fun.
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T/N:
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