Chapter 68: Tang Hao Challenges Qian Xunji
Half a year had passed. During that time, powerful soul fluctuations frequently erupted from the peaks of the Clear Sky Sect.
Then, a piece of news broke out from the sect that shook the entire continent: the youngest ever Title Douluo, the Clear Sky Sect's new generation Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, had issued a challenge to the Pope of the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji.
This news dropped like a bomb into the soul master world, which had been relatively calm, causing massive ripples across the metaphorical lake.
The last great battle between the previous generation's Clear Sky Douluo and Angel Douluo—Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu—had defined an era of rivalry between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall. Back then, all other factions across the continent, aside from the two great empires, could do nothing but watch from the sidelines in awe.
This new battle was expected to determine the dominant power in the soul master world for the next century.
At the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao was brimming with spirit and energy, having fully recovered and trained. In six months, he had advanced to level 93. With the power of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and the Great Sumeru Hammer, no one in the sect could match him.
Even his brother Tang Xiao and the combined formation of the six elders had been defeated by him when he was still at level 92—without even using the explosive ultimate move of the Great Sumeru Hammer.
After reaching level 93, he couldn't wait any longer to challenge Qian Xunji. In his mind, if he lost, so be it. Qian Xunji had become a Title Douluo nearly fourteen years earlier and was likely already level 96. A three-level gap wasn't shameful.
But if it ended in a draw, Qian Xunji would suffer a massive humiliation. If he couldn't beat Tang Hao despite a three-level advantage, it would imply that at equal power, Tang Hao would crush him.
And if Tang Hao won outright, then Spirit Hall would lose face completely. The Clear Sky Sect and its hammer would be acknowledged as the unrivaled number one. Spirit Hall would have to settle for second place.
Because his grandfather Tang Chen had only narrowly defeated Qian Daoliu after three days and nights of battle, Tang Hao still viewed Qian Xunji cautiously. Still, he was determined to at least achieve a draw—to show A Yin just how blind she was, and how outstanding Tang Hao truly was.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, within the Seven Treasure Hall.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes sparkled. "I didn't expect Tang Hao to challenge Qian Xunji this soon."
When news broke of Tang Hao becoming the youngest Title Douluo, Ning Fengzhi had already anticipated this challenge.
From the way Tang Xiao and Tang Hao behaved at Qian Xunji's wedding to A Yin, and how they drank themselves into a stupor afterward, he had quickly investigated and figured out the whole story.
"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, who do you think will win this battle?"
Bone Douluo replied first, "Of course it'll be Qian Xunji. Tang Hao just broke through recently. Their cultivation levels are not equal at all."
Sword Douluo said, "Don't be so sure, old bones. Tang Hao must have some confidence if he dares challenge Qian Xunji. I still remember how heavy his Clear Sky Hammer felt fifteen years ago during the Seven Great Sects Conference."
"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, even if this duel ends in a draw, the entire balance of the soul master world will change."
"If it ends in a draw, there's no need for the Upper Three Sects to maintain unity anymore. Let Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect fight it out. But if Qian Xunji is significantly stronger than Tang Hao, and Spirit Hall still has Qian Daoliu, then our alliance must remain."
Ning Fengzhi changed the topic. "In another year, Chen'er will awaken his martial soul. I hope our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can produce a genius like Tang Hao."
Bone Douluo asked, "Fengzhi, it's been almost five years. You still haven't succeeded. Is something wrong with your body?"
Ning Fengzhi gave a dry cough. "Uncle Bone, don't joke. Look at my full head of black hair. How could I have a problem? I really don't know why there's still no result."
Losing his cultivation had turned him into an ordinary person, and that typically made pregnancy easier. But despite nearly five years of effort, Bibi Dong had shown no signs.
Ning Fengzhi even suspected that something had gone wrong during the birth of Gu Chen, affecting Bibi Dong's ability to conceive.
Now nearly thirty and confined in isolation, Bibi Dong's mental instability had aged her quickly. Though still a beautiful mature woman, she had lost much of her youthful charm.
Still, Ning Fengzhi decided to try a bit longer. If nothing happened and her beauty faded further, he would consider eliminating her.
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen sat calmly in his chair. Despite the years, his appearance hadn't changed—still full of vigor. As for Yu Xiaogang, he had been expelled again by order of Yu Yuanzhen himself.
After Ning Fengzhi brought Yu Xiaogang back to the clan, Yu Yuanzhen had hoped he would just live quietly and not cause trouble.
Instead, Yu Xiaogang had the audacity to pass on his flawed and nonsensical theories to the third generation—the grandson of Yu Yuanzhen's eldest son, Yu Tianheng.
Could Yu Yuanzhen allow his precious grandson to be used as a lab rat and ruined by Yu Xiaogang's brainwashing? Enraged, he banished him again.
That said, Yu Xiaogang had made a bit of a name for himself outside—something about a Golden Iron Triangle or Golden Holy Dragon. It gave Yu Yuanzhen some small consolation, thinking Yu Xiaogang was finally growing up.
"Luo Mian, I've heard about Tang Hao challenging Qian Xunji. I must leave the clan to witness this battle. You stay and train Tianxin and Tianheng—they are the twin stars of our clan's future."
Yu Tianxin had an innate soul power close to level 8, and Yu Tianheng was born with level 8 soul power. With proper training, both had the potential to become Title Douluos. A dual-Douluo generation for the clan seemed within reach.
Across the soul master world, major clans and sects mobilized—including the two great empires. Even hidden families emerged to see who would win this monumental battle.
After all, the fame of the "Two Peaks of the Soul Master World" was immense. Title Douluo at level 99—before Tang Chen appeared, no one had even heard of such heights. Everyone knew Spirit Hall's leaders were terrifyingly powerful, but how powerful exactly, no one could say.
Spirit Hall, within the Pope's Hall.
Unlike the nervous, tense atmosphere across the continent, one of the main participants, Qian Xunji, lounged on the Pope's throne, legs crossed, leisurely munching on fruit.
Do you know how hard he had waited for this?
So hard that every day he made sure to eat well, drink well, sleep well, train well—and occasionally play with his child and fight A Yin.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen