Chapter 69: Arrogance Requires Strength
"Daddy, Tang Hao from the Clear Sky Sect is going to challenge you. You have to win!"
Qian Renxue ran into the Pope's Hall, leaning against Qian Xunji's lap as she spoke.
Qian Xunji gently tapped her forehead with a finger. "Xue'er, you're growing up. A young lady should know her boundaries."
Qian Renxue pouted. "Boundaries? I'm only eight years old."
"Yes, and what other genius in the world is like my daughter? At eight, you've already grown this tall."
After absorbing soul rings, their energy becomes part of the body, accelerating development. Though Qian Renxue was only eight, she looked more like she was eleven or twelve, nearly 1.7 meters tall, and already beginning to mature.
With innate level 20 soul power, full support from Spirit Hall, and celestial-grade herbs, she had already reached level 37 Soul Elder—an unimaginable feat for someone her age.
Qian Renxue stood up. "Then Daddy, you must defeat Tang Hao."
Qian Xunji smiled. "Of course. You and your mother will come to the duel too. Watch closely how I deal with a Clear Sky Hammer wielder. One day, you'll do the same."
"But I might not be able to follow your movements clearly when you fight Tang Hao."
Even though she had absorbed a 99,999-year Angel head bone, boosting her mental power to the Soul King level, it still wasn't enough to track the movements of Title Douluos.
Qian Xunji gave a mysterious smile. "Daddy will make sure you see clearly. And if not, your mother will help."
At the border between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, a towering mountain range rose several hundred meters into the sky.
Midway up one of the mountains was a large, flat platform, with more mountains of equal height surrounding it—ideal natural seats for an audience.
Clearly, the Clear Sky Sect had put much thought into selecting the duel location.
As the challengers, the Clear Sky Sect arrived first. Tang Zhen, Tang Xiao, and several disciples stood by. Tang Hao sat cross-legged on the platform, his expression firm and dominating, his aura surging now and then as he awaited Qian Xunji.
Crowds already filled the surrounding mountain tops, eager to witness a duel between Title Douluos. In the sky, soul masters streaked through the air, their martial souls activated and soul rings glowing. Some had flying-type martial souls, others flight-capable soul skills.
Suddenly, three figures appeared midair, catching everyone's attention. There were no soul rings beneath their feet—sign that one of them was a Title Douluo, carrying the others in flight.
These were Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi.
Usually, Ning Fengzhi left one of the two to guard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. But this duel was too important—both had come along.
"Look! That's Sect Master Ning!"
"And those two must be Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. I saw them at the Seven Great Sects Re-election Conference!"
This duel, between the Clear Sky Douluo and Angel Douluo, was just as significant as that sect summit. The future of the soul master world depended on it.
A dragon's roar echoed as a black-haired man in black robes appeared on a nearby peak.
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Sect Master Yu, you've come too."
Yu Yuanzhen stood with his hands behind his back. "I couldn't miss this. It would be the regret of a lifetime."
"He really came...?"
From another peak, Yu Xiaogang stared at the distant black-robed figure. Though he couldn't sense the soul power, there was no mistaking it. That was his father—Yu Yuanzhen.
"Xiaogang, did you say the head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is your father?!"
Beside him stood a stunning young woman with pale skin, striking features, and a voluptuous figure—Liu Erlong, the "Killing Horn" of the Golden Iron Triangle.
Yu Xiaogang turned and replied, puzzled, "Yeah, Erlong. Why?"
"N-no reason..."
In front of them stood the third member of the Golden Iron Triangle, Flender—the "Flying Horn."
"Xiaogang, Erlong, pay attention! This is a Title Douluo battle. Who knows if I'll ever get to see one again!"
Their fusion technique—the Golden Holy Dragon—was somewhat well-known. Thanks to it, Yu Xiaogang had completed the tenth core theory of martial souls: "Fusion of Unalike Spirits." It posited that martial souls of different types could fuse under proper coordination, producing powerful fusion techniques.
Below the mountains sat a luxurious carriage, parked several hundred meters from the platform. Its occupant released no soul power—seeming entirely ordinary.
It was Tang Yuehua. She couldn't see the battle clearly, but that didn't matter. As long as her beloved Hao won, she would be satisfied.
Just then, five more figures arrived in the sky: an old man, three adults, and a child.
"A Yin..."
Tang Xiao's eyes locked on the blue-clothed woman, whispering her name. Over eight years had passed, and she looked even more beautiful than before.
"Is that your daughter?"
His gaze shifted to the young girl A Yin was holding—she bore a resemblance to her mother and radiated an extraordinary charm despite her youth.
Tang Hao sensed a familiar aura and instinctively looked up, seeing A Yin and the girl beside her. Rage surged inside him—he had been betrayed. He would make her regret it.
While Tang Xiao and Tang Hao stared at A Yin, the older Title Douluos—Tang Zhen, Sword Douluo, and Yu Yuanzhen—focused on another figure: a mysterious old man.
"Golden Crocodile."
To ensure Qian Renxue's safety, Qian Daoliu had sent Golden Crocodile out from the Worship Hall. Alongside him were Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and A Yin—now a level 88 soul master, her power on par with a Title Douluo.
Ning Fengzhi asked, "Uncle Sword, who is Golden Crocodile? I've never heard of this Title Douluo."
Sword Douluo transmitted mentally: "Golden Crocodile Douluo is from my grandfather's era. His martial soul is the Golden Crocodile King—one of the strongest beast souls. His defenses are near impenetrable, even my grandfather could barely hurt him."
"If he's still alive, his power must be at least level 97, maybe more."
Ning Fengzhi gasped. A level 97 Title Douluo? Spirit Hall still had such terrifying strength? Whether Tang Hao won or not, the Upper Three Sects would have to maintain their alliance.
Just then, all eyes turned to the space between the two valleys. Countless angel feathers floated down, radiant holy light illuminating the sky, outshining even the sun.
A towering angel with golden hair, a hazy face, a slender body barely covered in cloth, and six wings slowly extended her arms.
From her palms emerged a striking man in a white-and-gold robe, walking through the air—Qian Xunji.
With hands clasped behind his back, he gazed down at the now-standing Tang Hao, hammer in hand.
He shook his head and sighed. "Tang Hao, you're only level 93, yet you dare challenge me? That's sheer arrogance."
Tang Hao's powerful voice boomed across the mountains, rage erupting from his betrayal. "Arrogance requires strength—and I, Tang Hao, just so happen to have it!"
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