Ning Rongrong turned toward the old man, placed her right hand over her heart, and respectfully said:
"Holy Master."
The old man nodded slightly, his voice as faint as a whisper.
"The Holy Son of the Twin Saints Divine Sect has returned to his place."
"In three days, you, our Saintess, will undergo the final ceremony—then, you will fully become a Title Douluo-level powerhouse."
"The next hundred years of the Twin Saints Divine Sect… will be in your hands."
After speaking, he once again drifted into deep sleep.
Just uttering those few sentences had exhausted him greatly.
His life was like a candle flickering in the wind, a flame struggling in the rain—its end not far away.
3,000 nautical miles west of Hanhai City...
On a small island.
At the island's center stood a tall stone pillar, coiled with intertwining energies of darkness and light, rising like two mystical beasts clawing their way up.
The sea surrounding the island was equally strange:
On the left, the water was pitch black, as if polluted.
On the right, the water was bright and clear, like light itself.
At the very center of the island, a man and a woman sat cross-legged, soul power floating around them in perfect harmony.
Their powers complemented one another, aiding in mutual cultivation.
Not far off, a middle-aged man stood watch, his robe starkly split—black on the left, white on the right.
"The Holy Son and Saintess of our Demonic God Sect have been confirmed," he said solemnly.
"Pass word to the Twin Saints Divine Sect—this time, they are to help us stabilize control of the surrounding islands."
"Any Divine Sect hidden in these seas must come under the Demonic God Sect's authority."
"In exchange, we'll help the Twin Saints Divine Sect become the leaders of this alliance."
Suddenly—
"Screeeeee!"
The shrill cry of a phoenix echoed across the heavens, startling every soul beast in the region.
If this were a forest, such a sound would be considered normal.
But this… was a frozen, snow-covered landscape!
A portly middle-aged man stood beside a young boy, grinning as he watched him.
"Good, very good!"
"That's how it should be. A true phoenix should never fear the cold."
"The phoenix's flame is an immortal flame!"
"Hardships are meant to forge you stronger!"
"Someone! Contact the Twin Saints Divine Sect. Tell them—the Flame God Sect is ready!"
Back at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well...
At this moment, only Qian Renfeng remained.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan had gone to personally guard Qian Renxue.
Poison Douluo Dugu Bo had returned to the Heaven Dou Empire, supporting Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe" as a guest elder.
At this point, it was practically universally accepted that only one person was destined to sit on the Heaven Dou throne.
Qian Renfeng stood alone within the serene valley of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, shaking his head lightly.
Compared to constant action and noise, Qian Renfeng sometimes just needed a little peace and solitude.
This calmness was equally vital to him.
He let all his soul power disperse, and at this moment, he seemed just like a regular person, wandering the valley freely.
Climbing mountains, sipping tea, playing music, whistling melodies.
A rare moment of peace.
Just outside the Sunset Forest, a middle-aged man paused for a long time.
He took a few steps toward the valley...
Then turned and left.
Qian Renfeng knew none of this.
He simply continued to enjoy his tranquil, solitary life.
Ten Days Later...
Three people arrived in Hanhai City.
Their movements were casual and unpredictable, making it hard to get a read on them.
But they all had one thing in common:
They wore identical red robes.
Even among the Title Douluo, it was nearly impossible to discern their power.
One of them kept one hand raised in a solemn, monk-like prayer gesture—symbolic of deep spiritual conviction.
"Sixth Worship Elder," one of them said with a teasing smile, "can you maybe put your hand down now?"
Another man removed his red hood, revealing a handsome face and piercing black eyes that flickered with traces of flame.
The monk-like man came back to his senses and lowered his hand...
Only to instinctively return it to that position moments later.
Another man chuckled playfully.
"Hehehe... Second Young Master."
"You sure it's a good idea to send us in to do this?"
"We don't look like evil soul masters, do we?"
Qian Renfeng, sipping from his cup as he gazed out toward the horizon, smiled:
"Who says evil soul masters have to look like monsters?"
"Were the evil soul masters you've fought before all hideous beasts?"
Exorcist Douluo chuckled and nodded—he had to admit, that was true.
Most evil soul masters didn't look strange.
Their martial souls weren't necessarily bloody or grotesque.
They were just evil in their methods—or their choices.
Just judging by soul techniques or martial spirits, you couldn't identify them.
A moment later...
A golden-armored man walked up to Qian Renfeng and reported:
"Second Young Master, I've gathered the intel."
"The entire Hanhai City has been sealed off by the evil soul masters—no one in, no one out."
"According to a Soul Sage from the Dragon Sea Divine Sect, once the alliance is confirmed..."
"...they plan to sacrifice the entire city's population."
"A sacrifice to the so-called Twin Saints."
"After all, the Twin Saints Divine Sect is the top contender to win this alliance."
Thousand Jun Douluo's eyes flew open, and an eerie silence fell over the group.
"They... they'd go that far?!"
Even Exorcist Douluo was in disbelief.
This was just a summit for alliance formation—yet they were going to massacre a whole city?
"What kind of twisted power does a mere alliance leader hold to justify this kind of atrocity?"
"Sacrificing an entire city's citizens? This is the very definition of evil—it will surely bring divine retribution!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan watched the two elders argue, nearly laughed aloud, but held it in out of respect.
"If evil soul masters weren't this extreme... would they still be called evil soul masters?"
"What would they be then—holy saint soul masters?"
Qian Renfeng's expression turned cold.
"That's why today, we must take the initiative."
"Only by seizing control can we hope to save the people of this city."
"If this fails, then the responsibility falls entirely on the two of you!"
His glare landed squarely on the two Title Douluo.
Truth be told, Qian Renfeng could already tell from their earlier conversation—they didn't trust him at all.
To them, he was still just a child.
They took his words in one ear and out the other.
If it weren't for the lack of manpower, Qian Renfeng would never have brought them along.
The idea of forming his power base and nurturing his loyal force was growing stronger by the day.
Thousand Jun Douluo gave a bitter smile:
"Second Young Master, you misunderstand."
"This operation was discovered by you. Since the Hall Master can't leave, you are the one in charge."
"We'll follow your orders to the letter."
Qian Renfeng glanced at the two elders but said nothing more.