Beneath Hanhai City…
Ning Rongrong, dressed in crimson robes, stood respectfully beside an elderly man and said,
"Holy Lord, someone from the Shura God Sect just revealed Limit Douluo-level strength. Should we…"
"Show them what we're capable of?"
The old man spoke in a voice as weak as a candle in the rain, barely above a whisper:
"Rongrong, showing a little strength at the right moment is fine."
"However… you know my condition. I only have strength left for one more battle at most."
"Our true enemy is Spirit Hall…"
"It's Angel Douluo, Qian Daoliu!"
"This entire summit was convened because our strength is no longer enough."
"We must rally every possible ally. As long as someone is willing to cooperate, we'll pull back our show of force."
Ning Rongrong's expression didn't change, but she knew clearly: this old man's life was already nearing its end.
"Rongrong will remember your words."
Suddenly — clack clack clack!
A burst of urgent footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Ning Rongrong turned toward the source of the noise.
A middle-aged man in blue armor stepped into the secret chamber.
The elderly man didn't even raise his head. Ning Rongrong stepped in front of him and asked coldly,
"Lord of Hanhai, what brings you here?"
Though a Titled Douluo, the Hanhai Lord was uncharacteristically respectful toward her. He bowed slightly, saying:
"Saintess, I was wondering… what plans does the Twin Holy Divine Sect have next?"
"Should the Hanhai City sacrificial ceremony continue?"
Ning Rongrong didn't answer. The old man behind her replied gently:
"The sacrificial ceremony isn't just for the Twin Holy Divine Sect."
"It's for our sect, the Flame God Sect, and the Demonic God Sect as well. So — yes, it must continue."
"As for your concerns, don't worry. Regardless of who becomes the alliance leader in the end, this is a collective decision."
"The Flame God Sect, the Demonic God Sect… even our former enemies, the Dark Dragon Sect and the Dragon God Sect — they'll support this action."
The old man's words seemed to reassure the Hanhai Lord, who visibly relaxed.
"If you've already made the arrangements, Senior, then I'm at ease."
"I'll take my leave now."
The old man nodded, then added:
"As for your breakthrough to Level 98 — don't worry about it."
"You just need to infuse a bit of divinity into your Martial Spirit, correct?"
"Our Twin Holy Divine Sect's ritual can solve that problem."
"Once the three sect saints finish their rituals, your issue will be trivial."
The Hanhai Lord grew visibly excited and bowed deeply.
"Many thanks, Senior! I'll give it my all!"
With that, he turned and left.
Elsewhere…
Qian Renfeng gazed at the distant ocean. If he headed west, he might reach Seagod Island — and perhaps even meet the Seagod himself.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan approached the tavern quickly and whispered into Qian Renfeng's ear:
"My lord, word just came from the Hanhai Divine Sect."
"We're cleared to return to the summit."
"However… they'd like you to meet with representatives from the Twin Holy Divine Sect beforehand."
"It seems they want to ally with you."
Qian Renfeng's expression grew a little puzzled.
"The Twin Holy Divine Sect?"
"Have you heard of this cult? What kind of alliance are they proposing?"
Yue Guan's face grew serious.
"The Twin Holy Divine Sect is one of the major factions among the evil soul masters."
"In the past, whenever we encountered their members, it was always the Worship Hall that dealt with them directly."
"It's said they possess a special method — one that can infuse divinity into a Martial Spirit, bypassing the need for 100,000-year soul rings."
"In other words, using their technique, one can break through to Level 98 or even 99 without 100,000-year rings."
"However—"
"They're very tight-lipped. No one we've ever captured has revealed the secret behind it."
Qian Renfeng wasn't interested in that.
He asked only one thing:
"How many top-tier powerhouses do they have?"
That was the only thing that mattered to him.
After all, he'd already had a 100,000-year soul ring since he was six, and divine qualities?
He'd had those for years.
Knowing the Twin Holy Sect's strength was far more important than their methods.
Yue Guan shook his head.
"I'm not sure exactly how many experts they have."
"Even the elders of our sect don't know. The Worship Hall is more familiar with that kind of information."
"That said… a few decades ago, the Twin Holy Divine Sect did produce two Level 98 powerhouses — they swept through the continent, unstoppable."
"Only when the Hall Master, Qian Daoliu himself, intervened did the bloodshed finally stop."
"Two Level 98 experts?" Qian Renfeng rubbed his chin, emphasizing the number.
Yue Guan nodded firmly.
"Exactly. That's their defining trait."
**"Every generation of leadership has two supreme experts — hence the name 'Twin Holy.'"
"Even then, Qian Daoliu didn't manage to kill them both — only one died, and the other was gravely wounded."
"That injured one… may have already stepped into Level 99 by now."
Qian Renfeng shook his head.
That was hard to say.
A few decades — under normal circumstances, yes, it was possible to reach Level 99.
But with serious injuries? Even if they made the breakthrough, their remaining lifespan was likely short.
"Any more intel?"
Yue Guan thought for a moment, but couldn't recall anything else.
He shook his head.
"Perhaps, my lord, you should ask those two?"
"They might know more."
Qian Renfeng snorted coldly.
"No need. They're not my people."
"Lowering myself to ask them might make it seem like I'm begging the Twin Holy Divine Sect."
"Not happening."
"Wise decision, my lord!"
Qian Renfeng donned his crimson robe.
"Lead the way."
In a secret chamber...
Two people sat facing each other.
Qian Renfeng reclined lazily on a sofa, appearing casual and relaxed.
But in reality, his divine sense was constantly scanning the surroundings.
From the first time he entered this underground space, he had a gut feeling:
There's no way a place this massive only has one passage in or out.
Even now — on his second time down here — he still couldn't discover any secret exits.
These evil soul masters really did have methods of their own.
Even if Spirit Hall stormed the venue, they might not be able to wipe them all out.
Qian Renfeng's laziness contrasted sharply with the elder sitting before him, who sat with upright posture and a polite smile.
"The name 'Shura God Sect' isn't new to me," the elder said.
"Sixty years ago, I heard it once outside the Slaughter Capital."
"Back then, your sect leader was only at the Soul Emperor level."