(T/N: 'Poaching Talent Parts 1 & 2' are chapters 725 and 742)
But in the end, circumstances outweighed personal strength, and Yu Luomian didn't say much more. He bowed once again and said:
"Please give your instructions, Your Holiness."
At this moment, Qian Renxue raised her left hand once more and replied, "Though your strength is lacking, you've at least shown some sincerity. You're not like that madman of the Hao Tian Sect, who thought himself invincible and acted arrogantly without restraint.
I'll accept your pledge of three services. As for your daughter, Liu Erlong—Her death sentence is commuted, but she cannot escape punishment. Damaging the Spirit Hall's dignity cannot go unpunished so lightly. Today, I will personally cripple her cultivation as a warning to all those arrogant soul masters on the Douluo Continent: the Spirit Hall must not be insulted!"
Watching the soul force gathering in Qian Renxue's hand, Yu Luomian immediately grew anxious. He wasn't concerned about whether Liu Erlong's cultivation would be crippled—after all, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wouldn't miss the strength of a single Soul Sage or Soul Elder.
Before Qian Renxue could act, Yu Luomian hastily said, "Such matters shouldn't require Your Holiness to soil your hands. Allow me to handle this personally."
Without waiting for Qian Renxue's response, Yu Luomian instantly enveloped himself in crackling lightning and delivered a punch that shattered Liu Erlong's True Body, which was already on the verge of collapse due to her reckless outburst.
Yu Luomian's actions appeared cowardly, seemingly cowering before the Spirit Hall and tarnishing the reputation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. However, this stemmed from his concern as a father—he feared that Qian Renxue might not hold back, potentially causing even greater harm to Liu Erlong beyond crippling her cultivation. That was not something he, as a father, wanted to see.
Although Yu Luomian had used various methods to raise his cultivation to the awkward level of 89 ranks, ensuring he would never break through to become a Title Douluo, he was of the same generation as Dugu Bo and had long since mastered the peak control of his soul force. Though his strike was rushed, it perfectly embodied speed, precision, and ruthlessness.
The blinding white lightning instantly pierced through Liu Erlong's dantian, inflicting permanent damage that could never be healed.
This was the first time Ye Wen had witnessed a soul master being crippled. Although he had read some fanfiction based on Douluo in his previous life, where characters' martial souls were destroyed, Ye Wen had always found such scenarios absurd. Unless someone's martial soul was tied directly to a specific part of their body, how could something as deeply ingrained as a bloodline-based martial soul simply be destroyed?
What? Did they think destroying someone's martial soul meant draining their blood dry? Wouldn't that just kill them outright?
Liu Erlong, already mentally unstable, was instantly knocked unconscious by Yu Luomian's merciless strike.
But for Liu Erlong, this was the least of her worries. Once resembling a beautiful woman in her thirties, her cultivation now completely gone, her once vibrant red hair began visibly turning gray, and wrinkles started forming on her previously youthful face. Her appearance rapidly aged into that of an ordinary woman in her forties or fifties.
Many from smaller factions sighed at this sight—not because of Liu Erlong's beauty, but because she had reached nearly rank 80 at the age of forty or fifty, with the potential to become a Title Douluo. Unfortunately, her lack of judgment had ruined her future.
Yu Luomian, however, felt no regret. On the contrary, he breathed a sigh of relief. Though he wasn't a Title Douluo, he still had another thirty to forty years to live, which was enough to ensure Liu Erlong's safety for the rest of her days.
Yu Luomian bowed once more to Qian Renxue and asked, "Is Your Holiness satisfied now?"
Qian Renxue gave him a meaningful look. This man lacked both cultivation and strategy, but his decisiveness and ability to recognize the situation were commendable. As long as she brought along several Title Douluos in the future, he would know what to do with his family.
"Yu Luomian, you've done well. I'll remember you."
With that, Qian Renxue turned her gaze away and addressed the crowd around her:
"Today's farce ends here. Farewell, everyone—we'll meet again if fate allows."
With these words, Qian Renxue transformed into a streak of light and returned to the Pope's Hall with the members of the Spirit Hall to discuss their next steps.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen also turned his attention away and began leading Oscar and the others back to the Tian Dou Empire.
Although Oscar and the others had overexerted themselves, depleting their lifespans and potential, for Ye Wen—who possessed the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, a super medicinal garden—repairing their injuries was no issue.
Of course, compared to Oscar, the others would receive slightly lower-grade medicines. While their losses could be restored, they wouldn't fully recover. Even so, Jing Ling and the others were deeply grateful to Ye Wen.
After all, Bibi Dong herself had stated how precious such medicines were—it was almost wasteful to use them on ordinary geniuses like them. Simply regaining some strength was already a blessing.
Moreover, Ye Wen had provided them with job opportunities. Having broken through rank 40, they were no longer eligible for subsidies, and due to Shrek Academy's infamous reputation, finding decent work as commoners would be difficult in the future. Ye Wen's actions could be considered akin to giving them a second chance at life.
Of course, after investing so much, Ye Wen wasn't merely offering employment. He also made them part of his affiliated faction within the Medical Alliance. If they founded families in the future, these affiliations would extend to their descendants as subordinate families.
None of them objected to this arrangement. After all, Ye Wen's potential was obvious—he was destined to become a Title Douluo. Rather than viewing this as a restriction, they saw it as a gift, ensuring their descendants would have a powerful benefactor from birth.
These conditions were also extended to Oscar.
Oscar held no grievances. From the moment he began cultivating, people had told him he might become the first Food System Title Douluo in history. But Tang San's interference had plunged him into despair, making his years of effort seem like a joke. Ye Wen had given him a second chance, and Oscar was deeply grateful.
Oscar personally vowed that if he ever founded a family, his descendants would remain loyal to Ye Wen for generations to come.
In the following days, Oscar demonstrated his loyalty through actions. After joining the Medical Alliance, he even brought his teacher, Shao Xin—a Food System Soul Sage—into the alliance as well.
Ye Wen smiled in satisfaction at Oscar's initiative. From the moment he first met Oscar, he had intended to bring him into his fold. Now, his wish had been fulfilled. Moreover, Ye Wen was curious—if Oscar didn't follow Ning Rongrong to ascend to godhood as in the original storyline but instead left behind descendants on the Douluo Continent, what kind of fascinating future might unfold?
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