Without a word, Tian Yue and Shi Ming charged ahead — their instincts as beast-type soul masters screaming for battle.Their movements were explosive, violent, like wild beasts breaking free of their chains.
But Qian Renxue didn't even flinch.Her eyes followed them lazily, her posture relaxed, her breathing steady — and then she moved.Or rather, she didn't move much at all. Her body swayed with a dancer's grace, her steps light and minimal. Tian Yue's claws slashed at empty air; Shi Ming's golden fists struck only afterimages.
Qian Dan, seeing an opening, extended his hand. "Second Soul Skill—Flamethrower!"A massive wave of azure fire surged forth, heating the air until it shimmered.
Qian Renxue moved subtly — a sweep of her leg, a gentle nudge — and suddenly Shi Ming stumbled into the flame's path.Shi Ming's eyes widened. "Wait—!"The azure flames engulfed him before he could react, and an explosion sent him rolling across the courtyard.
"Gah—!" he coughed, his clothes smoking.
"Shi Ming!" Tian Yue called out, distracted.In that split-second of hesitation, Qian Renxue appeared beside her — as if the air itself had parted to make way for her fist.
Bang!
The blow didn't hit Tian Yue directly but generated enough force to send her skidding several meters back.Qian Renxue's gaze flicked to the sky. "Even if you're airborne," she said softly, "never let your guard down."
Qian Dan barely had time to react before her silhouette blurred again.Her punch landed squarely in his gut — clean, precise, and controlled.Morning's Breakfast sprayed from his mouth as his body crashed into the ground, creating a shallow crater.
Dugu Yan hesitated. Her poison attacks could spread uncontrollably, and Tian Yue was still too close.That single moment of restraint sealed her fate.
Qian Renxue turned in a whirl of golden light and reappeared beside them.A single sweep of her leg sent both Dugu Yan and Tian Yue tumbling, their martial souls flickering.
By now, only Jiang Mo remained standing.
His instincts screamed danger.Every muscle in his body tensed. He tried to follow her movements, but no matter how hard he focused, her figure blurred — like she existed in multiple places at once.Then, cold pressure brushed against his neck.
He froze.A golden claw rested just beneath his throat.
"Did you assume," Qian Renxue whispered, her breath brushing his ear, "that I hadn't released my martial soul?"
Jiang Mo's pupils shrank. When did she—?!
"I'll give you a clue," she continued, her tone almost playful. "My third soul skill… is Illusion."
What she didn't say — what none of them realized — was that she had also quietly activated her second soul skill: Emotion Amplifier.Tian Yue's excitement, Shi Ming's frustration, Dugu Yan's hesitation — all magnified until logic vanished.They hadn't fought her. They'd fought their own emotions.
In truth, Qian Renxue had been purely bullying them from the start. Even with her power "limited" to Soul Ancestor level, her soul rings were of million year quality — far beyond their comprehension.They had never stood a chance and this was nothing but Qian Renxue bullying some talented soul masters.
She stepped back, withdrawing her claw, and smiled faintly. "You all need better coordination," she said, voice light but cutting. "Remember — strength without unity is just noise."
Her golden figure shimmered, breaking apart into tiny bubbles — and then she was gone, as if she had never been there.
Jiang Mo remained frozen for a moment, then clenched his fists tightly.'How vast… is the gap between us?'The question echoed endlessly in his heart, heavier than the cudgel he held.
---
Time: EveningLocation: Spirit City
The sun was setting beyond the towering walls of Spirit City, dyeing the skies with shades of violet and crimson. Yet unlike the dimming world outside, the Spirit Hall shone brilliantly with the help of light-type soul guides. Beams of pure white and soft amber drifted like fireflies in the air, their glow reflecting upon marble walls.
Tonight was a night of celebration.From the streets to the plazas, civilians gathered in awe holding lanterns, forming an ocean of lighted lanterns that stretched as far as the eye could see.
At the heart of it all, the Central Plaza before the Spirit Hall Cathedral had been transformed into a ceremonial stage. Rows of high-ranking bishops, cardinals, and knights stood in gleaming armor, their expressions solemn.
On the raised platform at the center, Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall, sat upon a chair as if it was a throne.
She wore an elegant amethyst ceremonial robe, embroidered with the highest quality of silk. A delicate golden crown rested upon her head, beneath which her long purple hair cascaded down like flowing silk. Her expression was calm, cold,— a beauty that inspired both reverence and fear.
Behind her stood Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, as if they were silent guardians of her will.
Bibi Dong's gaze swept across the glowing plaza, her eyes half-lidded.'This night will be remembered. '
From one of the corridors leading to the stage, Hu Liena appeared.
She walked slowly but gracefully, each step echoing softly against the marble floor. She was dressed in a ceremonial gown that combined elegance with a faint allure — a flowing white and pink dress lined with crimson silk, its hem embroidered with intricate patterns. Her long, hair was tied up with a white jade pin, leaving a few soft strands framing her delicate face.
Her eyes, clear yet burning with emotion, reflected the countless lights of Spirit City.
The crowd's murmurs grew as she appeared — a ripple of admiration and curiosity spreading among the civilians. Afterall the girl will soon become the disciple of the Pope.
Then, a voice filled with spirit power rang across the plaza.
"Announcing — the ceremony for the acceptance of the Pope's personal disciple!Hu Liena, student of the Spirit Academy, shall be formally accepted as the Pope's disciple and the future Saint of Spirit Hall!"