"Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament? I can participate?" Qian Renxue was visibly surprised upon hearing this.
Qian Xun Ji smiled gently, stroking her hair as he said, "Silly child, of course you can. You're the current Saintess of Spirit Hall—bringing glory to our organization is your duty. Moreover, you're still young. The tournament rules allow academy Soul Masters under twenty-five to participate, with no cultivation level restrictions."
The Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was the grandest Martial Soul competition in the Soul Master world, jointly hosted by the royal families of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires with the Spirit Hall's support. Participating academies could send students aged twenty-five or younger, maintaining a seven-member team for each match.
Even with her typically aloof and cold demeanor, Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled with anticipation at her father's permission to leave and compete. After all, she didn't want to spend her entire life confined to this place undergoing the Nine Trials—she longed to explore the vibrant world beyond.
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu's expression darkened. With undeniable authority in his voice, he declared, "Absolutely not!"
His sharp gaze fixed on Qian Xun Ji's hypocritically affectionate smile, carrying a silent threat that forbade taking his granddaughter away.
Qian Xun Ji seemed oblivious to his father's warning glare, meeting it directly with a smile. "Father, I respect you. You're the esteemed Grand Worshipper of the Elder Hall, having dedicated everything to Spirit Hall in the past. Our organization's current standing owes much to your contributions."
"But Father, you can't rest on seniority forever. Xue'er is a person, not a puppet. She deserves her own choices rather than blindly following elders' commands."
"Moreover, each of the Angel Nine Trials allows five to ten years for completion, meaning even the Angel God permits examinees personal time rather than endless cultivation."
Drawing the Papal Scepter, Qian Xun Ji proclaimed, "By papal decree, Saintess Qian Renxue may represent Spirit Academy in the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament—provided she passes the academy's selection process, of course."
"And you must complete your second trial by refining one of the six Spirit Bones from the Angel Armament, understood?"
"Understood!" Qian Renxue glanced at Qian Daoliu before gathering her flowers and cake to fly off for cultivation, eager to complete her second trial soon.
The moment Qian Renxue departed, enveloped once more in golden light atop her lotus, Qian Xun Ji's affectionate demeanor vanished with startling swiftness.
"What a pity. Had that woman borne a son instead, it would have been better," Qian Xun Ji murmured with a slight smirk.
Hearing his son's words, even Qian Daoliu couldn't restrain himself. Through Soul Power transmission, he sternly rebuked, "How dare you bring that up! Xue'er still believes her mother died accidentally. If she learned the truth of her birth, her Dao heart might shatter—she might even fail the Angel Nine Trials!"
Were this not his own son, he'd have gladly struck down this despicable creature.
Qian Daoliu wasn't opposed to Qian Renxue leaving the Elder Hall; he simply didn't want her to grow too close to or trust Qian Xun Ji too much.
Qian Xun Ji showed no remorse for his actions, his gaze calm as he said, "Father, I'm doing this for the eternal foundation of our Spirit Hall, to let the divine radiance shine upon the Douluo Continent once more, and for the long-cherished wish of our Qian family through generations."
With a smile, Qian Xun Ji looked at the visibly angry Qian Daoliu and continued, "Father, you discovered it long ago. With your abilities, you could have saved Bibi Dong from the Pope's Chamber, could have prevented the unborn child from coming into this world—but you didn't. Because you knew Bibi Dong possessed Twin Spirits. Only a mother with Twin Spirits could give birth to the most powerful and perfect Angel Martial Soul, one capable of undergoing the Nine Trials."
"Not a flawed product like me, born with innate deficiencies!"
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu let out a long sigh. Just as his son had said, he hadn't intervened back then, and now he had even less right to say anything. He also knew deep down that he truly hoped someone would emerge to inherit the Angel God's legacy.
"Remember this," Qian Daoliu's voice carried a strong threat, unmistakably serious, "Qian Renxue has already begun the Angel Nine Trials. If anyone dares to harm her, I will kill them even if it costs me my life—even if that person is my own son."
Qian Xun Ji responded indifferently, "Father, Xiaoxue is my daughter."
Qian Daoliu sneered coldly, "Bibi Dong once regarded you as her father too."
"That's completely different."
Little did Qian Xun Ji know at this moment that the wish he so eagerly anticipated would ultimately be shattered—by a hammer.
Meanwhile, in Clear Sky City, the Clear Sky Soul Arena was packed to the brim, with tickets being sold at exorbitant prices. The debut battle of Tang San, son of the Clear Sky Douluo, had finally been scheduled.
The massive Soul Guidance Device screen in the arena displayed the match details: [Tang San vs. Tang Lihui]. The shared surname made the audience speculate about their connection.
"Damn, the Clear Sky Douluo's son's first match is against someone from his own sect? That's wild!"
"Isn't this Tang San's first fight? The arena's rules pair win streaks against win streaks. Since Tang Lihui doesn't have a streak either, this match probably won't be suspenseful," someone familiar with the rules explained. Those with zero consecutive wins naturally faced others in the same category, meaning Tang Lihui must have either lost his last match or never competed before.
But another spectator who followed the arena closely disagreed, "No, no, no! You're mistaken. Tang Lihui's last match ended his three-win streak. He's no pushover—his points are just shy of a hundred. He's practically the gatekeeper for the Bronze Badge."
On the arena stage, Tang Lihui, who had been waiting eagerly, was grinning from ear to ear. He had been disheartened after his three-win streak was broken, but who would have thought? Luck had smiled upon him, pitting him against Tang San!
Countless disciples of the Clear Sky Sect had dreamed of facing Tang San—it was a golden opportunity to make a name for themselves! Even losing wouldn't be a big deal; losing to Tang San was no shame. But winning? That would be an absolute triumph!
Not only had Tang Lihui arrived early, but even the referee was already standing in the center waiting. He was even wearing a tailcoat, and his strength was the highest among all the referees in the Soul Duel Arena, reaching the level of a Soul Emperor.
A Soul Emperor presiding over a match between two Black Iron competitors was simply unbelievable, but now everyone found it reasonable.
"He's here!!"
Someone in the audience suddenly shouted, and all the spectators immediately turned their gaze to the other entrance of the stage. The large door at the entrance slowly opened as guards pulled it aside.
Tang San walked with confident strides to the center of the stage, his back straight, dressed in a white robe, and wearing a leather glove on his left hand.
"Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer, twenty-fourth rank Great Soul Master, Tang San. I look forward to learning from you."
(End of Chapter)