I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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She Long and Ci Xue couldn't defeat Chen Xin, and Qian Renxue absolutely couldn't be allowed to come to harm; otherwise, they'd face dire consequences.
And Chen Xin had been caught by their weak point—Chu Chengzhou, who was currently refining a soul ring, couldn't afford any mishaps.
For a moment, the atmosphere on the scene became somewhat delicate.
At the same time, Chu Chengzhou, who was refining the Titan Giant Ape's soul ring, diverted a small portion of his attention and sent out a wisp of spiritual power to perceive the external situation.
Although soul masters undergoing refinement were in a state where they couldn't move, it didn't mean Chu Chengzhou had completely lost perception of the outside world.
The arrival of Qian Renxue and the two others, along with She Long and Ci Xue releasing Titled Douluo-level auras—if Chu Chengzhou wasn't dead, he could definitely sense it.
"Qian Renxue?"
Sending out his spiritual power for a quick check, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
The peerless beauty Angel Young Miss? He had seen her when he was still a student at Shrek Academy in the Soul Hunting Town outside the Great Star Dou Forest. Naturally, he couldn't have forgotten.
From the looks of the current situation, after an accidental encounter, Chen Xin recognized her as a direct descendant of the Spirit Hall's Angel Family and prepared to strike underhandedly?
Hmm, it wasn't impossible.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall were naturally at odds. Moreover, Chen Xin bore a grudge against Qian Daoliu for killing his father. With an opportunity to strike underhandedly, Chen Xin naturally wouldn't let it go.
If it weren't for Chu Chengzhou still refining his soul ring and Chen Xin having some reservations, they would probably already be fighting by now.
After some thought, Chu Chengzhou did his best to control his soul power fluctuations and transmitted a message to Qian Renxue: "Quickly leave!"
Setting aside his lingering desire for Miss Angel, even if he didn't have such desires, he couldn't let Qian Renxue fall in the Great Star Dou Forest. The series of consequences that would follow were absolutely not what he wanted to see.
The strength of the Spirit Hall was beyond doubt. After Tang Chen of the Hao Tian Sect disappeared, the Spirit Hall became the absolute overlord of the continent's soul master community.
Excluding the millions of troops under the two empires, in terms of soul master strength alone, all other forces on the continent combined might not necessarily be able to contend with the Spirit Hall.
Looking back at the original story, there were three main reasons why the Spirit Hall hadn't launched a continental unification war at this stage.
First, although the Spirit Hall's strength was formidable, soul masters were still a minority. To unify the continent, they needed armies composed of large numbers of ordinary soldiers.
Second, most of the soul masters under the Spirit Hall were not only members of the Spirit Hall but also originated from the two empires.
If the Spirit Hall launched a continental unification war without just cause, attacking their own countries, many soul masters would resist.
Third, the existence of Qian Renxue, with her innate Level 20 soul power, gave the high-ranking members of the Spirit Hall immense hope.
As long as they patiently waited for Qian Renxue to grow up and ascend to the position of Angel God, under the might of a deity, the entire continent would be within reach.
Unifying the continent through the awe-inspiring power of a deity would greatly minimize the Spirit Hall's losses.
After all, war wasn't child's play. Even with advantages, but no absolute superiority, significant losses for the Spirit Hall were inevitable. Not to mention ordinary elders—even elder envoys could potentially fall.
Among these three factors, what the Spirit Hall was waiting for was the third.
According to the trajectory of the original story, in a few years, the Spirit Hall would raise the banner of the Spirit Empire, swallowing up the various kingdoms and duchies subordinate to the two empires in the central part of the continent. This would solve both the lack of soldiers under their command and the resistance of many soul masters to attacking the two empires.
After all, these kingdoms and duchies had considerable areas and populations, providing plenty of ordinary people who could serve as soldiers.
After the establishment of the Spirit Empire, the soul masters under the Spirit Hall would no longer belong to the two empires but to the Spirit Empire, fundamentally changing their stance and removing any reluctance to attack the two empires.
Moreover, in the original story, the Spirit Hall raised the banner of the Spirit Empire shortly after the failure of Qian Renxue's infiltration plan in the Tian Dou Palace.
If Qian Renxue, who was crucial to the Spirit Hall, were to fall in the Great Star Dou Forest now, then undoubtedly, the Spirit Empire would soon appear on the continent and begin the continental unification war.
Furthermore, losing his son more than ten years ago, if he were to lose his granddaughter now, the Angel Family would be left without heirs. Qian Daoliu would undoubtedly launch a bloody revenge, sparing no expense.
Perhaps Qian Daoliu wouldn't be able to find out who killed Qian Renxue, but with She Long and Ci Xue, two Titled Douluos guarding her, something still went wrong. Excluding the possibility of spirit beasts, it must have been one of the powerful factions on the continent with Titled Douluos.
If I can't find the culprit, then as long as I exterminate all suspects with the capability, I'll have avenged this grudge.
Therefore, Miss Angel absolutely couldn't perish.
"Quickly leave?"
Receiving the soul power transmission, and recognizing the very familiar voice, Qian Renxue's pupils suddenly contracted, and she looked at Chu Chengzhou, who was still refining his soul ring, with shock.
Though Xue Qinghe had a good relationship with Chu Chengzhou, calling each other brothers and seemingly close, her current disguise should have no connection with Chu Chengzhou, right?
Could it be that he recognized me?
No, impossible!
When disguised as Xue Qinghe, due to being Ning Fengzhi's disciple, she had met Sword and Bone Douluo many times. Even Titled Douluos like Chen Xin and Gu Rong couldn't see through her true identity. How could Chu Chengzhou possibly see through it?
However, Qian Renxue knew this wasn't the time to ponder these thoughts. Immediately, she transmitted a soul power message to She Long and Ci Xue. Flapping her angel wings, she flew off rapidly into the distance.
Meanwhile, She Long tightened his grip on the snake spear, his expression tense as he spoke: "Sword Chen Xin, our young master is Great Worship's beloved granddaughter. And right now, that youth needs your protection. Don't act rashly."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xin frowned, looking at the retreating Qian Renxue, then at Chu Chengzhou, who was still refining his soul ring. His gaze fell back on She Long and Ci Xue: "Scram!"
Chen Xin understood She Long's meaning. If he pursued Qian Renxue, She Long and Ci Xue would attack Chu Chengzhou.
If he abandoned pursuing Qian Renxue, whether to kill She Long and Ci Xue had lost its significance.
The Spirit Hall had numerous Titled Douluos and wasn't short of these two weak ones. Moreover, it would bring disaster to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
After all, since Qian Renxue escaped, the Spirit Hall would know about this. Two elders dying at his hands, even if they were weak elders, the Spirit Hall surely wouldn't be kind to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
With concerns in mind, Chen Xin could only pretend he hadn't encountered these three today.
Without hesitation, She Long and Ci Xue immediately retreated.
By the way, while leaving, the two took a detour, crippled the Flame-Winged Tiger that had quietly slipped away several miles, and carried it off together.
Dual-attribute fire and light soul beasts were rare, and those with suitable years were even rarer—they couldn't miss this opportunity.
Realizing that Qian Renxue had safely escaped, Chu Chengzhou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Before his fist fully hardened, it was better for the continent's situation to remain stable. Even if chaos were to ensue, it shouldn't exceed the scope of control.
Being a surfer was far better than drowning.
Another half hour passed. Chu Chengzhou, who was refining the Titan Giant Ape's soul ring, experienced a sudden surge in aura, officially advancing to the Soul Emperor level.
[Attribute Panel]
[Host: Chu Chengzhou]
[Soul Power: Level 63 Soul Emperor]
[Martial Soul: True Spirit Banner]
[Soul Rings: Black (10000), Black (10000), Black (10000), Black (57160), Black (29050), Black (80900)]
[First Soul Skill, Summon: Sky Azure Tree]
[Second Soul Skill, Summon: Bright Lion]
[Third Soul Skill, Summon: Fire Phoenix]
[Fourth Soul Skill, Summon: Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear]
[Fifth Soul Skill, Summon: Mystic Water Turtle]
[Sixth Soul Skill, Summon: Titan Giant Ape]
[Skills: Nine Breath Qi Absorption (Gold), Unbreakable Golden Body (Gold), Eternal Thought (Gold), Sun-Shooting Divine Arrow (Red), Earth-Traversing Divine Light (Red), Absolute Control (Red), Void Illusion World (Red), Creation Hammer (Red), Instant Bloom (Red)]
[AFK Slots: 1. Void Illusion World (Red), 2. Earth-Traversing Divine Light (Red), 3. Nine Breath Qi Absorption (Gold), 4. Sun-Shooting Divine Arrow (Red), 5. Fourth Soul Ring (Black), 6. Martial Soul: True Spirit Banner (Top-tier), 7. (Empty)]
As previously deduced, this Titan Giant Ape's age was over eighty thousand years. Relative to his soul power level, the soul ring's age was extremely high, causing him to directly advance to Level 63 upon reaching the Soul Emperor level.
At the same time, after adding an over eighty-thousand-year sixth soul ring, his various physical functions saw a substantial increase. In terms of physique alone, he was now on par with most Soul Douluos.
Unfortunately, the improvement in spiritual power wasn't significant, still lagging far behind Titled Douluos.
After staring at the AFK section for three seconds, Chu Chengzhou learned the changes to his AFK cheat after advancing to the Soul Emperor level.
The changes weren't major. An additional slot appeared in the AFK section, but similar to when advancing from three rings to four rings, the AFK efficiency didn't change. The soul ring aspect remained at 80 years per day.
Currently, among the first six AFK slots, the fastest to upgrade and evolve was the arrow technique supreme skill: Sun-Shooting Divine Arrow. In just over half a month, he would master a Gold-Tier offensive supreme skill.
Subsequently, Chu Chengzhou didn't hesitate much and placed the sixth soul ring into the newly added seventh AFK slot after advancing.
The Titan Giant Ape summon's age wasn't far from the 100,000-year mark. He would first upgrade it to a 100,000-year summon. With a 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape summon in hand, he would have the confidence to deal with the Star Luo Empire's troubles.
Chu Chengzhou: Hehehe—!
Closing the attribute panel, Chu Chengzhou turned to look at the Titan Giant Ape's corpse not far away.
Damn it, when will I become the ultimate lucky guy?
Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but suspect if his luck stat had been entirely sucked dry by the cheat.
Unless there was an ironclad rule in the Douluo Continent that hunting soul beasts over 100,000 years would always yield soul bones, and obtaining soul bones wasn't limited to hunting soul beasts, Chu Chengzhou felt he might never get a soul bone in his life.
"How's it going?"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou wake up, Chen Xin stepped forward and asked.
"Not bad, my strength should be around Titled Douluo now."
Chu Chengzhou modestly replied.
Not exaggerating or downplaying, whether it was Big Bear at over 57,000 years or Da Hei (Big Black) at over 80,000 years, they both had the strength to crush weak Titled Douluos.
Hmm, Big Black was the name Chu Chengzhou gave to the Titan Giant Ape summon.
"Tsk, you're really a freak."
Clicking his tongue, Chen Xin couldn't help but exclaim.
He actually believed Chu Chengzhou's words.
After all, the displayed strength of Chu Chengzhou's summons was stronger than that of soul beasts of the same species and age. As long as the Titan Giant Ape summon's strength wasn't weaker than wild Titan Giant Apes of the same age, based solely on its age of over 80,000 years, the Titan Giant Ape summon's strength was at least at the Titled Douluo level.
Of course, Chen Xin's impression that Chu Chengzhou's summons were stronger than soul beasts of the same species and age was entirely due to Chu Chengzhou disguising the ages of his soul rings.
But even so, Chen Xin's guess wasn't entirely wrong. Chu Chengzhou's summons indeed had greater strength than soul beasts of the same species and age.
A summon's strength was calculated in two parts: one part was the summon's age, and the other part was the enhancement brought by Chu Chengzhou as the summoner.
Based solely on the summon's age, Chu Chengzhou's various summons had strengths equivalent to soul beasts of the same species and age.
The enhancement from Chu Chengzhou as the summoner to each summon's strength varied. If the summon's age far exceeded the corresponding age of Chu Chengzhou's own soul power level, this enhancement would be minimal. Conversely, if the summon's age was too low, this strength enhancement would be very noticeable.
This was similar to how, with unchanged soul skills' ages, the higher the soul master's soul power level, the stronger the specific effects of the soul skills would be.
Three days later, Tian Dou City.
Approaching noon, a carriage left the Chu Manor and headed towards the Tian Dou Grand Hotel.
Last night, Chu Chengzhou received an invitation. His 'good big brother' Xue Qinghe was hosting a banquet for him, his good younger brother, at the Tian Dou Grand Hotel at noon today.
Since Miss Angel was inviting, he naturally had to go.
Besides, Chu Chengzhou wasn't afraid this was a trap. As long as Qian Renxue didn't want all her years of effort to go to waste, she wouldn't resort to force against him.
After all, this was Tian Dou City. Presumably, this Miss spy wouldn't dare make a big move.
Moreover, if Qian Renxue really wanted to use force, and could subdue him without making a big move, there would be no need to use the guise of a banquet. She could simply kidnap him directly.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Tian Dou Grand Hotel.
"Respectful greetings, Young Master Chu. His Highness ordered me to wait here. Please follow me."
Just as he got out of the carriage and before entering, a waiter approached.
"Mm."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
Subsequently, following the guiding waiter, Chu Chengzhou arrived at a luxurious private room on the top floor of the hotel.
"Brother Qinghe, it's been a long time."
Chu Chengzhou opened his arms and walked forward with a smile, wanting to give his 'good big brother' an enthusiastic hug.
Seeing this, Qian Renxue twitched her lips and quickly avoided it inconspicuously.
It didn't matter before, but knowing that Chu Chengzhou likely already knew her identity, she naturally couldn't accept such enthusiasm.
"So, Brother, that's why I invited my dear brother to this feast! It's getting late, dear brother, please take your seat quickly!"
After seating Chu Chengzhou, Qian Renxue turned and instructed the nearby waiter to start serving dishes.
Soon, the food and drinks were served. Qian Renxue dismissed the attendants, leaving only her and Chu Chengzhou in the private room.
"Dear brother, aren't you curious why?"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou elegantly eating by himself without any intention of asking about her identity, Qian Renxue couldn't help but ask.
To say Chu Chengzhou didn't know her identity, Qian Renxue wouldn't believe it a hundred times over. Otherwise, why would he warn her in the Great Star Dou Forest earlier without reason?
"Curious about what?"
Chu Chengzhou asked.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue raised her eyebrows.
Is he really unaware, or is he pretending?
But before she could probe again, she heard Chu Chengzhou say: "Brother Qinghe, congratulations on advancing to the Soul Sage level!"
In his words, Chu Chengzhou emphasized 'Soul Sage.'
Although Qian Renxue had the disguise soul bone skill from the Angel Head Bone, he couldn't see through her soul power level. Accurately speaking, he could only see the disguised level of 41 as a Soul Ancestor.
But previously in the Great Star Dou Forest, Qian Renxue was a quasi-Soul Sage at Level 70. Now, returning from the Great Star Dou Forest, she must have advanced to a Soul Sage.
As for revealing her strength voluntarily? Always calling each other brothers superficially, Chu Chengzhou felt that being fake brothers wasn't interesting. It was better to be honest with each other.
Mm, preferably being truly sincere, knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses.
"When did you see through it?"
Qian Renxue's expression tightened, and she asked gravely.
"This is fate's guidance," Chu Chengzhou solemnly babbled nonsense.
This question was hard to answer. He couldn't say he had read Douluo Continent, right?
"What do you want? As long as it's within my capabilities."
Qian Renxue didn't dwell on Chu Chengzhou's nonsense. And this wasn't the key point. The key was that all her years of effort couldn't be wasted.
"That's a good question! But before that, Brother Qinghe, can you show your true face?
Forget the previous incident in the Great Star Dou Forest. I once saw you before. Brother Qinghe, your appearance is unforgettable to this humble brother!"
Chu Chengzhou said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue fell silent.
Her contact with Chu Chengzhou wasn't just a day or two. She clearly understood his flirtatious nature and knew he was quite the womanizer, with a rather shocking 'grand ambition.'
Grandpa once said that girls, when they grow up, eventually need to find a home.
If Chu Chengzhou wasn't such a womanizer, considering their past 'good brother' relationship, she might consider giving him a chance.
But the problem was that he was so flirtatious, appearing far from ideal marriage material!
If he clung to her and used it as leverage, wouldn't she be at his mercy?
"Alright, this isn't a place to talk. Let's change the venue!"
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou unleashed his mental power, activating the illusion supreme skill: Void Illusion World, pulling Qian Renxue's consciousness into the illusion.
Fortunately, although Qian Renxue's strength wasn't weak, her soul power level was only at the initial seven-ring stage. Even with a 99,999-year Angel Head Bone, her mental power wasn't exceptionally strong and still fell within the effective range of his Void Illusion World.
Instantly, Qian Renxue felt a surge of mental power descend into her consciousness. Following that, her vision shifted, and she found herself in a fragrant, bird-song-filled illusory space.
"A single glance can captivate a city, a second glance can captivate a nation. The ancients were truly wise!"
Gazing at Qian Renxue's peerless beauty, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but praise.
Since only her consciousness was pulled into the illusion, the figure appearing in the illusory space wasn't Xue Qinghe but the stunningly beautiful Qian Renxue.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue slightly raised her delicate brows. Well, this guy, though quite the womanizer, still had good taste in aesthetics! And his flattery skills weren't bad either; she liked it!
Wait, where was this? Why was she here? Where was her disguise headpiece? Why did her disguise soul bone skill fail?
Looking at her golden hair cascading over her shoulders, Qian Renxue felt disoriented.
"My Brother Qinghe, can you tell me your origins now?"
Stepping forward, Chu Chengzhou kissed Qian Renxue's slender white hand and asked.
Immediately, Qian Renxue's eyes widened, and she looked at Chu Chengzhou in shock. I considered you a brother, and you're hitting on me?
"This is called a hand-kiss, one of the noble etiquettes, not flirting," Chu Chengzhou calmly explained.
Tang Yuehua: Is this how I taught you?
"Pfft~!"
Spitting lightly, Qian Renxue disdainfully withdrew her arm, fearing that Chu Chengzhou, who had no shame, might attempt a cheek-kiss or lip-kiss next.
"My name is Qian Renxue. Chu Chengzhou, it's impossible between us. Don't waste your thoughts on me."
Qian Renxue bluntly stated.
Qian Renxue was very confident in her appearance.
She had already thought about it earlier. Why did Chu Chengzhou know her identity but didn't reveal it? It was nothing more than him being interested in her.
Given Chu Chengzhou's personality, he definitely wouldn't abandon his little girlfriends.
Did he think she, Qian Renxue, would share a husband with multiple women? Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Moreover, if Chu Chengzhou chose to abandon his little girlfriends, she would be even less likely to agree.
For a woman, abandoning one's girlfriend was despicable. Such fickle scum deserved hell!
"Oh? Why is it impossible? On this continent, few potential candidates possess both strength and good looks like me."
Raising his eyebrows, Chu Chengzhou asked.
At this moment, Chu Chengzhou discarded the noble etiquette he learned from Tang Yuehua. When picking up girls, he didn't need to be restrained.
"Well... as the sole heir of the Angel Family, I cannot marry out."
After a moment of hesitation, Qian Renxue seriously stated.
Talking about sharing a husband with multiple women sounded unpleasant, so it was better left unsaid.
"No problem, I'm quite understanding. Children taking their mother's surname is also acceptable."
Waving his hand, Chu Chengzhou nonchalantly stated.
"You—, shameless!"
Qian Renxue was greatly annoyed. Is this what I meant?
"Shameless? My little angel, don't you think Emperor Xue Ye shouldn't know your identity?"
Chu Mouren, living a comfortable life, said with a smile.
"How dare you?!"
If she was merely angry before, now Qian Renxue was furious.
She absolutely couldn't allow all her efforts over the past decade to be wasted.
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