In the Martial Soul City, within the Hall of Offerings, Qian Daoliu felt an inexplicable unease. For reasons unknown, a sense of foreboding gripped him, as if something significant was about to happen. Clutching his pounding heart, he furrowed his brow, murmuring, "Strange… why do I suddenly feel so restless?"
As the saying goes, blood ties run deep. This sudden unease might be a warning. A thought struck him, tightening his chest. "Could it be… something's happened to Xunji?"
He quickly dismissed the idea. Qian Xunji, the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, a level-95 Titled Douluo just shy of Super Douluo status, was one of the continent's top assault-type Douluo. With Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo by his side, what danger could he face? The Martial Soul Hall, the continent's strongest force, was untouchable even by the two great empires. If not Qian Xunji, then who?
His heart sank, breath catching. If this unease was indeed a warning and Qian Xunji was safe, then it could only mean Qian Renxue was in trouble.
Qian Renxue had insisted on proving herself by going to the Heaven Dou Empire, determined to show she could succeed without the Martial Soul Hall or the Angel Clan. She'd left alone to undertake a mission there. Could this foreboding signal danger during her task?
Her decision to go was sudden, leaving Qian Daoliu no time to assign proper protectors. He'd only sent three Soul Kings to escort her to the Heaven Dou Empire. "If something happens to Xue'er in your empire, Heaven Dou, you'll face extinction!" he growled, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
The terrifying aura of a level-99 Limit Douluo surged, dropping the temperature in the Hall of Offerings by several degrees. The other six offerings sensed his volatile energy, their hearts stirring with concern. As a peerless Douluo and the Martial Soul Hall's cornerstone, Qian Daoliu's every action affected the organization. Sensing his unrest, they abandoned their cultivation and gathered around him.
"Great Offering, what's wrong?" asked Golden Crocodile Douluo, the second offering, followed by Azure Luan Douluo, Lion Douluo, Light Feather Douluo, Thousand Jun Douluo, and Demon Subduing Douluo.
Seeing them, Qian Daoliu briefly explained his unease. They fell silent. As a level-99 Limit Douluo, nearly a god and virtually invincible, such restlessness wasn't trivial—it had to be a premonition.
"Could it be the Young Master?" Golden Crocodile Douluo ventured, then shook his head. "She's guarded by three Soul Kings. Their strength may not impress us, but as long as her identity stays hidden, they're more than enough to protect her in the Heaven Dou Empire. Even if exposed, revealing she's the Young Master of the Martial Soul Hall and an Angel Clan heir would ensure her safety. No one there would dare touch her—they'd protect her like royalty. If anything happened to her, the Martial Soul Hall could justifiably wipe the Heaven Dou Empire off the map. Emperor Xue Ye knows the stakes."
"I don't know," Qian Daoliu admitted. "It's just a bad feeling. I regret not assigning one or two Titled Douluo as her protectors. I wouldn't be so worried now." He sighed, filled with remorse.
"Great Offering, the Young Master is blessed and will be fine," Golden Crocodile reassured. "Even if she's in danger, revealing her identity would make the Heaven Dou Empire treat her as an honored guest."
Qian Daoliu nodded silently. Logically, this made sense, but his intuition warned him things weren't so simple. "Maybe I'm overthinking," he sighed, setting the matter aside for now. Then he recalled the need for protectors. "Golden Crocodile, any suitable candidates for Xue'er's protectors? She's too vulnerable alone in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Golden Crocodile nodded. "I have two in mind: Elder Hall's Snake Spear Douluo, She Long, and Porcupine Douluo, Ci Xue. Porcupine Douluo's poison expertise could aid her covert mission, helping eliminate targets discreetly."
Qian Daoliu approved. "If they're suitable, it's settled. I'll visit them personally to arrange it."
"Great Offering, urgent news!" A frantic shout interrupted from outside the hall. Qian Daoliu and the offerings turned toward the entrance. A sweat-drenched agility-type Soul Sage rushed in, taking three steps in two, and dropped to his knees before Qian Daoliu.
Frowning, Qian Daoliu's unease intensified. Golden Crocodile stepped forward, glaring down at the Soul Sage. "What's the matter, panicking like this?" he demanded sternly.
The Soul Sage, trembling and barely daring to breathe, didn't look up. Golden Crocodile glanced at Qian Daoliu, who raised a hand to take charge. Stepping forward, he asked, "What is it?"