Xue Ye: Outright Robbery. Again?

"This trip happens to be on the way."

Qian Xunji spoke calmly.

"The Far North lies due north of the continent. Starting from Spirit City, we can make a detour to the Blue Silver Forest in the Heaven Dou Empire on our way north. It won't add even half a day to the journey.

"I've already brought the Aromatic Silk Beauty with me.

"When the time comes, we can stop by and I'll personally bestow the Immortal Herb upon the Blue Silver King, helping him refine his origin and break through the hundred-thousand-year barrier.

"With a hundred-thousand-year-old Blue Silver King overseeing the Blue Silver Clan, you'll have no more worries left behind."

Hearing this, Ah Yin's eyes reddened slightly. She said softly:

"Brother Ji, you're... so good to me.

"Thank you on behalf of all the Blue Silver Clan's people."

"Silly girl, why stand on ceremony with me? Your people are naturally my people." Qian Xunji smiled freely.

Bibi Dong teased him from the side:

"All right, all right, Brother Ji, Sister Ah Yin knows how you feel.

"Now that the itinerary is settled, shouldn't you go tell Grandpa?"

"Right. You two pack at home first, and have Bing'er get ready too.

"I'll go to the Worship Hall and be right back,"

Qian Xunji said.

After settling the three women in, Qian Xunji flashed into a streak of crimson-gold light and flew straight toward the sacred, solemn Worship Hall.

Deep within the Worship Hall, the enormous Angel God Statue radiated a gentle holy light.

Qian Daoliu was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, resting. Sensing Qian Xunji's presence, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Ji'er, what brings you here at this hour?

"Haven't you already arranged for the wedding invitations to be sent out?"

Qian Daoliu asked calmly.

Qian Xunji walked to the front of the hall and cupped his hands.

"Father, preparations for the wedding are proceeding according to plan.

"I came today to let you know that I intend to take Dong'er, Xue'er, and my newly accepted disciple Shui Bing'er on a long journey."

"A journey?

"Where to?"

Qian Daoliu raised an eyebrow slightly.

Qian Xunji smiled.

"To the Far North for Soul Hunting.

"Xue'er just broke through her bottleneck and reached level 40, and Bing'er has reached level 10 as well.

"Also, a hundred-thousand-year-old Icefield Raging Bear that recently survived its tribulation has appeared in the Far North. I plan to take Dong'er there to capture it and use it as the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor's First Soul Ring."

Even Qian Daoliu, who had weathered countless storms, couldn't help drawing a slight breath of cold air at those words. His expression changed.

"Xue'er reached level 40 at nine years old?

"Good!

"Wonderful!

"As expected of a direct descendant of the Qian Family, blessed by our divine ancestor!"

After marveling at his granddaughter's talent, Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Xunji again and smiled wryly.

"You've certainly got a big appetite, brat. You're starting Dong'er's Second Martial Soul off with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?

"No one in the history of Douluo Continent has ever dared to do that."

Qian Xunji smiled calmly.

"I personally conditioned Dong'er's body. She can withstand it.

"If we're going to do it, we'll naturally make her the strongest on the continent."

Qian Daoliu gazed at Qian Xunji for a moment, satisfaction showing in his eyes. Stroking his beard, he asked:

"The Far North is distant, but with your current abilities, it's naturally no dangerous place to you.

"But you've just sent Qian Chongfeng to deliver invitations to the major powers, especially the Clear Sky Sect. That old fellow Tang Chen is still around. If the major powers take the opportunity to cause trouble..."

"They can't stir up any waves."

A trace of disdain flashed through Qian Xunji's eyes.

"Qian Chongfeng sent back a secret message. The Clear Sky Sect's third elder and the others spoke arrogantly, and he intimidated them on the spot.

"Tang Chen doesn't dare act rashly.

"As for the other Upper Three Sects and the two great empires, even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare meet Spirit Hall's edge head-on."

Qian Daoliu nodded and laughed.

"True enough.

"You've not only formed Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Soul Cores and become a Demigod, but you also possess the divine artifact bestowed by our divine ancestor, the Angel Holy Sword.

"In terms of sheer frontal combat strength, even I am no longer your match.

"Looking across all of Douluo Continent, who could still hurt you?"

Qian Daoliu waved a hand, looking greatly reassured.

"Go on!

"Take Dong'er and the children out for some good experience.

"The Far North may be remote, but with you there, I have every confidence.

"With me, Golden Crocodile, and the other old fellows watching over Spirit City, even if Tang Chen himself came knocking, he wouldn't gain the slightest advantage.

"Go bring back the Soul Rings and prepare for your wedding without worry!"

Qian Xunji cupped his fists.

"Thank you, Father.

"We'll be back soon. Sorry to trouble you to look after Spirit City and Ah Yin."

"We're family. There's no need to say more," Qian Daoliu said with a smile.

After taking his leave of Qian Daoliu, Qian Xunji strode out of the Worship Hall. His crimson-gold wings unfurled slightly behind him, and he headed straight home to prepare for the journey north.

Meanwhile, in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Qian Yu, commander of the Angel Legion, had been dispatched to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Only now did he fly through the sky and arrive outside Heaven Dou City.

Qian Yu withdrew the four golden wings shining with holy light on his back and muttered to himself:

"That fellow Chongfeng awakened the Wind Angel. His speed is unmatched under heaven, so he's probably already finished visiting the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Clear Sky Sect.

"Though my Four-Winged Angel excels at frontal offense and defense, it really does fall somewhat short in a contest of speed."

A short while later, in the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial palace hall.

Upon hearing that the commander of Spirit Hall's Angel Legion, a level 94 Titled Douluo, had come in person, Xue Ye dared not show the slightest neglect. He immediately led his ministers in giving him a grand reception with the highest honors.

In the hall, Xue Ye wore a broad smile as he cupped his hands with the utmost courtesy.

"I didn't know Your Majesty Qian Yu had come from afar, and failed to go out to welcome you. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!

"Attend me! Bring a seat and serve our finest Snowcap fragrant tea!"

Qian Yu's expression was cold. He waved a hand and said:

"There's no need for a seat. I haven't come to tour the mountains and rivers, but on His Holiness the Pope's orders to convey an important matter."

Xue Ye's heart jolted, but he maintained a humble smile and asked tentatively:

"What further instructions does His Holiness the Pope have?

"His Holiness visited Heaven Dou City in person a few days ago and already reached an agreement with me.

"I also sent people to deliver the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and my son Xue Yue safely to Spirit City. Could something have gone wrong along the way?"

Xue Ye was warm on the surface, but inwardly he was already cursing up a storm.

A few days ago, Qian Xunji had used the pressure of a Demigod to forcibly trade a seven-thousand-year-old Spur-Winged Goose left arm bone for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure, passed down for ten thousand years. He had also seized the second prince, Xue Yue, and taken him to Spirit Hall as a hostage.

That was outright robbery!

The Pope had only been gone a few days, so why had he sent another level 94 Titled Douluo with real authority?

Had Spirit Hall completely thrown away all pretense of shame and set its sights on another of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's treasures?

Expressionless, Qian Yu took a magnificent invitation edged with crimson-gold trim from his Storage Soul Tool. With a casual wave, he sent it floating steadily before Xue Ye, wrapped in Soul Power.

"Your Majesty worries too much. This is not about the second prince."

Qian Yu spoke calmly.

"His Holiness the Pope will hold his wedding in Spirit City three months from now. He has specially ordered me to deliver this invitation, inviting Your Majesty Xue Ye to come to Spirit City in person and share a cup of wedding wine."