Tuoba Yan's eyes burned as he glared fixedly at Tuoba Xi, his face full of displeasure, as though he were one step away from carving his irritation onto it.
Tuoba Xi, however, turned a blind eye to it. For the Tuoba Clan's grand ambitions, he had long since committed himself fully. In a deep voice, he said, "I have investigated this thoroughly. The Pontiff has recently shown an intention to take a disciple. According to Chrysanthemum Crown, the candidate will be selected from among the Seed Candidates a year from now, and Hu Liena has an excellent chance of standing out."
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was held once every five years and was considered the pinnacle event of the soul master world.
Whenever the time came, Bibi Dong would select exceptionally gifted students from the Junior Soul Master Academy in advance and focus on nurturing them, all to win supreme glory for Spirit Hall at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Every year, when the Junior Soul Master Academy students graduated, the Four Academy Districts would hold a Soul Duel Carnival, where each academy's elite students took the stage to compete.
The victors would not only receive generous rewards, but would also be placed on Spirit Hall's priority training list and come to the attention of Spirit Hall's upper ranks, especially Pontiff Bibi Dong.
Gaining the attention of Spirit Hall's upper echelons meant limitless prospects and countless benefits.
"Hu Liena is in her sixth year this year. A year from now, she will participate in the Four Academy Districts' Soul Duel Carnival. She possesses Rank Nine Innate Soul Power and outstanding talent. Chrysanthemum Crown said that among all the candidates, the Pontiff has taken a particular interest in Hu Liena."
Excitement gleamed in Tuoba Xi's eyes. "As things stand, Hu Liena can already be regarded as the Pontiff's chosen disciple."
"Yan'er, our opportunity has arrived!"
"The Pontiff's disciple will inevitably become either the Saint Son or the Saintess in the future."
"If you can win Hu Liena's heart, it will be an immensely important matter for our clan—enough to let our clan rise to even greater heights!"
"Yan'er, do you understand?"
Feeling Tuoba Yan's sharp gaze bore into his back, Tuoba Xi deliberately turned away from his grandson, afraid that he might soften for a moment and compromise again over Hu Liena. "If you still do not understand, I can explain it to you in greater detail."
Tuoba Yan sneered and said coldly, "I understand. How could I not? After all that talk, you simply want to cling to Bibi Dong and ride her coattails!"
Though his words carried a strong scent of gunpowder, Tuoba Xi did not get angry. Still facing away from Tuoba Yan, he earnestly advised, "Yan'er, you are my own grandson. You enjoy wealth and privilege beyond the reach of ordinary people, so naturally you must shoulder the corresponding responsibilities of the clan. That is your duty."
"I've already said it: no one gets to control my thoughts!"
"Yan'er..."
Tuoba Xi turned around. His tall frame looked down upon Tuoba Yan as he continued to persuade him. "Grandfather knows you do not wish to suffer any grievance. As long as you marry Hu Liena, Grandfather promises to allow you to take concubines."
"This has nothing to do with whether I can take concubines!"
"You resist this so strongly. Could it be that you find Hu Liena ugly?"
"She looks... so-so."
"Since you said 'so-so,' that means she is acceptable."
A faint smile appeared on Tuoba Xi's face, as if he had seen a ray of hope. He reached out his broad palm and gently placed it on Tuoba Yan's shoulder.
"Grandfather has already found out. Hu Liena has cultivated Charm Arts since childhood. She must be a woman of endless allure and great understanding. Marrying her will certainly not leave you at a loss. More importantly, through this opportunity, we can also learn those incomparably powerful Self-Created Soul Skills of Spirit Hall."
Hearing this, Tuoba Yan clicked his tongue inwardly and mocked, "So your matchmaking scheme and all these arrangements for me were merely for the sake of learning their Self-Created Soul Skills?"
"Yan'er, you still have not realized just how important Self-Created Soul Skills are to the rise and fall of our clan."
"For Self-Created Soul Skills, you would use your own grandson as a bargaining chip?"
"Yan'er..."
Tuoba Xi's gaze suddenly became as sharp as an eagle's. As the Platinum Bishop of the Soul Hunting Squad, a battle-hardened veteran, he unconsciously exuded a chilling, vicious aura.
That instant of sternness made Tuoba Yan's heart jolt. He was stunned for a moment. He had never seen his grandfather look so imposing.
Tuoba Xi said solemnly, "You are Grandfather's precious treasure. How could Grandfather harm you? As the young clan leader of the Tuoba Clan, you enjoy abundant resources, so you should naturally contribute your share to the clan."
With both hands in his pockets, Tuoba Yan spoke calmly and unhurriedly. "If you are only trying to please Bibi Dong for Self-Created Soul Skills, there is no need for that. You can just come curry favor with me and cling to my thigh!"
Tuoba Xi raised an eyebrow, his face full of doubt. "Other than the Dragon Step I taught you, what other Self-Created Soul Skills could you possibly know?"
The corner of Tuoba Yan's mouth lifted into a confident smile, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Do not underestimate me. As it happens, I have recently devoted myself to studying and comprehended a Self-Created Soul Skill. Do you dare to spar with me?"
"Good! Then let us try it and let Grandfather see how much you have improved."
Upon hearing that, Tuoba Yan turned and walked ten meters away from Tuoba Xi. He stopped, turned back to face his grandfather, and said seriously, "Release your martial soul and soul skills, so I do not hurt you."
Tuoba Xi laughed confidently, his tone full of arrogance. "What a joke. I am a dignified Platinum Bishop. I do not need to activate my martial soul or soul skills just to play around with my grandson. Would exchanging a few blows with my grandson kill me?"
"Are you sure?"
Tuoba Yan slowly raised his right hand. An invisible force of wind rapidly gathered in his palm, condensing in the blink of an eye into a high-speed spinning Rasengan. The currents churned and hummed.
The White Armored Earth Dragon martial soul was renowned for its defense.
As an eight-ring Soul Douluo, Tuoba Xi was confident that even without using his martial soul, he could rely on his physical strength to block any soul skill from a one-ring soul master.
"Come on! Let Grandfather see what this thing is!"
Tuoba Xi planted his feet firmly on the ground. Though his words were contemptuous, he secretly remained on guard.
He had already calculated that once he received this seemingly impressive soul skill, he would take the chance to belittle it as a mere flashy trick, utterly inferior to Spirit Hall's Self-Created Soul Skills, then continue pressuring Tuoba Yan into pursuing Hu Liena.
"Then I will not hold back!"
"Bring it on!"
"Take this, Rasengan!"
Tuoba Yan shot toward Tuoba Xi like lightning.
Tuoba Xi crossed his arms and stood ready.
The instant the Rasengan struck his arms, an enormous explosion rang out!
Boom!
Tuoba Xi spun through the air like a top as he flew backward, crashing heavily into the courtyard wall and becoming deeply embedded in it.
Tuoba Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly called out in concern, "Grandfather, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Tuoba Xi struggled free from the wall, yet his right hand involuntarily gave his grandson a thumbs-up. His eyes were filled with praise. "Excellent! That hit was good!"
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