Night fell.
Douluo Continent's sacred land of soul masters—the Spirit City. Every resident in the city was a soul master. The streets were brightly lit and bustling with people, and Soul Kings and Soul Emperors could be found everywhere.
By comparison, a large number of soul masters had gathered inside the Spirit Hall, transporting vast quantities of supplies and carrying out their tasks in orderly fashion.
Inside the Papal Hall of Spirit City, the light was dim. Several Titled Douluo sat inside, whispering among themselves. Seated at the highest position was the Ultimate Douluo—Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu watched the Titled Douluo below him argue among themselves without saying a word. He simply sat in the papal chair at the top, his fingers constantly tapping the armrest as though waiting for some news.
Before long, a Soul Douluo radiating an angelic aura walked in and respectfully said to Qian Daoliu, "Father, we've confirmed that an Unknown Island does indeed exist out at sea. There are a large number of Sea Soul Masters on it."
"It also has a Titled Douluo, and there even seem to be signs of an Ultimate Douluo."
The Titled Douluo began discussing the matter even more loudly when they heard this.
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu circulated his Soul Power and coughed lightly. The Titled Douluo stopped their discussion and turned to look at him.
Qian Daoliu slowly said, "Good. Ji Er, you've done well."
"Now that the matter has been confirmed, I'll lead ten Titled Douluo. As for the number of Soul Douluo, Ji Er, you can decide that yourself."
"You have seven days to prepare everything we need to cross the sea. We're going to conquer that island and make it an affiliated island of our Spirit Hall."
Qian Xun Ji replied solemnly, "Understood, Father. However, the supplies required for this battle are enormous."
"That's why I started preparing two days ago. I can guarantee that our fleet will be fully equipped and ready to depart in seven days."
"Well done, Ji Er. As it happens, I'd also like to announce here that Ji Er will assume the position of Pope while we're conquering the island. After we return to the Spirit Hall, I'll officially step down as Pope. The position will be taken over by my son, Qian Xun Ji. Does anyone else have any objections?" Qian Daoliu looked toward the Titled Douluo.
"No objections," all the Titled Douluo said in unison.
"Everyone, we must succeed in this battle. We'll occupy the Unknown Island, spread the might of the Spirit Hall throughout the seas, and spread the faith of the Angel God. We'll make the Sea Soul Masters believe in the Angel God. The great Angel God will bless us! Long live the Angel God! The Spirit Hall must triumph!" Qian Daoliu shouted passionately.
"Long live the Angel God! The Spirit Hall must triumph!"
"Long live the Angel God! The Spirit Hall must triumph!"
The Titled Douluo shouted together.
"Meeting adjourned. Ji Er, stay behind. The rest of you may return," Qian Daoliu said to everyone.
Qian Daoliu brought Qian Xun Ji to a room and, with his back to him, said, "If you have any questions, ask them. From the beginning of the meeting to its end, I noticed your doubts."
"Father, why attack the sea first? There are so many sects and the Two Great Empires on the continent. Why take the long way around instead of the easy route?" Qian Xun Ji asked doubtfully.
Qian Daoliu explained unhurriedly, "Most sects aren't worth worrying about, but the Clear Sky Sect is different."
"The Clear Sky Sect also has an Ultimate Douluo. I've heard that he even possesses the Soul Ring Detonation Secret Method, which can detonate his own soul rings for a short time and forcibly increase his strength."
"I'm not confident I can defeat him. Moreover, the continent's sects are led by the Seven Great Sects, and the Upper Three Sects are especially powerful. They would be difficult to deal with if they joined forces."
Tian Dou Empire had a vast territory but no Titled Douluo among its top combatants. However, its army was enormous. The more powerful Xing Luo Empire even had a Titled Douluo in its imperial family. The imperial Dai Clan also possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with the Zhu Clan.
"What about that Unknown Island at sea? Is it really easier to attack? We'll be fighting at sea. Apart from Titled Douluo who can fly and flying soul masters, our land-based soul masters aren't suited for combat at sea!" Qian Xun Ji said worriedly.
"It's fine. Everyone below the Titled rank is an ant. The Titled Douluo realm is the watershed of strength. The final battle will mainly be fought between the Titled Douluo. The others don't matter," Qian Daoliu explained.
"I understand, Father."
"During this time, the Spirit Hall will be entrusted to you. Before we depart, I want to spend a few more days comprehending the angelic divine power. If there's nothing else, you may leave."
"Yes, Father."
Before retiring, I'll wage one more campaign and draw a perfect conclusion to my achievements during my time as Pope.
But Qian Daoliu never could have imagined that he would encounter an Ultimate Douluo who was also a High Priest, as well as a Li Changhen who would beat him into seclusion.
At the same time, inside the Clear Sky Sect—
Tang Chen sat at the highest position in the hall, looking at the Clear Sky Sect elders discussing below.
"According to the report from our spies not long ago, the Spirit Hall has been preparing large quantities of supplies these past two days. What are they planning to do?"
"Who knows? Could they be planning to start a war with our sect? Our Sect Master isn't afraid of that Qian Daoliu."
At this moment, Tang Chen stood up and cleared his throat. "Stop arguing. According to the latest information from our people planted in the Spirit Hall, they should be preparing to go to war overseas. They've built many enormous warships by the coast. I heard they discovered an Unknown Island at sea, and that there are many Sea Soul Masters on it."
An elder stood and asked, "Sect Master, is the island's combat strength formidable? The information we received says they're preparing quite a lot of supplies. They're even sending many Titled Douluo, and Qian Daoliu himself will be going."
"That's right. Qian Daoliu will also go. I heard there's an Ultimate Douluo on that island," Tang Chen said.
"Then can't we take advantage of the Spirit Hall sending so many forces away to launch a surprise attack on it, or even destroy the Spirit Hall?" The third elder of the Clear Sky Sect excitedly rose to his feet.
The other Clear Sky Sect elders also stood together, feeling that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The elders began discussing it among themselves.
Tang Chen interrupted them. "No. Although we're the only force capable of gathering enough strength to attack the Spirit Hall in a short time—"
"Once the Spirit Hall is destroyed, the forces of the continent's various sects and the Two Great Empires will undergo earth-shaking changes."
"The current balance could even be broken, leading to war. It's precisely because the Spirit Hall exists that the continent can enjoy its current period of temporary peace."
"Then what should we do? Are we supposed to watch helplessly as the Spirit Hall occupies that Unknown Island?" an elder of the Clear Sky Sect asked as he stood.
"Qian Daoliu is relying on the Spirit Hall's role in maintaining balance among the various continental forces, which is why he dares to personally set out without fearing a surprise attack. Of course, I'll personally follow behind them when they depart. If necessary, I'll intervene," Tang Chen said after pondering for a moment.
"Sigh, it looks like that's all we can do," the Clear Sky Sect elders said.
Tang Chen looked at the many elders and thought, Apart from me, only three people in the Clear Sky Sect have broken through to the Titled Douluo realm. Compared with the Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect is suffering from a severe gap in strength.
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