Papal Palace and Worship Hall at Odds

Douluo Continent, inside an ordinary house in the western district of Spirit City.

"Ugh... My head hurts so much. Where the hell did this bring me?"

Shen Tianchen stared blankly at the unfamiliar surroundings. Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in his head, and waves of information flooded into his mind like a tide. Shen Tianchen quickly understood what had happened.

In his previous life, he had been a college student who loved reading web novels. He had saved a little boy on the road, only to be struck and sent flying by an approaching small truck. In the end, rescue efforts failed, and he died.

Who would have thought that after dying, he would somehow be reborn into the body of a little boy on Douluo Continent who shared his name?

As it happened, the original owner had been riding in a carriage with his parents, heading to the Spirit Hall Branch in the western district for his Martial Soul awakening. Unexpectedly, the horse had been startled and begun running wildly. He had been thrown from the carriage and struck his head, which was why Shen Tianchen felt such pain.

"So I've been reborn into the fantasy world of Douluo Continent. Since heaven has given me another life, I definitely won't waste this hard-won opportunity!" Shen Tianchen declared firmly.

Familiar with the novel's plot, he swore that he would never allow the story to repeat itself. Things like "Revive..." would never happen again. Opportunities, immortal herbs—he wanted them all!

Just then, Shen Tianchen's mother, who was in the living room, heard movement coming from the room and hurried inside to check. When she saw Shen Tianchen sitting up in bed, she was overjoyed and quickly called to her husband in the courtyard, "Old Shen, Xiao Chen is awake!"

As soon as she spoke, Shen Tianchen felt a gust of wind sweep past him. A stern-looking man in plain clothes appeared before him. It was his father—Shen Yihuan, a Level 44 Attack Type Soul Sect with an Iron Sword Martial Soul.

At that moment, Shen Yihuan had abandoned his usual image as a strict father, his face instead filled with anxiety. He asked Shen Tianchen, "Xiao Chen, how are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Shen Tianchen shook his head. "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I'm fine. Let's go to Spirit Hall and awaken my Martial Soul."

Before Shen Yihuan could reply, his mother, Liu Man, hurriedly said, "You child, you hit your head and still say you're fine. You're exactly like your father!"

After she spoke, Shen Yihuan beside her gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Then he said, "Man'er, I checked him earlier. Xiao Chen really doesn't seem to have any problems. How about I ride there with Xiao Chen?"

In the end, Liu Man could not prevail against the father and son, so she had no choice but to agree.

On the road.

Shen Yihuan spoke earnestly. "Xiao Chen, you need to learn to understand your mother. You should know that although your mother and I are both Soul Masters, my Martial Soul is only an ordinary Iron Sword, while your mother is merely an auxiliary-type Soul Elder with a healing scepter. It will be difficult for us to achieve much in this lifetime."

"Compared to the path of a Soul Master, as your parents, we would rather see you grow up healthy and happy. If you find this path too difficult, then come back to us."

Upon hearing this, Shen Tianchen said seriously, "Father, there's no need to say more. I've already made up my mind. No matter what Martial Soul I awaken later, I will keep walking this path. I still have to protect you both."

Shen Yihuan smiled upon hearing that. "You brat, having that intention is enough for us. We don't ask for anything else."

After that, the father and son chatted idly. Before long, a small castle-like building came into view. His father reined in the horse, and Shen Tianchen understood that they had arrived at their destination—the Spirit Hall Branch.

After the father and son entered, they happened to see a mother leaving with her child, both wearing disappointed expressions. They were then told that Shen Tianchen was the last person to come for a Martial Soul awakening that day.

The person in charge of the awakening was Li Xu, a Level 45 Soul Ancestor with a Wolf Martial Soul. He said, "Child, take two steps forward and stand in the middle of those six stones."

Shen Tianchen nodded and took two steps forward. Li Xu then rapidly struck out with both hands, sending six beams of green light into the six stones on the ground. At once, they formed a pale golden barrier that enveloped Shen Tianchen.

"Next, I'll send Soul Power into your body. Don't resist my Soul Power. Feel your Martial Soul carefully and release it."

Shen Tianchen then felt a strange energy enter his body. So this is Soul Power? It truly is incredibly strange.

Then, as if by instinct, he extended his right hand, and a sword etched with blue-gold patterns appeared in his grasp. The instant the sword appeared, Li Xu's expression changed drastically, because his Martial Soul began to tremble as though it were being suppressed.

"Logically speaking, even some top-tier Weapon Martial Souls shouldn't make my Beast Martial Soul this afraid."

Meanwhile, at the Worship Hall.

Sensing that fluctuation of Soul Power, seven figures suddenly appeared in the previously empty hall. They were Spirit Hall's seven elders.

Demon Subduing Douluo, the Seventh Elder, spoke first. "Big Brother, judging by this Soul Power, it's beyond Innate Level Ten. We can't let Bibi Dong's people get their hands on such a promising talent. We must bring the child into our Worship Hall before they do."

Mighty Lion Douluo, the Fourth Elder, echoed him. "That's right, Big Brother. If that woman gets her hands on the child again, her influence will only grow stronger."

The other elders nodded in agreement. Then Qian Daoliu, the Grand Elder, said, "In that case, Qingluan, make the trip. Be sure to bring that child here before the Papal Palace does."

Qingluan Douluo nodded at those words, then sped toward the target location.

Papal Palace.

Bibi Dong and the others had also sensed the fluctuation of Soul Power, and their expressions changed in shock. She then ordered Ju Hua Guan to bring the child back, intending to recruit the child into her ranks to oppose the Worship Hall.

An hour later, western district of Spirit City.

Though Qingluan and Ju Hua Guan were both Titled Douluo, the former had reached Level 97. Naturally, his speed far surpassed that of Chrysanthemum Douluo, who was only Level 95.

When Chrysanthemum Douluo arrived without stopping, he happened to encounter Qingluan Douluo, who looked utterly relaxed.

"Ju Hua Guan, go back. This doesn't concern you," Qingluan Douluo said, releasing the pressure of a Level 97 Titled Douluo upon Chrysanthemum Douluo.

Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed sharply. He retreated some distance before barely managing to withstand the pressure of that Soul Power.

"Third Elder, His Eminence the Pope gave a strict order that this child must be brought back. I must complete the mission. I ask the Third Elder to make an exception."

Qingluan Douluo snorted. "You have two choices. First, fight me. If you win, we'll do as you say. Second, get lost and tell Bibi Dong that the Worship Hall is taking this person. As for her, she has no authority to order me around!"

"Th-This..." Chrysanthemum Douluo's face became extremely unsightly.

In terms of strength, as a Level 95 plant-type Soul Master, he was naturally no match for Level 97 Qingluan Douluo. As for speed, there was even less to say. How could he dare resist under such circumstances?

After pondering for a long time, he still showed no intention of leaving.

Seeing this, Qingluan Douluo's expression instantly turned cold. "There's no point in waiting any longer, and don't test my patience. You have only two minutes to think. If you still haven't left after two minutes, I'll take it as you making a move against me. When that time comes, don't blame me for hitting too hard!"

Once the time was up, he would still get beaten. Not only would he fail the mission, but he would also be punished by His Eminence the Pope upon returning. Either way, he would be punished, so why take a beating for nothing?

With that thought, Chrysanthemum Douluo could only leave dejectedly.