Spirit Hall Honorary Elder

Boom!

The powerful auras of three Titled Douluo erupted, leaving the royal knights guarding the palace gates utterly stunned. Their pupils constricted sharply, and cold sweat broke out down their backs.

Th-this feeling... Titled Douluo?!

"What is this aura..." Inside the imperial palace, Dugu Bo's expression changed drastically. These were Ghostly and Yue Guan's auras!

No, besides them, there was another person—someone even stronger! What were they doing at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace? Had they come for him?

Dugu Bo was panicking.

Back then, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had hunted him until he was on the verge of death. Had Prince Xue Xing not appeared in time and used the Heaven Dou Empire's million-strong army as a threat to force the two away, he would have died long ago.

Now the enemies had appeared again, and there was even one more of them. What was he supposed to do?

Elsewhere, in a palace corridor.

Shi Jian frowned and said, "Three Titled Douluo have arrived."

"Three?" Ye Zhou also sensed those powerful auras, since the other side was making no attempt to conceal them. But three of them—that was interesting.

Two Titled Douluo might have been Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but if there were three, they could only be from Spirit Hall!

After all, the Clear Sky Sect would not dare show itself at a time like this.

Spirit Hall had sent people. They were probably here for Shi Jian. The first time Shi Jian had displayed the strength of a Titled Douluo was when he had stood up for him at the Great Soul Arena. Spirit Hall should have received that information too. That meant one of the three should be that bearded swordsman he had not seen for over two months.

Ye Zhou felt delighted at the thought, but his face showed shock as he exclaimed, "Where did three Titled Douluo come from?"

"It seems Spirit Hall's people have arrived. They should be here for you, Your Excellency. Rest assured, Your Excellency, you are already a Guest Elder of our imperial family. Here in Heaven Dou City, the imperial family will never allow them to act recklessly!" Qian Renxue said to Shi Jian with a solemn expression.

Anyone seeing that expression would have thought she truly was the Empire's Crown Prince.

"Your Highness is thoughtful, but I have weathered every kind of storm in my life. Three Titled Douluo are not enough to frighten me," Shi Jian said forcefully.

With nine Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings and all his thunder arts and Daoist techniques, he had nothing to fear even from three Titled Douluo.

At worst, it would be a hard battle.

"Yan Chixia of Spirit Hall, entrusted by Pope Bibi Dong, requests an audience with Sir Shi Jian!" At that moment, a booming voice came from outside the palace, resounding through the entire imperial palace.

"Yan Chixia? The one who came is Spirit Hall's newly appointed Sword-wielding Elder, the Titled Douluo known as the 'Sword Saint.'" Qian Renxue's expression turned grave.

She knew all of Spirit Hall's Elders, but she truly was unfamiliar with this newly joined Elder Yan Chixia. She had not expected Bibi Dong to send him.

"Yan Chixia?" Shi Jian raised an eyebrow and lowered his head to glance at Ye Zhou beside him. Their eyes met, then they both looked away.

Shi Jian said nothing further to Qian Renxue. With a sweep of his sleeve, he strode toward the palace exterior.

"Uncle Jian, wait for me." Ye Zhou hurried after him.

Qian Renxue quickly led her people over as well. At this moment, she had to play the role of Crown Prince properly.

Outside the palace, the three great Douluo stood side by side. The royal knights were silent as cicadas, neither daring to drive them away nor invite them inside.

Soon, a figure emerged from the palace. It was Shi Jian.

"I am Shi Jian. What business do you have with me?" Shi Jian demanded as he strode toward the three.

"You are Shi Jian? You do have some bearing," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, sizing Shi Jian up.

"You speak neither like a man nor a woman. You must be the Chrysanthemum Douluo from the rumors, then?" Shi Jian snorted as he looked at Yue Guan.

A freak like you dares to judge me so casually?

"You!" Chrysanthemum Douluo flew into a rage, clenching his right hand into a fist.

Yan Chixia hurriedly raised a hand to stop him and looked at Shi Jian. "Friend, we have no intention of becoming enemies with you. We came under the Pope's orders to bring you a Douluo's robes, crown, and title decree."

As he spoke, Yan Chixia took a tray from Ghostly. A set of robes was neatly folded atop it, along with a golden crown and a decree—the items Spirit Hall prepared for every Soul Master who advanced to Titled Douluo.

"My name is Yan Chixia, and I am a Sword-wielding Elder of Spirit Hall. The Pope has already decided upon your title: Thunder Fiend. I hope Brother Shi likes it," Yan Chixia said.

After speaking, he stepped forward and handed the tray to Shi Jian.

"Thunder Fiend Douluo? That is just as I expected," Shi Jian said blandly, accepting the tray.

"Spirit Hall hopes to invite Brother Shi to become an Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall. As a model for Soul Masters, you may guide the path forward for the masses of Soul Masters together with us," Yan Chixia invited Shi Jian.

"Honorary Elder?" Shi Jian looked puzzled.

Whoosh!

At that moment, another streak of light flew over from the distance. After landing, it revealed two figures: Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

At the same time, Ye Zhou and Qian Renxue also ran out through the palace gates and arrived behind Shi Jian.

Yan Chixia secretly glanced at Ye Zhou, then immediately withdrew his gaze. Ignoring the others, he explained to Shi Jian, "An Honorary Elder does not count as having fully joined Spirit Hall and remains free. Strictly speaking, it is merely an empty title. Many Titled Douluo have accepted it, such as..."

Yan Chixia turned to look at Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin approaching them. His gaze settled on Chen Xin, and sensing the surging sword intent around him, he said, "This must be Sword Douluo, known as the strongest offensive Douluo, correct? Brother Shi, he is both a guardian Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and an Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall."

"Oh?" Shi Jian turned toward Sword Douluo as though he knew nothing about it.

Chen Xin said nothing, merely frowning.

"That is indeed the case. However, Your Excellency Shi Jian need not use Uncle Jian as a reference. If you do not wish to accept Spirit Hall's title of Honorary Elder, I imagine no one can force you," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

At those words, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo's expressions turned cold.

"Sect Master Ning, it would be best if you did not speak carelessly. Otherwise, you may bring disaster upon the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," Chrysanthemum Douluo warned.

"Hm?" Chen Xin turned to look at him, his gaze sharp.

Ghost Douluo stepped forward, folding his arms across his chest without the slightest fear.

In a one-on-one fight, neither he nor Yue Guan was Chen Xin's match. But if the two joined forces, even Chen Xin would only be in for a beating!

What, Ning Fengzhi could enhance him?

Hmph, they had Old Yan with nine Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings on their side. Even with an enhancement, could he fight three alone?

If he dared act arrogant, they would destroy him!

"Your Excellency Shi Jian, whether you accept Spirit Hall's title of Honorary Elder is entirely up to you. The imperial family has no objection whatsoever," Qian Renxue said to Shi Jian, sounding very understanding.

Spirit Hall was powerful. Even if Shi Jian had sided with the Heaven Dou Empire, there was nothing wrong with accepting the title of Spirit Hall Honorary Elder. It was better than thoroughly offending them and forcing both sides into a fight to the death.

At least, that was how it looked on the surface. In truth, she also wanted to see what Shi Jian really thought of Spirit Hall. If he accepted, it would mean that although he did not particularly like Spirit Hall, he bore it no hostility. But if he would not even accept this, then...

Shi Jian knitted his brows, swept his gaze across the three Titled Douluo before him, and put on a thoughtful expression. After considering for a moment, he asked, "What are the benefits of being Spirit Hall's Honorary Elder?"

"Other than receiving fewer cultivation resources than Elders who have fully joined Spirit Hall, your status is equivalent in all other respects."

"Does it pay?" Shi Jian asked very seriously.

"What..." Everyone was startled. They had not expected Shi Jian to suddenly ask that. Thinking of how he had once run a stall, they found it somewhat understandable—but he was a Titled Douluo. Did he really care that much about money?

"If you want it, I can make the decision and give you an annual salary of one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins," Yan Chixia said after some thought.

"Two hundred thousand."

"This... is also acceptable."

"Three hundred thousand." Shi Jian continued raising the price.

"Hey, hey, how much do you actually want?" Chrysanthemum Douluo said unhappily. If he had asked for three hundred thousand from the start, that would have been one thing. But he had said two hundred thousand and then changed it to three hundred thousand. What was he trying to do?

"I will make the decision and give you four hundred thousand. It cannot go any higher," Yan Chixia said.

Shi Jian looked at Yan Chixia. After several seconds of silence, a faint smile appeared on his face. "Fine, four hundred thousand it is. I accept this title of Honorary Elder."

"Your Excellency Shi Jian..." Seeing Shi Jian bend so easily for money, completely lacking the resolve he had shown when rejecting Salas, Ning Fengzhi felt deeply disappointed and wanted to persuade him further.

But Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo leaped forward at the same time, blocking his path.

"Sect Master Ning, do not meddle in other people's business!"

Buzz~ A ringing sword cry sounded. Chen Xin summoned his Martial Soul and moved in front of Ning Fengzhi, glaring coldly at Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.

Seeing this, the two hurriedly summoned their own Martial Souls as well, confronting Chen Xin.

"Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, there is no need to fight. It is just an empty title. Since Spirit Hall wants me to accept it, then I will. Either way, I am not losing out," Shi Jian called to the two.

"Your Excellency, that is not how the matter should be calculated." Ning Fengzhi wanted to remind Shi Jian not to underestimate this empty title. Sometimes, even an empty title could have a great impact.

"Since Brother Shi has agreed, then good. On behalf of the Pope, Yan hereby formally grants Brother Shi the Honorary Elder decree of Spirit Hall." Yan Chixia ignored Ning Fengzhi's prattling. What he hated most were merchants like him. Taking an Elder decree from his robes, he handed it to Shi Jian.

"As for the salary, I will have the master of the Martial Soul Holy Hall deliver it to Brother Shi shortly. Welcome, Brother Shi, as an Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall." Yan Chixia extended a hand to Shi Jian.

Shi Jian shook it. "Thank you."

The two looked at each other, each able to see the goodwill in the other's eyes.

Brother, we are on the same side.