Qian Renxue Kowtows! The Sword-Guarding White Tiger!

Jialing Pass, Worship Hall.

This was one of Spirit Hall's most sacred places. Normally, aside from the Grand Pontiff and Qian Renxue, few ever set foot here.

The hall was vast and solemn, with only the gems embedded in the dome casting a gentle glow.

Qian Renxue stood quietly in the center of the Main Hall, her head tilted up toward the Golden Ranking in the sky, its lines of text reflected in her golden pupils.

"I never expected that even a Divine Weapon like the Sea God Trident would only rank fifth..."

She murmured to herself, her heart equally turbulent.

The Angel God Sword she had inherited was already no weak weapon.

Yet the Sea God Trident still surpassed her Divine Weapon and claimed fifth place.

But even so, there were still four even more powerful treasures above it.

Just what kind of existences were those ranked at the very top?

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze. Today, she wore a set of dazzling golden divine armor, its smooth, exquisite lines perfectly outlining her nearly flawless figure. It possessed both a young maiden's graceful charm and a deity's majesty.

Her radiant golden hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, while her sacred face bore a solemn expression.

She slowly turned around and faced the raised platform at the end of the Main Hall.

There was no shrine to the Angel God there, nor were there offerings to any of Spirit Hall's predecessors.

There was only an ancient sword rack.

Resting across it was a sword.

Taichu Sword!

This sword appeared utterly ordinary. Its scabbard was made of plain wood, its hilt bore no ornate decorations, and not even the slightest fluctuation of Soul Power could be sensed from it. It was no different from an ordinary piece of iron.

Yet in Qian Renxue's heart, its status even surpassed that of the Angel God Sword.

Because this was what her Master, Lu Ming, had left for her.

She still clearly remembered what Master had told her when he gave her this sword all those years ago.

"Xue'er, keep this sword safe. If you ever face a life-and-death crisis, or encounter a confusion in your heart that cannot be resolved, you may wield this sword."

Over the years, though she had faced danger several times, she had never once used this sword.

To her, it was not merely a sword. It was Master's token, the most sacred support in her heart.

Qian Renxue stepped forward and respectfully took three incense sticks from the altar beside her.

She lit them with Soul Power, and wisps of smoke curled upward.

Then, holding the incense sticks, she slowly knelt onto the prayer cushion before the sword rack.

When her golden divine armor touched the ground, it made not the slightest sound.

She lowered her noble head and devoutly kowtowed three times.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Every movement was filled with heartfelt respect.

Only after finishing all this did she steadily insert the three incense sticks into the censer before her.

Afterward, Qian Renxue slowly rose to her feet.

As she straightened, her long, slender legs, outlined in golden threads beneath the skirt of her golden armor, appeared even more sacred and inviolable against the drifting smoke.

She gazed at the Taichu Sword with gentle eyes.

Suddenly, her delicate brows furrowed as she glanced around the empty Main Hall.

"Hm?"

"Where is White Tiger?"

In her memory, ever since Master had left this sword here, a terrifyingly powerful white tiger had guarded it without ever leaving its side.

White Tiger's strength was unfathomable. Even Grandpa Qian Daoliu had shown considerable wariness toward her in his words.

Yet today, White Tiger had vanished without a trace.

Outside Heaven Dou City.

On the Official Road, two figures walked over at an unhurried pace.

Leading the way was a handsome young man in black clothes, his bearing calm and indifferent. It was Lu Ming.

At his side followed a breathtaking woman in a sea-blue gown, her figure graceful and alluring. She was Bai Xiuxiu in human form.

The two looked up at the Golden Ranking in the sky and happened to see the ranking for the Sea God Trident.

A trace of surprise flashed through Bai Xiuxiu's eyes, while Lu Ming's expression remained as still as an ancient well.

He merely spoke lightly.

"The Sea God Trident is fifth? That seems reasonable enough."

"By that reckoning, the Asura Sword should be third."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a swift white blur suddenly shot out from the forest path ahead, kicking up a violent gust of wind!

It was an enormous White Tiger!

Its entire body was snow-white without a trace of any other color. The "king" mark on its forehead was dark gold, and whenever its tiger eyes opened and closed, they radiated a terrifying pressure powerful enough to make even ordinary Titled Douluo tremble in fear!

"What a powerful Soul Beast!"

Bai Xiuxiu's expression changed. The hundred-thousand-year Soul Power within her instantly began circulating, and without a second thought, she stepped forward and stood directly in front of Lu Ming.

In her human form, her ocean-blue gown clung tightly to her graceful curves. Her expression was resolute as her beautiful eyes fixed firmly on the White Tiger, and she shouted, "Do not harm my Master!"

Yet, the White Tiger, which had been radiating boundless ferocity, lost all its pressure and killing intent the instant it saw Lu Ming.

It stopped in its tracks. In its enormous tiger eyes was not hostility, but incomparably delighted and affectionate emotion.

"Alright, Xiuxiu."

Lu Ming's voice came from behind her. He reached out and gently patted Bai Xiuxiu's fragrant shoulder.

"She's one of us."

As he spoke, he stepped around Bai Xiuxiu and walked forward.

The enormous White Tiger immediately lowered its head obediently. Like a large cat, it rubbed its fluffy head repeatedly against Lu Ming's palm, purring contentedly from its throat.

Lu Ming smiled and stroked its large head.

"Why did you come here?"

he asked.

"Who's guarding the Taichu Sword?"

The White Tiger blinked but did not speak.

Yet in the next moment, a crisp, pleasant female voice with a touch of adorable innocence rang directly in Lu Ming and Bai Xiuxiu's minds.

"Aww, I missed Master! I sensed Master's aura nearby, so I rushed over as fast as I could!"

Bai Xiuxiu froze for a moment, staring at the huge tiger acting spoiled in front of her, unable to process it.

Lu Ming, meanwhile, pondered for a moment.

His gaze shifted slightly, and understanding dawned upon him.

With the Taichu Sword there, Xue'er would not be in danger.

If this little one wanted to follow, then let her.

Thus, he withdrew his hand and said indifferently, "Since you're here, come with us."

"We're entering the city."

"Yay!"

The woman's voice cheered.

A flash of light passed over the White Tiger's body, and she transformed into a young girl in a white dress, possessing both heroic bearing and seductive charm. She followed closely behind Lu Ming.

The three of them headed together toward Heaven Dou City.

Heaven Dou City, Ye Family Mansion.

Unlike the imposing grandeur of the other aristocratic clans in the city, the Ye Family Mansion was filled everywhere with vitality and serenity.

Exotic flowers and rare herbs covered the grounds, their medicinal fragrance filling the air. Gentle Soul Power flowed through the atmosphere, and merely staying there was enough to calm one's mind.

Yet today, that tranquility was thoroughly shattered by the arrival of two uninvited guests.

"Patriarch Ye, I, Tang Hao, have come today to give your Ye family an opportunity."

Inside the main hall, a brawny middle-aged man with a weathered face and an overbearing aura spoke in a deep voice.