After Qin Tian and the others had eaten their fill, the seven of them went their separate ways.
"Xiao Tian, have you really decided to travel the continent?"
Ling Yuan Douluo appeared silently beside Qin Tian. In four years, her strength had advanced further: she had gone from a level 94 Titled Douluo to a level 95 Super Douluo.
A level 95 Super Douluo was among the very best, even among Titled Douluos.
"Sister Ling Yuan, with my current strength, quiet cultivation won't help me anymore. Only by walking the line between life and death can I bring out my potential faster."
"Besides, the tiger embodies slaughter. If I don't experience killing, how can I become strong?"
As he spoke, Qin Tian gazed into the distant void. His expression was solemn, and his voice grew low.
"I will forge an invincible heart. I will establish an invincible presence. I will become the strongest being under heaven."
"Only by contending with the countless powerful figures across the world can I complete my cultivation."
Listening to Qin Tian, Ling Yuan turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with warmth.
"Xiao Tian, if you want to travel the continent, you'll need the Grand Pontiff's approval."
Qin Tian nodded slightly and looked toward the Worship Hall not far away. Without further hesitation, he headed there.
When he reached the Worship Hall, he pushed open the door and went straight inside. Seeing the seven figures in the hall, he showed them due respect.
"Teacher, Second Grandfather, Third Grandfather, Fourth Grandfather... Seventh Grandfather."
The seven enshrined elders opened their eyes and looked at Qin Tian, each of them breaking into a smile.
"Xiao Tian's here."
"Xiao Tian, come sit over here with your Second Grandfather."
Hearing them, Qin Tian's lips curled into a smile.
"Teacher, I'm planning to travel the continent. Over the past two years, sparring with you grandfathers has rapidly increased my combat experience, but it still isn't enough."
"There are countless Soul Masters on the continent, with all sorts of strange and unusual Martial Souls. Only by seeing them with my own eyes and fighting them myself can I broaden my understanding and expand my horizons."
Listening to Qin Tian, Qian Daoliu nodded slightly. He didn't oppose Qin Tian going out to train. On the contrary, he supported him wholeheartedly.
The strong were forged through life-and-death battles.
Even Qian Daoliu himself had roamed the continent in his youth and made quite a name for himself.
"Xiao Tian, I don't object to you going out to train, but you'll have to put it off for a while."
Hearing this, Qin Tian couldn't help but pause, confusion filling his face.
Qian Daoliu glanced at Qin Tian and spoke calmly.
"Bibi Dong wants to appoint Hu Liena as Holy Maiden, but I won't agree."
Hearing that, Qin Tian furrowed his brow, his expression shifting.
"Hu Liena, that little fox? Innate Soul Power of level nine, taken as the Pope's personal disciple. She has a brother named Yan, I think, whose Martial Soul is a Moon Blade. His Innate Soul Power is the same as Hu Liena's. And she has an admirer whose Martial Soul is the ancient Flame Lord, with Innate Soul Power of level eight."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly as he listened to Qin Tian.
"That's right. It's that Hu Liena."
After getting confirmation, Qin Tian couldn't help but laugh.
"Hu Liena—what level is she now? Soul Ancestor or Soul King?"
"Xiao Tian, Hu Liena is only a Soul Elder right now. She still has a long way to go before becoming a Soul Ancestor. A Soul King? Ha!"
Hearing Light Feather Douluo, Qin Tian laughed.
"A Soul Elder? What is Bibi Dong thinking? She wants a mere Soul Elder to become Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden. Does she think choosing Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden is child's play?"
"Does she think being the Pope means she can decide everything in Spirit Hall?"
Qin Tian paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was full of killing intent.
"Hmph!"
"I only recognize Sister Xue as Holy Maiden. If Hu Liena dares to compete with Sister Xue for the position, I'll cut her down."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu's eyes showed a trace of satisfaction.
"Xiao Tian, you know that Xiao Xue is still undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire. She can't return for a while, and Bibi Dong is taking advantage of that to make her proposal."
"What I mean is, I want you to become Spirit Hall's Holy Son."
At Qian Daoliu's words, Qin Tian first froze, then looked at him in disbelief.
"Teacher, you want me to be the Holy Son?"
Qin Tian immediately shook his head, waving his hands repeatedly.
"Teacher, you know what I'm like. You might as well have me fight a Soul Saint instead of making me the Holy Son."
Listening to Qin Tian's refusal only made Qian Daoliu more determined.
"Xiao Tian, you're the only one who can stop Bibi Dong, and the only one who can become Spirit Hall's Holy Son."
"I've already made an agreement with Bibi Dong. Three days from now, in Spirit Hall's plaza, you and Hu Liena will fight. The winner will become the Holy Son or Holy Maiden."
"Remember: you must win. You must not lose. This battle isn't just about you becoming the Holy Son—you'll also be protecting Spirit Hall for Xue'er."
Hearing this, Qin Tian could only reluctantly agree.
He had no interest at all in becoming Spirit Hall's Holy Son. Whoever wanted the position could have it.
Spirit Hall's Holy Son might sound like an impressive title, but it came with plenty of responsibilities. He hated being constrained more than anything. If he became the Holy Son, could he still do as he pleased?
But his teacher had put it this way, so he could only grit his teeth and go through with it. Otherwise, if Hu Liena became Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, then Spirit Hall would probably...
Inside Pope Hall, Bibi Dong looked at her personal disciple, Hu Liena, her expression grave.
"Na'er, in three days, you'll fight Qin Tian from the Worship Hall. Are you confident?"
Hearing this, Hu Liena nodded firmly, her expression resolute.
"Teacher, I'll give it my all and defeat Qin Tian. I won't let you down."
Bibi Dong was very pleased by Hu Liena's answer and smiled.
"Na'er, I'm glad you have such confidence, but Qin Tian must not be underestimated. He's Qian Daoliu's disciple, so you can imagine how talented he is."
"For the past six years, Qian Daoliu has devoted himself to training him. His strength is surely considerable. Just to be safe, fuse with this Soul Bone."
As she spoke, Bibi Dong took a Soul Bone she had prepared earlier from her Storage Soul Tool.
"Na'er, I prepared this Soul Bone for you: a Three-Eyed Demon Fox Right Arm Bone, five thousand years old. Once you fuse with it, your strength will surely increase tremendously."
Hu Liena was stunned. A five-thousand-year Soul Bone—and a Three-Eyed Demon Fox Right Arm Bone at that. It was a top-grade Soul Bone.
She hadn't expected her teacher to bring out such a treasure just so she could defeat Qin Tian and become Holy Maiden.
Spirit Hall's treasury contained quite a few Soul Bones, but there weren't many high-year ones. Bringing out a high-year Soul Bone required approval from the Elder Council.
It was clear how much her teacher had sacrificed to get this Soul Bone.
"Teacher!"
Seeing Hu Liena's tear-filled eyes, Bibi Dong rose and came to stand before her, gently stroking her hair.
"Na'er, don't let me down. Hurry and fuse with it."
Hu Liena didn't hesitate. She took the Three-Eyed Demon Fox Right Arm Bone and began fusing with it.
Bibi Dong looked toward the Worship Hall, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
"Qian Daoliu, I'd like to see what kind of monster you've raised."
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