Watching those two violent old men radiate even more villainous menace than he did, Qian Xunji hurriedly wiped the sweat from his brow and pressed down on Qian Daoliu's arm with a wry smile.
"Father, Second Uncle, calm down. Let's be civilized. We're the righteous force now, a beacon of light working for the welfare of Soul Masters across the continent. How can we go around shouting about killing people at the drop of a hat?"
Qian Xunji switched into persuasion mode:
"Don't they insist on following the rules? Then let's go to Jialing Pass and slap them in the face in front of every power on the continent. This is a golden opportunity to gather support—cough, I mean, gather public goodwill. It'd be such a waste to kill them with one slap."
Qian Daoliu thought it over and decided his son had a point. He gave a snort.
"Fine. Since you know what you're doing, we'll do as you say. But we can't let our prestige suffer. Next Monday, I'll personally go with you and make sure they know we're there!"
"Sounds great." Qian Xunji seized the opening.
"But you alone won't be enough. Bring Qian Jun and Demon Subduing Douluo along, too. The way those two wield their Coiling Dragon Staff Technique is impressive. With them standing behind me, I'll look downright imposing."
Qian Jun and Demon Subduing Douluo had just been given Immortal Herbs, and both had broken through to level ninety-seven. They'd been itching for a chance to stretch their muscles, so when they heard about this, they eagerly agreed on the spot.
With the high-level combatants taken care of, Qian Xunji strolled back to Pope Hall.
Qian Xunji rubbed his chin and promptly had someone summon Yue Guan and Gui Mei.
These two would become Spirit Hall's star duo, the Pope's right-hand men. Gui Mei hadn't yet come into his full strength, and Yue Guan had only recently consumed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
But their combined Polar Static Domain was an absolute, strategic-grade divine skill.
What's more, the two were quick-witted and capable. They were the perfect people to take along and put to work.
"Your subordinate Yue Guan pays his respects to Your Holiness the Pope."
Looking at the two men kneeling before him, their faces flushed with excitement at being personally selected by the Pope to accompany him on a trip, Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction.
"Go back and pack your things. Dress smartly. Next Monday, you'll accompany me to Jialing Pass to hunt the heroes of the realm!"
At the same time, the powers across the continent reacted in very different ways when they received Qian Xunji's reply.
Clear Sky Sect, Council Hall,
After reading the letter, the current sect master, Tang Zhen, gave a scornful laugh and casually crushed the gold-trimmed parchment into dust.
"Qian Xunji is nothing but a nobody relying on Qian Daoliu's lingering reputation. And he dares to order all the heroes of the realm to pay him a visit at Jialing Pass? Does he really think Spirit Hall can cover the sky with one hand?"
A domineering aura burst from Tang Zhen as he turned to the two dashing young men standing below him.
"Xiao, Hao, get ready. You'll accompany your father to Jialing Pass this time.
"Our Clear Sky Sect has been dormant for too long. It's time to show the world just how heavy the hammers of the Clear Sky Twin Stars are. And while we're at it, you can see for yourselves how laughable Spirit Hall's bunch of fools, who've put their heads on the chopping block, are in the face of absolute power!"
Tang Hao had just turned eighteen and still carried a miniature Clear Sky Hammer in his hand. His eyes gleamed with the arrogance of a young calf unafraid of a tiger.
"Rest assured, Father. If Spirit Hall doesn't know its place, my hammer will make sure they never come back!"
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in Heaven Dou City was painfully awkward.
Ning Zhen looked at the reply in his hands, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"What the hell is this mess..."
Ning Zhen was at his wits' end. He'd only just paid a sky-high price to buy the Twin Martial Souls genius Bibi Dong from Qian Xunji. Then, under pressure from the royal family and Clear Sky Sect, he'd had to grit his teeth and sign that joint letter of protest.
It was the very picture of eating from the bowl and cursing the cook.
"Sect Master, are we going? What if Your Holiness the Pope turns on us right there..." Gu Rong asked anxiously from beside him.
"Of course we're going! If we don't, it'll look like we're guilty!" Ning Zhen gritted his teeth. "We have some strength of our own now, too. At worst, we'll keep quiet and let that blockhead Tang Zhen from Clear Sky Sect take the heat!"
Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was feeling much the same.
His son, Yu Xiaogang, had just received life-changing guidance from His Holiness the Pope, who'd practically been a mentor to him. The Pope had even personally sent him to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to "further his studies." Yu Yuanzhen's hand had been trembling ever since he signed the joint letter.
"To repay kindness with betrayal... to repay kindness with betrayal..." Yu Yuanzhen sighed at the sky.
"That white-haired fox Qian Xunji definitely did it on purpose! But since he's invited the whole continent, if I claim to be ill and stay home, how will the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan ever hold its head high in the Soul Master World? I'll just have to go, even if I have to grit my teeth!"
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had their own agendas and little confidence, the Two Great Empires and Clear Sky Sect were determined to teach Spirit Hall a lesson.
Time flew by, and soon the following Monday arrived.
Jialing Pass,
This strategic stronghold straddled the border between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires and was hailed as the most magnificent and imposing fortress on the continent. Today, it was set to witness the most astonishing—and oppressive—day since its founding.
The howling gale swept clouds of yellow sand across the pass, but its roar was forcibly drowned out by the terrifying Soul Power emanating from the densely packed top experts lining the city wall.
Every major power with a name and a reputation in Douluo Continent had gathered here today.
On the eastern side of the wall, occupying the best position, stood none other than the greatest sect under heaven—the Clear Sky Sect.
The sect master, Tang Zhen, wore a black robe and radiated authority without needing to show his anger. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stood at the front. On either side of him stood Tang Xiao, just over thirty and calm and reserved, and Tang Hao, who had only just turned eighteen, his eyes unruly and a small hammer habitually rolling in his hand.
With the Clear Sky Twin Stars standing there, they looked like two little adults.
On the western side of the wall was the luxurious and imposing royal retinue of the Star Luo Empire.
The Star Luo Emperor, Dai Tianfeng, wore golden armor and resembled a tiger lying in wait.
Beside him stood the peerlessly beautiful Star Luo Empress, Zhu Wanying. Her figure was so fiery that disciples from several sects kept stealing glances at her.
Behind the imperial couple stood an old man, stooped over with his eyes closed as he rested. Though he looked near death, the glint of killing intent that occasionally surfaced in his cloudy eyes made his genuine Titled Douluo cultivation unmistakable.
Slightly farther back in the center stood Ning Zhen and Yu Yuanzhen, both ill at ease and casting nervous glances around. The two had reached a tacit agreement to stay silent today, pretend to admire the view, and resolutely avoid being the first to speak.
Besides these four major powers, a dozen or so second- and third-rate sect leaders were scattered along the edges of the wall.
The heads of Spirit Hall-friendly forces such as the Elephant Armor Sect, White Tiger Sect, and Wind Sword Sect were there, too. They'd come purely to enjoy the spectacle and witness history.
Before you continue