The Angel Family's territory stretched far and wide, its halls rising one after another and its streets broad and spotless. A faint, sacred aura lingered in the air year-round.
The clan's children came and went, most dressed in white and gold. Their golden hair gleamed, their bearing was noble, and every word and action carried the Angel Clan's distinctive pride and solemnity.
The patrolling Soul Masters strode steadily, their Soul Power held in check. Even the weakest among them was a Seven-Ring Soul Sage. Everywhere, light flashed across the training grounds, and the sounds of clashing Soul Skills rang out without end.
Unlike the other districts of Spirit City, the Angel Family's residence had both the strict rules of a top power and the lively, everyday bustle of an ordinary family.
The streets were lined with all kinds of shops. Clan members gathered in twos and threes around the stalls, haggling as they picked up something new to try. The scene was truly bustling.
Farther in stood a broad plaza, where a group of children who had yet to awaken their Martial Souls chased one another and played. Their laughter rang clear, and the sight was a delight.
The training grounds in the distance were even livelier. Rows of young clan members stood in formation, following their instructors' commands. Their voices rang out in unison, and faint golden light shimmered as their Soul Power circulated—a flourishing yet orderly scene.
"With a life this beautiful, I absolutely won't let that little scumbag Tang San destroy it. And I'll never let myself become a sacrificial offering, throwing away this warm, peaceful life for good."
This thriving life quietly turned the fury and murderous intent surging in Qian Wuyou's heart into an even more unwavering resolve.
In his previous life, he had been alone, with no ties to hold him down.
But in this life, he had many clan members who followed him—and a carefree little sister at home.
He wanted to protect all of it!
"Good morning, Lord Wuyou..."
"Good morning, Elder Wuyou..."
"Good morning, Commander..."
As Qian Wuyou made his way along, every clan member he passed bowed in greeting, their eyes filled with awe and respect.
"Mm! Good morning, everyone!"
Qian Wuyou gave a slight nod in response to their respectful greetings.
As the youngest Titled Douluo in the family, he commanded the elite Soul Master corps, every member of which was a Level 70 Soul Sage. His standing within the clan was high, far surpassing Qian Renxue's, who had spent years undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire. To countless clan members, he was someone they could rely on.
He crossed the clan's streets, resplendent with flowers.
Before long, Qian Wuyou had returned to his own residence.
The estate wasn't especially extravagant, but it was refined and dignified.
A clear spring flowed through the courtyard, carrying a faint fragrance, while pavilions and waterside terraces were arranged in graceful disarray.
The houses were built from pale wood and decorated with golden patterns. They had the Angel Clan's distinctive noble air, yet still felt warm and homely.
Pushing open the estate's main gate, Qian Wuyou walked straight into the hall.
The moment he stepped into the spacious, bright hall, three familiar figures came into view. The murderous intent he had suppressed was instantly replaced by a warm smile.
A lively, charming girl sat in the main seat, idly swinging her legs, her cheeks slightly puffed as though something were bothering her.
The girl was eighteen years old. Her long golden hair framed snow-white skin and delicate features, while her clear, bright golden eyes curved when she smiled, giving her a radiant, energetic look.
She was Qian Wuyou's own little sister—Qian Wulu.
Her name meant "free of worries."
Qian Wulu was highly talented. Her Martial Soul was a Four-Winged Angel, and she possessed Innate Full Soul Power. She was now a Level 53 Power Attack System Battle Soul King, a remarkably gifted young genius among the Angel Family's rising generation.
Beside Qian Wulu stood a pair of twin sisters, both in their thirties. They looked exactly alike, with bright eyes and white teeth, their golden hair tied back. They wore golden armor marked with the Angel Family's insignia, and their posture was straight, their bearing capable and disciplined.
The only difference was that the elder sister, Qian Tianzhen, had a tiny beauty mark beneath her left eye and a calm, gentle air.
Her younger sister, Qian Wuxie, had a tiny beauty mark beneath her right eye and a forthright, decisive personality.
The twins were Qian Wuyou's most loyal and trusted followers.
Both had Two-Winged Angel Martial Souls and were Level 83 Power Attack System Soul Douluo.
Qian Wuyou had deliberately assigned the sisters, Tianzhen and Wuxie, to stay by Qian Wulu's side. They were there to protect his sister and keep her company.
After all, Spirit Hall was rife with strife these days.
Bibi Dong controlled the Pope Palace and the Elder Palace. She was vicious at heart and had always regarded the Angel Family as a thorn in her side, constantly suppressing and targeting them and secretly tripping them up at every turn.
Qian Wulu was still too weak. Without someone keeping an eye on her, she could easily fall into Bibi Dong's traps.
"Huh!"
"Big brother, you finally decided to come home for once..."
"I thought you were going to stay at the Holy Palace for ages again..."
Seeing Qian Wuyou return, Qian Wulu immediately forgot all her troubles and bounced over to him, her voice full of playful complaint.
"Tianzhen, Wuxie, greetings to the commander..."
The twins, who served as Qian Wulu's bodyguards, immediately bowed as well, their voices respectful and perfectly in unison.
"Mm! I'm back!"
Qian Wuyou replied, then casually found a seat.
"Big brother, that vixen with the Hu surname bullied me again. And that little thug Xie Yue, and Yan the lapdog—could you beat them all up for me?"
Qian Wuyou had just poured himself a cup of tea when Qian Wulu spoke up beside him, puffing with anger.
Well, would you look at that.
There were still six months until the Soul Master Tournament.
Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan had also broken through to Level 50 Soul King. Bibi Dong was grooming them closely within Spirit Hall, touting them as the leading figures of its younger generation.
Honestly, that so-called Golden Generation couldn't even measure up to Qian Wulu.
Qian Wulu was only eighteen, yet she was already a Level 53 Power Attack System Battle Soul King. The Golden Generation, on the other hand, were all in their twenties and had only just reached the threshold of the Soul King rank.
The difference in their talent was plain to see.
If it were a fair, one-on-one duel, Qian Wulu could pin Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan to the ground and thrash them.
But Hu Liena and Xie Yue had the Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Demon Charm—and that was why they kept suppressing her.
"Little sister, if it's just children squabbling, handle it yourself. I can't be bothered with that sort of thing!"
"I have something important to take care of these next few days."
With that, Qian Wuyou drained his tea in one gulp.
Well, would you look at that.
Qian Wuyou did have something very important to do right now—defect.
He would take his little sister, Qian Wulu, and the followers loyal to him and "defect" together.
They would leave Spirit City, which Bibi Dong controlled.
They would leave the Angel Family, constantly suppressed and led by that pair of hopelessly foolish grandfather and granddaughter, Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue.
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