The Battle for the Saint Son

Qin Xiong nodded repeatedly from the side, "Xiao Yao, this is a good thing! A great thing!"

Qin Yao was naturally happy; the status of Holy Son not only brought higher standing and greater influence, but it would also make his future actions much simpler.

As for Bibi Dong?

With the Worship Hall backing him, what was there to fear?

"I will follow Grand Elder's arrangements," Qin Yao nodded.

Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction, then shifted the topic, "There is one more matter."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit confused.

"My granddaughter, Qian Renxue—you have met a few times before."

Qian Daoliu's tone became somewhat subtle.

"She is a few years older than you and is currently out gaining experience. I was thinking, when she returns, I would like you two to spend more time together. If it is suitable..."

Qin Yao was dumbfounded; he had not expected Qian Daoliu to have such an idea.

Qin Yao naturally knew Qian Renxue.

Although Qian Renxue had already been undercover in Heaven Dou City for a long time by the time Qin Yao awakened his memories, the two had met when she returned to Martial Soul Hall.

Qin Xiong slapped his thigh, "Big Brother! Are you saying you want to arrange a betrothal between Xiao Yao and Xue'er?"

Qian Daoliu nodded with a smile.

He had seen Qin Yao's talent with his own eyes. Because Qian Renxue had been undercover, her soul power cultivation had slowed down; perhaps in the future, Qin Yao's wedding could...

Qin Xiong was overjoyed on the spot:

"Good! That's wonderful! We watched Xue'er grow up, she is a perfect match for Xiao Yao! Big Brother, I agree to this!"

Qin Yao's mouth twitched; he hadn't expected his grandfather to be so excited.

The next moment, the image of Qian Renxue's stunning beauty appeared in his mind. She was a character who could be considered pitiful, tragic, and hateful all at once.

However, since his grandfather was so happy and Qian Daoliu had brought it up himself, Qin Yao had no reason to refuse.

In this life, let him be the one to reverse the fate of Martial Soul Hall!

Qin Yao bowed in a salute, "Grand Elder, I am willing, provided that Sister Xue'er agrees."

Qian Daoliu nodded with a smile:

"Good! I will write a letter to Xue'er regarding this matter, but for now, let us settle your position as Holy Son."

Pope Palace.

Qian Daoliu personally brought Qin Yao to propose the appointment of Qin Yao as the Holy Son to Bibi Dong.

However, things did not go as smoothly as Qian Daoliu had imagined.

Qin Yao found this quite normal; after all, Bibi Dong's favorite was her disciple Hu Liena, and all her maternal love was poured into her, not to mention the history with Qian Xunji.

It would only be normal for there to be resistance.

Bibi Dong was currently sizing up the Qin Yao standing beside Qian Daoliu.

She had an impression of this child.

Six years ago, purple energy had soared into the sky from the Worship Hall, and she only learned later that it was the grandson of the Fourth Elder, Qin Xiong, awakening a mutated martial soul.

But because he was the grandson of the Fourth Elder, she hadn't paid much attention to it; after all, it was beyond her reach.

But seeing Qin Yao now—at one meter ninety, with long dark purple hair and sharp, rugged features—standing there without a word, he carried an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.

But an aura was just an aura; Bibi Dong had her own pace.

She spoke immediately, "Grand Elder, the position of Holy Son concerns the future foundation of Martial Soul Hall and is no small matter.

Although Qin Yao is the grandson of the Fourth Elder and his talent is indeed outstanding, he has no actual contributions within Martial Soul Hall. To appoint him as Holy Son based solely on talent, I fear it will be difficult to convince the masses."

Qian Daoliu did not rush to refute, waiting for her to finish.

Bibi Dong continued:

"Furthermore, the Holy Son corresponds to the Holy Maiden. I already have a candidate for the position of Holy Maiden. That is my disciple, Hu Liena.

She has followed me in cultivation for many years; both her talent and her loyalty are sufficient for the role."

Qin Yao stood to the side, his face expressionless.

However, upon hearing the words "Hu Liena's loyalty," the corner of his mouth twitched, difficult to suppress.

Truly loyal—if it weren't for Hu Liena leaking information in the original story, could Xiao Wu have sacrificed herself for Tang San? Could Tang San have picked up the scraps of the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python?

How very "loyal" indeed!

But Qin Yao was not in a hurry; he had Qian Daoliu to back him up.

Sure enough, Qian Daoliu spoke:

"The Pope's concerns are not without reason. But within Martial Soul Hall, strength is king. Whether Xiao Yao is qualified to be the Holy Son is not something decided by mere words."

He paused, his tone shifting.

"Your disciple, Hu Liena, is eighteen this year. If my memory serves me correctly, she should be a level forty-five Soul Ancestor?"

Bibi Dong nodded slightly.

Qian Daoliu continued:

"Xiao Yao is twelve this year, and also a Soul Ancestor. Since the Pope feels he lacks merit and would struggle to convince the masses, why not have him face your disciple in the Soul Fighting Arena?

The winner shall naturally be deemed qualified."

Bibi Dong's pupils constricted!

What?

A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor?

Such a talent was a rarity even across the entire continent.

However, Hu Liena was also a level forty-five Soul Ancestor, and she was a full six years older than Qin Yao.

A six-year gap in combat experience was not something that could be bridged by talent alone.

Furthermore, Hu Liena's Demon Fox martial soul specialized in control and charm; it was a natural counter against a hot-blooded young soul master.

Bibi Dong thought it through clearly.

If Nana defeated Qin Yao, not only would Qian Daoliu's proposal be rejected, but her own subsequent move to appoint Hu Liena as the Holy Maiden would become a logical conclusion.

By then, the Worship Hall would have no grounds for complaint; since they proposed the match themselves, a loss was a loss.

No matter how one calculated it, this was a profitable deal.

The most important point was that Bibi Dong had absolute confidence in Hu Liena!

When facing enemies of the same rank, her disciple would not be defeated!

"Very well."

Bibi Dong stood up.

"Tomorrow at noon, the Soul Fighting Arena. Great Elder, let us both serve as witnesses."

Qian Daoliu nodded: "Agreed."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell upon Qin Yao, and she said indifferently:

"Qin Yao, are you willing?"

Qin Yao stepped forward: "Qin Yao is willing."

Bibi Dong gave him one extra look, said nothing more, and waved her hand to signal that they could leave.

The three of them walked out of the Pope Palace.

In the short span of half a day, the news of whether a Holy Son or a Holy Maiden would be appointed spread throughout the entirety of Martial Soul Hall.

The Great Elder Qian Daoliu proposed appointing Qin Yao, grandson of the Fourth Elder, as the Holy Son, while Pope Bibi Dong proposed a match to decide the matter, pitting Qin Yao against her personal disciple, Hu Liena.

The Central City Soul Fighting Arena, battle at noon.

This news caused an uproar.

The next day, before noon had even arrived, the Soul Fighting Arena was already packed with people.

The Central City Soul Fighting Arena was a venue reserved exclusively for internal Martial Soul Hall duels, featuring circular stands surrounding a stone arena a hundred meters in diameter.

Above the stands, on a high platform, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu sat on opposite sides.

Behind Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and other Title Douluo from the Elder Hall were all present.

Behind Qian Daoliu were the other six elders of the Worship Hall; they all considered themselves Qin Yao's teachers and naturally wanted to witness his debut battle.

They were confident that the one they had trained would be far stronger than anyone brought up by the Pope, Bibi Dong!

Bibi Dong swept her gaze over the dense crowd of spectators below and frowned slightly.

She had originally intended to keep this match within a small circle; she had not expected the news to spread so quickly.

But that was fine, the more people, the better.

Once Nana won, the matter of the Holy Maiden would fall into place naturally.

However, Bibi Dong did not expect that this time, not only Hu Liena, but even Xie Yue and Yan would become stepping stones for Qin Yao.

"Great Elder, where is your person?" Bibi Dong asked, turning her head.

Before Qian Daoliu could answer, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the Soul Fighting Arena.

The crowd automatically parted to both sides as a slender figure walked out from the passageway.

With dark purple hair, a black outfit with dark purple patterns, and a light black cape swaying slightly with his stride.

Qin Yao stepped into the Soul Fighting Arena.

At the same time, another figure emerged from the entrance on the opposite side.

With long golden hair and a curvaceous figure, she radiated an indescribable, magnetic allure.

Hu Liena stood on the opposite side of the arena, sizing up the boy who was six years her junior, the corner of her mouth curling slightly.

Twelve years old? He certainly grew tall.

She withdrew her gaze and glanced toward Bibi Dong on the high platform.

Bibi Dong gave her a slight nod.

Hu Liena turned back to look at Qin Yao, her tone carrying undisguised disdain.

"You are Qin Yao?"

Qin Yao stood his ground, looking at the vixen across from him, and spoke slowly:

"That is correct."

Hu Liena scanned him up and down: "You want to become the Holy Son at twelve? Little brother, aren't you being a bit too impatient?"

Qin Yao did not respond, merely casting a faint glance at her before turning his head to look at Bibi Dong on the high platform.

"Your Holiness, may we begin?"

Bibi Dong raised her right hand.

"Soul Battle, begin!"