The Battle for the Holy Son

Qin Xiong nodded repeatedly beside him. "Xiao Yao, this is good news! Excellent news!"

Qin Yao was naturally delighted. The title of Holy Son would bring him higher status and greater influence. It would also make things much easier for him from now on.

As for Bibi Dong?

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

"I'll follow Great-Grandpa's arrangements." Qin Yao nodded.

Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject. "There's one more thing."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, a little puzzled.

"My granddaughter, Qian Renxue. You've met a few times before."

Qian Daoliu's tone turned somewhat peculiar.

"She's a few years older than you, and she's currently away gaining experience. I was thinking that when she returns, I could have you spend more time together. If you're compatible..."

Qin Yao stared at him, dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Qian Daoliu to have that in mind.

Qin Yao naturally knew Qian Renxue.

By the time Qin Yao had awakened his memories, Qian Renxue had already been undercover in Heaven Dou City for a long time. But when she returned to Spirit Hall, the two of them had still met.

Qin Xiong slapped his thigh. "Big Brother! You mean you want Xiao Yao and Xue'er to get engaged?"

Qian Daoliu smiled and nodded.

He had seen Qin Yao's talent for himself. Since Qian Renxue's cultivation had progressed slowly because of her undercover mission, perhaps Qin Yao's wedding in the future could even...

Qin Xiong was overjoyed on the spot.

"Wonderful! That's wonderful! We watched Xue'er grow up, too. She's perfect for Xiao Yao! Big Brother, I approve!"

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

The next moment, Qian Renxue's stunning image came to mind. She was a pitiful, tragic, and hateful character, in a way.

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

In this life, he would turn Spirit Hall's fate around!

Qin Yao cupped his hands in a salute. "Great-Grandpa, I'm willing. As long as Big Sister Xue'er agrees."

Qian Daoliu smiled and nodded.

"Good! I'll write to Xue'er about it. But first, we'll settle the matter of your becoming Holy Son."

Pope Palace.

Qian Daoliu personally brought Qin Yao along and proposed to Bibi Dong that Qin Yao be appointed Holy Son.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as Qian Daoliu had imagined.

Qin Yao thought it was only natural. After all, Bibi Dong's favorite was her disciple, Hu Liena. She'd lavished all her maternal affection on Hu Liena, on top of what had happened with Qian Xunji.

It would have been strange if there'd been no resistance.

Bibi Dong was currently sizing up Qin Yao, who stood beside Qian Daoliu.

She remembered the boy.

Six years earlier, purple energy had soared above the Worship Hall. Only afterward had she learned that Qin Xiong, the Fourth Worship's grandson, had awakened a Mutated Martial Soul.

But since he was the Fourth Worship's grandson, she hadn't paid him much attention. There wasn't much she could do about it, after all.

But now, looking at Qin Yao, she saw a young man standing nearly one meter ninety tall, with dark purple hair and strong, chiseled features. He stood there without a word, radiating an imposing presence.

But a commanding presence or not, Bibi Dong had her own rhythm.

She spoke at once.

"First Worship, the position of Holy Son concerns the very foundation of Spirit Hall's future. It's no small matter.

"Though Qin Yao is the Fourth Worship's grandson and certainly possesses outstanding talent, he has made no actual contributions to Spirit Hall. If we appoint him Holy Son on talent alone, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince everyone."

Qian Daoliu didn't rush to argue back. He waited until she had finished.

Bibi Dong continued.

"Besides, the Holy Son is paired with a Holy Maiden. I already have someone in mind for that position: my disciple, Hu Liena.

"She's trained under me for many years. Her talent and loyalty are more than enough for her to take on the role."

Qin Yao stood to the side, his expression unchanged.

But at the words "Hu Liena's loyalty," the corner of his mouth twitched despite his efforts to hold it back.

She was certainly "loyal." If Hu Liena hadn't tipped them off in the original story, could Xiao Wu have sacrificed herself to Tang San? Could the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python have been left for Tang San to pick up?

So "loyal"!

But Qin Yao wasn't worried. Qian Daoliu had his back.

Sure enough, Qian Daoliu spoke.

"The Pope's concerns aren't without merit. But in Spirit Hall, strength is what matters. Whether Xiao Yao deserves to be Holy Son isn't decided by talk."

He paused.

"Your disciple Hu Liena is eighteen this year. If I remember correctly, she's a forty-fifth-level Soul Ancestor?"

Bibi Dong nodded slightly.

Qian Daoliu continued.

"Xiao Yao is twelve this year, and he's also a Soul Ancestor. Since the Pope feels he has made no contributions and would have trouble winning people over, why not have him fight your disciple in the Soul Fighting Arena?

"The winner will naturally be qualified."

Bibi Dong's pupils widened!

What?

A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor?

A genius of that caliber was a rare sight across the entire continent.

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

Six years' difference in combat experience wasn't something talent could make up for.

What's more, Hu Liena's Demon Fox Martial Soul specialized in control and Charm. Against a young, hot-blooded Soul Master, she had a natural advantage.

Bibi Dong had thought it through.

If Nana beat Qin Yao, not only would Qian Daoliu's proposal be rejected, but appointing Hu Liena as Holy Maiden would become a matter of course.

The Worship Hall wouldn't be able to find fault with that, either. They'd proposed the match themselves. If they lost, they lost.

However you looked at it, she had nothing to lose.

Most importantly, Bibi Dong had absolute confidence in Hu Liena!

When facing an opponent of the same rank, her disciple would never lose!

"Fine."

Bibi Dong rose to her feet.

"Tomorrow at noon, in the Soul Fighting Arena. First Worship, let's both bear witness."

Qian Daoliu nodded. "Agreed."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell on Qin Yao. She said coolly, "Qin Yao, are you willing?"

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

Bibi Dong gave him another look but said no more. She waved a hand, signaling that they could leave.

The three of them walked out of Pope Palace.

In just half a day, news of the battle over whether to appoint a Holy Son or Holy Maiden had spread throughout Spirit Hall.

First Worship Qian Daoliu had proposed appointing Qin Yao, the Fourth Worship's grandson, as Holy Son. Pope Bibi Dong had suggested settling the matter with a match between Qin Yao and her personal disciple, Hu Liena.

The fight would begin at noon in the Central City Soul Fighting Arena.

The news sent the whole place into an uproar.

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

The Soul Fighting Arena in Central City was a venue reserved for Spirit Hall's internal competitions. Rows of seats circled a square, hundred-meter-wide stone platform at its center.

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

Behind Bibi Dong stood Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and the other titled Douluos from Elder Hall.

Behind Qian Daoliu stood the other six Worships. They had all served as Qin Yao's teachers, so naturally they wanted to see him make his name in battle.

They were confident that someone trained by them would absolutely be stronger than someone trained by Pope Bibi Dong!

Bibi Dong glanced at the densely packed audience below and frowned slightly.

She'd originally wanted to keep the match small and private, but she hadn't expected the news to spread so quickly.

Still, that was fine. The more people, the better.

Once Nana won, making her Holy Maiden would be a foregone conclusion.

What Bibi Dong hadn't expected was that this time, not only Hu Liena but also Xie Yue and Yan would become stepping-stones for Qin Yao.

"First Worship, where's your man?" Bibi Dong asked, turning her head.

Before Qian Daoliu could answer, a commotion rose from the Soul Fighting Arena's entrance.

The crowd parted of its own accord, and a tall, slender figure emerged from the passageway.

Dark purple hair, a fitted black outfit patterned with dark purple, and a light black cloak swaying with every step.

Qin Yao entered the Soul Fighting Arena.

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

She had long golden hair, a curvaceous figure, and an alluring presence that was difficult to describe.

Hu Liena stood on the other side of the platform, sizing up the boy who was six years younger than her. The corner of her mouth curled slightly.

Twelve years old? He was certainly tall.

She looked away and glanced toward Bibi Dong on the high platform.

Bibi Dong gave her a slight nod.

Hu Liena turned back to Qin Yao, her tone full of undisguised condescension.

"You're Qin Yao?"

Qin Yao stopped and looked at the vixen across from him. Then he spoke slowly.

"That's right."

Hu Liena looked him up and down. "You're only twelve and already want to be Holy Son? Little boy, aren't you getting ahead of yourself?"

Qin Yao didn't answer. He merely glanced at her, then turned toward Bibi Dong on the high platform.

"Your Holiness the Pope, may we begin?"

Bibi Dong raised her right hand.

"Let the Soul Fighting begin!"