Reaching the Peak as Holy Son! If You Don't Face Yourself, How Can You Grow Stronger?

As Qin Yao finished speaking, everyone's gaze subconsciously shifted from the tall, upright figure in the center of the arena to the woman on the high platform—the most powerful woman in the entire Martial Soul Hall.

Now, am I qualified?

This question was both a challenge and a declaration.

Bibi Dong's fingertips traced lightly over the luxurious armrest; her body beneath her robes tensed for a moment before slowly relaxing.

They had lost.

Her disciples, the Golden Generation of Martial Soul Hall, had been thoroughly defeated in a near-crushing display by a twelve-year-old boy, despite her having the highest expectations for them.

Was she angry? Of course!

But she could not show it.

She was the Pope, the face of Martial Soul Hall.

Under the eyes of the crowd, she had to display the magnanimity and majesty expected of her.

And this Qin Yao was, indeed, a monster.

The Worship Hall had placed their bet correctly this time.

Bibi Dong slowly stood up.

She did not look at the boy on the arena who had stirred such complex emotions within her, but instead cast her majestic gaze across the entire venue.

"Good!"

Bibi Dong's voice was cold and authoritative, echoing throughout the arena.

"Worthy of being the candidate put forward by the Worship Hall; truly powerful."

"In Martial Soul Hall, strength is supreme!"

"I hereby announce that on an auspicious day, we shall hold the investiture ceremony to officially appoint Qin Yao as the Holy Son of our Martial Soul Hall!"

The moment her voice fell, the entire Soul Fighting Arena was deathly silent for a heartbeat, before erupting into thunderous, mountain-shaking cheers!

"Holy Son!"

"His Highness the Holy Son!"

Regardless of what opinions they held about this match before, at this moment, they were cheering sincerely for the birth of a powerhouse.

On the high platform, Qian Daoliu watched Bibi Dong as she calmly announced the result, a flash of approval crossing his eyes.

This woman, though not of one mind with them, possessed a temperament truly worthy of the position of Pope.

This battle for the Holy Son had, at this point, finally settled.

On the other side of the arena.

Several healing-type Spirit Masters arrived, casting soft green light upon Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan.

Cool spirit power surged into their bodies, dispelling the lingering burning pain of the purple flames and the shock from the Griffin's impact; the three of them gradually regained consciousness.

Yan was the first to sit up. He touched his singed, curled hair and looked at his tattered clothes, his face burning with shame.

"Cough, cough... that kid's flames are truly damn overbearing."

Yan cursed under his breath, but the anger in his voice had vanished, replaced only by powerlessness.

Hu Liena was helped up by Xie Yue. She looked at her slightly trembling hands, her usually charming and confident face now filled with bitterness and confusion.

She muttered to herself, "He is truly so strong. It turns out that the three of us are really nothing in front of him."

"Nana, don't say that! He's just relying on his Martial Soul and spirit rings!" Yan retorted, somewhat unconvinced.

Xie Yue patted his shoulder, his expression more solemn than ever before.

"Yan, a loss is a loss. Failure is not terrifying."

"But if we don't even have the courage to admit our failure, how can we ever become stronger?"

His words left both Yan and Hu Liena silent.

Indeed, they were the Golden Generation, the elite of Martial Soul Hall's younger generation; they had their own pride.

But today, that pride had been completely shattered by one person.

Just then, a calm voice sounded above them.

"Well said."

The three of them looked up abruptly, discovering that Qin Yao had arrived before them at some point.

He looked down at the three of them, his dark purple pupils devoid of any victor's arrogance, holding only a vast calm.

"If you lack even the courage to admit your own failure, what right do you have to be called the Golden Generation of my Martial Soul Hall?"

The words were piercing, but Xie Yue could not refute them.

Qin Yao did not look at them again, instead turning away and leaving them with his back.

"Keep working hard."

"Whenever you can defeat me, this position of Holy Son shall be yours."

As his words fell, he strode away without ever looking back.

Left behind, the three of them stood in stunned silence.

They watched Qin Yao's retreating figure, their hearts filled with an incredibly complex mix of emotions.

This guy!

Was it arrogance? Or was it confidence?

Hu Liena stared blankly at that back, her mind a chaotic mess.

Not far away, Bibi Dong, who had yet to depart, had taken in every word of the conversation.

She looked at Qin Yao's back, a flash of approval crossing her purple eyes.

This was the person the Worship Hall valued.

Qin Yao walked out of the Soul Fighting Arena.

At the end of the corridor, seven figures were already waiting there.

It was none other than the seven Great Worships, led by Qian Daoliu.

"Grandfather! Great Grandfather! Second Grandfather..."

Qin Yao stepped forward, bowing respectfully to each of them in turn.

"Hahahaha! Good lad! Well fought! That was damn satisfying!"

Second Worship Golden Crocodile Douluo was the first to rush over, his large hand slapping heavily onto Qin Yao's shoulder, making a "thudding" sound.

"Second Brother, go easy! Don't break my grandson!"

Qin Xiong shoved Golden Crocodile Douluo aside, his face glowing with joy and his mouth unable to stop grinning. He circled Qin Yao several times, muttering incessantly:

"Good, good, good! Truly worthy of being my, Qin Xiong's, grandson!"

Fifth Worship Light Feather Douluo, still appearing as a youth, curled his lips:

"What's so great about that? Isn't it just beating three juniors? If it were me, I could have flicked them away with a single finger."

"Oh, give it a rest."

Sixth Worship Thousand Jun Douluo unceremoniously tore down his facade, "Have you forgotten that you lost a pot of Fire Cloud to me in our last bet and still haven't paid up?"

"That's not the same thing!"

Watching this group of undignified old men, Qin Yao smiled helplessly.

Finally, Qian Daoliu coughed, putting an end to the farce.

"Enough, look at your ages; what kind of behavior is this?"

He walked up to Qin Yao, a gentle smile appearing on his dignified face.

"Xiao Yao, you did very well today."

Receiving personal praise from the Great Worship, Qin Yao felt a warmth in his heart.

"It is all thanks to the teachings of you grandfathers."

Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction, then shifted the topic.

"You mentioned to us before that you wished to go out and train to broaden your horizons."

Qin Yao's heart stirred. Could it be that they had agreed?

To change the future plot and the fate of Martial Soul Hall, venturing out for experience was essential.

The immortal herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, the Heart of the Sea God in the Heaven Dou Empire's treasury—even if Qin Yao's attributes were incompatible with the Sea God, he at least could not let Tang San obtain them.

Qian Daoliu noticed the change in his expression and continued:

"We old fellows discussed it and have all agreed. Once the Holy Son canonization ceremony concludes, you may go."

Qin Yao felt a surge of joy.

"However,"

Qian Daoliu's tone shifted, "You are now the Holy Son of our Martial Soul Hall and represent the face of the organization. To go out all alone would be far too shabby; you must have someone to accompany and protect you."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Second Worship Golden Crocodile Douluo chimed in:

"Exactly! Big Brother is right! You should at least take a guard detail of a hundred or eighty men! Let everyone on the continent see the grandeur of our Martial Soul Hall's Holy Son!"

Fifth Worship Light Feather Douluo also interjected: "A guard detail is too conspicuous. I think sending two Title Douluo to follow in the shadows would suffice."

Sixth Worship Thousand Jun Douluo and Seventh Worship Falling Devil exchanged a glance and spoke in unison:

"The two of us brothers are the most suitable!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiong was immediately displeased:

"Go, go, all of you, get aside! To protect my grandson, it naturally has to be me, his own grandfather! Who dares to fight me for it?"

Watching this group of old men who seemed eager to protect him as if he were a fragile piece of porcelain, Qin Yao only felt a massive headache coming on.

If he were to really take a guard detail of a hundred or so people out with him, would that even be called training?

"Grandfathers, please listen to me."

Qin Yao stepped forward, interrupting their argument.

"I am going out on this journey to increase my strength and temper myself, not to go sightseeing, and certainly not to throw my weight around by relying on the name of Martial Soul Hall."

He paused, his tone becoming solemn.

"A towering tree cannot grow in a greenhouse. If I rely on guards for everything and depend on the protection of you grandfathers, I will never be able to become a true powerhouse."

"Therefore, for this training, I must go alone."

Once he finished speaking, the Worship Hall fell silent.

The several elders looked at one another, seeing hesitation in each other's reactions.

They knew Qin Yao was right, but reason was one thing, and emotions were quite another.

This was their precious treasure whom they had watched grow up, and the future hope of Martial Soul Hall; if something were to go wrong out there...

In the end, it was Qian Daoliu who made the final decision.

He looked deeply at Qin Yao for a long time before slowly nodding:

"Very well."

"It is good that you have this resolve."

"Since you have decided, we will follow your wishes. However, you must prioritize your own safety above all else and never act recklessly."

Qin Yao breathed a sigh of relief and bowed again: "Thank you, Grand Elder, thank you, grandfathers!"

"That is enough, go back and get some rest. You have been tired these past few days." Qian Daoliu waved his hand.

Qin Yao nodded, turned, and left the Worship Hall.

Watching his retreating figure, Qin Xiong ultimately could not hold back and spoke up anxiously:

"Big Brother! Are we really letting him go alone? The hearts of men are treacherous out there; what if he encounters a danger he cannot resolve?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo also frowned:

"Indeed, Big Brother. This kid has too arrogant a nature; if he doesn't suffer a few setbacks, he won't know the immensity of heaven and earth, but what if the setback is too great?"

Qian Daoliu was speechless; these brothers of his truly had great strength but small brains.

"Who said I was letting him go alone?"

Qin Xiong was stunned: "Didn't you just agree to it?"

Qian Daoliu looked at Qin Xiong, his tone indifferent.

"Fourth Brother, you will follow him in secret."

"Remember, unless it is a matter of life and death, you are absolutely forbidden from appearing. He is going for training, not for an outing. The injuries he should sustain and the hardships he should endure must not be spared."

Qin Xiong suddenly realized:

"Rest assured, Big Brother! I understand!"