Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen's Final Battle

Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen's Final Battle

"Jade Flute Elder, return to Spirit Hall."

Qian Xunji had no desire to keep watching a battle between Limit Douluo. For now, he had learned all he could about the Clear Sky Hammer. There was no need to waste time; what he needed most was to improve his strength.

Without sufficient strength, he would end up like today, without even the chance to be a spectator. Besides, his goal of luring Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen to Sea God Island had been achieved. Tang Chen's future would now follow the original story: he would head to the City of Slaughter and never return.

"Your Holiness the Pope, this is a battle between Level 99 Titled Douluo!" Jade Flute Douluo said anxiously. His Spiritual Power was nearly on par with Qian Xunji's after Qian Xunji had absorbed a head soul bone. Although he too was only seeing a slideshow, he still felt immensely satisfied.

"If you want to watch, then stay here."

Qian Xunji had completely lost interest. With a flap of his Four-Winged wings, he flew toward Spirit Hall.

Jade Flute Douluo gritted his teeth and followed Qian Xunji back to Spirit Hall anyway. He was a Guardian Douluo, and his duty was to protect Qian Xunji. If anything happened to Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu would probably chop him into pieces once he found out.

After returning to Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji took a large supply of cultivation resources and announced that he would enter seclusion. He would not emerge until he broke through to Titled Douluo.

On Sea God Island, Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen, and Bo Saixi changed battlefields several times and fought for days and nights. In the end, they determined who was invincible at sea, on land, and in the sky.

Afterward, Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen both stayed on Sea God Island as guests and launched fierce pursuits of Bo Saixi. After all, both old men had lost their wives long ago. Bo Saixi was not only a peerless beauty, but also a Level 99 Titled Douluo like them. At sea, she had beaten them so badly that they had no room to protest.

Women admired the strong. How could men be any different?

On Sea God Island, before Sea God Hall, the sun had just risen when Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu were already waiting outside the doors.

Tang Chen wore a brown cowhide trench coat. It did not look exquisite, but it was exceptionally sturdy and durable. His beard had been shaved perfectly clean.

Qian Daoliu wore a platinum robe trimmed with gold. His long hair was meticulously combed and draped down his back, swaying in the sea breeze.

The two occasionally glanced at each other, invisible sparks flying whenever their gazes met. Today, both had put on what they considered their most handsome outfits and displayed their most dashing bearing. Yesterday, they had both confessed to Bo Saixi, and she had said she would give them an answer the next morning.

Before long, the doors of Sea God Hall opened, and Bo Saixi walked out. Unlike usual, she was not wearing the red gown of the High Priest. Instead, she wore a white-gray short dress, its long hem trailing behind her and revealing her slender, fair calves.

Not only that, Bo Saixi wore light makeup. Her red lips were incomparably soft and pink, and her pink eyelashes fluttered with every movement of her eyelids. Although her expression remained as serene as ever, the two old men were already frozen in place, their hearts pounding wildly in their throats.

Bo Saixi stopped two meters in front of the space between Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen. "I already know how you feel, but both of you are simply too outstanding. I truly cannot make a choice, so I have decided that whoever breaks through to Level 100 will have me accept his feelings."

Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu was only briefly stunned before the light in his golden eyes dimmed. Bo Saixi knew that he was the Great Elder of the Angel God and could never become a god. Her meaning was obvious: she was accepting Tang Chen's feelings. She was only saying this to spare him some dignity.

Just as Qian Daoliu was about to congratulate Tang Chen, Tang Chen suddenly declared with confidence, "I, Tang Chen, will definitely become a god. Then I'll come back and marry you, Bo Saixi. Wait for my return!"

With that, Tang Chen shot into the sky and flew back toward the continent like a cannonball.

Qian Daoliu: "??!"

Bo Saixi: "???"

Bo Saixi abruptly turned around and watched Tang Chen disappear into the distance. She wanted to call him back, but a woman's reserve and a Limit Douluo's pride surged within her. In the end, the words never left her lips.

"What a brute." Qian Daoliu sighed. Though he felt regret for Tang Chen, he was also somewhat pleased. "Achieving Godhood at Level 100 was only your excuse to reject me, yet he actually believed it."

No expression could be seen on Bo Saixi's face. "After all, he does not know the destiny we must bear as the Great Elders of gods. But you know. We stand closest to the gods and enjoy their protection, so naturally, we must repay them."

"The Angel God will always be the most important thing in your heart, won't it? Though we can never become gods, that path is lonely and difficult. You and I both understand that."

"You're right. I cannot let go of the responsibility in my heart. But if one day, the heir I choose must also embark on that path to godhood, I hope he will not regard it as suffering. I hope he will carry the duty I cannot abandon and the hope I wish to change, and walk forward with strength."

After saying that, Qian Daoliu headed out of Sea God Hall. He was returning to Spirit Hall. He could have taken this opportunity to continue pursuing Bo Saixi, but he had his own pride and could not shamelessly cling to her. Besides, his love for Bo Saixi was not even a fraction of his faith in the Angel God.

After returning to Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu learned that Qian Xunji had entered a secret chamber for seclusion and would not emerge until he broke through to Titled Douluo. Delight appeared on his face. It was not because Qian Xunji was diligently cultivating, but because Qian Xunji would no longer cause trouble for Spirit Hall.

Qian Xunji had traded a peerless genius like Bibi Dong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and he had neglected his proper duties to hunt soul beasts for Whale Rubber, an aphrodisiac. Qian Daoliu had already been utterly disappointed in him.

Rather than let Qian Xunji continue ruining Spirit Hall, it was better for him to cultivate in the secret chamber. If he matured a few more years, perhaps it would help him lead Spirit Hall after emerging from seclusion. Qian Daoliu had already passed down the Pope's position, so he could not take it back. As for the matters that piled up in Spirit Hall during Qian Xunji's seclusion, the collateral branches of the family could deal with them.

After returning to Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu had intended to resume his peaceful retirement, but two days later, a letter reached his hands. It was Tang Chen's challenge letter. Tang Chen invited him to fight three days later atop a mountain three hundred li east of Heaven Dou City.

Naturally, Qian Daoliu accepted. Especially since Tang Chen had written one final line in the letter: if you do not have the guts, do not come. Faced with such a provocation, if he did not go, would that not make him a coward?

Three days later, atop a thousand-meter snow peak three hundred li east of Heaven Dou City, the mountain range was bitterly cold. Even breathing felt as if ice particles were entering one's nostrils.

From afar, Qian Daoliu saw Tang Chen sitting cross-legged at the very summit. Invisible Soul Power gathered around him, forming a Soul Power barrier that blocked out the wind and snow.

Tang Chen opened his eyes and rose to his feet. "Qian Daoliu, this mountain range was once my place of seclusion. Today, let us fight our final battle here."

"Are you going to search for that illusory path to godhood?" Qian Daoliu was stunned. Was this brute Tang Chen actually serious?

"Of course." Tang Chen laughed boldly, his face full of confidence. From awakening his martial soul to cultivating to Level 99, he had encountered few bottlenecks. He had broken through naturally each time. Thus, he was extremely self-assured. Even regarding godhood, he believed that he would certainly achieve it.

"Qian Daoliu, we have been rivals since the day we met. Up until now, we have fought each other countless times, large and small, yet never determined a victor. We do not know whether this battle will settle it either. Why don't we make an agreement over Level 100? How about whoever breaks through to Level 100 first wins?"

Unlike before, Qian Daoliu did not reply. A trace of bitterness passed through his eyes. As the Great Elder of the Angel God, his body had already been transformed by Angel God Power. He was destined to be unable to achieve godhood at Level 100.

Tang Chen naturally did not notice Qian Daoliu's mood. Seeing that Qian Daoliu remained silent, a trace of disdain unconsciously flashed through the eyes that had been levelly meeting Qian Daoliu's gaze. He had always considered Qian Daoliu his rival, yet Qian Daoliu did not even have the courage to pursue godhood at Level 100. So cowardly—what right did such a person have to be his opponent?

Naturally, Tang Chen did not say this aloud. Instead, a thought surfaced in his mind. If he went searching for the path to godhood and did not return to the Clear Sky Sect for too long, what if Qian Daoliu attacked his Clear Sky Sect?

After some thought, Tang Chen looked down at the mountains beneath his feet and came up with an idea.

"Qian Daoliu, you and I are both invincible in the sky and on land. Though this mountain range is vast, it is still a little too small to serve as a battlefield for cultivators of our level, and it also affects my performance. Since that is the case, you will not use your advantage in the sky, and I will not use my advantage on land. Let us have a fair and just final battle in this mountain range!"

"Very well!"

Qian Daoliu also grew excited. The Measuring Heaven Sword landed in his hand, and nine soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and five black—rose beneath his feet. Endless battle intent surged in his heart. Nothing could be better than settling the score with Tang Chen in a fair fight. He had truly waited a long time for this day.

Nine soul rings—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—emerged beneath Tang Chen's feet. He gripped the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand.

The two vanished from where they stood at the same time. Throughout the mountain range, explosions rang out wherever red and golden light collided. The entire range shook continuously as shattered rocks tumbled down.

Because the mountain range was not particularly large, Tang Chen did not use his Martial Soul Avatar. Since Qian Daoliu wanted a fair duel with Tang Chen and could not rely on his aerial advantage, he also did not use his Martial Soul Avatar.

They fought for three full days. The hammer and sword in Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu's hands clashed again and again. The ground around them had long since become riddled with pits, covered in countless craters and sword marks left by their battle.

The snow above had melted beneath Qian Daoliu's Angel Flame. The dark clouds overhead had also retreated a thousand meters away from the mountain range under the collision of their immense Soul Power.

Sparks flew once more as Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen both retreated. Their breathing had become somewhat ragged, but Tang Chen was panting more heavily. In terms of recovery, the Clear Sky Hammer could not compare to the Angel Spirit. In the past, using Martial Soul Avatars had been Tang Chen's advantage. Now that neither of them was using one, Tang Chen naturally had fewer advantages.

Qian Daoliu smiled. "Tang Chen, if this continues, it seems you will be the one to lose."

Tang Chen suddenly burst into laughter. "Qian Daoliu, there is a move I have never used against you before. Do you know what the even more terrifying accompanying technique of my self-created Great Sumeru Hammer is?"

"What is it?"

Tang Chen's nine soul rings suddenly turned golden. His first four soul rings shattered with a resounding explosion, all their Soul Power pouring into the Clear Sky Hammer. His aura became powerful and domineering once again.

"Watch carefully. This move is called Ring Detonation!"

Qian Daoliu's pupils contracted, and the seventh soul ring beneath his feet immediately lit up. "Angel True Body!"

In the end, Tang Chen detonated eight rings, defeated Qian Daoliu, and made Qian Daoliu promise that Spirit Hall would never set foot in this mountain range before Tang Chen defeated him.

After Qian Daoliu returned to Spirit Hall, he had the details of Tang Chen's even more formidable move, Ring Detonation, and the exact circumstances of its activation recorded in Spirit Hall's books. Then, he began his final Angel's Eighth Trial: a reward that increased a soul ring's age by ten thousand years.

Clear Sky Sect.

After his great battle with Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen returned to the Clear Sky Sect and entered seclusion for thirty-six consecutive days before emerging. This was because the shattered soul rings from using Ring Detonation would only slowly re-form after three days, and he could not use soul skills during that time. It took thirty-six days for the soul rings to fully return to normal.

The moment he emerged from seclusion, Tang Chen convened an elders' council and summoned his grandson, Tang Hao.

Clear Sky Sect's main hall.

Tang Chen sat in the sect master's seat. Before him stood seven chairs occupied by his son Tang Zhen and the Haotian Six Elders. The Haotian Six Elders were the five Titled Douluo who appeared after the Clear Sky Sect sealed itself away for twenty years. Among them, the Sixth Elder died during Spirit Hall's assault on the Clear Sky Sect after Qian Xunji's death.

Among these seven, only Tang Chen's son Tang Zhen was a Titled Douluo. The other six were all Soul Douluo.

Given the talents of those other six, if they cultivated desperately, one or two of them could have broken through to Titled Douluo at their age. But since they had lived to this age, they were naturally not fools.

Tang Chen was a Limit Douluo with many years of life remaining. Even if the six of them broke through to Titled Douluo and then died of old age, Tang Chen would still be alive. So long as Tang Chen lived, the Clear Sky Sect would stand firm and remain the number one sect in the world. The position of sect master would never be theirs anyway.

Since that was the case, why should they cultivate so diligently? Was it not better to eat, drink, play, sleep, and use the authority in their hands to throw their weight around?

Tang Chen knew this as well, but he did not interfere because he had his own selfish motives. He hoped that the sect master's position would always remain within his line. Tang Zhen was not in good health. When Tang Zhen was young, Tang Chen had taught him the Great Sumeru Hammer. However, Tang Zhen's talent was insufficient, and he failed to master it, suffering backlash instead. His cultivation would likely stop at Level 95 in the future, and his lifespan might also be greatly affected.

"Grandfather, Father, uncles."

After Tang Hao entered the main hall, he respectfully bowed to the elders.

Tang Hao was only a little over twenty years old, yet his cultivation had already reached Soul King. His martial soul had awakened with Innate Full Soul Power, and he was hailed as a genius the Clear Sky Sect saw only once in a century. In learning the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and the Haotian Nine Wonders, he had repeatedly broken the Clear Sky Sect's records. Countless glories surrounded him, and even Titan, the current patriarch of the Strength Clan, was willing to acknowledge him as his master.

"Hao'er, come here."

Tang Chen rose and beckoned to Tang Hao, the indulgent affection on his face nearly overflowing. This was his most prized grandson.