Qian Xunji vs. Sword Douluo

Chapter 27: Qian Xunji vs. Sword Douluo

Thud!

Qian Xunji's Papal Scepter struck the ground. Empowered by Soul Power, it rang out sharply, and the entire venue fell silent.

"Everyone, at past Seven Great Sects reelection tournaments, only the clans and sects fought while Spirit Hall did not participate. This time, I would like to add something."

"May I ask what Your Holiness the Pope wishes to add?"

Tang Zhen rose to ask. When Qian Xunji had infused the Papal Scepter with Soul Power and spread it throughout the venue, he had already sensed the immense Soul Power within him. That was absolutely power possessed only by a Titled Douluo-level expert. Qian Xunji had already broken through to become a Titled Douluo!

The people of Clear Sky Sect loved nothing more than bullying the weak while fearing the strong, fawning over those above them and looking down on those beneath them. When faced with a powerful force they had offended, they were prone to persecution paranoia.

When Tang Chen was around, they regarded heaven as first, earth as second, and everything else as worthless—including Spirit Hall. But the moment Tang Chen left, they immediately curled up before Spirit Hall, unwilling to provoke them in the slightest and fearing that Spirit Hall would find an excuse to deal with them.

Thus, Tang Zhen believed that whatever Qian Xunji wanted to add was aimed at Clear Sky Sect.

If Qian Xunji knew what Tang Zhen was thinking, he would surely say Tang Zhen was overthinking it. He had no interest in wasting so many brain cells playing with Tang Zhen, whose strength was not much different from his own. Did Tang Zhen really think he was Tang Chen?

"What I wish to add is called a Friendship Competition. As the name suggests, it will focus on sparring and exchange. I know that the pie of the soul master world is only so large. When everyone divides and fights over that pie, conflicts are inevitable. Therefore, this Friendship Competition is meant to dispel the resentment in everyone's hearts while also giving everyone a chance to prove themselves. Any soul master present, regardless of cultivation, is qualified to participate."

"The Friendship Competition will stop at the proper point. Ruthless methods that cripple others are forbidden, and killing is even more prohibited. The clans and sects participating in the Seven Great Sects reelection tournament need not worry about exhaustion either. Spirit Hall has prepared outstanding healing-type soul masters to treat your injuries and restore your Soul Power."

With that, Qian Xunji put away the Papal Scepter, leaped down from the platform, and arrived at the arena with his hands behind his back.

A wave of astonished cries erupted throughout the venue. His Holiness the Pope had personally entered the arena. He certainly was not going to serve as a referee, which could only mean that His Holiness was also preparing to take part in the Friendship Competition.

"Since this Friendship Competition was proposed by me, Qian Xunji, then naturally, I shall take the lead."

Qian Xunji swept his gaze over the soul masters present. Those who had not reached the Titled Douluo realm all lowered their heads.

When his gaze fell upon Yu Yuanzhen, the muscles all over Yu Yuanzhen's body bulged. As a sect master who hated evil and upheld righteousness, he would never yield no matter who his opponent was or how strong they might be. If Qian Xunji truly chose him, he naturally would not shy away from battle.

"Sect Master Ning."

Ning Fengzhi stood and cupped his hands. "Your Holiness the Pope, surely you do not intend to bully Fengzhi, a support-type soul master?"

"Of course not." Qian Xunji shook his head. "Three years ago, the previous generation's Sword Douluo, senior Sword Lord Chen, challenged my father and was defeated. Although senior Sword Lord Chen's cultivation was far inferior to my father's, my father still judged that battle to be the pinnacle swordsmanship duel on the continent."

"At the time, I was in seclusion and had no chance to witness that magnificent battle. Senior Sword Lord Chen later died of severe injuries. Therefore, could your sect's Sword Douluo spar with me and fulfill this wish of mine? Of course, if Sword Douluo harbors any grievance, I, Qian Xunji, will accept that as well."

Hearing this, Tang Zhen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Qian Xunji was not targeting him.

"Uncle Sword." Ning Fengzhi looked at Sword Douluo, a trace of confusion passing through his eyes. At Qian Xunji's current age, had he really broken through to Titled Douluo so quickly?

Sword Douluo's expression did not change. With a light tap of his toe against the ground, he leaped down from the stands.

"Your Holiness, regarding my father's death, this old man bears no hatred toward Spirit Hall. This was the path my father chose, and Chen Xin naturally respects it."

"If Your Holiness truly wishes to battle the Seven Kill Sword, then Chen Xin shall accompany you!"

As soon as he spoke, Chen Xin's aura surged. His entire body seemed like a sharp sword unsheathed.

"Good!"

Qian Xunji's true target in holding this Friendship Competition had been Chen Xin all along; everything else was merely ceremonial talk. He waved his hand, and the twelve Red Cardinals around the arena promptly left through the entrances. Soul Douluo battles were one thing, but in a battle between Titled Douluo, they truly could not withstand the fluctuations of Soul Power.

Boom!

Chen Xin's white hair suddenly lit with silver radiance. A deep vortex abruptly appeared above his head, and boundless sword qi erupted from it. The surrounding airflow became incomparably violent with Soul Power, as though even the air had been sliced apart by that terrifying sword qi. An ancient greatsword, two meters long and half a foot wide at the blade, was planted before him. Two yellow, two purple, and five black Soul Rings circled around it.

"This sword is known as—the Seven Kill!"

Qian Xunji's eyes suddenly shone with golden light, and every strand of hair behind his head lit up. Three pairs of wings grew from his back. Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red Soul Rings appeared, while a massive Six-Winged Angel emerged behind him. The Six-Winged Angel gleamed with endless golden radiance, golden feathers continuously drifting down from its six dazzling wings.

"100,000 Year Soul Ring!"

When the ninth Soul Ring—that scarlet ring—appeared, the entire venue erupted. A 100,000 Year Soul Ring was the greatest treasure in the soul master world. Even among twenty Titled Douluo born in the soul master world, there might not be one who possessed a 100,000 Year Soul Ring.

Hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast required paying an immense price, and one also had to prevent that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast from committing suicide, leaving one with neither Soul Ring nor soul bone. It could only be said that Spirit Hall was indeed worthy of its name, capable of hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

The Clear Sky Sect members stared wide-eyed at the 100,000 Year Soul Ring on Qian Xunji's body, their eyes round at the sight of that red ring. Throughout the Tang Family's inheritance, only their former sect master Tang Chen had possessed a 100,000 Year Soul Ring. Even Qian Daoliu did not have one.

Tang Hao fixed his gaze on that scarlet 100,000 Year Soul Ring, whose energy was unimaginably terrifying, and secretly swore that as the next generation's Clear Sky Douluo of Clear Sky Sect, he would certainly obtain a 100,000 Year Soul Ring for his ninth Soul Ring. Only then would he not disgrace his grandfather Clear Sky Douluo's name, and only then could he suppress Spirit Hall.

Sword Douluo was also greatly astonished as he looked at Qian Xunji's 100,000 Year Soul Ring. "I never expected His Holiness to have truly broken through to Titled Douluo and even obtained a 100,000 Year Soul Ring. With Your Holiness's talent, you should be the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent thus far, shouldn't you?"

Qian Xunji's face twitched involuntarily, but he did not reply. The youngest Titled Douluo? If he had not shouldered the burden of managing Pope Palace's affairs, he would have reached Titled Douluo by fifty. This achievement was only passable within the Angel Clan. The only thing worth mentioning was probably that his ninth Soul Ring was a 100,000 Year Soul Ring.

Qian Xunji's fifth Soul Ring lit up, and the Sacred Sword fell into his hand. "Sword Douluo, come. Let me, Qian Xunji, witness the Seven Kill Swordplay for which the Chen Family is famed throughout the continent."