Analysis of Jiang Lin and the Other Two

"Greetings, Third Worship."

Snake Lance and Ci Xue bowed in unison, but Azure Luan Douluo merely nodded at them before ignoring them entirely.

He placed the Holy Light Eagle on the ground and bowed slightly toward Qian Renxue, his expression softening with the affection of an elder:

"Xiaoxue, Big Brother asked me to tell you that this Holy Light Eagle has thirty thousand years of cultivation. Its light attribute is extremely pure, making it the perfect choice for your sixth spirit ring.

He originally intended for me to deliver it directly to Heaven Dou City, but after receiving your letter stating that you had already set out for the Sunset Forest, I came straight here instead.

Your grandfather also asked me to inquire how you have been faring in Heaven Dou City all these years and whether you have suffered any grievances."

The corners of Qian Renxue's mouth curled upward, revealing a genuine smile that only appeared when she was in the presence of the elders from the Worship Hall:

"I have troubled Grandfather Azure Luan with my concerns. Please also tell Grandfather that I am doing well in Heaven Dou City.

I have maintained the identity of Xue Qinghe for so many years that it is now as stable as a rock; no one in the imperial court of the Heaven Dou Empire suspects me."

"That is good."

Azure Luan Douluo nodded with satisfaction, though his gaze immediately turned more serious.

"However, Xiaoxue, you only brought Snake Lance and Ci Xue with you. The depths of the Sunset Forest are home to many ten-thousand-year spirit beasts. Should you encounter any danger, the two of them might not be able to guarantee your safety.

Next time you undertake such an operation, remember to notify the Worship Hall in advance, and I will come to protect you myself."

"Understood, Grandfather Azure Luan."

Qian Renxue replied obediently, her tone suddenly shifting.

"By the way, since you are here, Grandfather Azure Luan, there is something I would like to consult you about."

"Speak."

Qian Renxue briefly recounted her recent encounter—two Title Douluo protecting a young man as he hunted for a spirit ring. One was a level ninety-three Fire Leopard Douluo, and the other was a gray-robed figure so unfathomable that even Ci Xue could not see through him.

Coupled with the fact that Poison Douluo Dugu Bo was on friendly terms with them, the three parties combined represented the combat power of three Title Douluo.

Azure Luan Douluo's brow furrowed deeper as he listened.

After she finished, he did not speak immediately, remaining silent for quite a while.

"Fire Leopard Douluo... I have no impression of him.

However, there are many reclusive Title Douluo on the Douluo Continent. It is normal not to know some who have not stepped out of the mountains for decades."

He said slowly, "As for that gray-robed man whom Ci Xue could not see through—Ci Xue's perception is among the best of all Title Douluo. If even he could not see through the man, then either the other party's cultivation is far beyond level ninety-five, or he practices some special technique to conceal his aura.

Regardless of which it is, it proves that this person is by no means an ordinary individual."

"One level ninety-three, one peak Douluo, plus that newly evolved poison dragon of Dugu Bo's."

Azure Luan Douluo shook his head slowly. "Xiaoxue, this level of power is enough to challenge any of the Seven Great Sects head-on on the Douluo Continent.

And for so many Title Douluo to be willing to revolve around a teenager—are you certain that the boy's martial soul was a blood-colored halberd?"

"I am certain."

Qian Renxue said, "I saw with my own eyes that he used that halberd to deliver the final blow to the Golden Thunder Python. The blade was entwined with both blood-colored baleful qi and lightning. Judging by the aura, it should be a mutated martial soul with dual attributes of lightning and baleful qi.

His timing was impeccable, and his combat awareness far exceeded that of his peers."

Azure Luan Douluo pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked: "You said that the gray-robed man never released his martial soul?"

"He did not. From beginning to end, he simply stood there without even revealing his spirit rings."

"That makes it even less simple."

Azure Luan Douluo's gaze grew profound.

"For a powerhouse at the Title Douluo level to make Ci Xue feel pressured without even releasing his martial soul, it means his cultivation has reached a point where he can completely restrain his aura, yet inadvertently let his edge manifest naturally.

It is a realm that your grandfather and I only barely touched upon after breaking through to level ninety-six."

He paused and looked at Qian Renxue: "Xiaoxue, your judgment is correct.

Before we figure out their background, do not make enemies of them, but do not give up on trying to win them over either. A youth who can gather three Title Douluo must either have a massive, unknown power behind him, or possess some special charm or means of his own.

Either way, he is worth watching."

"However, you need not worry too much."

Azure Luan Douluo's tone softened as he reached out to pat Qian Renxue's shoulder. "Your grandfather once said—no matter how many powerhouses there are on this continent, they must eventually choose a side.

As long as they do not stand in opposition to Martial Soul Hall, they are potential allies. Besides, you have your grandfather and the entire Worship Hall behind you; even if that gray-robed man is truly a peak Douluo, he cannot turn the world upside down."

Qian Renxue nodded, but her brow did not fully unfurl.

It was not fear, but an instinctive sense of unease—the way the boy had glanced at her before leaving, his eyes so calm as if he had seen through everything.

That feeling was more unsettling to her than facing a peak Douluo.

"Alright, let us not think about this for now."

Azure Luan Douluo pointed to the Holy Light Eagle on the ground. "Absorb your sixth spirit ring first. A thirty-thousand-year Holy Light Eagle is of higher quality than your father's sixth spirit ring was. Do not let Big Brother's intentions go to waste."

Qian Renxue took a deep breath, pushing her chaotic thoughts aside.

She walked up to the unconscious Holy Light Eagle, and as her fifth spirit ring flashed, an Angel Holy Sword condensed from pure light elements appeared in her palm.

The phantom of the Six-Winged Angel slowly unfurled behind her, its holy golden radiance illuminating half the mountain stream.

She pierced the heart of the Holy Light Eagle with a single strike.

The movement was clean and crisp, without a hint of hesitation.

A ten-thousand-year spirit ring, black as ink, rose slowly from the corpse. The ink-like hue was dense to the extreme, shimmering with a faint, elusive dark red luster under the sunlight.

This was already a top-tier quality among ten-thousand-year spirit rings.

Qian Renxue sat cross-legged by the stream and began to absorb her sixth spirit ring.

Golden angelic radiance surged from her body, colliding violently with the energy of the black spirit ring.

Her body trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat seeped from her forehead. The impact of a thirty-two-thousand-year spirit ring on one's mental power was immense; even the possessor of the Six-Winged Angel martial soul could not handle it with ease.

Yet she kept her teeth clenched throughout, not letting out a single muffled groan. The golden halo and the black light intertwined around her, gradually shifting from confrontation to fusion.

Snake Lance, Ci Xue, and Azure Luan, three Title Douluo, stood in a triangular formation to guard her at the center. Their auras were released simultaneously, startling all spirit beasts within a radius of several miles into fleeing in every direction.

Azure Luan stood at the very front with his hands behind his back. Although his gaze scanned the surrounding dense forest with vigilance, his mind was repeatedly replaying the description Qian Renxue had just given.

A blood-colored halberd, blood-colored baleful aura, lightning... He had lived for nearly two hundred years, yet he could not find any junior Title Douluo in his memories that matched this description.

What was the background of that youth? Who was that gray-robed peak Douluo? And what was their relationship with Dugu Bo?

There were no answers to these questions for the time being.

But one thing he could be certain of—upon returning, he would have to speak to Brother Qian Daoliu about this personally. This suddenly emerged power was worthy of the Worship Hall's focused attention.