Qian Xunji glanced at the arm bone in his hand and was just about to nod in agreement.
Just then, he suddenly sensed a faint pulse of warmth from his chest.
It was a message from the golden feather he had left with his son, Qian San.
Qian Xunji immediately closed his eyes and probed it with his spiritual power. An urgent voice came from within the feather. Though brief, its meaning was clear: a powerful enemy had appeared. Return at once.
Dugu Bo should have been there. Anyone who could make Dugu Bo directly call for help was certainly no ordinary person. Qian San and Xiao Qing had to be in danger now.
Qian Xunji opened his eyes and looked at the Angel God King. "God King, my son seems to have run into some trouble. May I return and deal with it first?"
The Angel God King glanced at him and did not stop him, readily agreeing. "Of course. I was worried that something might happen when you returned to absorb the Divine-Level Spirit Bone, so I intended to watch over you while you absorbed it here. Forget it. Since you have an urgent matter, go deal with it first. When you return, just be more careful while absorbing it on your own."
"Thank you for your understanding, God King." Qian Xunji swiftly put away the arm bone.
The Angel God King waved his hand, and golden light lit up the divine hall once more. Guided by the laws, Qian Xunji instantly left the God Realm and hurried toward the Lower Realm.
[Inner World]
Behind Kelaishi Academy.
Footsteps crushing fallen leaves echoed through the dark woods. Yu Fengzhi and Chen Rong no longer concealed themselves and slowly stepped out.
When Dugu Bo saw them, he knew he could no longer remain hidden. He flashed down from the tree and landed steadily on the ground, firmly shielding Qian San and Xiao Qing behind him.
Yu Fengzhi stopped, wearing the smile of an old fox. "So it is Poison Douluo. Yu Fengzhi pays his respects."
Dugu Bo felt sick just looking at him and gave a cold laugh.
"Sect Master Yu certainly has manners. Sneaking into such a remote place in the middle of the night—what, were you catching soul beasts for your Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda and happened to catch your way here?"
Hearing this, Chen Rong immediately stepped forward, his voice icy. "Old Poison, watch your words. Is Fengzhi someone you can casually mock?"
Yu Fengzhi waved a hand and stopped Chen Rong. "It is nothing. We are all friends. It was only a joke."
Dugu Bo's expression turned grim. The instant Chen Rong stepped forward, he felt immense pressure. Chen Rong's Martial Soul was the Seven Kill Dragon, a top-tier Dragon Clan Martial Soul. This sort of dragon bloodline naturally imposed a powerful bloodline suppression on Dugu Bo's snake-type Martial Soul. Even though his Martial Soul had now evolved into the Red Heaven Python Emperor, the situation would be extremely unfavorable if they truly fought.
Dugu Bo drew a deep breath and said to Qian San and the others behind him without turning his head, "It is late. Do not stand around here watching the adults make fools of themselves. Qian San, take them and leave first."
"That will not do." Yu Fengzhi shook his head, and the smile on his face faded somewhat. He raised a hand and pointed directly at Qian San.
"I came here specifically for him today."
Chen Rong wasted no more words and directly released his Spirit Rings. A low dragon roar sounded as the phantom of the Seven Kill Dragon emerged behind him. Powerful Soul Power locked down the entire area, sealing off Qian San and the others' escape route.
Dugu Bo knew there would be no peaceful resolution today.
He suddenly stomped his foot and released his Martial Soul as well.
A massive crimson python phantom shot into the sky and let out a shrill hiss.
"This..." Yu Fengzhi's eyes instantly widened at the sight of that Martial Soul, and he even lost his usual composure.
"Your Martial Soul evolved? Old Poison, tell me the method of Martial Soul Evolution! I am willing to pay a high price for it. Name any condition you want!"
A method of Martial Soul Evolution was a priceless treasure to any sect, especially for them. If the Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect could master such a method and evolve their pagoda into an Eight Treasure or even Nine Treasure Overlord Pagoda, Yu Fengzhi did not dare imagine it.
Dugu Bo looked at him coldly. "I do not want a single coin. Have your people withdraw immediately today, and I will present the evolution method to you with both hands."
Yu Fengzhi sighed. He knew Dugu Bo was brushing him off, and he also knew that there was no way to take that child away without bloodshed today.
"Uncle Chen." Yu Fengzhi took half a step back and gave the order.
"Make your move. Show some restraint; do not take their lives."
Just as Chen Rong was about to act, Dai Zhuqing, who had been standing behind Qian San, suddenly stepped forward.
She stared directly at Yu Fengzhi and called out loudly.
"This junior is Dai Zhuqing of the Star Luo Dai Family. Qian San is my closest friend. Could I trouble Sect Master Yu to show mercy for the sake of the Star Luo Imperial Family and spare him today?"
Chen Rong paused, glanced at Dai Zhuqing, and said bluntly.
"Dai Zhuqing? If you were a Titled Douluo today, we might give you some face. A princess who ran away from home? You cannot even secure your own position in your family, yet you want to protect someone else? Just protect your own life obediently!"
Yu Fengzhi merely smiled faintly, not taking Dai Zhuqing's words seriously at all. This was the Balak Kingdom; the rules of the Star Luo Empire did not reach here.
"Attack." Yu Fengzhi gave the order again.
The Spirit Rings around Chen Rong lit up, and the Seven Kill Dragon let out a roar as he prepared to charge straight at Dugu Bo.
At that critical moment,
A cold voice filled with killing intent suddenly exploded across the sky above the entire back mountain.
"A crippled, broken tower and a fake dragon with impure blood think they can lay a hand on my son?"
The voice was like thunder, making everyone's ears ring.
"Have I been too good to you?"
Before the words had even faded, boom—a figure descended from the sky like a meteor and crashed directly down before Yu Fengzhi and Chen Rong. A huge crater was instantly stamped into the ground.
Qian Xunji had arrived!
Without another word, he unleashed his full strength. Eight black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings and one dazzling red hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring spread beneath his feet in an instant.
At the same time, the Eight-Winged Angel Martial Soul behind him violently spread its wings.
The terrifying pressure of a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, mixed with the sacred aura of the Eight-Winged Angel, crashed down like a real mountain!
Thud!
Thud!
Yu Fengzhi and Chen Rong simply could not withstand pressure of that level.
Before such absolute strength, the Seven Kill Dragon phantom behind Chen Rong instantly let out a mournful cry. Yu Fengzhi's legs went weak, and together with Chen Rong, he was forced to his knees beneath that crushing force.
The two looked up at the man before them in utter terror.
But what they saw next made Yu Fengzhi feel as though his soul had left his body!
Qian Xunji did not pay them any attention at all. In his right hand, he held a holy sword radiating divine light. With his left hand, he was gripping a girl's head as though she were a chick.
The girl's face was deathly pale and covered in tears. Her body shook violently from extreme terror.
It was Yu Rongrong, the one who had sent the secret message!
Before you continue