Angel Swordplay - Ninefold Holy Judgment

The next day, outside the Pope Palace.

"Huai'er, now that you have obtained your first soul ring, it is best to wait until you have fully adapted to your current strength before absorbing the second. This will maximize your potential. In the coming period, you should follow the Pope to study swordsmanship diligently. When you return home, your mother can also guide you if there is anything you do not understand."

Murong Chayue walked with Murong Huai on the path toward the Pope Palace. After returning from the Star Dou Great Forest yesterday, Bibi Dong's soul power had reached level thirteen. As for Murong Huai, because he had not yet absorbed a second soul ring, his exact level could not be detected, though he estimated it to be around level twenty-two.

After obtaining his soul ring, Murong Huai realized that what he lacked most was a proper sword technique. Without a suitable style, it would be difficult to unleash the true power of the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword.

Having just received word that Murong Huai had obtained his soul ring, Qian Daoliu had sent someone to the Murong Mansion to notify him to come to the Pope Palace for instruction.

Although Wu Xianyun was also skilled in swordsmanship, Murong Huai had already taken Qian Daoliu as his master, and it was the latter's duty to impart knowledge and teach the arts. Thus, the two arrived at the Pope Palace.

Murong Huai was to follow Qian Daoliu for a few years to learn swordsmanship, while Bibi Dong was arranged to attend the Martial Soul Academy.

"Greetings, Third Elder." Seeing Murong Chayue arrive, Xiongshi and Guangling bowed.

Murong Chayue nodded, then spoke gently to Murong Huai beside him:

"Huai'er, Grandfather will leave you here. The two elders will take care of you from here on."

Murong Huai nodded, and Murong Chayue turned and left.

Xiongshi and Guangling, who would later become two of the seven great elders of Martial Soul Hall, were currently serving as the Pope's guardian elders. They smiled at Murong Huai and cupped their hands:

"Haha, Your Highness the Holy Son, His Holiness the Pope is already waiting inside. Please."

On the day Murong Huai awakened his martial soul, he had been named the Holy Son of Martial Soul Hall by the current Grand Elder, placing his status just below the Pope and the Grand Elder.

"There is no need for such formalities, Elders."

Murong Huai then followed the two into the Pope Palace.

Inside the hall, Qian Daoliu had just finished reviewing some reports when he saw Xiongshi and Guangling bringing Murong Huai in. He set aside his work and said to Murong Huai with a smile:

"Haha, Huai'er is here."

Murong Huai bowed toward Qian Daoliu on the throne:

"Disciple greets Teacher."

"No need for formalities, Huai'er. Rise."

Qian Daoliu waved his hand, and Xiongshi and Guangling, understanding the gesture, bowed and turned to leave the Pope Palace. Qian Daoliu then walked down from the dais to stand before Murong Huai.

"Huai'er, I have heard about you absorbing your first soul ring. An eight-hundred-year-old Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear is indeed quite risky."

Hearing this, Murong Huai nodded and replied:

"Rest assured, Teacher, it was a close call, but I succeeded without incident."

Qian Daoliu nodded, then took several items from his Soul Tool and handed them to Murong Huai:

"Huai'er, this is your apprenticeship gift. Keep it."

Murong Huai looked at the items Qian Daoliu handed him: a golden token engraved with several special martial souls. It was the Pope Token of Martial Soul Hall, which only those at the elder level could possess.

Murong Fuhai, Murong Chayue, and Xiao Qingmei each held one, and their authority was immense, capable of mobilizing the forces of any Martial Soul Hall branch on the continent. It was a symbol of both power and status.

"Huai'er, although you have been named the Holy Son, after discussions between myself and the other elders, we have decided to hold your official investiture ceremony once you reach the Soul Ancestor realm. You will have your own Holy Son Token then; for now, use this Pope Token."

Murong Huai nodded. Although he possessed Twin Martial Souls, he was still relatively weak in the early stages. He would need sufficient strength to make others truly submit, but the Pope Token would suffice for now.

Next, Murong Huai looked at the second item: a soul bone shimmering with golden light. It was the most precious of the six types of soul bones—a skull bone.

"This soul bone dropped from a ninety-thousand-year Heaven-Deriving Unicorn Emperor that I killed years ago. Keep it for now, and absorb it once your physique reaches the Soul Ancestor or Soul King level," Qian Daoliu instructed.

Murong Huai acknowledged the order. While absorbing a soul bone did not have strict requirements for a soul master, it was not advisable to do so too early; one should proceed step by step.

Murong Huai put away the Pope Token and the soul bone, then looked at the final item: a jade slip.

"This jade slip contains the sword technique passed down by the Angel God of our Martial Soul Hall, known as the Nine-Fold Holy Judgment."

As he spoke, Qian Daoliu placed his hand gently on Murong Huai's shoulder. A burst of golden, sacred light enveloped them, and they transformed into a streak of golden radiance, departing the Pope Palace.

In just a few breaths, the two arrived at the mountain behind Martial Soul Hall. Watching this, Murong Huai could not help but marvel at Qian Daoliu's strength. While he might eventually be unable to defeat Tang Chen or Bo Saixi, his current power was beyond doubt.

Qian Daoliu tapped the jade slip, which instantly dissolved into specks of golden light that merged into Murong Huai's brow. Murong Huai immediately felt a profound sword technique imprint itself upon his mind.

"Huai'er, I shall now demonstrate the unique sword technique of my Angel clan. Watch closely." Qian Daoliu said, condensing a golden longsword in his hand.

Murong Huai nodded and stepped aside. Qian Daoliu turned, holding the golden sword.

"This sword technique uses 'light as the ruler and the sword as the pen.' The nine forms progress layer by layer, from protection to judgment. Each form embodies the Angel clan's supreme pursuit of order and purity; beneath the ornate movements lies the absolute execution of justice."

Qian Daoliu spoke in a deep voice. As the tip of his sword touched the ground, a sacred aura spread from the blade, and the surrounding air seemed to solidify under an invisible force.

"First form: Morning Star Enlightenment." Qian Daoliu pointed his sword toward the east, drawing upon the power of the morning star to carve an arc of light, the sword qi cutting through like the dawn.

"Second form: Winged Wind Judgment." He spread his arms like wings, his sword slashing rapidly to create a golden vortex, the sword qi manifesting as illusory wings that seemed capable of piercing through everything.

Then, Qian Daoliu caught the sunlight on his blade, lifting it from bottom to top as if cradling clear spring water. A silvery-white sword glow purified all filth: "Third form: Moonlight Dust Cleansing."

"Fourth form: Heavenly Punishment Meteor Light."

Suddenly, Qian Daoliu pointed his sword toward the firmament, stirring the heavens. A pillar of light descended from the clouds, the sword qi striking like a falling meteor.

"Fifth Form: Oracle Weave Bind." The longsword traced golden runes as his arms swept through the air like a conductor leading a symphony. Endless chains of light erupted forth, their collisions ringing out with the clear chime of temple bells, intent on shattering the enemy's will.

"Sixth Form: Eternal Myriad Light Lotus."

Qian Daoliu unleashed his martial soul, his six wings of light unfurling. Holy flames ignited along the blade as he swept it in a circle, the sword qi transforming into a rain of light-feather arrows that bloomed into lotuses of light, purifying all filth.

"Seventh Form: Holy Radiance Judgment." He raised his sword high, drawing upon the light of heaven and earth before slashing down violently, releasing a searing blade of radiance.

"Eighth Form: Endless Dream Weave." Qian Daoliu's movements slowed; the tip of his sword brushed the ground, carving out winding trails of light that flowed like stardust. The sword qi wove an illusion, plunging the enemy into a fleeting peace as new sprouts emerged wherever the light feathers fell.

Finally, Qian Daoliu pointed his sword toward the firmament. A golden waterfall of light descended from the clouds, and the Six-Winged Angel manifested behind him. The wielder leaped into the air like a judgment from the heavens, intent on purging all evil and passing sentence upon every lawless soul.

"This is the final form of the sword art: Nine-Fold Holy Judgment!!"

Endless golden light spilled across the ground. Murong Huai was left stunned; within the magnificence lay a murderous intent, the beauty mirrored by danger, the sanctity revealing an inviolable majesty, and the judgment containing a vow of protection.

It was truly unpredictable, showcasing both the benevolence of the Angel clan in protecting the people of the continent and their resolve to punish all evil in the world.