... The next day, outside the Pope Palace.
"Huai'er, now that you've obtained your First Spirit Ring, wait until you've fully adapted to your strength before adding your Second Spirit Ring. That way, you'll get the most out of it.
"For the time being, you'll study swordsmanship diligently under the Pope. Once you're home, if there's anything you don't understand, your mother can teach you, too."
Murong Chayue walked with Murong Huai 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, since he hadn't absorbed a Second Spirit Ring, they couldn't determine his level, but he guessed it was around twenty-two.
After obtaining his Spirit Ring, Murong Huai had realized that what he lacked most was swordsmanship. Without a suitable sword technique, it would be difficult to unleash the power of the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword.
As soon as Qian Daoliu learned that Murong Huai had obtained a Spirit Ring, he sent someone to notify Murong Mansion and summon Murong Huai to the Pope Palace for lessons.
Although Wu Xianyun also knew swordsmanship, Murong Huai had already taken Qian Daoliu as his master, so the latter was the one who should impart his knowledge. Thus, the two of them arrived at the Pope Palace,
where Murong Huai would study swordsmanship under Qian Daoliu for several years. Bibi Dong, meanwhile, was sent to study at the Martial Soul Academy.
"Greetings, Third Offering." When Murong Chayue arrived, Xiongshi and Guangling bowed.
Murong Chayue nodded, then turned to Murong Huai and said gently:
"Huai'er, Grandpa will leave you here. From now on, these two elders will look after you."
Murong Huai nodded, and Murong Chayue turned and left.
Xiongshi and Guangling would later become two of the seven great offerings of Spirit Hall. For now, they served as guardian elders to the Pope. The two smiled at Murong Huai and cupped their hands.
"Haha, Your Highness the Holy Son, His Holiness the Pope is waiting for you inside. This way, please."
On the day Murong Huai awakened his Martial Soul, the current Grand Worship had appointed him the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. His status was second only to the Pope and the Grand Worship.
"There's no need for such formalities, Elders."
Murong Huai then followed them into the Pope Palace.
Inside, Qian Daoliu had just finished handling some reports when he saw Xiongshi and Guangling escort Murong Huai in. He set down what he was holding and said with a smile:
"Haha, Huai'er, you're here."
Murong Huai cupped his hands toward Qian Daoliu, seated on the throne.
"This disciple pays his respects to Master."
"No need for formalities, Huai'er. Rise."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand. Xiongshi and Guangling understood, cupped their hands in salute, and left the Pope Palace. Qian Daoliu then descended from the dais and walked up to Murong Huai.
"Huai'er, I heard about you absorbing your First Spirit Ring. An eight-hundred-year-old Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was certainly a risky choice."
Murong Huai nodded and replied:
"Don't worry, Master. It all worked out in the end."
Qian Daoliu nodded, then took several items from his Soul Tool and handed them to Murong Huai.
"Huai'er, these are my gifts to you for becoming my disciple. Take them."
Murong Huai looked at the items Qian Daoliu had handed him. One was a golden token engraved with several distinctive Martial Souls: the Pope Token of Spirit Hall. Only elders of Spirit Hall could possess one.
Murong Fuhai, Murong Chayue, and Xiao Qingmei each had one. Its authority was naturally considerable: it could command the forces of Spirit Hall anywhere on the continent. It was a symbol of power and strength.
"Huai'er, although you've already been appointed the Holy Son, after discussing it with the other offerings, I've decided that we'll hold your investiture ceremony once you reach the Soul King realm.
"Then you'll have your own Holy Son Token. For now, take this Pope Token and use it."
Murong Huai nodded. Although he possessed Twin Martial Souls, he was still relatively weak at this stage. He would need sufficient strength before he could win the genuine respect of others, but the Pope Token would serve him well enough.
Next, Murong Huai looked at the second item: a Spirit Bone that shimmered with golden light. It was the most precious of the six types of Spirit Bones—a Head Soul Bone.
"This Spirit Bone dropped from a ninety-thousand-year-old Heaven-Deriving Unicorn Emperor that I killed back then. Keep it for now. Absorb it once your physical constitution reaches the Soul Ancestor or Soul King level," Qian Daoliu instructed.
Murong Huai acknowledged him. Although absorbing a Spirit Bone placed few demands on a Soul Master, it wasn't advisable to absorb one too early. He should proceed step by step.
Murong Huai put away the Pope Token and the Spirit Bone, then looked at the last item: a jade slip.
"This jade slip records the sword technique passed down by the Angel God of our Spirit Hall. It's called Nine-Fold Holy Judgment."
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu gently placed a hand on Murong Huai's shoulder. A burst of sacred golden light enveloped them both, and they left the Pope Palace as a streak of golden light.
In just a few breaths, they had arrived at the back mountain of Spirit Hall. Watching this, Murong Huai couldn't help marveling at Qian Daoliu's power. Even if he might lose to Tang Chen or Bo Saixi in the future, there was no denying his strength.
Qian Daoliu pointed at the jade slip. It instantly dissolved into specks of golden light and merged into Murong Huai's brow. Murong Huai immediately felt that a profound sword technique had appeared in his mind.
"Huai'er, now I'll demonstrate the Angel Clan's unique sword technique for you. Watch closely." A golden sword appeared in Qian Daoliu's hand.
Murong Huai nodded, then stepped aside. Qian Daoliu turned, holding the golden sword.
"This sword technique takes 'light as its ruler and sword as its brush.' Its nine forms build upon one another, progressing from protection to judgment. Each form embodies the Angel Clan's highest pursuit of order and purity. Beneath their dazzling flourishes lies the absolute execution of justice."
Qian Daoliu spoke in a deep voice. The tip of his sword lightly touched the ground, and a sacred aura spread from its blade. The air around them seemed to freeze under an invisible force.
"First form of the sword technique: Morning Star Enlightenment." Qian Daoliu pointed the tip of his sword toward the east, drawing on the power of the morning star to trace an arc of light. His sword energy burst forth like dawn breaking.
"Second form: Winged Wind Judgment." He spread his arms like wings and slashed swiftly with his sword, raising a golden vortex. His sword energy took the shape of illusory wings, as if it could pierce through anything.
Next, Qian Daoliu tilted his sword up from below, catching the sunlight as if lifting a spring of clear water. Silver-white swordlight cleansed the filth. "Third form: Moonlight Dust Cleansing."
"Fourth form: Heavenly Punishment Meteor Light."
Suddenly, Qian Daoliu pointed his sword toward the heavens, summoning a celestial phenomenon. A pillar of light split down from the clouds, and his sword energy struck like a falling star.
"Fifth form: Oracle Weave Bind." His sword traced golden runes as his arms moved like a conductor directing a symphony. Endless chains of light shot forth. They rang like chimes as they collided, intent on breaking the enemy's will.
"Sixth form: Eternal Myriad Light Lotus."
Qian Daoliu released his Martial Soul, and six wings of light spread behind him. Holy flames blazed along his sword as he swept it in a circle. His sword energy became a rain of feathered arrows, blooming into lotuses of light that purified the filth.
"Seventh form: Holy Radiance Judgment." He raised his sword high, drawing upon the light of heaven and earth, then brought it crashing down, releasing a blazing sword arc.
"Eighth form: Endless Dream Weave." Qian Daoliu's movements slowed. The tip of his sword lightly touched the ground, tracing winding trails of light like drifting stardust. His sword energy wove an illusion that lulled his enemies into a fleeting peace, and fresh shoots sprouted where the feathers of light fell.
Finally, Qian Daoliu pointed his sword toward the highest heavens. A golden waterfall of light descended from the clouds, and a Six-Winged Angel appeared behind him. The swordsman leaped as if ascending to deliver judgment, intent on eradicating every evil and passing sentence on every lawbreaker.
"This is the final form of the sword technique: Nine-Fold Holy Judgment!"
Endless golden light spilled across the ground. Murong Huai stared, dumbstruck. Beneath its splendor lurked deadly intent; its beauty reflected danger; its sacredness revealed an inviolable majesty; and within its judgment lay protection.
It was a technique of countless transformations. It embodied the Angel Clan's benevolence in protecting the people of the continent, while also revealing their determination to punish every evil in the world.
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