Comprehending Sword Moves, Qian Xunji.

"Nine-Fold Holy Judgment, First Form—Morning Star Enlightenment!!!"

Murong Huai leaped into the air, his long sword slashing out with a fierce strike. A golden, arc-shaped sword aura erupted, slamming into the lake surface. Instantly, a wall of water several meters high surged upward, sending spray scattering in every direction.

Murong Huai landed slowly, sheathed his sword, and exhaled a breath of stale air. Watching the ripples on the lake, the corners of his mouth curled upward slightly.

"That was it? I thought it would be much harder..."

While practicing basic sword moves just now, he had suddenly experienced an epiphany and managed to execute the first form of the Angel Sword Technique—Morning Star Enlightenment—directly.

Murong Huai turned his head and found Tu Zhen and Ju Qinglan standing there, stunned.

"Hey, what's wrong with you two?"

"H-Holy Son, was that the Angel Sword Technique you just performed?" Tu Zhen took a deep breath and asked.

"That's right, my teacher taught it to me yesterday."

Hearing Murong Huai's words, the two were filled with astonishment. They had heard of the Angel Sword Technique; it was an incredibly profound art, equal in reputation to the Seven Kill Sword Technique of the Sword Hero of Xili, Chen Jianjun, and perhaps even superior.

The difficulty of mastering it was obvious, yet Murong Huai, only six years old and practicing for the second time, had already unleashed the first form.

A sword genius—no, a peerless monster! Both of them had this thought flash through their minds.

Afterward, once Ju Qinglan had restored Murong Huai's condition, he sat cross-legged on a nearby meditation cushion and began to cultivate his soul power.

The immensely rich metallic energy within Star Dome Valley surged into Murong Huai's body, drilling into his limbs and bones to form a small vortex of soul power.

Murong Huai possessed the innate talent of level 20 soul power, and with the amplification provided by Star Dome Valley, the disadvantage of slow cultivation speed for an ultimate-attribute martial soul was no longer a concern; in fact, he was even faster than others.

—Pope Palace.

"Oh? You mean to say that Huai'er has already grasped the first form of the sword technique today?"

Qian Daoliu set down the memorial he was holding, his expression showing a hint of surprise.

Below him, Xiongshi nodded and explained:

"Indeed, Your Holiness. According to the report sent by Tu Zhen and the others, that is correct. After finishing his basic sword practice, the Holy Son had an epiphany and struck out with a sword. It was imbued with holy sword intent; though faint, it was undeniably present."

"Hahaha, good!" Qian Daoliu couldn't help but marvel at Murong Huai's talent. After a moment of thought, he said:

"It seems I underestimated Huai'er's talent in the way of the sword. It is a pity I cannot spare much time, otherwise, I would certainly instruct him personally. I must prepare for the coming war. Hmm... very well, Guangling, has Qian Xunji returned?"

"Your Holiness, the Young Master returned to Martial Soul Hall the day before yesterday. He has been stabilizing his current realm, and I believe he has finished his seclusion by now," Guangling replied with a bow.

"Have him come to the Pope Palace at once!"

"Yes." Guangling bowed and turned to leave the Pope Palace.

Before long, Guangling Douluo brought in a man wearing golden robes, with flowing blonde hair and a handsome face.

"Your Holiness, the Young Master has arrived."

"Father." Qian Xunji bowed toward Qian Daoliu, who sat on the high throne.

Qian Daoliu nodded, walked down the steps, and stood before Qian Xunji. He patted his shoulder and said:

"Not bad, reaching the Soul Saint realm before the age of thirty. How was your soul hunting trip to the Star Dou Great Forest?"

"Father is too kind. On this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, I hunted a Radiant Unicorn over fifty thousand years old," Qian Xunji said modestly.

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu nodded.

"A Radiant Unicorn, that is quite good. I recall that you have already mastered the entire Angel Sword Technique, have you not?"

"Yes, I mastered the final form just a year ago."

"Good. Some time ago, I took on a disciple; he is the only grandson of the Third Offering."

Hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Qian Xunji nodded.

"I have heard of him. Twin Martial Souls, innate level 20 soul power. His name is Murong Huai, correct?"

"Indeed. One of his martial souls is sword-type, and he possesses unparalleled talent for the sword. At six years old, during his second practice session, he mastered the first form of my Angel Sword Technique—Morning Star Enlightenment—in less than two hours," Qian Daoliu said slowly.

"What?!" Qian Xunji's eyes were filled with shock upon hearing this. He knew the difficulty of the Angel Sword Technique all too well; it had taken him over a month to master the first form, which was already considered a display of exceptional talent.

That someone could master it on their second attempt, in less than two hours—how was that possible?

Seeing the shock in Qian Xunji's eyes, Qian Daoliu continued:

"Therefore, so as not to waste the child's talent for the sword, I have called you here to have you personally instruct him in the Angel Sword Technique. Are you willing?"

Qian Xunji paused, then nodded. Now that he had reached the Soul Saint realm, relying solely on meditation would not improve his strength much further.

Moreover, he was interested in the disciple his father had taken.

"Very well. Tomorrow, I shall go and see this sword talent for myself."

The next day, Star Dome Valley.

Murong Huai had changed into a simple, streamlined training outfit; wearing robes made training inconvenient and caused too much resistance.

Just as he had yesterday, Murong Huai performed his running and stance training under the weight suppression of Tu Zhen. Compared to the previous day, Murong Huai was far more composed; the improvement of physical fitness was a process of accumulation, and initial results would be visible within a month.

After finishing his physical conditioning, Ju Qinglan restored Murong Huai's state as usual. Murong Huai then took a deep breath and summoned the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword, preparing to begin his sword practice, when suddenly, a golden figure descended.

Upon seeing the newcomer clearly, Tu Zhen and Ju Qinglan hurriedly cupped their hands in salute.

"Tu Zhen and Ju Qinglan pay respects to the Young Master."

Hearing their words, the newcomer waved his hand.

"No need for formalities."

Murong Huai looked at the man, who bore a slight resemblance to Qian Daoliu, and upon hearing the others, he blurted out:

"Holy crap, you're the Secret Room Douluo, Qian Xunji!!!"

Hearing Murong Huai's words, Qian Xunji was stunned and asked in confusion:

"Uh, I am indeed Qian Xunji, but I have not yet reached the Title Douluo level. Also, what is the meaning of the title 'Secret Room'?"

Hearing this, Murong Huai realized his mistake. Right, the current Qian Xunji had not yet become the Pope; he was still the Young Master receiving the excellent guidance and cultivation of the Qian family. He was an out-and-out genius who had reached the Soul Saint level by thirty and possessed the Six-Winged Angel martial soul. If not for the Great Sumeru Hammer being so bugged, it was hard to say whether he would have been hammered by Tang Hammer.

Although he committed grave errors against Bibi Dong later on, the root of the problem was that pig. Without that pig, the rift between master and disciple might not have grown so wide; Qian Xunji would have continued to lead the development of Martial Soul Hall, while Bibi Dong would have focused on her cultivation to become one of the continent's top powerhouses.

As a teacher, Qian Xunji's investment in Bibi Dong was not insignificant. For instance, his pursuit of the Blue Silver Emperor was intended to capture her alive to serve as a soul ring for Bibi Dong, though unfortunately, by then, Bibi Dong felt only hatred for him.

If not for that pig, the outcome and relationship between the two would not have ended that way. That pig was the source of all evil; he had to find a time to castrate it!

"Since I am here and in Martial Soul Hall, I must change all of this and alter this tragedy."