Qian Xunji's Guidance.

"Cough, cough, it's nothing. Just thought of something, don't mind it." Murong Huai waved his hand awkwardly.

Seeing this, Qian Xunji did not dwell on it, but instead said:

"Since your name is Murong Huai, I shall call you Little Huai. Your teacher, Grand Worship Qian Daoliu, is my father; you need only address me as Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother," Murong Huai said, cupping his hands in a salute.

Qian Daoliu nodded and continued:

"Little Huai, your teacher says your talent for the sword is exceptional, so he sent your Senior Brother to guide you in the practice of the Angel Sword Technique."

Hearing this, Murong Huai felt a pleasant surprise. Although Qian Xunji would later be no match for Tang Hao, he was an undeniable cultivation genius and a possessor of a god-level martial soul. Even if he were weak, he was still among the weakest of the absolute elite—a powerhouse compared to everyone else.

He was the tenth, ranking last among the top ten, yet compared to those who came after, he was a titan. It was just his misfortune that Qian Xunji only played in the peak-tier matches, getting beaten into critical condition by Tang Hao and ultimately killed by Bibi Dong.

As a member of the Qian family, Qian Xunji was naturally well-versed in the Angel Sword Technique. While he could not compare to Qian Daoliu, he was more than qualified to instruct the current Murong Huai.

"Now, I will suppress my soul power to the same level as yours. Use the level of swordsmanship you have grasped thus far and strike at me." Qian Xunji condensed a golden sharp sword and said to Murong Huai.

Murong Huai nodded at these words, took a deep breath, and the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword appeared in his hand, his eyes faintly revealing an innate sharpness.

Murong Huai then charged with his sword, unleashing basic sword moves in succession. The blade was biting and cold, yet Qian Xunji stood unmoved, showing no fear. He swung his longsword casually, dissolving Murong Huai's offensive with ease.

Seeing this, Murong Huai continued to press the attack, swinging his longsword repeatedly.

"Your sword is too soft!" Qian Xunji suddenly interrupted Murong Huai's movements with a sharp shout, backhanding his blade to deflect the strike. Murong Huai stumbled backward, his hands stinging.

Qian Xunji stepped forward, his fingertips lightly tapping the spine of Murong Huai's sword. A golden light instantly surged into the blade, causing it to hum like a dragon's roar, sending ripples through the air. "Watch closely."

Qian Xunji let out a low cry, his figure moving in a blur. His sword light poured forth like a Xinghe, every move imbued with holy power, leaving golden trails as it sliced through the sky. Murong Huai's pupils shrank; he saw that Qian Xunji's sword techniques were unpredictable—at times like a thunderbolt, at others like a gentle spring rain, yet hiding murderous intent within.

Murong Huai hurriedly held his sword horizontally to block, but Qian Xunji's moves were too fast. His body was grazed by the blade in several places, though the latter held back his strength, ensuring he would not truly wound him.

After a while, Qian Xunji forced him back and stepped forward, his tone softening: "The sword is an extension of the heart. If you fear failure, the sword will hesitate; if you crave glory, the sword will be impetuous."

Qian Xunji's gaze was like a torch, sweeping over Murong Huai's tense shoulders, his voice low like rolling thunder:

"The Angel Sword Technique is not a contest of strength, but a reflection of the heart. You must first sever your distracting thoughts and let the sword resonate with your soul power.

Again!!!"

Hearing this, Murong Huai took a deep breath and gripped his sword anew. "Sever distracting thoughts, let the sword resonate with soul power..."

This time, his movements were no longer stiff. The sword light flowed as naturally as water; though it lacked the grandeur of Qian Xunji's, it already possessed a budding spirit. Murong Huai leaped into the air, pointing his sword toward the east. In the middle of the day, stars suddenly flickered into view.

"--Morning Star Enlightenment!!!"

A golden, arc-shaped sword energy was unleashed, striking toward Qian Xunji, carrying a trace of holy sword intent.

Qian Xunji nodded slightly, a flicker of approval in his eyes. He raised his hand and unleashed his own Morning Star Enlightenment, shattering the incoming sword energy.

"Not bad. Remember, the essence of the Angel Sword Technique lies not in conquest, but in protection. The Angel's sword exists to protect humanity and slay evil."

Murong Huai nodded. The Morning Star Enlightenment he had just unleashed was far more powerful than yesterday's—a massive improvement.

Although Qian Xunji's expression remained calm, his heart was in a state of shock.

What the hell, what kind of monster is this? He learned it after just one mention? How many times did the old man whip me before I finally grasped it? Truly, the starving die of hunger while the glutted die of excess...

"Many thanks for the guidance, Senior Brother." Murong Huai cupped his hands in a salute to Qian Xunji.

Hearing this, Qian Xunji shook his head and said:

"Not bad. Father was right; you truly possess extreme talent in the way of the sword, far surpassing what I had at your age."

"Very well. I observed the basic sword moves you used earlier; there are still many issues. If left unchecked for long, they will cause significant flaws. From now on, you will practice, and I will guide you move by move.

Once we correct all the problems in your basic techniques, I will teach you the Angel Sword Technique."

"Understood. Sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother." Murong Huai nodded, then took the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword to an open space to practice his basic moves, with Qian Xunji providing guidance from the side.

"Lower your horse stance further..."

"Raise the sword a bit higher, level with your shoulders..."

"Grip the sword firmly, or the enemy will flick it right out of your hand with a single strike!"

"Clear your mind when you swing, only then can your sword heart be clear..."

"Swing again..."

"..."

Under Qian Xunji's tutelage, Murong Huai's swordsmanship improved rapidly. He had basically mastered the fundamental moves and now carried a certain poise when he swung his blade.

On the other side, in the Worship Hall.

"Subordinate pays respects to the Grand Worship."

Qian Pocheng looked at the handsome man in blue-green robes standing below the dais and said:

"Azure Luan, how goes the construction of the Engineering Department's warships?"

The man below was none other than the future Third Offering of the Worship Hall, Azure Luan Douluo, currently the Third Elder of the Elder Hall. With a soul power of level ninety-four, his strength was below that of Murong Huai's grandmother, Xiao Qingmei.

Upon hearing Qian Pocheng's words, Azure Luan cupped his hands and replied:

"Reporting to Grand Worship, the Engineering Department has now completed twenty large warships, each capable of holding five hundred people. There are eighty medium warships, each holding one hundred people, along with a number of small warships..."

Hearing Azure Luan's report, Qian Pocheng frowned. After a moment of contemplation, he said sternly:

"Not enough, it is far from enough. We need at least fifty large warships and over three hundred medium ones. Tell the Engineering Department to speed up production. I will give them six months at most. Whether they add more manpower or whatever else...

In short, in six months, all warships must be in place and the quality must be up to standard. If they fail, tell them to go to the Penalty Hall to receive their punishment themselves!"

"Yes, Grand Worship!" Azure Luan replied, quickly cupping his hands in salute.

Qian Pocheng waved his hand, and Azure Luan withdrew from the Worship Hall. Shortly after, a sturdy man appeared in the second seat of the Worship Hall. He was the current Second Worship of the Worship Hall, possessor of the Star River Emperor Spear martial soul, and a level 97 peak Douluo—Emperor Spear Douluo.

"Big Brother, is the time really that urgent?" Star River looked at Qian Pocheng and asked with a grave expression.

Qian Pocheng nodded and said:

"Yes, I can sense that person's strength is constantly increasing. He has formidable talent, and he is an ambitious and selfish man with cruel methods. Once he breaks through, he will surely disregard all opposition, violate the rules, and ignite a war. We must strike first to gain the advantage!!"

Hearing Qian Pocheng's words, Star River also nodded with a grave expression and sighed:

"Sigh, the breakthrough of such a person is truly terrifying..."