Fortunately, at this critical moment.
The teacher serving as the referee intervened in time, blocking the attack for Liu Quan.
Otherwise, if Blazing Sun Flare had hit him, Liu Quan would have been dead or crippled.
"That's absurd! Are they really Soul Masters of the same rank?"
"With just two moves, Liu Quan was actually defeated!"
A student watching the scene on the Soul Fighting Platform couldn't help exclaiming.
Although Liu Quan had been defeated with such ease by Han Xing, in truth, he wasn't weak among those at the same level.
His talent didn't place him among the top geniuses, and at fifteen, he was only level twenty-nine.
But for that very reason, he had honed his strength step by step. Every level he gained had come with countless battles.
Even so, he had still been defeated in just two moves. It was truly hard to believe.
"All we can say is, the Three-Legged Golden Crow Martial Soul is too powerful," someone tried to explain.
"He's only a Soul Grandmaster, yet he can launch a focused attack over a range of fifty meters. How many people could dodge it?"
"Liu Quan is a Speed Attack System Soul Master, after all. Speed is his strength, but his defense isn't outstanding."
Someone disagreed. "That still doesn't explain it. Didn't you notice? This guy had Liu Quan's every attack route sealed off."
"Clearly, he overwhelmed him in both combat awareness and Martial Soul strength. That's what led to this outcome."
As everyone chimed in with their own opinions,
the Gilded Fire Wings on Han Xing's back gave a light flutter, keeping him steady in the sky as his Soul Ring descended.
The Golden Crow Vertical Pupils coldly glanced at the chaotic crowd below.
Only after confirming the referee had arrived and learning the outcome of the battle did he fold his wings and land on the Soul Fighting Platform.
"Han Xing wins this match!"
The referee immediately announced the result, then called out the numbers of the contestants in the next bout.
Han Xing had no intention of lingering at the Soul Fighting Arena.
As soon as he heard the referee announce the result, he headed back to the dorm alone.
He needed to cultivate as soon as possible and break through to level thirty.
At level twenty-nine, he could hardly find an opponent among Soul Grandmasters, let alone fight at full strength.
Just as Han Xing returned to the dorm and opened the door,
the sight before him left him stunned.
At some point, someone had appeared in the dorm.
More precisely, it was an old man.
The old man's presence was restrained, but Han Xing still instinctively sensed that he was a powerful expert.
"Hello, senior. May I ask what brings you here?" Han Xing asked respectfully.
"Nothing much. I noticed something unusual and came to have a look."
The old man looked at Han Xing without any formality, pulled over a chair, and sat down.
"I heard you took Bibi Dong as your master?" the old man said bluntly.
"How did you know, senior?"
Han Xing studied the old man before him, trying to guess his identity, but he couldn't reach a definite conclusion.
Still, from the way the old man addressed Bibi Dong, he had guessed a few things.
There weren't many people in Spirit Hall who were old enough to call Bibi Dong by her name, but there were a few.
Without a doubt, the old man before him came from the Worship Hall.
Only the enshrined elders of the Worship Hall dared to call Bibi Dong by her name.
"You called me 'senior.' Isn't it only natural that I know a few things?" the old man countered.
"The Pope taking on a disciple is a major event. Of course, word would get around."
At this, Han Xing became even more certain that the old man came from the Worship Hall.
But he didn't say anything. He simply watched the old man.
They stared at each other for quite a while. In the end, the old man was the first to lose patience and state his purpose.
"Kid, would you mind releasing your Martial Soul for me to see?"
"My Martial Soul? That's an odd request."
Han Xing was a little puzzled, but he did as asked.
The Three-Legged Golden Crow possessed him. Golden flames swirled around Han Xing, his eyes turned gold, and the might of a Divine Beast swept over them.
Watching Han Xing, the old man couldn't resist reaching out to touch the golden Sun True Fire across his body.
Though the Sun True Fire was scorching hot, it had no power at all in the old man's presence.
At that moment, it seemed as docile as a lamb, showing just how formidable the old man was.
"Heat, light... so this is the Three-Legged Golden Crow. What a powerful Martial Soul."
The old man stroked the golden flames, a trace of fascination in his eyes. It lasted only a moment, but Han Xing still couldn't help taking two steps back.
"Kid, why did you suddenly back away? I'm not going to eat you."
The old man looked at Han Xing in confusion. He tried to reach out and touch the golden flames again, but Han Xing dodged him.
"Don't touch me," Han Xing said sternly.
The old man was utterly bewildered, his face full of confusion.
"We were getting along just fine a moment ago. What happened?"
"Did I do something to offend you just now?" the old man asked.
"No." Han Xing shook his head, though he still watched the old man warily.
Seeing this, the old man thought it over for a moment and quickly understood why Han Xing had suddenly backed away.
"You little rascal, I'm old enough to be your grandfather. I really don't know what you're worried about."
"Relax. I don't have any strange proclivities. I'm just a little fascinated by your Martial Soul."
At this, Han Xing finally let out a sigh of relief, though the wariness in his eyes remained.
"Never mind. Have you heard of the Worship Hall?" the old man asked.
"I've heard a little about it," Han Xing nodded. "But I don't know much."
The old man didn't seem to mind. He simply began to speak slowly:
"I come from the Worship Hall. My name is Qian Daoliu, and I'm its Great Enshrined."
Han Xing couldn't help being startled.
Qian Daoliu—the only Peerless Douluo in existence at the time, one of just three!
Why had he suddenly come to find him?
"You seem to know a little about me. That's right, I was related to the previous Pope."
Qian Daoliu nodded. "The previous Pope, Qian Xunji, was my son."
"Then may I ask why the Great Enshrined came to see me?" Once he had confirmed the old man's identity, Han Xing relaxed.
On Douluo Continent, there weren't many people one could completely trust, even among those with names and reputations.
But Qian Daoliu was someone people could trust, especially since he was on their side.
After all, his son had died, and he still hadn't broken his promise to attack the Clear Sky Sect.
Though Qian Xunji hadn't actually been killed by Tang Hao, and there were other circumstances behind his death,
if not for Tang Hao, Qian Xunji wouldn't have died either.
"Because of your Martial Soul," Qian Daoliu said frankly.
"Your Martial Soul possesses the ultimate power of light and fire. You've seen the Angel Statue in the center of Spirit City, haven't you?"
"I have," Han Xing replied with a nod.
"The Martial Soul passed down through my Qian Family is the Angel Spirit," Qian Daoliu continued.
"And the Angel Spirit is a powerful Martial Soul that possesses the ultimate power of light."