Chen Jianjun: "Qian Daoliu, I'd also like to experience that peerless swordsmanship of yours."

"Is it that urgent?"

At Qian Daoliu's side, Chen Jianjun appeared at some point. The two sat across from each other at a round table.

"I've never attended a matchmaking assembly before, so I'm here to see what it's like."

Qian Daoliu replied casually, then looked at Chen Jianjun. "After all, I have a young one of my own. Perhaps one day, I'll need to do this too."

In Qian Daoliu's estimation, Qian Xunji ought to have another son. After all, the Qian Family did have a "throne to inherit."

Of course.

If Qian Xunji wasn't up to the task, then Qian Renxue couldn't be married off either. Perhaps by then, he'd have to take a page from this Matchmaking Assembly...

"I thought you were the one who couldn't wait."

Chen Jianjun smiled faintly, his eyes alight with fighting spirit. "There are still ten days until our agreed-upon month is up."

"You do your thing. I'll watch."

Qian Daoliu remained impassive. "It won't interfere."

"Do you think this can go on with us standing here?"

At that, Qian Daoliu raised an eyebrow and looked around. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, he seemed to realize something and nodded in understanding. "You're right."

"Then, shall we do it early?"

"That's exactly what I had in mind!"

"I'd also like to experience your swordsmanship."

"Please!"

The two rose at almost the same moment, then leaped into the air and headed toward a nearby mountain.

It was worth mentioning that

Qian Daoliu turned into a streak of golden light, while Chen Jianjun flew on his sword with his hands behind his back.

They were incredibly fast. In just a few seconds, they vanished from the sight of the many Soul Masters present.

"Phew!"

Someone let out a long breath, only then realizing that the lining of his clothes was soaked through with sweat.

"They came here to pick a fight, not to wreck the place?"

"Obviously! If they meant to wreck the place, they'd have started fighting already. They wouldn't have waited for Chen Jianjun, would they?"

"Then why didn't you say that just now? And what's with your shaking hands?"

"I... I was just excited, all right?"

"Is that what you call excitement? I won't even bother calling you out on it!"

The Soul Masters in the back rows whispered among themselves. Their voices were still low, but at least they dared to speak now.

The older Soul Masters in the front rows wore complicated expressions. Some wiped the cold sweat from their brows, while others stared in the direction the two had vanished, narrowing their eyes in thought.

"Looks like they came to settle things."

Chen Jianjun spoke succinctly.

Chen Fan nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved.

Thank goodness.

Over this period, he'd also helped Chen Jianjun reach the peak of Level 99, making him a Peerless Douluo. After stabilizing for a while, Chen Jianjun should have adapted to his strength.

Although Qian Daoliu is a paragon of virtue in Douluo I, he won't show mercy in a duel if he has a chance to kill.

If Uncle were only Level 98, or at the peak of Level 98, Qian Daoliu wouldn't hesitate to kill him if he had a sure chance.

A challenge decides not only victory and defeat, but life and death!

Otherwise, why would Chen Jianjun have died after challenging Qian Daoliu in the original story?

And why would Chen Xin have called Qian Daoliu the Spirit Hall's foremost executioner?

Being a paragon of virtue didn't mean he refrained from killing. He simply killed in a more virtuous manner than others.

Ultimate Frost and the evolved Nine Kill Sword... should be able to match Qian Daoliu's Six-Winged Angel.

As long as he doesn't use the divine authority he possesses as a sacrifice!

Thinking this, Chen Fan turned his gaze back to the First Elder. "What are you standing there for? Announce the start!"

"Yes, yes, Sect Master!"

Only then did the First Elder recover from his earlier shock. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his voice. "I-I'll... announce the start!"

He turned around, took a deep breath, and called out to the crowd. "Thank you for waiting, honored guests!"

"That little interruption won't affect the Matchmaking Assembly."

"The rules are just as advertised!"

"Any woman aged sixteen or older but under thirty, with average looks, who wishes to participate, may come forward in turn to display her abilities."

He paused, then added, "Rest assured, the Sect Master will only consider talent and Martial Soul rank. He won't ask about your background."

At this, the crowd below, which had still been somewhat shaken, finally began to relax.

The nobles who had brought their daughters to participate exchanged glances. After hesitating for a moment, they gritted their teeth and began sending their girls forward one after another.

After Chen Jianjun left, the other seventeen elders of the Seven Kill Sect began helping maintain order and guide the demonstrations, while the First Elder remained in charge of the proceedings. They also conducted an initial screening, directing those who were eliminated first toward Chen Fan.

If Chen Fan objected, he could ask for them to stay.

Chen Xin, meanwhile, stood behind Chen Fan, never leaving his side.

"Cousin."

"Hmm?"

Chen Xin paused and looked up at Chen Fan. The latter said, "Cousin, make sure you use the Douluo Pill and Super Douluo Pill at the right time. Don't waste them."

"Get the most out of them."

"You can only take one of each in your lifetime."

That was also why Chen Fan hadn't let Chen Xin take the pills all this time, instead keeping him at Level 92.

"I know."

"Now that Uncle is here, you can just cultivate normally and let your Soul Power Level rise naturally."

After a pause, Chen Fan divided his attention, keeping his eyes on the front as he spoke. "There's no need to rush. Let yourself build up for a few more years. The best value for the Douluo Pill comes when you've reached the peak of Level 96 or Level 97."

"As for the Super Douluo Pill..."

He paused. "That's for Levels 96 through 99. You can't use it yet, so save it for later."

"All right."

Originally, the Super Douluo Pill had been reserved for Chen Jianjun.

That was because Chen Fan wasn't sure whether the Evolution Device could help Chen Jianjun reach the peak of Level 99.

At the time, he didn't know whether Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu had left, or even whether they'd been to Sea God Island. To be safe, he had to pile every available resource onto Chen Jianjun. Only with powerful backing could he have the freedom to act.

Otherwise, without Chen Jianjun's protection, Chen Fan could very well have been captured and turned into a stud, reduced to a proper tool.

Now that he'd given the Douluo Pill and Super Douluo Pill to Chen Xin,

all that remained in Chen Fan's System Space was one Red God-Bestowed Spirit Ring and ten Black God-Bestowed Spirit Rings.

"I'll use them when the time is right."

Chen Xin spoke.

"Good."

Chen Fan nodded and said no more, turning his gaze back to the crowd below.

The women participating in the Matchmaking Assembly continued to step forward one after another to display their Martial Souls. Some of them had pretty good talent.

But most had unstable Soul Power fluctuations. Clearly, they were like the Soul Masters of the Sun Moon Empire in Douluo II, having been pushed to their levels by various drugs or secret methods.

Below, among the crowd,

Tang Wei's expression was grim. The Sixteenth Elder beside him spoke in a low voice. "First Elder, what should we do now?"