The Crisis Arrives

Qian Qizhou arrived at a secluded cave. After confirming it was safe, he sat cross-legged on a stone and carefully took out the hundred-thousand-year spirit bone.

The spirit bone felt warm to the touch, pulsing faintly as if it possessed a life of its own. He nodded in satisfaction at the life energy contained within.

"As expected of the Blue Silver Emperor, renowned for its vitality. Even a single spirit bone possesses such power."

However, he was in no rush to absorb it. The energy within a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone was immense and might contain the original owner's soul imprint; absorbing it rashly carried significant risks.

He closed his eyes, and the phantom of the crown on his forehead manifested once more, emitting a faint, purple-gold halo.

His spiritual power slowly reached out toward the spirit bone in his hand.

Just as Qian Qizhou's spiritual power was about to touch the sorrowful soul imprint at the core of the bone, a faint sound echoed from the surroundings.

He snapped his eyes open, a flash of vigilance in his gaze. He instantly stored the spirit bone into his storage space and retracted his spirit power.

Almost simultaneously, several powerful auras burst into the cave entrance and landed before him.

There were four intruders, all dressed in grey martial attire with hulking frames.

Yet, the spirit power fluctuations radiating from them had all reached the Spirit Douluo level!

The Clear Sky Hammers in their hands clearly revealed their identities.

The leader, judging by the patterns on his clothing, appeared to be an elder.

However, his eyes were locked firmly onto Qian Qizhou.

He barked in a deep voice, "Boy, who are you? Why are you here in the middle of the night?"

One had to realize that this location was far from any city and near the site where Tang Hao and Qian Xunji had battled.

The three Spirit Douluos behind him had already formed a loose encirclement, their immense pressure shrouding the entire cave.

Just as Qian Qizhou was about to speak to stall for time, the man's brow furrowed sharply as he sensed a faint yet incredibly potent energy residue in the air.

It was the unique aura of a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone, specifically the life-filled essence of the Blue Silver Emperor, which could not dissipate in such a short time.

His expression changed drastically, and a look of greedy surprise erupted in his eyes: "The aura of a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone?!"

No longer caring about searching for Tang Hao, the other three looked at the youth before them with malicious intent upon hearing this.

Qian Qizhou clearly understood their intentions and sighed helplessly, summoning his own martial soul.

The temptation of a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone was too great; it was obvious they would choose to seize the bone and silence him.

Seeing the unconventional spirit ring configuration at Qian Qizhou's feet, the surprise in their eyes deepened, only to be immediately replaced by cold, murderous intent.

"A gifted talent? What a pity, the possession of a treasure is a crime! You cannot be left alive today!" the leader shouted sharply. He did not even strike himself, merely signaling one of the Spirit Douluos beside him.

The Spirit Douluo gave a sinister grin. His eight spirit rings flared, and wielding his Clear Sky Hammer, he smashed it toward Qian Qizhou without any fancy tricks!

In their eyes, a Spirit Douluo crushing a mere Spirit Grandmaster—even a genius one—was a certainty with no room for error.

Facing the Clear Sky Hammer descending with overwhelming force, purple light flared in Qian Qizhou's eyes, devoid of any fear.

He let out a cold snort, and a weapon with a bizarre design, wreathed in purple lightning and biting killing intent—Engulfing Lightning—suddenly appeared in his hand!

The moment the blade appeared, a vast, majestic aura of slaughter that seemed capable of severing causality erupted outward, causing the attacking Spirit Douluo's heart to skip a beat and his hammer's momentum to falter!

Qian Qizhou flicked his wrist, and Engulfing Lightning traced an arc, meeting the incoming Clear Sky Hammer head-on without dodging.

"Clang—!"

A piercing metallic screech exploded, and the energy shockwave rippled outward in a ring, kicking up gravel from the ground.

Incredibly, the long blade, which seemed like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, was not shattered by the Clear Sky Hammer; instead, dazzling electric arcs sparked at the point of impact!

The ground beneath Qian Qizhou's feet cracked inch by inch, and his frame sank slightly, but he had actually managed to withstand the Spirit Douluo's strike with that long blade!

"What?!" The sinister grin on the attacking Spirit Douluo's face froze, turning into shock.

Unlike the three men standing by, he could directly feel the recoil force coming from the hammer; this was nothing like what a Spirit Grandmaster should be capable of!

Taking advantage of the opponent's momentary lapse, Qian Qizhou exerted force through Engulfing Lightning!

"Hum!" The powerful force, accompanied by sharp lightning, sent the Spirit Douluo staggering backward, hammer and all.

In that split second of opportunity, Qian Qizhou moved, flying toward the cave entrance without hesitation.

He knew clearly that in this narrow cave, facing a tool-type martial soul like the Clear Sky Hammer, the disadvantage of the terrain was too great.

"Trying to run?" The Seventh Elder was the first to react. He hadn't expected this boy to not only withstand the attack but also attempt to break through right in front of them: "Stop him!"

The other two Spirit Douluos responded immediately. Two powerful gusts of hammer wind, one from the left and one from the right, closed in on Qian Qizhou like two massive walls!

Facing the massive hammer winds closing in from both sides, Qian Qizhou's eyes were cold, showing no intention of retreating.

The first spirit ring at his feet suddenly lit up: "King: Eternal Radiance Thunder!"

In an instant, a force of lightning carrying absolute majesty spread rapidly from him as the center, instantly filling the entire cave.

Caught off guard, the two Spirit Douluos were struck by the lightning, feeling their spirit power stall abruptly as they were paralyzed on the spot.

Qian Qizhou used the moment his spirit skill took effect to accelerate again, turning into a streak of purple light as he charged out.

"What the hell?!" The two Spirit Douluos exclaimed in unison. Although the spirit skill didn't deal much damage, they were completely unable to move.

Seeing this, the Clear Sky Sect elder's expression turned so dark it was as if ink were dripping from it.

"Not only does he possess a hundred-thousand-year soul bone, but he also wields such unheard-of martial souls and soul skills... That blade is definitely no ordinary weapon!"

His heart was filled with shock and uncertainty as a multitude of thoughts raced through his mind.

This boy must not be allowed to escape! Whether for the sake of that hundred-thousand-year soul bone or the potential he had displayed, he had to be captured or utterly eradicated!

Small factions could not nurture such a genius; if he were allowed to return and inform his elders, would that not mean adding another enemy to the Clear Sky Sect?

"Pursue him! Dead or alive, he must be taken!" With a flash of his figure, he and another Spirit Douluo chased in the direction Qian Qizhou had fled.

A powerful mental force spread out like a net, firmly locking onto Qian Qizhou's aura.

A full dozen seconds passed before the strange numbing effect dissipated, allowing the two Spirit Douluo who had been caught off guard to break free.

Although the duration was short, it was more than enough to be fatal in a battle between experts.

"Bastards!" After breaking free from their restraints, the two Spirit Douluo's faces turned livid as they gave chase at top speed.

To have suffered such a massive setback at the hands of a mere Spirit Grandmaster brat was an absolute humiliation!