Although the transparent light-shield had blocked every one of Qian Daoliu's attacks, the pain of slamming into the wall still cost the master of Mingde Hall in the Sun Moon Empire his dignity.
Jing Hongchen struggled to climb out from the wall. Countless cold metal components sprang from his body: eight-barreled Level Nine Soul Cannons unfolded from his shoulder armor, energy blades shot from his wrists, and the Sword of Judgment hummed as it left its sheath behind him. His body was covered in Soul Tools gleaming with cold light. Every cannon muzzle and sword edge trained on Qian Daoliu, and fury nearly burst from his eyes.
Qian Daoliu quietly watched it all, deeply curious about the defensive shield on Jing Hongchen that could activate in an instant.
At the same time, he was also greatly interested in the dense array of weapons covering Jing Hongchen's body.
Just as Jing Hongchen was about to attack Qian Daoliu,
Xu Tianran spoke again. "That's enough, Master Jing Hongchen. You're getting more and more out of line!"
"His Majesty the Angel is my honored guest. You pointed your cannons at my guest. Do you know your crime?"
Nearby, Kong Deming had already lowered his own defensive shield and silently taken his place beside Xu Tianran.
At Xu Tianran's voice, Jing Hongchen shuddered. He hurriedly put away his Soul Tools and bowed to Xu Tianran. "Your subject is guilty. I was too eager to protect Your Majesty and lost my head for a moment. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me!"
Xu Tianran said, "Jing Hongchen, in consideration of your eagerness to protect me, I'll punish you by having you apologize to His Majesty the Angel in person!"
"His Majesty the Angel, what do you think?"
Nearby, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi quietly watched the ruler and his subject put on their performance. Qian Daoliu was also curious about Xu Tianran's ultimate goal, so he nodded in agreement, granting Xu Tianran a favor.
Seeing this, Xu Tianran was delighted. He turned to Jing Hongchen and said, "Jing Hongchen, why haven't you apologized to His Majesty the Angel?"
Jing Hongchen quickly composed himself, no longer looking as if he had been at daggers drawn with Qian Daoliu moments ago. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty the Angel. I offended you just now!"
Qian Daoliu nodded, accepting Jing Hongchen's apology.
Xu Tianran continued, "His Majesty the Angel, thank you for helping my Sun Moon Empire eradicate the Holy Spirit Cult, that cancer!"
As he spoke, Xu Tianran placed a hand on his chest and gave Qian Daoliu a standard aristocratic bow of gratitude.
"Natural's legs are inconvenient, so I can't rise to greet Your Majesty. I hope you'll forgive me!"
"Your Majesty is too kind. Let's get to the point."
"May I ask what Your Majesty wanted with me?"
Qian Daoliu spoke bluntly. He didn't bother exposing Xu Tianran's false show of courtesy, instead going straight to the point and naming his purpose.
Xu Tianran smiled wistfully. "His Majesty the Angel speaks plainly. In that case, Natural won't beat around the bush!"
"His Majesty the Angel, His Majesty the Sea God, and your friend are all exceptionally powerful. Natural would like to invite the three of you to serve as Worships of the Sun Moon Empire, holding the same position as Elder Kong. You would be granted the privilege of entering court without bowing and the title of prince!"
"Vroom, vroom, vroom!"
Silence. The entire hall fell silent. Ju Zi, standing behind Xu Tianran, swayed, while Jing Hongchen, who had just apologized to Qian Daoliu, nearly stumbled and fell. Kong Deming, on the other hand, seemed to have known Xu Tianran's intentions all along and remained as steady as a mountain.
"What do you think, Your Majesties?"
"I'm sorry, but I still have matters to attend to. For now, I have no intention of joining any faction."
To be honest, even Qian Daoliu was moved by Xu Tianran's audacity. Even ten thousand years ago, all he could offer his second brother, Golden Crocodile Douluo, was the position of Second Worship in the Worship Hall.
Yet Xu Tianran had immediately offered him, Bo Saixi, and Tang Chen Worship positions of equal standing.
"I see!"
Xu Tianran showed only a trace of regret and said no more.
Instead, Xu Tianran looked disappointed and said, "Then might the three of you stay in the Sun Moon Empire for a few more days, so Natural can do his best to play host?"
"If there's anything the three of you need, just ask Natural. Natural will do everything in his power to see it done!"
Seeing that Xu Tianran seemed sincere, and knowing that he needed to look for records to find out what had happened to Douluo Continent over the past ten thousand years, Qian Daoliu exchanged a glance with Bo Saixi before addressing Xu Tianran. "Then we'll have to trouble Your Majesty."
"I'd like to use your country's Royal Library to look up some records. After that, we may be leaving your country."
"Of course, Your Majesty the Angel!"
Hearing that Qian Daoliu only wanted to use the library before leaving the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran was delighted.
"Elder Kong, sorry for the trouble, but please personally arrange accommodations for the three of them!"
"Also, the Imperial Royal Library is open to the three of you without restriction!"
Kong Deming secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least the performance they had put on today hadn't been in vain.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Kong Deming bowed slightly as he replied.
Xu Tianran turned to Qian Daoliu again. "Your Majesties, please get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow, Natural will host a banquet to welcome you. I hope you'll honor us with your presence!"
Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi exchanged a glance, then nodded to Xu Tianran.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the viewing stands. A Soul Engineer in light scout armor, a small Soul Tool communicator strapped to his back, came stumbling over, his face panicked. Before he even reached the hall doors, he shouted, "Urgent report! Your Majesty, urgent report!"
The smile vanished from Xu Tianran's face. His brows furrowed as he said in a low voice, "Come in! What kind of behavior is this?"
The scout Soul Engineer stumbled up to Xu Tianran and fell to his knees with a thud. His voice faltered, trembling noticeably. "Y-Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Evil Soul Masters have massacred cities across the empire. In just one hour, three cities have been slaughtered, with hardly any survivors!"
"Useless!" Xu Tianran slammed a hand against the armrest. Soul Power erupted around him, and he seethed with rage. "The remnants of the Holy Spirit Cult deserve to die! Elder Kong!"
Kong Deming immediately stepped forward and bowed. "At your service!"
"Mobilize the empire's Soul Master Legion at once and divide your forces to wipe out the remaining Evil Soul Masters. Make sure you pull them up by the roots and leave no future trouble!" Xu Tianran ordered sharply.
At this, Qian Daoliu's brows also knit slightly. A sacred aura burst from him, and his disgust for the Holy Spirit Cult reached its peak.
After Kong Deming had been gone for a while, he returned with a smile and led Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi into a quiet treatment room. The faint fragrance of healing medicine lingered in the air. Tang Chen was propped up on a specially made jade bed, his face pale and a weak fluctuation of Soul Power surrounding him as he received nourishment from a Soul Tool treatment device.
The moment Qian Daoliu entered, Tang Chen looked up at him, his tone laced with surprise and teasing. "Qian Daoliu, you heartless friend who values beauty over friendship—you're still alive!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze shifted to Bo Saixi, and his voice softened at once with concern. "Xixi, are you all right? Did anyone give you a hard time?"
Qian Daoliu shot back irritably, "Tang Chen, even if you die, I won't. I still have to spend the rest of my life with Xixi!"
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu put an arm around Bo Saixi's shoulders. He felt a pang of guilt, but Bo Saixi didn't push him away. Instead, she gazed at his profile with genuine affection.
Seeing this, Tang Chen's blood surged. His whole body trembled uncontrollably, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. "You two, you..."
Tang Chen didn't finish. He fainted again.
The scene grew awkward for a moment, until Kong Deming stepped forward.
"Your Majesties, your friend's injuries are too severe. I should take you to your quarters to rest. Leave your friend to the healing Soul Masters here."
"That's fine."
Seeing that Tang Chen had been angered unconscious, Qian Daoliu instinctively tried to lower his arm from Bo Saixi's shoulders.
But as soon as his arm dropped, he felt softness against his palm.
"Xixi!" Qian Daoliu cried, overjoyed.
"Shh, Qian Daoliu, you don't need to say anything! I once swore that the man I loved had to be upright, stronger than me, possess the makings of a god, and have the people's welfare at heart, willing to protect the common people of the world. Only then would he be worthy of my love."
"And now I've found him!"
As she spoke, Bo Saixi raised the large hand of Qian Daoliu's that she held in hers.
Qian Daoliu trembled all over. He said nothing more, simply holding Bo Saixi's delicate hand tightly as he silently followed behind Kong Deming.
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