Above the heavens.
The scenes continued to shift.
Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen crossed the sea and encountered a hundred-thousand-year Sea Spirit Beast.
Tang Chen raised a thousand-zhang tidal wave with a single hammer strike.
Qian Daoliu used the Angel Sacred Sword to cleave through a pod of whales.
The two entered an underwater ruin.
When facing ancient formations, Qian Daoliu was responsible for finding the formation eye, while Tang Chen was responsible for smashing it apart with one hammer blow.
Along the way, the two joined forces to defeat many formidable enemies.
They had even argued for days over who should make the first move.
Watching these scenes, the Soul Masters of the continent finally understood why their relationship was so complicated.
[Rogue Soul Master: How do they look like ordinary rivals?]
[Heaven Dou Empire Soul Master: They traveled the continent together and entrusted their backs to each other. That already counts as a bond forged through life and death, doesn't it?]
[Heaven Dou Empire Soul Master: But the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall still ended up on opposing sides.]
[Sword Douluo Chen Xin: Their identities were different, so naturally their stances were different.]
[Bone Douluo Gu Rong: Personal friendship may not necessarily change the interests between sects.]
The scene suddenly froze.
Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen stood on a shoreline.
Ahead stood a mountain that pierced the clouds, with a stone staircase stretching from its foot to its summit.
Neither of them flew directly up.
They followed the stone steps, climbing toward the mountaintop one step at a time.
The arrogance on Tang Chen's face had faded considerably.
Qian Daoliu even straightened his golden robe.
Before reaching the summit, he checked his collar once more.
Tang Chen glanced at him.
"Are you nervous?"
Qian Daoliu immediately denied it.
"I simply haven't returned in a long time."
Tang Chen looked up at the mountaintop.
"Is the person you mentioned really that strong?"
Qian Daoliu paused.
"When you meet him, you'd better put away any thoughts of challenging him."
"I'm warning you."
Tang Chen patted the Clear Sky Hammer resting on his shoulder.
"You may not be able to beat him, but that doesn't mean I can't."
Qian Daoliu did not try to persuade him further.
There was even a trace of sympathy in the way he looked at Tang Chen.
The two climbed the final stone step.
Beneath an ancient tree at the summit, a figure sat with his back to them.
White Clothes spread across the bluestone.
Black hair fell behind his shoulders.
The Ancient Sword leaned against the tree beside him.
A stone table stood before him.
There was only a jug of wine and three teacups on the table.
Qian Daoliu stopped immediately when he was ten paces from the stone table.
"Big Brother."
"I'm back."
Tang Chen's expression shifted slightly.
He turned to look at Qian Daoliu.
The Angel Douluo, who had remained calm throughout the journey, now stood perfectly straight.
Even the six wings behind him had folded away.
Tang Chen looked once more at the White Clothes figure beneath the tree.
"This is your elder brother?"
Qian Daoliu nodded.
"Qian Daochen."
The Heavenly Screen did not immediately reveal Qian Daochen's face.
Discussion had already erupted across the continent.
[Elephant Armor Sect Master Huyan Zhen: Qian Daoliu has an elder brother?]
[Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen: Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu had already reached the peak of the continent. Why did they specifically come to see this man?]
[Rogue Soul Emperor: Why is Qian Daoliu acting so restrained?]
[Star Luo Empire Duke of Netherworld: He was even straightening his collar just now. He really looks like someone returning home after many years to meet an elder.]
[Clear Sky Sect Seventh Elder: Playing mysterious tricks. The old Sect Master may not necessarily think much of him.]
[Sea Horse Douluo: Why have I never heard the name Qian Daochen before?]
Inside Spirit City.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression changed abruptly when he saw the White Clothes figure's back.
When he was young, he had once seen Qian Daochen from afar.
That single glimpse had remained with him for decades.
Several elders in Worship Hall also recognized the Ancient Sword beneath the tree.
They all sucked in a breath of cold air.
"It really is him."
Mighty Lion Douluo turned and asked:
"Who?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo did not look away.
"The High Priest's biological elder brother."
"The strongest man of the Angel Clan thirty years ago."
"Qian Daochen."
Mighty Lion Douluo frowned.
"Why have I never heard of him?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo slowly shook his head.
"Because he left Spirit Hall too long ago."
"And those who know that name are unwilling to mention it lightly."
Before Angel God's Temple.
Qian Renxue recognized the White Clothes figure's back at a glance.
"It really is Great-Granduncle."
As Qian Daoliu watched his younger self, helplessness appeared on his face.
"I warned Tang Chen long ago."
"But he was very proud back then."
In the scene.
Qian Daochen finally turned around.
His handsome face appeared before everyone across both continents.
He glanced at Qian Daoliu.
"After being gone for so long, you still remembered to come back?"
Qian Daoliu coughed lightly.
"I'm preparing to head for Sea God Island."
"I was passing by, so I came to see you, Big Brother."
Qian Daochen picked up the wine jug and filled the third teacup.
"Sit."
Only then did Qian Daoliu sit beside the stone table.
Tang Chen remained where he was.
His gaze settled on Qian Daochen.
The other man had not released any Soul Rings.
There were no fluctuations of Soul Power around him either.
Apart from the Ancient Sword leaning against the tree, there was nothing remarkable about him.
Tang Chen stepped forward.
"I heard Qian Daoliu say that you were the goal he had always pursued."
Qian Daochen took a sip of wine.
"He liked exaggerating when he was a child."
Qian Daoliu turned to look elsewhere.
Tang Chen removed the Clear Sky Hammer from his shoulder.
The heavy hammerhead struck the ground, making the entire mountain tremble faintly.
"My name is Tang Chen."
"Level 99 assault-type Peerless Douluo."
"Martial Soul, Clear Sky Hammer."
Qian Daochen nodded.
"I know."
Tang Chen gripped the hammer's handle with both hands as nine Soul Rings rose beneath his feet.
Immense Soul Power surged into the clouds.
"I've challenged nearly every powerful expert on the continent."
"Qian Daoliu said you were stronger than him."
"I want to fight you."
"I want to prove that I am the strongest Soul Master on Douluo Continent."
The scrolling comments instantly filled the heavens.
[Rogue Soul Emperor: The strongest Soul Master on Douluo Continent?]
[Elephant Armor Sect Master Huyan Zhen: Tang Chen was already Level 99 back then. It was perfectly normal for him to challenge Qian Daochen.]
[Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen: Qian Daoliu respects Qian Daochen so greatly. Could this man truly be stronger than both Peerless Douluo?]
[Clear Sky Sect Seventh Elder: What is there to ask? The old Sect Master's Great Sumeru Hammer is unstoppable!]
[Clear Sky Sect Second Elder: Even if this man really is stronger than Qian Daoliu, he could at most withstand a few blows from the old Sect Master.]
[Sword Douluo Chen Xin: You will soon learn what a true sword is.]
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Ning Rongrong all looked up at once.
They already knew what would happen next.
Ning Rongrong touched her forehead.
"Did Tang Chen challenge him too?"
Gu Rong looked toward the shattered Soul Fighting Arena.
"I'm starting to worry for Tang Chen."
Within the Heavenly Screen.
Qian Daoliu did not stop Tang Chen.
He picked up a teacup and voluntarily retreated more than ten steps.
Tang Chen noticed his movement, and his brow furrowed.
"You think I'll lose?"
Qian Daoliu shook his head.
"I'm just afraid the tea will spill."
The nine Soul Rings behind Tang Chen lit up at once.
The Clear Sky Hammer rapidly swelled in size.
Its terrifying power pressed the mountaintop downward without end.
"Great Sumeru Hammer!"
"Ring Detonation!"
Before you continue