Qian Xunji's Invitation

What astonishing strength was this?

In the VIP seats, everyone who witnessed this scene swallowed hard, their faces filled with shock.

After them, no one else dared step forward!

Seeing that no one else dared accept the challenge, Qian Xunji simply rose from his throne, his voice suddenly rising several notches:

"I hereby announce that the champion is Dugu Residence's Dugu Chen!"

"Thank you, Your Holiness!"

In response to Qian Xunji's announcement, Dugu Chen gave a slight bow in midair and spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Come forward and claim your reward!"

Qian Xunji looked at Dugu Chen, a trace of appreciation appearing in his eyes. Neither humble nor arrogant—he truly was a rising star!

"Yes."

Dugu Chen nodded slightly. After retracting his martial soul, he moved and landed before the Papal Hall.

Facing Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong, he bowed.

"Greetings, Holy Maiden. Greetings, Your Holiness!"

Bibi Dong watched Dugu Chen approach, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she gave him a radiant smile.

Qian Xunji gazed at Dugu Chen before him, an unusual gleam flickering in his eyes.

"Dugu Chen, you are outstanding—more outstanding than I expected. Are you interested in joining Spirit Hall?"

Dugu Chen smiled faintly and slowly shook his head.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Holiness, but I have grown used to living freely. I truly cannot stand being restrained."

Qian Xunji was briefly taken aback, but he quickly recovered, his expression turning regretful.

"Very well. What a pity. With your strength, if you joined Spirit Hall, you would surely achieve great things!"

As he spoke, Qian Xunji took an embroidered box from his storage ring and handed it to Dugu Chen.

Dugu Chen reached out and accepted it calmly.

However, without even looking at it, he placed it in his soul tool, not allowing even a trace of the Soul Bone's aura to leak out.

Qian Xunji gave him a somewhat surprised look and asked:

"Aren't you going to open it and take a look?"

Dugu Chen shook his head and smiled.

"No. I trust Your Holiness. As the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted. A Soul Bone is exceedingly valuable, and opening it now would inevitably invite covetous eyes."

Qian Xunji laughed heartily, stepped forward, and patted Dugu Chen on the shoulder with great warmth.

"Excellent! A hero indeed emerges in his youth. After so many years, the continent has finally produced another dazzling star. I wish you even greater achievements in the future."

Dugu Chen smiled and cupped his hands in salute. "Thank you, Your Holiness. From now on, I will certainly cultivate diligently and not disappoint your praise!"

With that, he took several steps back and was just about to turn and leave when Qian Xunji called out to him again.

"Your Holiness, is there anything else?" Dugu Chen asked with puzzled eyes.

"Will you really not reconsider?" Qian Xunji sighed softly, his voice heavy with regret.

Dugu Chen said nothing, merely smiling as he cupped his hands again.

Qian Xunji understood his meaning. He only sighed softly, then waved his hand and did not try to persuade him further.

The ceremony had nearly reached its end.

"Dong'er, let's go!"

After Dugu Chen left, Qian Xunji turned to Bibi Dong and spoke gently.

"Yes, Teacher."

Bibi Dong gradually came back to herself. At that moment, Qian Xunji stepped into the Papal Hall, and she followed close behind.

As she neared the entrance, she looked back once at Dugu Chen in the VIP seats. Only after committing his appearance firmly to her heart did she walk inside.

After the two entered, the elders accompanying them also lined up in orderly rows and entered the Papal Hall.

As the last person entered, the doors of the Papal Hall slowly closed.

Meanwhile, after Dugu Chen returned to the VIP seats, the number of gazes fixed upon him suddenly increased.

Some of those gazes held awe, some admiration... and several malicious ones lurked among them.

A Soul Bone was an invaluable treasure and held extraordinary benefits for every soul master.

Fortunately, he had not opened the embroidered box directly earlier. Otherwise, once the Soul Bone had truly been exposed before everyone, there would likely have been even more such looks.

Facing the scrutinizing gazes around them, Dugu Bo snorted coldly. At that moment, he released the terrifying pressure of a Title Douluo without holding anything back.

After sensing that terrifying aura, those watching from the shadows hurriedly withdrew their gazes, cold sweat running down their backs.

Clearly, to them, the threat of death outweighed the temptation of a Soul Bone.

What was more, they were still under the watchful eye of a Title Douluo. If they were discovered, they might not be able to bear the consequences.

This was Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, whose fearsome reputation had been forged through his own strength. Without two powerhouses of the same rank, defeating him was simply impossible.

Trying to snatch food from his mouth was utterly impossible!

For the sake of a mere Soul Bone, risking the wrath of a Title Douluo and possible death was clearly not worth it.

Dugu Chen had also noticed those malicious gazes. He merely curled his lips into a cold smile. Whoever dared reach out a claw would have it stomped flat!

"Big Brother, Father, I didn't disgrace you, did I?"

Standing beside the two of them, Dugu Chen wore a brilliant smile.

"Chen'er, well done!"

Dugu Bo laughed heartily, his eyes full of gratification. His son had claimed first place and earned the appreciation of Spirit Hall's Pope.

Everything that had happened today had brought great honor to the Dugu Household and won them ample prestige.

Even the Haotian Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect could only yield to them and watch the Dugu Household rise to fame.

Just then, a warm and refined voice came from behind the three of them:

"Senior Poison!"

The three turned around and saw a refined man walking toward them with a smile. Two elders with astonishing presences followed at his side.

"Sect Master Ning, it has been a long time. Your bearing remains as elegant as ever!"

Dugu Bo looked at Ning Fengzhi. He was still as refined and easygoing as when they had met years ago, though time had added several lines to his face.

Ning Fengzhi approached, cupped his hands slightly, and said warmly:

"Senior Poison, you flatter me. Your two sons were the true stars today, becoming famous in a single stroke!"

Dugu Chen sized up Ning Fengzhi and the two elders beside him, his eyes flickering slightly.

Were these two the renowned guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong?

He had only heard of the three men before and had never met them. Yet now that they stood before him, he could identify them merely from their auras.

Dugu Bo chuckled, then gestured toward them and introduced them.

"Xin'er, Chen'er, let me introduce you. This is Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Sect Master Ning."

Dugu Chen and Dugu Xin exchanged a glance, then politely bowed.

"These two are Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong."

"Sect Master Ning is an old friend of our family. Many of our family's businesses have deep cooperation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Xin'er, you know this best."

Dugu Xin smiled slightly, then said to Ning Fengzhi with a smile:

"Indeed. I have been involved in our cooperation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, though today is the first time I have finally met Sect Master Ning. It truly is a great pleasure!"

Ning Fengzhi chuckled as well. "When the opportunity arises, I hope we can pursue even deeper cooperation with the Dugu Household!"

"There will certainly be an opportunity."

Dugu Xin smiled faintly, a subtle glimmer flashing through his eyes as he replied with a smile.