Ah Yin was desperate. If she had known things would turn out this way, she would never have accepted Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's invitation to travel the continent with them.
She should have obediently hidden in the deep mountains and old forests, burning herself up and cultivating until she reached the mature stage before coming out again.
If she were at the mature stage now, even if she stood right in front of Qian Xunji, he would not be able to tell that she was a Soul Beast!
"Let's go. Since His Holiness the Pope wishes to meet us, we don't have a choice. Let's go over and see what this is about."
Tang Xiao rose and looked at the other two. "The former Pope of Spirit Hall once made a mysterious agreement with our Clear Sky Sect's ancestor, Tang Chen. Judging by appearances, the current Pope shouldn't go too far. As long as we show proper respect, we should be safe."
Tang Hao also rose, his expression somewhat solemn. Then he looked at Ah Yin with such tenderness in his eyes that it seemed they were about to melt, his tone absurdly gentle.
"Ah Yin, don't be afraid! Spirit Hall may usually act domineering and cold, but they aren't a force that massacres innocents."
"Even if they really intend to do something to us, my brother and I are here. We'll definitely protect you!"
Ah Yin did not want to speak at all, nor did she want to respond to Tang Hao. Protect me? If things really come to blows, my identity will be exposed...
Not far from the town, in a secluded, shadowy forest, Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back, quietly waiting for the three of them.
Before long, the rustling of footsteps rang out. Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and Ah Yin, who had her head lowered, entered the forest and stopped a short distance from Qian Xunji.
"Clear Sky Sect's Tang Xiao greets His Holiness the Pope! May I ask why His Holiness has deigned to come to this remote place and specifically summoned my brother and me? Is there something you wish to instruct us to do?"
Tang Xiao stepped forward first and bowed slightly to Qian Xunji with impeccable courtesy. His tone was neither servile nor arrogant, and his etiquette was flawless.
Although their Clear Sky Sect was the number-one sect in the world, he was also well aware of his own position. Their ancestor's whereabouts were currently unknown, and the entire sect relied on their father, a Titled Douluo, to support it.
At such an awkward point in time, the Clear Sky Sect had no right whatsoever to provoke a behemoth like Spirit Hall.
The Clear Sky Sect's illustrious reputation had all been built by their ancestor alone. Their ancestor was strong—not the Clear Sky Sect itself!
At present, the Clear Sky Sect had only one Titled Douluo. Spirit Hall, on the other hand... Titled Douluo were practically everywhere. Setting aside the hidden ones they knew nothing about, there were already seven Titled Elders openly known to the public!
Therefore, all he could do was avoid offending the Pope before him as much as possible, lest he bring disaster upon their sect for no reason!
Compared to the proper and courteous Tang Xiao, his younger brother Tang Hao's attitude seemed far more arrogant.
He merely gave Qian Xunji a cold, slight nod. He could not even be bothered to cup his fists in greeting, and a rebellious glint filled his eyes.
He had a feeling that this Pope of Spirit Hall had come with bad intentions today. There was no need to show Qian Xunji any pleasant expression!
Ah Yin, meanwhile, hid behind Tang Hao's burly frame, trembling all over and practically shrinking herself into an invisible little figure.
"Heh... Don't be nervous, don't be nervous."
Looking at the three of them, who seemed to be facing a formidable enemy, Qian Xunji could not help chuckling. He did not take offense at Tang Hao's rudeness.
He spoke in a mild tone. "Although Spirit Hall's conduct has a domineering reputation in the outside world, we still abide by reason. How could we suddenly attack two juniors traveling the continent without any reason?"
"Spirit Hall is not your Clear Sky Sect's enemy. On the contrary, Spirit Hall is the guardian of order on the continent. Your Clear Sky Sect knows very well what we do!"
Qian Xunji smiled faintly. "I merely happened to be passing through this place today with nothing else to do. Since I ran into you, I came over to take a look. As for the reason? You'll know after some time..."
Hearing this, the tense nerves of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao relaxed slightly, but they still remained wary.
Tang Hao turned his head slightly and secretly winked at Ah Yin behind him, as if saying, "See, Ah Yin! Even the Pope of Spirit Hall doesn't dare attack us casually! This is the prestige of our Clear Sky Sect!"
How could Ah Yin have the leisure to pay attention to that fool Tang Hao?
She did not believe that the Pope of Spirit Hall was truly so idle. There was definitely a purpose behind his journey all the way here!
Even if he really had happened to pass by, the moment she appeared before Qian Xunji, her identity had already been exposed. The reason he had not attacked her yet was simply that the time to make his move had not arrived.
"The Clear Sky Twins, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao. Your reputations have resounded across the continent these past five years!"
"Everyone says that the Clear Sky Sect will have two Douluo from one generation in the future, and that it will surely recreate the glory of the era when Tang Chen was around!" Qian Xunji said with an amused look in his eyes. "Now that I've met you, it seems the rumors were well-founded!"
"Perhaps one day in the future, even I, the Pope, will have to treat the two of you as equals..."
"His Holiness flatters us. The two of us are merely one newly advanced Low-Rank Soul Douluo and one newly advanced High-Rank Soul Saint."
"We are still far from becoming Titled Douluo. Besides, if Spirit Hall were not maintaining order throughout the Soul Master world, we would not dare travel the continent like this."
Although Tang Xiao was pleased by the praise, his instincts told him that the matter was definitely not as simple as it appeared.
"That's right, that's right! As for becoming Titled Douluo in the future, it's nothing more than something already in our grasp!"
Compared to Tang Xiao's modesty, Tang Hao was clearly not nearly as low-key. He practically wished Qian Xunji would praise him a few more times.
Seeing his younger brother's arrogant and rude manner, Tang Xiao's brows gradually furrowed, and displeasure began to well up in his heart.
After five years of traveling and gaining experience, his younger brother's Soul Power had indeed increased rapidly. It was just that he still seemed lacking when it came to dealing with people.
"However..." Qian Xunji's formerly gentle smile instantly vanished. "My true purpose in coming today is her. Making the acquaintance of two outstanding heroes of the Clear Sky Sect was merely incidental..."
With that, Qian Xunji slowly raised his hand and pointed directly at the blue-haired girl hiding behind Tang Hao. Since the mutual flattery was over, it was time to get straight to the point!
"Ah Yin?" Tang Xiao was horrified. "Does His Holiness not know that Ah Yin is a wanted criminal of Spirit Hall?"
"That isn't the case." Qian Xunji spoke calmly. "She is not a wanted criminal of Spirit Hall, nor has she ever offended Spirit Hall."
"Then why..." Tang Xiao had not even finished speaking when Tang Hao's expression had already darkened.
"Boom..."
As black light flashed, a huge, pitch-black heavy hammer instantly appeared in his hand, and seven Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.
"Qian Xunji, although you are the Pope of Spirit Hall, Ah Yin is our friend! If you want to lay a hand on her in front of me, ask the Clear Sky Hammer in my hand first if it agrees!"
Tang Hao's muscles bulged as he shielded Ah Yin behind him. Like an enraged lion, he roared at Qian Xunji.
He had given no thought whatsoever to the consequences their sect would suffer if he truly attacked Spirit Hall's Pope here today!
"What an impulsive fool..." Qian Xunji said helplessly.
Ah Yin had never expected Tang Hao to defend her so fiercely. She was deeply moved, but so what?
It was nothing more than an egg striking a rock... Her opponent was a Titled Douluo!
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