Dragon-Subduing Palm Force

One month later.

Papal Palace.

Pope Qian Xunji, wearing a purple-gold crown, gripped his jeweled scepter with pale fingers. His narrow eyes were sharp as he gave the order:

"My patience has run out. Since the Clear Sky Sect refuses to know its place, I will have to act personally. Elders Flash Mongoose and Lei Dao, accompany me out of the city to hunt a soul beast!"

"Yes! We obey Your Holiness's decree!"

Xu Residence, Martial Arena.

Fully recovered, Xu Huxiao practiced his palm techniques with a steadfast gaze and meticulous precision.

He had already learned from his father that Qian Xunji had personally left the city to hunt the Blue Silver Emperor. What surprised him was that the two Titled Douluo elders accompanying him happened to be Flash Mongoose and Lei Dao, the main culprits behind the plot against the Xu Family!

The net of heaven was vast, and death hung over their heads!

Because he knew that this soul hunt was destined to fail.

Tang San would be born, the Blue Silver Emperor Ah Yin would sacrifice herself, Tang Hao would erupt and break through, Qian Xunji would be severely wounded, and of the two Titled Douluo elders he brought, one would die while the other would be heavily injured.

He just did not know which unlucky bastard would die—Flash Mongoose or Lei Dao?

But no matter who it was, it would be excellent news for him.

She Long and Ci Xue were with Qian Renxue in Heaven Dou City. If they learned that Flash Mongoose and Lei Dao would end up with one dead and one seriously injured, then even if they were at odds with the Xu Family, they probably would not make another move anytime soon.

Then there was Bibi Dong's coming murder of her master and ascension to the position of Pope. With such turbulent changes ahead, he should have a period of peaceful growth.

That was very important.

Because what Xu Huxiao lacked most right now was time.

With three supreme martial arts at his disposal, his palms would fear no powerful enemy in the future.

Once his father had fully recovered in a few days, Xu Huxiao planned to obtain the first Soul Rings for his twin palm martial souls and remove the restriction on his Soul Power growth. He believed that with the power of the Nine Yang Divine Skill, his Soul Power Level would rise quickly.

Roar~

A light dragon's cry swirled through the wind, and the transparent dragon-shaped energy seemed to come alive.

Gathered without dispersing.

Xu Huxiao thrust out a palm. Like a dragon ascending to the heavens, his sinews and bones stretched as though a great dragon were shaking its tendons.

Though he had practiced the same Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms countless times, every session still brought him fresh insights.

Bang!

Revisiting the Dragon unleashed seven parts of its force with a single palm strike. It rebounded against emptiness and crushed solidity, blending hardness and softness, leaving strength still unspent.

With just one palm strike, the remaining seven main forms and ten variations flowed forth like drifting clouds and running water.

Roar—

Palm after palm struck out, and dragon cries rang without end. The finest hairs on Xu Huxiao's bare arms rippled like water, and together with the subtle circulation of his energy, they actually outlined translucent robes of dragon scales.

His neat golden hair flowed like golden flames. As he breathed in and out, his breathing unconsciously became long and deep, and his entire body naturally merged into the ever-changing palm techniques.

Hoo~

A moment later.

Xu Huxiao withdrew his palms, and the mystical sight vanished.

"I wonder if it's because this is another world, but these Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms don't seem ordinarily profound. It feels as if they contain the ultimate principles of heaven and earth."

"Ever since I reached the Essence Intent Realm, every practice session has made my blood boil."

"Dragon-subduing, dragon-subduing... yet I feel like I've become the true dragon soaring through the nine heavens."

"It truly is indescribably wondrous!"

"Martial arts, Martial Souls, bloodlines—there must be some shared connection between these three."

In the nearby resting pavilion.

An elderly man with snow-white hair and beard, yet a face as tender as an infant's, stared unblinkingly at Xu Huxiao in the field.

His expression was as though he had discovered an unparalleled treasure.

This old man was Sword Douluo, Chen Xin!

After the celebration, he had not returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Instead, he had remained at the Xu Family to stand guard against anyone else foolish enough to take advantage of the situation.

Normally, he kept a low profile and focused on comprehending the Sword Force he had newly grasped.

Until one day, Chen Xin accidentally discovered Xu Huxiao practicing martial arts on the Martial Arena.

At first, he had merely assumed the child was fooling around and paid no attention.

But after several days in a row, he noticed that this little fellow appeared on the Martial Arena without fail to practice a set of palm techniques.

That piqued his interest. Feng Yu's son seemed to have inherited Xu Bayan's martial arts obsession.

Thus.

Chen Xin moved from the quiet chamber where he comprehended Sword Force to the Martial Arena. He wanted to see how long this little fellow could persist.

But if he had not watched, he would never have known; once he did, he was utterly shocked!

He discovered that Huxiao was not practicing for fun. His palms, fists, steps, and movements were incredibly precise, his moves followed a discernible pattern, and they actually carried a hint of a Self-Created Soul Skill.

Chen Xin had asked Xu Bayan about it, but Xu Bayan said he had not taught it to him and did not know what his son was practicing. When he heard that his son had developed a Self-Created Soul Skill—

The broad-minded Xu Bayan merely burst into laughter and said, "As expected of my son," looking immensely proud.

Chen Xin was somewhat speechless. Was the point really whose son he was?

The point was: a six-year-old child's Self-Created Soul Skill!

But that was not what truly astonished Chen Xin. What truly shocked him was what he had sensed three days ago.

That day had been just like today.

He had actually sensed "force" from this little fellow!

Palm Force!

Though it was extremely faint, like a seed that had yet to see daylight, it truly existed.

If he had not been immersed in comprehending Sword Force, he would never have noticed it.

What was "force"?

"Force" was an advanced transformation of one's personal domain after Level 96, yet it had appeared on a child.

That was simply impossible!!

Chen Xin initially thought it was an illusion, but over the next two days, he sensed it again whenever Xu Huxiao focused on practicing his palm techniques.

There was no doubt about it. The fluctuation appearing around this little fellow was "force"!

After confirming it, only two words appeared in Chen Xin's mind:

Heaven-defying!

Monstrous genius!

For those few days, he had even begun doubting the Sword Force he had cultivated. A six-year-old child could cultivate "force," so what had his seventy-eight-year-old self been doing...

Had he spent over seventy years living like a dog?!

Later.

After Chen Xin calmed down, he began searching for the reason. How exactly had this little fellow accomplished it?

But after two days in a row, aside from sensing that faint, perfectly harmonious Palm Force, he discovered nothing new.

Thus, Chen Xin reached a conclusion:

This little fellow was absolutely gifted beyond measure, a child favored by heaven!

Such a talented child, and one from his own side at that—he had to trick him, bah, bah, he had to take him as a disciple!

Chen Xin believed that under his guidance, this unpolished jade would surely shine with a brilliance that stunned the continent.

When the time came, master and disciple would both become Titled Douluo. What a fine tale that would be in the Soul Master world!

With such beautiful hopes in his heart, Chen Xin sought out Xu Bayan today and told him about his discovery and his intention to take Xu Huxiao as a disciple.

But Xu Bayan, that Savage Bear, still wore that proud expression of "as expected of my seed," acting carefree without the slightest surprise.

Chen Xin could no longer endure it. Was it really so hard to show a little shock? It was as if he alone were making a fuss over nothing!

Helpless, he could only release the sharp edge of the Seven Kill Sword and force that Savage Bear to the Martial Arena to see for himself.

"Well, Bayan? Did you feel it? That fluctuation of 'force'?"

"Hehe, Yu'er's cooking is getting better and better. These beef tendon meatballs with candied chicken cutlet pancakes are simply a perfect match, burp~"

"Uh, Uncle Sword, what did you just say?"

Chen Xin turned to look at the slightly plump Xu Bayan, who was stuffing pastries into his mouth. His eyes narrowed slightly as killing intent leaked out.

That Savage Bear was not the least bit surprised by his son displaying "force." No, he had not even taken a proper look!

Chen Xin felt his Seven Kill Sword stir restlessly again. He said lightly:

"Oh, nothing. Little Yan, let's spar. It's been a month. Let me see whether you've fully recovered."

Xu Bayan stared blankly as the candied chicken cutlet pancake in his hand split directly in half. A powerful sword intent engulfed him. Knowing that Uncle Sword was serious, he hurriedly forced a smile and said:

"Uncle Sword, don't be angry. We're family, so quickly put away your Seven Kill Sword."

"I felt Huxiao's 'force.' This brat truly is gifted beyond measure. I have no idea when he cultivated it either, but he's still so young. Even if he has the beginnings of 'force'..."

"It's not much use anyway."

"..."

"Not much use? Oh, I knew I was talking to a cow. Fine, say no more. Summon your Martial Soul! I'll let you experience whether my Sword Force is useful."

As the sword intent around him grew stronger and stronger, Xu Bayan knew he had said the wrong thing again. He hurriedly raised his hands in surrender and tried to make amends:

"No, no, Uncle Sword, we're family. Please put away the sword."

"I know you want to take Huxiao as your disciple. I wholeheartedly agree with that. I'll have Huxiao come over to become your disciple right away."

Hearing the words "become a disciple," Chen Xin suddenly remembered. Right, his purpose was to accept a disciple. Why was he getting tangled up with this bear-brained brute?

Seeing the sword intent around him weaken, Xu Bayan hurriedly shouted to Xu Huxiao, who was regulating his breathing in the field:

"Son! Come over to Dad! Your Grandpa Sword has something to say to you!"