Cloud-Treading Villa, training ground.
Clop, clop, clop...
Zheng Yue led the Judgment Knight Corps onto the training ground. The knights lined up in perfect formation. Not only did every rider move as one, even the horses beneath them breathed in unison.
At the sight of Qian Xunzong, the captain led them all in dismounting. They placed a hand across their chests and saluted him.
"The Judgment Knight Corps greets our lord!"
"Greetings, my lord!"
Their voices rang through the sky, their presence overwhelming. Qian Xunzong nodded in satisfaction. "Rise."
"Thank you, my lord!"
The Judgment Knights rose as one and stood ramrod straight. Qian Xunzong nodded approvingly.
"Gui Mei, Yue Guan, what do you think of my Judgment Knight Corps?"
Looking at the superb cavalry before them, Gui Mei and Yue Guan gave their verdicts.
"Badass!"
"Unbeatable!"
Qian Xunzong rolled his eyes at their answers, then turned to Zheng Yue.
"Manager Zheng, what do you think?"
Zheng Yue studied the Judgment Knight Corps, then smiled. "Villa Master, all this old servant can say is that with a corps like this, you could sweep across any corner of the continent."
The praise delighted Qian Xunzong. He looked at Gui Mei and Yue Guan and chided them.
"Listen to that. Now that's eloquence. That's a proper assessment. Learn from him."
Gui Mei and Yue Guan laughed awkwardly, privately regretting that they hadn't thought of anything like it. It was such a damn good line!
Qian Xunzong turned back to Zheng Yue. "Manager Zheng, your cultivation must be quite high, right?"
For Zheng Yue to say that, he must have seen through the Judgment Knight Corps' levels. That meant his own level could hardly be low.
Zheng Yue replied modestly, "Villa Master, this old servant has followed the Pope since childhood and benefited from his guidance. By good fortune, I reached Titled Douluo, with the title Ferocious Fang. But I suffered some injuries when I was young. The Pope took pity on me and let me retire here at Cloud-Treading Villa while keeping an eye on the place."
A Titled Douluo!
Gui Mei and Yue Guan stared in disbelief. This white-haired, frail-looking old man was actually a Titled Douluo.
A Titled Douluo guarding the villa? Seriously?
"Oh? I didn't expect Manager Zheng to be a Titled Douluo. Isn't managing a villa beneath your talents?"
"Haha, I'm old and battered. Think of it as retirement. The work's light, and I can keep at it for another decade or so." Zheng Yue stroked his beard.
Qian Xunzong didn't know the reason, but the difference was plain to see. Titled Douluo could generally retain a youthful appearance, while Zheng Yue looked like Dugu Bo when the poison had ravaged him in the original story.
"Fine. But now that I'm the master of Cloud-Treading Villa, leave your injuries to me. I'll make sure you're healed," Qian Xunzong said with a smile.
A glimmer appeared in Zheng Yue's eyes at his words, but he smiled and shook his head. "I appreciate your kindness, Villa Master. These injuries have lingered for too long. There's no need to waste Spirit Hall's resources on me. Reaching Titled Douluo was enough for this old servant's lifetime. Those treasures would be better spent nurturing the younger generation."
Qian Xunzong waved that away. "Manager Zheng, you're the steward of my villa now. I can't leave you like this. It's settled. Once you're healed, I'll need you to work a little harder and keep Cloud-Treading Villa running smoothly."
Warmth filled Zheng Yue's heart. "This old servant will do everything he can to manage the villa for you."
"Good. That's enough for today. I haven't had a proper rest since I got back, and I have to see Grandfather and the others first thing tomorrow. Dismissed."
"Yes, Villa Master."
Qian Xunzong went to his room in the rear courtyard of Nine-Cloud Residence and fell asleep on the soft bed. The Jade Balance Xiejing Beast burrowed into his arms, and before long, his breathing grew slow and steady.
The next day, the sun was already high.
Qian Xunzong stretched contentedly. Sleeping was so much better without that old man bothering him.
After getting up and washing, he picked up Xiaojing, the Jade Balance Xiejing Beast, called for his two trusty companions, and headed for Worship Hall.
He didn't bring the Judgment Knights. There was no need. Who would dare attack him in Spirit City? What a joke.
The three of them and the beast made their way toward Worship Hall.
About half an hour later, they arrived. Qian Xunzong told Gui Mei and Yue Guan to wait outside with Xiaojing. Worship Hall wasn't a place just anyone could enter.
Qian Xunzong pushed open the doors and went in. All seven Pontiff Elders and Qian Daoliu were inside.
"Well, all my elder grandfathers are here. Dad, you too."
Qian Xichen looked at him fondly. "Zong'er, did you get enough rest?"
"Heh. He slept from yesterday afternoon until now. How could he not?" Qian Daoliu remarked.
Come on, old man. What did I do to you? Do you have to comment on everything? If you weren't my dad, I'd jump up and give you a soul-shaking smack on the head.
Qian Xunzong added silently, If I could beat you...
"Enough. What kind of thing is that to say? You dragged Zong'er off to the Star Dou Great Forest the morning before yesterday, and he barely rested the whole time. What's wrong with letting him sleep longer? Say another word and go back to your Papal Palace. Stop standing here annoying me. Just looking at you makes me angry!"
Qian Xichen promptly scolded Qian Daoliu, who pursed his lips.
Fine, fine. You're my father. What you say goes. If you weren't my dad, I'd jump up and give you a soul-shaking smack on the head.
He silently added, If I could beat you...
"Haha, Zong'er, your father tells me you absorbed Soul Rings beyond the usual age limit. Let Grandfather have a look," Qian Xichen said with a smile.
"Sure thing, Grandfather."
Qian Xunzong immediately summoned his Martial Soul. Soul Power surged around him, and the Judgment Deity appeared behind him, Judgment Blade in hand and a sacred aura radiating from his body. Then three Soul Rings lit up in succession—purple, black, black—and a powerful presence swept through the hall.
Astonishment filled the Pontiff Elders' eyes. They had already heard Qian Daoliu's account, but seeing it for themselves still left them shaken.
Qian Xichen was no exception. After a brief moment of surprise, he came over with a broad smile and patted Qian Xunzong's head, his face full of pride.
"Hahaha! Wonderful. Truly wonderful! The Angel God has blessed us."
The other Pontiff Elders offered their congratulations too.
"Haha, splendid! What Zong'er has done is unprecedented. I doubt anyone will ever match it!"
"Heaven has blessed Spirit Hall! Truly blessed us!"
"With Jier and Zong'er here, Spirit Hall's strength is sure to rise to a whole new level!"
"..."
The Pontiff Elders praised him one after another. Qian Xunzong already possessed the extraordinary gift of Twin Martial Souls, and now he had achieved this feat. His rise to the pinnacle of the continent seemed certain. He might even have a chance to restore the Angel God's former glory.
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