Qian Xunzong watched Qian Daoliu stroll off, leaving Qian Xunji alone with a desk piled high with documents and on the verge of tears. Holding back a laugh, Qian Xunzong tucked away the remaining top-tier Immortal-Grade Herbs, gathered the sleepy Xiaojing into his arms, and sauntered out of the Papal Palace.
He was a little tired, so he returned to Cloud-Treading Villa and rested for the night.
The next day.
He had gathered an enormous number of Immortal-Grade Herbs yesterday. Aside from the portions reserved for Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji, the rest were suited to the elders of the Worship Hall.
Qian Xichen and the other Pontiff Elders were among Spirit Hall's strongest fighters. Pouring resources into his own side's powerhouses was a sure bet.
He could win over his elders, dramatically boost their strength, and solidify Spirit Hall's foundations. What was not to like?
He walked at an unhurried pace through Spirit Hall's gilded buildings and soon reached the solemn Worship Hall.
The Worship Hall was usually quiet and nearly deserted. Wisps of sacred light lingered there year-round, while the Angel God Statue stood at the center of the hall, radiating an ancient, holy presence.
Inside, Qian Xichen sat in the seat of honor, with the other seven Pontiff Elders arrayed on either side. Some rested with their eyes closed; others quietly discussed their insights into cultivation. A solemn hush filled the hall.
Sensing someone enter, they all opened their eyes. When they saw Qian Xunzong, warm smiles spread across their faces.
"Zong'er is here." Qian Xichen's expression softened as he looked at his extraordinarily gifted grandson. The more he looked, the prouder he felt.
The other Pontiff Elders nodded in greeting. Every one of them cherished the young master who had awakened two Transcendent Divine-level Martial Souls, possessed innate level-thirty Soul Power, and received the Angel God's blessing herself.
"Hahaha, Zong'er! You're nearly a Soul Ancestor already!"
"Wonderful, wonderful!"
"..."
Qian Xunzong strode forward without ceremony. With a wave of his hand, several dazzling top-tier Immortal-Grade Herbs appeared out of thin air, floating at varying heights throughout the hall.
Rich spiritual energy swept through the entire Worship Hall. Milky-white mist gathered until it was almost tangible, and the energy in the once-tranquil hall surged severalfold. Sacred light shimmered amid countless auspicious rays.
These herbs were peerless treasures he had gathered from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Each was a rare spiritual root even in the Divine Realm, suited to a different Martial Soul attribute and capable of addressing a different weakness in cultivation. He had sorted them in advance, matching each one precisely to a Pontiff Elder's cultivation and Martial Soul. None would go to waste.
Qian Xunzong spoke with a smile, his voice clear and gentle:
"Grandfather, esteemed grandfathers, I was fortunate enough to find a batch of top-tier Immortal-Grade Herbs while exploring a secret realm. I matched them to your Martial Souls and brought them as gifts—a small token of my appreciation."
As he spoke, he tapped a finger. The floating herbs flew to their recipients and stopped before each of them.
Before Qian Xichen hovered a golden Primordial Sacred Light God Lotus. Its rich fragrance carried the power to purify all things. It was ideally suited to his sacred essence and could nourish his soul.
Second Worship Xinghe wielded the Imperial Spear Martial Soul and excelled at fierce, relentless attacks. He received a Nine-Heavens Starbreaker Grass, whose piercing azure light held boundless power to shatter barriers.
Third Offering Moyun's Divine Flute Martial Soul excelled at controlling sound, manipulating energy, casting illusions, and attacking the mind. His Pure-Rhythm Soul-Congealing Lingzhi was gentle and ethereal, able to steady his soul and dispel inner demons.
Fourth Worship Chu Mingshan's Berserk Rhino Martial Soul gave him immense physical strength and a sturdy body, but his Soul Power lacked refinement. His Ten-Thousand-Jin Essence-Fixing Flower could deepen his Soul Power and temper his muscles and bones, bringing body and power into harmony.
Before Fifth Worship Golden Crocodile Douluo floated a crimson Heaven-Burning Golden Dragon Ginseng. Fierce and domineering, it perfectly complemented the Golden Crocodile King's overwhelming offensive strength. It could temper his body and reinforce his foundation.
Sixth Worship Feng Fuyao's Gale Dragon Martial Soul gave him extraordinary speed and command of the wind. He received a Flowing Cloud Pursuing Moon Immortal Vine, light and nimble, which could enhance his mastery of speed and bring his footwork and attacks closer to perfection.
Seventh Worship Golden Wheel's Sun and Moon Martial Soul combined yin and yang, balancing offense with defense. His Yin-Yang Life-Transforming Fruit could harmonize his yin and yang Soul Power and balance the two poles of his Martial Soul.
Qian Xunzong sounded as casual as if he were handing out ordinary flowers. But everyone present was a top-tier expert who had lived for over a century. They knew exactly what they were looking at.
Xinghe, Golden Crocodile, and the other Pontiff Elders looked over the floating herbs. Their pupils contracted, and their breathing faltered.
Every herb brimmed with condensed spiritual energy and perfect markings. They were peerless Immortal-Grade Herbs long thought extinct on the continent. Any one of them could drive Titled Douluo to fight to the death, and no amount of money could buy one.
"Zong'er, how thoughtful of you!"
"Such rare treasures are almost impossible to find, yet you've given all of them to us. This is far too generous."
The Pontiff Elders murmured their appreciation, warmth spreading through their hearts.
To them, this was simply a child's sincere devotion. The herbs were precious, but they saw them as gifts from a younger family member. They gave little thought to their extraordinary effects, assuming that slowly refining them might nourish their foundations a little.
Qian Xichen looked over the splendid array of herbs, his eyes full of pride. He nodded gently. "My grandson has grown so thoughtful."
"Grandfathers, these Immortal-Grade Herbs won't keep for long. You should absorb them now!"
At that, they sat down with smiles, unwilling to waste the child's kind gesture, and began refining the herbs.
Layers of colored light rose through the hall. Gold, red, azure, and green intertwined with yin-yang and sacred light. Vast waves of elemental spiritual energy filled the chamber, producing one extraordinary vision after another.
At first, everyone remained composed, treating it as ordinary nourishment for their cultivation. But moments later, every expression changed.
The herbs' gentle medicinal power erupted as soon as it entered their bodies. Rather than merely nourishing flesh and Soul Power, it reached their very essence, washed away the shackles in their meridians, refined the foundations of their Martial Souls, and opened their minds to the powers of heaven and earth!
The astonishingly pure energy unraveled obstacles that had troubled them for years. Long-buried insights and mysteries of cultivation suddenly became clear. Soul Power surged around them, and their Soul Rings pulsed and shone beyond their control.
Golden Crocodile Douluo was the first to react. He held the Heaven-Burning Blood Dragon Ginseng as its mighty medicinal power flooded his meridians. This veteran Peak Douluo had only reached level ninety-seven a few years ago, and his physical foundation was not yet fully stable. Now the fierce energy tempered his body and pushed at the boundaries of his realm. Power surged around him, and his pressure climbed steadily.
Next, Second Worship Xinghe, Third Offering Moyun, and the others changed expression. Each could feel his foundations transforming. Bottlenecks that had held them back for years loosened, and barriers broke one after another.
Qian Xichen, seated in the place of honor, felt it most keenly. The Primordial Sacred Light God Lotus in his hands slowly bloomed, its pure sacred essence pouring nourishment into his soul and Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.
As a Peerless Douluo of Spirit Hall, his cultivation had long stood at the continent's summit. Now the lotus's power entered his body, greatly extending his lifespan and healing old injuries. More than that, it brought him to the threshold of Demigod. Insight surged through him, and the angelic light around him grew even more vast and transcendent.
In mere moments, the atmosphere of the Worship Hall changed completely. Everyone was lost in profound cultivation insights, unable to pull away.
Qian Xichen was the first to open his eyes. His gaze was deep and vast, his presence more transcendent than before. He looked intently at the herbs filling the hall, then at Qian Xunzong, who was watching calmly from the side. He gave a swift, grave order:
"Everyone, enter seclusion at once and stabilize your realms!"
Without another word, golden light swept around him, and he vanished from the hall, heading straight for the secluded chamber on the top floor.
The other seven Pontiff Elders came back to themselves, their faces alight with shock and delight. There was no time for pleasantries. Each hurriedly thanked Zong'er before rushing to his own place of seclusion.
In an instant, the hall that had been lively moments before stood empty. Only the lingering waves of spiritual energy continued to circulate.
Qian Xunzong looked at the deserted hall and chuckled. He was not surprised.
The peerless herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were already among the finest spiritual treasures on Douluo Continent. With the added nourishment of the Jade Light Spirit-Void Pool, their potency far exceeded that of ordinary Immortal-Grade Herbs. It was only natural that these veteran Douluo would gain new insights from them.
Still, few were likely to break through to a new realm. They were already among the continent's strongest, so the herbs could only do so much. Even a modest increase in combat strength would be worthwhile.
"Enjoy your seclusion. Spirit Hall's overall strength is about to jump again."
Qian Xunzong stretched lazily. Rather than disturb their cultivation, he took Xiaojing in his arms, quietly left the Worship Hall, and closed the doors behind him.
With the herbs distributed, he once again found himself with nothing to do.
Qian Daoliu was in seclusion. So were Qian Xichen and the other Pontiff Elders. Qian Xunji was trapped in the Papal Palace, toiling over documents. Among Spirit Hall's leaders, there was not a single person left to chat or stroll with him.
"Since I've got time to spare, I might as well look around Spirit City."
At Qian Xunzong's casual remark, Shen Ye emerged from the shadows and fell in behind him. Gui Mei and Yue Guan appeared a moment later, bowing as they awaited his orders.
"Young master." The three greeted him in unison, their steady presence forming a quiet guard around him.
"Come on. Let's take a walk outside and see what everyday life in Spirit City is like."
Before you continue