The Wager

On the Heavenly Screen, Li Qingyang awakened with level twenty Innate Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls: the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram. The comments exploded. Text flashed by too fast to read, covering the entire screen.

[I'm speechless! Wasn't level ten Innate Soul Power the limit? This kid went straight to level twenty?!]

[The Four Swords of Zhu Xian? The Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram? What kind of Martial Souls are those? Their sword energy is practically spilling off the Heavenly Screen!]

[Tang Wutong's Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power were already outrageous, but Li Qingyang tops even that! He's leaving the entire new generation behind!]

[Yu Tianlong was acting so cocky about that wager with his level nine Soul Power. He must want to crawl into a hole now. How could he possibly fight him?]

[And Qian Renxue was disappointed he didn't awaken an Angel Martial Soul? Talk about a humblebrag!]

[Level twenty Innate Soul Power! Twin Martial Souls! I'm starting to think this kid was born with a divine seat waiting for him.]

[One has the Clear Sky Hammer and Light Goddess Butterfly; the other has the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram. The continent's two greatest children have been born!]

[What does level twenty Innate Soul Power even mean? He was born at a level some people might never reach in their entire lives!]

[What wager? Yu Tianlong doesn't stand a chance against Li Qingyang. Their Martial Souls aren't even in the same league.]

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

The air was thick with the chill of ice and the heat of fire, and white mist curled above the water.

Poison Douluo Dugu Bo sat cross-legged beside the cold pool, drawing on the well's unique energies to slowly suppress the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor venom that had accumulated in his body over the years.

When he looked up at the Heavenly Screen and saw Li Qingyang awaken the supreme Twin Martial Souls of the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram—along with the astonishing phenomenon of level twenty Innate Soul Power—shock filled his aged face. He could not help murmuring:

"Level twenty Innate Soul Power and two supreme Martial Souls... Such talent is terrifying. The continent has never seen its like. There's no telling how far he'll go."

Even as Dugu Bo reeled, his thoughts raced.

He thought of his granddaughter, Dugu Yan. He knew Yan would one day fall for Li Xun, but Li Xun and Qian Renxue probably had not met yet. Could he seize the chance first? If Li Xun became a god, his granddaughter might have a chance to reach the Divine Realm too.

Resolve hardened in Dugu Bo's eyes. He had made up his mind.

Even if he had to put aside his pride, he would bring about that marriage.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi, usually so gentle and composed that nothing could rattle him, stiffened slightly. The glazed jade bead he had been turning in his hand went still.

He stared at the Heavenly Screen for a long while before speaking, his voice trembling despite himself:

"Absurd... utterly absurd."

"Tang Wutong's Twin Martial Souls and level ten Innate Full Soul Power made her a prodigy seen once in ten thousand years. I thought she was the pinnacle of the new generation."

"But who could have imagined Li Qingyang would break the rules entirely? Level twenty Innate Soul Power!"

Beside him stood Sword Douluo Chen Xin. He had devoted his life to the sword and seen countless styles of swordsmanship. His composure had long been as still as an ancient well.

Yet now his aged eyes narrowed sharply, and the sword intent around him stirred beyond his control.

He stared at the towering phantoms of the Four Swords of Zhu Xian on the Heavenly Screen and said hoarsely, "Fengzhi, if I'm not mistaken, the Martial Soul Li Xun—the future Asura God—has awakened should also be the Four Swords of Zhu Xian. His Innate Soul Power must be at least level ten."

As he spoke, Chen Xin's eyes gleamed. A daring thought took shape—one that could change the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's fate for millennia. He said gravely:

"Fengzhi, have you considered this?"

"If we devoted the entire sect's resources to winning Li Xun over and arranged a marriage between him and Rongrong, whether he married into our sect or simply became our ally through marriage..."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could secure the inheritance of the Four Swords of Zhu Xian Martial Soul, a power beyond even the divine!"

"With that foundation, our sect could prosper for ten thousand years, rise beyond the Upper Three Sects, and stand at the pinnacle of the continent!"

Ning Fengzhi shuddered, and his eyes lit up.

His shock gave way to a surge of calculation and desire.

This would be no simple marriage alliance. It was a chance to stake the sect's future on an opportunity for lasting greatness!

The Heaven Dou Crown Prince's Residence.

Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo stepped forward together and knelt on one knee. Their faces shone with respect and delight as they offered their congratulations. "Congratulations, Young Mistress! The young master has awakened the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram as Twin Martial Souls, with level twenty Innate Soul Power! With talent unmatched throughout history, he is certain to attain godhood and ascend to the Divine Realm!"

Qian Renxue sat upon her jade throne. Her cool expression softened, and a genuine smile touched her lips.

Li Qingyang had not inherited the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul passed down through the Qian family, and she could not help feeling a trace of regret. But her future son's extraordinary talent had washed that regret away, leaving only pride and joy.

She turned her hand, and two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones appeared, each glowing with dense spiritual light. Using her Soul Power, she guided them toward the two Titled Douluo.

"I'm in a good mood today. These two Soul Bones are yours."

Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo exchanged a glance, unable to hide their elation.

Though both were veteran Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall who had fought for years, each possessed only one or two Soul Bones—far short of a complete set of six. Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones were treasures they could only dream of finding.

They bowed again at once, their voices full of gratitude. "Thank you for your generosity, Young Mistress! We swear to serve you to the death and keep the young master safe!"

The old house in the Heaven Dou Empire.

On the Heavenly Screen, Li Qingyang's supreme talent—level twenty Innate Soul Power—was confirmed beyond doubt.

Li Xun gazed at the dazzling scene, unable to hide the pride and delight in his eyes.

A broad smile spread across his face, and he laughed aloud, his voice ringing with exhilaration.

Beside him, Tang San looked on with admiration. "Congratulations, Brother Xun. Little Qingyang stunned the entire continent today! Twin Martial Souls and level twenty Innate Soul Power—no one in history can compare."

Xiao Wu beamed and nodded along. "Exactly, Brother Xun! He's incredible! Wutong's talent was already such a wonderful surprise, but Qingyang is even more extraordinary! He'll surely become one of the strongest people on Douluo Continent!"

[The Spirit Awakening Ceremony came to an end.

The square still roared with voices. Everyone remained stunned by Li Qingyang's level twenty Innate Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls, unable to come to their senses.

Under countless watching eyes, Li Qingyang calmly descended from the central white jade platform at an unhurried pace.

Though still so young, he carried himself with steady composure. His historic talent had not made him boastful in the slightest.

He walked straight toward Yu Tianlong, who stood nearby with a pale face and a rigid expression.

Moments ago, Yu Tianlong had proudly declared that he would challenge Li Qingyang. Now all his confidence was gone.

A Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon with level nine Innate Soul Power made him one of the finest talents of his generation.

But beside someone with Twin Martial Souls and level twenty Innate Soul Power, he was a firefly against the moon. They were not even on the same level.

Li Qingyang looked at him calmly and spoke.

"Yu Tianlong, that wager you proposed earlier—are we still going to fight?"]