As the only woman among Spirit Hall's Titled Douluos, Ling Yuan naturally drew considerable attention from them.
Among the continent's major sects, families, and leading powers, outstanding young men and women were often encouraged to marry within their own organizations or into allied ones, strengthening the ties between them.
Ling Yuan naturally fell into this category as well.
In truth, when Golden Crocodile saw Ling Yuan standing behind Qian Juechen, a jumble of emotions stirred within him.
Many years ago, he had raised a certain matter with Qian Daoliu.
By then, Qian Xunji had come of age and achieved some success in his cultivation. It was time for him to consider carrying on the family line.
Golden Crocodile had once proposed a match between Ling Yuan and Qian Xunji to Qian Daoliu.
At the time, Golden Crocodile had thought very highly of the match.
Ling Yuan was young and exceptionally gifted, only a few years away from becoming a Titled Douluo. Moreover, she had been raised by Spirit Hall from childhood and belonged to its inner circle.
Her loyalty was beyond reproach, fundamentally unlike that of the ingrate who came later.
If she and Qian Xunji could become a couple, it would have been an ideal marriage for both Spirit Hall and the Qian family.
Yet the outcome had been disappointing. For various reasons, Qian Xunji had ultimately refused.
Golden Crocodile had regretted it at the time, but looking back now...
Thank goodness Qian Xunji had refused back then. If he had agreed, with Qian Juechen now involved with Ling Yuan, Spirit Hall would have had yet another scandal too absurd to put into words. Ling Yuan would have become a "blessing" passed down through the Qian family.
Recalling everything that had happened within Spirit Hall over the years, even Golden Crocodile, with all his composure, could not keep the corner of his mouth from twitching.
The enthronement ceremony was not particularly complicated.
After the initial appearance, the Pope led the elders in facing the Angel God Statue and reciting part of the Sacrificial Prayer, announcing the occasion to the Qian family's ancestors and the Angel God.
Once that portion of the Sacrificial Prayer ended, the ceremony reached its most important stage: the coronation.
According to Spirit Hall's traditions, the coronation was usually performed by a venerable elder powerhouse of the greatest seniority and standing.
By rights, Qian Daoliu should have personally crowned his grandson. After all, he was not only Qian Juechen's grandfather, but also one of Spirit Hall's most symbolic figures.
Yet, again for various reasons, he had not appeared.
The responsibility ultimately fell to Golden Crocodile Douluo, though he was an equally suitable choice.
After all, he was the oldest and most senior figure in Spirit Hall.
Golden Crocodile's appearance also sent a considerable shock through the various powers present.
Many of those present might never have heard the name Golden Crocodile Douluo. To the older leaders of the great families, however, it was a name of thunderous renown.
That name had once defined an era.
The successive appearances of several Titled Douluos from Spirit Hall's Elder Hall had already placed enormous pressure on many of the powers present.
Now, with Golden Crocodile Douluo's appearance, that invisible pressure instantly reached its peak.
In the VIP seats, where the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was seated.
As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was undoubtedly among the continent's most influential sects while the Clear Sky Sect remained in seclusion.
Ning Fengzhi, the current master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sat in the VIP seats with a calm, unruffled expression.
Although he took the Titled Douluos who had appeared from the Elder Hall seriously, he had shown little surprise.
After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possessed immense wealth and a network of connections spanning the continent. They knew something of Spirit Hall's hidden strength.
That ease vanished the moment Golden Crocodile Douluo appeared.
He narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the elderly figure on the distant platform with a hint of disbelief. In a low voice, he addressed the man beside him, whose bearing was as sharp as a sword.
"Uncle Jian, could that man be the one?"
As a child, Ning Fengzhi had heard the former sect master—his grandfather—say that Golden Crocodile was an ancient figure, senior even to his grandfather.
He had already earned tremendous renown on the continent many years ago. In that era, he could almost have been called a powerhouse who stood above all others.
Back then, Tang Chen and the others had yet to make their names.
Ning Fengzhi had assumed the man had long since passed away. He had never expected him to still be alive.
Moreover, judging by the aura Golden Crocodile Douluo exuded, the old man was not merely alive and well. He still retained terrifying fighting strength.
"It's truly hard to imagine. If not for this enthronement ceremony, none of us might have known that Spirit Hall still possessed such hidden strength," Ning Fengzhi murmured with feeling.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, seated beside him, had remained silent throughout.
His gaze had never left Golden Crocodile Douluo on the platform. The moment he saw the man, deep wariness had filled his eyes as well.
As one of the era's leading powerhouses, he could naturally sense Golden Crocodile Douluo's unfathomable power.
Strong. Incredibly strong!
Regardless of his actual fighting prowess, the man's soul power level was likely far above his own.
He might well have reached level 96 or 97. If he remained at his peak, even level 98 was not out of the question.
At that thought, Chen Xin's brows involuntarily furrowed.
Just how many powerful trump cards did Spirit Hall have hidden away?
"His appearance certainly surprised me, but he still isn't the most terrifying one."
Chen Xin spoke slowly to Ning Fengzhi beside him, his gaze shifting from Golden Crocodile Douluo to the summit of Angel Sacred Mountain.
Ning Fengzhi paused at his words. Turning, he saw Chen Xin staring fixedly at the mountain towering into the clouds behind the Papal Palace.
He followed Chen Xin's gaze and soon understood whom he meant.
That was Angel Sacred Mountain, the symbol of Spirit Hall and one of its most mysterious places.
At the summit of the Holy Mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, an ancient, magnificent palace loomed faintly into view.
That palace should have been Spirit Hall's Worship Hall.
It was also the true heart of Spirit Hall.
As Ning Fengzhi looked at the Angel Statue atop the Holy Mountain, his gaze gradually grew solemn.
Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, an account of the past had long been kept sealed away, known to very few.
It was a story left behind by the previous Sword Douluo, who was none other than Chen Xin's father.
In his day, the old Sword Douluo had been full of ambition and vigor, with few rivals on the continent. Wielding the Seven Killing Sword, he had cut down opponents across the world and left countless legends in his wake.
He had once challenged Spirit Hall's supreme powerhouse, hoping to defeat him and find a chance to advance further.
He had believed that even if he lost, his defeat would not come too quickly. At the very least, he would be able to fight that man for a considerable time and use the supreme powerhouse to temper the sword in his hand.
What he had never expected was a crushing defeat.
He had lost swiftly and utterly, even suffering grievous injuries.
Injuries to the body could still be healed.
But when the spirit was wounded and a swordsman's resolve shattered, it was little different from death.
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