Sukuna vs. Qian Daoliu

"Old man, even your Divine Ancestor couldn't kill me. What makes you think you can?" Sukuna's brazen voice rang out, and a savage grin spread across Qian Renxue's face.

Sukuna swiftly retreated. A Holy Sword appeared in Qian Daoliu's hand. "Xiao Xue, don't blame Grandpa. If holy light can't purge the Evil Soul Master inside you, then I'll have to burn his soul by hurting you!"

Sukuna's head gave the slightest nod. Qian Renxue had wrested back a measure of control over her body and given her consent.

Qian Daoliu was about to swing his sword when Sukuna finished forming a hand sign. "Domain Expansion! Malevolent Shrine!"

A domain without boundaries unfolded.

A sinister shrine bared bone-white fangs. Sukuna stood atop it as Slashing attacks rained down on Qian Daoliu from every direction.

Other domains were like paintings on a canvas. Sukuna's Open Domain was like painting on the sky. Put simply, it turned the domain into an open kitchen. Every enemy inside was designated an "ingredient," while the Slashing attacks were "knives." Dismantle was an ordinary kitchen knife; Cleave was a bone cleaver. The ingredients would be cut without pause until nothing remained.

"Second Soul Skill: Wings of Void!"

Qian Daoliu felt the force of the Slashing attacks and frowned. This was only Three Fingers. Unaware that Sukuna had twenty fingers in all, he thought, If this Evil Soul Master were at his full strength of ten fingers, he might be a Limit Douluo even stronger than Bo Saixi at sea!

But to Qian Daoliu, even an Evil Soul Master at the Limit Douluo level was no different from a stray dog.

This Evil Soul Master's domain is interesting, though. My Angel Domain can't suppress it!

If he truly comes back to life, people across the continent will suffer. I can't let him go!

"Angel Swordsmanship!"

The Holy Sword carved one tiny wound after another across Qian Renxue's body. Golden energy flowed into each cut, and within seconds, dozens of wounds covered her.

With only Three Fingers, Sukuna was no match for Qian Daoliu. But Qian Daoliu's aim was merely to leave small cuts on Sukuna's body, channel Angel Power through them, and burn away his soul.

But the result was... nothing!?

"How can this be?" Qian Daoliu could hardly believe it.

"Old man..." Sukuna grinned as his wounds began to heal rapidly.

Reverse Cursed Technique.

It was an advanced method of manipulating Cursed Energy. Ordinary Cursed Energy was used to destroy, but Reverse Cursed Technique multiplied two streams of negative Cursed Energy together. Negative times negative yielded positive energy, which restored the body.

"Enough of these dull little tricks. Be proud—you're strong! Compared to the Soul Masters I killed back then..."

Flames coiled around Sukuna's hand, evaporating the moisture in the air!

Furnace was Sukuna's second Cursed Technique, a devastating flame attack. To him, ingredients that had been sliced naturally had to be cooked. But its drawbacks were obvious: limited range and slow speed.

To overcome those drawbacks, Sukuna had made a Binding Vow that let Furnace spread through his domain. Dust raised from buildings struck by Malevolent Shrine would be infused with Cursed Energy that carried the same explosive property as Furnace. The dust could then trigger chain explosions, expanding the attack's range.

All this time, Qian Daoliu had seemed to be the one attacking Sukuna. In truth, Sukuna's domain had also been striking the entire Worship Hall.

Although Qian Daoliu had protected the area with all his Soul Power, Sukuna had still raised plenty of dust.

"Furnace: Open!"

It was like lighting a stove.

A bow of flame was drawn to its limit. The arrow was about to fly!

"Seventh Soul Skill: Angel True Body!"

"Sixth Soul Skill: Angel's Roar!"

Qian Daoliu looked at the flaming arrow, then at the Angel God Statue behind him. His brow furrowed. If that arrow damaged his Divine Ancestor's statue, it would be a grave act of disrespect!

He could not allow even the slightest risk.

Two Soul Rings beneath Qian Daoliu's feet lit up at once. The Six-Winged Angel behind him took solid form, becoming a majestic figure. She opened her mouth and uttered a divine whisper. The mental attack forcibly interrupted Furnace: Open just before it could be unleashed.

"What a dirty trick." By the time Sukuna recovered, a Holy Sword had pierced Qian Renxue's abdomen.

A vast amount of Angel Power poured into her.

Sukuna's soul was heavily suppressed, and he finally lost control of the body altogether.

Just before his soul was completely suppressed, Sukuna sneered. He said nothing, but looked at Qian Daoliu with mocking certainty.

His gaze seemed to say, I'll be back. When I am, I'll slaughter every last member of your Angel Clan!

When Qian Renxue woke again, she found her grandfather, a white-haired child, and an unfamiliar woman with long black hair standing beside her.

"Grandpa..."

"Xue'er, are you all right? Grandpa was too rough just now." Qian Daoliu's voice was full of guilt and concern. Part of his care for his granddaughter came from the possibility that Qian Renxue would inherit the Angel God's power, but far more of it came from the bond between them.

Grandfather and granddaughter embraced, both with tears in their eyes.

It was a touching reunion—until Bai Ranmo's flippant voice cut in. "Hey, so this is my little apprentice-niece? Old Man, she's a lot better-looking than you!"

Only then did Qian Renxue come to her senses. She pulled away from her grandfather's embrace and coughed awkwardly. "Ahem... So you're Ranmo? You're every bit as unruly as Grandpa said in his letters."

Leaning against the headboard, Qian Renxue said to Bai Ranmo with a dissatisfied look, "Show some respect. Call me Senior Sister!"

"But I outrank you!" Bai Ranmo gave her a cheeky grin. "How about we each use our own title? You call me Junior Brother, and I'll call you apprentice-niece."

Qian Renxue: "..."

Qian Renxue shot her junior apprentice-brother a glare, then suddenly remembered Sukuna. "Grandpa, who exactly is that Sukuna? Why couldn't even Angel Power destroy him?"

Qian Daoliu did not answer. Instead, he cast a grave look at Bai Cangyue.

Only then did Qian Renxue remember that a stranger was present.

"She's a devotee of another god, and Ranmo's guardian Douluo. She knows all the answers," Qian Daoliu said, briefly introducing Bai Cangyue.

"Please enlighten me, Senior." Qian Renxue clasped her hands with some difficulty.

"He was the strongest Evil Soul Master tens of thousands of years ago." Bai Cangyue nodded slightly and spoke in a calm voice. "He reached the realm of gods. They called him the King of Curses—the mythical demon with two faces and four arms, Sukuna!"

"Tens of thousands of years ago, a woman in a certain clan became pregnant with twins. A Healing-Type Soul Master discovered it. That clan considered twins an ill omen, so those children were born into the hatred of their entire clan!"