Worship Hall

The Worship Hall.

"Is this all?" a blond man asked Snake Lance Douluo as he set down the intelligence report in his hand.

"Yes, Great Enshrined. This is all the information we have on them." Snake Lance Douluo knelt on one knee.

The man looked only thirty or forty years old. He was handsome, with a faint smile on his face, and his calm, tranquil aura gave others a deeply comforting feeling. He was tall but not muscular, dressed in a simple gray robe, his long golden hair falling neatly down his back. Despite his plain attire, merely standing there, he inspired the urge to bow down in worship.

This was Qian Daoliu, the Great Enshrined of Spirit Hall, the Pope from two reigns ago, invincible in the skies, High Priest of the Angel God, Spirit Hall's adjudicating elder, and one of the three Peerless Douluos of the present age.

Three people stood on either side of Qian Daoliu.

One was Golden Crocodile Douluo, an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in gold robes embroidered with silver, whose strength had reached level 98.

Another was Azure Luan Douluo, with short dark-blue hair, smoky-blue eyes, and sky-blue bangs. His sword-like brows and star-bright eyes complemented his handsome features, and he wore an azure-blue enshrined robe.

Mighty Lion Douluo wore golden armor and red robes. He was powerfully built, with orange hair and beard, and his soul power was at level 96.

One had the build of a youth, with his left eye covered in ice and snow and a head of long silver hair. His martial soul had caused his left arm to take on an ice-like form. Dressed in a pale-gray robe, he was Light Feather Douluo, with level 96 soul power.

One had black hair tied in a bun and gray-blue eyes, with a scar over his right eye. He was handsome and tall, wearing golden armor, a purple enshrined robe, and a purple headscarf. This was Qian Jun Douluo, with level 96 soul power.

Another had short black hair and dark-red eyes, handsome features, and a tall build. He wore golden armor and a red enshrined robe, and bore a strong resemblance to Qian Jun Douluo. This was the Seventh Enshrined, Demon Subduing Douluo, with level 96 soul power.

Those present were Spirit Hall's greatest fighting force. Even Snake Lance Douluo felt as though he were sitting on a bed of needles here.

"Hmm, level 23 at six years old, with a Super Douluo accompanying him. It seems he has excellent resources, and his talent is outstanding too. His whole body gives off an intensely keen edge, so his martial soul is most likely related to the gold element. Dugu Bo's transformation is probably connected to him as well. Does Xue'er want to recruit him?"

Qian Daoliu studied the intelligence report thoughtfully. In his youth, as the adjudicating elder, he had slaughtered enough people to leave a gap in an entire generation. He had never expected such an exceptional youngster to emerge. Level 23 at six years old-did he have a god's favor?

As descendants of the Angel God, those of their Six-Winged Angel lineage received soul power bestowed by their divine ancestor upon awakening their martial souls, granting them innate soul power of up to level 20. Yet Lin Changgeng was already level 23 at six years old, so Qian Daoliu believed he enjoyed a god's favor.

But as far as he knew, the only godhood inheritances were in Spirit Hall and with Bo Saixi on her island. The intelligence report, however, did not mention whether there was a divine mark on his forehead.

Qian Daoliu could not work it out. If there was no divine mark, perhaps the boy had consumed medicinal herbs or absorbed a soul bone. In that case, reaching level 23 at six years old would be understandable.

"Ah." Qian Daoliu sighed. This was all the intelligence they currently had. Who knew whether there were other Super Douluos as well?

Then Qian Daoliu turned his gaze toward the other enshrined elders.

"What do you think of this Lin Changgeng?"

"Elder Brother, I think we can recruit him, but he has never come to Spirit Hall for certification. What do you make of that?" Golden Crocodile Douluo asked.

"He's a genius. It's perfectly normal for him not to want to expose himself. If you had talent like his, would you seek certification?" Qian Daoliu asked with a smile.

"No." Golden Crocodile Douluo shook his head. Being a genius was fine, but being a monster was another matter. Such talent was welcome within one's own faction, but if it belonged to another, one would not even sleep soundly.

"There you have it." Qian Daoliu held Lin Changgeng in high regard. With talent like that, a god would surely bestow an inheritance upon him someday. If they could recruit him, Spirit Hall would have two gods under one roof.

At the thought of godhood, Qian Daoliu could not help looking toward the Pope's Hall. Ever since Qian Xunji had been devoured by that madwoman, he had found her increasingly difficult to fathom. He had even sensed divine power within her.

"I hope you don't hurt Xiao Xue. Otherwise..." Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes, inadvertently letting a trace of killing intent escape.

"Hey, hey, Elder Brother, don't do that!" Demon Subduing Douluo cried in alarm.

He was only a level 96 Super Douluo, while Qian Daoliu had long stood at the continent's pinnacle. Qian Daoliu's killing intent was still a little too much for him.

"Sorry." Hearing Demon Subduing Douluo, Qian Daoliu realized he had lost his composure.

"And the rest of you? What do you think?" After composing himself, Qian Daoliu looked at the other enshrined elders.

"In my opinion, we should act sooner rather than later. Talent like this can no longer be called genius-it is monstrous. If we cannot recruit him, we should simply kill him. A monster only becomes one if he lives to rise," Azure Luan Douluo said softly. As an enshrined elder of Spirit Hall, he always put its development first.

"I think we can wait and see. It would be best if Xiao Xue really manages to recruit this child. Even if she cannot, we should still build a good relationship with him. With talent like his, he will surely help Xiao Xue if they are on good terms.

"As for the report suggesting Dugu Bo may have reached level 95, I think we should pay attention to that. After all, he specializes in poison. We cannot underestimate him."

"Besides, he already has a Super Douluo accompanying him openly. Who knows whether there are others behind him? I think building a good relationship is more important for now."

Qian Jun Douluo spoke steadily. Either recruit him or befriend him; there was little else to say. Moreover, with Dugu Bo having risen to level 94, his mastery of poison would allow him to go toe-to-toe with an enshrined elder like Qian Jun. There was also a Titled Douluo of unknown level. All of that made caution even more necessary. Who knew whether there were other Titled Douluos?

"Hmm." Qian Daoliu nodded. He thought the same, but more than that, he wanted his granddaughter to grow close to Lin Changgeng. None of the Angel Clan were lacking in looks, and his granddaughter had also inherited Bibi Dong's beauty. She could be called the most beautiful woman of their age. With Lin Changgeng's talent, a god would surely favor him someday, and that god would at least be on the same level as their own. That way, after he sacrificed himself, he would not have to fear his granddaughter suffering any grievances. As for the boy being young, or their age gap being too large? Older-woman, younger-man relationships were plentiful in the Soul Master World. She could simply wait for him to grow up. Besides, once their soul power levels rose, a gap of eight or nine years would mean nothing.

He needed to make plans. As the Angel God's High Priest, he would have to sacrifice himself, and Qian Renxue was the only member of the Qian Family in all these generations who might be able to begin the Angel Nine Trials. He did not want to concern himself with much else. He only wanted to witness his granddaughter become a god with his own eyes. Then his task would be complete.

Is that how it is? It's time Xue'er started handling things herself, Qian Daoliu thought. Then he said to Snake Lance Douluo, "She Long, go back and tell Xiao Xue to follow her own judgment, with building a good relationship as her priority. The plan for the Heaven Dou Empire doesn't matter. If she no longer wants to stay there, she can fake her death and escape."

Qian Daoliu felt this matter should depend on Qian Renxue's wishes. It was time to cultivate her ability to handle affairs. Although Bibi Dong was currently the Pope, Spirit Hall ultimately belonged to the Qian Family.

"Yes, Great Enshrined! This subordinate takes his leave." Snake Lance Douluo withdrew, carrying Qian Daoliu's instructions straight back to Qian Renxue's side to continue serving as her guard.

After Snake Lance Douluo left, the enshrined elders returned to their respective cultivation places, leaving Qian Daoliu alone to pray before the Angel God Statue.