Champion

Liu Erlong lowered her head and looked.

Qian Renxue had already gone back to drinking her porridge as though nothing had happened.

After breakfast, the three arrived at the palace's main gate.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy's convoy was already parked outside the palace.

More than a dozen carriages lined both sides of the long street.

The academy's education committee members and competing team members were all waiting to depart.

Qian Renxue resumed the appearance she used when competing.

She wore a gold-and-white team uniform with a matching cloak over it, her long golden hair tied in a high ponytail.

Divine power concealed Qian Daoliu and Liu Erlong's figures.

Ordinary Soul Masters could only see Qian Renxue walking out of the palace alone.

Palace maids carried three trunks onto the last carriage.

When the guards responsible for carrying the luggage lifted the third trunk, their steps visibly sank.

The sound of porcelain clinking came from inside the trunk.

The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team members all looked over.

Qian Renxue calmly stepped into the carriage.

Once the door closed, Qian Daoliu and Liu Erlong's figures reappeared.

The carriage's interior was very spacious.

There was a cushioned couch on either side, with a low table secured in the middle.

The three trunks occupied most of the space in the corner.

Liu Erlong sat on the left.

Qian Daoliu had just sat down on the right when Qian Renxue came to his side.

She untied the cloak at her shoulders and spread it over the couch.

The convoy slowly moved forward.

The wheels rolled over the flagstones outside the palace, causing a slight rocking motion.

Qian Renxue lifted the window curtain.

The streets of Heaven Dou City came into view.

Early-rising townspeople stood on either side of the road, watching the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy convoy leave.

Several children ran behind the carriages for a stretch before their elders soon called them back.

Qian Renxue lowered the curtain.

She took a food box from beneath the table.

Liu Erlong looked at Qian Renxue, who had only just eaten breakfast.

There were no meals inside the food box.

The top tier held sliced fruit.

The second tier held several pastries.

The bottom tier also contained two pots of clear tea.

Qian Renxue took out a jade plate, then placed a silver pick beside her grandfather's hand.

The carriage passed an intersection.

Its body tilted slightly to the right.

The pieces of fruit on the jade plate slid toward the edge.

Qian Renxue immediately reached out to steady it.

Her palm held the jade plate in place, but her other hand knocked over a teacup.

Qian Daoliu raised a finger.

The falling teacup stopped in midair.

Divine power also caught the few drops of tea that had flown out and returned them to the cup.

The teacup settled steadily back onto the table.

Qian Renxue withdrew her hands.

She glanced at Qian Daoliu, then looked at Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong was straightening her skirt, as though she had not seen what had just happened.

Qian Renxue settled back into her seat.

"The road is uneven."

Qian Daoliu picked up a piece of fruit and brought it to her lips.

Qian Renxue opened her mouth and ate it.

She leaned against her grandfather's shoulder and casually picked up another teacup.

This time, when the carriage rocked again, not a single drop of tea spilled from the cup.

The convoy passed through Heaven Dou City's southern gate.

The towering city walls gradually fell behind them.

Vast fields replaced the scenery on either side of the road.

The autumn harvest was nearing its end.

Bundles of wheat stalks were piled in the fields.

Ox carts transporting grain could still be seen in the distance.

Qian Renxue watched for a while before withdrawing her gaze.

After leaving the palace, she no longer needed to review memorials.

The Soul Master Tournament finals had yet to begin, and she did not need to cultivate right away either.

Instead, the journey of more than ten days became the most leisurely stretch of time she had enjoyed lately.

Qian Renxue took off her soft golden boots.

She placed her legs on the couch, her moon-white stockings hugging her slender ankles.

Then she rested her head on Qian Daoliu's lap.

Her high ponytail was pressed against the side of her face.

Qian Daoliu untied her hair ribbon for her.

Her long golden hair immediately spilled loose, spreading across his robes.

Qian Renxue closed her eyes.

The wheels rolled along the main road.

Sitting opposite them, Liu Erlong picked up a pastry and ate it slowly.

Qian Daoliu lifted the loose golden hair and smoothed the strands away from Qian Renxue's face.

The person who had said she wanted to watch the scenery all the way fell asleep in less than an hour.

One of her hands still gripped Qian Daoliu's sleeve.

She had not even finished turning the first page of the competitor list beside her hand.

Afternoon sunlight fell through a gap in the curtain into the carriage.

Qian Renxue turned over and buried her face in her grandfather's robe.

The golden hair ribbon at the edge of the table swayed gently with the carriage.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy convoy headed south.

This time, she did not have to leave a divine-power duplicate behind to handle state affairs, nor did she have to stay alone in the palace.

Qian Daoliu was right beside her.

Spirit City lay ahead as well.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy convoy finally arrived at Spirit City.

Before the towering city gates, Spirit Hall's Soul Masters had long since lined up to wait.

Golden banners unfurled in the wind.

At the center of the banners, the Six-Winged Angel design shone in the sunlight.

Qian Renxue lifted the carriage curtain.

As she looked at the familiar city walls, her eyes grew a little more relaxed.

"Grandpa, we're here."

Qian Daoliu set down the teacup in his hand.

"Let's get some rest first."

"The finals haven't started yet."

Qian Renxue did not get out immediately.

She turned to look at the three trunks in the corner of the carriage.

Liu Erlong was already standing beside them.

"Young Master, should these things be sent straight back to the Worship Hall?"

"Send the first trunk to my bedchamber."

"Send the second one there too."

Qian Renxue paused for a moment.

"Put the third one in the kitchen."

Liu Erlong glanced at the trunk filled with porcelain bottles and steamer baskets.

"The kitchen has already prepared the ingredients."

"I brought the seasonings I'm used to using."

With that, Qian Renxue linked her arm through Qian Daoliu's.

"Grandpa, let's go back to the Worship Hall first."

Qian Daoliu glanced outside the carriage.

"What will you tell the academy?"

"I'll send my duplicate over."

Qian Renxue raised her face.

"As long as it doesn't affect the competition."

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy's education committee members and team members watched from afar as Qian Renxue walked toward Spirit Hall.

They only knew that this team member had a special status.

They did not know that she was the Heaven Dou Empire's true emperor.

Inside Spirit City.

Soul Masters who had come to watch the competition crowded both sides of the streets.

Qian Daoliu led Qian Renxue and Liu Erlong down the long street.

All three were dressed conspicuously.

Qian Daoliu wore a golden robe.

Qian Renxue wore a white dress, her golden hair tied behind her.

Liu Erlong wore a long black dress.

Black stockings encased her slender lower legs, and her skirt ended below her knees.

Her steps were steady.

Her black hair was coiled at the back of her head, revealing the fair sides of her neck.

Upon recognizing her, quite a few Spirit Hall Soul Masters immediately lowered their heads in greeting.

"Greetings, Elder Erlong."

Liu Erlong nodded lightly.

Without stopping, she followed Qian Daoliu into the Worship Hall.

Inside the Worship Hall.

Qian Renxue had only just stepped onto the stairs when she released her grandfather's arm.

"Grandpa, I'm going to look at my room first."

Qian Daoliu said, "Someone has already been told to take the luggage over."

"I know."

Qian Renxue lifted her skirt and walked briskly toward the rear hall.

Liu Erlong watched her retreating figure.

"The Young Master talked about the Worship Hall the whole way here."

"She's lived in Heaven Dou City for too long."

Qian Daoliu came to the front of the main hall.

"When do the finals begin?"

"In three days."

Liu Erlong took a competition schedule from her sleeve.

"The first match is the Spirit Hall Academy Team against Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"A very direct arrangement."

"Spirit Hall Academy is a seeded team."

Liu Erlong opened the schedule.

"They originally didn't need to participate in the first round."

"But after you took over Spirit Hall, Great Enshrined, the competition rules were revised."

Qian Daoliu took the schedule.

"Have them compete normally."

"The Young Master won't lose."

"That's what I think too."

Liu Erlong raised a hand to straighten her cuff.

The black fabric slid against her arm.

"But the Pope's Hall already knows the Young Master has returned."

"It's only natural that Bibi Dong knows."

Qian Daoliu looked toward the Elder Hall.

"How is her cultivation progressing?"

"The Rakshasa God Trial has entered its final stage."

"Her soul power has reached rank ninety-nine."

Liu Erlong paused briefly.

"She also sent someone with a letter."

She handed the letter to Qian Daoliu.

There was no name on the envelope.

When Qian Daoliu opened it, there was only a single line inside.

"Qian Daoliu, a battle on the Back Mountain behind the Pope's Hall in three days."

"She wants to challenge you?"

"She called it a spar."

Qian Daoliu folded the letter.

"Then I'll go."

Liu Erlong looked at him.

"Do you intend to spare her life?"

"If she only wants to spar, I'll spare her."

"What if she uses Rakshasa divine power?"

Qian Daoliu put the letter away.

"Then I'll let her know that there are differences in divine power, too."

The rear hall.

Qian Renxue ran down the corridor.

She pushed open the bedchamber door.

The furnishings inside had not changed.

The jade comb she used to use sat by the window.

A small table still stood beside the bed.

A new tea set and a fruit platter sat on the table.

Qian Renxue walked over to the table and picked up a piece of fruit.

"Grandpa already had everything prepared."

She looked back toward the doorway.

Qian Daoliu and Liu Erlong approached along the corridor.

"Grandpa, I want to eat in the backyard tonight."

"All right."

"Liu Erlong will handle the fire."

Liu Erlong nodded.

"I'll prepare the ingredients."

"I want to clean the fish myself."

Qian Renxue added.

"This time, I've remembered how to control the heat."

Qian Daoliu sat by the window.

"Rest for a day first."

"Prepare for the tournament tomorrow."

Qian Renxue sat beside him.

She held a piece of fruit out to Qian Daoliu.

"Try some, Grandpa."

Qian Daoliu opened his mouth and ate it.

Qian Renxue picked up another piece.

"This one's sweeter."

Qian Daoliu looked at her.

"Eat it yourself."

"I already had some just now."

"You say that every time."

Qian Renxue blinked.

"Then feed me, Grandpa."

Qian Daoliu picked up the silver pick and brought it to her lips.

Qian Renxue lowered her head and bit into the fruit.

After chewing it, she pushed the jade platter toward Liu Erlong.

"You have some too."

Liu Erlong picked up a pastry.

"Thank you, Young Master."

The three sat by the window.

The afternoon sunlight fell across the table.

Leaning against Qian Daoliu's shoulder, Qian Renxue slowly finished the fruit on the platter.

Three days later.

The finals arena in Spirit City.

An enormous Soul Fighting Arena hung suspended in the center.

The surrounding seats were packed with soul masters from all over.

In the VIP stands.

Bibi Dong sat upright in the papal throne.

She wore purple-black papal robes.

Her long black hair fell behind her shoulders.

A stretch of calf clad in black stockings showed beneath her robes.

Her purple high heels rested at the edge of the steps.

Her gaze swept across the entire arena and settled on Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

At the very front of the team, Qian Renxue had already returned to her true appearance.

Her long golden hair was tied into a high ponytail.

Angel runes were embroidered on her white team uniform.

She stood in the center of the Soul Fighting Arena, while the six teammates behind her had already withdrawn to the edge.

Opposite her stood the Spirit Hall Academy Team.

Hu Liena stood at the front.

Xie Yue and Yan flanked her.

All seven released their martial souls at once.

Powerful fluctuations of soul power spread outward.

The announcer looked at both sides.

"The first match of the finals."

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus the Spirit Hall Academy Team."

A wave of discussion immediately rose from the audience.

The clash between the Heaven Dou Division champions and the Spirit Hall Academy Team drew everyone's attention.

Hu Liena looked at Qian Renxue.

"You hid your strength."

"So did you."

Qian Renxue raised her eyes.

Hu Liena's soul power had already surpassed rank fifty.

Xie Yue and Yan had likewise entered the Soul King realm.

Among young soul masters, this team was already powerful enough.

But to Qian Renxue, it was still not enough.

The announcer raised his right hand.

"Begin!"

Hu Liena's first soul ring immediately lit up.

Her Demon Fox Martial Soul released a layer of pink light.

Xie Yue's Moon Blades flew out from either side.

Yan shattered the ground beneath his foot, and flames surged forward like lava.

The three attacks struck at once.

Qian Renxue raised her right hand.

Golden divine light spread from her palm.

The pink light dissipated on the spot.

The two Moon Blades stopped in midair.

The flames Yan had released were also forced back to the ground.

"How is that possible?"

Yan stopped in his tracks.

Qian Renxue did not answer.

She took a step forward.

The first black soul ring rose from beneath her feet.

The power of a ten thousand year soul ring blanketed the Soul Fighting Arena.

The soul power of all seven members of Spirit Hall Academy stalled at once.

Hu Liena gritted her teeth.

She forcibly lit up her fifth soul ring.

A phantom demon fox unfurled behind her.

A pair of fox tails swept toward Qian Renxue, carrying soul power.

Qian Renxue raised her left hand.

Cyan-Blue Thunder flew from between her fingers.

The fox tails shattered on the spot.

Hu Liena staggered back several steps.

Xie Yue charged in from the side.

Gripping his Moon Blades in both hands, he unleashed Full Moon.

A silver wheel of light sliced across the Soul Fighting Arena.

A pair of pure white wings spread behind Qian Renxue.

The wings folded forward.

The silver wheel of light struck the wings and immediately dissolved into countless points of light.

Xie Yue's body stopped in front of Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue raised her palm and pressed it against his chest.

Golden divine power passed through his body.

Xie Yue fell to his knees.

His Moon Blade martial soul dissipated on its own.

Seeing this, Yan immediately released all his soul power.

His Flame Lord Martial Soul rose from the ground behind him.

Blazing firelight rushed toward Qian Renxue.

The Cyan-Blue Thunder Domain spread out in turn.

Six pillars of water rose from the edges of the Soul Fighting Arena.

Thunder split the flames apart.

The soul rings within Yan dimmed one after another.

Thunderlight lifted his body, then dropped him outside the Soul Fighting Arena.

The remaining four teammates did not attack again.

They looked at Hu Liena.

Hu Liena closed her eyes.

She understood that continuing to fight would only leave everyone injured.

"Spirit Hall Academy concedes."

The host froze for a moment, then immediately announced.

"Spirit Hall Academy concedes!"

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy wins this match!"

In the VIP seats.

Bibi Dong's grip on her scepter slowly tightened.

Qian Renxue walked down from the Soul Fighting Arena.

She did not look at Hu Liena or the others.

Time passed.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy won every step of the way.

In the final match, Qian Renxue unleashed only her eighth Soul Skill.

The Cyan-Blue Thunder Domain covered the entire Soul Fighting Arena.

Before her opponents could even get close to her, they all lost the ability to fight.

The host raised the trophy.

"The champion of this year's Soul Master Tournament."

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

Cheers erupted from the spectator stands.

Qian Renxue accepted the trophy.

Golden divine light rose behind her.

The phantom of a six-winged angel spread its three pairs of wings.

The entire arena was illuminated by sacred radiance.