"Who... who exactly are you!?"
Qian Daoliu knelt prostrate on the ground, driving his soul power with all his might and even attempting to invoke the power of the Angel God Armor he wore.
Yet he discovered that he could not move at all, and the shock in his heart deepened!
At that moment, his eyes widened as he stared fixedly at Yao Xuan and Gu Yuena before him, his face filled with disbelief.
"My name is Yao Xuan. From now on, I am the true ruler of Spirit Hall, and your true master."
"Now, who agrees, and who objects?"
Hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Yao Xuan grinned.
Qian Daoliu fell silent.
He had lived far too long, so long that there were scarcely any people left on the continent whom he still considered worthy of notice.
He knew better than anyone what little foundation the Angel God had left behind all those years ago.
But before this person, that little foundation probably would not even be enough to fill the gaps between his teeth.
Yet the power pressing down on him now was something he had never encountered in his life.
Before this power, his cultivation as a Peerless Douluo could not stir even the slightest ripple.
Resist?
With what?
Before this power, the angel bloodline he took such pride in was no different from a mortal's flesh and bones.
Qian Daoliu knew perfectly well that if he dared to move again as he had just done, all that awaited him was to be reduced to ash and smoke.
Besides, the other party could casually force even Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff to her knees. Why would he care about a mere Great Enshrined?
A wise man knew which way the wind blew.
Having lived so many years, Qian Daoliu understood that truth better than anyone.
At that thought, the last trace of pride in his heart dissipated, bit by bit.
Qian Daoliu turned his body with difficulty and knocked his forehead heavily against the ground.
"This junior, Qian Daoliu, pays his respects to Master!"
The moment he spoke, the other seven Enshrined in the hall followed suit and lowered their heads.
His voice was hoarse, yet respectful to the utmost.
"From this day forward, everyone in Spirit Hall shall obey Master's commands alone!"
"Good. You know what's good for you."
Looking at Qian Daoliu prostrate on the ground, Yao Xuan replied offhandedly.
But after that kowtow, Qian Daoliu, still kneeling on the ground, did not truly feel at ease.
He knew all too well that a single declaration of allegiance could not buy trust.
If he wanted to truly secure his position, he had to offer something else that his master would value.
At that thought, Qian Daoliu quietly lifted his eyes and glanced behind Yao Xuan.
That glance stirred something in his heart.
The silver-haired woman, with her violet eyes, silvery tresses, and cool, aloof bearing, was an absolute beauty.
And the young girl, with her pink hair and large eyes, looked as though she had been carved from jade, exuding an indescribable liveliness.
Both were beauties found only once in ten thousand.
Qian Daoliu began calculating rapidly in his mind.
Since his master had a taste for this, he still had one card in his hand.
Then, recalling Yao Xuan's arrangements for Hu Liena just now, Qian Daoliu immediately formed an idea.
"Master."
Prostrate on the ground, Qian Daoliu weighed his words before speaking.
"This subordinate has a matter to report to Master."
"Speak."
"This subordinate has a granddaughter named Qian Renxue."
Pausing briefly, Qian Daoliu continued:
"Her beauty could topple cities and kingdoms. She is the most beautiful of anyone in this subordinate's bloodline."
"If Master does not disdain her, this subordinate is willing to offer her to you!"
As he spoke those words, Qian Daoliu lowered his head even farther.
Yet he knew better than anyone that those words might be the only thing he could cling to today.
As long as his master accepted Qian Renxue, he and his bloodline would be bound to this great ship.
Hearing this, Yao Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly.
Qian Renxue.
He had already intended to bring her into his fold. Now Qian Daoliu had taken the initiative to deliver her to his door.
That saved him some effort.
"Good, good. You really do know what's good for you."
Looking at Qian Daoliu prostrate on the ground, Yao Xuan offered a mild word of praise.
"Since you're so sincere, I ought to reward you properly!"
As his words fell, Yao Xuan casually pointed a finger.
A wisp of mysterious energy containing life laws seeped from his fingertip and landed on Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu's body abruptly stiffened.
At first, he thought he had said something wrong and brought punishment upon himself.
But a moment later, he froze.
As that wisp of energy entered his body, he felt the vitality within him, long stagnant and weakened, begin flowing anew.
It was a sensation he had never experienced in his life.
Like an old tree, withered for years, suddenly receiving a spring rain.
He could clearly feel that a few strands of his hair seemed to have turned black again.
"This... this is..."
Qian Daoliu trembled all over and abruptly raised his head, his voice shaking.
"This is a wisp of life essence I have bestowed upon you. It can extend your lifespan by ten years."
Yao Xuan withdrew his hand, his tone indifferent.
Although he could make Qian Daoliu submit through force.
If he wanted him to work obediently, however, the stick alone might not produce the best results.
He had to offer a little carrot as well.
"Thank you, my lord! Thank you, Master!"
Qian Daoliu remained frozen in place, only coming to his senses after a long while.
He had lived for so many years, and now very little of his lifespan remained.
Yet that wisp of energy just now had extended his life by at least ten years.
Ten years.
For a Peerless Douluo approaching the end of his life, those ten years were nothing less than a true rebirth.
Only then did he understand that a reward casually bestowed by the master before him was enough to change a Peerless Douluo's fate.
At that moment, the last trace of calculation in Qian Daoliu's heart vanished completely.
He cried out his thanks while knocking his forehead against the ground with resounding thuds.
The sound of his kowtows rang through the empty hall, one after another.
Only after kowtowing more than a dozen times did Qian Daoliu stop.
He raised his head, his face brimming with excitement, and took a lustrous white jade pendant from inside his robe.
He steadied himself and finally managed to suppress the excitement filling his heart.
"Master, this is this subordinate's token."
"Whoever holds it may freely enter any part of Spirit Hall and use it to command the seven Enshrined of the Worship Hall."
After speaking, he paused, then respectfully continued.
"As for Renxue..."
"This subordinate will write another letter. If Master goes to see her in person, give her this letter, and she will understand."
With that, Qian Daoliu dared not delay and immediately fetched brush and ink.
Prostrate on the ground, he lifted the brush and wrote the letter, stroke by stroke.
Once finished, he held the letter and jade pendant in both hands, raised them high, and presented them to Yao Xuan.
Yao Xuan casually accepted them, glanced at them, and put them away.
"Now Spirit Hall is under my command. That really was simple."
"Still, management and all that is far too boring. Leaving it to Bibi Dong will be enough, as long as she carries out my will."
"Now it's time to claim Qian Renxue!"
Yao Xuan smiled faintly, summoned Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu, and laid out his requirements.
Then he took Gu Yuena, Xiao Wu, and Hu Liena with him.
They rode in a dedicated soul tool carriage toward Heaven Dou City.
Before you continue