The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Among the Upper Three Sects of the Douluo Continent, the Clear Sky Sect had withdrawn into seclusion, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan remained neutral. For various reasons, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had chosen to side with the Heaven Dou Empire rather than cooperate with Spirit Hall.
"Fengzhi, it's been two years since Rongrong awakened her Martial Soul. Have you decided which academy to send her to?"
A white-haired man in simple, old-fashioned robes descended from a sword.
He was none other than one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two guardian deities-Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
Rather than answer immediately, Ning Fengzhi glanced behind him. "Where's Uncle Gu? Didn't he come with you?"
At that, Chen Xin burst out laughing. "The Little Demoness has him tied up, and he can't get away. I ran fast enough, so I came ahead."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a chuckle.
The Little Demoness they spoke of was his own daughter, Ning Rongrong.
As sect master, he naturally could not have just one woman. A philanderer by nature, Ning Fengzhi had a whole harem of wives and concubines.
Although he had many sons, he had only this one daughter. She was also the most gifted of his children and had been born to his principal wife, so she had been privately designated his successor after awakening her Martial Soul.
As an heir, Ning Rongrong was good in every respect except that she was far too headstrong. Everyone in the sect feared her; even ghosts would despair at the sight of her.
Ning Fengzhi was troubled by this too, and the question only made his head ache more. "Rongrong is still young. Let's discuss it when she's older!"
"Roar!"
A beast's roar interrupted their conversation. Sword Douluo's gaze sharpened. "It came from the forest!"
As a major sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had its own Soul Hunting Forest. Moreover, because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could only have seven Soul Rings attached to it, their age did not need to be too high. Unless necessary, the sect's disciples therefore hunted for Soul Rings in the nearby forest.
"The sect's disciples are all support-type Soul Masters. How could they cause such a commotion?"
Worthy of being one of the masters of the Upper Three Sects, Ning Fengzhi possessed perception several degrees sharper than that of ordinary people despite being only a rank-seventy-nine Soul Saint. He soon noticed something was wrong.
"I'll take a look!"
Protecting the sect was his duty, so Sword Douluo took responsibility without hesitation, summoned the Seven Kill Sword, and rode it into the sky.
"Uncle Jian, be careful!" Ning Fengzhi called.
His intuition told him that anyone who dared hunt on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's territory could only have ill intentions.
Near the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The Soul Hunting Forest.
After overhearing Bibi Dong's inner thoughts, Lin Qian had gradually formed a plan.
In the original story, Qian Renxue had infiltrated the Heaven Dou Empire for over a decade before launching a coup that shook the entire Douluo Continent, indirectly triggering conflict and war between the great empires.
Judging by the timing, the infiltration plan was about to begin, and he would most likely take part too.
Although this plan seemingly had nothing to do with him, given Bibi Dong's unhinged nature, she was bound to have a bout of serious madness.
After all, even her own daughter, Qian Renxue, had been thrown into an enemy nation and left to fend for herself for nearly twenty years. As a disciple she had picked up on the cheap, he probably would not be an exception.
He held no deep-seated grudge against the Qian Family. Quite the opposite-as a member of Spirit Hall and a future enemy of Tang San, he naturally hoped Spirit Hall would succeed.
In the original story, Bibi Dong had been too hasty and urged Qian Renxue to accelerate the plan, exposing a flaw. Then they had run into that cheat, Tang San, and all their efforts had ultimately fallen short at the final hurdle.
Now that he was here, he naturally would not repeat those mistakes.
The first step was to build a good relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and lay the groundwork in advance. After all, they too had played a part in obstructing Spirit Hall in the original story.
Drawing the Sword and Bone Douluo into his camp ahead of time would also mean two fewer obstacles.
"Tian Meng, is this the place?"
Leaping down from the treetop, Lin Qian surveyed his surroundings.
It really was a coincidence. When Tian Meng used his spiritual power to investigate, he actually discovered a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast here. Fortunately, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could only take seven Soul Rings, and the Sword and Bone Douluo had long since reached their maximum level and needed no additional Soul Rings. Otherwise, this hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast would have been gone long ago.
"Yes. I've checked everything. This is the place."
"Good. It's up to you!"
Tian Meng's Soul Spirit manifested, shrinking into a small insect perched on Lin Qian's shoulder. A golden light flashed over his body, and a platinum beam shot from his forehead, pouring straight into the cave.
A million-year Soul Beast's spiritual attack was no joke. Moments later, an earth-shaking roar erupted from within the cave-the very sound Sword Douluo and the others had heard.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
On the surface, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's strike seemed to have little power. In truth, it was a sonic attack that exploded right beside the Soul Beast's ears with deafening force.
Thinking there was an earthquake, the enormous beast hurried outside, only to see a human and an insect.
"Who are you?"
The hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast had already developed intelligence. It spoke in human language, its expression hostile.
"This is a Three-Headed Red Demon Hound, a primordial variant from the ancient wilderness. It possesses the Ultimate Fire attribute. It's very suitable for you."
Tian Meng moved faster than his mouth. As soon as he finished speaking, he shrank back into the Sea of Consciousness, abandoning Lin Qian and fleeing.
Lin Qian looked over and saw that the demonic beast was more than five meters long, with an exceptionally powerful body and three identical enormous heads.
When it opened its mouths, its terrifying canine teeth gleamed gold. Its fangs were as sharp as blades, and a foul stench filled its mouths.
"How long has it been since you brushed your teeth?"
Lin Qian found the stench overwhelming and automatically retreated three steps.
"Stinking human, die!"
The Three-Headed Red Demon Hound roared and charged over with heavy, booming footfalls, intending to swallow this human who had offended it in one bite!
"You want to eat me? You think you're worthy?"
Lin Qian flew into the sky, instantly releasing his Body Martial Soul. Just as he was about to launch a spiritual attack, an unusual sound from the woods made him change his mind.
"Azure Essence Sword Art-Sword Shadow Light-Splitting Technique!"
His first Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring lit up. More than a dozen flickering flying swords attacked the Three-Headed Red Demon Hound.
"Aah!"
Its hide pierced, the Red Demon Hound screamed and circulated its Soul Power to defend itself.
"Damn human, take this-Hellfire!"
Thoroughly enraged, the Red Demon Hound spewed black-and-red flames from its mouths. Not a blade of grass survived their passage; everything turned to ash.
"Body-Protecting Sword Shield!"
Lin Qian immediately released a defensive spell to block it, neutralizing the flames while reflecting a portion of the damage back at his opponent.
The Three-Headed Red Demon Hound was now every bit as bedraggled as it had been arrogant moments before.
It had not expected that, in this battle, it would fail to harm even a hair on its opponent and instead get a faceful of dust itself.
"You like being a turtle so much, do you? Fine... then die!"
It was not a complete fool, after all. Realizing that dragging this out was no solution, the Three-Headed Red Demon Hound abandoned its probing attacks and attacked with all its might!
"Roaring Demon Breath!"
A black, red, and green beam surged toward him, carrying corrosive flames. Unlike the earlier fire, this attack possessed the power of annihilation and could break through all defenses.
Sensing the danger, Lin Qian decisively abandoned his sword shield and sent out a spiritual attack, slowing the Red Demon Hound's reaction.
Taking advantage of his opponent's dizziness, he immediately unleashed his ultimate move. Nine azure swords of Soul Power scattered, firmly anchoring themselves in the ground-
"Great Geng Sword Formation!"
He poured every last bit of his Soul Power into this move, determined to kill his target in a single stroke!
"Stay your sword!"
Just as the Red Demon Hound's soul was about to be scattered to the winds, an unexpected turn of events erupted!