Tang Chen's words not only stunned Qian Renxue, but also greatly surprised Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan and her companion had not expected that the prerequisites for this so-called Ninth Trial of inheritance would be so harsh, or rather, cruel.
However, they accepted reality very quickly.
Recalling Bo Saixi's seemingly entrusting-her-child-like behavior on Sea God Island, everything becomes clear.
That Sea God Douluo already knew his days were numbered, which is why he showed that expression when he saw them, and why he asked them to find Tang Chen before he left.
She knew perfectly well when and how she would die.
Dugu Yan glanced at Qian Renxue and Hu Liena, who were both in poor condition, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The truth was a huge blow to both Qian Renxue and Hu Liena.
It will probably take both of them some time to accept the current reality.
Now, Lin Mo, the key figure, is in a crucial period of seclusion, and it's up to her to make decisions and take control of the situation!
Dugu Yan gripped the Sea God Trident tightly. With Lin Mo gone, she was the pillar of support here.
Dugu Yan took a deep breath and slammed the Sea God Trident heavily onto the ground with a dull thud.
The halberd's handle struck the Plate, the sound echoing through the hall and drawing everyone's attention.
Dugu Yan's gaze swept over the crowd and landed on Howling Sky Douluo Tang Xiao, who was not far away.
"You must have heard what Senior Tang Chen said earlier. You still have the Clear Sky Sect; what will you choose?"
"To surrender or to die?"
Hearing Dugu Yan's words, which left no room for negotiation, Tang Xiao fell into a long silence.
His gaze shifted from Dugu Yan to Ye Lingling, then to the Charizard guarding the crimson egg, and finally to his grandfather Tang Chen.
Entrusting the lives of the entire clan to outsiders for decision-making and handling felt like bearing an immense burden.
Countless images flashed through Tang Xiao's mind.
In the years since the Clear Sky Sect secluded itself from the world, although the sect has survived, it has lost the glory of being the number one sect in the world.
Tang San's return with Tang Chen gave him hope for the resurgence of the Clear Sky Sect.
But now, that hope has been completely shattered.
The current situation allows no room for hesitation.
Grandfather Tang Chen had already expressed his opinion, and Lin Mo's demonstrated strength and potential made even this Titled Douluo feel hopeless.
Moreover, besides Lin Mo, there were two Godhood Inheritance, a healing-type Soul Master at the Titled Douluo level, and that terrifyingly powerful dragon beast among these young people.
What can the Clear Sky Sect use to resist?
Before Howling Sky Douluo Tang Xiao could even respond, Star Crown Sect Master Xu Zhenshan readily surrendered.
He stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said with a hint of relief at surviving a close call, "Our Star Crown Sect is willing to cooperate and accept punishment. We have no objections."
Xu Zhenshan adopted a humble attitude.
The two elders behind him, both at the Soul Douluo level, also bowed respectfully, not daring to utter a single word.
After straightening up, Xu Zhenshan glared at the unconscious Tang Hao with annoyance, cursing inwardly.
If Tang San Tang Hao hadn't insisted on inviting them to come out of seclusion and hadn't promised them that seemingly wonderful but ultimately worthless future, how could their Star Crown Sect have possibly chosen to emerge from the world?
Wouldn't it be better to just stay a secluded sect and behave honestly?
Xu Zhenshan grew angrier the more he thought about it.
The Star Crown Sect has lived in seclusion in the Star Luo Empire for hundreds of years, remaining aloof from worldly affairs and focusing on cultivation and the inheritance of Martial Soul.
When Tang San and Tang Hao came to him, Xu Zhenshan initially refused.
It was Tang San's use of the Clear Sky Sect and the promising future they were given as bargaining chips, coupled with the existence of Tang Chen, the Peerless Douluo, that finally swayed his heart.
And the result?
Tang San himself was an Evil Soul Master who cultivated by devouring human lives. Tang Hao's Martial Soul was destroyed by a single claw attack right from the start, and Tang Chen immediately switched sides and stood on the opposite side.
As expected, my earlier premonition was right; I was still tricked by those two scoundrels, and they almost caused the Star Crown Sect to be wiped out.
Xu Zhenshan's shirt is still wet on the back.
If it were anyone else, in this situation where they had chosen the wrong side and the opponent was far stronger than themselves, the Star Crown Sect would have been annihilated without a doubt.
Not to mention that he had clearly heard that Lin Mo had received the inheritance of a god.
His two companions were also inheritors of divine power.
Three inheritors of divine power.
How can we fight this? We can't hit anything! We can't fight it at all!
It would be better to simply surrender.
Xu Zhenshan made up his mind.
The more humble your attitude, the better; the more cooperative you are, the better, even if it comes at a price.
As long as the sect's legacy can be preserved, then it's not a loss.
Moreover, if they could seize this opportunity to latch onto the Body Sect, their Star Crown Sect might be able to reverse its past decline and soar to new heights.
" The Star Crown Sect has made their choice; now it's your turn to make yours." As Dugu Yan spoke, she revealed the Sea God Trident, pointing it directly at Tang Xiao.
Tang Xiao sighed and released his Martial Soul.
He chose to surrender. "I am willing to believe my grandfather's words. Now I only hope that you will not go back on your word and will not involve innocent people."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan nodded in agreement, but then scoffed disdainfully, "I will fulfill the conditions I promised you."
Dugu Yan paused, her tone full of sarcasm. "Just don't involve innocent people? How dare your Clear Sky Sect say such a thing?"
In Dugu Yan's opinion, anyone has the right to say this, except for the Clear Sky Sect.
When the Clear Sky Sect abandoned the Four Single-Attribute Clans, did they ever consider that they were innocent?
When Tang San was cultivating by sacrificing lives in the Star Luo Empire, did he ever consider that those civilians were innocent?
Of those prisoners held in the dungeon, those "criminals" secretly executed, how many were truly guilty of capital crimes?
Now I realize I shouldn't involve innocent people.
Upon hearing Dugu Yan's words, a bitter expression appeared on Tang Xiao's face.
He paused for a moment, then took a deep breath, raised his head to look at Dugu Yan: "I can persuade my disciples and those under my command of the Clear Sky Sect not to resist and to surrender."
He paused, then looked at Tang Chen beside him. "But we still need Grandfather to persuade the elders in the sect."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan nodded in agreement, her expression softening slightly.
This is also quite awkward for Tang Xiao.
Although he is nominally the Clear Sky Sect leader of the Clear Sky Sect, he cannot make decisions on major matters of the sect on his own; he needs to consult with several elders.
He decided to obey his grandfather's orders and surrender.
Having witnessed all of this, Tang Xiao has gained a new understanding.
Although the Clear Sky Sect has a large number of Titled Douluo, they are far from enough in the face of powerhouses who have reached another level.
The gap between Titled Douluo is sometimes greater than the gap between an ordinary person and a Titled Douluo Titled Douluo.
Clear Sky Sect Tang Xiao had no doubt that even if all the Titled Douluo the Clear Sky Sect joined forces, they would still be no match for that dragon beast.
The gap in strength is too large, so large that it's despair-inducing.
"What are you going to do with them?" Tang Chen asked, looking at Dugu Yan.
He glanced at Tang Xiao at the same time.
Although the current sect leader of the Clear Sky Sect is slightly weaker, he is still a qualified sect leader who knows when to make which choice.
"Simple." Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow and stated her prepared solution. "Since I promised you, senior, I wouldn't kill innocent people indiscriminately, I will naturally keep my word."
"However, how to handle each person's case and how to judge the severity of their crimes ultimately requires a trial process."
"Before that, I need to seal the Soul Power of all of them. I believe you can understand this, senior. If anyone is unwilling, they may raise their objections."
As Dugu Yan finished speaking, the Charizard beside her also Spit Up a wisp of white smoke, as if echoing Dugu Yan's words.
After a moment of silence, Tang Chen nodded in agreement. "That's excellent."
Tang Chen had anticipated this situation.
The Clear Sky Sect is too powerful; even if we choose to surrender, it's impossible to keep them in peak condition.
The safest approach is to temporarily seal away the Soul Power.
If he were Dugu Yan, he would make the same choice.
Qian Renxue, who had quietly picked up and put away the Angel Holy Sword at some point, suddenly spoke.
Her voice was still a little hoarse, as if she had finally recovered from the previous blow. "Leave the sealing of Soul Power to me."
I served as an elder judge of the Spirit Hall for a period of time, so I have experience in this area.
She stepped forward and stood beside Dugu Yan.
The pallor on her face had not completely faded, but the light in her golden eyes had already been rekindled.
"Have you figured it out?" Ye Lingling asked cautiously, seeing Qian Renxue's expression.
"I guess I've figured it out for now." Qian Renxue took a deep breath, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Lin Mo's direction.
"For me, the worst outcome is simply not becoming a god."
"Furthermore, the conditions for opening the Ninth Trial of the God Trials are not necessarily 100% required for a priest's Sacrifice. The Asura God Trial that A-Mo is currently inheriting does not even have a high priest."
At this point, Qian Renxue paused for a moment before continuing, her voice becoming more determined. "There must be a solution, there definitely is." It was as if she was convincing herself.
Seeing Qian Renxue regain her spirits, Ye Lingling breathed a sigh of relief and comforted her, "There's always a way out."
There are no unsolvable problems in this world; there will always be a solution.
She stepped forward and gently took Qian Renxue's hand.
"Once A-Mo wakes up, we'll go look for him together. We're sure we can find a solution that satisfies both sides."
Hearing Ye Lingling's words, Qian Renxue's tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little.
She grasped Ye Lingling's hand in return and nodded vigorously.
Yes, it's not time to despair yet.
Lin Mo is still here; she's not alone in facing all of this.
Lin Mo always has an ingenuity; he will surely find a solution.
It definitely can!
Putting that matter aside for the time being, Qian Renxue regained her focus.
Her gaze shifted to Tang Xiao: "I'll go and seal their Soul Power one by one first, to prevent them from causing trouble later."
She paused slightly, her voice softening, "It wouldn't be good to disturb A-Mo's cultivation."
"I'll go first," Xu Zhenshan said very straightforwardly.
He stepped forward, walked up to Qian Renxue, and exposed his back to her without any defenses, his expression extremely calm.
"Sect Leader Xu is quite sensible," Dugu Yan couldn't help but glance at him.
Xu Zhenshan said with a wry smile, "It's no use being out of touch with reality. I want to live a few more years, and the Star Crown Sect wants to continue for several more generations."
Since someone was willing to cooperate, Qian Renxue did not hesitate at all.
In an instant, she completed the Martial Soul Possession, and six golden Angel Empire wings suddenly unfolded behind her, illuminating the dim hall with holy light.
In a flash, she was already behind Xu Zhenshan.
Angel Phantom appeared behind her, golden light emanating from her body and coalescing into a blurry Angel Empire outline.
Qian Renxue raised her palm and slapped forward repeatedly.
Her palm landed on Xu Zhenshan's back, Angel Soul Power seeped into Xu Zhenshan's body, flowing through his meridians and then gathering in his dantian.
The Angel Soul Power condensed into a considerable mark within his dantian, resembling a Minimize Six-Winged Angel.
Under the suppression of the Angel Mark, Xu Zhenshan clearly Frisk that he had lost control of the Soul Power within his body.
The dantian felt as if it were sealed by a thin golden film, with Soul Power flowing slowly within it, yet unable to be drawn out at all.
At the same time, Xu Zhenshan couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
This young girl looks very young, but her Soul Power cultivation has already Transcendence mine, and the quality of her Soul Power is far superior.
Is this the inheritor of God Level Martial Soul?
Before long, Qian Renxue followed the same method and sealed the Soul Power of everyone else present.
The Scarlet Sun Domain and the Spatial Domain still enveloped the entire hall. With the Charizard's dual domains present, Qian Renxue wasn't worried about their resistance at all.
Qian Renxue moved swiftly, her hands flying across the ground as one Angel Mark after another was planted into the dantian of these people.
The others were fine; the Angel Soul Power only temporarily sealed their Soul Power after entering their bodies.
Aside from temporarily losing control of their Soul Power, they experienced no other physical discomfort.
However, when it was Tang San's turn, something unusual happened.
The Angel Soul Power clashed fiercely with the Soul Power within his body.
When the seal was complete, Tang San felt like he had been half-dead.
Qian Renxue withdrew her hand, glanced at him, and showed no pity in her eyes.
This is the result of the natural incompatibility between Fallen Soul Master and Angel Empire power; there is no one to blame but oneself.
Soon, even the Soul Power within the unconscious Tang Hao's body was sealed by Qian Renxue.
A faint Angel Mark appeared in their dantian, emitting a faint golden light and firmly sealing their Soul Power within their dantian.
Before the Angel Mark dissipates, they cannot use the Soul Power within their bodies.
Qian Renxue withdrew her hand, the Angel Empire wings on her back slowly folded, and the Angel Empire light around her gradually dissipated.
She let out a long breath; applying seals to so many people in succession had taken a toll on her.
Just then, as Qian Renxue finished her work, a series of exclamations and thuds suddenly came from the palace gate outside the court.
"What... what's going on?"
What happened here?
"So many people... why are they all lying on the ground?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and found that it was Huo Wu and the others. After finishing what they were doing, they rushed over as fast as they could.
Huo Wu walked at the front, her long hair slightly disheveled, her face still bearing traces of lingering fighting spirit, but her spirits were exceptionally high.
Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er followed behind her, as did Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, Yu Tianxin, and Zhu's parents.
Zhu's parents' faces were filled with anxiety and anticipation; they couldn't wait to see their other daughter.
Ah Yin remained as serene as ever, following behind the crowd, holding the hand of Zhu Zhuyun, who had just been rescued.
Zhu Zhuyun had changed out of her tattered prison uniform and was wearing clean clothes. Although her face was still a little pale, she had recovered considerably under Ah Yin's treatment.
Before Huo Wu could exclaim in surprise, they were horrified to find that the mountain-like pressure that had been pressing down on them had vanished in an instant.
They then stood up one by one and patted their slightly disheveled clothes.
Upon Frisk they were allies, Charizard released the pressure of its domain on them.
Its blue eyes swept over Huo Wu and the others, confirming their identities before turning its attention back to Lin Mo.
Zhu Zhuyun was extremely excited to see her sister again.
She broke free from Ah Yin's hand, staggered forward, and pulled Zhu Zhuqing into her arms.
The two sisters embraced tightly, both weeping with joy.
Zhu Zhuyun had lost a lot of weight, and there were still bluish-purple marks on her wrists from the shackles.
But at this moment, a long-lost smile bloomed on her face, and tears streamed down her face, wetting Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder.
" Zhu Zhuqing... you're really alive... that's wonderful... that's wonderful..."
Her voice choked with emotion, and she could barely utter a complete sentence.
Zhu Zhuqing hugged her sister tightly, burying her face in her sister's shoulder, her shoulders trembling slightly, tears streaming silently down her face.
Ye Lingling Frisk Zhu Zhuyun's weakness.
Although Ah Yin provided treatment, Ah Yin healing abilities were far inferior to those of her Nine Heart Begonia.
Zhu Zhuyun had been imprisoned for too long, and her body had already been pushed to its limit. It would still take some time for her to recover.
Ye Lingling stepped forward without hesitation.
The Nine Heart Begonia bloomed in her palm, its pure white flowers swaying gently, surrounded by nine Soul Ring, six black and three red.
She gently raised her hand, and a pinkish-white healing light once again emanated from the Nine Heart Begonia, gently showering down on Zhu Zhuyun.
Zhu Zhuqing was pleasantly surprised to find that her sister's complexion quickly returned to its original rosy hue.
The body, which originally needed a period of rest to fully recover, has now recovered to almost 70-80% in just a few breaths thanks to the treatment from the Nine Heart Begonia.
Zhu Zhuyun looked down at her hands, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Although Ah Yin's cultivation has reached the Titled Douluo level, in terms of healing ability alone, Ye Lingling, who is currently at the Super Douluo level, is the best in the world.
Her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul was originally focused on healing, and with the increase in the age of her Soul Ring brought by the Top Level Eight Trials and the nourishment of the Gold of Life, her healing effect had reached an extremely terrifying level.
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun simultaneously cast grateful glances at Ye Lingling.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were still a little red, but there was a smile on her lips. She let go of her sister's arms and bowed slightly to Ye Lingling.
Zhu Zhuyun also bowed, saying, "Thank you... thank you for saving me, young lady."
Ye Lingling smiled slightly, withdrew the Nine Heart Begonia, and the healing light gradually faded away.
She said softly, "No need to be so polite. You are Zhu Zhuqing's older sister, which means you are our friend."
Zhu Zhuyun was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes reddened again.
She turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing, and seeing her younger sister's face, which had lost its youthful innocence, and the friends standing behind her, she felt an indescribable surge of emotion.
It turns out my sister has been doing well all these years, better than I imagined.
However, unnoticed by everyone, Tang Xiao, not far away, stared blankly at the beautiful woman in blue who walked in with Zhu Zhuyun.
He stood motionless, as if struck by lightning.
His gaze was fixed on that figure, unable to look away, as if he had seen someone who shouldn't exist in this world.
Ah Yin still had that serene look, wearing a blue and gold long dress and dark blue hair, but her eyes had changed, from the familiar blue to blood red.
Apart from that, everything is as usual, just like when we first met.
Countless images flashed through Tang Xiao's mind.
Back then, Ah Yin's identity was accidentally exposed, which led to Tang Hao and Ah Yin being hunted down by the Spirit Hall.
Later, when forced to, Ah Yin chose to Sacrifice for Tang Hao, achieving an extremely impressive result: in a one-against-three situation, she killed one and seriously injured two opponents.
However, precisely because of this, Tang Hao never recovered, and the Spirit Hall forged an irreconcilable feud with the Clear Sky Sect because of the Pope's death.
But now, Ah Yin was standing right in front of him, alive and well, not a hallucination.
After a long silence, Tang Xiao suddenly spoke, " Ah Yin? Is it really you? You've really come back to life?"
His tone was full of disbelief, and also a cautious probing, as if he were afraid that everything before him was just a dream.