"Mm."
Bibi Dong maintained her outward dignity, but in truth, her eyes were fixed on the hand Qian Renxue held Luo Chen with.
Her hand on the papal throne tightened slightly, but in the end, she did not lose her composure.
What on earth is that foolish girl Nana doing?
Bibi Dong kept grumbling inwardly about the little fox. Can't she see someone is about to steal her junior brother away?
She was heartbroken, bitterly disappointed that iron had failed to become steel!
Bibi Dong would have liked to teach Hu Liena a few tricks, but she herself was a novice in love, without a single achievement worth showing off.
Mom.
Below, Qian Renxue had no idea what Bibi Dong was thinking.
She only knew that when Luo Chen was beside her, her mother would not drive her away.
As long as I have Xiao Chen.
Qian Renxue gripped Luo Chen's hand tightly. Even if Mom wants to hit me, Xiao Chen will protect me!
For a moment, Luo Chen's place in Qian Renxue's heart rose even higher.
"So this is that child?"
Apart from Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, this was the first time Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others had seen Luo Chen.
They carefully studied the boy standing below, beginning to wonder what magic he possessed to make Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong dote on him so.
Golden Crocodile Douluo still remembered the exceptionally high praise the two Enshrined, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, had given Luo Chen upon returning to the Worship Hall after meeting him.
At the time, Golden Crocodile Douluo had been dumbfounded, wondering whether the pair had been hypnotized.
Qian Daoliu had really gone there once and become Luo Chen's devoted supporter.
Qian Renxue had gone over and turned into a little fangirl.
Now even those two rough fellows, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, had not escaped.
Golden Crocodile Douluo: What kind of charm conquers men and women, young and old alike?!
"Xiao Xue, stand on the left. Xiao Chen, stand on the right."
Despite his inward grumbling, Golden Crocodile Douluo strode forward. He was the referee for this sparring match. "Are you both ready?"
"Ready."
"Me too."
Seeing them in position, Golden Crocodile Douluo said, "Now, release your Martial Souls."
"Humm-"
As his words fell, a pair of golden wings appeared behind Qian Renxue, accompanied by three Soul Rings-yellow, yellow, and purple-the very symbol of a Soul Elder.
"It's completely different from her Martial Soul when she was disguised as Tian Xue."
On the other side, upon seeing Qian Renxue summon her Martial Soul, Luo Chen immediately compared it to the girl's Martial Soul manifestation during her earlier disguise.
Then Luo Chen discovered that the two were simply incomparable.
Blazing, sacred, dazzling-those were Luo Chen's first impressions of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.
"Very strong."
Without a doubt, this was the strongest Martial Soul Luo Chen had ever seen apart from Bibi Dong's Demon Abyss Divine Queen.
Qian Daoliu: Huh? What about me? Am I being ignored?
"That child really is impressive."
Within the Astral Realm, Ah Yin and Na'er watched what was happening on Luo Chen's side together.
"Hmph, nothing special."
Na'er was no less proud than Qian Renxue, perhaps even more so. "If I made a move, I would definitely take her down within three moves!"
Using Divine Power, then unleashing a Soul Skill.
That would amount to a weakened divine skill, something the current Qian Renxue could not possibly withstand.
Thus, in Na'er's eyes, Luo Chen only needed to use his true strength and summon her and Ah Yin directly. A mere Qian Renxue would not even qualify to make Luo Chen act personally.
"But we can't intervene, can we?"
The Aspects were Luo Chen's final trump card. There was no need to expose them in a practice match like this.
"Hmph."
Na'er puffed out her cheeks sulkily. This was precisely what displeased her most.
She watched Qian Renxue being lovey-dovey with Luo Chen every day, although Luo Chen frequently entered the Martial Soul Space in his spiritual form to keep the two women company.
Yet Na'er was still very unhappy.
She disliked Bibi Dong, and she hated this Qian Renxue too.
Bad women fighting me for Master.
The sight of Na'er sulking made Ah Yin cover her mouth and chuckle. She could see perfectly well that Na'er was jealous.
"My turn."
Inside the hall, Luo Chen held both hands before him as though supporting something, and a radiant Star Crown appeared before everyone.
"Is this that child's Martial Soul?"
"What an exquisite Martial Soul. How noble."
All six Enshrined had their attention drawn to Luo Chen's Celestial Star Crown.
This was their first time seeing Luo Chen summon his Martial Soul.
The crown shone as brilliantly as the galaxy. Even they had never seen such an exquisite Martial Soul; it was practically a work of art.
Moreover, this Martial Soul faintly exuded an invisible pressure that made even their Martial Souls tremble slightly despite themselves.
"This suppressive power..."
Everyone nodded inwardly. "Truly worthy of being a god-level Martial Soul."
"No!"
Yet just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
Qian Daoliu's pupils contracted slightly. He abruptly looked toward Bibi Dong and uttered a phrase in shock. "Twin Martial Souls!"
"What?!"
"Big Brother, did you say Twin Martial Souls?!"
"This child has Twin Martial Souls too?"
"..."
Qian Daoliu did not answer immediately.
He remembered very clearly that Luo Chen's Martial Soul was a golden disc.
But what was going on with this Martial Soul now?
A crown? How could it be a crown?
As far as Qian Daoliu knew, there was only one possible explanation for this: Twin Martial Souls.
"This child has Twin Martial Souls, just like you, Bibi Dong."
The Great Enshrined met Bibi Dong's gaze across the distance and saw the teasing look in her eyes.
"Just as I thought!"
"You hid it right under our noses, Bibi Dong."
Qian Daoliu did not like sitting, so he had been standing before the Angel God statue to one side of Bibi Dong all this time.
At this point, the Angel God statue inside the Papal Palace had yet to be removed. She was still the symbol of Spirit Hall.
"Twin Martial Souls?"
Below, Qian Renxue looked at Luo Chen before her in astonishment. She was very surprised. "Right, I remember Xiao Chen's Martial Soul registration listed the Celestial Star Crown."
Since Luo Chen would frequently use the Celestial Star Crown in the future, it had been chosen as the Martial Soul he would publicize.
As for the secret of the Sun Disc, everyone who knew was one of their own, apart from Yu Xiaogang.
And Bibi Dong had deliberately left it that way.
Naturally, it was not because she still had lingering feelings.
Bibi Dong now wished nothing more than for Yu Xiaogang to leak this secret.
Then she would have a legitimate reason to finish off that waste and vent her anger and Luo Chen's!
"Xiao Chen, could this crown of yours be the Celestial Star Crown recorded in your Martial Soul information?"
The Little Angel had not paid attention to this at first. She had merely assumed Luo Chen's information was fabricated.
Since the records were fabricated, the Celestial Star Crown and whatnot were nothing more than an invented Martial Soul.
But now, both Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu had been slapped in the face by Bibi Dong's trick of hiding something right under their noses.
What fabrication? What invention? That so-called Celestial Star Crown was actually this boy's Second Martial Soul!
"That's right."
Luo Chen put on the Celestial Star Crown, then opened his left hand. A mysterious disc cast from gold appeared before everyone. "The Celestial Star Crown is my First Martial Soul, and my Second Martial Soul is called the Sun Disc."
"It really is Twin Martial Souls!"
Qian Renxue's gaze toward Luo Chen burned intensely, her eyes brimming with deep admiration.
Twin Martial Souls, just like Mom.
No, not merely Twin Martial Souls.
Only now did Qian Renxue understand why Luo Chen possessed innate rank-thirty Soul Power. According to Grandpa's judgment, Xiao Chen's Sun Disc is a god-level Martial Soul, and another Martial Soul capable of standing alongside a god-level Martial Soul as its twin must be no worse than the Sun Disc.
At this very moment, an inconceivable, almost terrifying fact involuntarily surfaced in everyone's minds-twin god-level Martial Souls!
"Are you kidding me? Is... is he even human?"
"Two god-level Martial Souls. No wonder he has innate rank-thirty Soul Power."
"Our Spirit Hall really has found a treasure."
"Heaven blesses our Spirit Hall. Once this child grows up, who will be able to stop our Spirit Hall's rise?"
Every Enshrined, including Qian Daoliu, gazed at Luo Chen with incomparable ardor.
In their eyes, Luo Chen was Spirit Hall's future.
As long as he did not die young, absolutely no one on the future Douluo Continent would be able to contend with him!
"Xiao Chen, you're amazing."
Although the fight had yet to begin, Qian Renxue knew that Luo Chen had already utterly outclassed her in talent.
However, Qian Renxue was not jealous.
She was happy for Luo Chen, even happier than if she possessed twin god-level Martial Souls herself.
Truly worthy of being my little brother.
When it came to singing Luo Chen's praises, Qian Renxue believed she would never lose to that sultry fox Hu Liena.
"Enough."
"What a fuss. Are you fighting or not?"
Bibi Dong swept a disdainful glance over the Enshrined, a mocking smile on her face. "If this little thing can frighten you, then when Xiao Chen reveals his true strength, I really do fear you old fellows will drop dead from excitement right here."
"When that happens, don't expect me to collect your corpses!"
A venomous tongue!
Even though she had decided to cooperate with the Worship Hall to raise and protect Luo Chen together, Bibi Dong still would not show them a pleasant face.
However, everyone seemed accustomed to Bibi Dong's venomous tongue.
Besides, the matter of Luo Chen's twin god-level Martial Souls had truly put them in an excellent mood, so they did not take issue with her.
"True strength?"
Qian Daoliu noticed those words of Bibi Dong's. "That golden disc has the effect of increasing a Soul Master's strength."
Then what mighty power did this incomparably exquisite crown possess?
"Child, could you first introduce these two Martial Souls to us old fellows?"
"Teacher?"
"Go ahead."
Bibi Dong said, "But there is one thing I must make clear first. Xiao Chen's Martial Souls are Spirit Hall's highest secret. Even the Enshrined must not divulge it."
"We don't need you, Bibi Dong, to remind us to be loyal to Spirit Hall!"
"We've never said anything about betraying Spirit Hall."
Golden Crocodile Douluo had finally found an opportunity to snap back at Bibi Dong. Her brows furrowed slightly; she knew what he was implying.
Among everyone present, it seemed Bibi Dong alone had a history of nearly betraying Spirit Hall.
Every single one of the others was loyal.
Bibi Dong: Damn it, Yu Xiaogang has ruined me!
"Child."
Golden Crocodile Douluo completely changed his hostile attitude toward Bibi Dong, a kindly smile appearing on his stern face. "Introduce your Martial Souls and broaden our old eyes."
"All right."
Luo Chen could tell that although Golden Crocodile Douluo and Bibi Dong did not get along, neither was truly targeting the other.
Moreover, Spirit Hall's Enshrined did indeed treat Luo Chen well.
Qian Daoliu's kindness and warmth, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo's covert protection-Luo Chen had seen it all.
"My Second Martial Soul, the Sun Disc, has no combat abilities, nor can Soul Rings be added to it."
As Luo Chen spoke, he fully released the presence of the Sun Disc.
At that moment, everyone present, including Bibi Dong, who had already undergone the Ascension Ritual, was drawn to the Sun Disc.
"This feeling again."
Qian Daoliu sighed with feeling. "This Martial Soul can cause a qualitative transformation in a Soul Master's Martial Soul, correct?"
"Yes, Great Enshrined."
"Child, just call me Grandpa, like Xiao Xue does."
"Ahem!"
Bibi Dong glared at Qian Daoliu in displeasure. "Have some shame, Qian Daoliu!"
If he called him Grandpa now, what the hell would they even be betting on?!
"All right, all right. It's only a matter of time anyway."
Qian Daoliu chuckled, paying no mind to Bibi Dong's attitude.
Seeing this, Luo Chen gave Qian Daoliu no definite answer. Right now, he cared more about how Bibi Dong felt.
Afterward, Luo Chen briefly introduced the Sun Disc's powers to everyone.
And after hearing Luo Chen's explanation, everyone fell silent once again.
"This Martial Soul..."
"Are God-Level Martial Souls really this badass?"
"That's just too, too... you know."
"Improving a Soul Master's aptitude, evolving Martial Souls, even helping awaken domains, ultimate power, and even..."
The Revered Elders all looked at Bibi Dong. Her twin ultimate Martial Souls, along with the God-Level Martial Soul produced by fusing them herself, stood before them as living proof. They had no room for doubt.
"From now on, as long as you can earn Xiao Chen's approval and have sufficient merit..."
Bibi Dong said, "You may be granted an opportunity to undergo the Ascension Ritual."
"."
Well, they could understand the first half of that.
Luo Chen's approval meant treating him a little better.
The Revered Elders all had a very favorable impression of Luo Chen, so this condition was no problem at all.
After all, eating another's food softened your tongue; taking another's gifts shortened your reach.
Whatever price they had to pay to ask Luo Chen to defy heaven and change their fate, the Revered Elders could accept it.
But the question was, what counted as "sufficient merit"?
As Revered Elders and Elders of Spirit Hall, their contributions to Spirit Hall were plain for all to see.
Yet everyone understood that the "contributions" Bibi Dong spoke of had nothing to do with Spirit Hall. She meant contributions to her!
Yes, only those who rendered meritorious service to Bibi Dong could be granted Ascension.
Luo Chen had actually proposed this himself, to help Bibi Dong gain control of Spirit Hall faster while also strengthening Spirit Hall.
Barring any surprises, Spirit Hall would surely end up in Luo Chen's hands in the future.
Thus, performing Ascension for the Revered Elders and Elders would amount to building Luo Chen's own core of followers and uniting their hearts in advance.
"Bibi Dong, you've gone too far."
Golden Crocodile Douluo trembled all over with anger. He was extremely agitated, because he truly needed something from Luo Chen.
Golden Crocodile Douluo was not doing this for himself.
He was old. Golden Crocodile Douluo had long since made his peace with whether he could advance any further.
The old man wanted Luo Chen's help for someone else.
Golden Crocodile's Martial Soul, the Golden Crocodile King, was a Super Martial Soul capable of awakening an innate domain. Unfortunately, his descendants had poor aptitude. Neither his son nor his grandson had inherited the Golden Crocodile King bloodline; they only had its degraded form, the Golden Crocodile.
And after Golden Crocodile Douluo's grandson followed Qian Xunji in hunting down Ah Yin and was ultimately killed by Tang Hao, Golden Crocodile Douluo's only remaining relative was his great-granddaughter, Jin Yue'er.
Among the old men of the Douluo Continent, nine out of ten were slaves to their granddaughters.
Golden Crocodile Douluo was naturally no exception.
So when he heard about the abilities of Luo Chen's Sun Disc, he was the one present who could least contain himself.
P.S. Paid chapters go live after midnight on the 1st. I humbly beg everyone to purchase the first paid chapter.
(End of chapter)