"Ah, I'm so mad!!"
Inside the Astral Realm, Na'er watched Qian Renxue taking liberties, so furious she nearly jumped out to beat her up.
Silver Dragon King: I hate angels, hate them, hate them!!
"That wretched girl!"
Not just Na'er-even Bibi Dong, who had been sitting calmly, abruptly changed expression. "How dare she?"
Her own daughter was competing with her for a man.
Bibi Dong: Let go of him already, you unfilial daughter!
"Hahaha."
Qian Daoliu laughed. "They're sister and brother. What's the harm?"
Having witnessed Luo Chen's potential, Qian Daoliu already regarded him as his future grandson-in-law.
For his Xiao Xue's sake, he would create more opportunities for the two of them.
"Hmph!"
Bibi Dong watched the two still embracing in midair, those two pairs of golden angel wings making the corner of her eye twitch fiercely. "Since you're done fighting, hurry up and get back to the Worship Hall!"
"Mom..."
"Hmm?"
One look from Bibi Dong made Little Angel wilt, leaving none of her earlier lively charm.
"Teacher, you know what my second soul skill does."
Luo Chen squeezed Little Angel's hand and said, "It'll be a great help to Xue'er's cultivation."
"Second soul skill?"
Everyone's interest was piqued. They had witnessed how absurd Luo Chen's first soul skill was, so what about his second?
"My second soul skill is called Path of Starlight."
As Luo Chen spoke, he unleashed his second soul skill.
Stalks of Star Grass, each like a work of art, sprouted in the air and across the ground with him at their center.
For a moment, the entire Papal Palace seemed to stand amid a river of stars, breathtakingly beautiful, mysterious, and profound.
"Wow~~"
Qian Renxue was completely spellbound. "It's so beautiful! Xiao Chen, your second soul skill is gorgeous."
"My second soul skill can increase a Soul Master's cultivation speed, and it can also create Star Grass that can be consumed directly. Its effects are..."
Luo Chen explained the effects of his second soul skill.
"Assisted cultivation?"
"An all-around attribute boost?"
"Healing effects."
"And it even comes with an innate domain that isn't a soul skill..."
Luo Chen's second soul skill was not as terrifying as his first.
But unlike his combat-oriented first soul skill, his second encompassed practically every ability a support-type martial soul should possess.
"Is this really a soul skill, rather than another martial soul?"
At this point, Qian Daoliu was genuinely a little bewildered.
He realized that Luo Chen's first and second soul skills resembled two powerful martial souls, each formed from a combination of multiple martial souls.
One came with ultimate power in every attribute and elemental manipulation, while the other combined healing, food, and support types into one.
"This is just too absurd."
Light Feather Douluo teased, "Power attack, agility attack-Xiao Chen can have whatever type he wants."
"All-rounder really is the right description."
Guang Ling's suggestion instantly won everyone's approval.
Moreover, Luo Chen's ability to create his own soul skills left all the enshrined burning with envy.
With their strength, many weaker soul skills were of no use to them.
What they truly needed was a finishing move like the Great Sumeru Hammer, capable of turning the tables at a critical moment.
As far as Luo Chen was concerned, he was not opposed to that.
The enshrined were all decent people and utterly loyal to Spirit Hall.
Today's spar held far-reaching significance.
Qian Renxue represented the Worship Hall and was the hope of Spirit Hall's older generation, while Luo Chen was the future of the Papal Palace, Bibi Dong's eventual successor.
The two called each other sister and brother and shared a close relationship.
It was clear that Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu had already reached an agreement regarding their plans for Luo Chen and Qian Renxue.
"Since all the enshrined are here today, why not experience the effects of my second soul skill right here?"
After speaking, Luo Chen scattered the power of the stars over the Papal Palace and had the enshrined cultivate on the spot.
"Mm, let me try."
Light Feather Douluo was the first to sit cross-legged. He was a rank-96 Super Douluo whose soul power had been stuck at a bottleneck for decades.
At his level, continuing to advance required either attaching soul rings to a second martial soul like Bibi Dong, using immense soul power to force through the bottleneck, or relying on personal insight.
For those without twin martial souls, acquiring such immense soul power was simply unrealistic.
Everyone understood this, so they had not taken Luo Chen's talk of cultivation to heart.
Very soon, however, Light Feather Douluo realized he had been wrong.
And outrageously wrong at that!
"Big Brother!"
Light Feather Douluo opened his eyes, his youthful face filled with shock. "This-this martial soul can speed up my insights into the next rank!!"
"What?!"
Now, not just Guang Ling but every enshrined, including Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo, began cultivating.
As for the results, they were exactly as Light Feather Douluo had described.
"To think such a thing exists!!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo reacted most strongly. He had been stuck at rank 98 for nearly a century.
In terms of soul power cultivation alone, one could continue after first reaching rank 98.
But upon reaching rank 98's bottleneck, if one could not break through, one's soul power could no longer improve.
But now...
"The bottleneck is loosening!"
Though it was slow, Golden Crocodile Douluo could distinctly feel the towering wall blocking his path cracking at a gradual pace.
"What a treasure."
Mighty Lion Douluo and Azure Luan Douluo stared at Luo Chen with burning eyes. Their bottlenecks were nowhere near as solid as Golden Crocodile Douluo's.
At the peak of rank 97, rank 98 was certainly still far away.
But with Luo Chen's help, both were confident they could break through to the next stage within ten years.
"Bibi Dong."
Qian Daoliu looked at Bibi Dong. "Bringing Xiao Chen back to Spirit Hall was the wisest thing you've ever done."
"..."
Bibi Dong very much wanted to retort, but she had no way to refute the old man.
Had Luo Chen not kept whispering pillow talk in her ear these past days, how could Bibi Dong possibly have let the enshrined discover how extraordinary her treasure was?
Her soul power was advancing rapidly, and she was already close to the perfection of rank 97.
With Bibi Dong's talent, she needed no boost to her comprehension to shatter the bottleneck smoothly and break through to rank 98.
On the Douluo Continent, a Soul Master's talent truly was something with no solution.
For people like Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo, a chasm difficult to cross through their own strength would appear between ranks 95 and 96.
Qian Jun, Jiang Mo, and Guang Ling, meanwhile, had reached their personal limits at rank 96.
By contrast, Bibi Dong faced no such restriction.
Her talent was enough to carry her all the way to rank 99, where the suppression of the Douluo Continent's rules would prevent any further breakthrough.
But that was not because Bibi Dong's talent was lacking. The plane's rules were simply that way, and there was nothing she could do.
"Just like the Ascension Ritual, enjoying starlight-assisted cultivation requires sufficient contributions."
Bibi Dong rose from her seat and walked straight to Luo Chen's side. Planting the Pope's Scepter beside her, she said proudly, "Surely the Great Enshrined wouldn't extinguish the six enshrined's desire to advance?"
"Bibi Dong, you..."
Of course Qian Daoliu could not do such a thing.
Even though the six enshrined were close to him-not family, but closer than family.
How could he stop a Soul Master's desire to advance further?
"Bibi Dong, if you want us to acknowledge you as our master and obey your every command..."
Golden Crocodile Douluo stepped forward. "This old man will never agree."
"Continuing to cultivate is certainly tempting, but if it means taking orders from you, forget it."
Though Light Feather Douluo looked young, he was an old man after all. Resting his hands behind his head, he chuckled. "I'm already quite satisfied with my current level anyway."
The depth of the enshrined's bond clearly exceeded Bibi Dong's expectations somewhat.
They were neither brushing her off nor preserving Qian Daoliu's dignity. They were simply speaking the truth.
Most people on the Douluo Continent really were simple and sincere.
One could call them blindly loyal.
But it was precisely that blind loyalty that placed certain things above self-interest and life itself.
"Tsk."
Bibi Dong was deeply displeased, yet could do nothing about these old fellows. She told Luo Chen, "Xiao Chen, you win."
"Just as you said, these old stubborn fools are like stones in a latrine-foul and hard!"
Bibi Dong's comparison instantly turned all the enshrined's faces livid.
"Uh..."
Luo Chen said, "Teacher, I don't think I ever said that, did I?"
He had indeed made that comparison, but he had never used it to describe the enshrined.
"Really?"
The stunningly beautiful Pope winked playfully at Luo Chen, then swiftly regained her usual solemnity.
Luo Chen: "..."
"All right, then your teacher must have remembered incorrectly."
Bibi Dong had no intention of apologizing. That was simply her temperament-she could not stand Qian Daoliu or the Worship Hall.
"You-what do you mean by this?"
"My Xiao Chen is kindhearted. He couldn't bear to see you stagnate."
Bibi Dong had made a wager with Luo Chen: if even one enshrined was willing to betray Qian Daoliu and join the Papal Palace, the power of the Path of Starlight could not be made available to the enshrined.
Otherwise, they would follow Luo Chen's judgment and include all seven enshrined on his list of people to nurture.
"Enshrined, please take this Star Grass."
Using his second soul skill, Luo Chen created numerous stalks of Star Grass and distributed them to the seven enshrined, Qian Renxue, and the two elders, Chrysanthemum and Ghost.
"The best time for everyone's insight and cultivation is two hours at night each day."
Luo Chen told them that every night, he would spread his star domain with the Papal Palace at its center.
This domain was like a lighthouse, capable of drawing upon the power of the stars.
Meanwhile, the stalks of Star Grass became routers.
As long as they were not too far from Luo Chen, they could receive the Path of Starlight's cultivation assistance.
Its effects were not as good as those Bibi Dong received through intimate contact with Luo Chen, and were even less comparable to what Luo Chen himself received.
But to the enshrined, cultivation speed was not actually important.
What mattered was insight.
And even a sliver of insight was enough for them to spend a long time digesting.
Thus, whether the efficiency was a little higher or lower made little difference.
Even if the enshrined really sat beside Luo Chen to cultivate, they would likewise only be able to digest a tiny fraction of the insights they gained in those two hours.
"Even gaining insight into higher realms depends on individual talent?"
As the six enshrined cultivated simultaneously, considerable differences remained in the speed at which they gained insights and how efficiently they digested them.
Golden Crocodile Douluo was the best among them, while Qian Jun and Demon Subduing Douluo were the worst.
One could only say that the seven enshrined's rankings really were accurate.
"Also, copies of Star Grass can only last three days at most, and each stalk's coverage extends just one meter."
Luo Chen said, "So you only need to get a new stalk of Star Grass from me every three days."
A one-meter radius could accommodate only one or two people cultivating at most.
Perhaps he could increase both its reception range and its coverage in the future.
But for now, this was all Luo Chen could manage.
"What a pity."
Meanwhile, Qian Daoliu also finished cultivating. "This old man's realm has already reached its limit. This power is of no use to me."
Qian Daoliu's problem was complicated, not merely a matter of talent and potential.
First, he was the Angel God's high priest, which restricted his opportunities to advance further.
Added to that were the Douluo Continent's rules, which prevented Soul Masters from breaking through rank 100.
"Great Enshrined..."
"Just call me Grandpa, child."
Qian Daoliu stroked Luo Chen's head, and this time, though Bibi Dong was displeased, she ultimately did not stop him.
Seeing this, Luo Chen followed suit and changed his form of address. "Grandpa."
"Good, good, good."
Qian Daoliu beamed, feeling that being called Grandpa had made him fifty years younger.
Well, 150 minus 50 still left him a hundred-year-old man.
"From now on, you and Xiao Xue should spend more time together."
"With you by her side," Qian Daoliu said, "Grandpa can rest easy."
Hearing her grandfather's words, Qian Renxue cast a shy glance at Luo Chen.
After today's fight, Qian Renxue was utterly convinced of Luo Chen's superiority.
When she thought of her original agreement with her grandfather-as long as Luo Chen was stronger than her, she would have to...
Oh, stop~~
Little Angel was too embarrassed to think any further. I only see him as a little brother. I don't have those kinds of feelings for him!
The tsundere Qian Renxue would never admit that she had fallen for that brat of a little brother.
"Hmph."
Bibi Dong could not stand it anymore. She pulled Luo Chen behind her. "All right, that's enough sparring for today."
"Also, you all know about Xiao Chen's Martial Soul now."
"For Spirit Hall's interests, and for this child's safety, you should know what to do."
Although Bibi Dong's tone was rather unpleasant, the worshippers were already accustomed to her attitude.
Thus, Qian Daoliu personally made the arrangements. "Starting today, all worshippers will take on a new assignment."
Luo Chen concerned Spirit Hall's future, and Qian Renxue was the pearl in the worshippers' palms.
Since the two would be acting together in the days ahead, the worshippers ought to spare no effort in providing absolute protection.
Never mind the worshippers' lofty status.
After witnessing Luo Chen's power, they were willing to be his tools and serve as his Dao protectors.
Besides, the process would not take too long.
With Luo Chen's talent, he would certainly reach an entirely new height in ten years at most.
By then, they would no longer need to worry.
All they had to do was play their part as the backdrop, witness Luo Chen's rise with their own eyes, and shout "666."
"Teacher."
Luo Chen glanced at Qian Renxue, who had become rather overlooked at the side, and said, "Xue'er is at a crucial stage of her cultivation right now. Having her stay by my side will benefit her considerably."
"!!!"
The exceptionally clever Little Angel instantly understood Luo Chen's intention.
She would be better off staying by Luo Chen's side.
Naturally, that included cultivating at night.
So...
Qian Renxue looked at Bibi Dong expectantly, boundless gratitude toward Luo Chen welling up in her heart. Is this what it feels like to be protected by a little brother? Xiao Chen is so good to me. Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen, my Xiao Chen.
For a moment, a tiny heart faintly appeared in Little Angel's eyes as she looked at Luo Chen.
"..."
Yet the sight made the corner of Bibi Dong's mouth twitch.
She really wanted to ask Luo Chen what kind of bewitching potion Qian Renxue had fed him to make him help that wretched girl so much.
"My Path of Starlight has a range of ten meters."
Luo Chen said, "Why not let Xue'er live next door? What do you think, Teacher?"
I think not!
Bibi Dong wanted to refuse outright, but under Luo Chen's gaze, her heart instantly softened.
"A-as long as you like it."
Bibi Dong felt a sour pang. How had the little padded jacket she had finally gained started letting in drafts?
Still, as long as Bibi Dong did not have to see Qian Renxue, she decided to ignore her for Luo Chen's sake.
Hooray!!!
Qian Renxue clasped Luo Chen's right hand in both of hers, her eyes narrowing happily, looking just like a kitten trying to act cute for its owner and beg for pets.
From never having anything to do with each other again to being able to appear by Luo Chen's side.
From the Worship Hall to moving into the Papal Palace.
Now that she was already living next door, could sleeping beside her mother be far off?
Qian Renxue felt that Luo Chen was the sun in her life.
Ever since he had come along, her dark, lightless world had suddenly brightened, as though it had been reborn.
But is this really all right?
Constantly receiving Luo Chen's help made her seem like a shameless woman. No, I have to think of a way to show Xiao Chen his big sister's charms.
Little Angel had completely forgotten Qian Daoliu's words about winning Luo Chen's favor.
There was no tsundere Xue left, only another little fangirl of Luo Chen's.
In terms of affection levels, Qian Renxue's feelings toward Luo Chen carried at least one extreme emotion.
In this world, apart from Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong, Luo Chen was the person Qian Renxue cared about most.
That's right!
With that thought, Qian Renxue suddenly made a decision. Xiao Chen is Mother's disciple. There's a very good chance he'll inherit the position of Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff in the future.
By rights, that position should have belonged to Qian Renxue.
But now, she had no intention whatsoever of competing with Luo Chen for it.
In the future, Xiao Chen will be the Supreme Pontiff, and I'll be his Adjudication Elder. With the holy sword in my hand, I'll sweep away every obstacle in his path!
Qian Renxue secretly vowed that she would cultivate diligently, become stronger, and then be a well-behaved, gentle little angel who protected Luo Chen.
(End of chapter)