Qian Renxue watched quietly from the side. She had already seen Lin Gu's strength; once her grandfather witnessed it, he would naturally think of taking him as a disciple.
Once Lin Gu becomes my grandfather's disciple, Bibi Dong, your plans will be thrown into disarray.
At that moment, Lin Gu seized his chance and punched Qian Daoliu in the chest.
Qian Daoliu paused. It felt like a light breeze brushing past, without the slightest power. Is he really as Xiao Xue said? Doesn't that mean he only has defense?
But Lin Gu was utterly delighted by that punch and hurriedly took advantage of his distraction to throw another.
His HP rose rapidly, instantly soaring from 2,200,186,000. Two "Heartsteel" procs on Qian Daoliu had directly added three billion HP.
1.5 billion each time! Heavens, the quality and type of Martial Soul really do change the HP gained. Although Bibi Dong has Twin Martial Souls, they still aren't as well-rounded as the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.
Five hundred million more than Bibi Dong. This is fantastic.
Lin Gu's HP had now risen to 5,200,186,000, and his shield's HP had reached 1,560,055,800.
Hahaha, even against a Titled Douluo, this shield of mine can hold out for a while now.
Lin Gu looked at his [Heartsteel], which had built up ninety charges and accumulated many more, and wanted to throw another punch. But Qian Daoliu caught him with one hand and said:
"Boy, you're getting addicted to hitting me. Judging by your attack power alone, you're quite poor."
Still, this also counted as a successful "Heartsteel" proc. After all, as long as he made contact, Lin Gu could trigger [Heartsteel]'s effect with a thought.
Thus, another 1.5 billion HP came in.
This made Lin Gu even more determined to stay by Qian Daoliu's side. There probably wasn't a more suitable Soul Master on the entire continent.
Qian Daoliu put Lin Gu down and continued:
"Come, release your Soul Skill. I'll test whether it really has the strength of a Titled Douluo."
Lin Gu nodded silently. I'll find more chances to keep proccing Heartsteel later.
He activated Martial Soul Possession. His First Soul Ring, a purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring, flashed, and he said in a low voice:
"First Soul Skill: Solid as a Rock!"
An orange shield instantly enveloped Lin Gu. Seeing this, Qian Daoliu did not intend to use a Soul Skill. He merely released Soul Power at roughly the strength of a Soul Emperor, sending its pressure crashing toward him.
A wave of golden Soul Power rushed straight at him and struck the shield.
But the shield did not budge. After all, it had grown much thicker than before.
Surprise flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes at the sight, and he said, "Not bad. Next, I'll be releasing power at the Titled Douluo level."
"Lord Enshrined, go right ahead!"
Lin Gu spoke calmly. Qian Daoliu's brow tightened, and golden Soul Power surged toward him. Even Qian Renxue at the side could not help retreating several steps and releasing her Martial Soul to resist it.
Yet when that golden Soul Power met Lin Gu's shield, it was completely blocked, as though it had encountered an insurmountable wall. The shield did not shatter, either.
Even Qian Renxue was stunned.
"This... how is this possible? Lin Gu, you seem stronger than when I attacked you just now."
Qian Daoliu was also startled. That strike had truly possessed the strength of a Titled Douluo, yet even that couldn't break his shield?
The astonishment on Qian Daoliu's face deepened, and he said:
"Lin Gu, just how thick is your shield? This has already surpassed an ordinary Titled Douluo."
Lin Gu naturally also knew how much his shield's 1.5 billion HP could withstand now, but judging by what he had just felt, that strike had only reduced the shield's HP by two hundred million.
At this rate, it was entirely possible for Lin Gu's current shield to withstand an attack from a rank ninety-five Titled Douluo.
Lin Gu said slowly:
"Lord Enshrined, I don't know either. Why don't you test it?"
Qian Daoliu nodded, already fully convinced of Lin Gu's talent. He thought that he absolutely had to take him as a disciple. Besides, Xiao Xue seemed quite concerned about this Lin Gu. Spirit Hall would then gain another shield with no answer to it, so he said:
"All right. Are you ready?"
Lin Gu nodded, cast a fresh shield over himself, and said quietly, "Solid as a Rock. Lord Enshrined, go ahead. Try to break my shield!"
Qian Daoliu swept out one hand, locking Lin Gu in place with golden Soul Power. Then he released powerful Soul Power, immediately raising it to rank ninety-five.
Yet the shield only cracked a little.
"Does it need to be stronger?"
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu abruptly increased his power. Golden Soul Power instantly locked around Lin Gu like shackles, and in a moment, at last, Lin Gu's shield shattered.
Qian Daoliu hurriedly withdrew his Soul Power, afraid of accidentally injuring Lin Gu, and turned it gentle to help Lin Gu slowly steady himself.
Qian Renxue was too astonished to speak at the side. Could his shield still be growing stronger?
But his Soul Power hasn't increased. Shouldn't growing stronger require his Soul Power to rise and his realm to break through? Qian Renxue buried her doubts.
A light sweat now appeared on Qian Daoliu's face. Looking at Lin Gu, he calmed himself and slowly explained:
"My Soul Power had to exceed rank ninety-six just now before I could break your shield. This... a rank thirteen Soul Master could actually withstand an attack from a rank ninety-six Soul Master. If you keep growing like this, I'm afraid no one on the continent will be able to breach your defense."
Qian Renxue hurried forward and took hold of Lin Gu, afraid her grandfather's attack had injured him. Only after seeing that he was unharmed did she relax, then said to Qian Daoliu:
"Grandfather, wasn't I right? And his shield is still growing stronger. It's much thicker than when I tested it just now."
Qian Daoliu nodded repeatedly and said, "Such defense is simply rare in this world. Even calling it the continent's greatest defense would be selling it short. How about this, Lin Gu? I'm willing to devote all of Spirit Hall's resources to nurturing you. Would you be willing to take me as your master?"
Lin Gu looked at his system mission. Choosing Qian Daoliu was indeed the best choice.
Just as he was about to kneel and acknowledge his master, a stern voice suddenly rang out. Bibi Dong had arrived at the Worship Hall with Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Great Enshrined, I discovered Lin Gu first. Isn't it rather improper to snatch him away so directly?"
Bibi Dong spoke very sternly. Early that morning, she had wanted to summon Lin Gu, intending to take him as her disciple and name him Holy Son, but Lin Gu was nowhere to be found.
According to Chrysanthemum Douluo, Qian Renxue had come looking for him, so she had hurriedly risen and come to the Worship Hall.
Seeing this, Qian Renxue gave a quiet snort. "She got here so quickly. He was just about to acknowledge his master. If she'd come a little later, it would have been done."
At that moment, the Great Enshrined looked at Bibi Dong and slowly asked:
"Bibi Dong, why have you come here instead of managing Spirit Hall?"
"Why? Naturally, I've come to find my beloved disciple. Lin Gu, I, Bibi Dong, am willing to take you as my direct disciple and name you Holy Son. All of Spirit Hall's resources will be at your disposal. What do you say?"
Bibi Dong spoke aggressively, then glanced at Qian Renxue. This girl was behind all of this.
Qian Renxue would not stand for that and immediately stepped forward:
"Bibi Dong, Lin Gu has already taken my grandfather as his master. You can't take him as your disciple anymore."