Strength Through Filial Piety

In Spirit City, inside the Worship Hall.

The towering Angel God Statue stood solemn and majestic, sacred radiance pouring down through the dome.

In the great hall, a tall figure stood with his hands behind his back. His long golden hair fell neatly down his back, and his face appeared to belong to a middle-aged man of no more than thirty or forty. He was Spirit Hall's Great Enshrined, Angel Douluo Qian Daoliu, one of the three Limit Douluo of the present age.

On either side, the enshrined stood in solemn silence.

Steady footsteps abruptly sounded from outside the hall.

Qian Daoliu looked at his fine son as he entered and asked with a frown:

"Ji'er, why is the presence around you so dark?"

Qian Xunji's expression was indifferent. He raised his eyes and glanced at the Angel God Statue, without answering his fine father's question.

"Father, as the Great Enshrined, do you still remember how many years it's been since our divine ancestor last sent down an oracle? A hundred? Or a thousand?"

Qian Daoliu pondered for a moment and said:

"Even if our divine ancestor has not sent down an oracle for many years, that is not something we may presume to speculate about. Why do you ask this out of the blue?"

Qian Xunji withdrew his gaze and said quietly:

"To tell you the truth, the Angel God... has long since fallen."

At those words, the expressions of all the enshrined in the hall changed drastically.

Qian Daoliu's face darkened even further, and he shouted angrily:

"Silence! Even if our divine ancestor has not sent down an oracle for years, that proves nothing. How dare you speak such treasonous words before the Angel God Statue? You must have lost your mind today!"

Looking at his furious father, Qian Xunji showed not the slightest fear. Instead, he spread his arms and laughed wildly:

"My mind has never been clearer."

"It was precisely because I saw through the severed path ahead that I learned all this."

"I am now the Rakshasa God's inheritor."

"Father, be proud of me-"

Qian Daoliu's expression changed drastically as he stared in disbelief at his own son, who seemed like a stranger.

Golden Crocodile and the other enshrined on either side also exchanged looks.

Long, long ago, the Angel God had sent down an oracle that mentioned the Rakshasa God, an evil god.

The current Pope of Spirit Hall, a direct descendant of the Angel Clan, had become an evil god's inheritor?

Before Qian Daoliu and the enshrined could recover from their shock, Qian Xunji went on to deliver the words of a truly filial son:

"Father, the Qian Family's legacy has been passed down to this day. According to the fate of the Angel bloodline, your duty as Great Enshrined is to use your body to open the gate to the divine trials for the Angel God's inheritor."

"I am a deity's inheritor now too."

"Since you have to offer yourself up either way, rather than wait for an Angel God inheritor who may not appear for who knows how long, why not let your son have the benefit?"

"For the future of Spirit Hall and the continuation of the Qian Family, I ask you, Father, to go willingly to your death and make a small contribution to your son's path to godhood."

Qian Xunji's face was resolute. What he lacked most now was time.

Was he really supposed to spend countless years grinding away at his cultivation, steadily working his way to Level 99 before making a move against his fine father?

If he dawdled like that, he feared he still wouldn't have the strength to contend with his father by the time Tang San burst onto the scene in the future.

At present, the only person with a Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was his fine father before him, a Limit Douluo. He alone was the most suitable, the most worthy of serving as the first stepping stone.

He had the confidence to come straight here and lay his intentions bare. From his previous life, he knew that deities could fight through a proxy, so he had no reservations whatsoever.

Qian Daoliu felt his blood rush straight to the crown of his head. He had never imagined that the fine son he had painstakingly nurtured for decades would one day urge his own father to die before the Angel God Statue and all the enshrined in the hall.

Golden Crocodile Douluo and the other enshrined were so furious that their hair and beards bristled. They erupted in curses: "Qian Xunji, have you truly gone mad? This is nothing less than overturning heaven's order!"

Qian Daoliu's golden hair whipped wildly without wind as the pressure of a Level 99 Limit Douluo poured forth.

His Angel Martial Soul possessed him, brilliant golden light tearing across the sky. Blazing sacred purifying fire spewed from the Heaven Measuring Sword, making it look like a fiery Joy.

"Today, I shall suppress you myself and take a good look at just what filth has been poured into your head."

Qian Xunji sneered and likewise used Martial Soul Possession. Darkness gathered in his right hand, forming a massive halberd black from end to end.

In his left hand, he conjured a dark sword that gave off a chilling presence.

Pointing sword and halberd straight at Qian Daoliu, Qian Xunji laughed wildly:

"My foolish otou-san, words are useless. Let the Fangtian Hua Ji and Frostmourne in my hands send you on your way!"

Six pitch-black wings spread with a rush behind Qian Xunji, and he swept backward.

"Seize him."

Golden Crocodile Douluo gave a great shout, and the enshrined in the hall sprang into action together, pursuing close behind.

One gold and one black, Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji tore across the sky. Neither chose to fight in Spirit City, instead flying into the towering mountains outside it.

The two fought fiercely above the peaks, sacred fire and Ultimate Darkness sweeping out in all directions.

"Wretch, did that filthy presence of yours come from the Rakshasa God?"

High in the sky, Qian Daoliu's golden eyes were cold as he demanded:

"The Qian Family has passed down faith in the Angel God for generations, and only thus was the foundation of today's Spirit Hall established. How dare you betray our faith in our divine ancestor and sully yourself with evil thoughts?"

"Even if our divine ancestor truly no longer exists, you bear the Qian Family's blood and must never abandon her."

Qian Xunji felt the sword Qi tear through his protective Soul Power, opening several wounds on his body. Yet he showed no fear at all, instead bursting into wild laughter.

"Hahahaha, Father, you don't understand anything at all."

"You've spent most of your life guarding an illusory light, guarding that cold stone statue that can't speak. What did you get in the end?"

"You'll never know!"

"I'm risking my life for Spirit Hall's future, struggling for the continuation of the Qian Family, striving for the survival of the Angel Clan! Otherwise, we have no future at all. Spirit Hall will be reduced to scorched earth, the Qian Family will cease to exist, and the angels' wings will be broken."

Qian Xunji used Frostmourne in his left hand to block the sword light head-on, while the Fangtian Hua Ji in his right swept in great, forceful arcs, piercing the air with a shriek as it sought every opening.

"Nothing can be established without first being destroyed. If we don't seize the opportunity to ascend to godhood, nothing but destruction awaits us."

Qian Daoliu felt that his fine son had truly gone mad. He couldn't understand a word the young man was saying; he was simply beyond saving.

"Nothing but complete nonsense. Today, I'll break both your arms and legs to stop you from running around like a madman."

Six brilliant golden wings spread across the sky behind Qian Daoliu. He unleashed his Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul Avatar, and a rain of fire poured down from the heavens.

Qian Xunji spread his black wings and likewise released his Martial Soul Avatar, the Dark Angel, meeting the attack head-on with Ultimate Darkness.

But the gap between Level 95 and Level 99 was, in the end, difficult to cross.

Even when Qian Daoliu had not been serious before, Qian Xunji had struggled to contend with him despite giving his all.

Now that Qian Daoliu was enraged, there was even less hope. As they clashed head-on, golden light surged from the Heaven Measuring Sword, and a terrifying force shattered Frostmourne in Qian Xunji's left hand.

In such circumstances, Qian Xunji not only refused to retreat, but gripped the Fangtian Hua Ji with both hands, swinging it in great arcs as he fought desperately with his life on the line.

The long halberd tore through the air, its blade howling as Qian Xunji thrust it straight at Qian Daoliu.

"Father, take a Ji from me!"

The clash of metal shook the mountains as the Heaven Measuring Sword's sacred fire collided violently with Ultimate Darkness.

Though Qian Daoliu had begun fighting in earnest in his anger, he still retained his familial affection and was unwilling to strike a killing blow.

Qian Xunji, on the other hand, fought with utter savagery, heedless of his own life.

Whenever Qian Daoliu struck to subdue him, Qian Xunji fought back desperately, forcing him away even at the cost of severe injury.

His reckless determination left Qian Daoliu groaning inwardly.

Just as the battle reached a stalemate, several streaks of light finally arrived.

At their head was Golden Crocodile Douluo, clad in heavy golden armor, his short silver-white hair standing on end.

"Big Brother, I'll lend you a hand. Let's quickly suppress this unfilial son."

Jiang Mo, Qian Jun, Azure Luan, and the other enshrined also prepared to act.

In midair, Qian Daoliu shouted sharply to stop them without even turning his head:

"Stand back! No one is to interfere."

Golden Crocodile Douluo halted abruptly, his face full of astonishment. "Big Brother?"

Qian Daoliu's face was grave as he said, "This is a Qian Family matter, and it is also the result of my failure to raise my son properly. Do not interfere."

Hearing those hidebound words, Golden Crocodile Douluo felt his head swell to twice its size. Things had reached the point where a fine son was forcing his own father to die, and he was still drawing a line between family matters and outside affairs?

Seeing their big brother's rigid conduct, as though he had suffered Qi deviation, the enshrined could neither advance nor retreat and were left completely at a loss.

Seeing this, Qian Xunji couldn't help letting out a derisive laugh:

"Pathetic! Hidebound to the extreme."

"I've already made myself this clear, yet you still care about those rules. It's only fitting... that it will be buried step by step."

Taking advantage of Qian Daoliu's distraction, he shot backward, raised a hand to wipe away the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, and coughed twice under his breath.

"Cough, cough... my foolish otou-san, you have no idea why I dared to challenge you."

Qian Xunji knew full well that he was no match for Qian Daoliu on his own. He had done all he could; now it depended on whether the Rakshasa God was willing to help him.

"Lord Rakshasa God, please lend me a hand."

In an instant, Rakshasa Divine Power rose around him. The long halberd in his hand quietly vanished, replaced by a purple-black Demon Scythe.

"Slash."

Qian Xunji gripped the Demon Scythe with both hands. Its chilling demonic blade split the void and came chopping down toward Qian Daoliu's head.

Qian Daoliu's gaze sharpened. With a deep shout, he stopped using Soul Power and boldly summoned Angel Divine Power instead. The Heaven Measuring Sword drew forth True Solar Fire, which roared out to meet the attack.

Amid the shock waves of the clash of divine powers, Qian Xunji's strength ultimately fell far too short. He was sent flying backward, smashing through the rocks.

In the Divine Realm, the Rakshasa God watched the spectacle below and couldn't help cursing at Qian Xunji:

"What a lung mist. This is just like Cao Cao's daughter-in-law entering a vegetable garden: Zhen Ji pulls vegetables. It's one thing for a Level 95 to be unable to beat a Level 99, but I even lent you a divine weapon and divine power, and you still can't settle this?"

Hearing the Rakshasa God's voice, Qian Xunji's face darkened. He really wanted to retort: If you're so capable, you do it. Why don't you come down and fight instead? Is a Level 95 supposed to be able to beat a Level 99?

Qian Xunji gritted his teeth and charged once more, swinging the Rakshasa Demon Scythe.

But even with a divine weapon and divine power, he still struggled to fend off Qian Daoliu, who was also using divine power. Qian Xunji attacked desperately, growing more frantic the longer they fought, until he finally roared:

"I'm already fighting this hard, so why aren't you dead yet?!"

Qian Daoliu swung the Heaven Measuring Sword, attacking again and again. His fine son's shout made the corner of his eye twitch wildly, and he couldn't help demanding:

"Must I die?!"

Qian Xunji was truly on the verge of losing it. He had clearly given everything he had, so why was the gap still so vast?

Feeling his own helplessness, he continued to roar:

"You're going to be sacrificed to the Angel God's inheritor anyway, so isn't giving yourself to me now the same thing?"

"Die! Die already! Just go and die!"