Qian Jun and Jiang Mo

Vast Sea City was the largest city on the western frontier of the Heaven Dou Empire, as well as the largest coastal city and port on the Douluo Continent.

The enormous city had been built by the sea, or rather, on the mountains beside it. No matter how the tides rose and fell, they could not shake it in the slightest.

Its thick, sturdy walls were undoubtedly worthy of a major city. Before they even entered, they caught a faint whiff of salt in the air.

When the group reached the city gates, they found that Vast Sea City's dignitaries had already been waiting there for some time. At their head was the city lord, followed by the master of the Vast Sea Spirit Hall Main Hall.

Yue Guan and Gui Mei had also appeared. Dressed in bright red ceremonial robes that marked them as elders, they walked at the front.

The master of the Spirit Hall Main Hall was the first to step forward and bow. "Greetings, Elder Ju, Ghost Elder."

Gui Mei was not fond of speaking, so Yue Guan raised a hand as if to help him up. "There's no need for ceremony."

The city lord stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Your Eminences Ju and Gui."

Yue Guan returned the greeting. "Greetings, city lord. Have the ten warships His Majesty the emperor promised arrived in Vast Sea City?"

Spirit Hall had mobilized a total of two thousand Soul Masters for its operation to bring Sea God Island under its control.

To transport such a large group of Soul Masters to Sea God Island, Qian Xunji had borrowed ten warships from the Heaven Dou Emperor to serve as troop transports.

The city lord replied, "Rest assured, Your Eminence. The ten warships are already docked at Vast Sea City's harbor, awaiting handover to Spirit Hall's people."

Yue Guan nodded in satisfaction. He first turned and said a few words to the Spirit Hall knights behind him, then addressed the city lord again. "We'll be resting and making preparations in Vast Sea City for two days. Sorry for the trouble, city lord."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. It is my supreme honor to help spread faith in the Angel God."

As the saying went, an army needed a just cause. Spirit Hall's reason for sending troops was that Sea God Island did not believe in the Angel God.

Jun Yan had just entered Vast Sea City with his classmates from Spirit Hall Academy when a knight came to find him.

"Jun Yan, Elder Ju wants to see you. Come with me."

"Please lead the way!"

Led by the knight, Jun Yan arrived at Spirit Hall in Vast Sea City.

In the council hall, Jun Yan saw Yue Guan and Gui Mei, as well as the other four Titled Douluo who were going to Sea God Island with them.

In the outside world, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were Spirit Hall elders of lofty status. But in the Elder Hall, they were only newly joined elders, so even in this hall, they could only sit in the lowest seats.

Two tall, powerfully built middle-aged men sat in the places of honor. The two looked very much alike.

Although Jun Yan did not know either of them, their seats allowed him to guess that they were probably the two elders, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo.

Besides these six elders, there were also Spirit Hall's other geniuses, including Bibi Dong.

Spirit Hall's selection tournament had very loose age restrictions, and a genius in the usual sense could already break through to the Soul Saint realm by the age of thirty-five.

Tang Hao, one of the Clear Sky Sect's twin stars, for example, had broken through to Soul Saint at thirty, earning him the title of leader of the younger generation.

Even the Holy Maiden, though, had to stand obediently to the side. Bibi Dong was the exception: because she was the Holy Maiden, she could sit.

"Greetings, Elders!" Jun Yan said, cupping his hands.

"Mm!" One of the middle-aged men at the head of the hall gave a mild nod. It was impossible to tell whether he was Qian Jun or Jiang Mo.

The other man smiled and said, "So this is your young friend, Yue Guan, Gui Mei. His name is Jun Yan, right? I seem to remember he's also a member of the Enforcement Corps."

Then he asked the man beside him, "Second brother, have you met him?" So this was Qian Jun Douluo.

Elder Jiang Mo did not answer, merely shaking his head.

After just those few words, sweat began to bead on Yue Guan's forehead.

Although Jun Yan was a member of the Enforcement Corps, he had only carried out one mission and spent the rest of his time at home. That was clearly inappropriate.

No one had brought it up before, so naturally there had been no problem. But if they really investigated, he could not escape a charge of dereliction of duty.

Gui Mei, meanwhile, steeled himself and said, "Elder, Jun Yan saved me when I was in danger, so I took it upon myself to let him cultivate at home. I have committed a grave mistake. Please punish me, Elder."

Qian Jun stood up, gave Gui Mei a gentle pat on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "This is only a small matter. There's no need to be so nervous."

Then he looked at Jun Yan. "Your surname is Jun. What relation is Jun Kuang to you?"

Unlike Ju and Gui, Jun Yan was not so simple. He answered calmly, "Elder, Jun Kuang is my father."

Jiang Mo frowned from his seat. "You're his son? But I remember his Martial Soul is the Flame Giant, while yours is a tree. That doesn't fit the rules of Martial Soul inheritance."

What tree, one might ask, could prevail over the Flame Giant when passed down to a descendant?

Jun Yan replied, "I'm adopted."

Jiang Mo nodded to show he understood, then fell silent again.

Qian Jun continued, "Your father has also broken through to Level 90, hasn't he?"

Jun Yan nodded. "Yes, just a few days before we set out."

Qian Jun smiled. "Good. Our Spirit Hall's strength has increased another notch. You can sit down too."

"Yes."

Although Jun Yan was surprised that Qian Jun would let him sit, he did so under everyone's astonished gazes, taking a seat right beside Bibi Dong.

Qian Jun returned to his seat and said, "You are all the future pillars of Spirit Hall. We called you here to give you a few words of advice before we set out."

"Please enlighten us, Elder."

"Sea God Island is no ordinary power. There is more than one Titled Douluo on the island. Although we know victory will ultimately belong to us, even we cannot guarantee that we will emerge unscathed. You must all be twelve parts cautious, or you may well end up dead, your souls extinguished."

"We will heed your guidance, Elder."

"Take a moment to remember one another. If you encounter danger on Sea God Island later, remember to help each other."

Everyone looked around at one another as instructed. In truth, Qian Jun did not need to say it; they had already understood as much.

Before long, Jiang Mo waved a hand impatiently. "All right, you can leave. Holy Maiden, Gui Mei, Jun Yan, stay a moment."

The assembled geniuses all looked at Qian Jun. When they saw him nod, they cupped their hands to the elders and left the hall one after another.

After the doors closed again, Qian Jun spoke once more.

He did not say much more, only emphasizing again to the two of them that they needed to stay safe.

Jiang Mo also spoke. "The leader of Sea God Island is a Peak Douluo. In all of Spirit Hall, only the Great Enshrined can contend with her. If either of you sees her, don't hesitate. Leave at once."

Bibi Dong asked, "Then what does this Peak Douluo look like?"

Qian Jun did not answer, instead saying, "There's no need to describe her. As soon as you see her, you'll be certain to recognize her."