Douluo: Qian Xunji's Joyful Life

Chapter 26 Qian Xunji vs. Sword Douluo

"Dong!"

Qian Xunji lightly tapped the ground with the Pope's scepter in his hand. Under the effect of his soul power, a crisp sound rang out, and the entire scene fell silent.

"Everyone, in past Seven Great Clans re-selection conferences, it was always a contest among the clans themselves, with our Wuhun Hall not participating. This time, I'd like to add something new."

"I wonder what Your Holiness intends to add?"

Tang Zhen stood up to ask. Earlier, when Qian Xunji used his soul power to strike the scepter against the ground, everyone sensed the tremendous might in his body—definitely the kind only a Titled Douluo possessed. Thus, Tang Zhen believed Qian Xunji had already broken through to Titled Douluo.

The Clear Sky Clan had a history of bullying the weak and flattering the strong. Whenever they offended a powerful force, they tended to suffer from a persecution complex. While Tang Chen had been around, the clan felt all-powerful. After he left, they shrank back in the face of the Wuhun Hall, fearing any excuse that might bring about retaliation. Tang Zhen assumed that Qian Xunji's new addition was designed to target them specifically.

Had Qian Xunji known Tang Zhen's suspicions, he would have scoffed. He had no desire to waste mental energy on a foe like Tang Zhen, who wasn't that far beneath him in strength—did they think he was Tang Chen?

"I propose calling this new addition a 'friendship match.' As the name suggests, it focuses on friendly sparring. I know that in dividing the cake of the soul master world, there's no avoiding conflict among the various clans. This match is meant to dispel resentment and also give everyone a chance to showcase themselves. Any soul master present, regardless of rank, can take part.

"In a friendship match, we strike only until the point of contact—no crippling or murderous acts are allowed. Likewise, no one is to kill anyone else. As for those contesting for positions in the Seven Great Clans, you needn't worry about being worn down; the Wuhun Hall has arranged for excellent healing-type soul masters to treat injuries and restore soul power."

Having said this, Qian Xunji put away his scepter, hopped down from the high platform, and stood in the center of the competition arena with his hands folded behind him.

"Whoa—!"

A wave of exclamations rippled through the crowd. His Holiness the Pope had personally stepped into the ring; clearly he wouldn't be acting as a referee. He was indicating he planned to join the friendship match himself.

"Since I, Qian Xunji, brought up the idea, I'll begin."

Qian Xunji's eyes were half-lidded, and his gaze swept over the surrounding soul masters. Those under Titled Douluo level all instinctively shrank back.

When his gaze fell upon Yu Yuanzhen, the man's muscles tensed. Known for his righteous temper, Yu Yuanzhen refused to submit to anyone's strength, no matter who they might be. If Qian Xunji singled him out, he definitely wouldn't back down from a fight.

"Ning Sect Master."

Ning Fengzhi rose and cupped his fist. "Your Holiness, surely you wouldn't bully me, an auxiliary-type soul master?"

"Of course not," Qian Xunji replied, shaking his head. "Three years ago, your clan's previous Sword Douluo—Senior Dust Sword—challenged my father and lost. Though his cultivation fell short of Father's, my father still called that battle one of the continent's peak duels in the way of the sword.

"Back then, I was in seclusion and missed such a splendid fight. Later, Senior Dust Sword was severely wounded and passed away. So, could your clan's current Sword Douluo fight me, to fulfill my wish? Of course, if Sword Douluo bears a grudge, I, Qian Xunji, will shoulder it as well."

Tang Zhen silently breathed a sigh of relief—so it wasn't aimed at him after all.

"Sword Uncle."

Ning Fengzhi turned to look at Sword Douluo, doubts flickering in his eyes. Qian Xunji still looked so young, yet he had broken through to Titled Douluo so soon?

Sword Douluo's expression didn't change. With a light push of his toe, he vaulted down from the spectator area.

"Your Holiness, regarding my father's death, I hold no resentment toward the Wuhun Hall. It was his chosen path, and I respect it."

"If Your Holiness truly wishes to experience the Seven Kill Sword, then I, Chen Xin, shall oblige!"

With that, Chen Xin's aura surged. His entire being seemed like a sharp sword with a blade fully revealed.

"Excellent!"

Qian Xunji's real target for this friendship match was indeed Chen Xin; everything else was mere stage dressing. At his signal, the twelve Red-robed Bishops manning the perimeter cleared out. Watching a Soul Douluo battle was one thing, but witnessing Titled Douluo level combat—especially with its soul power shockwaves—was more than they could withstand.

Boom!

Chen Xin's long white hair suddenly gleamed silver, and a dark vortex appeared above his head. An infinite storm of sword energy erupted, and the surrounding air was carved to shreds by the terrifying sword aura. A two-meter-long, half-foot-wide ancient sword emerged before him. Its blade was simple and unadorned, and around it circled two yellow, two purple, five black—nine soul rings.

"This sword is called Seven Kills!"

A bright golden glow radiated from Qian Xunji's eyes, and each strand of hair behind him seemed illuminated. Three pairs of wings extended from his back. Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—nine soul rings appeared, and the vast form of the Six-Winged Angel rose behind him, radiating endless golden splendor. One by one, dazzling golden feathers drifted from its six wings.

"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"

When they saw the ninth ring, blood-red in color, the entire place erupted in an uproar. A hundred-thousand-year ring—the supreme treasure of the soul master world. You could have twenty Titled Douluo emerge, and not even one might have a hundred-thousand-year ring. Hunting one required an enormous price, not to mention stopping the beast from committing suicide and nullifying both ring and bone. Only the Wuhun Hall would be capable of such a feat.

Those from the Clear Sky Clan, too, stared wide-eyed at Qian Xunji's hundred-thousand-year ring in utter shock. Their revered clan had produced a single man—Tang Chen—who once possessed such a ring. Even Qian Daoliu didn't have one.

Tang Hao fixed his eyes on that frighteningly powerful red soul ring. He silently vowed that as the Clear Sky Clan's next "Clear Sky Douluo," he too must claim a hundred-thousand-year ring for his ninth. Only then could he honor his grandfather's legacy and suppress the Wuhun Hall.

Sword Douluo, likewise, was stunned at the sight of Qian Xunji's hundred-thousand-year ring. "So the Pope truly has reached Titled Douluo and even gained a hundred-thousand-year ring. At this rate, your talent might be the best on the continent—currently, the youngest Titled Douluo."

Qian Xunji's face twitched slightly, but he said nothing. The "youngest Titled Douluo"? If he hadn't offloaded so much of the Pope's duties, he would have needed until about age fifty to reach Titled Douluo. Even so, within the Angel Clan, that would just be mediocre. Probably the only feat worth mentioning was his tenth ring being a hundred-thousand-year ring.

The fifth ring beneath Qian Xunji's feet glowed, condensing a Holy Sword into his hand. "Sword Douluo, let's see that famed Seven Kill Swordsmanship. I, Qian Xunji, humbly request a lesson."

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