Douluo: Qian Xunji's Joyful Life

Chapter 31: Moral Coercion

"Looks like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has the top spot locked down."

"Yes indeed. Sect Master Tang Zhen of the Clear Sky Clan is too weak to fight any further. Unless the Clear Sky Clan has another Titled Douluo, there's no way they can compete with Sword Douluo."

All around, soul masters were whispering. Everyone agreed that this Seven Great Clans re-selection would see the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan claim the title of the world's strongest sect.

Over on the Clear Sky Clan's side, their members wore grim expressions. There was nothing they could do. Although they had an hour to rest, Tang Zhen's internal injuries had flared up. If he forced himself to fight again, even if he managed to win, his life would be hanging by a thread.

If the Clear Sky Clan ended up without a Titled Douluo to guard them, they would lose the enormous benefits they enjoyed in the soul master world as one of the top three sects. The four lower sects would never let such an opportunity slip—one after another they'd swoop in to challenge. But how could they prevent it?

They were at their wits' end, stuck in heated discussion. They desperately wanted to keep the title of number one sect, but Tang Zhen was in no shape to fight Sword Douluo.

Soon, an hour passed.

Sword Douluo gave a light bound and appeared on the stage. In his white robes, he looked unhurried and at ease. "Clear Sky Clan, if no one steps forward, then our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will be the number one sect," he declared calmly, though his words were carried clearly to every soul master present.

From the sidelines, Bone Douluo scowled. "That rotten bastard! If I hadn't stepped in first, would he be standing so smugly now?"

Meanwhile, in the Clear Sky Clan area, Tang Zhen had regained consciousness. He was terribly weak, needing to burn soul power just to keep his old injuries under control. Attempting to fight again would mean certain death.

While most onlookers assumed that the Clear Sky Clan had nobody left and would concede, a tall, robust middle-aged man jumped forward—Tang Xiao. He bowed. "Senior Chen Xin."

"Senior, my father is seriously hurt and simply cannot fight. I ask that you permit this junior to take his place."

Sword Douluo said flatly, "Tang Xiao, you're gifted, yes, but you're only a Soul Douluo. You aren't my opponent. Step down."

Tang Xiao lowered his head respectfully. "Senior Chen Xin, your grandfather—Dust Xun (Chen Xun)—once challenged my grandfather, Tang Chen. Though Chen Xun's cultivation was less than my grandfather's, my grandfather still called that duel one of the most exhilarating battles of his life. He said if Chen Xun had possessed his own level of power, the title of number one assault-type martial soul might well have changed hands.

"I, a junior, dare to ask that Senior suppress your cultivation to match mine. If the Clear Sky Clan loses, then both the title of 'top sect' and 'world's number one assault-type martial soul' shall belong to your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and your Seven Kill Sword."

At those words, the entire audience erupted. Nobody expected that this time, the Clear Sky Clan would gamble on something so enormous—if they lost, they'd forfeit not just the top-sect status but even the name of "strongest assault-type martial soul."

Everyone knew Sword Douluo was a Titled Douluo, possessing far more refined soul power than any Soul Douluo. Moreover, a Titled Douluo's spiritual strength was multiple times that of a Soul Douluo, giving Sword Douluo a massive fundamental advantage. Throw in the fact that his ninth soul ring had long ago boosted the core of his Seven Kill Sword martial soul beyond what the Clear Sky Hammer could match. Even if he lowered his soul power to the same rank as Tang Xiao, what could cause him to lose?

Ning Fengzhi could see this as well—Titled Douluo advantage was simply overwhelming. Sword Douluo, as the clan's consecrated elder, glanced back at Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi gave a slight nod, granting his approval. He, too, couldn't imagine how Sword Douluo might be defeated.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had Sword and Bone Douluo, two towering pillars. Among the younger generation, they had an incredibly gifted Bibi Dong. Before the duo's time was up, Bibi Dong would definitely reach Titled Douluo and protect the clan for a hundred more years. If the issue of twin martial soul backlash was resolved, she'd be the top genius on the continent.

Inwardly, Ning Fengzhi was ablaze with ambition. Number one sect, the world's top assault-type martial soul, plus the continent's top genius—under his leadership, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would scale peaks never before seen.

Meanwhile, Qian Xunji silently resolved the puzzles in his mind. He recalled how, in the original timeline, Tang Xiao fought Sword Douluo and lost by a single move, only for Tang Hao to turn the tables, saving the Clear Sky Clan's top-sect title. He had always wondered how that could happen, given that the clan had only one Titled Douluo. Now he understood: Sword Douluo ended up fighting both Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, each "still a Soul Douluo" but with a formidable hammer style.

Sure enough, two yellow, two purple, and four black soul rings appeared under Tang Xiao's feet. Black light coursed around him, the Clear Sky Hammer in hand. Its head, however, was a bit smaller than Tang Zhen's.

A wave of excited murmurs spread through the crowd. Tang Xiao, only in his early forties, had already reached Soul Douluo rank—an astounding talent. Surely he'd become a Titled Douluo in his fifties. Indeed, the Clear Sky Clan boasted the so-called "Clear Sky Twin Stars." If Tang Xiao was this gifted, how much more gifted might Tang Hao be? The Clear Sky Clan, after Tang Chen's departure, would soon rise again!

Tang Xiao and Qian Xunji were about the same age—he only seemed younger because of naming conventions. In fact, Qian Xunji was of the same generation as Tang Zhen. The difference lay in how the Qian family had children quite late, while Clear Sky disciples often married in their twenties.

Qian Xunji stared intently at the ring. "It was the right call to hold this re-selection conference. If Sword Douluo truly wants to win that title of 'world's top assault-type martial soul,' he'll have to go all out, forcing him to reveal the essence of his Seven Kill Sword style. He can't hide it now."

Sword Douluo's two yellow, two purple, five black rings emerged beneath his feet. Yet since he was suppressing his rank to match Tang Xiao, his ninth ring appeared only faintly.

"Haotian Nine Absolutes—'Nines Return to One!'"

Tang Xiao unleashed his clan's ultimate art. Each soul ring at his feet glowed in turn, fueling the Clear Sky Hammer with augmenting skills.

"Seven Kill Sword Art!"

Sword Douluo likewise performed the Seven Kill Sword Art. This time he held nothing back—one soul ring after another shining behind him.

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