Chapter 109: Qian Renhan’s Plan

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Sixteen matches in the promotion tournament, sixteen consecutive victories. Out of all thirty participating teams, Shenfeng Academy ranked first, securing the top spot in the Heaven Dou Empire's division. 

Shrek Academy followed in second place, Thunder Academy in third, Tianshui Academy in fourth, and Blazing Academy in fifth. 

With the promotion tournament concluding successfully, the next stage awaiting them was the Finals, which would be held in Spirit City. 

After an impassioned speech from Emperor Xue Ye, the tournament committee granted all teams a three-day adjustment period. 

 Three Days Later 

A total of fifteen teams, along with their academy mentors and five hundred Royal Knights, set out under the leadership of Crown Prince Xue Luochuan. The grand procession, numbering over a thousand people, marched toward the Finals venue—Spirit City. 

The journey from Heaven Dou City to Spirit Hall would take approximately twenty days. 

 During the Three-Day Adjustment Period 

For the past three days, Tang San had shut himself inside a wooden hut, isolating himself. His loss to Feng Xiaotian had left him mentally shaken. This was the first defeat in his life—a complete defeat, despite using all his strength except for hidden weapons. 

For two full days and nights, he ate nothing and drank nothing, sitting motionless on a wooden chair, his bloodshot eyes lost in thought as he replayed the battle with Feng Xiaotian over and over in his mind. His gaze flickered between his Blue Silver Grass, wrapped in four glowing spirit rings on his right hand, and his Clear Sky Hammer, still devoid of any spirit rings, in his left. 

At that moment, a deep voice broke the silence. 

"Silly boy, are you still dwelling on that match? It was just a competition. When did you become so incapable of handling a loss?" 

A towering figure suddenly appeared beside him, settling down with a heavy sigh. His murky yet piercing eyes looked at Tang San with a hint of disappointment. 

Tang San's body trembled slightly as he hurriedly stood up. 

"Father! What are you doing here?" 

However, having remained seated for two days without food or water, his sudden movement made him feel dizzy, his steps unsteady. 

Tang Hao extended a steady hand, gripping Tang San's shoulder and channeling his domineering soul power into his son's body. The surge of energy helped stabilize Tang San's mind. 

Tang San's voice was low and filled with frustration. 

"Father, I lost to Feng Xiaotian. In a battle between opponents of the same rank, I was utterly defeated. My Random Cloak Hammer Technique couldn't even overcome a mere copycat. I've shamed the reputation of the world's number-one Tool Spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer." 

Tang Hao, however, remained unimpressed. 

"So what? Feng Xiaotian is a full ten years older than you. He has spent eighteen years honing his Storm Twin-Headed Wolf martial soul, while you've only been training with your Clear Sky Hammer for a few short years. Not to mention, Random Cloak Hammer Technique is merely the most basic hammer technique of our Clear Sky Sect. The true secret arts of our sect—the ones that truly established the Clear Sky Hammer as the world's strongest Tool Spirit—go far beyond that." 

His eyes then narrowed slightly, and his voice grew colder. 

"Feng Xiaotian is nothing more than a slightly talented brat—one who doesn't know his own limits. And to make matters worse, he even dares to support Spirit Hall." 

Sensing the killing intent radiating from his father, Tang San immediately spoke up. 

"Father, I want to defeat Feng Xiaotian with my own hands first. Only after that will I kill him. If I don't, I fear this loss will become a demon in my heart." 

Tang Hao's expression remained solemn. 

"Xiao San, while both you and Feng Xiaotian were born with innate full spirit power, you possess twin martial souls. His future will never compare to yours. You need to set your sights further ahead. Your true opponent has always been just one person—Qian Renhan of Spirit Hall." 

Tang San frowned slightly, confused. 

"Father, what exactly is the potential of twin martial souls? Why is it that even though my teacher learned the cultivation method from Bibi Dong, he still refuses to let me attach a spirit ring to my Clear Sky Hammer?" 

Tang Hao's usually emotionless face finally broke into a faint smile. 

"Xiao San, every Soul Master can absorb a spirit ring upon reaching the bottleneck of each ten-level increment. The higher their level, the stronger the spirit rings they can endure. A Titled Douluo, for example, can withstand the power of a 100,000-year spirit ring." 

Pausing for a moment, he then leaned in slightly. 

"Now, think about this—if you wait until you reach Titled Douluo level before attaching spirit rings to your Clear Sky Hammer, what kind of spirit rings will you be able to absorb?" 

Upon hearing this, Tang San's eyes flashed with sudden realization. Just as he was about to respond, Tang Hao spoke again, his tone filled with rare excitement. 

"That's right. I want to create a Clear Sky Hammer martial soul composed solely of Ten-Thousand-Year and Hundred-Thousand-Year spirit rings. If we succeed, you will stand above all others as an unparalleled powerhouse!" 

However, Tang San's expression quickly shifted as he hesitated. 

"But… Bibi Dong also cultivated twin martial souls, yet she still lost to Qian Renhan." 

Tang Hao's eyes flashed with scorn. 

"She is just a mere spider. How could she ever compare to the Clear Sky Hammer? Her father, Qian Xunji, was defeated by me. Her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, was defeated by your great-grandfather. And no matter how strong Qian Renhan may be, even if he surpasses them both, what can he possibly do against the power of our twin Clear Sky Hammer martial souls?" 

Hearing this, Tang San finally felt his fighting spirit reignite. 

The flames of determination burned once more in his eyes.

Seeing this, Tang Hao smiled in satisfaction and said, "Alright, Xiao San. This time, Xiao Wu won't be able to accompany you to the Spirit Hall Finals." 

"Why not, Father? Didn't you find an herb that can conceal Xiao Wu's soul beast aura?" Tang San asked anxiously, completely unwilling to accept the idea of competing without her. 

Tang Hao explained patiently, "Qian Renhan has already seen both you and Xiao Wu. The Finals will be held in Spirit City—Qian Renhan's territory. A Titled Douluo's spiritual power is enough to see through things from thousands of meters away. The semifinals will be held right in front of the Papal Palace. When that time comes, Qian Renhan will definitely notice you. Do you really think that herb will still be effective?" 

Tang San clenched his fists, frustration flickering in his eyes, but after a moment, he exhaled deeply. 

"I understand, Father. I'll convince the others." 

Though disappointed that he wouldn't be able to fight alongside Xiao Wu, he had no choice but to make this arrangement for her safety. 

Tang Hao nodded, his voice turning cold. 

"As for Feng Xiaotian, I will handle him on your way to Spirit City. You should focus on resting." 

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the wooden cabin, leaving Tang San standing there in silence. 

---

 Spirit Hall 

At that moment, Qian Renhan sat in his grand hall, holding the latest report from the Heaven Dou Division's promotion tournament, delivered by Salas. His lips curled into a subtle smile. 

"Feng Xiaotian... he's quite talented. He has managed to impress me, though he's chosen to invest in a hopeless love." 

Qian Renhan shook his head slightly. He never cared much about who his sister, Qian Renxue, would choose as her partner, as long as it was someone reliable and trustworthy. Power and background were of no concern to the Qian family—after all, they already stood at the pinnacle. 

But if it was just some smooth talker, a pretentious fraud, like Yu Xiaogang or Liu Yanchang, then the man would die, and his sister would suffer for it. And if love made them irrational, then both would have to die. 

Unfortunately, given his sister's taste, Feng Xiaotian didn't stand much of a chance. 

At that moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward and respectfully reported, "Your Holiness, based on Feng Xiaotian's performance in the tournament, the Clear Sky Sect may attempt to eliminate him in secret." 

Qian Renhan's golden eyes flickered. 

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, you will escort Feng Xiaotian and ensure his safety along the way. Also, summon Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo—I have other arrangements for them." 

If Feng Xiaotian had been a typical lovesick fool, one who ruined his future and neglected his cultivation for romance, like Yan, Qian Renhan wouldn't have cared if he died a hundred times over. 

But Feng Xiaotian was different—he fought for love, not because of it. That kind of conviction was admirable. 

"Understood!" 

Both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo bowed without hesitation. They held no objections. 

Feng Xiaotian's talent was extraordinary, even by Spirit Hall's standards—more than enough to be considered a future consecrated elder. And on top of that, he was a righteous person, worthy of their protection. 

(End of Chapter)