Chapter 15: The Title Douluo, Qian Xunji

Tang Hao approached Tang Chen. Tang Chen gently rubbed Tang Hao's head and squeezed the muscles on his body. Tang Hao didn't resist at all; in fact, he somewhat enjoyed it, as he was extremely confident in his well-trained physique.

"Your muscles are very solid."

Tang Chen nodded slightly, his expression turning very serious. "Hao'er, today your grandfather is going to pass down to you the most important inheritance of our Haotian Sect—the legacy of the Great Xumi Hammer. Listen carefully!"

Tang Hao nodded seriously, focusing all his attention. The surrounding elders showed no dissatisfaction, and Tang Zhen's face was filled with pride.

The wind is invisible, while the leaf is visible. Without wind, the leaf cannot fly; without the leaf, the wind has no support. The so-called Great Xumi Hammer condenses all your soul rings into one, pouring them all into the Haotian Hammer, transforming it into the purest form of power. For the Great Xumi Hammer, soul rings are like the wild wind to the falling leaf.

After transmitting his voice to Tang Hao's ear, Tang Chen said in a deep voice, "This is the principle behind the Great Xumi Hammer. Do you understand?"

"Grandfather, I understand!"

Tang Chen nodded gently. "Good. Then complete it right here. Your grandfather, your father, and the uncles will all protect you."

Tang Hao stepped down the stairs, sat cross-legged, and began to attempt the Great Xumi Hammer technique. The gazes of the elders seemed to have no effect on him.

After an hour, Tang Hao's five soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—were fully condensed into one, infused into the Haotian Hammer. The hammer in Tang Hao's hands immediately radiated an overwhelmingly domineering aura, several times stronger than before.

Tang Hao stood up and gripped the Haotian Hammer. "Grandfather, I've completed it. Is this the Great Xumi Hammer?"

"Ha ha ha!"

Tang Chen clasped his hands behind his back and laughed heartily. "Good, good, Hao'er! You truly are the strongest future heir of our Haotian Sect. You are the next generation's Haotian Douluo. My title—your grandfather's title—you must make it shine once again across the Soul Master world!"

Tang Zhen and the six elders smiled as well, though none dared laugh as freely as Tang Chen.

Tang Hao said solemnly, "I know, Grandfather."

"Good. Zhen'er, come out!"

"Father!"

Tang Zhen stepped forward. The six elders of Haotian Sect felt a bad premonition.

"Zhen'er, from today on, you are the new sect leader! Elders, you must assist Zhen'er well and cultivate diligently. Because from today, I will be leaving the Haotian Sect."

"Leader, you mustn't!"

"Where will you go, Leader?"

The six elders knelt behind Tang Zhen.

"Leader, you are in the prime of your life. Why do you give up the position so early?"

Over the years, the six elders had developed a deep reliance on Tang Chen. Whenever they went out, they often spoke of him, like children who hadn't been weaned. If Tang Chen really left, they would feel like orphans without their parents, believing the Haotian Sect would collapse.

Tang Chen looked at the elders with strong disdain. If these guys weren't his nephews and sect elders, he would have slapped each of them. The proud and unparalleled heir of the Haotian Hammer, to act so weak just because he was leaving and the elders begged him to stay — it was truly humiliating.

"Shut up. I'm going to seek the path to godhood. When I become a god, I will return!"

In Tang Chen's mind appeared the image of the Sea God Island and the promise he made to Poseidy. He must become a god and marry Poseidy!

"But Leader, the path to godhood may take an unknown length of time. If you leave and the Martial Soul Hall's Qian Daoliu comes looking for trouble, the Haotian Sect will be in danger."

The six elders spoke cautiously; they dared not mention how difficult becoming a god was or how likely failure could be, lest Tang Chen think they wanted him to stay longer so they wouldn't get 'hammered' by him.

Tang Chen said, "Three hundred li east of Tiandou City lies the mountain where I fought my final duel with Qian Daoliu. He promised that until he defeats me, no one from the Martial Soul Hall may set foot there."

"Prepare that place well. If the Martial Soul Hall attacks while I am away, it will serve as a hidden sanctuary for our Haotian Sect."

"Leader, what if the Martial Soul Hall breaks their promise?"

Tang Chen sneered, "Qian Daoliu? That coward who doesn't dare risk his life to break through to godhood at level 100? He doesn't have the guts to break his agreement with me!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the sect's main hall relaxed. If the sect leader said Qian Daoliu was a coward, there was no need to worry.

"How long it will take to become a god, I do not know. But with the power I leave behind, the Haotian Sect should be safe for several years. You must cultivate well and not squander the foundation I built with my own hands."

"When I return as a god, the Haotian Sect will be the eternal overlord of Douluo Continent!"

Tang Chen's eyes swept over everyone in the sect. His spiritual power enveloped the entire Haotian Sect. Each disciple wielding the Haotian Hammer heard his voice soften: "It is time for me to go."

"Farewell, Old Leader!"

"Farewell, Old Leader!"

"Farewell, Grandfather!"

Tang Chen walked out of the sect's main hall and soared into the sky. His tall figure grew smaller on the horizon until it disappeared entirely.

After Tang Chen left, Tang Zhen took the seat of sect leader.

"Although the Old Leader has left, I believe with his strength, he will surely return as a god!"

"Order: Until the Old Leader returns, no Haotian Sect disciple is allowed to provoke Martial Soul Hall disciples—whether direct disciples or any member of the sect. Any conflict will be dealt with strictly according to sect rules!"

The six elders of Haotian Sect had no objections. Without Tang Chen, they could not afford to provoke Qian Daoliu and Martial Soul Hall. They must endure and wait for Tang Chen's return as a god or for Tang Hao to grow strong. Then the Haotian Sect could dominate the continent once again for a hundred years.

Five years passed in a flash. After Tang Hao mastered the Great Xumi Hammer, he defeated all opponents of the same rank within the sect and then entered the City of Slaughter to obtain the God Slayer Domain.

Martial Soul Hall

Inside a secret chamber of the Pope's Hall, a massive burst of sacred, radiant soul power suddenly erupted. Qian Daoliu, now aging and retired in the worship hall, subconsciously glanced toward where Qian Xunji was secluded in cultivation, nodding slightly. This surge of soul power showed that after five years of seclusion, Qian Xunji had finally broken through to the Title Douluo realm.

In the chamber, brightly lit as if daytime by angelic light, eight soul rings shimmered beneath Qian Xunji's feet: two yellow, two purple, and four black. Behind him sprouted six golden wings—the six-winged angel spirit martial soul, a symbol of breaking through to Title Douluo.

Qian Xunji looked at the spot where the ninth soul ring should be placed.

"The ninth soul ring… I must hunt a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast!"

(End of Chapter)

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