Chapter 16: Four Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts

After emerging from seclusion, Qian Xunji summoned a cardinal and asked for an update on what had transpired within the Spirit Hall and across the continent during his absence.

"Your Holiness, all is well within the Spirit Hall. Five years ago, Tang Chen, the former patriarch of the Clear Sky Clan, left the sect and has since vanished."

Qian Xunji nodded slightly. He hadn't expected his closed-door cultivation to last five years. In that time, it seemed Tang Chen had already entered the Slaughter City and likely become its Slaughter King. The first phase of his plan was a success.

"Three years ago, the former Sword Douluo, Dust Sword Lord, challenged the Grand Priest and was defeated, succumbing to his injuries. Ning Fengzhi has since succeeded him as the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and he recruited the Sword and Bone Douluos. Their sect has grown exceptionally powerful."

A hint of regret flashed in Qian Xunji's eyes. He hadn't expected such an epic battle to take place while he was secluded—missing it was truly unfortunate.

As for Chen Xin joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Qian Xunji had no strong feelings. The Chen family had always roamed the continent as sword masters, generation after generation inheriting the Seven Kill Sword and attaining the Title Douluo rank. Countless forces—including Spirit Hall—had tried recruiting them over the years, but all were rejected.

Chen Xin likely joined due to some debt or kindness owed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If persuasion alone worked, Spirit Hall would've recruited him long ago.

"The Clear Sky Clan's Tang Yuehua has opened Moon Pavilion in Heaven Dou City, where she instructs noble children in etiquette each year."

"A clever move," Qian Xunji mused. "It earns her mountains of gold while also building ties with the Heaven Dou Empire. But that girl is still too naive. Without the Clear Sky Clan backing her, she'd have been devoured by the noble circle long ago—especially someone with her looks. The connections she's making? In the eyes of those who respect only power, they're nothing but paper tigers."

Having reached his position, Qian Xunji understood all too well the nature of nobility. They were always the first to be culled. Time and again, humanity failed to learn from its own history.

After asking about recent developments between Spirit Hall, the major clans, and the two empires, Qian Xunji dismissed the cardinal.

In short:

The Clear Sky Clan feared Spirit Hall and had kept a low profile since Tang Chen's departure.

The once-passive Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had grown bolder under Ning Fengzhi, especially after recruiting Sword and Bone Douluos.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Star Luo Empire were still openly hostile.

Only the Heaven Dou Empire maintained cordial relations—mostly because Spirit Hall's presence was the reason they still existed.

Moreover, Qian Xunji had brokered a deal with Ning Zhiping for three luxury commercial streets, generating substantial tax revenue for the Heaven Dou Empire. As they say—no one turns down money.

As for Spirit Hall's strained relations with other sects? It stemmed from Spirit Hall declaring itself the leader of all soul masters across the continent. But soul masters were proud by nature—no powerful clan would willingly bow to such authority.

Qian Xunji wasn't offering this leadership as a free service, either. Spirit Hall had planned to monetize its mercenary services and no longer provide free enforcement of order. But suppressing chaos caused by rogue soul masters? That was an oracle passed down from the Angel God—it was non-negotiable.

At the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu stood before the Angel God's statue, as still as a sculpture.

"Father," Qian Xunji said, "lend me two Worship Elders. I need to hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast to obtain my ninth soul ring."

"To hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast? Can't you take Jade Flute Douluo and Diamond Douluo?" Qian Daoliu referred to the two guardian Douluo of the Pope's Palace.

"Father, hundred-thousand-year soul beasts possess human-level intelligence—some even travel in groups. Aren't the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Blue Bull Python said to be brothers? Who knows what else is hidden in the Star Dou Great Forest?"

There was once a Titled Douluo who ventured into the forest to challenge the Titan Giant Ape. But before he even attacked, a monstrous pressure from the Lake of Life paralyzed him. A colossal bull head emerged from the lake, followed by a serpent body that stretched for over a hundred meters, forcing the Douluo to retreat.

Even the powerful Titan Giant Ape behaved like a younger sibling in front of that creature—utterly submissive.

Due to its massive bull head and serpent body, soul masters named the creature the Sky Blue Bull Python, the Emperor of the Forest.

"Lionheart, Lightwing—you two will accompany the Pope to hunt the soul beast," Qian Daoliu commanded.

"Yes, Grand Priest!" ×2

In the blink of an eye, two figures appeared in the Worship Hall. Even Qian Xunji barely sensed the spatial fluctuation around them—a testament to their terrifying strength.

The two men wore distinct golden armor with different inner robes and cloaks. The one on the left was massive and muscular, with short orange hair and a full orange beard—he resembled a lion. The other was short and childlike, with silver hair and a youthful face, though his left eye was covered in frost.

"Your Holiness, let us depart."

Both Lionheart Douluo and Lightwing Douluo were Rank 96 Titled Douluo. At such strength, hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was routine—they needed no extra help.

En route to the Star Dou Great Forest, Lionheart Douluo sent a voice transmission:

"Your Holiness, I heard you gave Lightwing a celestial herb. After this hunt… could I perhaps…"

Five years ago, Lightwing had only been Rank 94. His sudden breakthrough to Rank 96 was rumored to be thanks to that herb. Naturally, Lionheart wanted one too.

Qian Xunji was speechless. He had entrusted the herbs to Qian Daoliu to distribute while he was in seclusion. Lightwing had shamelessly consumed his before his son even awakened his martial spirit.

"Fourth Worship Elder, may I ask—what is the innate soul power level of your most gifted child?"

"Level 8 innate soul power."

That was excellent talent. Under Spirit Hall's training and with a top-tier martial spirit, reaching Rank 95 Titled Douluo was no problem.

"Your child's talent is already outstanding. There's no urgent need to enhance it further. Celestial herbs are extremely rare. How about I offer you a strengthening herb instead?"

"Well… very well."

Lionheart had hoped for a power-boosting herb to help him break through. But Qian Xunji's aim was to improve the next generation's talent pool—not just hand out power-ups. Still, a powerful tonifying herb wasn't a bad consolation.

At the Lake of Life:

The green waters radiated vitality and emitted a fragrant life energy. It was so rich, it almost took physical form, giving the lake a dense, almost opaque appearance.

By the lakeside lay an enormous rabbit, 8 meters long and 5 meters wide, plump and fluffy. Its ears were pink, half a meter long, and drooped down adorably.

"Mom, what's the human world like?"

The rabbit… spoke. Talking soul beasts were the mark of a hundred-thousand-year-old creature.

On the rabbit's back stood a woman with her hair in a bun, dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit. She was tall, curvy, strikingly beautiful, and barefoot. She gently combed the rabbit's fur.

This woman was the rabbit's mother—Ah Rou, in human form. The rabbit was Xiao Wu, a Soft-Boned Rabbit, and a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.

Beside them crouched a massive shadow, like a living mountain. Covered in jet-black fur, it shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Even on all fours, its shoulders reached over 7 meters. If it stood upright, it would be over 15 meters tall.

This was neither ape nor gorilla, but something in between. Its eyes glowed like lanterns, and it radiated immense power.

This was the Titan Giant Ape—King of the Forest.

And in the lake, a colossal bull head over four meters wide emerged, covered in gleaming green scales, with a long, winding serpent body.

These two were the soul beast world's legendary kings—Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Blue Bull Python.

Four hundred-thousand-year soul beasts... gathered.

(End of Chapter)

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