Chapter 87: A Shocking Revelation for Qian Daoliu
Qin Xuan said, "Yes, High Priest. Actually, the cultivation of Twin Spirits isn't that complicated."
"The first Twin Spirits owner in history exploded and died because his body's endurance and Mental Force couldn't keep up. He couldn't withstand the energy impact of multi-attribute Spirit Rings and the soul shock of 10,000-year Spirit Beasts and above, which led to his explosion and death."
"Jingni's situation, however, was unique," Qin Xuan continued, his voice steady and confident. He was building a fortress of lies, and every brick had to be perfect. "She had already consumed an Immortal Herb long ago, which reforged her body."
"Later, she inherited a set of extremely high-quality Spirit Bones from her reclusive teacher. This inheritance was transformative."
"Therefore, before she even advanced to Spirit Douluo, she already possessed a Mental Force and physique no less than that of a Titled Douluo."
Qin Xuan paused, letting the implication sink in for the High Priest. "It was this foundation—a body tempered by an Immortal Herb and a full Spirit Bone set—that was enough to withstand the backlash of different attribute Spirit Rings from her Twin Spirits. The normal rules of rejection simply did not apply to her."
"In addition, this time, when hunting for Spirit Rings for Jingni, Senior Ling Yuan contributed the most," Qin Xuan said, gesturing respectfully toward where Ling Yuan had been. "She put in the most effort, protecting our perimeter and lending her power to subdue the beasts."
"Our luck was... considerable. We obtained three extremely high-quality Spirit Bones from the Spirit Beasts we hunted."
"Therefore, as a token of gratitude and to strengthen our Spirit Hall's own power, I boldly gifted those three Spirit Bones to Senior Ling Yuan. It was after absorbing these bones that her Spirit Power successfully increased to Level 93."
Qian Daoliu's gaze remained fixed on Qin Xuan. "These are Spirit Bones you obtained from hunting Spirit Beasts yourselves. They are your spoils and should be distributed among yourselves. Spirit Hall will not interfere."
Hearing that Ling Yuan's Spirit Power had advanced to Level 93 simply because she absorbed Spirit Bones, Qian Daoliu didn't care much anymore. It was a pleasant bonus, but Ling Yuan was a known quantity.
His focus was entirely on the two anomalies in front of him.
"Compared to Ling Yuan," Qian Daoliu said, his voice softening as he used the affectionate nickname, "I am more concerned about you, Xuan'er. What about you? Did you also obtain Spirit Bones?"
The High Priest leaned forward slightly, his ancient, golden eyes filled with an intense, analytical light.
Whether it was advancing to Spirit Saint at only 20 years old, or returning from the City of Slaughter with two Domains, or bringing a Level 97 Twin Spirits Peak Douluo to Spirit Hall as his wife... this "grand-disciple" of his had given him too many surprises.
He urgently wanted to know how Qin Xuan had advanced from Level 70 to Level 75 in such a short time. The leap from Spirit Saint to Spirit Douluo was one thing, but adding five levels on top of that, in what seemed like a matter of weeks? It defied all logic.
Qin Xuan's sixth Spirit Ring was already a monstrous 50,000 years. If Qin Xuan had created another miracle... if his seventh Spirit Ring had broken the record again...
Qin Xuan smiled. "It's not entirely Spirit Bones, High Priest. The reason for the 5-level Spirit Power increase is that after Jingni advanced to Peak Douluo, she... helped me hunt a 10,000-year Spirit Beast."
As he spoke, Qin Xuan slowly raised his right hand. He activated the [Phoenix Fire]'s disguised Spirit Ring skill.
A light, as brilliant and pure as the sun, condensed in his palm. It solidified, transforming into a golden longsword with an elegant, Vermillion Bird-style hilt.
At the same time, a total of seven Spirit Rings quietly appeared on him.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black... and... Red.
The seven Spirit Rings quietly hovered at different positions on Qin Xuan's body, completely enveloping him in a halo of terrifying power.
The first six Spirit Rings might be insignificant in the eyes of a peerless expert like Qian Daoliu, but the seventh... that seventh Spirit Ring, which emitted a crimson, abnormal light that pulsed like a living heart... it attracted his attention, and he couldn't look away no matter what.
His calm, ancient eyes, which had seen a century of history, went wide. His hand, which had been resting on his desk, clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Good... good... good."
Qian Daoliu said 'good' three times, his voice barely a whisper. It showed just how strong the shock Qin Xuan had brought him was.
If, before Qin Xuan revealed his seventh Spirit Ring, Qian Daoliu still favored Bibi Dong, who possessed divine-tier Twin Spirits, more...
Then at this moment, the scales in his heart had completely, and irrevocably, tilted towards Qin Xuan.
A 100,000-year seventh Spirit Ring. Plus two great Domains. Plus his own SSS-level talent. He had thoroughly left Bibi Dong behind in the race.
[Inorin's Note: A "red" Spirit Ring signifies an age of 100,000 years, the highest natural tier.]
Even if Bibi Dong cultivated her Twin Spirits perfectly in the future, her cultivation would, at most, reach Jingni's current height of Level 97.
But Qin Xuan was different.
Qian Daoliu saw even more terrifying potential in Qin Xuan than he had ever seen in his old rival, Tang Chen.
This child's future achievements were truly immeasurable.
"High Priest, you flatter me. It was just luck," Qin Xuan chuckled, retracting his Spirit.
He knew Qian Daoliu was a superior who was ruthless to outsiders but incredibly tolerant and protective of his own people. Otherwise, the six Priests wouldn't be so devoted to him and to the Angel Clan.
In front of Qian Daoliu, he didn't need to be overly reserved. Being too reserved would only make him seem unnatural and suspicious.
"Cough." Qian Daoliu realized his gaffe, his shock betraying his composure. He coughed lightly, and his face returned to its previous calm. "You little rascal, are you still playing tricks on me? I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice."
Qin Xuan's smile widened. "That's just because you have a heavy taste, High Priest."
"I've crossed more bridges than you've walked roads," Qian Daoliu retorted, a rare glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
"That's only because I don't like to move," Qin Xuan shot back instantly.
"You almost made me dizzy, you little fellow," Qian Daoliu said, shaking his head. He became serious again.
"Since Jingni has already advanced to Titled Douluo, and her Spirit Power has reached Level 97, then according to the rules of Spirit Hall, from today onwards, Jingni will be the Eighth Priest of the Elder Hall. Ranked Fifth."
[Inorin's Note: The Elder Hall is led by seven Priests (also called Consecrated Elders). Jingni is being added as the new Eighth Priest, but her rank (Fifth) is based on her power, placing her above some existing members.]
He looked at Ling Yuan. "Ling Yuan, you inform the others. Three days later, I will personally hold a coronation ceremony for Jingni to celebrate her becoming the Fifth Priest of my Spirit Hall."
"Yes, High Priest." Ling Yuan respectfully responded. As she turned, she cast a sultry Charm at Qin Xuan, a silent promise, then left, leaving Qin Xuan with a graceful, charming figure to admire.
This vixen... Qin Xuan cursed inwardly, then turned his attention back to Qian Daoliu. "High Priest, Jingni is the latest to become a Priest. Shouldn't she be the Eighth Priest? Why is she ranked ahead of my two teachers?"
Although he said that, he was actually probing, wanting Jingni to compete for a higher position. Fifth Priest... there were still four above her.
Qian Daoliu was fine. After all, he was indeed impressive, not only with a Spirit Power of Level 99 but also as the High Priest of the Angel God, a true demigod. Jingni couldn't defeat him at all.
But what about Gold Crocodile, Qing Luan, and Xiongshi? Do you believe that Jingni, with her 100,000-year Spirit Bone set and assassination skills, can't beat them to a pulp right now?
Qian Daoliu chuckled, seeing the ambition in his grand-disciple's eyes. "Haha, Xuan'er, the ranking of Spirit Hall's Priests has never been based on seniority, but on strength."
"Among the original seven Priests, Gold Crocodile Douluo is the oldest, and Guang Ling Douluo is the youngest."
"But Gold Crocodile can only be ranked Second. Why could Guang Ling be ranked Fifth before Jingni advanced to Titled Douluo? Strength."
"Although I am younger than Gold Crocodile, I am the High Priest," he stated simply. "Your two teachers, Qianjun and Jiang Mo, are about the same age as me, and a little older than Guang Ling, but why can they only be ranked after Guang Ling? Still strength."
"However, Qianjun and Jiang Mo have now touched the bottleneck of Level 97, thanks to you. After they come out of seclusion, they should be able to rank before Guang Ling."
Qian Daoliu had a gentle smile on his face, explaining the inner workings of his Elder Hall patiently.
I was waiting for you to say that, Qin Xuan chuckled inwardly.
The next second, Jingni, who had been standing silently, spoke. Her voice was cold, clear, and astonishing. "If my strength is stronger than the Second Priest, can I become the Second Priest?"
Qian Daoliu was stunned. Second Priest?
He then reacted, his gentle smile fading. He said solemnly, "Are you sure? The Second Priest's Spirit Power has already reached Level 98. His strength is second only to me in Spirit Hall."
"You just broke through to Level 97, so you might still be vague about the difference between Peak Titled Douluo."
"Before a Spirit Master breaks through to Level 95, they can rely on Spirit Rings and Spirit Bones to make up the difference. But from Level 96 onwards, it's another realm entirely. Each single level has a huge difference. Although you and Gold Crocodile Douluo are only one level apart, there is still an unbridgeable chasm."
"I want to try," Jingni said firmly, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Qian Daoliu frowned, thought for a moment, and then mused, "Alright, I'll grant you that."
"Gold Crocodile, come see me quickly." Qian Daoliu transmitted his Spirit Power to Gold Crocodile Douluo, who was in seclusion cultivating.
Seconds later, a massive, unusually robust golden figure appeared in Qian Daoliu's room.
[Inorin Note:
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