The Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring Shocks the Arena
The phantom grabbed the Nine Nether Demon Chain and, with a single flick, unleashed a tsunami-like pressure that engulfed the entire training arena.
The next moment, everyone except Sasha and the protected Hu Liena was forced to their knees. They struggled desperately to rise, but the immense pressure held them firmly in place. Seeing they still had some fight left, Chu Tianxiu calmly increased his soul power output. Now, like Yan before them, they were pressed into intimate contact with the ground, unable to move.
Sasha watched the entire process in stunned astonishment. It was only when the ground began to crack and some students started to lose consciousness that she snapped back to reality.
"Tianxiu! You must stop! Everyone is about to collapse!" she urgently called out.
Chu Tianxiu withdrew his martial soul upon hearing this. By then, more than half of the students had lost consciousness, slumping to the ground.
He stepped forward and took Hu Liena's still-trembling hand. "Senior sister, let us go. I will take you to get something delicious to eat." His tone was now light and cheerful, a stark contrast to the tyrant of moments before.
"O-okay," Hu Liena replied, still somewhat dazed, allowing him to lead her away from the training field.
Just before they left, Chu Tianxiu turned and gave Sasha a bright, unassuming smile. "Teacher Sasha, I will be waiting for you this weekend!"
Upon hearing this, Sasha inexplicably felt her face grow warm. 'I am a thirty-year-old Soul Emperor. Why am I blushing because of a little boy?' By the time she collected herself, Chu Tianxiu had already disappeared with Hu Liena. She then hurriedly began organizing the rescue of the wounded students.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Spirit Academy, Chu Tianxiu headed straight for Dongxiu Clothing Store. He had over a dozen of the new cheongsams custom-made for Hu Liena, drawing envious stares from the noblewomen present. These dresses now cost a thousand gold soul coins each, a price that made most pause. Yet this young boy was spending so lavishly.
They had no idea he was the owner and did not have to pay a single coin. After ordering the dresses, Chu Tianxiu received a storage card with 50,000 gold soul coins from Old Lange. He then guided the still-awestruck Hu Liena to the largest restaurant in Spirit City, ordering every expensive dish on the menu until they were both thoroughly full.
Hu Liena rubbed her stomach with difficulty. "Junior brother… I… I am so full. Let us return to the Papal Palace."
"Senior sister, there is no rush. Let us stroll a little longer. I want to buy some jewelry for you and Sister Dong'er." Chu Tianxiu then fully embodied the role of a generous benefactor, buying anything that caught her eye along the way.
Under this powerful onslaught of thoughtful gifts, Hu Liena's earlier shock completely transformed into open admiration. Before Chu Tianxiu stored his purchases away, the two of them were laden with bags of luxury goods.
On the path back to the Papal Palace, Hu Liena had completely accepted Chu Tianxiu as her most important junior brother. She held his hand tightly, a happy, contented smile on her face.
Chu Tianxiu, feeling the warmth of her hand, gently kissed the little fox spirit's forehead. Hu Liena happily squinted her eyes, looking like a pampered young lady.
Just as they passed through the main gates of the Spirit Hall complex, a gust of wind swept past them. When they looked up, a figure stood imposingly before them.
The newcomer was an elderly man, tall and dressed in pristine white robes that radiated a sacred aura. His white beard and hair were long and loose, and his cloudy eyes flashed with a gloomy light. Hu Liena immediately bowed upon seeing him.
"Greetings, Grand Elder."
Chu Tianxiu's pupils constricted. 'Qian Daoliu! I had forgotten about him…'
Qian Daoliu spoke slowly, his voice carrying undeniable authority. "Holy Maiden, you may return to your duties. I have matters to discuss with this child."
Hu Liena was taken aback. 'What could the Grand Elder possibly have to discuss with my junior brother?'
Chu Tianxiu squeezed her hand gently. "Senior Sister, please go on ahead." He infused his tone with subtle meaning.
Though young, Hu Liena was extremely intelligent and instantly understood. She rushed towards the Papal Palace without a second glance.
After watching her leave, Qian Daoliu turned his gaze fully onto Chu Tianxiu. "You are Chu Tianxiu."
"What does the Grand Elder want with me?" Chu Tianxiu replied, his voice calm.
"I will not waste words. Leave the Papal Palace and join the Elder's Hall in the Douluo Palace. I will take you as my direct disciple and ensure you are freed from Bibi Dong's influence."
Chu Tianxiu's inner thoughts were cold. 'You old schemer. My Dong'er is destined for godhood. You are merely a sacrifice for your granddaughter's ascent. How dare you compare yourself to her?'
Thinking this, he refused decisively. "I am sorry, Elder. I have already taken the Pope as my master. I will not betray that oath."
Qian Daoliu's eyes narrowed. Chu Tianxiu felt himself enveloped by a killing intent so dense it was suffocating.
"You dare refuse me? I admit your talent surpasses even Bibi Dong's and my own. You may even become a god. But you are still growing. A genius who has not matured can fall at any time." With that, a surge of soul power burst forth, rushing straight at Chu Tianxiu, a tangible pressure forcing him to his knees.
Chu Tianxiu frantically activated the Nine Nether Soul Devouring Technique, absorbing the invasive soul power. Simultaneously, his martial soul manifested, his scarlet eyes locking onto Qian Daoliu defiantly.
Qian Daoliu, a level 99 Limit Douluo, one of the strongest in this godless era, felt a flicker of surprise at the fearlessness in the boy's eyes. He involuntarily increased his soul power output.
The pressure Chu Tianxiu had just relieved instantly intensified. Under the immense force, he felt on the verge of bleeding from his seven orifices. Only after activating his first spirit ring did he find a sliver of relief.
Seeing that Chu Tianxiu would rather be crushed than yield, Qian Daoliu's anger flared. He increased his output once more. The immense pressure forced a trickle of blood from the corner of Chu Tianxiu's mouth. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, a familiar and furious wave of soul power came from afar.
"QIAN DAOLIU! HOW DARE YOU!"
Bibi Dong arrived in a flash of light. When Hu Liena had told her that Qian Daoliu and Chu Tianxiu were alone, she knew something was wrong and had rushed over immediately. Seeing Chu Tianxiu coughing up blood, her heart felt as though it were being torn apart.
Seeing Bibi Dong arrive, Qian Daoliu knew he could not continue. He coldly snorted and vanished.
Chu Tianxiu could no longer hold on and fell backward. Just before he hit the ground, a pair of gentle yet powerful hands caught him. His head rested against a soft shoulder. He looked up and saw a beautiful, anxious face.
Mustering his last bit of strength, he whispered, "Sister… Dong'er… I… will never… leave you." With that, he finally succumbed to the darkness.
Hearing his words, Bibi Dong's eyes welled with tears. She held his unconscious form tightly against her.