After Golden Crocodile Douluo relayed the events to Qian Daoliu, the latter fell into deep thought. It was indeed a viable path. This way, they wouldn't even need to go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to arrange an engagement for Qian Renxue; after all, once she defeated Gu Xuan in three years, he would naturally belong to her.
Qian Daoliu looked down at Qian Renxue and asked softly, "Xue'er, Gu Xuan is exceptionally gifted. Do you truly have the confidence to defeat him in battle three years from now?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Qian Renxue replied, "I do. Today's defeat taught me that there is always someone better and a sky beyond the sky. That brat is indeed a monster, but I am not inferior to him. In our duel three years from now, I will show him the true gap between us."
Hearing her words, Qian Daoliu's expression remained calm, but he was inwardly overjoyed. Having someone to motivate Xue'er was exactly what he wanted to see. He replied, "Very well. In that case, set aside your infiltration of the Heaven Dou Empire for now. Spend the coming time focused entirely on cultivation..."
Before he could finish, Qian Renxue interrupted, "Grandfather, there's no need for that. Continuing my mission in the Heaven Dou Empire won't hinder my cultivation. Within five years, I am certain I can seize the empire. Furthermore, I ask that Grandfather bestow upon me the remaining five Soul Bones of the Angelic Raiment. Within five years, I am confident I can absorb the full set and charge into the Titled Douluo realm."
Qian Daoliu's face shifted slightly. "Xue'er, do you not understand the power of the Angelic Raiment? Attempting to forcefully absorb all the Soul Bones before receiving the divine inheritance could cause your body to collapse."
Qian Renxue nodded, thinking of Gu Xuan's ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring. She replied, "Grandfather, anything is possible. You have always protected me, keeping me away from all risks. But now I realize that I have been a flower in a greenhouse, unable to truly stand on my own. This time, I want to try. I want to achieve something that even you deem impossible."
Qian Daoliu was deeply gratified. These words proved she had truly grown. This failure hadn't broken her spirit; it had fueled her ambition. Beside them, Golden Crocodile Douluo looked like he wanted to speak but hesitated.
After a long silence, Qian Daoliu said, "So be it. Take this right leg bone first. With your current strength, absorbing it shouldn't be an issue." He flicked his hand, and a brocade box glowing with intense golden light floated before her.
Qian Renxue took it and vowed, "I will not disappoint you, Grandfather."
"I believe in you," Qian Daoliu said softly, "but act within your limits. Your life is the priority. I will send the remaining bones once you've finished with the leg."
After Qian Renxue left the hall, Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke with concern. "Big brother, are you not going to tell Xue'er that the other four pieces of the Angelic Raiment are still attached to your own body? If she truly tries to absorb the full set within five years, then you..."
Qian Daoliu gave a free-spirited smile. "Second brother, you are getting too caught up in appearances. As a descendant of the Angel lineage, my responsibility is to pass on the godhood. I have waited too long for this day. Qian Xunji's talent was too poor; he only managed to absorb one piece after reaching Rank 70. But Xue'er is the greatest genius in ten thousand years. She absorbed the second-ranked skull piece at Rank 30. Only she has the hope of reaching that realm."
"But big brother, detaching four Soul Bones within five years... your body..."
Qian Daoliu interrupted him. "You underestimate the Angelic inheritance. It's just detaching Soul Bones. It won't threaten my life; at most, my soul power will drop, and I'll have to cultivate it back once more."
Golden Crocodile grew more agitated. "Drop in soul power? If your strength is gone, Bibi Dong will surely run wild!"
Qian Daoliu laughed. "I have been restraining the few of you until now. For the coming period, I will rely on you. Bibi Dong does not yet have the strength to face you, brothers, if you work together."
"But—"
"No more words. Once I begin detaching the bones, this must remain a secret between us. The Elder Hall will depend on you. We are old and have lost the edge of our youth; while I am in seclusion, I need you to return to your iron-fisted ways. Show no mercy and eliminate any threat to Xue'er. Do you understand?"
Seeing Qian Daoliu's absolute resolve, Golden Crocodile Douluo swallowed his words. His aura surged as he said solemnly, "I understand. It seems we old fellows from the Elder Hall need to show our faces to the continent once again."
Qian Daoliu began his seclusion to detach the four pieces of the Angelic Raiment—four top-tier bones at 99,999 years, infinitely close to the 100,000-year rank. Because they carried the aura of the Angel God, only those with the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul could absorb them, and even then, it required immense talent.
Even the gifted Qian Daoliu had only managed to absorb four pieces. Qian Xunji had been the most mediocre, absorbing a leg bone at Rank 70 and a skull bone at Rank 90 before being killed. Qian Renxue, however, had absorbed the skull at Rank 30. She was the greatest genius in the ten-thousand-year history of the Qian family.
If she could absorb the complete Angelic Raiment, she would lay the foundation for godhood, increasing her success rate to ninety percent. The six pieces together would evolve into a full set of 100,000-year-old soul bones, granting her a 'demigod physique.' By detaching the bones and allowing her to establish an Angelic Kingdom based on faith, Qian Daoliu might even avoid having to sacrifice himself for her final trial.
While Qian Daoliu's strength would temporarily drop, he could cultivate back to Rank 99. Even without the bones, the gap in realm meant he could still handle a Rank 98 Super Douluo with ease. He simply needed the Second Worship to guard him.
Unbeknownst to Elder Hall, Qian Daoliu had noticed a variable during the tournament: Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin had grown stronger. He sensed an aura from Chen Xin that was no weaker than Golden Crocodile. While he didn't know what lucky break Chen Xin had found, he wasn't overly worried. Even at Rank 98, Chen Xin couldn't derail his plans. As for Ning Fengzhi, he was just a Soul Saint. A Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda user can ignore rank to buff others, but how long could he support a Rank 98 Super Douluo? Five minutes at most.
With the Second Worship (who had a 100,000-year Golden Giant Crocodile ring) and five other worships, the Elder Hall could flatten the continent. There was no reason to fear a mere Sword Douluo.
While the Elder Hall was mobilizing, Bibi Dong in the Pope's Palace was still in the dark. Before her stood the Golden Generation: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. Having lost the tournament and three Soul Bones, these three scapegoats were receiving their punishment.
Since no one dared blame Qian Renxue, the Golden Generation had to take the fall. As in the original timeline, Xie Yue and Yan were sent to the Mystery Grand Canyon for two years of training. Hu Liena, however, insisted on going to the Slaughter City.
If Gu Xuan were here, he would surely call her a fool for overestimating her own rank. In the original story, she wouldn't have made it out alive without Tang San. Nevertheless, Bibi Dong agreed, granting her a 50,000-year skull bone to absorb before having the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos escort her.
Just after Hu Liena left, the Ghost Leopard and Devil Bear Douluo returned—empty-handed. Tang San had been rescued by Tang Hao. Bibi Dong cursed them as useless but knew there was little they could do against the Clear Sky Douluo. She confirmed that Yu Xiaogang was unharmed and dismissed them. She had her own matters to attend to: her Rakshasa God trials were progressing slowly under the shadow of the Angel God, and she needed more time...
(End of Chapter)
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