Chapter 159 Passing the Test, Heading Off on the Mission.
The air in the council chamber suddenly felt thick and sticky.
As Elder Zhang finished speaking, his words, though full of protective intent but somewhat outdated, drew strange expressions from the elders sitting on either side.
Elder Chen subconsciously stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Elder Zhang and Liu Yuan;
Elder Li shook his head with a wry smile. As someone who had personally experienced Liu Yuan's "dominance" on the arena half a year ago, he knew best what those three pupils meant.
The atmosphere in the hall did not become tense because of Elder Zhang's opposition; on the contrary, it was filled with a tacit sense of mockery.
Soon, a senior elder sitting in the front row stood up. He first bowed to Elder Zhang, then spoke with a smile:
"Junior Brother Zhang, you have been in seclusion for the past six months trying to reach the title realm, and you have indeed missed many earth-shattering events in the sect."
"You may not know this, but Liu Yuan's strength has grown considerably during the time you were in seclusion."
"He not only successfully completed the second awakening of his original martial soul, reaching the legendary gold level, but also defeated Elder Li, who had awakened his true martial soul form, in the sect test some time ago."
"Defeat Elder Li head-on?"
Elder Zhang was startled. Due to his surprise, the aura of his newly broken-through, still somewhat unstable Title Douluo fluctuated involuntarily.
He turned his head and stared intently at Liu Yuan, whose expression was calm, his eyes filled with disbelief:
"Junior Brother Li is a level 75 offensive Soul Saint, his strength is formidable, how could he possibly lose? How old is Liu Yuan now? What level is his Soul Power? How is this possible?"
Elder Zhang was immediately shocked, but after that shock came a greater sense of caution befitting a veteran expert.
He took a deep breath and looked at Poison Undying with a serious tone:
"Sect Master, it's not that I don't believe what my fellow disciples say, but seeing is believing."
"Liu Yuan is extremely important. He is a once-in-a-millennium prodigy of our Body Sect and the future pillar of the sect."
"To attack a den of dragons and tigers like Mingde Hall, I really can't rest easy without having a combat power that can absolutely crush those of the same level. I must verify it myself."
Liu Yuan stood in the center of the hall, listening to Elder Zhang's stubborn words, his gaze somewhat strange.
He turned his head and looked at Poison Immortal, who sat as steady as a mountain in the main seat, his eyes filled with a question:
"Master, is this level of testing really necessary?"
Du Busi looked at Elder Zhang's stubborn appearance and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
He knew Elder Zhang all too well; this stubborn old man would never easily compromise unless he witnessed firsthand the power of a generational difference.
"That's just his personality; he's always looking for stability." Poison Immortal waved his hand at Liu Yuan. "Since he wants to see, then show him your strength. It'll also be a good opportunity for this old man to see how much you've improved during your seclusion."
Seeing this, Liu Yuan had no choice but to agree.
"Since Elder Zhang has such an interest, then please enlighten me."
The group filed out and arrived at the white jade square outside the sect leader's hall.
It was midday, and the sun shone directly into the center of the empty square. Many disciples who were patrolling nearby stopped upon hearing the news and watched this rare intergenerational duel from a distance.
Elder Zhang stood thirty meters away from Liu Yuan, his aura as a level 91 Title Douluo slowly rising like a mountain.
His martial spirit is "two arms," and at this moment, his pair of aged arms have swelled into a deep purple, exuding a metallic texture.
"Liu Yuan, unleash your strongest moves. Let this old man see your abilities!"
Liu Yuan stood still, without any fancy starting stance.
He merely lowered his eyes slightly, and then, the blood-red fifth spirit ring beneath his feet suddenly lit up in an almost savage manner.
"Fifth Soul Skill - Forbidden Domain!"
As Liu Yuan's deep voice rang out, the sunlight in the entire square seemed to be swallowed up in an instant.
A massive, dark purple, hemispherical domain instantly expanded outwards from Liu Yuan, trapping Elder Zhang inside.
Immediately afterwards, the three pupils in Liu Yuan's eyes, which were arranged in a triangular shape, suddenly moved closer to the center and overlapped.
"dominate!"
The three pupils merged into one, and a dark purple single pupil appeared in the world.
In that instant, Elder Zhang felt as if the space around him had turned into a huge quagmire. Not only did the air become viscous, but even the Title Douluo soul power surging within him was forcibly reduced by more than 30% by the pressure of a superior's rank.
In the void, countless dark purple soul power chains appeared out of thin air, accompanied by a shrill sound of air being torn apart, and frantically attacked Elder Zhang from all directions.
"What kind of soul skill is this?"
Elder Zhang was greatly alarmed.
He discovered that his body was locked by some kind of rule-based force.
He frantically swung his arms, trying to break the chains with the brute force of a Title Douluo.
However, for every chain he breaks, ten new chains grow from the void.
The chains reacted violently the moment they touched his soul power defense, disintegrating his original defenses.
Liu Yuan hovered in mid-air above the forbidden area, his single, dark purple eye coldly gazing down.
Elder Zhang finally let out a roar, forcibly unleashing the peak combat power of a level 91 Title Douluo, even at the cost of overdrawing his potential.
The enormous purple phantom with two arms churned wildly within the forbidden zone. Relying on its absolute level advantage, it finally managed to break free of the chains after a few breaths, tearing open a corner of the forbidden zone and leaping out.
However, when he landed back on the ground, he was panting heavily, and his once neat gray robe was now disheveled.
Elder Zhang looked at Liu Yuan, his gaze now completely different from before.
The kind of loving care for younger generations has disappeared, replaced by a sense of awe towards stronger peers, or even some higher-level beings.
"What a domineering domain..." Elder Zhang shook his head with a wry smile and praised it in front of everyone.
"Liu Yuan, I have been too narrow-minded. If you had used that move just now in conjunction with your follow-up killing move, even an ordinary Soul Saint would not have been your match. I acknowledge your strength, and you are qualified to represent the Body Sect in any mission."
Meanwhile, the other elders, led by Du Bu Si, also discerned the clues from the brief exchange just now.
Elder Chen stepped forward with some surprise, stared at Liu Yuan for a moment to sense his presence, and then said to Poison Undying:
"Sect Master, have you noticed? Liu Yuan's soul power level has increased. If I'm not mistaken, he should be level 57 now. Moreover, the aura around him is more refined than when he defeated Elder Li last time, and his control over space has improved significantly. It seems that he has made considerable progress recently."
Elder Li nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right. Last time, his domain didn't have the ability to instantly seal off a Title Douluo. It seems that during your seclusion, Junior Brother has gained a deeper understanding of the Golden Awakening."
Liu Yuan withdrew his martial spirit and returned to normal. He bowed slightly to the crowd and said humbly:
"Elders, you flatter me. I have only made some progress and slightly improved my use of soul power. I do not deserve such praise."
After catching his breath, Elder Zhang spoke again.
However, this time, his proposal was completely in favor of Liu Yuan:
"Since Liu Yuan has such combat power, it would indeed be a great help for him to go on the mission together. But…" He turned to look at Long Aotian beside him.
"Although Long Aotian is an outstanding member of the younger generation, his strength is not yet sufficient, and it is too dangerous for him to carry out this level of mission. I suggest that Long Aotian stay and stay in the sect."
Many of the elders around also showed expressions of approval.
After all, in this raid on Mingde Hall, they were facing the elite military force of the Sun Moon Empire. A prodigy like Liu Yuan, capable of fighting across ranks, could be sent to gain experience, but talents like Long Aotian, who hadn't yet matured and couldn't instantly change the course of a battle like Liu Yuan, were best left at home to be protected.
After much deliberation, Du Busi glanced back and forth between the two disciples.
Although a hint of regret flashed in Long Aotian's eyes, he was also clear about his own position.
"Aotian, Elder Zhang is right. Although you are quite strong now, I may not be able to protect you at all times on a battlefield of that level." Poison Immortal finally agreed with everyone's opinion and announced in a deep voice.
"You shall continue to stay within the Body Sect and cultivate patiently."
"As for Liu Yuan, he will accompany us old guys to carry out this raid on Mingde Hall."
(End of chapter)