The founding ceremony was over. Spirit City had become the capital of the Spirit Empire. The square was empty.
Only Qian Renxue and Tianlin remained, sitting on the steps. Qian Renxue whispered, "Xiao Tian, why did you suddenly come here? To annoy my mother?"
"I'm not that petty or bored, and I didn't cause any trouble. Other than answering Salas' provocation, I quietly watched the entire ceremony," Tianlin laughed. "I actually thought you'd become the Saintess, so I came to witness and congratulate you. I didn't expect you to give up the title and become Judgement Elder instead."
Qian Renxue's expression changed. "Xiao Tian, do you know what the Judgement Elder does?"
"I do. To kill all enemies of Spirit Hall—probably starting with me. I get it. It's not just about your promise to Bibi Dong. You want to face me yourself, right?" Tianlin looked at her.
"That's right. If we must fight, I want to kill you with my own hands—or be killed by you. I don't want to die at anyone else's hands." Qian Renxue leaned her head on his shoulder. "You said before, even if we fight because of our positions, we'll be enemies, not sworn enemies. Xiao Tian, if you kill me one day, I won't hate you. Maybe that's a good ending for me."
"Fate really likes to play tricks. I helped you resolve your grudge with your mother, but also strengthened your resolve to fight for her." Tianlin turned, embraced her, and gently stroked her back. "Goodbye. This is the last time I'll meet you as a friend. From now on, if we meet on the battlefield, no mercy!"
Qian Renxue hugged him back, tears in her eyes. "Goodbye, Xiao Tian!"
Bibi Dong stood on the Pope Hall balcony, watching the two below. She knew they were saying their final farewell.
With the founding of the Spirit Empire, war would begin soon. Bibi Dong was ready to seize at least 30% of both empires' territory within three months. As key figures on opposite sides, they could only meet again on the battlefield.
She sighed. They were so much like her and Yu Xiaogang back then. The difference was, if these two met, maybe they'd go easy on each other, but neither would betray their side. In that, they were much stronger than she had been; she'd nearly left Spirit Hall for the sake of the Grandmaster.
After a long time, Tianlin let go of Qian Renxue, whispered a few words in her ear, and flew away on his sword.
In fact, he had another purpose for coming: to tell her what he could about the Evil Sword Immortal. After all, that guy was probably hiding in Spirit Hall.
Tianlin worried Qian Renxue would be harmed. While he couldn't reveal everything, warning her to be careful wouldn't hurt.
Qian Renxue watched Tianlin's departing figure in a daze.
Back at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, when she was almost killed by Chen Xin, Tianlin protected her with an ice wall. In Star Dou Forest, when she was about to use her Angel's Last Wish to die with the beasts, it was also Tianlin who saved her.
Now, he risked entering enemy territory just to warn her. Even though they were now enemies.
Qian Renxue knew well—even if Spirit Hall was defeated, Tianlin would do everything to protect her. All that talk about no mercy on the battlefield was just tough talk.
She knew him too well.
Lost in emotion, Qian Renxue didn't notice the red flower in her arms slowly glowing. Though it wasn't ready yet, one day, it would bloom.
…
After leaving Spirit City, Tianlin headed for Seagod Island. If he was right, Ning Rongrong and the others were probably between their fifth and sixth trials.
He was right. At the Seagod's Seven Sacred Pillars, the fifth trial was underway.
Unlike the original, where Ning Rongrong's support was needed for each challenge, now they could do all the tests at once.
Except for the battles against Sea Dragon, Sea Spear, and Sea Illusion Douluo—they were too strong for even Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing together. As in the original, they'd need to tire them out first, then let Ning Rongrong finish them off. Otherwise, it would be too difficult.
So, only four battles were happening simultaneously.
Yu Tianheng versus Sea Spear Douluo; Shi Mo and Shi Mo versus Sea Ghost and Sea Horse Douluo; Huanyin versus Sea Woman Douluo; Dugu Yan versus Sea Star Douluo.
As for Oscar and Oslo, they'd wait until after Ning Rongrong beat Sea Spear, then challenge Sea Illusion and Sea Dragon.
Right now, Yu Tianheng and Sea Spear Douluo were close to deciding the outcome.
"Sixth Soul Skill: Tidal Wave Annihilation!"
"Sixth Soul Skill: Thunder Judgment!"
Both had activated their true bodies and clashed in the sea. Sea Spear Douluo's spear raised huge waves, but Yu Tianheng's lightning instantly dispelled them. Unexpectedly, Sea Spear Douluo was losing ground.
In terms of strength, of course, Sea Spear Douluo was stronger, but he was limited to 60% power. Though still superior, Yu Tianheng wasn't without hope.
The key was attribute restraint.
Sea Spear Douluo wanted a quick win, so he jumped into the sea at the start. His domain, the Intrinsic Domain, lets him absorb the sea's power to strengthen himself.
Normally, this would be overwhelming. But Yu Tianheng's martial soul is Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—lightning in water is exponentially stronger.
Especially Yu Tianheng's fifth soul skill, Death Thunderstorm. The water thunder was liquid—once unleashed in the sea, it spread rapidly, turning a large area black.
Plus, Sea Spear Douluo's domain couldn't draw any more power from the now-tainted sea.
After all, no matter how much the water thunder resembled water, it was still lightning. The domain was useless against that.
"Unbelievable! A mere Soul Sage pushing me this far," Sea Spear Douluo raged. "Take this, kid! If you survive this move, you win. If not, you die—Ninth Soul Skill: Extinction, The Sea's Lament!"
"Finally using your trump card!" Yu Tianheng grinned. "Then I won't hold back—Soul Bone Skill, Heavenly Thunder Break!"