Chapter 229: Yu Xiaogang Seeks Death
Qian Xunji asked calmly, "State your reason."
Yu Xiaogang met his gaze directly, standing tall without yielding.
In the past, Yu Xiaogang had felt some admiration for Qian Xunji. It was Qian Xunji who pointed him toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the path of soul theory, where he met his life's white moonlight—Bibi Dong. He was the one who recommended him onto this scholarly path.
Later, Qian Xunji showcased unmatched strength, nearly obliterating the new generation Clear Sky Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect, pushing Tang Hao to the brink of death with a near full-force explosion of nine rings. All of this had once left Yu Xiaogang with deep respect for him. But that admiration had long since turned to hatred.
First, at the Soto Great Spirit Arena, Qian Renxue snatched Tang San's Eight Spider Lances, brutally defeated the Shrek Seven Devils. Then, he killed their most talented graduate Qin Ming and severely injured his best friend Flender. In the promotion tournament, he once again crushed Tang San's team. And now, publicly humiliating Tang San... Yu Xiaogang's loathing for Spirit Hall had reached its peak.
With a cold sneer, Yu Xiaogang said, "There's no special reason. Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team chooses to forfeit the first half of the finals and voluntarily enter the afternoon's losers' bracket."
Yu Xiaogang had already discussed this with the Second Team. Judging by Qian Renxue's actions, it was clear he intended to force every Second Team member to kneel before Qian Xunji.
Tang San was already severely injured. With Ye Lingling's healing abilities, her remaining soul power might only be enough to treat him alone. If Qian Renxue continued at this pace, the team wouldn't have enough healthy members for the afternoon or the next day's match.
And letting Qian Renxue force the rest of the team to kneel before Qian Xunji? That was utterly unacceptable. They couldn't resist him either.
The terror Qian Renxue posed had already been seen during the promotion rounds—when he soloed all seven members of the team. It was better to forfeit now and save their strength for the team battle.
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo didn't object. A trace of satisfaction flickered in their eyes—they wanted Yu Xiaogang to speak out.
When Qian Renxue made Tang San kneel in front of Tang Xiao, they worried he'd try to do the same to Gu Chen. Qian Renxue didn't even respect Tang Xiao—so what chance did they and Bone Douluo have? Qian Xunji, the old fox, would surely enjoy such a scene.
They were even considering swallowing their pride and having the team forfeit. They hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to step up—what a pleasant surprise. For once, Yu Xiaogang actually looked decent in their eyes.
"Why?"
A flicker of anger flashed in Qian Xunji's eyes. Yu Xiaogang dared ruin his fun?
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, looking up at the Douluo Hall behind the Pope's Hall. "No reason. I believe surrendering is our right."
His calm voice echoed like thunder in the Pope's Plaza. There was nothing wrong with what he said—it was who he said it to that mattered. To speak so directly to the Pope? It was clearly defiance.
The soul masters of Spirit Hall were seething with fury. Qian Renxue's gaze narrowed—Yu Xiaogang was courting death.
Qian Xunji replied coolly, "You're right. It is your right. Even as Pope, I have no authority to interfere."
"Let the match continue."
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo exchanged surprised looks. What was Qian Xunji playing at? A level-29 weakling had openly defied him, and he let it slide? They were hoping to watch Qian Xunji have Yu Xiaogang beaten up and thrown out of Spirit Hall.
But the Spirit Hall soul masters were full of reverence. As expected of His Holiness! Such magnanimity! Even if he didn't retaliate, they would. As soon as Yu Xiaogang left the Pope's Hall, they would make sure he never walked again.
Soon after, Hu Liena stepped onto the stage. Her five soul rings—two yellow, two purple, one black—lit up. A large, fluffy tail nearly as tall as she was unfurled behind her. A pair of fox ears appeared on her head, and a soft pink light surrounded her. She looked even more beautiful, even more alluring.
As the referee called the start, Hu Liena twirled gracefully. Her fourth soul ring glowed. Her tail swayed, and her voice was soft and seductive: "They call me the Celestial Fox. Holy Son, could you come down from the stage for me?"
Using her thousand-year fourth ring, her charm ability tripled. Pink mist floated through the air, and most soul masters present saw their eyes tint purple. On the Heaven Dou Second Team side, Dai Mubai's eyes turned pink—his "Little Mubai" stirred. He hadn't been with a woman since Zhu Zhuqing joined the team over two years ago.
Ma Hongjun also felt his Evil Fire surge. Though he loved Bai Chenxiang, physical urges were hard to suppress.
Across Tianshui, Heaven Dou Second, and Spirit Hall's teams, everyone below Soul Sage level—regardless of gender—was affected, staring at Hu Liena in a daze. Only Tang San, still lying on the ground, remained immune.
Qian Xunji nodded in approval. As expected of Spirit Hall's former Holy Maiden. Her charm was formidable. No wonder she had passed 100 trials in the Hell Slaughter Arena. On the battlefield, she was a mass destruction weapon.
Her charm, when fully unleashed, rendered her nearly unbeatable below Soul Emperor level. But Qian Renxue was one of the exceptions.
Qian Renxue's expression didn't change. He was completely unaffected. Without wasting soul power, he raised his hand. Two Blue Silver Vines shot toward Hu Liena.
Her expression changed dramatically. Though she had trained with her brother Xie Yue and developed decent combat skills, her real strength was charm. With it ineffective, she was just a strong, agile girl.
"Fifth Soul Skill—Hundred Fox Enchantments!"
Her fifth soul ring flared. Intense pink light burst from her, and the entire arena turned pink. Illusions of Hu Liena appeared all around Qian Renxue—some lifting skirts to reveal legs, others sliding down sleeves to bare shoulders. Each Hu Liena was differently posed, seductive to the extreme.
And yet, under the Purple Demon Eye, Qian Renxue remained unmoved. Two vines coiled around the real Hu Liena and bound her instantly.
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