"This won't do!"
Qian Daoliu intended to decline. Though he was now stronger than Golden Crocodile Douluo, in his heart, Golden Crocodile Douluo was still his senior.
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke in a deep voice:
"No, Grand Priest, please don't refuse. Right now, our Spirit Hall is flourishing with talent. Elder Qingluan, Elder Xiongshi, and Elder Guangling—each of them is only in their sixties, yet their cultivation has already reached Level 94 or 95. All of them have the potential to become worshippers. The Worship Hall will soon be more crowded than ever. With so many of us, communication will naturally become less frequent, and unity may waver."
"If we call each other brothers and live together harmoniously for decades, even if we aren't true brothers, that bond will form in our minds. Eventually, the Worship Hall will become a united whole."
"But...?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo waved his hand dismissively, "There's nothing for me to be aggrieved about. In the world of soul masters, strength is what makes one a senior. Since your power surpasses mine, calling you big brother is only natural."
Qian Daoliu sighed. "Very well, then."
As the saying goes: a new official sets fire to three fires. Upon taking office, Qian Xunji immediately summoned Yue Guan, who was still a Red-clothed Bishop at the time.
"Greetings, Your Holiness!"
Yue Guan wore a red robe, his skin delicate and soft like a woman's. However, the influence of his martial soul hadn't fully manifested yet. Once his cultivation increased further, he would likely begin wearing heavy makeup, high heels, and dressing indistinguishably from a woman.
"Bishop Yue Guan, do you know why I summoned you?"
"Your subordinate does not."
"Your medicinal herb compendium of immortal-grade herbs has proven quite useful. It records that the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum is a neutral herb, but judging from your appearance, that may not be entirely accurate."
Yue Guan nodded. "That's correct, Your Holiness. Naturally grown Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemums are neutral, but they can actually come in neutral, yin, or yang types. Mine happens to be of the yin attribute, which explains my current appearance."
Qian Xunji said, "Thanks to your compendium, I discovered a trove of herbs that matched your records. I planted them using the methods detailed within."
"Really?" Yue Guan exclaimed in astonishment, his voice echoing through the Pope's Hall. Realizing his outburst, he quickly cupped his hands and bowed. "Please forgive me, Your Holiness!"
"No harm done."
Qian Xunji tapped his fingers on the desk. "Elder Yue Guan, your martial soul—the immortal herb Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum—is one of the most elite plant-type martial souls. It can refine a body to become indestructible. Such a powerful martial soul—if not passed down—will vanish from this world. Don't you think that would be a terrible loss?"
Yue Guan looked troubled at the bluntness of the Pope's words. "Your Holiness, before I joined Spirit Hall, I was wounded by love and swore never to fall for anyone again."
"I'm not asking you to fall in love," Qian Xunji replied. "Just to pass on your martial soul."
A brilliant light flashed from Qian Xunji's soul tool, and a large chrysanthemum appeared in his hand. It was a resplendent purple, each fuzzy petal adorable in its own right. The flower was flawless and emitted no fragrance. At its center, the pistil rose half a foot above the petals, its tip shimmering with a faint golden glow.
Yue Guan's eyes widened as he stared. His throat bobbed, and he whispered each word:
"Qi… Rong… Tong… Tian… Chrysanthemum."
"Bishop Yue Guan," Qian Xunji said, "who said reproduction must come from love? Go. Pass on the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum martial soul. When the child is born, this chrysanthemum will be yours. You can use it yourself or give it to your descendant."
Qian Xunji stowed the herb away. "One more thing. Since your chrysanthemum is of the yin type, releasing the yang energy stored in your body will benefit your cultivation greatly."
Yue Guan glanced longingly at Qian Xunji's hand, then cupped his fists solemnly.
"I understand, Your Holiness. I will do as you say."
To pass down his martial soul and obtain an immortal herb—without tainting the sanctity of love—it was an easy choice. Without hesitation, Yue Guan chose the former. Apologies to Old Ghost.
"Take my decree and summon Elder Qingluan and Elder Guangling from the Elder Hall."
Qian Xunji tossed his papal token to Yue Guan. As for Qingluan Douluo and Guangling Douluo, a well-known pair of close companions—they absolutely had to pass on their martial souls. With talents like theirs, letting such potential vanish would be a sin.
As for Xiongshi Douluo? That didn't require intervention. Think about what kind of creature a lion is. Less than a minute per round, over a hundred times a day, for seven days straight. As a humanized version of such a beast, Xiongshi Douluo had long since become a literal "pile driver."
Immortal herbs were rare and required an immense amount of time to grow. Unless the herb could be used to its fullest potential—such as ensuring a powerful martial soul was perpetuated—Qian Xunji would keep them carefully preserved.
There was no need for a sudden influx of high-end combat strength. Qian Xunji had no intention of unifying the continent. Such ambition, in his eyes, was petty and vain.
Look at the worlds above fantasy's "sewers"—when have the truly powerful forces ever called themselves "Empires"? Empires are merely the stepping stones for protagonists at the start of their journey.
True power lies with those who devote themselves entirely to cultivation. They don't waste their time on mundane bureaucracy.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Ning Zhiping received a letter from Qian Xunji.
"Zhiping, what do you think Qian Xunji is planning?" asked Qi Jie, the current worshipper of the sect, known as Qi Tian Douluo. His martial soul was the Qi Tian Cannon, and though he had reached level 92, he was over a hundred years old, his hair white and his face deeply wrinkled. He didn't have many years left.
Ning Zhiping's expression was not one of concern but of joy.
"Uncle Qi, this isn't a trap. It's a heaven-sent opportunity for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! We must depart at once!"
A dual martial soul user, born with full innate soul power—such a prodigious talent would be treasured by any sect and cultivated with utmost care. And yet Qian Xunji was giving her up?
Ning Zhiping couldn't help but wonder what kind of brain Qian Xunji had to make such a foolish decision!
Qi Jie nodded. "I understand this is a great opportunity. But aren't you worried she's a spy placed in our sect by Qian Xunji?"
Ning Zhiping smiled.
"Uncle Qi, you're overthinking. What kind of force would use a genius like that as a spy? And Bibi Dong only just awakened her talent in a remote village. She hasn't spent much time in Spirit Hall. Even if their indoctrination is powerful, with enough time, we can make her one of our own."
(End of Chapter)
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