Chapter 108: A Shift in Allegiance
Red!
It was the most coveted, most legendary Spirit Ring color for all Spirit Masters on the continent.
Everyone present was a Spirit Master, and their cultivation was generally above Spirit Emperor, so almost no one didn't know what that scarlet, pulsating halo meant.
Moreover, before Qin Xuan, they had just seen on Jingni Douluo's body the crimson seventh, eighth, and ninth Spirit Rings, which represented 100,000 years of power.
If they could barely understand Jingni Douluo having a 100,000-year seventh ring due to her Twin Spirits and mysterious origins, then Qin Xuan's 100,000-year seventh ring completely exceeded their comprehension.
At this moment, the golden-red light from Qin Xuan's body overshadowed the Upper Three Sects, who should have been the ones shining brightly at this Sect Competition.
Yu Yuanzhen, the Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, was gripping the arms of his stone throne so tightly that cracks were beginning to form. He was unable to control his excited, shocked emotions, shouting with an expression of disbelief, "He actually also possesses a 100,000-year Spirit Ring! How is this possible?"
Tang Xiao, the Clear Sky Sect Master, painfully closed his eyes. His heart, already heavy with the burden of his brother's exile, now felt an even greater weight. "Another... another genius who surpasses Hao'er."
Sword Douluo's expression was grim, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "This sword intent is unheard of. My aura has been completely locked onto by Jingni Douluo, and with Yue Guan and Gui Mei beside her... if I make any move, the Sect Master will surely not survive."
Not only the onlookers in the arena, but even the grand square in front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, high above, was filled with exclamations.
From the edge of the square, one could clearly see the arena area below Supreme Pontiff Mountain.
This included Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji and High Priest Qian Daoliu.
At this moment, the square in front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace was almost entirely filled with all of Spirit Hall's powerhouses at or above the Titled Douluo rank.
They had just finished their high-level meeting regarding the Sect Competition and, before they could leave, sensed an aura erupt from the arena below. It was an aura that made almost everyone present, except Qian Daoliu, feel a chilling palpitation in their hearts.
Bibi Dong also came; as the Holy Maiden and the first-in-line successor to the Next Supreme Pontiff, she naturally attended the meeting, accompanying Qian Xunji.
"Is this the Second Priest's strength?" Qingluan Douluo and Xiongshi Douluo, the two Priests, gulped hard. Although they didn't pay much attention to the so-called Upper Three Sects, Jingni's power truly startled them.
In their understanding, only the High Priest and that woman from Sea God Island could possibly surpass Jingni in strength. As for Tang Chen, with no sign of him alive or dead, there was no point in mentioning him.
Gold Crocodile Douluo said from the side, his voice a low rumble, "It's not just the Second Priest. Have you seen Xuan'er's seventh Spirit Ring? It's also 100,000 years. It was personally hunted for him by the Second Priest."
His ancient, reptilian eyes were full of undisguised admiration. From Qin Xuan and Jingni, this terrifying couple, he saw the hope for Spirit Hall's true growth.
So much so that before the meeting began, he had privately proposed to the High Priest that Qin Xuan replace Bibi Dong as the first-in-line successor to the Supreme Pontiff.
Unfortunately, Qian Daoliu had rejected it, citing Bibi Dong's Twin Spirits.
In reality, only Qian Daoliu himself knew the true reason.
Although he was very happy to see Qin Xuan grow, and even if his strength surpassed his own, he would only feel gratification.
However, he never considered having Qin Xuan serve as the Supreme Pontiff's successor. His definition for him had always been a Spirit Hall Guardian, a pillar of the Elder Palace.
With Qin Xuan's current performance, in less than 20 years, or even 10, he would surpass his son, Qian Xunji.
And Qian Xunji was currently in his prime, in a stage of striving for strength and grand ambitions.
The situation of a successor's strength surpassing the reigning Supreme Pontiff... this was not something Qian Daoliu wished to see. It created instability.
At least, before Qian Xunji's Spirit Power broke through to Level 96 and reached the Guardian level, Qian Daoliu did not want to see such a thing happen.
And although Bibi Dong was exceptionally talented, she still had a long way to go to surpass Qian Xunji. At least, before Qian Xunji became a Peak Douluo, Qian Daoliu didn't believe it was possible.
"Too strong! The Second Majesty already possesses two great Domains, and now he has obtained a 100,000-year seventh ring. His strength is probably on par with us Titled Douluo Elders!"
Hearing Gold Crocodile Douluo's words, Giant Rhino, Demonic Wolf, and other ordinary Titled Douluo whose Spirit Power was below Level 95, while envious, couldn't stop praising him.
The strong have always commanded respect.
Unlike Jingni, who joined Spirit Hall because of Qin Xuan.
Even though Jingni's strength was formidable and she became the Second Priest of Spirit Hall, they only felt reverence for a strong person. In terms of prestige, she was still far inferior to an Elder like Gold Crocodile Douluo, who was both powerful and had dedicated his entire life to Spirit Hall.
Therefore, no matter how strong Jingni was, no one would ever nominate her to be the Supreme Pontiff. The Second Priest was already the highest position Spirit Hall could offer at present.
But Qin Xuan was different. He was born in Spirit Hall, adopted by Spirit Hall from a young age, grew up in Spirit Hall, and was even taken as a disciple by the two Guardians, Qianjun and Jiang Mo, who were currently in seclusion.
He was truly of pure lineage.
Now, not only did his strength surpass the Holy Maiden, but he also had a powerhouse like Jingni Douluo as a companion.
Moreover, he acted decisively, showing no regard for the Upper Three Sects. His personality was very much to their liking.
Subtly, the balance for the next Supreme Pontiff successor in their hearts was gradually tilting towards Qin Xuan.
Although Bibi Dong was still excellent, compared to Qin Xuan, she was still quite lacking.
And she was also a woman.
The vast majority of the Titled Douluo present were male; the only female was Ling Yuan Douluo. If given a choice, no one would want to choose a woman as their leader.
Not just them, even the few Guardians present had similar thoughts. They were loyal to the Angel Clan, which was true, but the problem was, Bibi Dong was not of the Angel Clan.
"A 100,000-year seventh ring... tsk tsk, he's truly a monster. I wonder how this little fellow managed to do it. Since the seventh Spirit Ring is 100,000 years, the Second Priest will definitely get him a 100,000-year eighth Spirit Ring."
"Now that Xuan'er's Spirit Power has reached Level 76, I guarantee that in less than 10 years, Xuan'er will definitely achieve Titled Douluo."
Guang Ling Douluo, whose appearance and voice resembled a young man, clicked his tongue.
"Indeed, it seems Heaven truly intends to prosper our Spirit Hall, to produce geniuses like Xuan'er and the Second Priest." All the Titled Douluo Elders and Guardians nodded in deep agreement.
Even Qian Xunji, who had always disliked Qin Xuan because Qin Xuan once sought to marry Bibi Dong, did not object.
Because a 100,000-year eighth ring didn't just mean obtaining a 100,000-year Spirit Ring; it also meant he would once again possess a 100,000-year Spirit Bone. This was enough to raise his Spirit Power by three or four ranks after becoming a Spirit Douluo.
"Qin Xuan... you've become this strong already!" Bibi Dong stood behind Qian Xunji, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She felt her heart pounding rapidly, thumping non-stop.
Her eyes saw only Qin Xuan, who had revealed his 100,000-year seventh ring. The man she had dismissed, the "simp" who had followed her, the boy who had stolen her first kiss... was now a monster of light and power, standing on a stage she couldn't even reach.
"This little pervert... he's truly becoming more and more captivating!" Ling Yuan's charming eyes were like silk as she murmured in her heart, lightly licking her lips. She felt a possessive thrill. That was her man.
Qian Daoliu and Gold Crocodile Douluo's attention was also entirely on Qin Xuan.
"High Priest, that brat from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School actually dared to conspire to harm Xuan'er. Should we take this opportunity to eliminate them?" Gold Crocodile Douluo asked respectfully, his voice a low, threatening rumble.
As soon as these words were spoken, they received the approval of almost all the Titled Douluo present.
Even Qian Xunji, who had always been at odds with Qin Xuan, was no exception.
He said somewhat excitedly, "Yes, Father! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is truly too presumptuous. On our Spirit Hall's territory, they dared to attempt to harm my Second Brother. Their crime deserves death!"
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