"Ninefold Sacred Judgment, First Form—Morning Star's Dawn!!!"
Murong Huai leaped into the air, his longsword flashing out, unleashing a golden arc of sword energy that slammed into the lake's surface. Instantly, a wave several meters high surged up, splashing water everywhere.
Murong Huai landed slowly, sheathed his longsword, exhaled a breath of stale air, and looked at the ripples on the lake with a slight smile on his lips.
"You swung it like that? I thought it would be much harder..."
While practicing basic sword moves, I suddenly had an epiphany and actually unleashed the Angel Sword Technique—Ninefold Holy Judgment, First Form: Morning Star Awakening.
Then Murong Huai turned around and found Tu Zhen and Ju Qinglan standing there, stunned.
"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?"
"Holy Son, was that the Angel Sword Technique you just used?" Tu Zhen asked, taking a deep breath.
"Yes, that's what the teacher taught me yesterday."
Hearing Murong Huai's words, Tu Zhen and his companion were filled with surprise. They had heard of the Angelic Sword Technique; it was an extremely profound sword technique, sharing the same name as the Seven Kill Sword Technique of the Western Sword Master Chen Jianjun, and perhaps even surpassing it.
The difficulty of its cultivation is obvious, yet Murong Huai, who is only six years old, has already unleashed the first move on his second attempt at swordsmanship.
"A genius in swordsmanship, no, an unparalleled prodigy!" This phrase flashed through both of their minds.
After Ju Qinglan restored Murong Huai's condition, Murong Huai sat cross-legged on a futon to the side and began to cultivate his soul power.
The incredibly dense metallic energy within Starry Sky Valley surged into Murong Huai's body, penetrating his limbs and bones, forming a small vortex of soul power.
Murong Huai himself possesses the innate talent for cultivating level 20 soul power. With the added enhancement from Starry Sky Valley, the slow cultivation speed of his ultimate attribute martial soul is no longer a concern, and may even be faster.
...,
————Palace of the Popes.
"Oh? You mean Huai'er mastered the first move of the sword technique today?"
Qian Daoliu put down the memorial in his hand, his expression somewhat surprised.
Below, the lion nodded and explained:
"Indeed, Your Holiness the Pope. According to the information from Tu Zhen and the others, it is true. After His Highness the Holy Son finished practicing the basic sword moves, he had some insights and swung his sword. It was imbued with a divine sword intent, though faint, it was definitely there."
"Haha, excellent!" Qian Daoliu couldn't help but admire Murong Huai's talent, then thought for a moment and said:
"It seems I underestimated Huai'er's talent in swordsmanship. It's a pity I don't have much time, otherwise I would definitely teach him myself. Father is also preparing for the upcoming battle. Hmm... how about this, Guangling, is Xunji coming back?"
"Your Majesty, the young master returned to the Spirit Hall the day before yesterday to consolidate his current realm. It seems he has now emerged from seclusion," Guang Ling replied, bowing.
"Send him to the Papal Palace!!"
"Yes." Guangling bowed and turned to leave the Papal Palace.
...,
A short while later, the Light Feather Douluo led in a handsome man wearing a golden robe, with flowing golden hair.
"Your Majesty, the young master has arrived."
"Father." Qian Xunji also bowed to Qian Daoliu, who was seated on the high seat.
Qian Daoliu nodded, walked down the steps, came to Qian Xunji, patted him on the shoulder, and said:
"Not bad, reaching the Soul Saint level before the age of thirty. How was the Soul Hunting trip to the Star Dou Great Forest this time?"
"Father, you flatter me. This time, I went to the Star Dou Great Forest and hunted down a 50,000-year-old Bright Unicorn," Qian Xunji said modestly.
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu nodded.
"Light Unicorn, not bad. I remember you've mastered the Angel Sword Technique completely, haven't you?"
"Yes, I just mastered the last move a year ago."
"Good. I recently took on a disciple, who is the only grandson of the Third Master."
Hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Qian Xunji nodded.
"I've heard of him. He has twin martial souls and innate level 20 soul power. His name is Murong Huai, right?"
"That's right. One of his martial souls is a sword, and he has unparalleled talent in swordsmanship. At the age of six, on his second time practicing swordsmanship, he comprehended the first move of my Angel Sword Technique—Morning Star Dawn—in less than two hours," Qian Daoliu said slowly.
"What?!" Qian Xunji's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this. He understood the difficulty of the Angel Sword Technique all too well; it had taken him over a month to comprehend even the first move, which was already considered exceptionally talented.
It's impossible that someone could comprehend the first move in less than two hours on the second attempt.
Seeing Qian Xunji's shocked gaze, Qian Daoliu continued:
"So, in order not to waste this child's talent in swordsmanship, I have called you here today to personally instruct him in the Angel Sword Technique. Are you willing?"
Upon hearing this, Qian Xunji paused for a moment, then nodded. Now that he had reached the Soul Saint realm, he could not improve his strength much by simply meditating.
He also showed some interest in the disciples his father had taken on.
"Alright, I will go and see this person's swordsmanship talent tomorrow."
...,
The following day, Star Valley.
Murong Huai changed into a simple training outfit. Wearing a long robe made training less smooth and caused a lot of obstacles.
Just like yesterday, Murong Huai ran and practiced standing meditation under the weight of the town. Compared to yesterday, Murong Huai was more relaxed today. Improving physical fitness is a process of accumulation, and initial results can be seen within a month.
After the physical training was finished, Ju Qinglan continued to help Murong Huai recover. Then, Murong Huai took a deep breath, summoned the Immortal Lord Nine Descent Sword, and was about to begin practicing his swordsmanship when suddenly a golden figure descended.
Upon recognizing the visitors, Tu Zhen and Ju Qinglan quickly bowed and greeted them.
"Tu Zhen, Ju Qinglan pays respects to the young master."
Upon hearing their words, the newcomer waved his hand.
"No need for such formalities."
Murong Huai glanced at the newcomer, who bore a resemblance to Qian Daoliu. Upon hearing their words, he blurted out,
"Holy crap, you're...you're Qian Xunji from the Secret Chamber Douluo Continent!!!"
Upon hearing Murong Huai's words, Qian Xunji was taken aback and asked in confusion:
"Um, I am indeed Qian Xunji, but I haven't reached the level of a Title Douluo. Also, what does the phrase 'Title Douluo Secret Chamber' mean?"
Upon hearing this, Murong Huai realized, "Right, Qian Xunji hasn't become Pope yet. He's still a young master receiving excellent guidance and training from the Qian family. He's also an absolute genius. He reached the Soul Saint level at the age of thirty and has a six-winged angel martial soul. If the Great Sumeru Hammer wasn't so overpowered, it's hard to say whether he would have been beaten by Tang Dachui."
Although he made many mistakes in what he did to Bibi Dong later, the root of the problem was still that pig. Without that pig, there might not have been such a big rift between Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong, and Qian Xunji would still have been leading the Spirit Hall to develop, while Bibi Dong would have focused on cultivation and become one of the top experts on the continent.
As a teacher, Qian Xunji also made significant sacrifices for Bibi Dong. For example, when he went to hunt down the Blue Silver Emperor, he intended to capture him alive and use him as a spirit ring for Bibi Dong. Unfortunately, at that time, Bibi Dong only harbored hatred towards him.
If it weren't for that pig, the two of them wouldn't have ended up like that. That pig is the root of all evil; we need to find a time to get rid of it!
"Now that I'm here, and in the Spirit Hall, I must change all of this, change this tragedy."