392. Display Of Power

Liu Erlong stood up, her gaze fixed firmly on Qian Renjue, unabashedly staring at him.

Her delicate fists clenched as she noticed Qian Renjue’s gaze meet hers. Her heart swelled with joy and excitement.

Ah Jue hasn’t forgotten me!

Bibi Dong’s eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing slightly.

She had also sensed that burning gaze and quickly recognized the woman in the black dress.

Liu Erlong!

Where was she looking? At Jue?!

Bibi Dong’s sharp gaze bore into Liu Erlong, but Liu Erlong paid her no mind.

Her eyes were solely on Qian Renjue. Moments ago, her kneeling had been solely in deference to her Ah Jue.

An inexplicable irritation bubbled up within Bibi Dong.

If it were only Liu Erlong’s gaze, that would have been tolerable. But why was Jue looking at that woman, too?

What is going on?!

Bibi Dong’s hand, lightly resting on Qian Renjue’s arm, subtly pinched him.

Qian Renjue felt the sting and quickly averted his gaze, discreetly observing Bibi Dong’s expression.

However, at this moment, Bibi Dong had no time to question him.

Her attention shifted to the numerous competing teams below. With a faint smile, she addressed them, her mood improving slightly as she thought of what Jue was about to do.

“I know you’re all curious about the sudden change in the competition venue,” she said, her voice elegant and resonant.

“Now, I can tell you why.”

Pausing briefly, she let the suspense build as countless young soul masters eagerly awaited her next words.

With a hint of pride in her voice, she continued softly, “It’s because my disciple is somewhat impatient.”

“His Highness, the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, wishes to personally test your talents and strength.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it resonated clearly in everyone’s ears.

“What?!”

An uproar erupted among the competing teams.

The teachers looked astonished, and the students whispered among themselves.

“Did I hear that right?”

“Is the Pope saying the Holy Son will fight alone?”

“Is the venue change just so the Holy Son can challenge us all and claim the championship?”

“Impossible! That’s insane!”

Gasps of disbelief, skeptical murmurs, and even mocking laughter echoed across the square.

Even the academy teachers found it hard to believe.

The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall was being far too presumptuous. How long had he even held the title of Holy Son?

He was clearly under twenty years old!

Even if his talent was extraordinary, at best, he might have the strength of a Soul King.

Claiming the championship single-handedly? That was pure delusion!

However, the shrewd individuals in the crowd fell silent.

This was the Spirit Hall, the sacred ground for soul masters across the continent. They would never gamble their reputation on a reckless stunt.

The calm and expectant expressions of the red-robed cardinals added to their unease.

If the Holy Son truly achieved this, what kind of unparalleled talent would he possess?

The mere thought sent shivers down their spines.

Liu Erlong, however, hesitated only briefly before brimming with confidence in Qian Renjue.

Her Ah Jue was incredibly strong!

At the Pope’s Hall, upon hearing Bibi Dong’s words, Ning Fengzhi’s lips twitched slightly as he glanced at Qian Renjue beside him, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Qian Renjue was about to reveal his power to the world of soul masters.

Nearby, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Poison Douluo showed no surprise.

They understood their Holy Son well. His combat power rivaled that of a Rank 95 Titled Douluo.

To him, the competitors here were nothing more than paper tigers.

Sword Douluo’s eyes sparkled with admiration and expectation.

As Qian Renjue glanced at the murmuring elites, a confident smile graced his face.

While he had initially planned to follow protocol, the primary goal here was to make a statement and display his strength.

The more flamboyant, the better.

After all, he wouldn’t even need to exert his full power.

Boom!

Bibi Dong’s scepter struck the ground, emitting a majestic, bell-like resonance that silenced all other sounds.

“I know you are curious about the strength of the Holy Son,” she announced.

“There’s no need to rush. First, take a look at the prize for this competition.”

The entire square fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the Pope and the Holy Son.

Bibi Dong’s demeanor remained calm, radiating authority.

Under the intense gazes of the competitors, Bibi Dong turned to Qian Renjue, releasing his arm as she softly commanded, “Jue, bring it out.”

“Yes, Teacher,” Qian Renjue replied.



Qian Renjue exuded warmth and courtesy, nodding gently. Every movement he made was elegant and refined.

He clasped his hands together and tucked them gracefully into the wide sleeves of his robes.

Ning Rongrong’s eyes sparkled with excitement. If Ning Fengzhi hadn’t been holding her back tightly, she might have already dashed to stand beside Qian Renjue.

Buzz—!

No one saw how he did it.

Seven points of light suddenly expanded before Bibi Dong, floating mid-air before drifting steadily toward the center of the square.

The objects moved at a calm and measured pace, devoid of any detectable soul power fluctuations.

“How is he doing this?!”

The crowd stared at Qian Renjue in amazement.

The seven objects floated effortlessly over such a great distance, yet no one felt even a hint of soul power in use.

As the objects drew nearer, their true forms became apparent.

“What are those? Black boxes? Oddly shaped iron pieces?”

“Looks like soul tools.”

“No, there’s no soul power emanating from them.”

“…”

“Daddy, aren’t those the toys my Holy Son brother gave me?”

Ning Rongrong tugged on Ning Fengzhi’s hand, her face brimming with happiness.

“Hmm, they’re hidden weapons,” Ning Fengzhi muttered, his lips twitching.

He hadn’t expected the Spirit Hall to use these as competition rewards. Not only were they showcasing the Holy Son, but also flaunting their own resources.

For small sects across the continent, there was no defense against a volley from the Zhuge Divine Crossbows. They would surely be cowed into submission, one after another.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Qian Renjue began, his calm and measured tone resonating across the square.

“These seven items are special soul tools that require no soul power to operate.”

His words, spoken with a warm smile and narrowed violet eyes, cast a serene silence over the crowd. Yet the confusion in their eyes remained.

What he said next sent shockwaves through the audience.

“The combined power of these items is sufficient to kill a Soul Elder—and even pose a threat to weaker Soul Kings.”

“What?!”

An uproar swept through the square.

The crowd stared in disbelief at the floating “soul tools.”

The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall must be insane!

Tools that required no soul power yet could threaten Soul Kings?

“This claim may sound unbelievable,” Qian Renjue continued, “but I invite you to see it with your own eyes.”

He didn’t allow them much time to debate, calmly instructing the team below:

“Nana, Xiao Fei Die, begin the demonstration.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

Hu Liena bowed in response, a faint hint of schadenfreude in her gaze as she looked at the skeptical crowd.

Approaching the floating hidden weapons, she unfastened the Silent Sleeve Arrow and walked toward the square’s center.

It was only then that the crowd noticed a young girl standing in the middle of the square.

The girl appeared thin and timid, yet her closed-off gaze radiated a fierce determination.

Hu Liena helped the girl equip the Silent Sleeve Arrow, Stomped Foot Crossbow, Blade-in-Boot, and the Flower Crossbow Backpack with practiced ease.

Once fully armed, Xiao Fei Die stood tall and gave Hu Liena a firm nod.

At that moment, the murmurs among the participants resumed.

Walking toward the demonstration area were women with beast martial soul traits—cat ears, dog tails, fox-like features.

These women, who worked in the Spirit Hall orphanage, had been temporarily brought in by Qian Renjue for this demonstration.

They moved in pairs, pushing wooden boards, stone slabs, and iron plates into position before standing in front of Xiao Fei Die. Despite their nervous glances, their faces glowed with gentle and happy smiles.

“All right, Xiao Fei Die,” Hu Liena said softly, patting the girl’s head.

“Go ahead. Don’t worry—just follow what we practiced.”

As the demonstration was about to begin, the expressions in the participants’ ranks shifted.

Their casual skepticism gave way to a solemn seriousness.

This seemed all too real.