Douluo Continent: A Thousand Miles of Cultivation

So she made it clear to Qian Shui: show her full strength, don't hold back, and all paths will be paved for you.

At the same time, it's also to warn Qian Shui not to try anything funny, as your credit isn't very reliable.

"Holy Son? A Pope with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul can be allowed to exist?"

"Your current martial spirit is already excellent enough, there is no need for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial spirit to appear in the world."

Qian Shui was somewhat annoyed. He had been happy to hear the tournament was being held in Tian Dou City, but Bibi Dong's words had left him stunned. "Is this some kind of game of checks and balances? She's still your daughter, after all!"

"Teacher, I will not be the Holy Son. You know who this position belongs to!"

Before he could finish speaking, a pressure descended upon him. Qian Shui didn't try to be cunning, but instead directly objected.

"You think this is negotiable?" Bibi Dong turned around and glared at Qian Shui.

"Teacher, why are you forcing me like this?" Qian Shui smiled bitterly, recalling the first time she met Bibi Dong. "You once threw me into the Star Dou Great Forest, was it to drive me away? After all, it seemed like you were being ruthless, but there was still a way out. You probably hoped I would run back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, right?"

"But now I don't understand? Did you just mean for me to become the Pope?"

"Besides, I have my own plans regarding cultivation. After the competition, I want to meet someone, and then head to the City of Slaughter to retrace the path you walked back then! Now you want me to be some kind of Holy Son? I don't want it!"

The first half of Qian Shui's speech touched on Bibi Dong's thoughts back then, but she couldn't answer why. The second half, however, made her seem like a rebellious child.

"Sigh..." Bibi Dong withdrew her soul pressure, as if she had guessed something, "Who do you want to see?"

"A man named Yu Xiaogang." Qian Shui began to deceive, but he did not mock Yu Xiaogang like a loudspeaker. He dared not gamble that Bibi Dong might go crazy and kill people.

"I happened to see this person's information. He was born as the son of Yu Yuanzhen, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Due to a malignant mutation of his martial soul, he was born with low soul power and theoretically could never break through level 29 in his lifetime."

About fifteen or sixteen years ago, he came to the Spirit Hall and devoted himself to theoretical research. Many years later, as a member of the Golden Iron Triangle, he became famous throughout the continent. My question about him is about the possibility of breaking through the shackles of the spirit power level cap!

As he spoke, Qian Shui summoned his first martial soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, after a long absence.

No one knows Yu Xiaogang's abilities better than Qian Shui. What he wants is to get a legitimate excuse to go to Notting City from Bibi Dong!

After all, there's an old rabbit to catch, so it's necessary to make a move. Yu Xiaogang is just a pretext.

However, Bibi Dong felt differently when she heard this person's name again. After all, she accepted Qian Shui because she felt that he was like a combination of herself and Yu Xiaogang, and she had a feeling of having a biological son.

At this point, she softened. She truly didn't know how to be a mother, thinking, 'Have I been pushing this child too hard?'

After all, Qian Renxue was too important to Qian Shui, perhaps just like Yu Xiaogang was to him.

Moreover, he also wanted to go to the Killing City. Bibi Dong knew that place too well, but she didn't believe that Qian Shui, with his calculating nature, wouldn't know what the Killing City was like. Perhaps, as he said, he really wanted to retrace his own path.

This is probably out of respect for his teacher...

(No, it's just a popular spot for internet celebrities to take photos – Qian Shui Douluo)

Chapter 60 A Summary of Youth

"I can agree with your idea, but you must return immediately after leaving the City of Slaughter. I am the God of Slaughter of this world and can come and go as I please. Don't think about any other tricks!"

'Well, you're starting to act like someone in a superior position...'

"Yes."

"Go prepare for the test."

After giving instructions to Bibi Dong, he let Qian Shui leave.

"Um, teacher, could I go through it with you first? My external soul bone skill is too powerful and not easy to demonstrate, but with your strength, it's no problem. So..."

Qian Shui scratched his head. He was confident that he could kill a Soul Saint head-on with that combo, but after all, it was an external soul bone.

Looking at her disheveled and unshaven disciple, Bibi Dong felt helpless. This was the first time Qian Shui had openly made a request of her, and the reason was valid, making it difficult to refuse.

"Come with me."

He then led Qianshui to a secluded battle arena and sealed off the surrounding area with his soul power.

Bibi Dong was possessed by the Death Spider King, her body radiating yellow, purple, black, and red, with nine spirit rings emerging from her body.

"Seventh Soul Skill: Death Spider Emperor True Form! Fourth Soul Skill: Thorn Spider Armor!"

After unleashing his defensive soul skill, he signaled Qian Shui to attack.

She knew the effects of Qian Shui's soul skills. She had personally tested them when she obtained the third ring. Combined with the characteristics of the primordial spirit martial soul, the attack power of the trinity strike was extremely high.

"Teacher, be careful! I haven't been able to fully release anything since the fourth additional ring!"

"First Soul Skill, Netherworld Possession! Third Soul Skill, Fearful Claw Breaking Army! Second Soul Skill, Fox's Leap of Concealment! Fourth Soul Skill, Flying Swirling Pig Technique!"

First, apply the buff, then leap towards Bibi Dong. When you get close, release the strangulation spinning pig technique while simultaneously striking out the dark gold terror claw with your right hand. At the same time, as it hits Bibi Dong, your primordial spirit leaves your body and transforms your palm into a blade. Then, repeat the process with your primordial spirit, delivering a mental attack and soul strangulation!

Bibi Dong had not anticipated such power. She managed to take half of it before relying on her exceptional combat skills and her titled cultivation level to escape the range of the Thousand Water Sprint.

Qian Shui did not end her attack. She took out Wenxin Mingxin, combined her sword and blade, and attacked Bibi Dong again.

The technological development over the years has not been in vain. The continuous and exquisite attacks have left Bibi Dong struggling to defend against them, forcing her to rely on her realm to withstand the damage.

Qian Shui's every strike was deadly, each sword aimed straight for vital points. This was the first time he had used his full strength in a fight, and having mastered the Soul Skills, he was able to unleash his own abilities during attacks.

With high attack speed, high accuracy, and high damage, its physical attacks alone are extremely intimidating, while its soul attacks, launched when the spirit leaves the body during an opening, are even more difficult to defend against.

In the end, Bibi Dong relied on her powerful soul force to repel Qian Shui without using any other soul skills. After all, given her level and martial soul, few of her attacks could withstand the level of Qian Shui.

"A remarkable achievement. With your abilities, you are already capable of defeating a Soul Saint-level Soul Master."

Bibi Dong was quite satisfied, except for one thing: Qian Shui's attack had no killing intent whatsoever; it was entirely based on technique and was exceptionally skillful.

"It seems your choice to go to the Killing City was the right one."

Qian Shui was completely confused. What was going on? Going to the City of Slaughter was just something he mentioned casually. Although he wasn't afraid of that kind of place, he didn't really rely on soul skills for a living anyway, so why bother with mage-style energy blasts?

"Go back now. Your assessment will be upgraded to another level. The team battle will be against teams composed entirely of high-level Soul Kings, while your individual test will be against Soul Saints. Don't hold back; the Spirit Hall can afford to lose a Soul Saint! Go and prepare!"

Bibi Dong's words sounded domineering, but it was clear that she didn't treat people like human beings. Qian Shui responded with a blank "Yes" and left.

"Xiao Gang, you must also want to see my disciple, right?"

Qian Shui is very strong. Bibi Dong's judgment is that no one in this generation can stand in front of him.

Once he truly matures and achieves his title, even she herself, without divine power, might not be able to withstand Qian Shui's ultimate attack. Even with her Death Spider Queen's ninth soul skill, Immortality, she could only temporarily slow down the death process. Of course, that's assuming she takes the hit head-on, but that's a story for another time.

……

After passing Bibi Dong's level, Qian Shui returned to the base, notified his teammates to prepare for testing, and also began their usual internal year-end summary.

The atmosphere among all the team members was a bit off, including little Hu Liena.

"Senior brother, you're finally back!" Hu Liena waved to Qian Shui.

Ignoring Hu Liena, Qian Shui clapped her hands, attracting everyone's attention.

"Let's start this year's year-end summary early. After that, everyone should try their best to increase their soul power and prepare for the competition."

"Class monitor, you go first!" Qian Shui gestured to Feng Jingyi to take the lead.

"Okay." Feng Jingyi nodded in agreement, but her expression was a little off. "Feng Jingyi, level 49, offensive-type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Wind Sword!"

After saying that, he and Qian Shuizhan engaged in a fierce battle, their sword energy surging and their fight resembling a duel between swordsmen.

Feng Jingyi's growth is remarkable. She is currently the strongest in the team. Relying on the strategies provided by Qian Shui, she can only suffer a regrettable defeat as long as she is not touched.

The battle summary was brief, and the players were quickly replaced. The support abilities of the two were not worth mentioning, but their combat strength was also boosted. Only the Silver and Gold points escaped; Chen Sha used her martial arts skills, and her rapier wielding was on par with Hu Liena.

Ruoyou remains the same as always, dedicated to skill development. She has achieved some success, but only in the application of soul skills. Her soul power level has finally kept up, reaching at least level 48.

The reason this somewhat effeminate-looking guy was called "boss" by his teammates was because he was hardworking and diligent, and at one point, he was the strongest.

When it was Ling Yunzhi's turn, his mood was noticeably worse; he was very depressed and his mind was elsewhere during the fight.

"Xiao Feng, Xiao Zhi wouldn't go that far, would he..." Chen Sha, Feng Jingyi, and Hu Liena chatted on the side, "And did you really tell him you like Xiao Shui?"

"Ah? Sister Feng, you like Senior Brother?" Hu Liena naturally had to catch the melon that fell from the sky.

"Oh, it's just a little water to block it~" Feng Jingyi said nonchalantly.

"I used to believe you, but now I don't dare to believe you anymore. Look at the look in your eyes when you were fighting with Xiaoshui just now~" Chen Sha teased intentionally.

"Sasha, what is all this nonsense?" Feng Jingyi's face flushed slightly. Her best friend had clearly hit a nerve. She glanced at Qian Shui, who was covered in stubble on the Soul Arena, and said, "Xiao Shui is indeed a good person, but have you forgotten what he's been like all these years?"

"What do you mean? Hasn't Xiao Shui always been like that?"

"Yeah, my senior brother has always been like that~"

"Nana, you don't know, he wasn't like this when he first met Xiaoshui. Back then, although he was also very old-fashioned and theoretical, he was the kind of person who slept in class and skipped school after class."

“That’s true…” Chen Sha recalled when Qian Shui first enrolled in school.

"Sasha, haven't you noticed? There seems to be someone who hasn't appeared since. And since that person disappeared, Xiaoshui has become like this. Don't you think there's a cause and effect relationship here?"

"You mean Xiao Shui's mistress, that blonde girl?"

"Yes, so I guess Xiaoshui probably likes that person..."

"So that's your reason for being so hesitant?" Chen Sha asked, somewhat puzzled.

"No, I guess that girl probably encountered some misfortune, which is why Xiaoshui suddenly became so aloof." Feng Jingyi recalled Qianshui's unusual closeness to Qian Renxue and couldn't help but feel a little sad. After all, it was obvious to everyone that Qianshui's attitude was different from when they first met. No matter how hard she tried to get close to him, he was unmoved.

"Senior brother has a concubine? Could she be dead...?" Hu Liena's small head was full of big question marks. Based on Feng Jingyi's speculation, she could only guess that Qian Renxue was probably indeed dead.

While the girls were gossiping, an unexpected change occurred on the Soul Battle Stage. A violent surge of ice-attribute soul power swept across the entire arena, and then everyone saw Ling Yunzhi being unilaterally beaten.

"Xiao Shui, stop! Stop fighting!" Feng Jingyi and the others finally noticed what was happening on the Soul Battle Stage.

"So you've realized the importance of dignity now? You and she are both human beings, not objects! I can't control how you despise yourself, but what right do you have to point fingers at others!" Qian Shui stepped on Ling Yunzhi, who had been knocked to the ground, pointed at Feng Jingyi, and angrily said to Ling Yunzhi.

Everyone was a little confused as to how a perfectly good year-end summary could have turned into this.

Chapter 61 So-called Love

The incident actually started when Ling Yunzhi finally made up his mind to confess his feelings to Feng Jingyi that day. The result was naturally not good. Afterwards, Ling Yunzhi drank some alcohol. When it was his turn to go on stage, it was just like the old-fashioned love show, as if he had finally made up his mind about something.

Because he was distracted, Ling Yunzhi was quickly defeated, and as he was losing, he said to Qian Shui, "Wait for the team leader!"

"What's wrong?" He originally wanted to call out to Yu Zhou, but seeing Ling Yunzhi with his head down and no expression, he realized that Ling Yunzhi was expressionless.

"Team leader, you...you like Xiaofeng too, right?" Ling Yunzhi said in a very soft voice, as if afraid that others would hear.

Qian Shui couldn't deny it, and didn't react immediately. Anyway, he was a shut-in who fell in love with every girl he met, and naturally he liked someone like Feng Jingyi who was exactly his type.

"That means you've agreed..."