Chapter 8: Develop the Wuhun Hall, Beginning with Inherited Martial Souls
"Is that really acceptable?"
Qian Daoliu intended to decline. Even though he was indeed stronger than Golden Crocodile Douluo, he still considered him to be his senior.
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke in a solemn tone: "No, Great Consecration, please don't refuse. The Wuhun Hall stands at a time when talents abound. Elder Qingluan, Elder Xiongshi, and Elder Guangling are only in their sixties, but have reached ranks 94 and 95. Each of them might one day enter the Worship Hall, making this perhaps the era with the greatest number of possible future Consecrations. If that happens, we won't be able to hold gatherings as frequently, and the unity of hearts will inevitably weaken."
"By addressing each other as brothers and staying in harmony for a few more decades, even if we're not true siblings, we'll come to feel like it. The Worship Hall will then become a single unified whole."
"But—"
Golden Crocodile Douluo waved his hand dismissively. "I have nothing to feel aggrieved about. Strength is paramount in the soul master world; those with greater power are indeed seniors. Your strength far exceeds mine, so calling you 'Big Brother' isn't a loss at all."
Qian Daoliu sighed. "Fine, then."
As the saying goes, "When a new official takes office, three fires are lit." Upon assuming his position, Qian Xunji immediately summoned Yue Guan, currently a Red-Robed Bishop.
"Greetings, Your Holiness!"
Yue Guan wore a red robe. His skin was as tender as a woman's, although the influence of his martial soul upon his appearance hadn't fully matured yet. Once his cultivation rose further, he would likely apply heavy makeup, wear high heels, and basically look no different from a woman.
"Bishop Yue Guan, do you know why I've asked for you?"
"I do not, Your Holiness."
"Your compendium of immortal herbs has been extremely useful, Bishop Yue Guan. In it, you note that the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum is neutral in nature—but judging by your current appearance, that may not be entirely the case."
Yue Guan nodded. "That's correct, Your Holiness. Naturally occurring Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemums are neutral, but there are variants: neutral, yin-based, and yang-based. My Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum is yin-based, so I've grown to look like this."
Qian Xunji continued: "Thanks to your notes, I discovered a place with many of the same flowers and herbs you recorded and transplanted them using the methods listed."
"Really!" Yue Guan exclaimed. His voice echoed through the Pope's Palace. Realizing this, he hastily clasped his hands. "Forgive me, Your Holiness."
"No harm done."
Qian Xunji tapped his finger on the table. "Bishop Yue Guan, your martial soul—the immortal herb Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum—is one of the finest plant-type spirits out there. It can temper the body into a vajra unbreakable form. Isn't it a pity to let such a formidable martial soul vanish from this world without passing it on?"
Hearing these blunt words, Yue Guan showed a troubled expression. "Your Holiness, I joined the Wuhun Hall after being wounded by love. I decided never to love anyone again."
"That's why I don't need you to fall in love. I only need you to pass down the martial soul."
Light flickered from Qian Xunji's soul tool, and a massive chrysanthemum appeared in his hand. It was a dazzling purple, its petals looking soft and fuzzy, strangely adorable—yet releasing no scent. The bloom's stamens stood more than half a foot taller than the petals and glimmered faintly with gold at the tip.
Yue Guan's eyes nearly popped from their sockets. His Adam's apple bobbed as he murmured each word: "Qi-rong… Tong… tian… Chrysanthemum…"
"Bishop Yue Guan, who said you need love to produce offspring? Go now. Pass on the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum martial soul. When the child is born, this chrysanthemum shall be yours—whether for your own use or for your child's."
Qian Xunji put the chrysanthemum away. "Additionally, since your Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum is yin-based, releasing your built-up yang energy will only help your cultivation progress."
Reluctantly tearing his gaze from Qian Xunji's hand, Yue Guan bowed. "I understand, Your Holiness. I'll do as you say."
If he only needed to sire an heir to gain an immortal herb and wouldn't have to desecrate the notion of true love, there was no hesitation—he'd just go for it. Apologies to Old Ghost.
"Take this Pope's Token to the Elder Hall and summon Elder Qingluan and Elder Guangling," Qian Xunji instructed, tossing the token to Yue Guan.
As for Qingluan Douluo and Guangling Douluo, a pair of close companions, they too had outstanding martial souls worthy of being passed down. Failing to pass them on would be almost criminal. Meanwhile, the same reasoning didn't apply to Xiongshi Douluo. A lion, after all, is an animal known for lasting less than a minute yet engaging in over a hundred mating sessions per day for seven consecutive days—already a "human-shaped pile driver."
Immortal herbs were limited; they took an enormous amount of time to grow. Therefore, Qian Xunji only used them to get the greatest possible value—such as preserving a powerful martial soul forever within the Wuhun Hall. Otherwise, he preferred to keep them safe in storage.
At the moment, gathering a large amount of high-level combat strength served no immediate purpose. Qian Xunji had no intention of doing something as trivial as unifying the continent, which he saw as narrow-minded vanity.
Gazing beyond into the realm of epic fantasy, truly formidable forces rarely identified themselves as "empires." For the main characters, an empire was often just a stepping stone. Real heavyweights devote all their energy to cultivation and won't waste time on mundane administrative work.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan
Ning Zhiping finished reading the letter from Qian Xunji.
"Zhiping, what is Qian Xunji up to?" asked Qi Jie, known as Qitian Douluo. He served as the current Clan Elder for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. His martial soul was the Qitian Cannon, and at only rank 92 despite being over a hundred years old, he was covered in wrinkles and likely didn't have many years left.
Rather than alarm, Ning Zhiping's face radiated delight. "Uncle Qi, how could it be some devious ploy? This is clearly a heaven-sent opportunity for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan! We must depart swiftly!"
A twin-martial-soul prodigy with innate full soul power—a treasure in any faction. They'd surely lavish resources on her, yet Qian Xunji didn't want her?
Ning Zhiping was curious what was going through Qian Xunji's mind to make such a foolish move.
Qi Jie remarked, "I know it's a huge opportunity, but aren't you afraid it's a trick? Could Bibi Dong be a spy Qian Xunji's sending to infiltrate our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
Ning Zhiping laughed. "Uncle Qi, you worry too much. What faction would use such a genius as a double agent? Moreover, Bibi Dong is a newly awakened talent from a small village. She hasn't spent long in the Wuhun Hall at all. Even if the Hall's brainwashing methods were overwhelming, given enough time living here, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan can make her one of us."
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