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However, in the face of Liu Erlong's sudden attack, not a single ripple stirred in Qian Renxue's eyes.
Setting aside the inherent influence of their respective martial souls—or rather, the quality of Qian Renxue's current Death Spider Emperor martial soul surpassed even that of Liu Erlong's Fire Dragon.
Every ten levels represented a major threshold for soul masters. Unless there was an overwhelming disparity in martial soul quality, the difference in strength between higher and lower-level soul masters was akin to a father disciplining his child. Even the top-tier inheritance of the Evil Eye White Tiger martial soul from the Star Luo Empire was no exception—just look at how abysmal Dai Mubai's performance had been when he first appeared in the spirit battles.
And if the gap widened to twenty levels, the disparity in power would become insurmountable.
For reference, please look at Exhibit A. 'Zhao Wuji facing off against Tang Hao barehanded'.
At this moment, Qian Renxue merely lifted a finger, and an invisible surge of soul force instantly bore down on Liu Erlong's True Body, pinning her forcefully to the ground.
The earth groaned in agony as fine cracks spread across its surface, splintering under the immense pressure.
Though Qian Renxue's displayed cultivation level wasn't more than twenty ranks above Liu Erlong's, once a Title Douluo surpassed the Super Douluo threshold, each additional rank equated to a monumental leap in power. At this point, Qian Renxue's combat strength far exceeded what could be expected from a simple twenty-level gap, completely outclassing Liu Erlong. With sheer soul force suppression alone, Qian Renxue could crush Liu Erlong without breaking a sweat.
But Liu Erlong, having lost all reason, paid no heed to these facts. Her massive True Body writhed and struggled, attempting to close the distance to Qian Renxue.
And then—tear her apart!
At this moment, Qian Renxue's gaze turned icy. Initially, she had viewed Liu Erlong as a pitiful woman manipulated by the despicable Yu Xiaogang and hadn't intended to interfere. But who would have thought the woman would lose her mind to such an extent?
Now that things had escalated to an irreconcilable point, Qian Renxue wasn't one to show mercy. Raising her hand, she conjured a colossal soul-powered palm, its size dwarfing even Liu Erlong's True Body. It loomed ominously, poised to crush her opponent into oblivion.
"Liu Erlong, I initially intended to spare your life. But you dared to publicly attack the Pope of the Spirit Hall! Who do you think you are? Do you believe yourself to be some lawless remnant of the Hao Tian Sect like Tang Hao?!
Today, in front of everyone, I will make it clear to all of Douluo Continent what happens to those who dare assault the Pope!"
With that, Qian Renxue unleashed a chilling burst of killing intent. The entire audience in Spirit City felt a bone-chilling shiver run down their spines as the massive soul-powered hand descended toward Liu Erlong, ready to crush her!
But just then, a piercing sound akin to a thousand birds chirping erupted suddenly.
In the astonished gazes of the crowd, a massive azure dragon wreathed in crackling blue lightning surged upward, positioning itself directly beneath Qian Renxue's soul-powered palm to block the attack.
"Your Holiness, please calm your anger. In light of this matter, my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is willing to offer compensation. Please spare my daughter's life!"
As he spoke, Yu Luomian poured all his strength into resisting Qian Renxue's soul-powered palm while hurriedly pleading for mercy.
Perhaps because Qian Renxue hadn't used her full strength, the 89th-rank Soul Elder, Yu Luomian, managed to withstand the blow with his formidable abilities.
The spectators gasped in awe—it was their first time witnessing the True Body of the fabled strongest bestial martial soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes but did not continue her assault. This wasn't due to any fear or hesitation regarding the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
After all, though they were part of the upper three sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was the weakest among them, boasting only a single Title Douluo—even if that individual was a Super Douluo, it made little difference.
The Spirit Hall could easily obliterate the clan with just the Elder Hall's forces if they so desired. But why go to such lengths? Qian Renxue wasn't like her deranged mother, Bibi Dong, who had gone to great lengths to annihilate the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan out of vengeance for Yu Xiaogang, losing a titled elder in the process.
At this moment, Qian Renxue, who already harbored plans to covertly unify the continent, reasoned that if Sacred Dragon Tuoba Xi and his sect could be assimilated into the Spirit Hall, why couldn't the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan follow suit?
She understood well that due to the unique nature of martial soul cultivation, clans centered around bloodline martial souls could never truly be eradicated. If that was the case, blocking them outright was less effective than guiding them. Completely exterminating them, as Bibi Dong had done, was the most foolish approach—it only painted the Spirit Hall as evil and brutal in the eyes of outsiders.
Setting aside the Hao Tian Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect for now, even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan was a purely supportive sect that strictly adhered to rules. If you resorted to violence against such a lawful organization, it would only sow fear among others, making them feel unsafe.
Yu Luomian's intervention now provided Qian Renxue with an opportunity to meddle in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's affairs. However, she didn't immediately soften her tone, instead replying coldly:
"Yu Luomian, you've got quite the audacity. What makes you think my dignity can be restored through mere compensation?"
At this, Yu Luomian dispelled his True Body, his face etched with bitterness, yet he still bowed respectfully.
"Your Holiness, please calm your wrath. I assure you, I harbor no such intentions."
Here, Yu Luomian gritted his teeth, his hatred for Yu Xiaogang boiling over. If it weren't for that wretched man, neither his daughter nor he himself would be in this predicament. Who knew what kind of nonsense Yu Xiaogang had fed his daughter to make her remain so devoted to him for so many years? And now, the most troubling part was that although Yu Xiaogang had been expelled from the family, the establishment of the Monument of Infamy would bring shame upon the entire clan. How infuriating!
After silently venting his frustrations, Yu Luomian suppressed his chaotic thoughts and continued:
"I fully understand that any form of compensation would be an insult to Your Holiness. Therefore, I humbly request you to mete out punishment. Whatever it may be, I accept it on behalf of my daughter. Furthermore, I personally pledge that should the Spirit Hall require assistance, I will unconditionally lend my aid three times."
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes slightly, inwardly scoffing at how crafty this man was despite his mediocre cultivation. Pledging personally rather than on behalf of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Clever tricks indeed.
But soon, a cold smirk returned to Qian Renxue's lips. Did he really think pledging personally absolved him? Yu Luomian wasn't some useless failure like Yu Xiaogang—he was the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If he cooperated with the Spirit Hall to suppress the various nations, the clan would inevitably be forced to side with the Spirit Hall whether they liked it or not. No wonder these beast soul masters, who worshipped raw power, were so simple-minded. Despite his advanced age, he resorted to such petty tactics, unaware that they would only dig his own grave deeper.
Nevertheless, Qian Renxue kept her thoughts to herself, maintaining her indifferent expression before responding coolly:
"This price isn't nearly enough. And do you really think the Spirit Hall lacks a mere Soul Douluo like you?"
Yu Luomian glanced at the dozen or so Title Douluos surrounding him from the Spirit Hall and couldn't help but grimace. 'No wonder the Spirit Hall is the strongest soul master faction on the Douluo Continent—their top-tier combat power is simply overwhelming.'
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