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Ten minutes later.
In the square before the government affairs hall, an intense soul battle ended under Qian Renxue's intervention.
A Level 51 assault-type Soul King wearing Thousand-Refined Battle Armor and wielding a blood-red great axe—with optimal soul ring configuration—had fought to a draw against a Level 71 assault-type Soul Saint armed with an obsidian long spear and seven soul rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black, black.
"Not bad!"
Seeing the battle conclude in a stalemate, Chu Chengzhou nodded in satisfaction.
Of course, had they continued fighting, the Soul Saint would have undoubtedly won.
This was because the spear-wielding Soul Saint still had considerable soul power remaining and maintained his martial soul true body state. In contrast, the axe-wielding Soul King had completely exhausted his soul power after the intense fight.
It could only be said that a Soul King wearing Thousand-Refined Battle Armor could rival a Soul Saint in strength—but in a war of attrition, he likely couldn't outlast the Soul Saint.
However, if he avoided direct confrontation, a Soul King in Thousand-Refined Battle Armor still had a chance to defeat a Soul Saint.
The method wasn't complicated. From their earlier battle, it was clear that when the soul power gap was around twenty levels, a Soul Saint releasing their martial soul true body didn't possess overwhelming dominance over a Battle-Armored Soul King.
Moreover, Thousand-Refined Battle Armor not only greatly enhanced the Soul King's strength but also offered formidable defense—far surpassing ordinary Thousand-Refined or even Spirit-Refined metal armor.
Without Martial Soul True Body, a Soul Saint couldn't defeat a Battle-Armored Soul King. But once he activated it, as long as the Battle-Armored Soul King could withstand the onslaught without clashing head-on and prolonged the battle rhythm, victory would eventually be his.
After all, a Soul Saint's martial soul true body had limited duration, and most fell into a weakened state after using it.
"Actually letting a Soul King rival a Soul Saint—this Battle Armor is truly a treasure!"
Qian Renxue spoke with genuine approval.
"Oh, I recall your metal forging secret art is graded from low to high as Thousand-Refined, Spirit-Refined, Soul-Refined, and Heaven-Refined."
"This Thousand-Refined Battle Armor lets a Soul King rival a Soul Saint. By this logic, wouldn't Spirit-Refined Battle Armor allow a sixth-ring Soul Emperor to rival an eighth-ring Soul Douluo? Then what about Soul-Refined and Heaven-Refined Battle Armor?"
Qian Renxue realized an important point and pressed for details.
Rubbing his chin, Chu Chengzhou replied: "Soul-refined Battle Armor can let a Soul Saint rival a new Titled Douluo—but only if the Soul Saint possesses a domain."
"Of course, if comparing against weak Titled Douluos like She Long, a domain isn't necessary."
"As for Heaven-Refined Battle Armor, only Titled Douluos can wear it."
"Since each level gap among Titled Douluos is significant, the enhancement isn't as dramatic—maximum effect is letting a Titled Douluo rival a Level 99 Limit Douluo."
"Moreover, the Titled Douluo wearing it can't be too weak—certainly not as feeble as She Long."
Immediately, Qian Renxue sharply drew in a breath and transmitted her voice: 'Heaven-refined Battle Armor lets a Titled Douluo rival someone as powerful as my grandfather?'
'No. Heaven-refined Battle Armor only allows a decent Titled Douluo to rival an ordinary Level 99 Limit Douluo.'
'Unless one is already a Level 99 Limit Douluo, even in Heaven-Refined Battle Armor, they likely still couldn't match your grandfather.'
Chu Chengzhou shook his head.
Though Qian Daoliu's soul power level remained at 99, this "Invincible in the Sky" was no ordinary Limit Douluo. By later standards, he was a demi-god expert.
The only difference from future demi-gods was that Qian Daoliu hadn't condensed soul cores in his body.
It had to be said—Level 99 Tang Chen matching demi-god Qian Daoliu in strength was truly impressive.
'Eh~ isn't my grandfather also a Level 99 Limit Douluo?'
Qian Renxue asked, somewhat bewildered.
The distinction between Limit Douluo and demi-god clearly touched her blind spot.
Chu Chengzhou explained: 'Put it this way: though Level 99 soul masters are only one level from becoming gods at Level 100, the gap is actually vast. Your grandfather is only half a step from Level 100—but as a divine priest, he can never take that half-step in this lifetime.'
Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi—one could say they owed their status to being divine priests, yet were also limited by it.
Without this role, neither might have become demi-gods of the current era—or even achieved Level 99 Limit Douluo status.
But precisely because they were divine priests, their paths to godhood were severed.
Without this restriction, Qian Daoliu—at merely 150 years old—and the younger Bo Saixi might still have had opportunities to ascend to godhood.
"Is that so? By the way, what's your soul power level?"
Raising an eyebrow, Qian Renxue scrutinized Chu Chengzhou closely.
Chu Chengzhou habitually concealed his soul power aura, leaving Qian Renxue unable to discern his true strength.
"Hehe~"
Chu Chengzhou smiled without answering.
"Hehe? What does that mean?"
Feeling mocked, Qian Renxue's gaze toward Chu Chengzhou turned hostile.
"Ehe~, nothing much—I recently became a Titled Douluo."
Chu Chengzhou didn't elaborate, fearing to provoke the prideful Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue: "..."
Staring deeply at Chu Chengzhou, she turned without a word and walked back into the hall.
Why?
Naturally—she was agitated.
Qian Renxue planned to quickly wrap up matters in Tian Dou, then return to the Spirit Hall to begin her Angel God trials. Otherwise, if Chu Chengzhou unexpectedly became a god one day, she'd have to share him with several other women.
"Hmm? Stimulated?"
Watching Qian Renxue hurry back inside, Chu Chengzhou clicked his tongue and followed her.
Sunset gave way to moonrise as night fell. Faint starlight sprinkled over the land shrouded in darkness.
Tonight, Chu Chengzhou didn't stay at the Tian Dou Imperial Palace or visit his older sister at Moon Pavilion. Instead, he lay obediently on a reclining chair in his courtyard, basking in the moonlight.
By dawn, the Super God-level secret technique: Element Fusion would complete. This technique concerned his future path—it was paramount. Chu Chengzhou decided to abstain from lust to show his "heart seeking the Dao."
Of course, for this man, the instinctive desire for lust proved stronger than his determination to seek the Dao—he was only abstaining for tonight.
It is said: Eating and lust are human nature!
Time flowed imperceptibly. In the blink of an eye, several hours passed.
Abruptly—just as Chu Chengzhou waited until even cold dishes would have gone cold—a profound feedback message surged through his mind.
Immediately after, a wave of profound insights flooded his consciousness.
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