Chapter 123: The "Ring Explosion" Skill in Hand
Tang Hao sensed that something was wrong, but his soul power had regressed and was still sealed. His body was gravely injured, and he couldn't detect exactly what was amiss.
He couldn't commit suicide, so he had planned to ask this "Yu Xiaogang" to end his life for him and take his soul bones to Tang San.
But "Yu Xiaogang" had turned and left without looking back, not responding to his request at all.
"The Grandmaster is probably afraid that acting without permission will anger Bibi Dong, right?"
"Forget it. For Xiao San's sake, I'll endure a bit longer. It's just a little more suffering," Tang Hao comforted himself.
Qi Tian left the cell, changed back into his real appearance, and then went to find Hu Liena, who was waiting outside.
Hu Liena looked at him curiously, clearly wanting to know what Qi Tian had done in the dungeon.
But Qi Tian had no intention of satisfying her curiosity.
"Hu Liena, go take care of your own tasks. I still have some matters to discuss with the Pope."
Now that he had obtained Tang Hao's secret techniques, he wanted to study them together with Bibi Dong.
As a rank 99 Limit Douluo, even though Bibi Dong's soul power was currently restricted, her knowledge and insight were not.
Chen Xin had once said that for a Titled Douluo to break past rank 96, they had to rely on their own comprehension.
Which means any soul master above rank 96 is anything but simple. Qi Tian had never underestimated people in that realm.
"I also need to report back to Her Holiness. I'll go with you," Hu Liena said.
The two of them headed toward the Pope's Palace together. Along the way, Hu Liena opened her mouth several times, as if she wanted to speak, but Qi Tian's cold attitude never gave her a chance.
That only made Hu Liena even more curious about Qi Tian, and her gaze stayed glued to him the whole way.
Just as the two were about to step onto Spirit Hall's mountain path, Qi Tian stopped. He had sensed two unusual gazes.
Following Qi Tian's line of sight, Hu Liena also looked over and saw two young men standing there staring at them.
One was her own brother, Xie Yue, who was curiously watching her and Qi Tian. The other was her teammate Yan, who looked a little angry.
Seeing Hu Liena look over, Yan immediately strode forward, forcing Xie Yue to follow.
"Nana, who is he?" Yan pointed at Qi Tian and questioned her.
Hu Liena frowned.
"Yan, watch your tone. I am under no obligation to answer your questions."
"And another thing—in public, you are to address me as Vice Captain."
At this moment, Hu Liena seemed like a completely different person. The seductive aura she usually carried was replaced by pure authority.
So this is the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall… Qi Tian glanced at them a few times, then continued walking up the mountain without paying them any more attention.
He had nothing to do with Hu Liena to begin with. There was no need to waste time or energy dealing with Yan's petty jealousy.
Seeing that Qi Tian didn't even look at him, Yan felt utterly slighted and wanted to cause trouble—but Hu Liena shot him a cold glare, forcing him to swallow his words.
"Yan, we still have to go see Her Holiness. Go back and cultivate," Hu Liena said.
As soon as she said that, Yan sucked his taunts right back down his throat. He didn't dare offend the Pope's authority.
"Qi Tian, wait for me!" Hu Liena hurried to catch up.
Yan felt suffocated.
He had specifically calculated the time that Hu Liena would be coming down from Spirit Hall's mountain and had come here just to wait for her.
Who would have thought he'd end up seeing Hu Liena walking down with some pretty boy instead? So what if he was better looking?
"Captain, who do you think that guy with Nana is? What's his background?" Yan asked.
Xie Yue shook his head.
"I don't know. But Nana has a strong sense of judgment. For someone to catch her eye, he's definitely not simple."
Yan didn't want to admit it, but he still nodded slightly, because Hu Liena, despite looking like a charming fox demon on the surface, was extremely proud deep down.
"Could someone she values be truly ordinary?" The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he felt.
"Don't tell me he's going to be our new teammate?" Yan muttered, resisting the idea.
He had pursued Hu Liena for so many years, yet she had never shown even the slightest sign of reciprocating.
If this new guy had feelings for her, and considering the way Nana treated him… then Yan would really have no hope left.
Xie Yue shook his head.
"I actually hope that's the case. But since Nana didn't say anything, that means he won't be joining our team for now."
"Come on, let's go back and cultivate. Only a little over a year left until the Continental Soul Master Tournament begins. We can't slack off."
Pope's Palace
Bibi Dong looked at Qi Tian in surprise.
"You obtained the Clear Sky Sect's secret techniques?"
She had ordered Tang Hao to be tortured for days, and he still refused to speak. Yet Qi Tian had obtained their secrets so easily—that truly surprised her.
Qi Tian nodded.
"I disguised myself as his son's teacher and tricked him into it."
Of course, if Tang Hao hadn't been tormented to the point of mental instability, then even with his heavy injuries, Qi Tian would never have succeeded.
"Hu Liena, you may leave first," Bibi Dong said with a wave of her hand.
Only then did Hu Liena realize that the person locked up in the dungeon had been someone from the Clear Sky Sect.
Qi Tian had managed to pry open the mouth of a Clear Sky Sect powerhouse. Was this perhaps the reason why her teacher valued him so much?
Her curiosity was destined to remain unsatisfied. Following Bibi Dong's orders, she left the Pope's Palace.
Only after she left did Qi Tian begin to explain Tang Hao's secret techniques to Bibi Dong in detail.
"Excellent. This special method of sealing one's martial soul—you and our Spirit Hall disciples will be able to use it," Bibi Dong said, moved.
This method of suppressing martial souls and soul power, then breaking through the limit, was indeed remarkable.
"The Clear Sky Nine Absolutes can be taught to the weapon-type soul masters in the Spirit Hall. I'll hand it over to the Demon Suppressing Douluo and Fifteen Ton Douluo."
"As for the core of the Great Sumeru Hammer—the 'Ring Explosion' technique—we can put that to use ourselves."
"Besides, we both have twin martial souls. After exploding the soul rings of one martial soul, we still have the other."
"It's just a pity that this technique is most suitable for strength-type attack system soul masters. Soul power amplifies their strength most directly."
"However, this technique places an extremely high demand on the body. Otherwise, the violent surge of soul power after exploding soul rings could shatter the meridians and destroy the body."
"You can't cultivate it yet. Let me try it first, make some improvements, then I'll teach it to you again," Bibi Dong said.
"Alright." This was exactly why Qi Tian had come to her with the secret techniques.
If he tried to slowly comprehend and cultivate it alone, it would take time. But Bibi Dong, with her experience, could immediately see the essence and potential issues.
Ring Explosion was tailor-made for him. His body martial soul wasn't just a strength-type; his physical toughness was incredibly high as well.
"You've rendered a huge service this time. What reward do you want?" Bibi Dong asked.
She wore a brilliant golden ceremonial dress, held the Pope's scepter in her hand, and upon her head sat the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown. Her papal majesty was displayed to perfection.
Qi Tian let his gaze linger greedily on her for a few moments, and Bibi Dong immediately understood what he wanted.
"Qi Tian, we can't do that here. The Grand Elders would sense it."
Bibi Dong didn't act at all like someone who had never experienced such things before. She wasn't shy in the slightest.
"But I can wear this outfit… and go back to the cultivation chamber with you."
Qi Tian almost couldn't handle her enthusiasm. He had originally planned to leave Spirit City as soon as possible—
But because of her, he stayed a few extra days to "cultivate" in Spirit City.
—
End of Chapter