Chapter 20: Qin Xuan's Conjecture
Seeing Qian Xunji relent and agree to give Qin Xuan a Spirit Bone, Jiang Mo Douluo was overjoyed. His breakthrough to Level 97 was all but guaranteed, and now his new "fusion brother" was getting a priceless reward.
He stepped forward, his booming laugh echoing in the tense hall. He clapped Qin Xuan hard on the shoulder, a gesture of profound camaraderie.
"Haha! Your Eminence, then I will thank you on Xuan'er's behalf in advance!" he declared. Then, he leaned in toward Qin Xuan, his eyes bright with political maneuvering. "Xuan'er, why don't you quickly thank your Big Brother?"
[Inorin's Note: "Big Brother" (Da Ge) is a term of respect, but here Jiang Mo (Seventh Priest) is forcing Qin Xuan to use it on Qian Xunji (Supreme Pontiff), implying a familial, rather than subordinate, relationship. This politically binds Qin Xuan to the Angelic lineage.]
Leaving aside the unfathomable Qian Daoliu, the other Six Great Priests of the Elder Palace, though each was arrogant and self-important, were bound by an old-world code. They were all, without a doubt, loyal and deeply sentimental men.
Their loyalty, however, was not to the office of the Supreme Pontiff, but to the bloodline of the Angel.
It was precisely because they had all received profound favors from Qian Daoliu or the Qian family when they were weak that they remained unbreakably loyal to Qian Daoliu, loyal to the Angelic lineage, and had dedicated their entire lives to serving Spirit Hall.
Their loyalty was so profound that in the original work, they would all eventually sacrifice themselves to cover Qian Renxue's retreat, exploding their own spirit rings to buy her precious seconds to escape.
Before this day, Qin Xuan had no particular kindness towards Jiang Mo Douluo. Even their Master-disciple relationship was a result of Qian Daoliu's matchmaking, a political arrangement without much deep, personal affection.
But now, things were different.
Because of Qin Xuan's "Traverse the Eight Directions," the two had completed a Martial Soul Fusion Technique. This single event, this sudden surge of new power, had coincidentally allowed Jiang Mo Douluo to touch the bottleneck of the 97th rank—a level he might never have reached in his remaining life.
For someone at Jiang Mo Douluo's level, this was a life-changing, destiny-altering favor.
In his mind, he owed Qin Xuan an immense, unrepayable debt.
"Thank you... Big Brother."
Qin Xuan's voice was perfectly measured, showing just the right amount of gratitude and respect. Inside, he was suppressing a wave of utter revulsion at having to call his would-be murderer "Big Brother."
But he knew what Jiang Mo was thinking. He knew what this transaction meant.
A simple, disgusting 'thank you' allowed him to obtain the Mind Condensing Wisdom Skull from Qian Xunji. This was the exact same Spirit Bone that Tang San would have received from the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
This one, however, was the real deal, with a true age of 60,000 years.
He had practically made a huge profit. Not thanking him would be foolish.
Not to mention, the other party—Qian Xunji—had just provided him with over 70,000 Emotion Points from his silent rage, frustration, and humiliation.
Where else could I find such a convenient, profit-generating 'Big Brother'? Qin Xuan thought, his internal mockery a stark contrast to his respectful bow.
Before long, Qian Xunji, his face a cold mask, quickly ordered someone to retrieve the Mind Condensing Wisdom Skull from the Supreme Pontiff Palace's treasury. Only after the glowing, skull-shaped Spirit Bone was handed over to Qin Xuan did he finally, stiffly, inquire about the terrifying spirit power fluctuation that had nearly torn the Elder Palace apart.
Qian Daoliu originally thought that since the two had become "brothers," his son Qian Xunji wouldn't dare act against Qin Xuan again. He was about to tell the truth about the Martial Soul Fusion.
Who knew that Jiang Mo Douluo would step forward first, his face flushed with excitement? He proudly announced that he had just touched the 97th-rank bottleneck and would definitely break through within five years.
After he finished, he didn't forget to give Qian Daoliu a look he believed to be incredibly wise and subtle.
It was as if he was saying, 'How about it, Big Brother? I did well, didn't I? I hid the secret of the fusion from your son!'
This made Qian Daoliu, the Level 99 Limit Douluo, both amused and exasperated. This honest, simple-minded seventh brother of mine... trying to be clever...
But he wasn't angry. On the contrary, he felt relieved. He was genuinely happy that his honest, seventh brother had the chance to advance further. This was a good outcome.
Although Qian Xunji was somewhat puzzled—a breakthrough happening at the exact same moment as a friendly spar?—he didn't ask further. There was no need for a Priest to lie about such a critical matter.
Moreover, with his father, Qian Daoliu, present, he wasn't worried about the other party lying. His father would have corrected them.
Instead, the other five Great Priests had strange and varied expressions. Gold Crocodile (Second Priest), Qingluan (Third Priest), and Xiongshi (Fourth Priest) were fine. Their ranks were high and secure.
Even if Jiang Mo broke through, they would still be the second, third, and fourth.
But Guang Ling (Fifth Priest) and Qian Jun (Sixth Priest) were extremely awkward.
Especially Guang Ling.
Although he was the Fifth Priest, his spirit power, like Qian Jun's and Jiang Mo's, was at the 96th rank.
He had simply broken through to that rank earlier than them, giving him seniority.
Before this, he was hailed as the one most likely to break through to the 97th rank after the Third and Fourth Priests. But to truly break through, he knew he was still a long, long way off.
No matter where, the strong are respected.
After Jiang Mo breaks through, without any surprises, he will become the new Sixth Priest. Qian Jun would be bumped to seventh. And he, Guang Ling, would have to call Jiang Mo 'Sixth Brother' instead of 'Seventh Brother'.
It wasn't that he cared about the title of Fifth Priest; it was simply that the disparity, the humiliation of being lapped by his junior, was too difficult to accept.
Putting himself in that position: if his honest little brother, who used to call him 'Fifth Brother,' suddenly turned around one day and made him use a respectful tone... who could bear that?
Compared to Guang Ling, Qian Jun (Sixth Priest) was slightly better.
Although his foolish younger brother (Jiang Mo) was about to surpass him, which would make his own position as the older biological brother somewhat awkward, he was more happy at heart.
He was not only happy for his brother's hopeful breakthrough. He was ecstatic because he had just found a way to break through himself.
It's the same Coiling Dragon Rod Spirit! Qian Jun thought, his heart pounding. And my Spirit can also interact and resonate with the Changming Sword!
Since my foolish younger brother can find a breakthrough opportunity after their fusion... why can't I?
As long as he also broke through, he could still be the older brother then. The key was Qin Xuan.
The Priests and the Supreme Pontiff exchanged a few more strained pleasantries, and Qian Xunji said some stiff, formal congratulatory words to Jiang Mo before leaving, his face like stone.
As soon as Qian Xunji left, the Elder Palace once again returned to the silent, ancient atmosphere it had when Qin Xuan first arrived.
Then, the Priests began to leave.
One person remained, frozen in place. And two pairs of wolf-like eyes were staring at him, as if looking at a peerless, priceless beauty.
The person was Qin Xuan.
The wolves were Guang Ling Douluo (Fifth Priest) and Qian Jun Douluo (Sixth Priest).
At this moment, the vast Elder Palace hall only had three people left.
Although the Seven Great Priests did not involve themselves in political affairs, none of them were idle; they had long since returned to their respective rooms to cultivate.
Among them, the fastest to leave was undoubtedly Jiang Mo Douluo.
After Qian Xunji left, he couldn't wait. He hastily greeted his brothers and declared that he was entering a death seclusion, vowing not to emerge until he broke through to the 97th rank.
Then Qian Daoliu, Gold Crocodile, Qingluan, and Xiongshi also left, one by one.
Their goal in life was simple: to take one more step forward in their lifetime and reach a higher realm.
Regarding this, even Qian Daoliu was no exception. Although he knew it was impossible, he still wanted to do his best to break through to the 100th rank in his lifetime... and go see his Xixi.
[Inorin's Note: "Xixi" is Qian Daoliu's personal, affectionate name for Bo Saixi, the High Priestess of Sea God Island.]
"Uh..." Qin Xuan felt his scalp tingle from being stared at. The intensity from the two Peak Douluo was palpable. "Um... Priest Guang Ling, Grandmaster... do you have something to say?"
He was still eager to go back to his own residence and refine the new Spirit Bone and the Immortal Herb.
"Calling me 'Priest' is too formal!" Guang Ling, who looked and sounded like a half-grown child, stepped forward and eagerly put his arm around Qin Xuan's shoulder. "Call me 'Brother'!"
Standing together, the two looked very much like a pair of brothers. Qin Xuan, with his tall, composed bearing, looked like the elder brother, while the ancient, short-statured Guang Ling looked like the impetuous younger.
"Go away, Guang Ling!"
Before Qin Xuan could even reply, the usually steady Qian Jun, no longer calling his colleague 'Fifth Brother,' roughly pushed Guang Ling aside.
"Xuan'er doesn't have a Martial Soul Fusion Technique with you! Why are you trying to join in the fun? If you have this much free time, why not spend more of it on cultivation? Otherwise, when Jiang Mo and I break through to the 97th rank, you'll be relegated to the seventh position!"
Qian Jun also put his arm around Qin Xuan's shoulder, his grip like iron. "Come, good disciple. Let's go to my room and thoroughly... thoroughly... discuss the Martial Soul Fusion Technique."
"Damn it, Qian Jun, you're cunning!" Guang Ling pouted. He flicked his sleeve, spread his icy wings on his back, and flew back to his room like a child throwing a tantrum.
Qin Xuan got goosebumps from Qian Jun's intense grip and eager tone. "I think I'll pass, Grandmaster. My spirit power is already completely depleted from the battle with Senior Yue Guan earlier."
After speaking, Qin Xuan's mind raced, and he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
He recalled the scene of unleashing "Traverse the Eight Directions." He had summoned a red fire dragon... but how? It wasn't a Spirit Ability. It was the internal energy from the Ghost Valley Breathing Technique, channeled through his Changming Sword.
He speculated that Qian Jun's and Jiang Mo's Spirits were from the same origin, with differences only due to different cultivation focuses.
Since 'Traverse the Eight Directions'—that lie—could imbue Jiang Mo's Coiling Dragon Rod with a soul and complete a Martial Soul Fusion...
Then... could the 'Hundred Steps Flying Sword' also...?
"It's alright, Grandmaster will help you recover!" Qian Jun finished speaking, and without waiting for Qin Xuan's consent, he practically grabbed Qin Xuan and dragged him back to his personal room to "discuss."
The result was, without a doubt, a failure.
They tried for an hour in Qian Jun's private cultivation chamber. Although the fire dragon summoned by "Traverse the Eight Directions" made some progress—their Spirits resonated and hummed, far more than ever before—it still failed to connect. The fusion wouldn't trigger.
Qian Jun was disappointed but hopeful, believing they just needed more practice.
Qin Xuan, however, knew deeply that rashly exposing all of his strength before possessing absolute, life-saving power was a major taboo.
Ultimately, he was still holding back.
His performance today was already astonishing enough. It was too astonishing.
"Traverse the Eight Directions," he could claim it was something he created by chance, a fluke, a one-off. He could barely get away with it.
But if he were to expose the Hundred Steps Flying Sword—a perfect, systematic, and completely foreign sword art—it would truly be impossible to explain.
At the very least, he would need to hide that card until after he left the City of Slaughter.
[Inorin Note:
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