Chapter 40: Return to Spirit City
Qin Xuan nodded inwardly, observing the scene before him with a clinical calm. The air around them had become heavy, shimmering with a two-toned pressure.
A faint, sacred red aura from the Vermilion Bird Domain pressed down with ancient majesty, while the cold, unseen killing intent from the Slaughter God Domain seeped into their very bones.
Under this dual pressure, Yu Yuanqing's Fire Dragon Spirit, a symbol of his clan's pride, whimpered. It wasn't just being beaten; it was being judged.
It felt the primal terror of a lizard before a true phoenix. Its spirit power felt sluggish, frozen.
It was indeed as Qin Xuan had expected.
After the Spirit evolved, the newly acquired innate Domain could indeed greatly suppress other Spirits.
The lower the spirit power and the greater the difference in Spirit quality, the higher the suppression received.
For example, Liu Erlong. Although her Fire Dragon Spirit's quality was higher than Yu Yuanqing's, she was a Spirit Saint. The sheer spirit power gap was enough to have her Spirit crushed back into her body instantly under the dual-domain pressure.
And although Yu Yuanqing's spirit power was almost the same as Qin Xuan's, his strength was still suppressed, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
The same situation had also occurred with Jing Ni. Her spirit power was higher than his own, but her Spirit had also recoiled.
He couldn't determine the full effect, as she had not acquired a spirit ring.
Furthermore, a large part of the reason Jing Ni's Spirit was suppressed by the Changming Sword's innate Domain was due to the unique nature of her Spirit—the will of the Jing Ni Sword itself, an assassin's intent bound to it, which reacted to his own killing aura.
Whether this suppression effect could also apply to pure Tool Spirits was still an unknown.
"This Domain... like the Slaughter God Domain, still has a lot of potential to be unearthed," Qin Xuan mused.
"Let's try the fourth Spirit Ability's stun effect."
Having clarified the power of his Domains, Qin Xuan withdrew both the Slaughter God and Vermilion Bird Domains.
The crushing weight vanished. Yu Yuanqing gasped, his spirit power flooding back. But Qin Xuan had no intention of giving him time.
From the very beginning, this so-called Elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been treated as nothing more than a test subject.
Qin Xuan's fourth spirit ring, a deep, 10,000-year black, suddenly lit up.
In an instant, the ground erupted. Countless golden-red sword edges, formed from condensed spirit power, emerged from the earth like metallic vipers.
They transformed into soft, flexible blades that coiled around Yu Yuanqing like swimming snakes. This was his fourth Spirit Ability: Changming Spike Array.
Because it wasn't a life-or-death battle, Qin Xuan did not infuse the Vermilion Bird Flame into the blades.
But even so, it was something Yu Yuanqing, a Spirit Emperor who didn't even have the optimal spirit ring configuration, couldn't possibly handle.
Having just lost the Domain suppression, Yu Yuanqing's spirit power had only just returned to normal operation. Before he could even let out a sigh of relief, he was bound tightly.
The blades constricted. The sudden shock and lack of air instantly sent him into unconsciousness.
When he woke up moments later, he was on his knees. His entire body was covered in shallow cuts from the soft blades.
One blade was pressed firmly against his throat, cold and sharp. He didn't dare breathe.
A chill of death surged into his heart. A slightly larger movement in his throat... and he would be in another world.
"About three seconds for a fellow Spirit Emperor. Not bad," Qin Xuan silently counted the stun duration in his mind.
He then ignored Yu Yuanqing, who had lost all power to resist, and walked past him. He approached Liu Erlong, who was already terrified.
She had never experienced such life-or-death peril, such helplessness.
Her legs were pressed tightly together, and she was slumped on the ground like a startled duck, her bravado completely gone.
The man before her had disabled a Spirit Emperor and suppressed her, a Spirit Saint, without even breaking a sweat.
"You… what do you want to do? Quick… quick, release Uncle Qing! This has nothing to do with him!" Liu Erlong's voice trembled, but despite her paralyzing fear, she mustered the courage to utter those words.
Qin Xuan stopped in front of her, looking down. "I didn't realize you had such a bad temper, but you do seem to have some sense of responsibility."
He crouched, his voice low. "I know you mean well but cause trouble. But with a temper like that, walking in the Spirit World, you'll eventually harm yourself. So, I've decided to give you a profound lesson."
After speaking, in the astonished gaze of Liu Erlong and the surprised look of Jing Ni (who was watching from the carriage), Qin Xuan pulled Liu Erlong up by her arm.
He embraced her, and, using everything he had learned about shock and awe, he threw a fastball.
He kissed her.
Boom—
Their lips met. Liu Erlong's mind instantly felt as if struck by lightning. Her eyes went wide, staring at the handsome face just inches from hers. By the time she could even think to react, the kiss was over.
Yu Yuanqing, meanwhile, was trapped by the Changming Spike Array and had his back to Qin Xuan and Liu Erlong, seeing nothing.
He only vaguely heard Qin Xuan say he was going to do something to Liu Erlong. He could only fret anxiously, with the blade pressed against his throat, unable to move, and not daring to move.
A slight movement would mean death. He was loyal to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but not to the point of sacrificing himself.
Fortunately, Qin Xuan did not do what he had imagined, something irreversible.
[Liu Erlong Favorability +10]
[Ding, congratulations! Liu Erlong's Favorability has reached over 80, granting one Silver Blind Box.]
85 Favorability only for a Silver Blind Box? It seems Liu Erlong's talent is indeed too poor. Bibi Dong even gave a Gold one, Qin Xuan thought to himself.
Qin Xuan released his lips, his gaze cold and analytical. "Remember, being a hero isn't that easy. If we meet again and you haven't changed, it won't be just like this."
Leaving these words, Qin Xuan infused spirit power into his feet. His figure flashed, and he returned to Jing Ni's side by the carriage, picked her up, and leaped back onto the large tree, heading straight towards the periphery of the Soul Beast Forest.
In a few flashes, he disappeared into the jungle.
"It seems you're quite fond of that girl," Jing Ni said with a small, knowing smile, resting comfortably in Qin Xuan's arms. There wasn't a hint of jealousy in her words.
This was also one of the reasons Qin Xuan admired Jing Ni the most. Besides being beautiful, she didn't object to him having a harem.
She could even provide assistance. As an assassin from the Net, her worldview was... pragmatic.
As soon as Qin Xuan and Jing Ni left, the soft blades of the array, having lost the support of spirit power, automatically disappeared into motes of light.
Yu Yuanqing let out a massive sigh of relief, slumping onto the ground. He propped himself up with his hands, sweating profusely and panting like an ox.
That young man just now was too terrifying. As a fellow Spirit Emperor, he was utterly powerless in the other party's hands.
After quite a while, Yu Yuanqing finally recovered and looked back at Liu Erlong.
"Miss, are you alright—" His voice abruptly stopped. He was instantly stunned.
At this moment, Liu Erlong had once again turned into a 'steamy' beauty. Although her eyes were still red and glistening with tears, they were filled with an alluring, dazed charm.
This was not the look of someone who had been frightened. It was more like a young girl in love.
Like a female dragon in heat.
[Ding, Liu Erlong Favorability +5. Congratulations to the Host! Liu Erlong's Favorability has reached 90. Please continue your efforts.]
Holding Jing Ni, Qin Xuan, who was almost through the Soul Beast Forest, heard the system prompt. A barely perceptible smirk of triumph appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Very good. The seed has been planted.
Now it was just a matter of waiting for Yu Xiaogang and Flender, those two big fools. He believed that when they met Liu Erlong and found out she already had someone in her heart, the scene would definitely be spectacular.
Ten days later. Spirit City.
The towering, magnificent walls came into view. Qin Xuan helped Jing Ni out of the carriage.
He walked to the gate, presented his Elder token, and neither of them concealed their aura.
His Level 68 Spirit Emperor power, combined with the chilling aura of the Slaughter God Domain, washed over the guards.
Under the fearful and respectful gazes of the city gate guards, they drove the carriage into the city.
Being so high-profile upon entering, it was difficult not to attract attention.
Although Qin Xuan had been away for a year, he was the 'second genius' of Spirit Hall. He was quickly recognized.
"Look, isn't that Qin Xuan? The disciple of the two Consecrated Elders?"
"He's back? I thought he was on a training expedition..."
"That aura... it's so cold! Did he... did he really go to that place?"
Along the way, many Spirit Hall Spirit Masters greeted him, each with a welcoming, almost fawning, smile.
The Supreme Pontiff Palace had given the news that Qin Xuan was out on a training expedition, but some people with connections inevitably knew the inside story.
Seeing that Qin Xuan had truly emerged from Slaughter City, they were horrified, yet a different thought arose in their minds.
They secretly showed their goodwill, believing that Qin Xuan, having obtained the Slaughter God Domain, might very well have a chance to contend with Bibi Dong for the next Supreme Pontiff position.
One should know that in the original work, before breaking through to Titled Douluo, Bibi Dong had never publicly revealed her second Spirit.
And this was precisely the result Qin Xuan wanted to see.
He wanted to provoke Qian Xunji's state of mind first, let him contribute a wave of emotional value.
Then, he would release a false signal, using Jing Ni and her pregnancy. He would say that he already had a wife, to make Qian Xunji relax his guard, thinking that he had given up on Bibi Dong.
Without any delay, Qin Xuan drove the carriage directly to the Elder Palace, the strongest power institution of Spirit Hall.
[Inorin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep translating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/InorinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
This translation is my full-time passion, and your support is what makes it possible for me to dedicate myself completely to bringing you this story. Thank you for reading!
As a special offer, I've opened a few limited-time tiers at a discounted price! You will get all the benefits of "The Plot Uncoverer" (normally $25), but at a much cheaper rate.
These slots are extremely limited:
"The Dedicated Fan": $9.99 (Save 60% / $15.01) - Only 3 slots
"The Lore Diver": $14.99 (Save 40% / $10.01) - Only 7 slots
"The Founding Pillars": $19.99 (Save 20% / $5.01) - Only 15 slots
Grab your slot before they run out! Besides membership, you can also donate via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/inorintl].
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]