Douluo: Qian Xunji's Joyful Life

Chapter 41: Whether You're Human or Beast, It Matters Not

Tang Hao's guess wasn't wrong. The first time Ah Yin met them was when a soul beast attacked some human children. To protect both the children and the soul beast, she hadn't prepared for the possibility that a powerful Contra-level expert would appear in such a remote place.

Since then, she had kept her Blue Silver Domain active at all times, worried Tang Xiao might discover her identity. A Soul Contra who paid close attention could indeed perceive that she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form. Ah Yin never imagined that upon meeting Tang Xiao and Tang Hao for the first time, they would take one look at her and be utterly smitten, eyes unable to move away. That same glance also let Tang Xiao recognize her true identity as a shapeshifting soul beast.

But this was, after all, a "romance continent." Even though Tang Xiao had only glimpsed her for an instant, he fell in love so deeply that it suppressed his desire for a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone. How the pair of brothers convinced Ah Yin to stay at their side—risking exposure at any time—likely depended on their powers of persuasion, as well as whatever was going on in Ah Yin's head.

"Come with me, Blue Silver Emperor."

With a simple wave of Qian Xunji's hand, golden light flickered, and Ah Yin's delicate body flew uncontrollably toward him.

Ah Yin didn't resist. Or rather, she didn't even have the will to resist. Her face was filled only with fear, for she was merely a Soul King.

"Let go of Ah Yin!"

An angry shout burst out. Two yellow, two purple, four black—eight soul rings emerged as dark light circulated, and the water-barrel-sized Clear Sky Hammer appeared in Tang Xiao's grip. He leaped forth and swung his hammer at Qian Xunji.

Qian Xunji had fully expected Tang Xiao to act. In the same instant Tang Xiao's rings materialized, Qian Xunji's nine rings—two yellow, two purple, four black, one red—rose at his feet, and the Holy Sword formed in his hand.

Tang Xiao's hammer had only moved about a third of the way when Qian Xunji flashed in front of him. Hammer and sword collided.

The Holy Sword met the hammer's handle. Muscles bulged on Qian Xunji's arm as he twisted his wrist; sparks flew as the Clear Sky Hammer slid past the sword blade. Qian Xunji flapped his wings, closed in, and delivered an elbow strike to Tang Xiao's chin, knocking him back in a spray of two teeth.

By intercepting the hammer's handle before Tang Xiao's swing reached full force, it proved much easier to handle, though it required seizing the moment when the hammer was only partially swung. Otherwise, taking the brunt of its head was looking for trouble.

Likely, in Qian Daoliu's fight with Tang Chen, he'd similarly relied on speed and a sword to intercept the hammer's handle. Otherwise, tangling with its head would've ended up like the original Qian Xunji's clash with Tang Hao. However, the old man who only held him back had never told Qian Xunji that he shouldn't catch the hammer's head in battle. Presumably, Qian Daoliu hadn't expected Qian Xunji to be that foolish.

As for employing a "kiting style," Qian Xunji had no intention of using it right now. Tang Xiao and Tang Hao simply weren't worthy. Not at their current level.

Two new holes had appeared in the ground—one from Tang Xiao's crash, another from his hammer. This didn't mean Qian Xunji had one-shotted Tang Xiao; Tang Xiao had let go of the hammer so it wouldn't strike him again, piling on extra damage.

"Brother Xiao!"

Because Tang Xiao had intervened, Ah Yin slipped to the ground. Seeing Tang Xiao sent flying, she cried out.

Tang Xiao got up, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "Ah Yin, from the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were a shapeshifted soul beast. But whether you're human or beast, what does it matter? All I know is you're my younger sister! You're also—"

He didn't finish that last statement out loud.

Turning, he glowered at Qian Xunji. "Your Holiness, if you want to take Ah Yin, then step over my dead body first!"

"That goes for me, too!"

Two yellow, two purple, four black—eight rings of light spun beneath Tang Hao's feet. The Clear Sky Hammer landed in his grip. Standing beside Tang Xiao, he let loose the Killing God Domain; scarlet murder filled the hundred-meter radius, dyeing everything blood-red, his hammer likewise turning crimson.

With the domain's bonus, Tang Xiao's strength rose by ten percent. "Brother Xiao, with the two of us together, even a Titled Douluo won't have an easy time! Ah Yin—run! The farther the better!"

Right now, Tang Hao had not fought Qian Xunji. He recognized the Pope's formidable might from rumors and, in fact, Qian Xunji was indeed extremely strong. But the original Qian Xunji had been a fool. In a straightforward fight, with the same level of cultivation, even the unstoppable Sword Douluo had failed to suppress a same-level Tang Hao fully, especially factoring in Titled Douluo physiology. So Tang Hao expected some chance of victory if they joined forces.

"Brother Hao, Brother Xiao!"

Ah Yin was moved to tears, but her gaze hardened on Qian Xunji. Her Blue Silver Domain flared, so the domain's red hue gained a bright blue. Two yellow, two purple, and one black—five spirit rings emerged at her feet.

"Ah Yin, you—?"

"Brother Hao, Brother Xiao, I'm a healing and control-type soul master. I can help you fight!"

Tang Xiao laughed aloud. "Wonderful! The three of us, siblings united. Not even the Pope can seize you from us!"

"Pope, take this! Clear Sky Nine Absolutes—Break!"

Tang Xiao and Tang Hao exchanged a nod, brandishing the hammer in a special technique to concentrate all force in the hammerhead. A black shockwave shot forth.

"Twin Hammer Overlay—Clear Sky Nine Absolutes—Break!"

Tang Hao's hammer followed immediately, colliding with Tang Xiao's. The black shockwave expanded to double its size. Even Qian Xunji would need some effort to intercept it head-on.

As if that weren't enough, Ah Yin pressed her hands to the ground. The Blue Silver Grass within the domain sprouted wildly. Except for the path of the shockwave, blue-gold vines surged in from all directions to ensnare Qian Xunji. If he blocked the combined Break skill, those vines would seize him. Even a few seconds' entanglement would let Tang Xiao and Tang Hao close in to hammer him.

"Fourth Soul Skill—Angel's Descent!"

A golden radiance flared beneath Qian Xunji's feet as his fourth ring lit up, boosting his martial soul's power and speed by fifty percent. The black shockwave raced upward at an angle, so Qian Xunji, moving far faster than before, easily dodged. Transforming into a golden streak, he darted straight for Ah Yin.

"No! Ah Yin, watch out! He's coming your way!"

Tang Hao bellowed, deeming Qian Xunji too cowardly to confront them directly, going after Ah Yin instead.

Ah Yin was only a Soul King, so Qian Xunji's speed overwhelmed her. She caught a mere flash of gold, and suddenly, the tall figure stood right in front of her. Even wearing high heels, she barely reached his shoulder. A fair hand enlarged before her eyes, striking her face. She felt herself flung away, head spinning as she lost consciousness.

Naturally, Qian Xunji had to knock Ah Yin out immediately. If Tang Xiao and Tang Hao lost, yet Ah Yin refused to be taken away, she might be moved by their words to sacrifice herself. Then all Qian Xunji's efforts would be wasted, leaving Tang Xiao with a tenth ring. No good.

Right now, Tang Xiao might only be rank 87, but with a ten-thousand-year sacrifice from the Blue Silver Emperor, he could close that gap of three ranks for his ninth ring. Qian Xunji would end up with nothing.

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