Chapter 95: The Second Guardian, Jingni
At this moment, Golden Bell Douluo no longer looked at Qin Xuan with the disdain and contempt he once had. His tone, transmitted via Spirit Power, even carried a hint of flattery and fawning.
Because they knew that Qin Xuan was no longer the mere Spirit King they could casually manipulate.
In the past, even if he and Silver Hammer Douluo had killed Qin Xuan under the Supreme Pontiff's orders, and even if Qin Xuan was the disciple of the two Guardians, Qianjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo, those two Guardians wouldn't do anything to them.
This was because, compared to Qin Xuan, Qianjun and Jiangmo were more loyal to Spirit Hall, and even more loyal to the Angel Clan.
Moreover, a dead genius is no longer a genius. Even if Qianjun and Jiangmo valued Qin Xuan as a disciple, it was unlikely they would punish two Titled Douluo—who were merely following orders—because of him.
They would likely let the matter rest.
But now, it was different.
At a young age, Qin Xuan had not only advanced to Spirit Saint and obtained the coveted 100,000-year 7th spirit ring, but he had also gained a wife who had "cultivated Twin Spirits" and was about to become a Guardian.
A Level 97 Peak Douluo.
If they were to act again, setting aside whether they would succeed, even if they did... the High Priest would certainly use their heads to appease Qin Xuan's wife afterward.
Unless they were seeking death, only a fool would be willing to do such a thing.
What's more, Qin Xuan already had a wife now and would no longer covet their Supreme Pontiff's forbidden fruit, Bibi Dong. There was even less need to take such a great risk.
Thinking of this, Golden Bell Douluo finally made up his mind, set aside his pride, and apologized to Qin Xuan via sound transmission: "Second Majesty, I have offended you greatly in the past. I hope Second Majesty will be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
After transmitting his voice, he didn't forget to wink at Silver Hammer Douluo beside him.
The latter hesitated for a moment, then also transmitted an apology: "I'm sorry, Second Majesty. Golden Bell and I were just following orders."
There was no other way; apologizing was necessary.
Previously, Spirit Hall's external affairs were generally decided by the Supreme Pontiff and them. They were his personal enforcers.
But ever since Yue Guan and Gui Mei rose, broke through to Titled Douluo with 100,000-year rings, and pledged loyalty to the Supreme Pontiff, they found themselves increasingly disregarded in Qian Xunji's eyes.
Not to mention distant matters, next month's Sect Competition, according to custom, should have been jointly presided over by their two personal bodyguard Douluo and the Supreme Pontiff.
This time, however, it was unprecedentedly changed to Yue Guan and Gui Mei.
If this continued, their position in the Supreme Pontiff Palace would sooner or later be replaced by those two.
Yet, they were helpless.
If they were to incur the hatred of Qin Xuan, Spirit Hall's most dazzling genius, and be targeted by his Guardian wife, their days would only become more difficult.
"Heh!" Qin Xuan sneered inwardly, but his face showed no emotion.
He replied via sound transmission: "You two Elders are too polite. We are all colleagues, and some friction is inevitable. Besides, it wasn't your intention, so I haven't taken that matter to heart."
Once you die, that matter will be in the past.
Qin Xuan secretly added in his heart.
Upon hearing this, Golden Bell and Silver Hammer thought the matter was truly over. As they breathed a sigh of relief, they couldn't help but cast grateful gazes at Qin Xuan.
At this moment, before the Angel statue at the very top, Golden Crocodile Douluo's deep voice rang out, "The anointing ceremony officially begins!"
The giant gates of Douluo Hall slowly opened.
The Seraphim emblems on the two gates gradually shifted from their original positions.
Everyone's gaze involuntarily converged towards the opening gates.
Even Qin Xuan himself felt his heart rate quicken at this moment. He was looking forward to seeing Jingni in her Guardian robes.
Then he would personally help her undress.
Jingni, covered entirely in golden armor with a brilliant golden robe from head to toe, her face solemn, walked into Douluo Hall.
She exuded an illusory feeling, as if infinitely tall.
In fact, no one, except Qin Xuan, even noticed her exquisite beauty or her fiery figure.
At this moment, she represented only the dignity of Spirit Hall's youngest Guardian.
Qin Xuan couldn't help but feel a little lost in thought.
Jingni's Guardian robes had been specially sent this morning by the female Cardinal responsible for the Elder Hall's attire.
Qin Xuan hadn't had time to help her put them on before he was called to the Elder Hall.
Only when he saw her did he realize how astonishingly beautiful Jingni was in her Guardian robes, even surpassing her Net Trap assassin attire.
What might appear thick and heavy on others, the ceremonial robe and armor, perfectly accentuated her proud figure. It highlighted her full chest, slender waist, and straight, long legs adorned with black stockings, all exuding a sense of profound, lethal beauty.
This made Qin Xuan's heart itch.
Sensing Qin Xuan's lecherous gaze, Jingni knew exactly what he was thinking and subtly glared at him.
Yet, there was an inexplicable tenderness in her eyes, completely different from when she was in public, lacking some of her usual coldness and sharpness.
At this moment, all members of Spirit Hall, except Qin Xuan and the Supreme Pontiff, and all Titled Douluo below the rank of Guardian, knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, Guardian Jingni!" The shouts echoed like a mountain collapse and a tsunami throughout Spirit City.
This was not only the voice of the Titled Douluo within Douluo Hall but also the shouts of all Spirit Masters in Spirit City who were not allowed to approach Douluo Mountain.
For them, Douluo Hall was the highest faith!
And Jingni, who could enter Douluo Hall to receive her title and be promoted to Guardian, was an existence they revered and looked up to.
The atmosphere at that instant was indescribable; even Qin Xuan felt his blood boil amidst the shouts.
Although they weren't shouting his name, he truly felt that sense of being a superior. That feeling of soaring freely, unrestrained by worldly conventions and shackles, was perhaps what he yearned for.
The anointing of the title and Guardian rank proceeded simultaneously.
After a series of intricate rituals, Qian Daoliu personally placed a magnificent golden crown adorned with gems on Jingni's head.
Jingni finally received her own title, becoming the youngest Titled Douluo in the history of the Douluo Continent.
"From this day forward, Jingni Douluo shall be the Second Guardian of my Spirit Hall!" Qian Daoliu grasped Jingni's left wrist through her armor, raised it above his head, and announced in a clear voice.
His voice, amplified by his Level 99 Spirit Power, directly spread to everyone's ears within Spirit City.
Instantly, Douluo Hall, and indeed the entire Spirit City, erupted in an uproar.
Among them, voices of doubt filled the air.
Although they already knew that Jingni had "cultivated Twin Spirits" and reached Level 97 Spirit Power, wasn't it said that she would serve as the Fifth Guardian?
How did she suddenly leap to become the Second Guardian?
It was simply too unbelievable.
One must know that the original Second Guardian, Golden Crocodile Douluo, was a Peak Douluo with a 100,000-year spirit ring and Level 98 Spirit Power!
Not only them, but even the three Guardians, Qingluan, Xiongshi, and Guang Ling, as well as the Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji, were utterly shocked.
Qian Xunji looked at his father, Qian Daoliu, his golden pupils flickering with an incredulous light.
"Father, isn't this a bit against the rules?"
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