Chapter 107: The Gods Trial Descend, The Nine Trials of the Angel God
The clamor of the Seven Clans Selection and the shock of the Soul Core Method gradually subsided in Spirit City as the various powers departed. However, a deeper transformation had already quietly begun.
On the night after the selection ended, in a quiet courtyard within Spirit City.
Yu Yuanchen, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen met once again. A few side dishes were laid out on the stone table, and half of the three jars of fine wine were already gone. The moonlight was like water, spilling into the courtyard; the atmosphere was not filled with the tension of their past sparring matches, but rather a rare sense of leisure and mutual respect.
"With the Seven Clans established and the Soul Core Method passed down, the continent's landscape has finally settled for now," Yu Yuanchen said, raising his cup in a calm tone. His cultivation had reached a profound level, and his state of mind had become increasingly transcendent; though he had stirred up the winds and clouds, he could now view it all with composure.
"Hmph, it's only because your fists are hard enough, kid." Tang Chen gulped down a large mouthful of wine, wiped his mouth, and grinned. "However, spreading this Soul Core Method is a great thing! In future fights, there will finally be a few more opponents who can last a bit longer!" Although his words were coarse, the admiration in his eyes for Yu Yuanchen was sincere. If Yu Yuanchen hadn't proposed and perfected this method, it would have been impossible for him to hold the upper hand while fighting Qingfeng and Ning Zhiyuan alone on the selection stage.
Qian Daoliu elegantly sipped his wine, his golden eyes appearing exceptionally deep under the moonlight. He glanced at Yu Yuanchen and Tang Chen, then suddenly spoke, "Brother Yuanchen, Brother Tang, in a few days, I will need to enter seclusion for a period of time."
Yu Yuanchen and Tang Chen both paused. At their level, so-called "seclusion" often meant an important Breakthrough or opportunity.
"Seclusion? Birdman Qian, what new tricks have you cooked up now?" Tang Chen asked curiously.
Qian Daoliu shook his head slightly, an indescribable solemnity appearing on his face, even carrying a hint of piety. "It's not a new trick. I am going to... undergo the Gods Trial."
Gods Trial!
As soon as those two words were spoken, the courtyard fell silent. Even Tang Chen set aside his joking manner. For any Soul Master, the Gods Trial were a supreme matter concerning their destiny.
Yu Yuanchen's heart stirred slightly. He had long known that Qian Daoliu carried the Legacy of the Angel God, but with his current Rank 95 cultivation, why was he only undergoing the Gods Trial now? Normally, heirs to a God Position would begin their trials once their strength reached a certain Foundation (such as Soul Saint or Soul Douluo) to gradually improve during the assessment. Qian Daoliu was exceptionally talented yet had delayed until now; there had to be a reason.
However, this was a secret of Spirit Hall and the Angel lineage. If Qian Daoliu didn't say anything, he naturally wouldn't ask. Everyone had their own path and secrets.
Yu Yuanchen raised his cup and said sincerely, "Brother Qian's talent is peerless and his will is firm. You will surely pass the Gods Trial, inherit the God Position, and bring glory to the Angel lineage. I wish Brother Qian every success!"
Tang Chen also stopped laughing and said seriously, "That's right! Birdman Qian, although I usually find you annoying, you do have some skill. It's just the Gods Trial; they definitely won't stump you! Once you become a god, don't forget to treat me to a drink!"
Qian Daoliu looked at his two friends, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes as he clinked his cup with theirs. "I appreciate your kind words."
The three drank a few more cups, chatted for a bit, and then went their separate ways. They all knew that after this parting, the next time they met might be under entirely different circumstances.
The next day, Yu Yuanchen and Tang Chen each led their Sect forces, left Spirit City, and returned to their respective Sects. Spirit City seemed to regain its former solemnity and tranquility.
However, deep within Spirit Hall, inside the Hall of Offerings atop the Sacred Angel Mountain, a grand ceremony concerning the Legacy was about to begin.
Qian Daoliu did not head to the Hall of Offerings immediately. He first returned to his place of meditation, bathed, changed his clothes, and sat in silent meditation with burning incense to adjust his state to its perfect Peak. His Soul Power was harmonious and full, and his Spiritual Power was clear and transparent; the slight fatigue from the successive battles had long since been swept away.
He changed into a flawless white robe embroidered with golden Angel Patterns, which complemented his god-like handsomeness and extraordinary temperament.
After doing all this, he took steady steps toward the hall that symbolized the supreme glory of the Angel lineage—the Hall of Offerings.
The hall doors slid open silently, revealing an internal space far more vast and magnificent than it appeared from the outside. A massive Seraphim statue stood at the end of the hall, emitting a soft yet majestic Holy Light.
Beneath the statue stood an old man in a simple white robe with white hair and beard. He was the current Angel High Priest and Qian Daoliu's father—Qian Chongxiao.
Sensing Qian Daoliu's arrival, Qian Chongxiao slowly turned around. His gaze fell upon his son, his deep eyes containing complex and unspeakable emotions: love, gratification, expectation, and a trace of... relief?
"Liuer, you've come." Qian Chongxiao's voice was calm, yet it carried a sense of weight from having weathered many storms.
"Father." Qian Daoliu bowed respectfully.
Qian Chongxiao looked him over and nodded slightly. "Your state is well-adjusted. It seems that your interactions with those two young friends, Yu Yuanchen and Tang Chen, were not a bad thing for you." He paused, his tone shifting as his gaze sharpened. "Liuer, have you always had a doubt in your heart? Why I have always held you back, not letting you touch the Gods Trial too early, insisting that you wait until you attained the title of Titled Douluo or even reached Rank 95?"
Qian Daoliu raised his head to meet his father's gaze. A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his handsome face. "Father's arrangements must have profound considerations. Though I am dull, I understand that a parent's love for their child is measured by their long-term planning. Father would never harm me. However..."
He paused subtly, his tone still respectful but carrying a hint of slyness. "If Father wishes to clear my doubts today, I am naturally... all ears." The implication was: Dad, stop being mysterious, I know you have something to say, so say it!
Qian Chongxiao was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a laugh, pointing at Qian Daoliu and scolding playfully, "You brat! After spending so much time with Yu Yuanchen and Tang Chen, you've actually learned some slipperiness! But... this is good. You look much better than your previous serious and old-fashioned self."
After laughing, Qian Chongxiao's expression became serious again. He sighed and said, "Liuer, do you know how harsh the requirements of the Gods Trial, especially the top-tier ones, are for the talent of the heir?"
His gaze turned distant, as if piercing through time and space. "Our Qian Family has inherited the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, and every generation has an Innate full Soul Power of Rank 20, with talent surpassing the entire continent. But even within the same Angel Bloodline, there are differences in level. Your talent is indeed a notch stronger than mine was back then, but... the advantage is limited."
Qian Chongxiao's tone carried a hint of heaviness. "According to the experience and records of past ancestors, with your original talent and Foundation, it was highly likely that you would ultimately receive the same 'Top-Tier Eight Trials' as I did."
The Top-Tier Eight Trials! It meant being infinitely close to the God Position, but ultimately... falling short at the final hurdle, with no chance of becoming a god!
Qian Daoliu's pupils constricted. Although he had already suspected as much, hearing it from his father's own mouth still caused waves in his heart.
"Actually," Qian Chongxiao continued, "in ancient records, it's not that there was no turning point. During the trial process, the gods possess certain authority and can use the name of trial rewards to improve and compensate for the heir's talent and Foundation. In history, several ancestors of our Angel lineage also received divine grace during the Gods Trial, allowing their talent to be improved. However, because their initial talent was insufficient, they only received the Top-Tier Eight Trials and were destined to miss the God Position."
His voice took on a hint of confusion and regret. "But for some reason, similar trial rewards seem to have... disappeared. At least, for hundreds of years, there have been no clear records. The path to godhood seems to have become more dependent on the heir's own inherent talent. It's as if... the help the gods can give has become limited." He naturally didn't know that this was because the Angel God itself had an issue.
"Therefore," Qian Chongxiao looked at Qian Daoliu with a trace of guilt in his eyes, "after knowing your talent, a huge stone has always been hanging in my heart regarding whether you could truly inherit the God Position. Unconsciously, I may have given you too much pressure, forcing you to suppress your nature since childhood and hold yourself to standards of stability and diligence beyond your years, for fear of failing expectations... I have seen all of this."
Qian Daoliu remained silent. What his father said was indeed true. That heavy expectation had been his greatest motivation in his youth, but also his deepest burden.
"But," Qian Chongxiao's tone changed, his face showing heartfelt relief and pride, "since you returned from that training excursion as a Soul Emperor, you changed. You became more proactive, more sharp, and had... a kind of competitive drive that refuses to lose! You began to attempt absorbing Soul Rings beyond your Rank, tempering your body, and refining your swordsmanship! What surprised me even more was that you could actually befriend those two brilliant young friends, Yu Yuanchen and Tang Chen, and together deduce the Heaven-Defying method known as the 'Soul Core'!"
"Condensing a Soul Core and reaching Rank 95 in one step without a Bottleneck! What kind of accumulation is this! What a Foundation!" Qian Chongxiao's voice was filled with excitement. "Seeing your achievements today, the stone in my heart can finally be set down! My son, Qian Chongxiao's son, possesses potential and courage that surpasses all past ancestors! I believe you will surely obtain the complete Nine Trials, inherit the Angel God Position, and bring glory to our house!"
So that was it! Everything became clear to Qian Daoliu. His father had held him back from starting the Gods Trial for so long to let him accumulate a deeper Foundation and increase the certainty of obtaining the Top-Tier Nine Trials! And the success of the Soul Core Method had undoubtedly brought that certainty to its Peak!
"And my reason for having you delay the Gods Trial was precisely based on this," Qian Chongxiao concluded. "According to custom, one can attempt to make contact as a Soul Saint. But I hoped you could face this sacred trial in your most perfect state. It was only when you broke through to the Titled level, absorbed a hundred thousand year spirit ring, and reached Rank 95 with a Soul Core—making your Foundation as stable as a mountain—that I felt the time... had come!"
He stepped aside and pointed to the Seraphim statue emitting endless radiance, saying solemnly, "Now, Liuer, go. Go and accept the trial that belongs to you! Step onto that path to the heavens that leads to the God Realm!"
Qian Daoliu took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions surging in his heart, and gave his father a deep bow. "I will not fail Father's high expectations!"
He turned around, his gaze resolute, and walked step by step toward the massive angel statue. With every step he took, his aura became a bit purer, and his Soul Power and Spiritual Power became highly condensed, faintly resonating with the sacred radiance emitted by the statue.
When he finally stood directly in front of the statue, gazing up at that supreme and sacred face, he knelt on one knee, placed his right hand over his chest, and chanted loudly in an ancient and pious tone that vibrated with Soul Power:
"Angel God above, your descendant Qian Daoliu, upholding the Bloodline and with a pious heart, now swears by my Soul. I am willing to inherit the God Position, walk the path of the Angel, purge the world of evil, and protect the light of faith! Please descend the Gods Trial, test my heart, and temper my Soul!"
Hum—!
As his voice fell, the entire Hall of Offerings shook violently! That massive Seraphim statue seemed to come alive in an instant! A dazzling golden divine light exploded like the sun, illuminating the entire hall in brilliance! A vast, majestic, sacred, and supreme will suddenly descended, enveloping Qian Daoliu!
Qian Daoliu felt his Soul shake violently, as if he were in a golden ocean. Countless profound runes, ancient images, and sacred hymns flooded his mind! His Angel Martial Soul released itself uncontrollably, six snow-white wings spreading out behind him, each feather flowing with sacred radiance!
The statue's eyes suddenly lit up like two real suns, their gaze piercing through the Void Realm and falling upon Qian Daoliu. In that gaze, there was scrutiny, expectation, and even a trace of... an indescribably complex emotion?
Then, an incomparably pure and highly condensed golden pillar of light shot out from the statue's brow, completely enveloping Qian Daoliu!
Qian Daoliu let out a suppressed groan, feeling an indescribable sacred energy flood into his body, washing through his Meridians, flesh, bones, and Soul! This power was most divine and holy, yet it carried a terrifying pressure, as if it wanted to completely purify and reshape his body and Soul!
The Soul Core inside him spun frantically at an unprecedented speed, striving to absorb this divine force. On his forehead, a crystal-clear golden Angel Mark slowly emerged, emitting increasingly strong divine fluctuations!
The process lasted for a long time. Qian Daoliu was soaked in sweat and his body trembled slightly, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, his eyes still as resolute as before.
Finally, the golden pillar of light slowly receded. Qian Daoliu's aura had undergone an earth-shaking change; although his Soul Power Rank had not increased, its quality now carried a sacred essence! On his forehead, a complete, complex, and exquisite golden Angel Pattern shone brightly!
At the same time, nine golden rings rose from beneath his feet one by one, circling upward! Each golden ring emitted a heart-palpitating majestic and sacred aura!
The Nine Trials of the Angel God!
The highest assessment for the inheritance of a God Position had descended!
Qian Chongxiao looked at those nine brilliant golden rings, tears streaming down his face as he trembled with excitement. "The Nine Trials! It really is the Nine Trials of the Angel God! Ancestors above, my son Daoliu has received divine grace and obtained the inheritance of the Nine Trials!"
Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes, which had turned into pure gold, filled with sanctity and majesty. Feeling the surging sacred power within him and the clear content of the Nine Trials in his mind, a surge of lofty ambition rose in his heart!
The Gods Trial had begun! The path to godhood was right beneath his feet!
He looked toward the sky outside the hall, his gaze seemingly piercing through the clouds to see the endless God Realm. "Yu Yuanchen, I won't fall too far behind! On the day I become a god, it will be the time for the Angel's glory to reappear in the world!"
Inside the Hall of Offerings, the divine light gradually faded, but a new legend had already begun to be written. And far away on the road back to Dragon City, Yu Yuanchen seemed to sense something and instinctively looked toward the direction of Spirit City.
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