In response to Yun Ming's inquiry, Qian Daoliu spoke up.
"It is not a difficult task. As long as you can defeat the Seventh Offering of my Martial Soul Hall, the 96th-level peak Subduing Demon Douluo, I will agree to your relationship with Ya Li."
Upon hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Yun Ming and Ya Li had yet to react, but the Seventh Offering, Subduing Demon Douluo, spoke up with some difficulty.
"Boss, even if this kid has some talent, isn't it a bit much to ask him to defeat me?"
The Seventh Offering did not really want to bully a mere Soul King like Yun Ming; if word of this got out, it would be a blow to his reputation as a Super Douluo!
Although the Worship Hall had received intelligence that the Breaking Clan had taken down Tang Xiao, they were not yet clear on who the main combatant was, assuming it was the result of Dugu Bo joining forces with the Yang Wudi brothers.
Qian Daoliu did not respond to the Seventh Offering, continuing instead.
"I, of course, will not intentionally make things difficult for you. I will give you two choices."
"First, I will give you fifteen years. As long as you can defeat the Seventh Offering within this time, you will be considered successful."
"Second, you challenge the Seventh Offering now, while he uses only the Soul Power and first five Spirit Rings of a Soul Emperor. As long as you win, that also counts as success."
Qian Daoliu appeared to offer two choices, but in reality, he only gave Yun Ming the first option. While the second option restricted Soul Power and spirit skills, the fundamental nature of Subduing Demon Douluo as a Title Douluo would not change; his quality of Soul Power, control over his martial soul, strength, and combat experience remained at the Super Douluo level, which was simply not something a mere Soul King could contend with.
Unless it were Qian Daoliu himself at his peak as a Soul King joining forces with Tang Chen, there would be little chance. Yun Ming possessed high talent, a brilliant combat record, and great strength—even stronger than he himself had been at that age—but Qian Daoliu truly did not believe Yun Ming could defeat a version of himself and Tang Chen at the same level.
Yun Ming asked.
"If I choose the first option, can I see Ya Li during these fifteen years?"
Qian Daoliu replied indifferently.
"You may, three days a month."
"You are both still young, and you have a long life ahead of you. For now, you must prioritize your cultivation."
Yun Ming and Ya Li heard Qian Daoliu speak with such ease and looked at him with strange expressions.
Yun Ming wanted to retort directly; this old man was clearly trying to take revenge on him, yet he spoke with such high-sounding justification. How could a Heaven-Reaching Douluo not notice Ya Li's method of cultivation?! Who was he trying to fool!
Ya Li was also somewhat dissatisfied. It wasn't that she thought Yun Ming couldn't fulfill Qian Daoliu's conditions, but rather that Yun Ming was currently nursing internal injuries, and she didn't want him to fight. Ya Li acted coquettishly toward Qian Daoliu.
"Teacher, Yun Ming is currently injured and it is inconvenient for him to fight. Could you change the requirement? For example..."
"Test his knowledge of spirit master theory."
Yun Ming had read extensively in his past life and possessed spirit master theoretical knowledge that surpassed this era by twenty thousand years. Ya Li was confident that if they tested this, Yun Ming would surely be able to pass without needing to fight.
However, upon hearing this suggestion, Qian Daoliu felt an instinctive chill. Testing theory instead of actual combat—he already knew Yun Ming was gifted! But how could she make him think of that good-for-nothing from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! To this, Qian Daoliu flatly refused.
"No!"
His tone was so firm that it left no room for negotiation.
Just as Ya Li wanted to say more since her teacher disagreed, the Seventh Offering, Subduing Demon Douluo, spoke up.
"Little Ya Li, say no more. It isn't easy to become a son-in-law of our Martial Soul Hall. Although this requirement is difficult, to marry the Saintess of this hall, one must be a talent of such heaven-defying caliber."
Seeing the pride and seriousness on Subduing Demon's face, Ya Li didn't know how to respond. Although she knew Subduing Demon was trying to vet him for her sake, she was also trying to save face for Subduing Demon Douluo! Even with his level suppressed, there might not be anyone in this era who could beat Yun Ming at the same level.
Seeing that Ya Li had gone silent, Subduing Demon Douluo said to Yun Ming.
"Kid, you don't expect Little Ya Li to handle everything for you, do you?"
"Speak up, what are your thoughts?"
Yun Ming glanced at Subduing Demon Douluo, then turned his head to Qian Daoliu.
"I choose the second option. Let's fight now."
Upon hearing Yun Ming's answer, Ya Li anxiously wanted to say something, but Yun Ming took her small hand and intercepted her with a gentle tone.
"I know you are worried about my internal injuries, but trust me, it will be fine."
As he spoke, he raised his other hand and gave Ya Li's little head a pat, leaving her completely stunned on the spot.
Feeling the warmth from Yun Ming's large hand on her head, Ya Li's face immediately flushed red. Although this wasn't an overly excessive gesture, showing affection in front of a room full of people who were her grandfather's and great-grandfather's generation felt so embarrassing!
The other six offerings watched Yun Ming and Ya Li start flirting without a care, and while they were stunned at first, they didn't have much of a reaction. They were all legendary figures of their generation; who hadn't had a midsummer night's dream in their youth? Only the unnamed Qian was currently feeling a bit annoyed, because he truly didn't have one.
Think of him, the man who had traversed the world and was invincible in the skies; aside from a wife to carry on the family line, his own twilight romance had yet to be won. And now, Yun Ming was using such 'despicable' little tricks on his little disciple right in front of him. It was truly not taking him seriously at all.
In an instant, the air pressure in the Elder Hall plummeted. Even though light and fire elements were gathering in the hall, it still made people feel a chill.
Qian Daoliu said in a cold tone.
"Since you have chosen, let us begin!"
After speaking, he waved his sleeve and took Ya Li back under the statue of the Six-Winged Angel. Seeing Qian Daoliu act this way, the other offerings only felt that he couldn't stand Yun Ming courting his 'little cabbage' right in front of him. Only the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, who was even older than Qian Daoliu, seemed to realize something, the corner of his mouth curling slightly. It was quite rare to see Qian Daoliu with such an expression.
Qian Daoliu did not notice his top subordinate mocking him and said to the Seventh Offering.
"Old Seven, go ahead! Remember to help Ya Li 'examine' his level well." He placed particular emphasis on the word 'examine'.
Subduing Demon Douluo understood perfectly. Yun Ming heard Qian Daoliu arranging him to his face and wondered where he had offended this old man again.
Subduing Demon Douluo flashed to the opposite side of Yun Ming. Looking at the calm and composed Yun Ming, he nodded with satisfaction in his heart.
Just from the fact that Yun Ming could withstand Qian Daoliu's pressure and 'talk big' with a calm and steady tone, Subduing Demon Douluo felt that he probably wouldn't be a coward. The final result did not disappoint him, and he couldn't help but feel a bit more favorable toward the kid. Subduing Demon Douluo said.
"I heard from Little Ya Li that you have internal injuries. Don't worry, I won't make your injuries worse (referring to the internal ones)."
Yun Ming would most likely be Ya Li's partner in the future, so as an elder, he certainly wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics; causing a few external injuries would suffice.
Yun Ming caught the implication behind his words, but his expression remained unchanged as he spoke to Subduing Demon Douluo.
"Then I thank you, Senior."
After speaking, he flipped his right hand, and the Atlas Divine Spear, crystalline and ethereal like a work of art, appeared in Yun Ming's grasp.
Yun Ming casually spun the spear, entering a combat state, and called out.
"Senior, please!"
Subduing Demon Douluo glanced at Yun Ming's Atlas Divine Spear and felt his own Martial Soul stirring within him, becoming active as never before. His interest in this battle grew even higher, and a smile appeared on his face as he said with some excitement.
"This is interesting!"
As he spoke, he raised his hand to summon his own Martial Soul. The two stood facing each other, and a fated battle spanning twenty thousand years was about to begin once more.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader