5 Strikes

"The... Spirit Academy wins!"

A giant holograph that looked straight out of the future was projected in almost every official city through the Spirit Arenas now fully developed.

"Too dangerous!"

"Did you look at their legs? They were a bloody mess!"

The Spirit Arena of the Heaven Dou City was in an uproar. Many gasped in fear while experienced spirit masters sighed in admiration. They did not have this kind of tolerance and only imagined how painful it must have been because all of them had experienced pain in some form.

"Your disciple is a bloody mess."

Within one of the more luxurious spots reserved for the rich and the strong and away from the general populace, a man with snow-white hair and a stoic expression stated with a hint of exhaustion. The man wore pure white robes. Not a speck of filth on him. His blue eyes striking no matter who looked at him. On his lap was placed a crystal-like sword with the hilt adorned with an enchanting sapphire that pulled everybody's attention.

Next to this man, quite leisurely and unaffected by the deep and powerful pressure that exuded from the entity's body was a grey-haired man. His looks similarly striking and he wore a set of plain grey robes. His expression was pleasant and he guffawed.

"You bet that's my disciple! Damn! I wanted all of Tang Chen's degenerated seed to be burned, too!" Qian Daoliu clicked his tongue.

"He's a mighty warrior. Not a degenerate--"

"What do you know, kid? You're 80 years too early to speak up for Tang Chen and the bastard himself lived for more than 500 years and kept attracting young maidens a little over 100!" Qian Daoliu snorted sourly. To many who were not even close to his level, they only saw Qian Daoliu's calm exterior but he would willingly reveal his true self when talking to stronger individuals.

Seeing Qian Daoliu acting so immaturely... surprisingly, a hint of envy passed through the man's eyes. Everyone desired a perfect rival for themselves in their age and the man wished for his own version of Tang Chen. To those still alive and from the previous generation, they knew the legends that surrounded Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu.

"It is said that through a perfect breakthrough into the realm of Titled Douluo, a human has the chance of increasing his lifespan by 100 years every level... did—"

"People like me are born with great Inheritance and enough talent and that is why we can actually have an 'enlightenment.' You know what I'm talking about. You have a core yourself. It's either formed by enlightenment during the breakthrough or using extremely precious and unknown materials. These materials exist, surely. But their effects are not easily known," Qian Daoliu interrupted, "Meanwhile, people like Tang Chen are more than selfish enough to sacrifice the foundation of the future generation. And that's what he did. But yes, through the formation of a core during the breakthrough, a human can enter the realm where each subsequent breakthrough will possibly bring additional 100 years... but none of us really live longer than 200... maybe 300."

"Why?" The man inquired, eagerness fully lacing his voice.

"That is a part of a grand information you must pay for," Qian Daoliu smiled.

"I understand the ancient agreement. Those lucky enough to break past the confines of rank 95 can approach the Spirit Hall for further knowledge. My ancestors have accumulated the experience till reaching rank 97... and now I wish to know of the appropriate options for the remaining path ahead."

Qian Daoliu nodded silently. Standing up, he gestured the white-haired man to follow him and the duo moved out of the arena quite easily.

Surprisingly, the two flew into the air. The white-haired man stood on his sword while Qian Daoliu moved without any external means.

It was until they reached a desolate plain that Qian Daoliu stopped and looked at the man.

"Before we begin, Rank 97 Star Sword Douluo Chen Lanxue, I must appreciate your patience for letting me enjoy my disciple's performance until now. As per the agreement of my ancestors and their duty towards those who approach us, I formally extend an invitation for you to join the Elder's Hall.

By joining the Elder's Hall, not only will I explain the experiences of my ancestors, but should any opportunity reveal itself for further strengthening, you shall gain a chance at it."

Unlike Ja Sun who could gain benefits from almost any endeavor, others had more mundane methods. Chen Lanxue, despite his fortunate means, was already more than 110-years-old and this was the effect of being extremely talented. Chen Lanxue had never consumed any immortal herb and even if he did come across it, he didn't know of their benefits.

The fact that Ja Sun's knowledge mostly came from past Titled Douluos whose name by itself could no longer be recognized meant that before this era, there was a golden age of Spirit Masters that could utilize many resources for its benefits.

Hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Chen Lanxue calmly shook his head.

"I see. Were I still the Judgement Elder of the Spirit Hall, I would have been forced to attack you with the intention to kill," Qian Daoliu nodded, "But I now assume the role of the Grand Priest in the Elder's Hall. My role is to provide information to those with necessary strength only after a price has been met."

"Please, enlighten me," Chen Lanxue slowly landed on the ground and held his sword. A burst of potent spirit energy surrounded him and this time, on his hilt, aside from the sapphire, nine tiny rocks could be seen embedded.

Yellow, Purple, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, and Black.

Qian Daoliu raised his hand and a golden feather appeared in front of him. If Ja Sun was here, he would realize that this feather looked extremely similar to the Seraphim's feather he had gained after successfully entering the Spirit Hall.

The Feather slowly flew down. But a tremendous pressure fell on Chen Lanxue and he snorted. With a flick of his leaves, a sword light shot out and cleanly sliced off the feather in two halves.

Strangely, the feather deformed into licks of golden flames before dissipating.

"First strike, countered," Qian Daoliu nodded, "I will explain what little I know about martial souls. They are a product of one's soul origin. However, even spirit beasts have soul origin yet they do not produce martial souls. This had given a popular belief from the ancient age regarding the origin of the martial soul and that is— a strange inheritance: called Bloodline.

It is believed that every individual has a spiritual heritage that courses through one's body and somehow, we have had the heritage of spirit beasts, or even spirit items in our bodies. The fact that our martial souls can be weapons makes that 'bloodline' related to one's spiritual heritage than the actual blood flowing through one's veins. This is the same for the rare body-type martial souls and plant and other tool martial souls."

Chen Lanxue closed his eyes. He only opened them after a few minutes and he nodded.

Qian Daoliu snapped his fingers and nine balls of flame appeared in front of him.

"My previous attack was my first spirit ability called Golden Feather. I can create many of those feathers but the ability itself creates one feather at a time. My second spirit skill is known as Nine Suns."

Chen Lanxue waved his sword and a phantom of a broadsword appeared in front of him before turning smaller and landing on his forehead.

"Please," he spoke calmly.

The nine balls of golden flames shot towards Chen Lanxue and he stabbed his sword on the ground. A translucent sword grew from under him in the shape of the sword mark on his forehead and protected him from the nine balls of flames as they seemed to be cut apart as they struck the phantom. However, Chen Lanxue's expression was a bit stern. A drop of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"Second strike, defended," Qian Daoliu nodded, "I have explained what I know of martial souls. Now, I will talk about Spirit Rings. Why is it that a human, who has reached the age of ten and a hundred doesn't leave a spirit ring but spirit beasts do? Why do humans absorb a spirit ring? Why can't Beasttakens leave or absorb a spirit ring? Why can't humans create spirit bones but Beasttakens can?

The answer to all this doesn't lie in our Soul Origin but the regulations of this world. Only when a spirit master's body, mind, and energy reach a specific quality can he finally come into contact with such regulations. Before that, all we do, i.e. absorb spirit rings and cultivate, is in an effort to prepare ourselves for this revelation. But the main topic revolves around the 'rules' of the world.

The Ancestors of the Angel Clan have passed a word for this— law.

Rules exist, thus, they are to be followed. Spirit Masters, too, can only cultivate under the confines of these rules. And this is the reason why 'rule' is something more than just a philosophical concept. It is metaphysical. It is spiritual. After your breakthrough... you can observe these particles, right?"

Qian Daoliu smiled as colorful specks of light ranging from black to gold and many more appeared around him. These specks had various shapes, too. Seeing this, Chen Lanxue's gaze turned glazed as he nodded.

"The essence of the higher path simultaneously lies in understanding any one of these laws. I have comprehended the law of Comfort. But Law in itself is not usable. The comprehension, at our level, only brings us the sense of understanding and no other transformation.

The Spirit Masters can also gain a better comprehension by interacting and controlling their own spirit energy. This is also revealed how special supporting and passive abilities appear on rare geniuses once they absorb their seventh spirit ring and break into the Spirit Sage realm and here lies the essence of the term— Sage. It is the first step to comprehension."

Saying this, the speck of light around Qian Daoliu burst into golden flames and turned into a flaming sword that he caught calmly.

"My third spirit skill: True Sun Sword."

In response, to this, Chen Lanxue still kept the translucent barrier in the shape of a sword while white flames covered the barrier. From a farther view, the flames formed the shape of a sword and the Qian Daoliu waved down.

The golden flaming sword shot out a sharp wave of flames that struck against the white flames. Seeing the golden flames dispersing slightly against the pure sword intent, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but nod.

There were various factors why Qian Daoliu couldn't defeat Tang Chen. A few of them were related to his heritage and the more refined reasons were Qian Daoliu's own affinity with more comforting and peaceful things. Although his comprehension of True Sun Flame was great and would even reach a greater completion of understanding if he pushed forward, he knew that in doing so, he would end up going against his own will.

It would be a worse situation just for a little more strength.

However, even if the flames were dissipated against the white sword flames, it still broke through the first layer of defense and soon cracked down on the phantom of the broadsword.

*Trrk*

Cracks spread on the surface of the sword and the flames began to invade through the cracks and gritting his teeth, Chen Lanxue pulled his sword out of the ground and waved it. With a white sword light, the flames were extinguished but his expression wasn't any better.

"Third Strike, countered. I have discussed about the Bloodline and the Law. Ordinarily, I should have explained more about the minute knowledge I have on spirit cores but that isn't necessary. I assure you that what you know is not different than what I know. So, do you wish to skip past this topic? It works in your favor itself."

"Yes, please."

"Hmm, then, after the Bloodline, Law, and Core comes the Self-created Spirit Skills.

The Spirit Rings are a mechanism that helps humans breakthrough and mobilize our Spirit Energy, mental energy, physical essence, and attributes in a very specific manner that interacts with nature. In theory, a spirit master, with intensive research and adequate talent, can create spirit skills by themselves. The prominent example of this topic is none other than Tang Chen.

To further his knowledge and understanding of the path without the Spirit Hall's assistance, Tang Chen created a number of spirit skills by himself. Of these, the most commonly known to the Clear Sky Clan are the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes.

In this pursuit and inspiration, he ended up killing every Nine-headed Giant, permanently ruining the foundation of his clan but to compensate, he left a few techniques to them. To this date, I am uncertain how Tang Chen came up with one particular skill... sigh, but you get my point, right? Once a Spirit Master reaches the realm of Titled Douluo, they have the qualities comparable to a 100000-year-old beast.

And with enhanced lifeforce, we have the time to research our own skills. Just like Tang Chen, my ancestors have developed skills and I have personally added to those skills.

But the underlying meaning of this topic is, despite the few intricate differences, humans and spirit beasts are similar in more than one way. As long as an individual wields his metaphysical energy in a specific path and interacts with nature in a peculiar fashion, a spirit skill similar to a spirit ring can be created and this means that the nine spirit abilities we have are the least of what we can achieve."

"Please, continue," Chen Lanxue nodded with a humble expression. He is the famed elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, father of Chen Xin, a rank 93 Titled Douluo. Yet, at this moment, he remained as polite as possible.

"My fourth spirit skill, Sun Possession," Qian Daoliu's body erupted in golden flames. His once grey hair now turned striking gold and his expression had minor changes that made him look regal. A flaming armor covered his body and he produced his sword once again.

Seeing Chen Lanxue's resolute expression, Qian Daoliu gently waved his sword before a sea of golden flames descended.

*Hap*

With a low shout, Chen Lanxue slashed with his sword and this time, the giant phantom of the broadsword covered with white sword flames shot out and attacked the sea of flames instead.

Not stopping here, Chen Lanxue suddenly stabbed in the space in front of him seven times before the spots glowed and seemed to form a constellation that erupted in white flames. The constellation resembled a sword and it silently produced a great suction force that didn't affect Chen Lanxue. Dust, grass, trees, flames, and even Qian Daoliu was attracted by the force but aside from Qian Daoliu, everything was forcefully impacted against the constellation before they strangely disappeared.

The area around now turned even more desolate.

"Fourth strike, absorbed. Now, I have covered the basics. From the origin, to our surroundings, and our potential, I have explained things as briefly without letting out the Hall's secrets and as simply as possible for your own understanding.

Now, I will talk about how to move forward once reaching rank 90.

There are strict requirements for spirit cores.

I'm afraid that I don't know the peculiarities of when a core should be constructed and where it should be constructed. But, to reach rank 98, a Titled Douluo needs at least two spirit cores. Without this condition fulfilled, a spirit master cannot move forward because as I said, the path of spirit cultivation is merely a preparation for the greater goal.

Now, are you willing to learn more?"

Qian Daoliu inquired since Chen Lanxue was already having a hard time.

"Yes, of course!"

Chen Lanxue nodded without any hesitation.

Nodding, a terrifying pressure escaped Qian Daoliu's body and Chen Lanxue couldn't help but grow apprehensive. Steeling his mind, he waited calmly, and a giant arm almost 100 meters large made of golden flames materialized above Qian Daoliu.

"My fifth spirit skill, Deity's Wrath."

The giant palm slowly shifted before reaching extreme momentum within seconds and shot in Chen Lanxue's direction.

He instantly retreated while using many methods.

Sword lights emerged from his body, a constellation was created once again, and yet, merely 20% of the attack seemed to be dissolved.

Is it still the same realm? Chen Lanxue thought. Gritting his teeth, nine of the colored stones on his hilt glowed and his sword turned multicolored.

Forcefully coughing blood on his sword, the light on its surface turned pure red. Slashing his sword in front of him, Chen Lanxue created a very ominous pattern of the word 'kill' yet, as the flames descended this time, almost half of it seemed to be purified instantly.

Chen Lanxue's pupils constructed and he was soon consumed in golden flames.

Qian Daoliu continued to wait.

He looked on as the True Sun Flames no less intense than Ultimate Fire razed the ground and the surroundings.

After a few minutes, an extremely haggard and burnt figure rushed out of the flames.

Chen Lanxue's entire visage had shifted. His skin charred in many places, clothes burnt to ashes and his sword now breaking apart with blood dripping from within the sword.

Yet, from his eyes, only a calm brilliance escaped.

"Fifth strike, evaded. However, your internal organs are now poisoned by flames and you would need to contain your situation quickly. I will make this one quick."

Saying this, Qian Daoliu began, "After rank 98 is the limit of 99. In some other continents, this rank is also called the Limit Douluo. At this stage, an individual can perfectly observe the various representation of law and choose to learn more about nature. This perception is only attained when one's body, mind, and spirit reach the quality of the divine. In fact, at this level, we Limit Douluos are gods in all but name and tribulation.

The various methods of becoming rank 100 cannot be explained since you may not accept further trials but I can tell you that to break past rank 99, one must need three cores. Something that even I have not succeeded to attain.

Now, I can offer to heal your injuries completely due to my affinity with fire but this is a treatment reserved only for the members of the Spirit Hall."

"I'm thankful for everything, but my loyalty lies with Brother Ning," the man gasped before retreating without another word.

Qian Daoliu calmly gazed at the man until he soon disappeared from his view and then shrugged.

"Oh, well. Not like you'll live with those injuries."

Thinking for a moment, he recalled Ah Yin and Ja Sun, "Those two should feel lucky that I'm their master... sigh. He actually fulfilled a wish of mine to utterly destroy Tang Chen's future generation... but the bastard also gained her favor... poor me."

Qian Daoliu groaned before taking out a small booklet and slowly ascended to the clouds as he read idly with a pleasant expression.

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A/N: I canon, Chen Xin's father challenged Qian Daoliu and died later due to injuries so I tried writing that part. I hope you like a little more screentime for Qian Daoliu~

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