Chapter 9: The Holy Spirit Appears, Tension at the Finals
Qin Chuan had just landed smoothly.
Suddenly, shadows flickered around him, and in the blink of an eye, he was surrounded.
These weren't ordinary soul masters. Every single one of them radiated power—Soul Douluo-level cultivators or above.
What a grand welcome.
A cold chuckle escaped him.
"Stop right there."
"Who are you?"
"I advise you to leave now. Don't entertain any reckless thoughts."
Hostile voices rang out one after another, filled with sharp intent.
Qin Chuan swept his gaze over the crowd and exhaled deeply. "Everyone, what's the meaning of this?"
"No other meaning," someone replied with a sinister sneer. "Just a word of advice—leave."
As this voice fell, an old man in a black robe slowly approached, flanked by awed gazes from the surrounding guards.
Dugu Bo.
The continent's sole Titled Douluo known as the Poison Douluo. His title struck fear across the land.
Just then, an even sharper pressure erupted from a nearby convoy, like an invisible blade hanging in the air.
It was Jian Dao Chen Xin—Sword Douluo. He hadn't even shown himself yet, but his aura alone was like an unsheathed divine weapon.
Qin Chuan narrowed his eyes.
"What if I don't leave?"
His soul power surged violently, and nine soul rings emerged in an instant, orbiting him in a brilliant halo of light.
He showed no fear toward Dugu Bo.
Although his martial soul wasn't entirely immune to poison, it could purify most toxins.
Holy Spirit.
Formless and invisible, mysterious and unpredictable.
But more than that—his martial soul emitted a sacred light, one that could purify all filth and corruption. A soul blessed with divine brilliance.
The Holy Spirit—something that, in theory, should not exist.
Yet once it did appear, its classification was terrifyingly high—even surpassing Qian Renxue's god-level Angel Martial Soul in potential.
Dugu Bo sneered coldly. "Still not leaving?"
"I fear that once you want to leave, it won't be so easy."
With that, emerald-green light erupted from his body as he leapt into the air.
Nine soul rings shone in succession, and his thin body began to expand rapidly.
With a flash of toxic green brilliance, his human form was replaced by gleaming scales and a massive serpentine body.
Martial Soul Avatar — Jade Phosphorus Snake King.
The towering snake king rose, its cold vertical pupils staring down at Qin Chuan like a predator sizing up prey.
From a distance, Tang San watched with a grin.
"As long as the old poison monster is around, that guy can't stir up any trouble."
Xiao Wu also sighed in relief. "Senior Dugu is a top-tier Titled Douluo. With him here, we're safe."
"After the Spirit Hall's raid a few days ago, the royal family will never let their guard down," Tang San said, shifting his gaze toward a nearby luxurious carriage.
At that moment, the curtain was lifted.
A graceful young man stepped down—Xue Qinghe, prince of the Heaven Dou royal family.
But hidden beneath the royal facade was Qian Renxue.
Tang San sneered. "Titled Douluo? So what? You'll see. That guy will retreat soon enough."
As expected, Qian Renxue quickly brushed off her attendants and walked toward the scene.
"Stop!"
His voice boomed across the field.
"The Prince is here!"
People immediately parted to let him pass.
"Prince, your safety is paramount. You should remain at the rear," someone from the surrounding guards said respectfully.
It was Meng Shenji, one of the deans of the Royal Soul Master Academy. He had accompanied the academy to participate in the finals.
"Dean Meng, step aside," Qian Renxue replied, eyes locked on Qin Chuan.
From a distance, Tang San's face twisted with unease.
"Prince, you can't just—"
Dragon Lord Meng Shu also tried to speak, but was cut off.
"I said, everyone back down."
Qian Renxue's voice was calm but carried undeniable authority.
Then, he turned to the towering green serpent and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty Poison Douluo, this must be a misunderstanding. Please retract your spirit avatar."
"What do you mean by that, Prince?"
The Jade Phosphorus Snake King's cold voice echoed.
"I'm an old friend of this guest. I believe he came here with no ill intent," Qian Renxue said calmly.
"You say that, but he's clearly from Spirit Hall. Have you forgotten the raid two days ago?" Poison Douluo shot back.
Even as a prince, Qian Renxue struggled to find a rebuttal.
He turned to Qin Chuan, lips parting to speak—but he hesitated.
He didn't know why Qin Chuan had come alone, but he knew one thing—if a battle broke out, even as a Titled Douluo, Qin Chuan wouldn't escape easily.
Because besides Poison Douluo, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had yet to make a move.
He couldn't just stand by and watch Qin Chuan be overwhelmed.
Then—Qin Chuan finally spoke.
"Who said I'm from the Spirit Hall?"
His voice was calm.
"From the start, I never uttered the words Spirit Hall."
"You've all been calling me that, not me."
Qian Renxue was stunned.
So was Poison Douluo.
Indeed, since Qin Chuan had arrived, they had simply assumed he was from Spirit Hall.
But then—who else could send a Titled Douluo here?
"Then who are you?" someone asked coldly. "Who sent you?"
A flash of white.
A figure appeared in the air, sword aura sharp as the heavens.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
The crowd immediately bowed in reverence.
Even Qian Renxue showed him the utmost respect.
Qin Chuan looked up.
So this was the man whose presence had been suppressing him in the shadows.
Behind Chen Xin were four young men and three women, all wearing the same… rather unfortunate… yellow school uniforms.
The Shrek Seven Devils.
Qin Chuan's eyes locked onto Tang San, his target.
The girl beside him, petite and cute, wore a long scorpion braid—it could only be the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit, Xiao Wu, a 100,000-year-old soul beast in human form.
The others were also easy to recognize:
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and the pervy fat man Ma Hongjun.
Murderous intent flickered in Qin Chuan's eyes.
But he quickly suppressed it.
He was alone.
Even if he achieved his goal here, breaking out of this encirclement would be near impossible.
"Tell us," Poison Douluo asked again. "If you're not from Spirit Hall, then who are you? Who sent you?"
Everyone's eyes turned toward him once more.
Qin Chuan remained calm. A light smile played on his lips.
"No one sent me."
"Or rather," he said, glancing at Poison Douluo, "at our level, do you really think anyone can command us?"
The Poison Douluo froze.
He couldn't refute it.
At the level of a Titled Douluo, few could force them to do anything.
"He's so young… and a Titled Douluo?" Ning Rongrong whispered to herself.
Oscar's expression darkened.
She didn't notice and continued, "And… why can we only see his soul rings? Where's his martial soul?"
Everyone froze.
Yes—Qin Chuan had revealed nine soul rings.
But where was his martial soul?
A chill swept through the crowd.
Even Sword Douluo's pupils contracted slightly.
Because this question… was no joke.
And Qin Chuan simply smiled, remaining silent.
Let them guess.