Chapter 180: Redemption in the Darkness

Qian Xunji's expression changed dramatically as he looked up.

A figure descended with the sword light, standing in front of Bi Bidong.

Surging soul power fluctuations undulated like waves, with seven soul rings of yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, and red swirling around his feet.

The combination of soul rings was different from ordinary soul masters, instilling fear even in Title Douluo.

Next moment, the blue tide domain deep as the sea clashed against the angelic domain emanating from Qian Xunji.

Then, sword qi swiftly emerged within the blue light, surrounded by sharp and unparalleled sword intent.

Sword Domain!

But this Sword Domain was vastly different from the one Su Cheng had previously displayed in the real world.

The seventh soul ring of one hundred thousand years brought about a qualitative change.

Moreover, this wasn't an ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul ring, but a perfect soul ring that Su Cheng condensed himself, perfectly matching his own foundational qualities.

With the overlapping dual domains, even the dazzling golden light of the Angelic Domain, unleashed by a Title Douluo, gradually receded.

Everyone present could clearly see the radiant golden light in the Angelic Domain being continuously cut and eroded by sharp sword qi and then consumed by the deep blue tide.

Qian Xunji didn't pay attention to the domain changes but instead stared at Su Cheng, who suddenly appeared in front of him, with a gloomy expression.

What made him most wary was the long sword in the opponent's hand.

It didn't resemble an ordinary martial soul true body; instead, it seemed like an extension of the opponent's body.

At this moment, Su Cheng, holding the long sword, looked like a sharp and formidable divine sword standing there.

This state was different from the usual situation where soul masters with martial soul true bodies used their martial souls as the main body.

As the Pope of the Martial Soul Temple, Qian Xunji naturally understood the specific effects of the Martial Soul True Body.

What is a Martial Soul True Body?

For Beast Martial Soul owners, using their seventh soul skill, Martial Soul True Body, would transform them into their true martial soul form, unleashing tremendous explosive power and geometrically enhancing their strength.

Just like Qian Xunji himself at this moment, completely transforming into the appearance of a six-winged angel.

The situation was slightly different for Tool Spirit Masters; their Martial Soul True Body was also a Martial Soul True Body, but the manifestation was different. It merged the soul of the martial artist with the soul of the tool, emphasizing a certain attribute's power to the extreme.

If the user possessed a high-quality tool martial soul, then the power unleashed by the Martial Soul True Body would be more terrifying than that of a Beast Martial Soul of the same level.

Before reaching level seventy, Beast Soul Masters, with the ability of soul attachment, could benefit from all-around enhancement of the martial soul, making them generally stronger than Tool Spirit Masters with martial souls of equivalent quality.

However, after level seventy, Tool Spirit Masters, relying on their Martial Soul True Body, could surpass in strength due to the extreme strengthening effect brought by the power of the soul.

After using the Martial Soul True Body, the user's soul power would merge with the tool martial soul, adding an extra layer of strength.

However, Qian Xunji didn't know that this situation no longer applied to Su Cheng.

The reason naturally lay in the soul.

When Su Cheng made progress in soul research, his Martial Soul True Body became quite different from ordinary ones.

Although he hadn't completely twisted his own power into one, he could still stabilize his soul within his body.

When using the Martial Soul True Body, his soul power didn't flow into the Sword Martial Soul in his hand. In this situation, his Sword Martial Soul passively merged with Su Cheng's own body.

This also meant that at this moment, not only could he display Su Cheng's profound soul power, but all other powers were also entwined with each other.

In other words, using the martial soul as a medium, he partially integrated various powers within his body. This state was somewhat similar to combining the advantages of the Martial Soul True Body and the Beast Martial Soul True Body.

"Cheng Xue, what are you doing?!" Qian Xunji suppressed his anger and questioned sternly while silently estimating the opponent's strength.

Although he spoke, he was clearly prepared to act at any moment.

"Cheng Xue..." Bibi dong stared blankly at the figure in front of him.

In this instant, her mind seemed to flash through many scenes like fleeting shadows.

Yet it seemed like she hadn't thought of anything, as her mind was already filled with a certain figure.

Su Cheng didn't turn around to look at Bibi dong nor did he answer Qian Xunji's question.

There was no need to say anything more now; it was time to prepare for battle.

But he was also aware. It was impossible to kill Qian Xunji in the Martial Soul Temple, nor was there a need to kill him. A slight lesson would suffice, and someone would come to clean up the mess later.

Before making a move, he had already envisioned all possible outcomes.

The Elder's Hall wasn't far from here.

This secret chamber originally had the effect of shielding psychic probing, making it difficult for anyone to perceive what was happening inside.

When Su Cheng was in the Elder's Hall just now, he noticed Bi Bidong's aura disappearing from his senses.

He immediately realized that Qian Xunji might be up to something and swiftly rushed from the Elder's Hall, directly breaking through the external obstacles with physical force, exposing the situation in the secret chamber to the daylight.

To be honest, at that moment, Su Cheng couldn't be sure what Qian Xunji intended to do by bringing Bi Bidong into the secret chamber. It was just speculation.

In the six months since he came to the Martial Soul City, Qian Xunji had never brought Bi Bidong to this secret chamber. It was evident that Bi Bidong was unaware of the existence of this place, and the master and disciple usually didn't teach or learn knowledge here.

However, when Qian Xunji returned to the Martial Soul City today, bringing Bibi Dong into the secret chamber at this specific time was suspicious.

Coupled with the incident involving Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang, considering Qian Xunji's character, it was probably nothing good.

Of course, intervening wasn't Su Cheng's only choice.

If he had refrained from acting just now and observed the situation, even if Qian Xunji had indeed committed a heinous act, with the words he had said to Bi Bidong earlier as a prelude, it would probably not affect the subsequent plan significantly. From a standpoint of interests, it would be fine.

But he chose to act now.

Even if he judged wrong, he could bear the consequences, and he could compensate the Martial Soul Temple in some way to reduce the loss to a certain extent.

The only one who would have to pay the price later would be Bibi Dong.

Su Cheng admitted that he wasn't a good person, nor did he hesitate to use others. In this world, where the class was distinct and martial strength was paramount, killing, looting, conspiring, and using others were all normal things.

But there had to be a bottom line in everything.

He didn't approve of Qian Xunji's actions.

So, let's have a fight, let's speak with strength.

Su Cheng looked at the contemporary Pope in front of him, the man standing at the pinnacle of the continent's power, the current representative of the Angel race, with a calm expression without any ripples.

He didn't bother to explain anything. Their mindsets were not on the same channel, and saying more was pointless.

"Eight-Faced Tide!"

As Su Cheng used his soul skill, the previously calm and quiet deep blue domain suddenly surged violently.

Huge waves swept through, merging the dual domains.

Sharp sword shadows were rendered with a deep blue glow, dozens of enormous swords, seemingly condensed from water, stood in the air, emitting a terrifying aura.

For a moment, in this small room, it gave people the illusion that the sea was overwhelming and the sky was collapsing.

Su Cheng paid no attention to the changes around him, holding the long sword in his hands, slowly raising it, his eyes filled with emptiness.

"Sword Fifteen, Empty Mountain!"

Next moment, the enormous sword shadows soared into the sky.

The hole above, originally only a few meters wide, was instantly pierced through again by the sword shadows, expanding dozens of times.

Then the sword shadows shot straight into the sky, shattering the clouds in the horizon.

Bibi Dong looked at the figure in front of herself.

Although the opponent only had the cultivation of a Soul Saint, far inferior to the opponent's profound cultivation.

But standing behind him at this moment felt like leaning against a mountain, and there was tranquility in his heart.

At the same time, several figures flew from the direction of the Elder's Hall, it was the elders of the Martial Soul Temple, including Yue Guan and Ghost, who were alarmed by the commotion here.

The majestic and magnificent Pope's Hall, at this moment, had already become ruins to a small extent.

Looking at the rubble in front, Yue Guan turned his head to look at Ghost Douluo beside him, swallowed saliva, and said in a low voice, "Is this the strength a Soul Saint can have?"

The Ghost Douluo's perennially stiff face twitched slightly, "Probably... not."

"What's going on? Where's the Pope?" Other elders also asked one after another, their expressions both distressed and panicked.

That was the Pope's Hall.

Has such a situation ever happened in the Martial Soul Temple since its establishment?

"Let's go and see first." After a moment of contemplation, Yue Guan shook his head.

Others didn't know whose hand this soul skill came from, but he did. After all, the two had met a few times before, and he also knew that Cheng Xue had a sword martial soul and had extraordinary strength.

Approaching, everyone looked at the two sides fighting underground.

Or rather, it wasn't a fight, but Qian Xunji being unilaterally suppressed.

Although they were far apart, the terrifying aura revealed in Su Cheng's sword moves still shocked them.

"Elder Chrysanthemum, what should we do? Should we go down to stop them?" The person who spoke had a slightly hesitant tone, indicating uncertainty.

The Chrysanthemum Douluo pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

It seems that the Pope's life is not in immediate danger for now, so it's best to wait and see.

That young man's identity is not simple; he even caught the attention of the Grand Elder. Who knows what the situation is now.

There's no need for them to say much about this matter.

In the Martial Soul City, in terms of identity and strength, there are others who can suppress these two.

At that moment, another figure silently appeared above the Pope's Hall.

No one knew how he appeared; it was as if he had been floating there the whole time without ever leaving.

"Stop."

With a calm voice, as the words fell, both Su Cheng's sword qi and Qian Xunji's domain instantly dissipated, and their soul power was completely suppressed.

Qian Daoliu glanced at the ruined Pope's Hall, a hint of distress flashed in his eyes, then he turned his gaze to Su Cheng with a solemn expression.

"With the cultivation of a Soul Saint, to have reached such a level of strength... No wonder you're confident in passing the Sea God's Ninth Trial."

This Cheng Xue, regardless of the power of his Martial Soul True Body or his own accumulated soul power, far surpasses an ordinary Soul Saint and is even comparable to an average Title Douluo.

But even more terrifying are those self-created soul skills with the sword.

Other elders may not see it, but he can sense that if Su Cheng were to use a few more sword strikes, even if Qian Xunji didn't die, he would lose half his life.

Then Qian Daoliu's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong, immediately sensing that there might be some hidden secrets between them.

After a moment of thought, he decided to dismiss the others first and see if there was any way to remedy the situation.

For Bo Saixi's sake, he would definitely not blame Cheng Xue too much. After all, the other party had not done anything irreparable yet.

Although the Pope's Hall is the facade of the Martial Soul Temple, it's ultimately just an external structure, and this situation hasn't been seen by outsiders. The charges could be significant or trivial.

Just as he was about to speak, he didn't expect Su Cheng to take the initiative to confront them.

"Senior Qian Daoliu, when I was on Sea God Island, I often heard my teacher mention your name."

Qian Daoliu's movements to speak paused, looking at Su Cheng with surprise.

"She said that the descendants of the Angel race are all humble gentlemen, upright in character, and have always regarded protecting the people as their duty.

"As the guardian of the Angels, you have never had any selfish motives, even she feels inferior to you.

"Since coming to the Douluo Continent, I have also inquired about the actions of the Martial Soul Temple. The people all praise it and see it as their faith."

Pausing for a moment, Su Cheng continued.

"But today's events have deeply disappointed me. The Martial Soul Temple turns out to be a place of corruption and filth. As for this contemporary Pope, he is utterly nauseating."

"What?!"

"Do you know what you're saying?!"

"How dare you!"

Others were instantly filled with anger upon hearing these words, some even contemplating taking action.

To them, the Pope represents the Martial Soul Temple and is their leader in their hearts.

Although different Popes may have different styles of governance, they should not be insulted by outsiders.

Bibi Dong, standing behind Su Cheng, watched as he scolded Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji, feeling a sense of disbelief.

She hadn't expected, nor dared to hope, that he would go this far for her.

For a moment, her heart felt as if it were being struck by lightning, tingling all over.

Tears that hadn't fallen even in moments of despair before now surged uncontrollably.

Su Cheng ignored the resentful gaze from Qian Xunji and turned to look at Bibi Dong, who was in tears.

This was their first formal conversation since their last encounter.

"Bibi Dong, if you have something to say, you can tell them. I'd like to see how the Martial Soul Temple handles this. If they want to silence you, I can ensure your safe retreat.

"Of course, this concerns your personal reputation. If you don't want to say anything, you don't have to. I can compensate the Martial Soul Temple and ensure they are satisfied.

"What I did just now was my own choice, unrelated to you, and you don't have to consider my feelings."

"...," Bi Bidong looked at Su Cheng.

In her blurred vision, the silver mask on the person in front of her flickered with mottled light and shadow.

Suddenly, she felt an impulse.

She wanted to rush forward, remove that mask, and see what face was hidden underneath.

But thinking of the friction between them before, she suddenly felt timid.

If it weren't for her own stubbornness, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

Other elders looked at Su Cheng's rebuke of Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji with a mix of confusion and indignation, feeling that he was being arrogant.

With so many Title Douluo gathered here, and with the Grand Elder present, how dare he speak these words.

Qian Daoliu, however, didn't pay attention to Su Cheng's remarks. He frowned and glanced at Qian Xunji.

After noticing his son's expression, he felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

But he didn't say much, turning his head to look at Bibi Dong, waiting quietly for what would come next.

"He said..."

Taking a deep breath, Bibi Dong forced herself to suppress her emotions, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke.

"He said he wants to possess my body and make me stay in the Martial Soul Temple forever..."

...

As Bibi Dong's words fell, the scene fell silent.

Everyone was stunned by what she had just said.

That was the Pope!

The symbol of the Martial Soul Temple, the faith of countless disciples, how could he do such a thing!

"Holy Maiden..."

"Holy Maiden, be careful with your words..."

...

Several elders couldn't help but speak, not wanting to deny the truth, but also unable to believe it, trying to convince themselves.

The impact of this matter was too huge.

Qian Xunji remained silent, still maintaining his composure, showing no intention to deny.

In fact, until this moment, he didn't feel that he had done anything wrong.

Everything he had done was for the benefit of the Martial Soul Temple.

Whether it was despicable means or contemptible actions, what did they matter for the sake of the Martial Soul Temple?

Unfortunately, his luck was bad, encountering someone like Cheng Xue, whose strength far exceeded his expectations, resulting in his plan falling short.

Otherwise, once successful, any subsequent problems could have been dealt with in various ways.

But Qian Daoliu's moral standards were obviously not on the same level as his.

After hearing Bibi Dong's brief account, he felt his heart sink.

He had some insights, and he could generally tell if what the other party said was true or false.

At this moment, this peerless Title Douluo, who had cultivated his character for decades and was usually gentle as jade, spoke with a slight tremor in his voice, "Ji'er, do you have anything else to say?"

...

After a moment of silence, Qian Xunji shifted his gaze away from Su Cheng and turned to look at Bibi Dong.

Then he looked up at Qian Daoliu and said, "I have nothing more to say. Bibi Dong, as the Holy Maiden of the Martial Soul Temple, nurtured by the Martial Soul Temple and provided with countless resources, wants to submit to a trash soul master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family and even threatens to leave the Martial Soul Temple. Naturally, I cannot allow it."

Bibi Dong trembled slightly upon hearing this, instinctively casting a glance at Su Cheng beside her.

Su Cheng, however, did not look at her, but instead gazed at Qian Daoliu, waiting for his judgment.

At this moment, Qian Daoliu avoided his gaze and fell silent.

After a while, he spoke again, saying, "Go to the Elder Hall and face the wall in penance for fifty years. You don't need to continue sitting in the position of the Pope."

Upon hearing Qian Xunji's response, in that instant, he even had the heart to kill his own son.

But he was ultimately his son, the only descendant of the Angel race.

He couldn't bring himself to do it.

Avoiding Su Cheng's gaze just now was also because he felt he had selfish motives and handled the situation unfairly.

But he was overthinking it.

In fact, Qian Daoliu's way of handling it had already exceeded Su Cheng's expectations.

After all, the incident hadn't actually happened, and Qian Daoliu, as one of the top powerhouses in the world, could easily decide many things with just a word. Even if he wanted to cover it up, no one could say anything.

Even though there were limits, removing the position of Pope was already the maximum penalty.

Fifty years of penance was not short.

Qian Xunji was already quite old now, and after fifty years, he would be well over a hundred years old, essentially reaching the end of his life.

Upon hearing this conversation, the others were also silent, their hearts filled with mixed feelings.

Directly removing the current Pope, even if Qian Daoliu, as the Elder Hall Master and the Chief Justice Elder, did so, it actually didn't follow the usual procedure.

But it was evident that there was no need to say much at this moment.

Having done such a thing and having it exposed, it was impossible for Qian Xunji to continue as Pope.

Qian Xunji didn't resist this outcome either.

Success or failure, he had anticipated the consequences of this being exposed.

After giving Cheng Xue a deep look, he turned and left, taking the initiative to go to the Elder Hall for punishment.

At this point, Qian Daoliu looked at Bibi Dong again and said in a deep voice, "Dong'er, from today onwards, you will temporarily take over the position of Pope. Elder Chrysanthemum and Elder Gui will assist you. When you become a Title Douluo, you can directly succeed as the Pope of the Martial Soul Temple."

...

Bibi Dong fell silent upon hearing this.

She no longer wanted to stay in the Martial Soul Temple. She detested this place and wanted to leave.

After today's upheaval, the dormant wildness in her heart finally began to awaken little by little.

Bibi Dong subconsciously looked towards Su Cheng's direction.

At this moment, only this person could give her some encouragement.

Su Cheng still didn't look at her, but silently pondered the subsequent impact.

In fact, Qian Daoliu still had some thoughts. At least, he couldn't let go of the Martial Soul Temple.

The act of letting Bibi Dong take over as Pope was both compensation and an attempt to bind her to the Martial Soul Temple.

Both Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong's words just now revealed a lot of information.

With Qian Daoliu's intelligence, he could definitely guess that Bibi Dong harbored some thoughts of leaving the Martial Soul Temple.

Coupled with the catalyst of this incident, it was obvious that some price had to be paid to keep her.

"Cheng Xue..." Bibi Dong hesitated, feeling ignored by the other party, and spoke hesitantly.

"Facing or avoiding, it's your choice."

Su Cheng didn't want to interfere with Bibi Dong's decision.

From now on, he would start to cultivate her.

Actually, he didn't really want Bibi Dong to leave the Martial Soul Temple.

Here, she had resources to help her cultivate better, and she could also receive more training.

Most importantly, it was a tempering of her mindset.

If she chose to evade today, this matter might become a shadow in her heart, which would not be conducive to her future cultivation.

In the early stages, relying on talent advantages wouldn't show much impact, but after becoming a Title Douluo, even with the assistance of twin martial souls, it would be very difficult.

The improvement of mindset has nothing to do with right or wrong behavior; the key is whether one can follow their own path and face their failures and fears.

Even a naturally fierce person, as long as they have no doubts about their actions, will not turn into a demon.

Qian Daoliu looked at Bi Bidong, seeing her still silent, and didn't insist.

He just said, "Dong'er, you rest first. Elder Chrysanthemum, take care of the Holy Maiden."

Then he looked at Su Cheng again. "Cheng Xue, come with me."

Su Cheng didn't refuse, just nodded and turned to look at Bibi Dong, who still had a slightly reddened pair of eyes.

Bi Bidong looked worried, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something. But in front of the black eyes under that mask, she felt like her throat was choked up, and she couldn't say anything.

Su Cheng nodded to her and said softly, "Don't think too much, it's just a small setback."

After speaking, he turned and left, quickly following Qian Daoliu.

Watching his departing figure, Bibi Dong fell into a daze.

She suddenly realized that since the two met more than half a year ago, everything had changed.

That day was the most turbulent moment in her life.

She had also tried to forget those scenes.

Whether it was being rescued by the other party, having her body seen by him, or even the words echoing in her memory day and night, she had been trying to adjust and calm down.

She pretended not to care about these things, treating the incident that day as an accident, and the relationship between the two as merely a debt of gratitude.

She would practice hard and repay him in the future when she had achieved something.

But fake was always fake.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be absent-minded when she was with Yu Xiaogang, wouldn't feel resentful because of his neglect, wouldn't be burning with anger because of a few words, and wouldn't voluntarily confess her feelings to Qian Xunji.

In the Elder Hall, Qian Daoliu stood in front of Su Cheng, looking somewhat dim.

Obviously, Qian Xunji's actions today had dealt him a considerable blow.

"It's my fault for not disciplining him properly, making you laugh at me,"

Su Cheng shook his head.

"Senior doesn't need to say that. Qian Xunji is not a child. What he did is his own responsibility, and the consequences naturally don't need others to bear for him. Your handling today has earned my respect. My teacher did not misjudge you."

This was the truth.

With Qian Daoliu's status, strength, and level, he didn't need to handle it so intensely.

"It's the father's fault if the son doesn't learn. I'm responsible for this." Qian Daoliu sighed.

But he didn't continue to discuss this topic and instead said, "Your strength is extraordinary. I finally believe now that you are truly qualified to undergo the Divine Grade Test."

"Senior overpraises me," Su Cheng said calmly. "I have voluntarily given up on the test, so there won't be another opportunity."

"Yes, there is no chance anymore..." Qian Daoliu sighed, his expression complicated.

Even with his current state of mind, he couldn't be so detached, feeling even more emotional.

"What are your plans for the future?"

"Let's have some experience on the continent first, and then I haven't thought about it myself. Maybe I'll return to the sea later."

"On the sea..." Qian Daoliu pondered the meaning in Su Cheng's words, "You really make me see you in a new light."

Su Cheng's words implied it very clearly. He might return to the sea, but only the sea.

After turning eighteen, there would be no more opportunities to undergo assessment.

Without undergoing assessment, one couldn't reach Sea God Island.

In other words, Su Cheng might return to the sea in the future, but he also knew in his heart that Sea God Island was out of reach.

"Cheng Xue, I want to ask you, would you be willing to guide the future training of the Holy Maiden of the Martial Soul Temple?"

"Me? But my age and cultivation level..." Su Cheng was somewhat surprised.

He thought that there would be other things when Qian Daoliu called him over, but he didn't expect it to be this.

He originally thought that after Qian Xunji was imprisoned, many of the elders of the Martial Soul Temple would take turns to teach or even Qian Daoliu would personally intervene to train this future Pope.

But he didn't expect the other party to come to him proactively.

...

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