Douluo Continent: Twin Souls of the Underworld, Holding the Power of Life and Death

He raised the scythe of death, and the second black spirit ring glowed with a dim light.

That light was completely different from the purple of the first spirit ring; it was as deep as an abyss, as if it could even devour light.

"Second Soul Skill, Dark Scale Annihilation Slash."

The sickle slashed across.

A jet-black slash tore through the air, and wherever it passed, the shadow tide melted away like ice and snow under the scorching sun.

It's not about cutting off, it's not about dispelling.

It is erosion.

The primal power of the ten-thousand-year-old Dark Scaled Flood Dragon transformed into the darkness of the abyss, completely corroding the soul power contained within those shadow tentacles, leaving not even a trace. Even more terrifying, that corrosive power flowed upstream along the soul power connection, heading straight for Crow Nine's true form!

Ya Jiu's expression changed drastically.

He felt his released soul power being devoured at a terrifying speed, as if an invisible maw was gnawing at his meridians.

"not good!"

He wanted to retreat, but it was too late.

That pitch-black slash tore through the shadow tide, like the scythe of death falling, heading straight for his face!

Ya Jiu's pupils contracted sharply as he watched death approach.

But it stopped abruptly three inches in front of the brow.

Qian Anci stood up, having finished his work.

The deathly gray aura receded like a tide, and the pitch-black slash turned into a wisp of black smoke and dissipated in the air, as if it had never existed.

"Thank you for your concession."

His voice remained calm, as if the sparring match just now was nothing more than a routine practice.

Ya Jiu stood frozen in place, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

He knew he had lost.

We lost completely.

The opponent only used one strike.

No, it was two separate attacks.

The first soul skill forced him to reveal his position, and the second soul skill crushed him head-on.

If Qian Anci hadn't held back, he would already be a mutilated corpse, devoured by the abyss.

The other party was just a six-year-old child.

On the sidelines, a glint of light flashed in Ya Yi's deep eyes.

The remaining eleven people looked at each other in horror.

Ya Liu swallowed hard and muttered, "This...this is the power of a second soul ring that lasts for ten thousand years?"

Qian Anci ignored the shock of the crowd.

He put away the Grim Reaper's Scythe, walked towards Ya Jiu, and extended his hand.

Thank you for your guidance.

Ya Jiu stared blankly at the tender hand for a moment before realizing what was happening and quickly grasped it.

"Your Highness is too kind to me."

He lowered his head, his voice hoarse, yet with a barely perceptible tremor.

It's not fear.

It is reverence.

Qian Anci helped him up and turned to look at Ya Yi.

"Crow One".

"Your subordinate is here."

"Starting tomorrow, I will have a different person spar with each day."

Ya lowered his eyes, his gaunt face revealing no emotion, but his right hand, hidden in his sleeve, slowly tightened its grip on the token.

"...Your subordinate obeys."

---

As Qian Anci left the training ground, the setting sun was painting the dome of Wuhun City blood red.

He walked through the corridor and stopped at the corner.

A golden figure leaned against a pillar, her white dress spotless, her golden hair burning like flames in the twilight.

"You won?"

Qian Renxue did not turn around, her voice was indifferent, as if she were asking a casual question.

"By sheer luck."

Qian Anci walked to her side and stood shoulder to shoulder with her, gazing at the distant sunset.

Qian Renxue turned her head to look at him, her golden eyes reflecting the setting sun and his pure white figure.

"Ya Jiu is the weakest of the twelve, but also the most troublesome." She paused, a faint blush rising at the tips of her ears beneath her golden hair. "His Shadow Escape technique has even caused Soul Saints to suffer losses."

Qian Anci glanced sideways: "Is my sister worried about me?"

"Who's worried about you?"

Qian Renxue turned her face away and looked into the distance, her voice deliberately becoming cold.

"I'm just... afraid that you'll lose and disappoint Grandpa."

She paused, then added, "By the way, are you free tomorrow? Come with me to Wuhun City. My mother's birthday is in a few days, and I'd like to pick out a few gifts for her."

Qian Anci's eyes flickered slightly.

mother.

When Qian Renxue uttered that word, it carried a softness he had never heard before.

It's like carefully holding a small flame in the cold winter, knowing it will burn your palms, yet unwilling to let go.

He recalled Bibi Dong's lifeless eyes in the main hall earlier that day.

There was no warmth, no light, only boundless hatred within.

At this moment, Qian Renxue gazed in the direction of the Papal Palace, her golden eyes filled with anticipation.

She was still daydreaming.

She fantasizes that the woman who has never hugged her will suddenly smile at her one morning.

Qian Anci remained silent for a moment.

"it is good."

He heard his own voice, calm and normal.

Qian Renxue turned her head, a glint of light flashing in her golden eyes, before quickly turning her face away again.

"Don't get me wrong, I just... I just need someone to carry my things."

"Um."

"And you're not allowed to tell Grandpa!"

"Um."

Qian Renxue seemed to want to say something, but in the end she just pursed her lips, crossed her arms, leaned against the pillar, and watched the fading sunset with him.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two figures.

One white and one gold, intertwined on the bluestone ground, create a tranquil picture.

In the distance, the lingering echoes of the seventy-two clock towers reverberated.

Qian Anci gazed at the blood-red dome, his eyes filled with a deep, unfathomable gray light.

"She's still waiting for an answer that will never come."

The voice of the butterfly echoed in my heart.

"Are you going to tell her?"

Qian Anci did not answer.

He simply stood there quietly, letting the twilight bathe his plain white robes in warm hues.

What should I tell Qian Renxue?

Tell her that her mother is sinking into the shadow of Rakshasa?

Tell her that the maternal love she craved was devoured by hatred many years ago.

Tell her that one day, even her father will die at his hands.

No.

At least not now.

He glanced sideways at the figure pretending to gaze at the scenery.

"elder sister."

"Um?"

"I'll pick out a gift for you."

Qian Renxue paused for a moment, then snorted softly, "Who needs your help... But if you dare to pick something ugly, I'll..."

"So you're going to tell Grandpa that I bullied you?"

"you!"

Qian Renxue turned her head sharply, her golden eyes glaring at him, but she froze for a moment when she caught sight of the faint smile on his lips.

The smile was faint, like mist about to dissipate in the twilight.

But the words that were on the tip of her tongue inexplicably stuck in her throat.

"...He's gone."

She turned her face away, her white dress billowing in the evening breeze, and strode quickly toward the end of the corridor.

"Don't be late tomorrow morning!"

Qian Anci stood there, watching the golden figure disappear around the corner, the smile in her eyes slowly fading.

"Grandpa, stop hiding, my sister is already gone."

He suddenly spoke, calmly looking towards the corner.

A moment later, Qian Daoliu emerged from the corner, a helpless expression on his face.

"You've got a keen sense of perception, kid."

Qian Daoliu walked to his side and stood with his hands behind his back.

Looking in the direction Qian Renxue had left, there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

"Xue'er... has longed to be closer to her mother since she was a child."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Unfortunately, Bibi Dong's inner conflict cannot be resolved with a few gifts."

Qian Anci lowered his eyes: "Grandson understands."

Qian Daoliu turned his head to look at him, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, and placed his hand on his shoulder with a steady force.

"Xue'er is stubborn but soft-hearted; she seems proud, but is actually lonely."

He withdrew his hand, his gray robe fluttering lightly in the night breeze: "Since she acknowledges you as her brother, spend more time with her."

"This Spirit City is very large, but there are not many people who can speak the truth."

Qian Anci raised her eyes and met Qian Daoliu's golden eyes that seemed to see through the ways of the world.

"Your grandson obeys."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, turned to leave, but then stopped.

"Oh, right, take her out for a walk tomorrow."

He turned his head to the side.

"You children should act like children!"

"Don't think too much about it. If the sky falls, we tall guys will hold it up."

As soon as he finished speaking, his gray robe flashed, and his figure disappeared into the twilight.

After a long silence, Qian Anci sighed softly, "Yes, even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up."

"The Butterfly of Distant Lands"

"Um?"

"What kind of gift should I pick out tomorrow?"

Xia Die's voice carried a hint of lazy laughter: "You're asking me? I don't know Bibi Dong."