Douluo : Capture the goddess starting from peerless tang sect

"Legion of the Undead: Enemies killed by the host will become part of an undead army. These undead retain a portion of their original strength proportional to their power in life. The host can also amass undead to strengthen the army. Activating this soul skill summons an uncountable horde of undead to attack enemies."

The next morning, as Qianran groggily woke up, the notification of his new soul skill filled him with excitement.

It was his first time obtaining a power typically associated with evil soul masters.

Though Qianran's Angel Martial Soul carried both divine and sinister elements, he had yet to unlock a truly dark-oriented ability. This soul skill perfectly filled that gap.

It reminded him of the Thousand Souls Banner, a tool crafted by evil soul masters in the original story. During Huo Yuhao's mission to assist Nana in dealing with a Holy Spirit Sect stronghold, an evil soul master had used such a weapon. It was created by collecting the souls of those killed, a truly sinister creation.

But Qianran's skill was far superior.

While a Thousand Souls Banner would always have a material limit, his Legion of the Undead had no such restriction. As long as his strength grew, so too could his undead army—potentially reaching millions.

It was undeniably a powerful addition to his arsenal.

What thrilled him even more was the realization of its utility against the Holy Spirit Sect.

When he eventually raided their bases, he could gather vast quantities of undead. Those poor souls, victims of the sect's atrocities, would find new purpose in his legion.

As for releasing them or giving them peace? Qianran had no such plans.

He was, at best, a pragmatic figure walking the line between light and shadow. His restraint in avoiding harm to innocents already made him a "good man" by his standards.

Still, he found himself empathizing with evil soul masters to an extent. Even with his composed and rational mind, the allure of experimenting with this new skill stirred within him. How much stronger would the undead become? What if he gathered enough for a horde?

Evil soul masters, influenced by their martial souls and darker instincts, must find such temptations irresistible. No wonder they were universally condemned.

Later that morning, after indulging in a "round two" with Ma Xiaotao, Qianran offered her a full-body treatment to ease any lingering fatigue.

He didn't want her showing up at the opening ceremony visibly exhausted.

The night had been an eventful one, with Ma Xiaotao's allure proving impossible for Qianran to resist. Her beauty and charm had compelled him to push her limits, and he'd been utterly captivated by her transformation.

For Qianran, it was a reminder to move faster in pursuing other objectives—specifically Ling Luochen.

With one a fiery volcano and the other a frosty glacier, the thought of having both of them by his side filled Qianran with anticipation.

If Ma Xiaotao embodied passion and strength, then Ling Luochen brought calm and elegance. Together, they created a balance that was simply irresistible.

Back in the common area, the rest of the girls were quick to notice the changes in Ma Xiaotao.

Her glowing complexion and occasional playful smiles were dead giveaways. A woman, after all, carries a different air about her once she crosses a certain threshold in her relationship. It was the natural evolution from girl to woman.

Though no one said anything, the knowing glances exchanged between them spoke volumes.

Ling Luochen, too, noticed. Her usually impassive gaze wavered, a fleeting hint of disappointment clouding her features.

Meanwhile, across the city, the tournament preparations were in full swing.

Teachers from the participating academies had gathered at the imperial palace early in the morning to finalize the draw for matchups. With the draw concluded and the competition order established, the final pieces were falling into place.

The morning sun bathed Star Luo City in a warm glow, the vibrant energy of the empire's heart coming to life.

Atop the imperial palace walls, the emperor of Star Luo stood in a commanding position, clad in a bright yellow robe and adorned with an Eight-Treasure Purple Gold Crown.

Beside him, the empress, a stunning woman dressed in elegant palace attire, stood with gentle grace. A few steps behind them, the empire's officials waited attentively.

"Your Majesty."

An elderly man in a crimson official's robe approached with hurried steps, bowing deeply before the emperor. The embroidery on his robe, marked by a python motif, signified his exalted rank as prime minister.

"How are the arrangements?" the emperor asked, his tone calm yet commanding.

"All is prepared. The draw is complete, the match order set, and the outer areas are under control. We're ready to open the gates to the public," the prime minister reported.

"Good," the emperor nodded. "Give the order: open the gates, let the people in, but maintain order. Any issues will result in severe punishment for those responsible."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The prime minister bowed again before retreating to carry out the command.

After a moment of silence, the emperor turned to the empress with a faint smile.

"I hear Dai Hao's son, Dai Yaoheng, has suffered a terrible misfortune. And Dai Hao himself recently crossed paths with a Super Douluo with an ultimate martial soul," he remarked casually.

The empress remained composed, listening intently.

"Reports suggest this Qianran fellow stole Dai Huabin's fiancée and has a Super Douluo backing him. As for Dai Yaoheng, he apparently fell victim to an evil soul master," the emperor continued.

"Qianran will need to be handled delicately. Our empire cannot afford to offend a Super Douluo, especially one with such devastating power as the rumored Ice Domain. Freezing thousands in an instant? That's a strength we must respect."

For the emperor, the humiliation of the Dai family was nothing short of entertaining.

It had been on the ruins of the Dai family's reign that he had claimed the throne. Any scandal tarnishing their name only served to further solidify his position.

Still, a talent like Qianran was too valuable to ignore. The emperor was determined to win him over, no matter the cost.

"Your Majesty, he is reputed to be somewhat… indulgent," the empress said softly.

The emperor chuckled. "If indulgence is his weakness, so be it. The imperial family has no shortage of beauties to tempt him. A single woman—or a hundred—makes no difference to me."

For a genius of Qianran's caliber, the emperor was willing to sacrifice nearly anything. The continent's future hung in the balance, and securing an alliance with such a talent could tip the scales in their favor.

(End of Chapter)

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