Chapter Ninety-Six: The Duel with Qian Renxue

“Are you not Xue Qinghe?” The master spoke with some surprise. Upon learning she was from the Martial Soul Hall, a vague suspicion arose in his heart, and his expression gradually darkened.

“How do you know my identity? Who exactly are you?” This was Xue Qinghe’s greatest question. Until now, she couldn’t be sure if Lin An was an enemy or someone from the Martial Soul Hall.

If he were an enemy, there would be no reason for him to save her.

But if he were one of their own, there would be no need to reveal her identity.

That was the strangest part: if he was neither, then how did he know who she really was?

She refused to believe there was a traitor within the Martial Soul Hall; after all, very few people knew about this plan and her true identity.

“Lin An, who exactly is he?” the master suddenly asked.

“He is none other than Bibi Dong’s daughter, Qian Renxue. She initially infiltrated Xue Qinghe’s side as a maid and succeeded in replacing her after a year. From then on, she undoubtedly plans to control the entire Tian Dou Empire,” Lin An revealed all he knew.

“So she really is her daughter. I never expected she already had a child!” The master muttered to himself.

At that moment, Qian Renxue didn’t know how to describe the complex emotions swirling inside her. Her plan was known to this man in perfect detail.

“I’ll ask again: who exactly are you?” At this point, Xiao Zi had stopped flying and settled on the ground. Qian Renxue was ready for battle, her gaze solemnly fixed on Lin An.

“My name is Lin An. If you must know my identity, I’m associated with the Notting Soul Master Academy,” Lin An said after some thought. He truly had no significant standing in Douluo Continent, so the best he could claim was some connection to the academy.

“Notting Soul Master Academy?” Qian Renxue found his words absurd. She had never even heard of such a soul master academy. How could someone from such a small place know her secrets and plans?

“You are no match for me. Besides, if I wanted to kill you, I would have done so already!” Lin An said.

Qian Renxue nodded, thinking his words made sense. Yet, the more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

“What do you want?” After a long silence, Qian Renxue finally spoke.

“I don’t want much. Didn’t you say that if I saved you, you’d grant me any request?” Lin An smiled.

“As long as it’s within my power, you can say whatever you want!” Qian Renxue continued.

“It’s simple. I want you to sign a contract with me and become mine,” Lin An said.

“Impossible. You don’t have that qualification!” Without hesitation, Qian Renxue rejected him. In her eyes, Lin An was insignificant, and signing a contract with him was out of the question.

“You’re alone now. Do you really think you have a choice?” Lin An smiled. Qian Renxue’s identity was perfectly suited to help him establish a City God Temple in Douluo Continent. If she developed well, whether in the Tian Dou Empire or the Martial Soul Hall, she could become his direct ally.

So when Lin An heard Qian Renxue’s name, he had already decided to save her no matter what.

“Is that so? That’s not for sure!” At this moment, Qian Renxue finally stopped hiding. Her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul appeared behind her, and her spirit rings shone brightly.

Four spirit rings appeared, representing that Qian Renxue was already a formidable expert at the Spirit Sovereign level. Coupled with her martial soul, if those people had really driven her into a corner earlier, she could have escaped easily on her own.

If she had known it would end like this, she might have taken action herself from the start.

Of course, Qian Renxue also knew Lin An bore no intent to kill her. Perhaps, as he said, he wanted to subdue her—to make her his, to serve him from then on.

This was her chance. She didn’t need to defeat or kill Lin An; she only needed to hold out until the people coming to rescue her arrived.

She carried a treasure from the Martial Soul Hall; no matter where she was, they could find her. She had always despised this item, but now it was her only hope of salvation.

“If you want me to be yours, then let me see if you’re worthy!” Qian Renxue said coldly.

“Just right, I want to see how great the gap is between a true genius and myself!” Lin An replied.

No sooner had he spoken than the Dragon Elephant Martial Soul appeared behind Lin An, and his spirit rings also lit up.

Purple, purple!

Only two spirit rings, but both were over a thousand years old. Qian Renxue no longer dared to underestimate him.

After all, Lin An wielded some kind of flame that, if it touched her, could endanger her life.

“My spirit master level is higher. That’s my advantage!” Seeing Lin An had only two spirit rings, Qian Renxue breathed a sigh of relief.

If their levels were equal, honestly, even with her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul—one of the most powerful on Douluo Continent—she wouldn’t be confident of defeating Lin An.

“First spirit skill: Angel Assault!” With that, her first spirit ring glowed. A golden halo quickly gathered around her fist, and she swung a punch that formed a golden light shield—both offensive and defensive, imbued with a sacred aura that could dissolve and suppress the target’s spirit power. It was a close-range single-target attack.

Launching a spirit skill right away clearly showed Qian Renxue’s intent to end the fight quickly. If she could defeat Lin An outright and prevent him from using that strange flame, she was confident of victory.

Lin An evidently understood her plan. “Don’t worry. I won’t use the strange flame in this battle.”

As Qian Renxue’s attack rushed toward him, Lin An finally moved.

“First spirit skill: Black Armor Instant Kill Strike!”

Lin An also used a spirit skill. This time, he was not in his Yama’s Descent state, so his power was much reduced.

Still, Lin An could unleash terrifying strength.

With one punch, a dreadful sonic boom erupted, and even the space seemed about to buckle under the force, warping slightly before colliding with Qian Renxue’s golden shield.

Boom—

With a tremendous sound, Qian Renxue’s body was crushed by the immense force, then came to a halt.

Qian Renxue looked at Lin An gravely as her golden shield faded.

Lin An was even more formidable than she had imagined.