The grand opening ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner. Afterwards, a lavish banquet was held to welcome the many guests.
On the white marble plaza, beautiful dining tables were arranged, rare delicacies flowed like water, and the wine in glass cups rippled gently.
Throughout the banquet, representatives from all the continent's factions mingled, chatting, laughing, and exchanging greetings.
Yet secretly, countless eyes and senses were focused on the figures on the high platform, especially the mysterious and unpredictable Wisdom Brain Douluo and the other Titled Douluos of the Body Sect. A subtle atmosphere lingered in the air.
Amidst this harmonious scene, a young figure quietly appeared in everyone's view.
It was a young man, about ten years old, dressed in a simple yet luxurious purple robe. His face was still youthful, but his brows and features were already becoming defined. Most notably, his clear, bright eyes held a calm and depth far beyond his years.
The moment he appeared, he drew the attention of many. What shocked them even more was that the youth calmly walked straight towards the main seat on the high platform, without hesitation.
He first went to Mu Xi's side, bowed respectfully, and called, "Mother."
Mu Xi gazed at her son, her eyes full of gentleness and pride, and nodded lightly.
But what happened next surprised almost all the guests.
After bowing to his mother, the purple-robed youth did not remain by Mu Xi's side, nor did he go to the seats for the younger generation. Instead, he continued up to the center of the high platform and calmly took a seat just slightly below Wisdom Brain Douluo and Jade Skin Douluo.
His position was clearly ranked above the four other Titled Douluos—Cloud Sword Douluo, Breaking Spear Douluo, Phantom Douluo, and Poison Douluo.
A teenage youth, apparently not even ten years old, was sitting above four renowned Titled Douluos.
This unbelievable scene instantly drew all eyes.
Whispers spread among the seats.
"Who is this youth? I saw him bow to the Ice Thorn Demoness—he must be her son, but why is his position so honored?"
"He's seated above four Titled Douluos... This… this is truly unheard of!"
"Could he be the direct descendant of the Body Douluo? But even then, that shouldn't put him above the 'Douluo' title!"
Everyone was filled with curiosity and speculation about the identity of the purple-robed youth.
To stand at the pinnacle of the soul master world, one's status was comparable to an emperor. Regardless of faction, no one's status could surpass that of a Titled Douluo. Even in Spirit Hall, only those with the Douluo title held the highest positions.
In the VIP seats, Golden Crocodile Douluo's half-closed, indifferent eyes snapped open the moment Chen Yi appeared, his sharp gaze instantly locking onto the boy.
With the insight of a rank 98 peak Douluo, he instantly discerned Chen Yi's bone age and soul power fluctuations.
Not even ten years old! Soul Ancestor-level soul power cultivation!
The combination of these two facts made Golden Crocodile Douluo's mood roil uncontrollably. Such a talent was rare even in Spirit Hall's long history. Only Qian Renxue, born with innate level-20 soul power, could compare at the same age.
"So this is the Body Sect… Not only are its top echelons terrifyingly strong, but even among its young disciples, there's a unicorn like this!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's heart turned cold.
While everyone speculated and discussed, the senior figures on the high platform glanced at the crowd's reactions, then smiled gently and deeply. The Grand Elder looked at Golden Crocodile Douluo and spoke loudly, his voice carrying clearly across the entire audience:
"Golden Crocodile Douluo, honored friends who have come from afar, I believe you must be quite curious about this child here."
He gestured with pride toward Chen Yi, who sat calmly beside him.
"This is my Body Sect's current young sect master—Chen Yi!"
"He is also… acknowledged by my sect as its foremost genius."
Young sect master? The Body Sect's foremost genius?
These two identities, like two stones thrown into a calm lake, caused an even greater wave of shock among the guests.
The "young sect master" was the future leader of the Body Sect, worthy of respect equal to the elders—thus, it was natural for him to sit above four Titled Douluos.
The title of "foremost genius," coming from Wisdom Brain Douluo himself, was unquestionable in its authority.
To be recognized as the strongest young genius in the current era by such an unfathomable powerhouse—what a breathtaking honor!
In the next moment, countless gazes—curious, observant, amazed, and even tinged with envy—were all focused on Chen Yi.
Everyone wanted to see what made this young future leader of the Body Sect so special.
Even Xue Qinghe stole a glance, a flash of unnoticed brilliance flickering in the depths of his gentle eyes.
As Spirit Hall's young master, she was intrigued by the potential rival this teenage youth might become in the future.
Yet many were perplexed: aside from sensing the vitality and blood energy surging within the boy, it was impossible to probe any further. His soul power fluctuated endlessly inside, like a bottomless, deep pool.
At this moment, the silent Golden Crocodile Douluo finally spoke:
"Sect Master Chen… This level of talent is truly rare in my lifetime."
Golden Crocodile Douluo offered Chen Yi an exceedingly high evaluation. For such a veteran Douluo at the apex to say he'd "rarely seen" such talent in his life was almost unheard of.
After a moment's pause, he scrutinized Chen Yi carefully, and finally, under the expectant and curious eyes of the crowd, announced his judgment:
"In my view, Young Sect Master Chen's foundation is unparalleled in the world. With sufficient opportunities and diligent cultivation, perhaps by the age of thirty… you will be ranked in the Hall of Douluo."
Ranked in the Hall of Douluo by thirty!
These words exploded in everyone's hearts like thunder from the ninth heaven.
What was the Hall of Douluo?
It was the sacred hall in Spirit Hall where newly titled Douluos were officially recognized and canonized.
To be "ranked in the Hall of Douluo" meant to break through rank 90 and obtain the title of Douluo!
Golden Crocodile Douluo's meaning was clear: he believed that Chen Yi, the Body Sect's young sect master, could break through the bottleneck at level 90 and gain the Douluo title by the age of thirty.
"Thir-thirty… To attain the Douluo title before thirty? How is that even possible?!"
"The current record for youngest Titled Douluo on the continent is held by Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao from forty-four years ago! So this would break the record by fourteen years!"
"Golden Crocodile Douluo himself said it—could it be false? Is this youth really such a monster?"
Exclamations and questions erupted.
To reach Douluo before thirty—unless one died young—would mean becoming a Titled Douluo at thirty, a feat so astonishing it nearly overturned the common understanding of the soul master cultivation system.
Even Xue Qinghe's perfect face, hidden behind her disguise, was nearly uncontrollable.
To gain the Douluo title before thirty? Was there really someone else besides herself, born with innate level-20 soul power and a god-level spirit, who could do this?
Her disbelieving eyes once again locked onto Chen Yi, hoping to see through the heart of this youth whom she hadn't taken seriously during their last encounter—her attention then had been all on the mysterious powerhouse beside him.
On the high platform, Wisdom Brain Douluo heard Golden Crocodile Douluo's shocking evaluation and simply smiled, neither admitting nor denying it, only uttering three meaningful words:
"Perhaps so."
This ambiguous answer only added to the mystery and speculation.
Was it humility? Or was Golden Crocodile Douluo's evaluation… perhaps an understatement?
Among the seats below, Feng Xiaotian of the Godwind Academy was already pale, his eyes filled with fear.
He, too, had been known as a genius since childhood for his rare, innate full soul power; his goal was to break through to Soul Emperor before thirty—that alone was the limit of his imagination.
But now, someone was saying they could attain the Douluo title before thirty?
If this had not come from Golden Crocodile Douluo himself, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.
An intense sense of frustration and powerlessness soaked through him like icy water.
After losing to Shui Bing'er, he could still blame his spirit's quality and focus on honing his soul skills, still hoping to catch up eventually.
But faced with the "thirty-year Douluo" prophecy, he felt only a bitter emptiness.
In the eyes of countless representatives of the various factions, a solemn color reached its peak.
This Body Sect now boasted not only unfathomable strength among the older generation—Body Douluo and Wisdom Brain Douluo—but also middle-aged powerhouses like Golden Body Douluo, Dragon Fist Douluo, and Phantom Douluo, shining like suns in the sky.
And now, among the younger generation, a terrifying prodigy like Chen Yi—truly a star of tomorrow!
If they were given at least two hundred years to develop, it would be hard for any other force to escape the Body Sect's shadow.
An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the hearts of all the major powers.
...
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