Heading to Holy Soul Village

Bibi Dong looked at Bi Zihan and Qian Renxue. After seeing that neither of them had any objections, she immediately said, "Since you have no problems with it now, make your preparations in advance. When the time is right, we will head to the two great empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo."

"I have no objections to this matter. But Tang Hao's matter must be settled first. The hatred of my father's murder is irreconcilable!" Icy killing intent appeared in Qian Renxue's eyes, and her voice was exceptionally resolute.

"Xue'er, since you said Tang Hao is in Holy Soul Village of Nuoding City, Fasnuo Province, then we will go to Holy Soul Village and take a look. If he truly is there, Grandpa will personally act and avenge your father." As Qian Daoliu spoke, his gaze inconspicuously turned toward Bibi Dong.

"Tang Hao, a genius of the Clear Sky Sect rarely seen in a hundred years. Battles at the Titled Douluo level are not something one sees often. Zihan, I'll take you along to witness a battle at the Titled Douluo level. It will benefit your future cultivation." Bibi Dong turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to Qian Daoliu's gaze.

In front of Spirit Hall, several hundred Hall Guard Knights stood in neat formation before the ornate carriage. Yue Guan and Ghostly Charm stood respectfully to either side at its front.

Bibi Dong sat in the main seat of the carriage, while Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, and Bi Zihan occupied the side seats. With a neigh from the horses, the entire convoy set off ahead.

Bi Zihan sat inside the carriage with his eyes lightly closed, contemplating the third level of swordsmanship in his heart. He had used a sword in his previous life, so his understanding of the sword was exceptionally profound. The swordsmanship of his previous life had seven levels in total: Sword Qi, Sword Momentum, Sword Intent, Sword Domain, Sword Dao, Sword Rules, and Sword Star.

Though there were seven levels, in his previous life, he had only reached the half-step Sword Intent level. Even his teacher from that life had only reached the Sword Intent level. Thus, the final four levels existed only in legends, and no one had ever been able to attain them.

Bi Zihan was currently at the half-step Sword Intent level, only one step away from the true Sword Intent level. Yet that single step was like a heavenly chasm, impossible for him to cross.

A sharpness like that of a drawn sword emanated from him. It seemed to continually condense, drawing the attention of Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu, and Qian Renxue.

Just as Qian Renxue was about to ask something, Qian Daoliu raised a hand to stop her. He lightly shook his head at Qian Renxue, signaling her not to speak, then turned his gaze to Bi Zihan and carefully observed him.

Gradually, the sharpness radiating from Bi Zihan seemed to gather at its peak. Yet it did not break through that peak, instead vanishing in an instant as though it had never appeared at all.

Bi Zihan opened his eyes and let out a soft breath. He could not help sighing inwardly. He still could not reach the Sword Intent level. He clearly felt that his comprehension of the sword was sufficient, yet he simply could not break through to the Sword Intent level, as if something were missing.

"You are quite remarkable. At such a young age, you can already touch upon the existence of intent. Yet from the looks of it, you have not truly reached the level of intent." Qian Daoliu looked at Bi Zihan and nodded lightly, not sparing his praise.

"You know about the existence of intent?" Bi Zihan looked at Qian Daoliu suspiciously, somewhat surprised that he knew of intent.

"This old man has lived for over a hundred years and once touched upon the existence of Sword Intent as well. But intent is far too illusory. Even now, I have not truly reached the level of intent. On the continent at present, perhaps the only person who may have reached the level of intent is Sword Dao Chenxin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"But the reason I cannot reach the level of intent is because there is no road ahead of me anymore. As for you, there is a road ahead. Whether you can find it and whether you are willing to walk it depends on you." Qian Daoliu smiled. As he spoke, he reached out and stroked Qian Renxue's hair.

Bi Zihan listened to Qian Daoliu's words in silence, quietly pondering their meaning. He seemed to have grasped an opportunity to reach the level of intent, but it passed in a flash, giving him no time to think it over, which left him feeling somewhat regretful.

Bibi Dong glanced at Qian Daoliu. She felt that Qian Daoliu's attitude toward Bi Zihan was somewhat different, even vastly different from what she had imagined. She could not understand what exactly Qian Daoliu was plotting.

"Zihan, the Grand Priest is a Peerless Douluo. Since the Grand Priest has offered you guidance, you must reflect carefully on the meaning behind his words." Bibi Dong looked at Bi Zihan, her words carrying a subtle reminder. Though she felt Qian Daoliu's attitude was rather unusual, there was no harm in reminding him.

"I understand, Mom." Bi Zihan nodded and agreed directly. Qian Daoliu had not merely lived for over a hundred years—he was also one of the three Peerless Douluo of the present age, a man standing at the very peak of the pyramid.

Before level ninety-five, Titled Douluo could use the quality of their martial souls, soul rings, soul bones, and other factors to make up for gaps in Soul Power. But after level ninety-five, each level of advancement became an almost insurmountable gulf in terms of Soul Power.

Upon hearing how Bi Zihan addressed Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue could not help giving a cold snort to express her displeasure.

However, Bi Zihan was lost in thought, while Bibi Dong did not even look at Qian Renxue. Only Qian Daoliu gave Qian Renxue a benevolent smile.

Bi Zihan kept considering Qian Daoliu's words, but after thinking for a long time, he still had no clue whatsoever about the road Qian Daoliu had mentioned, nor could he understand the meaning behind his words.

Traveling was dull and tedious, so Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, and Bi Zihan either sat in the carriage with their eyes closed to rest, pondered their thoughts, or meditated to cultivate their Soul Power.

One month later, a long convoy entered Nuoding City in Fasnuo Province and stopped directly before the gates of the Spirit Hall Branch in Nuoding City.

Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, Bi Zihan, and the others stepped down from the carriage and walked into the Spirit Hall Branch.

A month of continuous travel had left their group somewhat fatigued, so they needed to rest and recover at the Spirit Hall Branch before heading to Holy Soul Village outside Nuoding City.

Bibi Dong took the main seat in the Spirit Hall Branch and looked at the deacon in the room. "Who is responsible for awakening the martial souls of the children in Holy Soul Village this year? Has anyone gone to Holy Soul Village to conduct the martial soul awakening yet?"