The Letter

The Star Crown Sect had returned to its former tranquility, yet beneath that calm lay a trace of tension. Every member at Soul Saint rank or above who could spare the time had gathered beneath the Starry Tree on the Back Mountain to cultivate.

With Xu Mingxi at the center, his Fourth Soul Ring lit up, and starlight linked everyone into a single whole.

Vine Elder of the Star Seeking Vine stretched out from the Starry Tree. Looking down at Xu Mingxi, he sighed inwardly. This boy's attraction to starlight had grown stronger again. Even the Moonlight Essence within it had increased.

The years Xu Mingxi had spent away were no more than the time it took to doze off for soul beasts, especially plant-type soul beasts.

Vine Elder had never expected that, upon waking from a single sleep, Xu Mingxi would have undergone such tremendous changes. He could actually sense an inexplicable attraction from him—something he had never felt in all these years.

The next day, once the cultivators had dispersed, Vine Elder finally could not resist darting in front of Xu Mingxi.

"Boy, what exactly have you done these past few years? Why do I feel some kind of attraction from you?"

"Vine Elder, it has been a long time. Have you been well?"

Xu Mingxi rose to his feet, and the Star Crown Martial Soul emerged. Of the three bright gems at its center, the one on the left was filled with a silvery-white luster.

His sixth black Soul Ring lit up, and Vine Elder immediately sensed an aura of grim slaughter spreading over the mountaintop. Moonlight actually poured down from the sky in broad daylight.

What Vine Elder felt from that moonlight was not gentleness or vitality, but endless killing intent.

"Vine Elder, be careful."

Sixth Soul Skill, Moon Silver Threads.

Strands of moonlight drifted through the air like willow catkins, graceful and beautiful. Yet Vine Elder sensed a hint of danger from them. Several vines extended from the Starry Tree, intending to sweep the moonlight aside.

The vines' outer skin was hard while their insides were flexible, yet they were shredded by the seemingly delicate moonlight. The apparently inexhaustible moonlight gathered into a rushing torrent and surged toward Vine Elder.

Several more vines extended from the Starry Tree. These were thicker, and specks of starlight covered their surfaces.

Moonlight flowed across the vines' surfaces, yet it was never able to break through their defenses.

Xu Mingxi withdrew his Soul Skill and bowed to Vine Elder.

"Vine Elder, forgive my offense. My sixth Soul Ring came from a Howling Moon Wolf that was nearly twenty thousand years old. After absorbing this Soul Ring, my Martial Soul underwent enormous changes. Moonlight has likewise come under my control."

"Is that so? You can control moonlight as well? Perhaps you truly can accomplish that matter."

Vine Elder muttered softly. Before Xu Mingxi could make out his words and ask about them, he had already withdrawn back into the Starry Tree.

Although Xu Mingxi had now become the Young Sect Master, the only thing he needed to do was cultivate and continuously raise his strength.

His greatest contribution to the sect was serving as a starlight conduit and a converter of Moonlight Essence here.

The Star Crown Sect's members had grown accustomed to cultivating at night. During the day, they rested and trained.

At the Training Field, Xu Mingxi defeated every member of his generation. Even Xu Mingguang fell to him.

With true talent and strength, he proved that he fully deserved his position as Young Sect Master.

Xu Mingguang also broke through to Level 60 during battle and headed to the Star Dou Great Forest under the Third Elder's escort.

Half a year later, Xu Mingxi's Soul Power Level reached Level 69. He had intended to push through in one go to Level 70 and become a Soul Saint, but a letter disrupted his plans.

After finishing his usual cultivation session, just as he was preparing to head to the Training Field for some practice, Xu Fangxing, who guarded the Back Mountain, stopped him and said that the Sect Master wished to see him.

When Xu Mingxi arrived at the Sect Master Hall, he accepted the letter handed to him by the Sect Master. A dark green snake-shaped emblem was clearly stamped upon the white envelope.

Could this be...

Sure enough, when he opened it, it was a letter from Dugu Xin.

"Mingxi, my friend, seeing this letter is as good as seeing me. I hope you have been well...

"My father and I have found a method of treatment and are currently residing in Sunset Forest.

"...

"There is one more matter I must ask of you. My father completed his breakthrough several days ago, and he specially invites the elders of your sect to come and lend their support."

The Sect Master had already read the letter upon receiving it. Once Xu Mingxi put it down, he spoke directly.

"Dugu Bo has likely broken through to Level 90. We must show up this time. This is the best opportunity to build ties with him."

Indeed, the importance of the Ninth Soul Ring went without saying. But what concerned Xu Mingxi more was the line in the letter saying that they were residing in Sunset Forest.

Did this mean that Dugu Bo had already discovered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? That was the truly important matter.

If all the Immortal Herbs growing within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well could be put to use, it would be no less than a transformation for the Star Crown Sect.

If it had truly been found, then certain matters could be put on the agenda.

Thinking of a certain family under the Clear Sky Sect, a flash of killing intent passed through Xu Mingxi's eyes. If he could not obtain what he wanted, he would not mind stirring up conflict and unleashing slaughter.

"Sect Master, let Grandfather accompany me this time."

"Very well. Bring the Ninth Elder as well. The three of you will go together."

The three packed their things and prepared to depart. Dugu Xin, who had been waiting for news in the Heaven Dou Imperial Capital, looked at the reply in his hands and was overjoyed.

He entered the room and looked toward his father, who stood before the table intently preparing medicine. He did not interrupt him, waiting until Dugu Bo stopped what he was doing before handing him the letter.

"Good, good! They have agreed. Xin'er, we will leave at once and return to Sunset Forest."

Dugu Bo was extremely excited as he held the letter. The past few years had brought one good event after another. Not only had the problem that had plagued his family for many years been resolved, but he had also successfully broken through Level 90 and was about to become the Dugu Family's first Titled Douluo.

Good fortune lifted a man's spirits. Dugu Bo was now brimming with confidence. With a wave of his hand, he took his son and headed straight for Sunset Forest. He had previously discovered several soul beasts there that were highly suitable to serve as his Ninth Soul Ring.

The Dugu Manor carriage rolled out of Heaven Dou City, but in his excitement, Dugu Bo failed to notice a disciple in a light-blue sect uniform embroidered with a Seven-Tiered Pagoda hurrying back to the sect.

After hearing the disciple's report, Ning Fengzhi dismissed him, then spoke to the empty chair beside him.

"Uncle Gu, are you certain about what you sensed earlier?"

"There's no mistake. The aura Dugu Bo revealed for an instant had definitely reached the level of a Titled Douluo."

A black hole emerged in the empty air, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, dressed in splendid robes, stepped out of it.

While wandering around Heaven Dou City earlier, he had happened to hear that something had occurred at the Dugu Family, so out of curiosity, he observed from above.

He had assumed it was merely an ordinary medicinal experiment explosion, but he had never expected to inadvertently discover that the aura Dugu Bo revealed had reached the level of a Titled Douluo.

Ning Fengzhi clasped his hands together, lightly tapping his cane against the floor as he gazed at the night beyond the door, deep in thought.

Having reached Level 90 yet not inviting any of Heaven Dou City's forces to assist in obtaining a soul ring—was it because there was no one he could invite, or had he already invited other forces from outside Heaven Dou City?