Shock and Conversation

"Thank you, Brother Xue. If there's ever anything you need me for, just say the word. As long as I can do it, I won't refuse."

Lin Yao steadily accepted the Storage Soul Tool with both hands and spoke solemnly.

Then, under Xue Qinghe's patient and meticulous guidance, Lin Yao calmed himself and slowly closed his eyes.

He sent the Soul Power and mental strength within his body into the Soul Tool, establishing a connection with it. Before long, he successfully grasped the core of the Soul Tool.

When Lin Yao opened his eyes again, they were filled with delight and admiration.

He could already clearly sense a spacious area appearing in his mind. Its size was no less than that of a small warehouse.

Lin Yao gently stroked the Soul Tool in his hand, growing ever more satisfied.

Not only did this Soul Tool possess an exceptionally spacious interior, it also had the unique advantage of being able to store living plants and animals.

Perhaps even in the glorious Soul Tool civilization before Douluo Star's destruction, such a Soul Tool would have counted as a rare and excellent creation.

Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe stood quietly to one side.

Watching the delight on Lin Yao's face steadily bloom after receiving the Storage Soul Tool, the corners of his lips unconsciously rose into a faint smile.

Xue Qinghe privately felt smug. No matter how gifted this boy was or how mature his mind might be, he had still been easily won over by the carefully selected, perfectly timed gift.

Long before coming to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Xue Qinghe had mobilized considerable resources to investigate Lin Yao in detail.

He had gathered information on everything from Lin Yao's Martial Soul awakening to the present, including his talent, potential, personality, and more.

Then, Xue Qinghe compiled and analyzed all that information, weighing it over and over. After much careful calculation, he finally settled on the gift most suitable for Lin Yao.

The gift had to be valuable enough to move Lin Yao, yet not so ostentatious that it exposed Xue Qinghe's identity and intentions, causing unnecessary trouble.

Every part of this had been carefully considered and meticulously planned by Xue Qinghe.

Seeing Lin Yao's satisfied reaction now, Xue Qinghe knew that his plan to win over the boy had successfully taken its first step.

"Since you've said that, Yao, I won't stand on ceremony when I truly need something from you."

Xue Qinghe spoke with a smile as he raised a hand and lightly patted Lin Yao on the shoulder.

"How is this possible..."

Yet the instant Xue Qinghe's palm landed on Lin Yao's shoulder, his expression suddenly changed slightly.

His gentle smile froze at once, replaced by a trace of undisguised confusion and shock.

My Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul actually trembled. What kind of Martial Soul does this boy possess? How could it make the Martial Soul inherited by the Qian Clan from the Angel God feel fear? How is that possible?

Xue Qinghe had originally believed that Lin Yao's Martial Soul was merely an ordinary top-tier Martial Soul called the Star Sword.

Though he possessed Innate Full Soul Power, cultivated extremely quickly, and was worth recruiting, his potential should ultimately have been inferior to Xue Qinghe's Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.

But now, with just a light pat, his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul had reacted so intensely. This had completely exceeded Xue Qinghe's expectations.

Even Tang Chen, who stood alongside his grandfather Qian Daoliu and possessed the Clear Sky Hammer, the continent's foremost Attack Type Martial Soul, could not make his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul feel such fear.

Tang Chen's ability to surpass his grandfather came not only from the invincible spirit forged through countless life-and-death battles against powerful foes, but also from his exceptional Soul Ring configuration. The two complemented one another, continuously amplifying his Martial Soul's power.

Tang Chen followed the path of Ultimate Power. Only by fully emulating Ultimate Power had he acquired such terrifying strength.

Xue Qinghe simply could not understand what secret Lin Yao's Star Sword Martial Soul was concealing.

Countless tangled thoughts flashed through his mind, but with the aid of his Head Soul Bone, Xue Qinghe was a master of emotional control.

Within moments, he had swiftly adjusted his emotions. That flicker of change vanished, and his face returned to its usual gentle expression.

Xue Qinghe's movements showed no disorder whatsoever. He casually withdrew his hand and slowly clasped it behind his back.

At this moment, most gazes in the hall were drawn to the Storage Soul Tool in Lin Yao's hand, curious about this somewhat scarce item on Douluo Continent.

As for the sharp-eyed Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, their gazes were fixed on Ning Rongrong, who was enthusiastically playing with the Storage Soul Tool alongside Lin Yao.

Thus, no one noticed the fleeting shift in Xue Qinghe's emotions.

As for Lin Yao, he merely felt his Star Sword Martial Soul flicker inexplicably within him before swiftly returning to calm.

He felt somewhat puzzled by the change in his Martial Soul, but he did not know what had just happened.

Then, recalling the terrifying god-tier Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul possessed by Qian Renxue while disguised as Xue Qinghe, Lin Yao silently speculated.

Perhaps his Star Sword Martial Soul had sensed the immense pressure radiating from Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and, acting on instinct, flickered slightly in preparation to protect its master.

However, the Star Sword Martial Soul quickly realized that Qian Renxue bore him no ill will and calmed down again.

Thus, while familiarizing himself with the Storage Soul Tool in his hand, Lin Yao quietly reminded himself that he still had to cultivate diligently.

Even Qian Renxue, whose talent had not yet fully manifested, had caused such a stress reaction in his Martial Soul with nothing more than a pat on the shoulder.

If he failed to strive forward, then when he and Qian Renxue reached the same level in the future, he would only have cultivated the Star Sword and not yet cultivated the Star Body Martial Soul.

If they truly fought then, he might be knocked flat by a single palm strike from her. That would be far too embarrassing.

Of course, Lin Yao was still full of expectations for his Star Sword Martial Soul.

Although the Star Sword Martial Soul had yet to fully release its potential and appeared to be merely a top-tier Martial Soul for now,

Lin Yao firmly believed that as long as he nurtured it carefully, it would possess tremendous potential for development and terrifying combat power.

After all, when the Star Sword Martial Soul awakened, its genetic factors had not been absorbed and assimilated by the Star Body Martial Soul. That indicated the Star Sword Martial Soul existed on the same level as the Star Body Martial Soul.

The Star Sword Martial Soul was a sword Martial Soul condensed through mysterious and vast Star Power.

Even though it appeared unremarkable now, Lin Yao could sense it slowly absorbing Star Power day and night.

Whether it was the glittering starlight scattered from the brilliant stars above Douluo Star, the bright moon hanging high in the sky, or the radiant sun endlessly emitting light and heat,

every moment provided an unceasing source of nourishment for the growth of the Star Sword Martial Soul.

The Star Sword's future was absolutely limitless. It would surely surpass top-tier Martial Souls and become a true god-tier Martial Soul without needing divine power to interfere.

Then it would bloom with its own dazzling brilliance upon Douluo Continent.

On the other side, Qian Renxue had calmed her emotions in an extremely short time.

After what had just happened, she decided to invest more sincerity and greater resources into her previous plan of befriending Lin Yao.

After all, the reaction of her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul indicated that Lin Yao's Star Sword Martial Soul concealed enormous secrets and potential.

If such a talent could be used by her, he would undoubtedly become a major aid on her future path.

"Qinghe, you suddenly came to see me today. You must have had another purpose, yes? You wanted to meet Yao, this great genius."

With a faint smile on his face and a glimmer in his eyes, Ning Fengzhi softly probed.

"As expected of Teacher. That was indeed one reason I came to the sect. At the same time, I wanted to see Sister Rongrong and visit you as well, Teacher."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly and replied softly.

"You child, your words are always so sweet."

The corners of Ning Fengzhi's lips lifted into a gratified smile. He gently shook his head as he spoke.

Ning Fengzhi's feelings toward Xue Qinghe were complicated, containing both a degree of suspicion and some appreciation.

Xue Qinghe had been born into the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. His status was extraordinarily noble, his temperament gentle and refined, his conduct proper, and he had displayed no notable misconduct in ordinary times.

Such a person naturally earned some of Ning Fengzhi's appreciation.

However, what puzzled Ning Fengzhi was that over the past few years, several of Xue Qinghe's brothers had met with accidents one after another, aside from Xue Beng, who pretended all day to be a wastrel but had truly become one.

These accidents appeared coincidental, but Ning Fengzhi knew full well that hidden behind such apparent accidents were often secrets unknown to others.

Though these methods were somewhat crude, they were also perfectly timed, as though they were declaring to certain people:

I did it. What can you do about it? And how many choices do you have?

Such ruthless methods did not quite fit Xue Qinghe's usual image of gentle refinement.

Yet in governing an "assembled" empire like the Heaven Dou Empire, which had been founded through an alliance of powerful Soul Master clans, they were indispensable.

Only harsh and seasoned methods could intimidate those with malicious intentions and ulterior motives.

In any case, with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's current strength, along with outstanding rising talents like Lin Yao and Ning Rongrong among the younger generation,

Ning Fengzhi believed that even if Xue Qinghe someday intended to discard them after they had served their purpose, he would find it difficult to truly do so.

Therefore, Ning Fengzhi's feelings toward Xue Qinghe were complicated.

Still, relying on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's own strength and the formidable power of its worshippers, a prince could not stir up much trouble for the time being.

Even if Xue Qinghe became emperor in the future, the impact he could have on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be very limited.

Therefore, under the premise that they held the initiative, Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe had formed a teacher-student relationship, bringing them closer still.

This was both to pave the way for Ning Rongrong's future and to allow the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to obtain more resources with the Heaven Dou Empire's support, enabling it to rise to the top of Douluo Continent in the future.

"Actually, there is one more matter behind my visit. After Poison Douluo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan, broke through to become a two-ringed Soul Grandmaster, she joined Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Not long afterward, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan sent Yu Tianheng, who was close to Dugu Yan in age, exceptionally gifted, and quite handsome, to join the academy.

Such a move is far too obvious. The higher-ups of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan are aiming for something significant.

They want to bring the young genius Dugu Yan into their clan, while also gaining the support of Poison Douluo, that terrifying Title Douluo with extremely powerful area-of-effect attacks.

Now that the Clear Sky Sect has gone into seclusion, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seems to be preparing to make the name of the continent's foremost Attack Type beast Martial Soul resound across Douluo Continent once more."

Xue Qinghe spoke calmly, slowly revealing information he had obtained not long ago. Then his tone abruptly shifted as he asked,

"Teacher, my analysis is rather subjective and based only on the information currently available. It may be too one-sided. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi was slightly stunned, and a gleam flickered in his eyes.

He had not expected the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects and both an ally against Spirit Hall and a competitor, to begin seeking outside support as well. Those stubborn people obsessed with pureblood dragon lines had finally started to change.

Upon careful thought, however, it was only natural.

Though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan called itself the number one sect under heaven and possessed the powerful Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, its strongest member now was merely Old Dragon, who had broken through to become a Super Douluo.

Although this Old Dragon, who had developed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul to an extremely high level, possessed terrifying strength and could defeat two or three opponents of the same rank,

after all, none who could break through to become a Title Douluo were weak. Yet he could defeat Super Douluo of the same rank despite being one himself. Only the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, known as the continent's foremost Attack Type beast Martial Soul, could accomplish such an astonishing feat.

However, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was now lacking successors. Apart from that Super Douluo, its strongest members were merely some old Soul Fighting Douluo.

Although those old men might rival Title Douluo in combat power, failing to break through to Title Douluo meant they had not undergone a leap in their life level and would be restricted in many respects.

Between an eight-ringed Soul Fighting Douluo and a nine-ringed Title Douluo lay an insurmountable chasm.

It was not merely a vast improvement in combat power, but a transformation of one's very essence of life.

It could be said that although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul was peerless in battle and far stronger than some high-tier Martial Souls or even ordinary top-tier Martial Souls,

during the Soul Fighting Douluo stage, it could at most rival an ordinary Title Douluo.

Killing Title Douluo who likewise possessed high-tier or top-tier Martial Souls would be extraordinarily difficult.

Furthermore, because they shared Spirit Hall as a common enemy, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was not easy to offend. Coupled with all the chaotic incidents occurring within the clan,

such as that trash who went around all day proclaiming, "There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters," and that man who married his cousin within three generations, only to discover at the wedding that his wife was his second uncle's daughter, then fled in disgrace without taking responsibility, they had truly brought shame upon the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

That sort of trash was even a direct descendant of Old Dragon. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had gradually fallen into a predicament of having no successors, so it was best not to provoke them lightly.

Thus, Ning Fengzhi had not planted too many people within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, causing his intelligence to lag behind. Only now did he learn this information from Xue Qinghe.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is already somewhat strong on the outside but weak within. If not for Old Dragon holding it up, its title as one of the Upper Three Sects might no longer be deserved.

"Among the Upper Three Sects, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect follows the Heaven Dou Empire's lead, while the Clear Sky Sect supports the Star Luo Empire, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan remains neutral.

"The three sides cooperate with one another while also keeping one another in check."

However, Ning Fengzhi was meticulous and quick-witted, and he soon formed his own judgment. He slowly continued,

"Under Spirit Hall's immense pressure, coupled with the various conflicts within the sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has developed a deep sense of crisis.

"Old Dragon has always believed that every descendant is his flesh and blood. In this crisis, he has also begun considering change, though the exact approach remains unclear.

"But now it appears they intend to bring in external power, such as a trustworthy Title Douluo with immense strength who would also be restrained by their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

"And that Title Douluo is undoubtedly Poison Douluo. This Your Excellency, said to possess extremely powerful area attacks while also being called the 'weakest Douluo,' is the most suitable choice."

"I understand what you mean, Teacher. By introducing external power, they can redirect their internal conflicts. That Your Excellency from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has quite the scheme."

A suitably enlightened expression appeared on Xue Qinghe's face, but in truth, he had long formed his own thoughts and judgment.

Even as he listened, he privately praised Ning Fengzhi. The man truly lived up to his reputation.

Despite possessing far less information than Xue Qinghe, he had reached such an accurate conclusion. He truly was the intellectual core of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Only with such a clever mind, combined with the continent's greatest support abilities, could he command Chen Xin, the strongest sword of slaughter, and Gu Rong, the Bone Dragon who wielded strange Spatial Power, making even that woman from Spirit Hall feel somewhat troubled.

"It is certainly good that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wishes to change, but they have not gone far enough.

"Perhaps they still possess immense confidence in their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, believing that their current difficulties will all be resolved once a true genius emerges.

"As for their intentions toward that little girl Dugu Yan, this is merely one means of replenishing their strength."

Ning Fengzhi gently shook his head, a trace of worry flashing through his eyes as he spoke slowly.

Xue Qinghe listened attentively and repeatedly nodded in agreement.

Standing nearby, Lin Yao could not help privately admiring Ning Fengzhi's analytical ability. With such limited information, he had dissected the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's situation so thoroughly.

In the original story, although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan possessed a powerful Martial Soul, it had only one Super Title Douluo and ultimately could not escape destruction.

Even when they were destroyed, they might have taken down several opponents of the same rank, yet they could not even match Dugu Bo, the so-called "weakest Title Douluo," in their ability to perish together with their enemies.

Their title as one of the Upper Three Sects was undeserved.