Qian Renxue ignored the pleasantries. She strode forward in a few quick steps, her fair, slender fingers directly gripping Duanmu Ci's forearm.
The force behind her grip carried an unquestionable urgency, and she lowered her voice until it was barely audible, filled with earnestness and helplessness:
"Brother Ci! How many times have I told you? Call me Brother Qinghe! If it weren't truly urgent, would I have come to disturb your great task of teaching?"
Duanmu Ci's heart twitched slightly.
Luckily, he knew there was a woman beneath this shell. Otherwise, having a grown man grab his arm like this...
He feared he would have plastered a Rasengan across the other person's face.
Suppressing his discomfort, he patiently asked, "Brother Qinghe, what exactly is the matter?"
Qian Renxue warily scanned the surroundings. Only after confirming that Nasha and the others were far enough away did she suddenly lean close, her warm breath nearly brushing Duanmu Ci's ear as her words spilled out in rapid succession:
"The 'Jinchuriki' project is stuck at the sealing stage. It's extremely unstable. Every test subject has exploded. His Majesty... is waiting to see 'possibility.' The pressure is crushing us.
Brother Ci, I must trouble you to personally come and guide us." A trace of anxiety colored her voice.
"Sealing Jutsu is vast and profound. How long has it been? Trying to force results will only backfire." Duanmu Ci frowned slightly.
The core of the "Spirit Beast Jinchuriki" method he had improved was to absorb a spirit beast's immense Soul Power at the instant of its death, then use the Uzumaki Clan's advanced Sealing Jutsu to securely seal it within a human body.
"How could I not know that?!" A hint of sharp urgency entered Qian Renxue's voice.
"But His Majesty... needs to see 'hope,' hope that can persuade him to invest vast resources. Time.
Brother Ci, we have no time." As for whether the "His Majesty" in her words referred to Xue Ye or the one in Spirit City, Duanmu Ci understood perfectly.
It seems Spirit Hall's desire for these "Jinchuriki" is about to burn through the roof... Duanmu Ci sneered inwardly.
If they could safely grant the power of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to a Titled Douluo, the qualitative leap in Spirit Hall's high-end combat power would be enough to overturn the continent's balance.
At that point, so-called infiltration and covert operations would lose all meaning. Unification through the overwhelming force of Overwhelming Thunder would become the only option.
Bibi Dong's ambition was being rapidly catalyzed by this project.
"You want results? Where's the test subject? Don't tell me this is all empty talk." Duanmu Ci went straight to the point, his tone indifferent.
A sharp glint flared in Qian Renxue's eyes as she raised her hand in an immediate gesture.
Whoosh!
The air seemed to warp under some invisible force. A tall, burly figure appeared at Qian Renxue's side without warning, as though he had torn through space itself.
The man stood over two meters tall, clad in ancient-looking golden armor. His pale blue eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and restrained yet immensely heavy Soul Power fluctuations radiated from his entire body.
He merely stood there quietly, yet the pressure belonging to a Titled Douluo faintly spread through the area.
"Brother Ci," Qian Renxue introduced solemnly, her voice carrying the weight of entrusting him with a grave responsibility.
"This is a reclusive powerhouse of our Heaven Dou Empire's Worship Hall, Your Excellency She Long, a Rank 93 assault-type Titled Douluo. His title is Snake Lance.
After careful deliberation, His Majesty has decided that Your Excellency She Long will bear the power of the first Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
This is the empire's highest secret, and also the cornerstone of its future. Brother Ci, everything... is in your hands." Her blazing gaze fixed on Duanmu Ci, full of trust and expectation.
Snake Lance Douluo She Long? Duanmu Ci understood at once.
A Spirit Hall elder, Qian Renxue's personal guard, and the "unlucky fellow" Yang Wudi had killed above his level in the original story.
His strength truly ranked near the bottom among Titled Douluo, but as the first test subject to bear the power of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, he was barely qualified—provided the seal was stable enough.
Qian Renxue once again tightened her grip on Duanmu Ci's arm, pressing closer to him.
Her face held a sincere, heart-to-heart expression, while her lowered voice brimmed with "trust" and "risk":
"Brother Ci! Your Excellency She Long's identity is one of the empire's highest secrets.
By introducing him to you today, I have already taken an enormous risk.
You must be extremely cautious in this matter. Not a single word can be leaked.
For the empire's future, for our shared ambitions, everything... depends on you, Brother Ci." Her gaze was utterly sincere, as though she had entrusted her entire fortune and life to Duanmu Ci.
Feeling the strength in the grip on his arm and her close presence, Duanmu Ci remained expressionless, though everything was crystal clear in his heart.
Putting on a full performance... This "Heaven Dou Empire Worship Hall" act really came right off the tongue.
Still, since you people from Spirit Hall are so eager for "results," I'll play along.
Besides, I also wanted to see just what kind of power this "Douluo-version Jinchuriki" could unleash...
"Alright, alright. My lips are sealed, so don't worry." Duanmu Ci waved a hand. "You've already picked out a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"
"Of course!" A sharp light flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes.
"Deep within the inner region of the Star Dou Great Forest, we have locked onto the movements of an Azure Python that has just crossed into the Hundred-Thousand-Year level. Elite personnel are monitoring it day and night."
"Star Dou Great Forest? The inner region? Not going!" Duanmu Ci quickly waved his hands, his tone firm.
He had just spirited Tian Meng away from their old nest, and now he was supposed to wander around near the scene of the crime?
He was confident that his strength had increased greatly, but he was by no means arrogant.
Di Tian, Bear Lord...
That place was far more than just a few ferocious spirit beasts.
Bringing a Shadow Clone along would be possible, but if Qian Renxue, this "Crown Prince," ran into trouble deep in Star Dou, Qian Daoliu would probably go mad. Duanmu Ci would likely follow in Tang Hao's footsteps and begin a life of "hide-and-seek across Douluo Continent."
"Y-Yeah! Big Brother is wise! We can't go! That place is terrifying! Bear Lord will tear me to pieces and eat me as a snack!"
Inside his mind, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm screamed in terror. His snowy-white body shivered within the spiritual sea, curled into a ball.
"Do you think I need you to tell me? The entire core region is probably turning over every inch of ground looking for me right now." Duanmu Ci snapped back through his spiritual power.
Qian Renxue had clearly misunderstood him. "Don't worry, Brother Ci! Your Excellency She Long will not be going alone! Powerful reinforcements will accompany us, and I will personally oversee the operation as well! Your safety will be absolutely guaranteed!"
Her tone was certain. What she had in mind were the two trump cards her grandfather Qian Daoliu had sent—Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, the two Rank 96 peak Douluo of the Worship Hall! With Coiling Dragon Staffs in hand, the brothers could join forces and unleash a Martial Soul Fusion Skill powerful enough to briefly contend with a Rank 98 expert!
With the two of them, Snake Lance Douluo, and Duanmu Ci's own strength... in her eyes, the risks of this expedition were controllable, while the potential gains were enormous.
"Change the location! Sunset Forest! Seventy- or eighty-thousand-year ones will do!" Duanmu Ci remained unmoved, his attitude resolute. "Or... bring that oversized worm out here for me!"
"Why?" Qian Renxue's delicate brows drew together as her sharp gaze seemed intent on seeing through Duanmu Ci.
His stubborn refusal to yield was far too abnormal. It was definitely not as simple as being "afraid of danger."
"Brother Ci, what concerns do you have? Just say it! Within Heaven Dou, or even across the continent, I am confident there are few troubles I cannot resolve!" She stepped forward, her presence imposing. Her words carried absolute confidence and an unmistakable refusal to accept no for an answer.
The Pope's daughter, the High Priest's granddaughter, the Angel God's heir... she had every reason for such confidence!
Duanmu Ci was left somewhat helpless by her pressure. You can solve it? Can you force Di Tian back to sleep? Can you pretend the Silver Dragon King doesn't exist?
He grumbled inwardly, but could not say it aloud. Seeing Qian Renxue's expression that clearly said, "Don't think about leaving unless you explain yourself," his thoughts spun rapidly before he finally took a step back:
"Fine!" With a flick of his wrist, an ordinary-looking small green-jade pendant appeared in his palm. Its texture was warm and smooth, and faint energy seemed to flow within it.
"You go first and keep watch on that Azure Python. When Your Excellency She Long is ready to begin absorbing it—" He handed the jade pendant to Qian Renxue. "Crush this. I'll teleport over immediately." This was his Shadow Clone.
This was the safest plan he could think of after weighing the pros and cons. He only needed to appear during the final sealing stage, and the time involved would be extremely short.
He would activate Mental Probe over its widest possible range as a warning. The instant he detected the aura of a core-region ferocious beast approaching, he would immediately use Kamui to pull everyone away and flee!
"Big Brother! Are... are we really going?" Tian Meng wailed in the spiritual sea, his voice already carrying a sob.
"Shut up! Big Brother knows what he's doing!"
"O-Okay... Big Brother, you have to be quick! If anything feels wrong, we run immediately!" Tian Meng agreed through sniffles, curling himself into an even smaller ball.
"Good!" A barely noticeable gleam flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes. She accepted the jade pendant without hesitation, her fingertips brushing its warm surface as she carefully put it away.
"We'll proceed as Brother Ci says! I'll be relying on you for this matter!" She gave Duanmu Ci a deep look. Her gaze was complicated, containing both satisfaction at achieving her goal and a trace of curiosity over the true reason behind his "caution."
Duanmu Ci waved a hand, signaling that she could leave. Qian Renxue said no more, turning and swiftly disappearing into the depths of the corridor with Snake Lance Douluo.
"Brother Mu, what did His Highness the Crown Prince want with you? He was being so mysterious." Nasha came over, her big eyes full of curiosity.
"Nothing much. He asked about some Soul Tools." Duanmu Ci casually brushed her off, though his mind had already drifted far away. He steadied himself and refocused his attention on the lesson before him.
Before you continue