Obtaining the Fifth Soul Ring

"This..."

The assembled ministers exchanged nervous glances. Qian Renxue's expression immediately turned cold and terrifying as she stared at Jiang Mian, speechless for a long time.

If Jiang Mian controlled all the military forces, it would essentially make her, the Emperor of Heaven Dou, nothing more than a figurehead with no right to speak.

Throughout history, hadn't there been plenty of cases of wielding the emperor to command the nobles?

"Your Majesty, there's no need to worry," said the Crimson King. "Jiang Mian's loyalty to Your Majesty is evident for all to see. If Your Majesty is unwilling to grant even this small request, wouldn't that chill the hearts of everyone in the world?"

The Bear Lord chimed in, "That's right, Your Majesty cannot chill the hearts of everyone in the world!"

This was a coup!

Qian Renxue gripped the dragon throne, her heart burning with rage, but she dared not show it. With Bear Lord and Crimson King acting as Jiang Mian's bodyguards, she truly didn't dare to act too presumptuously.

"Fine," Qian Renxue gritted her teeth. She slowly stood up, her tall and graceful figure exuding an aura of dominion. "I grant you the command of all the military forces."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jiang Mian abruptly stood up, perfectly embodying the image of a powerful minister.

What fun was it to be an emperor? It was far more interesting to be the powerful minister who controlled the emperor.

"This minister shall take his leave." Jiang Mian looked at the ashen-faced Qian Renxue and couldn't help but laugh inwardly. He suppressed the corners of his mouth and, accompanied by Bear Lord and Crimson King, left with a flourish.

"His intentions are punishable!" Qian Renxue turned her back, biting her lip fiercely. She couldn't let the ministers see her like this. After enduring hardship and working undercover for over a decade, only to pave the way for others – who would ever be content?

"Your Majesty, shall I kill him?" Snake Spear Douluo suddenly spoke.

Qian Renxue looked at him, her gaze seeming to say, You want to kill Jiang Mian? How much have you had to drink?

"Interesting," Jiang Mian hummed a tune as he walked out of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace with Bear Lord and Crimson King. A black and white falcon swooped down and landed steadily in front of Jiang Mian.

"A Night Roaming Falcon tamed by Nana?" Jiang Mian raised his hand, supporting the Night Roaming Falcon on his arm, and skillfully removed the note from its leg.

This Night Roaming Falcon had been kept in a soul guiding device by Hu Liena for a long time, specifically for transmitting urgent intelligence. It could fly ten thousand miles by day and travel eight thousand at night, making it extremely swift.

"Xie Yue broke through rank fifty?" Bear Lord looked at the note, his face filled with relief. "As expected of my disciple, truly gratifying."

"That brat Yan!" Crimson King's forehead was covered in lines, and he clenched his fists so hard they creaked, wishing he could punch Yan to death.

"In that case, let's head over to help Yan obtain his fifth Soul Ring," Jiang Mian said, clapping Bear Lord on the shoulder and laughing heartily, "As his master, shouldn't you make a gesture?"

"Are you suggesting I capture a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast and offer it as a sacrifice for Xie Yue?" Bear Lord mused, stroking his chin.

"It's not impossible," Jiang Mian smiled slightly.

Some rejoiced while others worried. At this moment, Crimson King, following behind the two, was truly seething with anger. How could he have been so blind as to take Yan as a disciple? He regretted it!

"Look at Crimson King's face, it's like he's eaten shit, hahahaha," Bear Lord whispered into Jiang Mian's ear, openly mocking Crimson King.

"Shhh," Jiang Mian gave him a look, signaling him to say less. If they truly angered Crimson King, and the two of them started fighting here, wouldn't the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace be reduced to rubble?

Divine Eagle Canyon was located at the border between the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire. Many low-level Spirit Masters who were afraid to venture into the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain Soul Rings would usually choose this place.

Although the Spirit Beasts here were not of high rank, their numbers were no less than those in Sunset Forest. Moreover, the deepest parts of the canyon were guarded by several powerful Spirit Beasts.

Bear Lord carried Jiang Mian on his back, with Crimson King following behind the Night Roaming Falcon. With their terrifying strength, they were not inferior even to the Night Roaming Falcon, which was known for its speed.

In less than half an hour, they caught up with Xie Yue and his group.

"Sister Nana, Zhuqing." Jiang Mian descended from the sky, landing directly on the roof of the carriage. He hung upside down, sticking his head through the carriage window, "Hello."

"Your entrance is quite unique," Hu Liena handed him a piece of fruit, thoughtfully bringing it to Jiang Mian's lips.

Jiang Mian accepted it without hesitation, opening his mouth to take the fruit. He leaned forward, tilting his head to feed Hu Liena.

"Wow," Hu Liena's cheeks suddenly flushed red. She shyly covered her mouth, her body instinctively pressing closer to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Jiang Mian..." Hu Liena looked at Jiang Mian's handsome face, which seemed to be meticulously crafted by the heavens, and her heart fluttered.

"Jiang Mian, how is it?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, her eyes smiling as she supported Hu Liena, who was infatuated. "Has the situation in the Heaven Dou Empire stabilized?"

"Don't worry," Jiang Mian jumped into the carriage and said with a smile, "The overall situation is settled. Those who try to cause trouble won't be able to stir up much of a storm."

After all, in this world, the strong reigned supreme. Qian Renxue had two Titled Douluo backing her, and with Elder Hall's Qian Daoliu as her trump card, it was unlikely anyone would foolishly seek death.

Except for those pretentious scholars who wished to etch their names in history.

"Disciple, you truly bring honor to your master," Bear Lord appeared beside Xie Yue, patting his head and laughing heartily, "Good, good."

"Master," Xie Yue smiled sincerely, "It's all thanks to Master's excellent teaching."

"This is your own doing." Bear Lord shook his head and suddenly said with a stern expression, "No need to flatter your master."

"I am offering my sincere gratitude for your teachings, Master, not flattery," Xie Yue smiled.

"Then I won't waste any more words," Bear Lord looked at Xie Yue with endless affection, "Continue to strive and reach that height as soon as possible."

"I definitely will," Xie Yue nodded firmly.

Meanwhile, Yan did not receive such treatment. He followed behind Xie Yue, driving a carriage by himself. Crimson King sat beside him, silent.

Yan swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. His legs trembled uncontrollably, and his back was already soaked with sweat.

Bear Lord glanced back at the dark-faced Crimson King, feeling an indescribable sense of satisfaction. He said with a smile, "You did well, I should reward you with something."

"Then I won't be polite with Master," Xie Yue's eyes lit up. He knew Bear Lord's status, and with Bear Lord's strength, the rewards could only be extraordinary.

"You can try absorbing the torso bone of this Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear," Bear Lord said, taking out a torso bone emitting a radiant glow from his personal space. "This was left behind by a hundred-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear that failed its tribulation back then. I kept it as a memento, but I'll give it to you now."

Xie Yue was so shocked he stood up directly from the carriage. His lips trembled, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "A hundred-thousand-year soul bone!"

Jiang Mian's lips curved slightly. Bear Lord had intended to give this torso bone to him back then, but Jiang Mian hadn't been interested.

His soul rings were all of Fierce Beast level. Absorbing a soul bone of a lower age would only drag down his cultivation attributes.

"Thank you, Master," Xie Yue said, kneeling before Bear Lord and kowtowing vigorously. Bear Lord accepted the three kowtows with composure and then helped him up. "I'll tell you in advance, my old friend still has a wisp of remnant soul attached to the soul bone. If you displease it, you might face a life-threatening danger. Have you thought it through?"

"If you don't enter the tiger's lair, how can you catch its cub!" Xie Yue's eyes were very firm. He said, "This disciple is unwilling to fall behind others. Since I can improve my strength, what is this risk!"

"You have spirit. Then start absorbing. I'll guard you," Bear Lord said calmly. "Don't worry, I won't let you die."

"Thank you, Master," Xie Yue cupped his fists in a salute and immediately sat down cross-legged to begin absorbing this priceless torso bone.

This hundred-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear torso bone could truly be called priceless. The strength of a hundred-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear was several times greater than that of ordinary hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, and not even a powerful Titled Douluo could match it.

Moreover, even if a hundred-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear was killed, it wouldn't necessarily drop a soul bone, let alone a torso bone, which was only second in rarity to a head bone!

A torso bone enhanced attributes that covered the entire body, not only making the spirit master's physique more robust but also allowing them to delay the age limit for absorbing soul rings.

After Xie Yue absorbed this hundred-thousand-year torso bone, his fifth soul ring could absorb at least a thirty-thousand-year soul ring.

One should know that a thirty-thousand-year spirit beast's soul ring was something even a Soul Saint might not be able to absorb successfully!

Zhu Zhuqing watched this, feeling both happy and a little envious. She had lived in the Star Dou Great Forest for so many years, and Di Tian had never given her a soul bone. Perhaps, from beginning to end, she was just an outsider.

Hu Liena was genuinely happy for her brother. Even Spirit Hall didn't have this hundred-thousand-year soul bone. Since her brother had obtained such a fortuitous encounter, how could she, as his sister, not be happy?

Jiang Mian carefully noticed Zhu Zhuqing's state. He suddenly embraced her from the side and said calmly, "Zhuqing, I think you'll understand."

"Of course, I understand," Zhu Zhuqing pouted. "What's mine will always be mine. What isn't mine, no matter how much I grasp, I can't hold onto."

"Mhm," Jiang Mian affectionately stroked Zhu Zhuqing. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Back then, when Di Tian offered him a complete set of high-grade soul bones, Jiang Mian had refused. Thinking about it now, if he had agreed, perhaps Zhu Zhuqing could have benefited from his good fortune and obtained one or two soul bones.

"Zhuqing, I won't wrong you," Jiang Mian said in a low, firm tone. "What they have, you will eventually have."

"I don't want it," Zhu Zhuqing shook her head and replied stubbornly. "I only rely on my own efforts. If I have to rely on the charity of others to obtain something, then I'd rather not have this handout."

Jiang Mian looked at Zhu Zhuqing's clear, bright eyes and remained silent. He respected Zhu Zhuqing's choice.

"Ah!"

Xie Yue suddenly let out a heart-wrenching scream. Jiang Mian frowned and looked at Bear Lord. "What's going on?"

"It's normal," Bear Lord said calmly. "My old friend has started testing him."

"Xie Yue is your direct disciple," Jiang Mian sighed.

"I believe in him," Bear Lord stated confidently. "My disciple won't be stumped by this hurdle. If he wants to reach that level, this difficulty is nothing."

Xie Yue let out another heart-piercing cry. All his pores opened, and blood and sweat continuously flowed out.

The torso bone began to slowly meld with Xie Yue's body, almost fusing successfully.

"Brother," Hu Liena said, worried about Xie Yue, but she didn't rashly disturb him while he was absorbing the soul bone.

Zhu Zhuqing and Jiang Mian stared intently. If Xie Yue were truly in danger, Jiang Mian would risk backlash to pull him out. With Jade Swan Bi Ji's healing techniques, it would be fine even if he needed to be saved again.

A red light shot up into the sky, and Xie Yue's chest began to emit a radiant glow. Bear Lord slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "As expected of my disciple."

"It's done," Jiang Mian chuckled. "Xie Yue really managed to withstand the impact of the remnant soul of a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast."

"After all, he's my old friend, and he gave me some face," Bear Lord laughed heartily. "He felt my presence here, so he didn't dare to make things too difficult for Xie Yue."

"This power..." Xie Yue's eyes were glowing red as he looked at his hands. A surge of powerful soul power flowed continuously within him.

"The soul power bestowed by the torso bone should be the Dark Gold Dreadclaw from our Dreadclaw Bear lineage," Bear Lord said. "Although its damage isn't as strong as my Sky Rend Claw, it's still a top-tier killing skill."

This was also why Jiang Mian was unwilling to absorb soul bones. He had mastered all the soul skills of spirit beasts and didn't need soul bone skills at all.

"I feel like my soul power has increased by two levels," Xie Yue exhaled gently, and ripples of soul power instantly spread around him. "This feeling is truly wonderful."

"You're already level fifty-two?" Jiang Mian glanced at him slightly. A sense of crisis arose in his heart. He realized he needed to cultivate properly when he returned. If he continued to play around, he would be surpassed by Xie Yue.

"Master, look, even your fellow Master gave him a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. Can you bestow something upon me too?" Yan scratched his head and looked at Crimson King a little sheepishly.

"Alright," Crimson King nodded expressionlessly.

"Master, you're really giving it to me?" Yan's expression suddenly became excited. He waved his arms and laughed heartily, "Thank you for your favor, Master. Your disciple will surely not fail your mission."

"Come here, move a bit closer," Crimson King clenched his fist and placed it in front of Yan. "The reward you want is right here."

"Master, don't joke..."

Before Yan could finish speaking, Crimson King unleashed a critical uppercut. Yan coughed and flew into the air, landing precisely on the roof of the carriage.

"You want rewards without effort, and your talent is still inferior to others. You actually want a reward?" Crimson King roared. "When you surpass Xie Yue once, I'll dig out a bone from myself and give it to you, alright?"

"I feel like Crimson King's Dao heart is about to collapse," Jiang Mian said, laughing ungratefully. "Xie Yue, you're too hardworking, how can Yan catch up to you?"

"He can't compare to Xie Yue," Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and said fairly. "Everyone can see the effort Xie Yue puts in. Yan's talent is similar to Xie Yue's, but his effort is far too lacking."

"As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-perfection," Jiang Mian exclaimed. "Xie Yue, you truly make me feel a strong sense of crisis."

"You jest," Xie Yue smiled slightly and pointed to the canyon on the cliff ahead that resembled an eagle soaring through the sky. "We've arrived at Divine Eagle Canyon."

Just as Jiang Mian looked towards Divine Eagle Canyon, a coarse and untimely voice came from beside him, "This tree was planted by me, this road was opened by me..."