Outside the Elder Hall, Radiant Plume Douluo said nothing as he walked ahead of Jiang Mian. Jiang Mian was naturally fearless, and the two entered the sacred hall one after the other.
At the center of the hall stood a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties. He was remarkably handsome and exuded a calm, tranquil aura that made people feel very comfortable.
He wore a plain gray robe, his long hair hanging behind his back, neatly combed.
Though Qian Daoliu was dressed with extreme simplicity, merely standing there gave people the urge to bow in worship.
"Xiao Ling, withdraw for now." With his hands behind his back, Qian Daoliu said mildly, "I wish to speak with this young friend alone."
"Yes." Radiant Plume Douluo withdrew at his command. At that moment, only Qian Daoliu and Jiang Mian remained in the entire Elder Hall.
"I heard you helped Xiao Xue claim the throne?" A faint smile rested on Qian Daoliu's lips. "But you also asked her for the authority to command all the troops in the realm?"
"I killed the Heaven Dou Empire's marshal, so I have to take over this mess as well." Jiang Mian spoke righteously. "If someone later uses this as a pretext to rebel, I'll certainly be the one standing at the front. I also have to ensure Miss Xue Er's safety."
"So I should thank you, then?" Qian Daoliu let out a scoff, stepped forward, and patted Jiang Mian's shoulder. "It's naturally a good thing for young people to have some ambition."
Jiang Mian let out a long breath. "Senior, you're still in your prime. This is precisely the time for you to strive onward."
"Are you calling me old in disguise?" Qian Daoliu laughed. "You little brat, who gave you such courage?"
"Since you took office as a Judgement Elder, for more than a hundred years, you have never infringed upon the people in the slightest." Jiang Mian's expression turned solemn. "You made Spirit Hall beloved by the people. The courage I have today was given to me by you."
"Don't flatter me." Qian Daoliu was naturally quite pleased. No matter how powerful or wise someone was, they could not help but feel some delight and appreciation upon seeing an outstanding junior—especially one who was both outstanding and sweet-tongued.
After all, these old seniors could always see reflections of their younger selves in them.
"Enough. I called you here today because there are several important matters I wish to discuss." Qian Daoliu pointed to a seat beside him, signaling Jiang Mian to sit.
The two sat facing each other. Qian Daoliu said, "Now that Xiao Xue has become the ruler of Heaven Dou, you deserve much of the credit. Fortunately, the matter was handled properly, and the common people did not suffer."
Jiang Mian smiled slightly and could not help giving Qian Daoliu a thumbs-up in his heart. Qian Daoliu truly was an exceptionally fine elder; otherwise, Spirit Hall would not have become a sacred land for soul masters revered by all.
"What about the Star Luo Empire?" Qian Daoliu abruptly changed the subject. "Do you have a suitable approach?"
"Senior cares for the people's livelihood and does not wish for the two nations to go to war, bringing calamity upon all living beings." Jiang Mian clasped his fists, flattering Qian Daoliu first before continuing, "But if the people of the realm are to truly live in peace, merely maintaining the current divided rule will still not be enough."
Qian Daoliu asked, "What do you want?"
Jiang Mian said, "I want the world to be one family."
Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and all their affiliated smaller states—only when every nation merged together and truly formed one family under heaven would it be right.
Qian Daoliu continued, "How will you do it?"
Jiang Mian answered, "He who wins the people's hearts wins the world!"
"Interesting." Qian Daoliu smiled. "In that case, this grand undertaking will depend on you and Xue Er joining hands. You must weather the storm together. Do not let discord arise between you."
"My aspirations do not lie in being a mortal emperor." Jiang Mian shook his head. The throne of the realm was indeed tempting, but this world also had the heavens above.
"You aren't afraid of failure? Of being crushed to pieces?" Qian Daoliu naturally understood what Jiang Mian meant. His brows furrowed slightly as he asked in surprise, "What if you cannot make it through?"
Jiang Mian smiled. "There will be those who come after."
"Good!" Qian Daoliu slapped the table and laughed. "With those words, I can no longer make things difficult for you."
"When a senior speaks with a junior, it is to impart experience. How could that be called making things difficult?" Jiang Mian bowed respectfully. "You are a venerable elder of great virtue and prestige, and I deeply admire you. As for the future, no one can say for certain. I only hope you take good care of your health and await the right time."
"Rest assured." Looking at the handsome young man before him, Qian Daoliu found himself more pleased the longer he looked. Especially after Jiang Mian spoke the words, "There will be those who come after," Qian Daoliu's opinion of him changed greatly. "These old bones of mine can still add a log to the bonfire of you young people."
"Thank you, Senior." Jiang Mian said, "If you have no further matters, I shall take my leave."
"Very well." Qian Daoliu nodded and allowed Jiang Mian to leave the Elder Hall.
"You're just letting him go?" Seeing Jiang Mian leave, Radiant Plume Douluo immediately walked in from outside. "Didn't you say earlier that you were going to hold him accountable?"
"I couldn't bear to." Qian Daoliu patted Radiant Plume Douluo's shoulder and smiled. "Xiao Ling, the times are about to change."
"Of course I know." Radiant Plume Douluo dropped into a chair and said in a childish voice, "The Heaven Dou Empire is already our territory. Before long, the Star Luo Empire will be unable to hold out alone either. Unifying the continent is within reach."
"I was originally somewhat resentful that he handed the entire mess to Xiao Xue while becoming a hands-off manager himself." Qian Daoliu smiled. "But after speaking with him today, I realized that his aspirations do not lie in the mortal world. The little resentment I held toward him has vanished completely."
"Does this man really have such charm?" Resting his chin in his hand, Radiant Plume Douluo muttered to himself, "To make both that woman and you value him so highly... he doesn't seem ordinary."
Jiang Mian walked outside and looked at the cloudless sky stretching for thousands of miles. The weather had turned cooler, the autumn air was crisp, and it was the perfect time to travel.
"Jiang Mian, how did it go?" Bibi Dong appeared before him and asked with concern, "Did they make things difficult for you?"
"The senior inside was quite kind." Jiang Mian laughed heartily. "Your Holiness needn't worry so much. After all, I get along well with people and am welcome wherever I go."
"Smooth talker." Bibi Dong reproached Jiang Mian in a coy manner, then took his hand. "I see you've already broken through to Rank 60. Are you preparing to obtain a soul ring?"
"That's right." Jiang Mian nodded. "Once I obtain my sixth soul ring, I should be able to add another powerful helper to Spirit Hall."
"Very good." Bibi Dong gently stroked Jiang Mian's cheek, her eyes overflowing with tender affection. "It's a pity that you've only just returned, yet you have to leave again."
"Once the realm is settled and there are no longer so many matters to deal with," Jiang Mian said deeply, "we'll spend our lives together, becoming an immortal couple like drifting clouds and wild cranes."
"A man's mouth is a liar's ghost." Looking at Jiang Mian, who was now nearly as tall as she was, Bibi Dong could not help but blush.
"I always keep my word." Jiang Mian smiled. Naturally, he did not dare get handsy with Bibi Dong in public, so he leaned close to her ear as though he were reporting something to her.
In truth, Jiang Mian secretly nibbled Bibi Dong's earlobe and took the chance to kiss her cheek.
"It's broad daylight." Bibi Dong took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed her emotions. Her expression turned serious as she said, "Jiang Mian, will you need help this time when you go obtain your sixth soul ring?"
"No." Jiang Mian shook his head. "Bear Lord accompanying me will be enough. Other than you and the one I just met, Spirit Hall has no other soul master capable of subduing the soul ring I intend to obtain."
Bibi Dong smiled. "Sometimes, I'm rather jealous of you. Why is it that every one of your soul rings is a rank higher than a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?"
"Don't talk nonsense." Jiang Mian laughed. "My first soul ring is still only at the hundred-thousand-year level for now."
"Get lost~"
"On it."
Jiang Mian ran to the room shared by Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena. He was quite polite, so he knocked first, but there was no response from within.
"Zhuqing, Sister Nana." Jiang Mian called out tentatively, but there was still no answer.
"Nana and Zhuqing got up early to train." Xie Yue suddenly appeared beside Jiang Mian and smiled. "What did Her Holiness the Pope say to you just now?"
Jiang Mian was startled by Xie Yue. With a sidestep, he pinned Xie Yue to the ground and laughed. "How are you getting more and more eerie? You're even pulling off teleportation now."
"I've been standing here since earlier. You just didn't notice me." Xie Yue laughed. "What, so lovestruck that you forgot everything else?"
"Want me to beat you?" Jiang Mian pulled Xie Yue back up and said helplessly, "Ever since you lost your sight, why have you become so mysterious too?"
"That's called being a master." Xie Yue brushed back his hair and asked with a smile, "What, preparing to leave again?"
"Nothing gets past you, does it?" Jiang Mian sighed and smiled. "You're practically a parasite in my stomach. Makes people love and hate you at the same time."
"How long are you leaving for?" Xie Yue asked again.
"Not sure. Maybe a month or two, or maybe half a year or even longer." Jiang Mian spread his hands.
"Nana and Zhuqing are training hard. Are you taking them with you again this time?" Xie Yue said.
What Xie Yue meant was obvious: stop dragging the two of them everywhere and delaying their cultivation.
"I know." Jiang Mian naturally realized that as well, which was why he had come this time to bid Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing farewell.
"They need to cultivate, but I don't." Xie Yue lightly punched Jiang Mian and laughed. "Take me with you. I might even be able to help."
"Even if you hadn't said so, I would've dragged you along." Jiang Mian chuckled. "The three of us are an inseparable iron triangle. Yan isn't here, so I can only pull you in."
"I gladly accept."
"Go call Bear Lord. Since Sister Nana and Zhuqing went training, I won't waste their time." Jiang Mian instructed, "We leave immediately."
"Alright, I'll prepare." Xie Yue said, "We'll meet at the gates of Spirit City."
"Fine." Jiang Mian answered and turned to head for the city gates.
"Looks like I'll have to trouble Di Tian." After thinking it over, Jiang Mian still felt he had to trouble Di Tian. After all, Di Tian had already arranged his sixth soul ring for him. It could not simply be put aside because the Silver Dragon King had awakened.
Besides, the quality of his first five soul rings was too high. By all rights, his sixth soul ring could not be too weak either. That made the Evil Emperor in the Evil Eye Forest of the Sun Moon Continent the best choice.
But if he wanted to take down the Evil Emperor, they would have to gang up on him. Though Di Tian could defeat the Evil Emperor, he could not completely subdue him. At present, the Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena was still recuperating and could not help Jiang Mian.
That meant Jiang Mian could only call a few more people and try to take down the Evil Emperor with sheer numbers. Competition was competition—nothing shameful about that.
He would call Di Tian, the Snow Empress, Bear Lord, Bi Ji, and the rest of the experts, while leaving King of Ten Thousand Demons and a few others behind to guard the Star Dou Great Forest. With that lineup, taking down the Evil Eye Tyrant Overlord should be more than enough.
"Who would've thought obtaining a sixth soul ring for me would require such a grand lineup?" Jiang Mian mocked himself. "Jiang Mian, you really have some face."
Jiang Mian had now reached Rank 60. Naturally, his speed was far beyond that of ordinary people, and he reached the gates of Spirit City in no time.
Thinking that he had not bid Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing farewell, Jiang Mian still felt quite guilty. But he was also afraid of delaying the two women's cultivation.
After all, he was heading far away, and as the saying went, parting was what moved the heart most. It was better to make a clean break.
Xie Yue and Bear Lord arrived only moments after Jiang Mian. Bear Lord laughed. "You were unconscious for a month, and you ran off again right after waking up. Anyone who didn't know better would think Spirit Hall was haunted."
"Isn't it haunted?" Jiang Mian pointed at Xie Yue beside Bear Lord and laughed. "This guy is like a ghost now, coming and going without a trace."
Bear Lord laughed heartily. "How are you planning to arrange this trip?"
"My sixth soul ring. We take down the Evil Emperor." Jiang Mian spoke an utterly shocking statement in an utterly calm tone.
For a moment, Bear Lord was dumbfounded. "The Evil Emperor? The Evil Eye Tyrant Overlord!"
"That's right." Jiang Mian nodded. "Di Tian planned it out for me long ago. For my sixth soul ring, I'll take the Evil Emperor."
"Damn!" Bear Lord immediately agreed. "This old bear is going all out. At worst, I'll go truly crazy with you, kid."
"What exactly is the Evil Emperor?" Xie Yue was somewhat confused. In his heart, even if his master was not the strongest in the world, she would still rank among the top handful. Why did Jiang Mian take this so-called Evil Emperor so seriously?
"There are still a few names in this world that can defeat the Evil Emperor." Bear Lord said. "But there probably isn't a single one who can kill the Evil Emperor."
That was indeed true. Soul beasts that had grown to the level of Bear Lord and Di Tian were not merely beyond hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in defense and attack; even their regenerative abilities were incomparable.
Their vitality was extraordinarily tenacious. Ordinary methods could never kill them completely. Even if they truly fought to the death, they would have to battle for days and nights before life and death could be decided.
Though Di Tian was the Beast God, if he wanted to take down the Evil Emperor, he would still need the resolve to injure the enemy by a thousand while suffering eight hundred himself.
"Kid, watch carefully and learn well. You are about to witness a battle unlike any seen in hundreds of thousands of years. This battle will surely be recorded in the annals of soul beast history for all ages."
If you enjoy this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.
Before you continue