Upon hearing this, Xue Tianxing nodded.
"Alright, we'll do as Senior says. I'll go find Grandpa Liu now. Once you've finished hunting the Soul Rings, I'll wait for you in Barak City."
Oscar hurriedly added:
"Don't worry, Tianxing. Once we reach Barak City, we'll cultivate together again!"
Dugu Yan also waved at Xue Tianxing.
"Tianxing, little brother, we'll get in touch once we reach Barak City!"
Xue Tianxing agreed with a smile, then turned and headed out of the manor—as a level 40 Soul Ancestor, with his fourth Soul Ring soon to be acquired, his strength was about to undergo another leap. His future would surely be even more brilliant.
After bidding farewell to Dugu Bo and the others, Xue Tianxing quickly left Dugu Manor and headed straight out of Heaven Dou City along its streets.
Along the way, he could clearly feel the surging level 40 Soul Power within him, and even his steps felt much lighter.
Before long, he arrived at the woods outside Heaven Dou City. The moment he entered, he saw Liu Tianfeng anxiously pacing across an open patch of ground. The Frosty Cold Wind Sword was stuck at an angle in the dirt beside him, and he had clearly been waiting for a long time.
"Grandpa Liu!"
Xue Tianxing called out with a smile.
Liu Tianfeng whipped around. When he saw Xue Tianxing, the anxiety on his face was instantly replaced by delight. He hurried over and said:
"Tianxing! You're finally out! Nothing happened to you during those three days in Old Poison's manor, did it? I've been wandering outside every day. I could sense your aura, but I didn't dare barge in. I was worried sick!"
As he spoke, he looked Xue Tianxing over from head to toe, afraid that he might have been injured somewhere.
"I'm fine, Grandpa Liu. Sorry for making you worry."
Xue Tianxing waved his hand with a smile.
"I absorbed an Immortal Herb fruit I got from the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, so it took me three days. Look, I've already broken through to level 40 Soul Ancestor!"
As he spoke, he circulated his Soul Power. A faint icy-blue glow rose around him, and the aura of a level 40 Soul Ancestor was fully revealed.
Liu Tianfeng's eyes lit up. He immediately stepped forward and grabbed Xue Tianxing's arm, sending his senses into his body to inspect him—his Soul Power was dense and refined. He truly was at level 40, without the slightest hint of instability.
Overjoyed, he patted Xue Tianxing on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
"Good! Excellent! Tianxing, you've done amazingly! Becoming a Soul Ancestor before the age of eight—at this rate, you'll definitely break Tang Hao's record as the youngest Titled Douluo! Our Balak Kingdom is finally going to produce a true genius!"
Once his excitement subsided, Liu Tianfeng noticed that Oscar was nowhere beside Xue Tianxing. He had been so worried about Xue Tianxing's safety that he had completely forgotten about Oscar.
His smile immediately faded as he asked nervously:
"Right, Tianxing, where's that boy Oscar? Why didn't he come out with you? Did something happen to him in Dugu Manor?"
"Don't worry, Grandpa Liu. Oscar is doing great."
Xue Tianxing explained with a smile.
"He's practically become Senior Dugu Bo's future grandson-in-law! Dugu Yan and he are in love, and she even said she wanted to follow him back to Barak Academy to study. Oscar is currently accompanying Senior Dugu Bo to help Sister Dugu Yan hunt her third Soul Ring. Once they're done, they'll come to Balak Kingdom to find us."
Liu Tianfeng was stunned at first, then suddenly understood. Soon after, he sighed regretfully.
"So that's how it is... Still, it's rather a pity. If you could become Dugu Bo's grandson-in-law, wouldn't our Balak Kingdom be able to win over a Titled Douluo directly? That would be an enormous boost to our kingdom's strength."
Xue Tianxing quickly waved his hands, his tone earnest.
"Grandpa Liu, you can't say things like that carelessly. I really don't feel that way about Dugu Yan, and she and Oscar are doing well together now. I can't just interfere between them.
Besides, although Dugu Yan is pretty, she isn't so stunning that I'd be dazzled by her. I don't want matters like this to delay my cultivation."
That was the truth. Whether in the anime from his previous life or in person in this life, Dugu Yan had only ever been a pretty girl, not his type. Besides, he disdained using such methods to win over powerful allies.
Seeing how firm his attitude was, Liu Tianfeng smiled.
"Alright, alright, Grandpa Liu won't say any more. It was Grandpa who failed to consider things properly. It's mainly because Old Poison, Dugu Bo, is simply too powerful. If we could bring him over to our side, Balak Kingdom's position on the Douluo Continent would definitely become more secure."
"Don't worry, Grandpa Liu. There will definitely be an opportunity."
Xue Tianxing said confidently.
"Now that Oscar and Dugu Yan are together, and Dugu Yan is willing to come to Barak Academy, this is the best opening. Once they arrive in Balak Kingdom, we can invite Senior Dugu Bo over more often and show him our kingdom's sincerity and strength. I believe it won't be long before he is willing to join Balak Kingdom."
As Liu Tianfeng listened to Xue Tianxing, the regret in his heart gradually faded, replaced by complete confidence.
He nodded and patted Xue Tianxing on the shoulder.
"Good! We'll do as you say! Now that you've broken through to level 40, the most urgent thing is to find a suitable fourth Soul Ring. Come, Grandpa will take you deep into the Land of the Extreme North and find the Soul Ring best suited to your Ice Phoenix Spirit!"
Yet upon hearing Liu Tianfeng's words, Xue Tianxing shook his head, his tone certain.
"Grandpa Liu, there's no rush to hunt a Soul Ring. Let's return to Balak Kingdom first."
Liu Tianfeng froze, his face filled with confusion.
"How can that work? You've just broken through to level 40. This is the best time to absorb a Soul Ring. The sooner you acquire a suitable third Soul Ring, the sooner you can continue cultivating!"
In Liu Tianfeng's eyes, a Soul Master's growth could not afford even the slightest delay. Especially for a genius like Xue Tianxing, every step had to be taken at precisely the right time.
"Grandpa Liu, have you forgotten what I told you before?"
Xue Tianxing reminded him with a smile.
"Immortal Herbs can transform a Soul Master's potential—you've been stuck at Level 89 for so long. If you absorb a suitable Immortal Herb, you may be able to break through directly to Level 90 and become a Titled Douluo! Let's return first. You can refine the Immortal Herb and make your breakthrough. By the time you become a Titled Douluo, Senior Dugu Bo should have brought Oscar and Dugu Yan to Barak City as well. Then we can ask him to help you hunt the most suitable ninth Soul Ring. Wouldn't that be even better?"
The instant the words "Titled Douluo" left his mouth, Liu Tianfeng's eyes lit up. His previous urgency vanished completely as he grabbed Xue Tianxing's arm.
"Right! Right! We'll go back and break through first! This old man has waited decades for this day—I can't miss it again!"
As he spoke, the Frosty Cold Wind Sword appeared beneath his feet. Before Xue Tianxing could react, Liu Tianfeng carried him away in a streak of light, speeding toward Balak Kingdom.
Before you continue