Soul Power Breakthrough, Direction for the Next Soul Ring? Zhu Zhuqing Arrives

"Sword Wine."

Yu Xiaogang's eyes gleamed.

"You chose that title, so your Martial Soul must be a sword."

"The sword is the sovereign of all weapons, one of the top-tier Weapon Spirits."

"However, what is too rigid is easily broken. My Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul discusses this. You..."

Before he could finish.

A dazzling sword light tore through the night, shooting straight for Yu Xiaogang's throat.

Flender and Liu Erlong's expressions changed drastically. They had never expected Sword Wine to attack without warning.

Liu Erlong reacted swiftly, flashing in front of Yu Xiaogang as blazing flames erupted from her palm to meet the descending sword light.

Flames and sword qi collided violently.

A ring of air blasted outward.

In the end, the sword light was swallowed by the blazing flames.

Yet a trace of shock flashed through Liu Erlong's eyes.

"What a sharp sword..."

Yu Xiaogang's face went pale. He stood frozen for a long moment before gritting out:

"Sword Wine, the gap between Spirit Masters has yet to widen in the first two rings!"

"When the Spirit Master Competition begins in half a year, you'll see genius Spirit Masters stronger than you!"

"And these genius Spirit Masters will all come from Shrek!"

Li Zhixian shook his head with a scornful laugh.

Was he really preaching to him about not looking down on a poor middle-aged man?

He looked toward Dugu Yan.

"Sister Dugu, please ask Elder Dugu to make a move."

"Gladly. I've disliked those three for a while now."

Dugu Yan drew a snake-shaped bone whistle from her robes and made as if to blow it.

The Golden Iron Triangle's expressions changed drastically.

The name Poison Douluo was thunderous indeed.

"Go!"

Flender immediately unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar, transforming into a blue owl with a five-meter wingspan.

Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang carried the bed onto the owl's back.

A blue shadow flashed away, and the three vanished into the night.

Li Zhixian withdrew his gaze and asked Dugu Yan:

"I only said it casually. Can Sister Dugu really summon Elder Dugu?"

Dugu Yan tucked the bone whistle back into her pocket, her lips curling slightly.

"I was just scaring those three."

At those words.

Xue Qinghe, Ye Lingling, and the rest of the Imperial Dou Team could not help but laugh.

That night.

Everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest, only dispersing at midnight.

It was worth mentioning that, because Li Zhixian's former residence had been destroyed, everyone warmly invited him to stay at their homes for the time being.

The Ye Family's tranquil residence, the Dugu Family's deep foundations, even the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace—every one of them was a place ordinary people could only dream of.

However.

Li Zhixian declined them all.

Those grand residences were filled with servants and bound by strict rules.

He had always lived freely.

Whenever the mood struck, he might drink beneath the moon and dance with his sword, or stroll in the rain and listen to the wind.

Living in some deep manor would leave him constrained at every turn.

It was hardly comfortable.

Thus.

That very morning, he had found a secluded little courtyard on the eastern outskirts of the imperial city and settled in.

Hmm.

Li Zhixian refused to believe there could be a second Zhao Wuji in this world who wanted to kill him!

Creak—

The courtyard gate opened gently.

Under the hazy moonlight, an elegant courtyard came into view.

At the base of the right wall stood a lush plum tree, its branches bowed beneath clusters of ripe fruit, as though sweet juice might drip from them at any moment.

In the opposite corner, a Winter Plum Blossom was quietly blooming. True to its name, it flowered regardless of heat or cold, its fragrance ever-present.

The crisp scent of plum blossoms mingled with the rich fragrance of fruit throughout the courtyard.

Gazing at the three main rooms of blue bricks and dark tiles.

Li Zhixian casually plucked a plum, tossed it into his mouth, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad. Very good."

"The Saintess truly handles things properly."

Perhaps he had slept too much during those two days in the bird's nest.

For some reason, Li Zhixian did not feel sleepy at all.

After washing up simply.

He changed into a loose, plain robe, its collar slightly open.

Then he strolled into the courtyard.

Dusk had fully settled.

Even the flagstones seemed steeped in the sweet fragrance of plums.

"Ever since comprehending the Azure Lotus Sword Song, I've only used it in battle. I've never danced for the clear wind and bright moon."

"The moonlight is perfect tonight..."

"Dance with the sword!"

Li Zhixian lightly tapped the mottled moss on the stone steps with the tip of his foot, and his figure drifted into the center of the courtyard like a floating cloud.

The Azure Lotus Sword silently appeared in his hand.

In an instant!

Before anyone could see him move.

Chilling sword qi poured down like a torrential rain, instantly enveloping the hundred-square-meter courtyard.

His sword intent flowed, his body as graceful as a startled swan.

At times, he drew down a wisp of starlight from the nine heavens; at others, he unleashed dazzling sword light where ice and fire intertwined.

The blade tore through the air with a faint, piercing hiss, startling the bronze bells beneath the eaves into ringing.

Beads of sweat slid down his cheeks.

Before they could fall, the fierce sword qi swirling around him evaporated them into a misty haze.

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

The longer Li Zhixian danced, the more exhilarated he became.

Amid the whirling Sword Shadows.

The chilling killing intent drifting around him.

Was all tempered, drawn in, and finally returned to the three-foot-six-inch blade.

His sword became ever more seamless and unrestrained.

"A sword may be an instrument of slaughter, but it must be honed at all times."

"Only by constantly practicing its moves and forms can one conceal killing intent within the unseen and truly hold the sword in one's heart."

Li Zhixian swept his sword across.

Sword qi lifted the accumulated pink plum petals from the ground.

At once, fallen blossoms scattered everywhere, like a dreamlike rain of rouge.

At the very moment his sword intent reached its peak.

A crisp sound like cracking ice seemed to ring out from within Li Zhixian's body.

Soul Power far more robust than before erupted with a roar, surging outward.

It happened as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

Soul Power—Level Thirty!

Li Zhixian sheathed his sword and stood still, then tipped back his head and took a huge gulp of wine.

His eyes shone clear as cold stars as he leisurely sat upon the stone bench beneath the plum tree.

"Level Thirty..."

"It's time to hunt for a new Soul Ring."

Li Zhixian considered the direction of his third Soul Ring.

Originally, he had planned out a detailed route for his Soul Ring combinations.

But his first two Soul Rings had both been thousand-year rings, completely overturning that plan.

"My battle with Zhao Wuji..."

"Seems to have exposed my weakness in defense?"

"But defense..."

"Ultimately conflicts with the sword's path of ultimate offense."

"I have quite a few sword moves, and the Azure Lotus Sword Song has yet to reach mastery. Perhaps I should seek a soul skill that enhances the sword's might?"

"Ah, forget it. When I get to Star Dou Forest, I'll see which soul beast has an affinity with my sword."

"Mm, it would be best to invite a friend along."

The next day.

Li Zhixian arranged to purchase supplies for the courtyard with Xue Qinghe.

Pufferfish and Snake Lance swept their sharp gazes over Li Zhixian, then cried out in surprise:

"You... reached Level Thirty?"

Li Zhixian smiled and nodded.

Xue Qinghe ran her fingers over an antique sandalwood wine table before her.

Li Zhixian loved drinking in the courtyard, but the cold stone benches and tables were both chilly and uncomfortable. They needed to be replaced with a good set.

She asked softly:

"Have you decided on a direction for your third Soul Ring?"

Li Zhixian smiled.

"Having a direction doesn't mean things will go as planned."

"We'll see when we get to Star Dou Forest."

Xue Qinghe paid for the sandalwood wine table, then added:

"Do you need me to have royal Spirit Masters accompany you?"

"No need."

Li Zhixian waved a hand.

"I'd feel restrained with outsiders along."

"Very well."

Xue Qinghe said no more, knowing that Li Zhixian had his own plans.

After purchasing everything they needed.

The two walked side by side toward the eastern outskirts of the imperial city.

Yet Li Zhixian did not notice.

Within the crowd, a travel-worn, beautiful figure gazed at him with excitement, tears faintly glimmering in her eyes...

There will be another chapter before 9:30 tonight...

Thank you, dear readers...