New Journey: Sword-Cauldron Road

New Journey: Sword-Cauldron Road

Morning light over Heaven Dou City streamed through the lattice windows of Shrek Academy, falling upon the champion's trophy in Lin Che's hand. The Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone fragment at the rim glimmered with a Light Blue halo, trembling softly in his palm as though resonating deeply with his Soul Power. After three days of rest, the Cauldron Sword Team had finally recovered completely from the exhaustion of the finals and their counterattack. Everyone had undergone tremendous growth during this time, and now Lin Che was preparing to absorb the Soul Bone fragment and complete the Universe Cauldron's final evolution.

"Are you ready? The Soul Bone fragment's energy is extremely violent. I'll use the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda to stabilize your Soul Power." Ning Rongrong stood beside Lin Che, her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda already floating in the air. A pale purple halo of Stabilizing Amplification Enveloped his entire body. Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others stood around them, their eyes full of anticipation. They all knew that this Soul Bone fragment would not only increase Lin Che's strength, but also allow the Universe Cauldron to unlock new abilities, giving the team greater confidence in facing Spirit Hall.

Lin Che took a deep breath and poured his Soul Power into the trophy. The Soul Bone fragment detached from the cup's rim, Turned into a Light Blue streak of light, and slowly Merged Into his Dantian. In an instant, immense energy erupted within him like a surging river, battering his Meridians. Gritting his teeth, he Activated the Universe Cauldron. The cauldron Appeared from his Dantian, and beneath the Light Blue energy wrapping it, its originally Pale Golden body gradually took on a deep dark-golden hue. The inscription on its body changed from "Suppress Evil" to "Suppress Souls." Nourished by the energy, every pattern became clearer, Emitting a suffocating pressure.

"Ah—!" Lin Che let out a muffled groan, cold sweat covering his forehead. The Soul Bone fragment's energy was even more violent than he had imagined, and it was even beginning to backlash against him. Ning Rongrong immediately increased her Stabilizing Amplification. The pale purple halo was like a gentle hand, gradually guiding the rampaging energy into the Universe Cauldron. Tang San acted as well. Blue Silver Grass wrapped around Lin Che's wrist, its dark-green blades carrying the mild inner force of the Mysterious Heaven Skill as they helped suppress the energy raging through his body.

Half an Hour later, Lin Che finally absorbed all the energy from the Soul Bone fragment. The Universe Cauldron floated above his Head Top, its dark-golden body shimmering faintly. When its opening faced downward, it automatically Emitted an invisible force field that instantly suppressed and purified the lingering Sinister Soul Power In the Air—the residual effects brought back from the Netherworld Soul Devouring Array. A System Prompt rang out in his mind: [The Universe Cauldron has evolved into the "Soul Suppressing Cauldron." New ability unlocked: "Soul Suppressing Force Field." It can suppress Evil Soul Master Soul Power and deals 30% additional damage to sinister-attributed Martial Souls.]

"Success!" Dai Mubai shouted excitedly. He could clearly sense the pressure Emitted by the Soul Suppressing Cauldron, and even his own White Tiger Soul Power had become more condensed. "If we run into sinister Soul Masters like Ghost Douluo again, we won't have to fear them anymore!"

Lin Che put away the Soul Suppressing Cauldron, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. He looked toward Tang San, who stood in a corner of the courtyard testing the new properties of his Blue Silver Grass. Tempered through the practical battles of the finals and the counterattack, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had Completely Clear fused with resistance to Soul Corroding Poison. When the dark-green blades came into contact with Oscar's specially made "simulated poison," they were not corroded. Instead, they absorbed the poison and converted it into their own energy. The patterns on the blades had also become tougher, comparable to the hide of a ten-thousand-year soul beast.

"My Blue Silver Grass can now last for Half an Hour in poisonous mist without being corroded. It can also help everyone filter toxins from the air." Tang San handed a blade of Blue Silver Grass to Jiang Zhu. "Try activating it with your Poison and Heal Dual Ability. Maybe you can make an even stronger Detoxifying Spirit Liquid."

Jiang Zhu accepted the blade, surprise Flashed through her eyes. She poured her Soul Power into it, and the Seven-Colored Sacred Staff lit up at the same time. Green patterns merged with the blade's energy, actually condensing into a drop of pale-green liquid. She dripped it into the "simulated poison," and the toxin was instantly purified. Its effect was three times stronger than the previous Array Breaking Spirit Liquid. "Wonderful! With this Blue Silver Detoxifying Liquid, we'll be able to handle Spirit Hall's poison arrays easily in the future!"

On the other side of the courtyard, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were engaged in a sparring match. Under the influence of the Soul Suppressing Cauldron, the yang nature of Dai Mubai's White Tiger Soul Power had become purer, increasing the power of his White Tiger Light Splitting Wave by 20%. Ma Hongjun's Sun Flame True Fire could now burn continuously for Half an Hour without consuming too much Soul Power, and its temperature was higher than before. It could even scorch shallow marks into Dai Mubai's White Tiger Body Protection. Oscar was busy nearby, distributing freshly made All-Attribute Sausages to everyone. Enhanced by Blue Silver Grass, the sausages' duration had increased from ten minutes to a quarter of an hour.

Jiang Zhu's growth was the most surprising of all. After the explosive burst of Seven-Colored Spirit Healing: Nirvana during the finals, her Resurrection Mark could now cover the entire team. At that moment, she was planting marks on everyone—a tiny Seven-Colored Light Pattern silently Merged Into each person's wrist. As long as the holder suffered fatal damage, the pattern would automatically activate, restoring 30% of their Soul Power and Injuries, equivalent to gaining another life.

"All right, the last one." Jiang Zhu planted a mark on Oscar, a radiant smile appearing on her face. "Now our entire team has Resurrection Marks. Even if we encounter something even more dangerous, we'll still have a chance to strike back."

Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of their improved strength, the Communication Jade Talisman at Lin Che's waist suddenly grew hot. Gu Rong's phantom Appeared within the jade talisman, and the old Sect Master's expression was graver than ever before. "Little friend Lin, this is an emergency—Spirit Hall has gathered one hundred thousand Soul Masters in Spirit City, including five Titled Douluo. It looks like they're about to Launch the 'Soul Hunting Operation,' targeting the major Soul Master academies and sects that refuse to submit to Spirit Hall! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has received the news and is preparing to respond, but with our strength alone, I fear we won't be able to withstand Spirit Hall's assault."

"Soul Hunting Operation?" Tang San's expression instantly turned solemn. He recalled the clues he had seen on the Spirit Hall token. "They want to Completely Clear the opposition across the continent and fulfill their ambition of unifying the Soul Master world?"

"That's right." Gu Rong's phantom swayed slightly, showing that the communication was greatly Consumed. "Ning Fengzhi and I have discussed it. With the Cauldron Sword Team's current strength, staying in Heaven Dou City is too dangerous. Spirit Hall will certainly deal with you first. We suggest that you go to Sea God Island. It is the legendary holy land of Soul Masters, filled with countless opportunities. Perhaps it can raise your strength to another level. When you are strong enough, you can return and fight Spirit Hall."

"Sea God Island?" Ma Hongjun froze for a moment, curiosity filling his eyes. "I've heard the teachers mention it. It's in the sea region at the easternmost edge of the continent. Ordinary people can't find it at all, and there are many powerful soul beasts on the island, along with the mysterious Sea God Trial. They say that passing the trial grants a God-tier Inheritance!"

Gu Rong nodded. "That's right. Sea God Island is indeed dangerous, but it is the only place where you can grow stronger quickly in a short time. I have already had disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect prepare nautical charts and ships for your journey to Sea God Island. You must leave today. If you wait any longer, it will be too late—the Soul Hunting Operation will officially begin in three days, and Heaven Dou City will soon be surrounded by them."

The communication ended, and the jade talisman turned cold once more. The courtyard fell silent for a moment. Complex emotions appeared on everyone's faces—unease over the unknown journey, reluctance to leave Heaven Dou City, and determination to fight Spirit Hall.

"What do you all think?" Lin Che broke the silence, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Going to Sea God Island means leaving the familiar continent and facing unknown dangers. But if we stay in Heaven Dou City, we'll likely become the first target of Spirit Hall's Soul Hunting Operation. Not only will we be unable to protect ourselves, we may even drag the people of Heaven Dou City into this."

"I'm going!" Dai Mubai was the first to speak. His White Tiger Claw trembled faintly in his palm. "Rather than sit here waiting to die, we should take the initiative and seek opportunities! When we return from Sea God Island, we'll make Spirit Hall pay the price!"

"I'm going too!" Ma Hongjun followed immediately, his eyes filled with excitement. "A God-tier Inheritance! Just thinking about it is thrilling! And only by becoming stronger can we protect ourselves and our companions, and defeat Spirit Hall!"

Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Jiang Zhu nodded as well. They had long regarded the Cauldron Sword Team as family. No matter what decision Lin Che made, they would support it without hesitation. Finally, everyone's gaze Fell Onto Tang San.

Tang San took a deep breath and looked at Lin Che. The complexity in his eyes was gone, leaving only relief and determination. "I'm going. The team's future is more important than anything else. And only by becoming stronger can we truly protect everyone and stop Spirit Hall's schemes."

A gratified smile appeared on Lin Che's face. He walked to the center of the courtyard and raised the Azure Water Sword. The dark-golden Soul Suppressing Cauldron slowly rotated above his Head Top, its Soul Suppressing Force Field Enveloping everyone and bringing an inexplicable sense of reassurance. "Good! Since everyone agrees, then we will head to Sea God Island! Spirit Hall's threat remains, and the crisis of the Soul Hunting Operation is close at hand. But as long as we are Cauldron Sword United Heart and support one another, there will be no road we cannot walk and no difficulty we cannot overcome!"

He paused, and his voice grew even more impassioned, beating against everyone's hearts like war drums. "Today, we leave Heaven Dou City so that we may return stronger one day! When we come back from Sea God Island, it will be the day Spirit Hall falls! Our next destination—Sea God Island!"

"Sea God Island!" everyone shouted in unison. Their voices echoed through the courtyard of Shrek Academy and even carried into the streets of Heaven Dou City. The busy citizens heard the cries and looked toward the academy. When they learned that the Cauldron Sword Team was heading to Sea God Island to seek opportunities and oppose Spirit Hall, they gathered voluntarily at the academy gate, waving flags to see them off.

The seven members of the Cauldron Sword Team packed their luggage, carried simple Soul Tools on their backs, and walked out of Shrek Academy. The citizens at the gate made way for them, their eyes full of respect and anticipation. A white-haired old Soul Master Walked Forward and handed Lin Che a jade pendant engraved with the words "Safe Return." "Little friend, I brought this jade pendant back from Sea God Island in my youth. It can ward off evil spirits at sea. I hope it can help you."

Lin Che accepted the jade pendant and bowed solemnly. "Thank you. We will return safely and protect Heaven Dou City!"

The team slowly passed through the streets of Heaven Dou City. The citizens followed behind them, waving flags and chanting, "Cauldron Sword Must Win!" Sunlight fell upon them, coating the seven figures in a golden halo. Dai Mubai's White Tiger Claw had withdrawn its sharpness, yet he seemed even steadier; Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire had become a gentle flame dancing at his fingertips; Tang San's Blue Silver Grass quietly wrapped around his wrist, carrying his determination to protect; Oscar's sausage maker was filled with special sausages, ready at any time to replenish his companions' Soul Power; Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda glimmered with a soft halo, lighting the road ahead; Jiang Zhu's Seven-Colored Sacred Staff rested diagonally across her back, carrying the vitality of the entire team; Lin Che's Azure Water Sword and Soul Suppressing Cauldron wove together a dark-golden barrier, Protecting everyone within it.

When they reached the eastern gate of Heaven Dou City, Emperor Xue Beng and Ning Fengzhi were already waiting. Emperor Xue Beng handed Lin Che a golden token. "This is Heaven Dou City's Pass Token. With it, you can obtain the best ships and supplies at any port in the eastern part of the continent. Remember, Heaven Dou City will always be your support. When you return, we will fight Spirit Hall together!"

Ning Fengzhi also handed a nautical chart to Tang San. "This chart marks every route to Sea God Island and every dangerous area, as well as the contact points of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect at the eastern ports. If you encounter any trouble, you can contact us at any time."

Lin Che and Tang San accepted the token and chart, then bowed solemnly to the two men. Soon after, the seven boarded a carriage that had long been prepared and sped toward the eastern port. The carriage gradually disappeared into the morning light of Heaven Dou City, leaving behind only the cheers of the citizens and their expectant gazes.

Inside the carriage, Lin Che watched the scenery retreating beyond the window, tightly Gripping the "Safe Return" jade pendant. He knew that the journey to Sea God Island was filled with unknowns and danger. The difficulty of the Sea God Trial, storms at sea, and Spirit Hall's possible pursuit were all challenges they would have to face. But he was not afraid—he had the most dependable companions at his side, formidable strength, and the faith of Cauldron Sword United Heart.

Tang San looked at the nautical chart in his hands, his eyes filled with determination. He remembered how they had fought side by side in the finals, their seamless cooperation during the counterattack, and each person's growth and transformation. He knew that this new journey was not merely about becoming stronger. It was about protection—protecting his companions, protecting Heaven Dou City, and protecting peace throughout the Soul Master world.

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Jiang Zhu looked at one another, their eyes full of trust and anticipation. They knew that as long as the seven of them stood united, there would be no sea they could not cross, no island they could not reach, and no enemy they could not defeat.

The carriage left the bounds of Heaven Dou City and raced toward the eastern port. Heaven Dou City in the morning light gradually shrank, finally vanishing from sight. Ahead lay endless plains and sea, a new journey filled with the unknown and challenges.

The legend of the Cauldron Sword Team was far from over; the war against Spirit Hall had only just begun. And with sword as their edge, cauldron as their shield, and unity as their armor, they would write a new chapter of their own amid the storms of Sea God Island.