Huangfu Ji's Thoughts

For twelve years, he had never left the Qingyang Duchy.

Taking this opportunity, he could finally leave, venture out, and see the world beyond.

Of course, those were all secondary. The most important thing was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Since his rebirth timeline had shifted forward by several decades, he had absolutely no reason to give up that place.

"Didn't we agree to attend the Intermediate Soul Master Academy together?" Liu Erlong pressed her lips together, her eyes full of reluctance.

She wanted to object, yet she did not know how. Was she supposed to oppose Huangfu Ji receiving a better education? That was impossible.

Huangfu Ji looked at Liu Erlong, his eyes carrying a different sort of emotion.

"I have to go out and see the world eventually. But don't worry, it's not like I won't come back."

"In a few years, I'll return to the duchy."

"How many years?" Liu Erlong asked, the same unspoken emotion in her voice.

Huangfu Ji gave it some thought.

"Within ten years."

By his estimate, within ten years, he would certainly grow strong enough to wipe out Yuan Hao's faction. As long as he cultivated diligently and supplemented it with heavenly treasures, ten years from now, even if he was not a Soul Saint, he would at least be a Soul Emperor.

By then, he could recruit some powerful Soul Master talents, such as Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo was still a Free Soul Master at present, so recruiting him would not be difficult. He only needed to cure his poison.

Tang San had cured his poison, and Dugu Bo had then been willing to directly oppose Spirit Hall for Tang San. It was clear that Dugu Bo was someone who repaid kindness, valued loyalty, and kept his word.

Judging by the timing, Dugu Bo's son had to still be alive. Once he found Dugu Bo, he could cure his son's poison as well. He refused to believe Dugu Bo would not follow him then.

Dugu Bo was not particularly impressive in a one-on-one fight, but he was ferocious in group battles.

Moreover, although the Titled Douluo of the continent all belonged to their respective factions, there were also some who were unwilling to join any force and instead chose to become Free Soul Masters, living in seclusion amid the mountains and wilderness.

Those Soul Masters could all be recruited.

He would keep some of the herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, while others could be used to recruit talent. That place contained far more than just immortal-grade medicinal herbs.

Using those herbs to recruit Soul Douluo or Titled Douluo without affiliations would be an absolute steal. Every Soul Douluo wanted to break through to become a Titled Douluo, but how could that be easy? Countless Soul Douluo-level Soul Masters were stuck at rank eighty-nine, unable to advance.

If he appeared at that time and helped them break through to rank ninety, then if they still refused to serve him, would that not make them ungrateful?

If word got out, that person's reputation across the continent would be completely ruined.

Aside from Soul Masters, he also needed to seek out talents in civil administration and military affairs. If he reclaimed power in the future, he would need people to govern the country.

The only person in the Loyalty Faction connected to the military was Zhao Yuan's father, Zhao Gu. However, he was no longer in the army. Yuan Hao had assigned him an idle post—he had the title, but no authority.

That was the Loyalty Faction's current situation. They held virtually no power.

It was no longer realistic to search for talent within the duchy. Most capable people had already sided with Yuan Hao, so he could only look outside.

The Heaven Dou Empire was so vast; there would always be overlooked talents. Besides, in this era, nobles controlled the major positions, and commoners had few paths upward. In the end, it was because commoners found it difficult to become Soul Masters.

No matter how talented someone was, if they were not a Soul Master, it was all meaningless.

The empire's marshal was a Soul Douluo-level Soul Master, while the empire's chancellor was also a Soul Saint-level expert.

All of the empire's senior officers were Soul Masters, and even most mid-ranking officers were Soul Masters.

For commoners, there was no other way to change their fate besides becoming Soul Masters.

His plan was to recruit these people. He could not change the entire continent, so he would change the duchy instead. He would draw in the frustrated talents among the commoners. When the time came, he would provide them with a platform, and they would gather tightly around him, following his lead alone.

The moment she heard "within ten years," Liu Erlong became anxious.

Ten years... If Huangfu Ji did not return until ten years later, she would already be twenty-two by then.

Without further thought, she made a decision.

"I'll go with you."

However, Huangfu Ji was not as pleased as she had expected. Instead, he rejected her outright.

"You can't come with me."

"Why?" Liu Erlong asked in confusion.

"Is it because I wasn't born a noble?"

Huangfu Ji shook his head. "It's not because of that."

"It's because this journey is full of uncertainties. I am Grand Duke Qingyang. While that identity grants me many privileges, it also puts me in danger."

"Especially since I am a Grand Duke Qingyang without any power."

"I can't stand in the middle of the storm myself and drag you into it as well."

"You should understand what I'm facing."

Liu Erlong stood up. "Of course I understand. I can face it with you."

"You need help. I can be your helper. I won't hold you back. My talent is good, and I can become a powerful Soul Master in the future."

"You and I spent years studying Martial Soul Fusion Skills, and we finally succeeded. Yet now you're leaving me."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, tears welling in their corners.

Zhao Yuan sat there, not daring to say a word. He licked his slightly dry lips, wishing he could leave immediately, but afraid of disturbing the two of them.

Huangfu Ji explained, "You'll be safer away from me. After all, I can't guarantee that Yuan Hao won't make a move against me outside the Duchy after I leave."

"We're both still too weak. I can't put you in danger."

"Since you know that, shouldn't we join forces even more?" Liu Erlong shouted.

Huangfu Ji pursed his lips and sighed helplessly.

"Fine. You can come with me."

Having gained his approval, Liu Erlong's expression immediately brightened, a radiant smile spreading across her face. At that moment, she was like a female general who had won a battle.

The years they had spent together had made her dependent on Huangfu Ji. She did not want to leave him.

But Huangfu Ji's next words instantly wiped the smile from her face.

"If you leave with me, what about Aunt?"

"Her health is poor. Can you persuade Aunt to leave with you?"

Liu Erlong had no answer. Her mother was in poor health and could not endure a long journey. Besides, she was unwilling to return to Heaven Dou City, because that was where they had come from.

Although she was confident she could persuade her mother, she did not want to. She did not want her mother to burden her sick body for her sake again.

Huangfu Ji stood and walked over to Liu Erlong, gently patting her shoulder.

"Coming with me doesn't necessarily mean helping me."

"Can't you help me just as well by staying here?"

Liu Erlong looked up at him in confusion.

Huangfu Ji continued gently, "The stronger you become, the more confidence I'll have in the future."

"Your strength is the greatest help you can give me."

"You don't want me to grow powerful in the future while you're still weak, do you?"

"By then, Zhao Yuan and I will be facing powerful enemies together, while you can only stand behind us."

The moment she heard that, Liu Erlong became anxious. What she hated most was being told she was incapable.

"How could I, Liu Erlong, be weak?"

"That's simply alarmist nonsense."

"I might not be able to compare to you, but am I really worse than Zhao Xiaopang?"

"Huh?" Zhao Yuan, who had been watching from the sidelines, was completely dumbfounded.

Zhao Xiaopang? When had he gained such a nickname?

"Why did you give me the nickname Zhao Xiaopang?" he asked unhappily, spreading his hands.

"Hm? You have a problem with that?" Liu Erlong shot him a sidelong glance, her tone carrying a hint of threat.

"N-No. As long as you're happy."

Zhao Yuan immediately backed down. There was nothing he could do—he simply could not beat this Female Tyrannosaurus.