Soul Power Breakthrough, Direction for the Next Soul Ring? Zhu Zhuqing Arrives in Heaven Dou City

"Jian Jiu."

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 finest Weapon Martial Souls."

"However, what is too rigid breaks easily. I discussed this in my Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. You—"

Before he could finish.

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

Flender and Liu Erlong's expressions changed drastically. They had never expected Jian Jiu to attack the moment he spoke.

Liu Erlong reacted swiftly, flashing in front of Yu Xiaogang. Flames burst from her palm as she met the descending sword light.

Flames and sword qi collided violently.

A ring of airwaves exploded outward.

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

Yet a flicker of shock crossed Liu Erlong's eyes.

"What a sharp sword..."

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

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

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

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

Li Zhexian shook his head and snorted.

Was this man lecturing him about not looking down on the poor middle-aged?

He looked at Dugu Yan.

"Miss Dugu, please ask Senior Dugu to make a move."

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

Dugu Yan took out a Snake-Shaped Bone Whistle from her robes and made as if to blow it.

The Golden Iron Triangle's expressions changed dramatically.

The name Poison Douluo was renowned far and wide.

"Go!"

Flender immediately unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar, transforming into a Blue Owl with a wingspan of five meters.

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

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

Li Zhexian withdrew his gaze and asked Dugu Yan:

"I only said it casually. Can Miss Dugu really summon Senior Dugu?"

Dugu Yan tucked the bone whistle back into her pocket, the corner of her lips curling upward.

"I was only scaring those three."

At those words.

Xue Qinghe, Ye Lingling, and the members of the Imperial Dou Team all fell silent before breaking into laughter.

That night.

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

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

The Ye Family's tranquil estate, the Dugu Family's distinguished residence, even the Crown Prince's East Palace—each was a place ordinary people could only dream of.

However.

Li Zhexian declined every invitation.

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

He had always lived as he pleased.

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

Living in some vast manor would mean restrictions everywhere.

That would hardly be comfortable.

Thus.

That morning, he found another secluded little courtyard in the eastern outskirts of the Imperial City and settled in.

Hmm.

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

Creak—

The courtyard gate slowly opened.

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

At the base of the wall to the right stood a flourishing Plum Tree, its branches weighed down by abundant fruit, as though sweet juice would drip from them at any moment.

In the opposite corner stood a Four Seasons Plum in quiet bloom. As its name suggested, it bloomed regardless of heat or cold, fragrant all year round.

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

Looking at the three main rooms with their blue-brick walls and dark-tiled roofs.

Li Zhexian casually plucked a plum and tossed it into his mouth, nodding in satisfaction.

"Not bad. Very good."

"Saintess Your Highness truly handles things properly."

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

Li Zhexian did not feel sleepy in the slightest.

After washing up simply.

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

Then he strolled into the courtyard.

Twilight gathered on all sides.

Even the ground paved with Green Stone seemed soaked in the sweet scent of plums.

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

"The moonlight is perfect tonight..."

"Then let the sword dance!"

Li Zhexian lightly tapped the mottled moss on the stone steps with his toes, and his figure drifted into the center of the courtyard like flowing clouds.

The Azure Lotus Sword appeared soundlessly in his hand.

In an instant!

Before anyone could see him move.

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

His Sword Momentum flowed, his body swift as a startled swan.

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

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

Beads of sweat slid down his cheeks.

Before they could fall to the ground, the fierce sword qi swirling around him vaporized them into a mist.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

The more Li Zhexian danced, the more exhilarated he became.

Amid the whirling sword shadows.

The chilling killing intent drifting around him.

Was tempered away, restrained, and finally gathered into the three-foot-six-inch blade.

His sword became increasingly smooth and unhindered.

"A sword may be an instrument of slaughter, but it must also be honed constantly."

"Only by repeatedly practicing sword techniques and forms can one conceal killing intent within the unseen and truly understand the sword within one's heart."

Li Zhexian swept his long sword sideways.

Sword qi lifted the pink plum petals piled upon the ground.

At once, fallen blossoms danced through the air like a dreamlike rain of rouge.

At the very instant his Sword Momentum reached its peak.

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

Soul Power far more abundant than before erupted with a boom, surging outward.

It happened as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

Soul Power—Level 30!

Li Zhexian sheathed his sword and stood still, tilting back his head to take a great gulp of wine.

His eyes were bright as cold stars as he leisurely sat on a stone bench beneath the plum tree.

"Level 30..."

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

Li Zhexian pondered the direction of his Third Soul Ring.

Originally, he had planned out a detailed Soul Ring combination route for himself.

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 a weakness in my defense?"

"But defense..."

"Ultimately conflicts with the path of ultimate offense in the sword."

"I have quite a few sword techniques, and the Azure Lotus Sword Song has yet to reach completion. Perhaps I should seek a Spirit Skill that enhances my sword's might?"

"Ah, forget it. When I reach the Star Dou Forest, I'll see which Spirit Beast has an affinity with my sword."

"Hmm, I'd better invite a friend to come along."

The next day.

Li Zhexian arranged to purchase necessities for the courtyard with Xue Qinghe.

Pufferfish and Snake Lance swept their sharp gazes over Li Zhexian, exclaiming in surprise:

"You... reached Level 30?"

Li Zhexian smiled and nodded.

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

Li Zhexian always liked drinking in the courtyard. The cold stone bench and table were both chilly and uncomfortable, so they needed to be replaced with a better set.

She asked softly:

"Do you have a direction for your Third Soul Ring?"

Li Zhexian smiled.

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

"I'll see when I reach the Star Dou Forest."

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

"Do you need me to send royal Spirit Masters with you?"

"No need."

Li Zhexian waved his hand.

"With outsiders accompanying me, I'd feel restrained instead."

"Very well."

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

Once they had bought everything they needed.

The two walked side by side toward the eastern outskirts of the Imperial City.

Yet Li Zhexian did not notice.

Within the crowd, a travel-worn, lovely figure stared at him excitedly, tears faintly glimmering in her eyes...

There will be another chapter before nine thirty tonight...

Thank you, dear readers...