Bestowing an Immortal Herb, the Title Douluo Ceremony
"How have you and your mother been living all these years?"
Xia Yang asked, his mind filled with complex emotions.
Then, Ye Guyi slowly began to tell her story.
From as far back as she could remember, she often heard her mother mention the name "Xia Yang," but she had never actually met him.
Bibi Dong's life in the Spirit Hall has not been easy these past few years. Although she holds a high position, she is constantly suppressed by Qian Xunji in secret. The mother and daughter spend most of their time in seclusion.
She was diagnosed with extraordinary talent at a young age and cultivated her skills under her mother's strict guidance, which made her personality increasingly quiet and introverted.
It wasn't until a few days ago, when she heard that Xia Yang had returned, that she mustered up the courage to ask Qian Renxue to bring her to meet him.
Xia Yang listened quietly, his heart filled with a mixture of bitterness and guilt.
His gaze darkened as he heard about Bibi Dong's situation over the years.
"All these years, I have known nothing about you and your daughter... I am so sorry."
Xia Yang's voice was low and deep. Suddenly, he slammed his palm on the stone table beside him.
"All of this is Qian Xunji's fault!"
"Boom--"
The stone table shattered with a crack, turning into dust on the ground.
Ye Guyi trembled slightly, but she wasn't afraid. Instead, she sensed the suppressed concern in her father's reaction.
"How is your mother now? I heard she's in seclusion?"
Xia Yang calmed himself down and then pressed for more information.
"My mother is currently attempting to break through to the Soul Douluo realm; she shouldn't be out of seclusion for some time."
Ye Guyi answered softly.
Xia Yang nodded, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and took out a warm Jade Box from his Storage Soul Tool.
"The Guyi is for you."
"This is...?"
Ye Guyi took the Jade Box and opened it with curiosity.
The moment the lid was opened, a Qing Ya and rich fragrance wafted out, like a rare orchid suddenly blooming in a secluded valley.
The fragrance was refreshing and invigorating, clearing the mind and invigorating the spirit; even the originally stuffy air in the courtyard seemed to have been cleansed.
"This plant is called the ' Eight-Petaled Celestial Orchid,' a rare and precious medicinal herb."
Xia Yang explained, "Its medicinal properties are mild and mellow, making it most effective in strengthening the body's foundation and cleansing away impurities."
"After you take it, your cultivation speed should increase significantly."
"So precious..."
Ye Guyi was deeply moved as she looked at the crystal-clear, jade-like immortal Immortal Herb with its petals and stamens unfolding in the Jade Box.
"Take it now, and I will protect you."
Xia Yang said softly.
Ye Guyi did not hesitate at all when her father spoke. She immediately sat down on the ground in the courtyard and swallowed the Eight-Petaled Celestial Orchid.
The herbs melt in the mouth, transforming into a warm, moist current that flows into the limbs and bones.
She quickly focused her mind and circulated her Soul Power, guiding the Medicinal Power through a continuous cycle.
Xia Yang stood quietly to one side, his Soul Power faintly enveloping the courtyard, protecting him.
An hour later, Ye Guyi's aura gradually stabilized, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Her eyes sparkled, and her entire demeanor seemed to become more ethereal.
After a brief moment of sensing, a look of surprise and joy appeared on her face. She exclaimed happily, "Father, my Soul Power... has broken through to Level Forty!"
Originally at Level Thirty-Three, his Soul Power, thanks to the effects of the Immortal Herb and his own accumulation, actually broke through the bottleneck and reached the threshold of Soul Ancestor.
"Well!"
Xia Yang smiled broadly, feeling gratified.
Seeing his daughter's joyful expression, he couldn't help but think of Bibi Dong again, and asked softly, "Tell me more about your mother. What does she like to do in her spare time?"
"Has anyone made things difficult for her in the palace all these years?"
Ye Guyi nodded and began to explain in detail.
Xia Yang listened quietly, his gaze gentle, occasionally asking a question or two.
The father and daughter sat beside the ruins of a stone bench, asking and answering questions, with whispers and soft laughter occasionally drifting from the courtyard.
As the morning light grew warmer, it lengthened the two figures, as if trying to make up for the years that had been lost.
In the shadows of the distant palace, Qian Renxue had not truly left, but instead remained hidden behind a pillar, quietly observing the scene within the courtyard.
Seeing the rare relaxed smile on Ye Guyi's face, she also gently curved the corners of her mouth, then turned and quietly left, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of this reunion.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
The day of Xia Yang's Title Douluo Ceremony had finally arrived.
The sky was somewhat overcast that morning.
Thick, dark clouds hung low over Spirit City, as if they might press down at any moment.
"Looks like it's going to rain today."
Xia Yang stood in the side hall of the Douluo Hall and looked up at the sky.
"Haha, even the rain can't dampen the joy of Mister Xia's Title Douluo Ceremony."
Qian Xunji's voice came from beside him. He was dressed in the Pope robes today, with a solemn expression, but there was an imperceptible darkness hidden in his eyes.
By this time, the guests who came to watch the ceremony had begun to arrive.
Those who stand here today are all figures of great importance on the mainland.
They were all Titled Douluo.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect; Dugu Bo, the retainer of the Heaven Dou Empire; Huo Yun of the White Tiger Sect of the Star Luo Empire...
In addition, there were several Titled Douluo from the Spirit Hall itself, as well as a few lone-wolf Lone Cultivator Douluo.
The crowd, some standing and some standing, exuded a heavy, imposing aura, and an invisible pressure permeated the entire square.
Xia Yang glanced at the crowd below, thinking to himself, "The more the merrier."
"The more people who come, the less likely the Spirit Hall will dare to act rashly, and the more room there will be for his plan to be implemented today."
Soon, the auspicious time will arrive.
"The auspicious hour has arrived; the Title Douluo Ceremony shall officially begin!"
"Please welcome His Your Majesty the Pope!"
A bishop dressed in red proclaimed in a loud voice, his voice amplified by the Soul Power, resounding throughout the entire hall.
Qian Xunji walked slowly to the high platform in front of the Douluo Hall, faced the crowd, spread her arms, and solemnly said, "You are all gathered here today, and I presume you all know that this is the investiture ceremony for Mr. Xia Yang, the ruler of the Vast Sea Kingdom."
"Now, please welcome today's protagonist, Sea God Douluo!"
"Sea God Douluo?"
"To be given a title by a deity? What does that mean?"
"Could it be...?"
A murmur and discussion immediately arose from the audience.
The title of "God" is almost unprecedented in the history of the Douluo Continent, and its symbolic meaning is enough to stir the hearts of every powerful person present.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xia Yang slowly walked out from the side of the hall.
Today he is dressed in the special Offering Robes of Sea God Island, a combination of gold and blue, exuding both nobility and majesty.
Xia Yang walked steadily toward the high platform where Qian Xunji was.
As Xia Yang took a step, a vast and boundless Soul Power emanated from his body without reservation, spreading outwards in layers like an invisible tide.
"This is...?"
"The oppressive aura is directed directly at the Pope throne; interesting."
"It seems today's ceremony won't be peaceful."
The Titled Douluo present had such keen eyesight.
They immediately realized that the Soul Power released by Xia Yang was not a normal display, but rather carried a clear purpose.
It was close to Qian Xunji.