Secret Room Douluo, Qian Xunji

Chrysanthemum Douluo pondered for a moment, then added, "However, your concerns are not without merit."

"After all, it is easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark..."

"How about this? I'll transfer you from Xiling Harbor and appoint you as Vice Bishop in Precious Sword City."

He looked at the three of them, their faces bright with delight, and explained, "Precious Sword City lies right beside Spirit City. It is a vital territory directly under Martial Soul Hall's jurisdiction, and the Heaven Dou Empire's forces will never be able to infiltrate it."

"There, you can rest easy."

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for your thorough consideration."

Xia Shi and Huo Yang thanked him in unison.

"Oh, right. There's one more matter."

As though he had suddenly remembered something, Chrysanthemum Douluo lightly slapped his forehead and said, "Your Majesty the Pope greatly appreciates your contribution regarding the Whale Rubber matter. Therefore, Xia Yang has been specially approved to enter Martial Soul Hall's Advanced Soul Master Academy for further study."

The news filled Xia Yang with wild joy.

Ever since absorbing his Second Soul Ring, he had longed to enter a more advanced academy for systematic study.

Martial Soul Academy housed a treasury of Soul Master knowledge accumulated over ten thousand years. It was precisely what he needed most right now.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Pope! Thank you, Chrysanthemum Douluo!"

Xia Yang forcibly suppressed his excitement and bowed respectfully.

Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded in satisfaction. "Hurry up and pack your things, then hand over your duties."

"In three days, leave with me."

That night, Chrysanthemum Douluo stayed at the Xia Family residence.

Xia Shi began dealing with the Xia Family's businesses in Xiling Harbor, while Huo Yang hurried overnight to the Martial Soul Branch Hall to arrange the transfer of duties.

Xia Yang returned to his room and lay on his bed, but sleep would not come.

Outside the window, the Sea Breeze still blew gently. Yet he knew that three days later, his life would enter a brand-new chapter.

"Martial Soul Hall's ten-thousand-year collection of books, the crystallized wisdom of countless Soul Master predecessors..."

"I'm coming!"

Three days later, Xia Yang's family followed Chrysanthemum Douluo onto the road to Spirit City.

Since none of the three members of Xia Yang's family could fly, the entire group's pace could not be very fast.

After stopping and starting along the way for roughly ten days, the four of them finally arrived at the midpoint of their journey—Precious Sword City.

The city lay northwest of Spirit City.

Precious Sword City was not far from Spirit City. Riding at full gallop, one could arrive in less than three days.

The moment they entered the city, they could feel an atmosphere entirely different from that of Xiling Harbor.

Because it stood close to the Star Dou Great Forest, Soul Hunting Squads and Mercenary Groups could be seen everywhere in the city, with crowds constantly coming and going in a flourishing scene.

After arriving in Precious Sword City, Chrysanthemum Douluo took Huo Yang to the local Martial Soul Branch Hall to handle the transfer of duties.

From then on, Huo Yang would serve as the Vice Bishop there.

Xia Yang's father, Xia Shi, busied himself searching the city for suitable property, preparing for the family to settle there permanently.

After making the rounds, Xia Shi saw that most of the people on the streets possessed considerable Soul Power, while the shops carried every kind of weapon and potion. He could not help but entertain the idea of forming a Mercenary Group there.

As for Xia Yang, he accompanied his father around the city several times.

What reassured Xia Yang was that Precious Sword City was not only extremely close to Spirit City, but was also territory directly governed by Martial Soul Hall.

Here, the Heaven Dou Empire's official forces had no room to interfere. Martial Soul Hall controlled all order, naturally providing his parents' safety with another layer of protection.

This made Xia Yang breathe a sigh of relief. With his parents living here, he would no longer have to worry about them suffering retaliation from Heaven Dou nobles.

The next day, Xia Yang bid farewell to his parents and continued on with Chrysanthemum Douluo, heading to Martial Soul Academy in Spirit City to study.

"Yang'er, when you're out there alone, make sure to Take Care Of yourself. I prepared some Gold Soul Coins for you—take them."

His mother saw him off at the City Wall, her eyes full of reluctance. Then she handed Xia Yang a large bag of Gold Soul Coins.

"Son, the Cultivation Path is long. You must work hard and cultivate diligently."

His father, Xia Shi, patted his shoulder, his tone solemn.

"I understand, Dad, Mom. You two should take care of yourselves too."

Xia Yang accepted the Gold Soul Coins and bid farewell to his parents.

Then Chrysanthemum Douluo took Xia Yang into the air.

In the blink of an eye, Precious Sword City was left far behind them.

With two fewer people traveling with him, Chrysanthemum Douluo could fly at full strength, making him several times faster than before.

In less than half a day, the two of them reached the final destination of their journey—Spirit City.

The sight before Xia Yang left him utterly stunned.

Spirit City was a perfect hexagon overall. Its towering City Walls stood eighty meters high and were a full thirty meters thick.

The entire city looked majestic and imposing.

Martial Soul Hall Knights in bright silver armor could be seen patrolling and standing guard everywhere, atop the city gate and throughout the streets. Order was strict.

The entire city had been built along the mountainside, bordering the Star Dou Great Forest. It even encompassed an entire small mountain, forming a unique layout where mountain and city merged as one.

Hovering in midair and looking down upon this holy land in the hearts of Soul Masters, Xia Yang could not help murmuring, "How spectacular..."

"Hahaha, kid, this is Spirit City—the sacred land coveted by all Soul Masters across the continent."

Chrysanthemum Douluo laughed heartily, his tone brimming with pride.

Before his words had faded, Chrysanthemum Douluo spurred his Soul Power, abruptly accelerating as he flew straight toward the Papal Palace at the city's highest point with Xia Yang in tow.

In just a few breaths, the two people had landed on the broad plaza before the Papal Palace.

The plaza had been built atop the mountain. From here, the entire layout of Spirit City could be taken in at a glance.

Below lay orderly streets and rows upon rows of buildings, with the vague outline of the forest in the distance. Everything was meticulously arranged, grand and magnificent.

Behind them, the Papal Palace stood in even greater splendor, resplendent in gold and jade, solemn and sacred.

A surge of heroic ambition rose within Xia Yang's chest—a true man should be like this!

"Young Yang, what are you staring blankly for? Hurry up and follow. You're about to meet Your Holiness the Pope."

Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice jolted him from his turbulent emotions.

Xia Yang came back to his senses and saw Chrysanthemum Douluo already walking up the Stone Steps toward the palace gates. He hurriedly quickened his pace to follow.

Along the way, every Martial Soul Hall member they encountered either bowed respectfully to Chrysanthemum Douluo or nodded in greeting.

Xia Yang quietly observed them, and he could not help recalling that Chrysanthemum Douluo had been quite knowledgeable about immortal herbs in the Original Work.

Thus, a thought quietly surfaced in his mind: Chrysanthemum Douluo might be a good choice of target.

As he pondered, the two had already passed through two enormous carved palace doors and entered the Papal Palace.

Upon the High Platform in the depths of the grand hall sat a middle-aged man clad in magnificent golden robes, wearing a crown and holding a scepter. Even without anger, he radiated authority.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope. Yue Guan has carried out his orders and brought Xia Yang back from Xiling Harbor."

Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped into the center of the hall and bowed as he reported.

Qian Xunji's gaze from the high seat then fell upon Xia Yang.

"You are Xia Yang?"

His low, imposing voice echoed through the hall.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope. This subordinate is Xia Yang, formerly a member of the Xiling Harbor Martial Soul Branch Hall."

Xia Yang replied according to protocol, lowering his head and standing respectfully.

"Mm, your bearing is not bad."

"I heard that you were the one who discovered Whale Rubber's effects?"

Qian Xunji asked again.

"In reply to Your Holiness the Pope, this subordinate was indeed the one who discovered them."

"My Martial Soul is bones, and I am especially sensitive to changes in the Physical Body. That was why I happened to notice Whale Rubber's unusual effects."

Xia Yang kept his head lowered as he answered cautiously.