The Xuanming Turtle Shell

Early the next morning, Xue Yuheng brought Xiao Xiao to visit the Xuanming Sect, located in the mountains north of the city, using his cousin Xu Sanshi's name.

Xu Sanshi had heard from his mother, Xue Lingxun, about the visit from his cousin, the Dou Ling Empire's Crown Prince. He personally waited at the foot of the sect's mountain to welcome them.

The mountains north of the city lay like a coiled black dragon. At the foot of the mountain stood two hundred-foot-tall stone statues of Xuanming Turtles. Their shells were carved with water patterns, and the dark green-black cliffs glistened with moisture, their imposing presence as deep and heavy as the ocean.

Stone steps climbed straight up the steep cliffs. Mist wrapped around the dense water Soul Power and spread out. Every step Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao took felt as if they were walking along Xuanwu's back, while a mighty pressure surged toward them.

From afar, Xue Yuheng saw a dark green-black stone stele beside the Xuanming Sect's gate at the foot of the mountain. The three characters "Xuanming Sect" were inscribed on it in powerful strokes that flowed like a swimming dragon.

Xu Sanshi stood beside it, dressed in the dark robes of a core disciple. The young man stood tall, his brows and eyes full of arrogance, and he waved at them with a smile.

Xue Yuheng had met Xu Sanshi a few times before: at his full-month celebration, his first birthday banquet, and most recently, two years ago during the New Year. At that time, his aunt, Xue Lingxun, had brought Xu Sanshi back to the imperial family for a visit.

Xu Sanshi didn't seem to have much antipathy toward the Dou Ling Royal Family yet.

"Cousin, it's been two years. You're almost as tall as me now." Xu Sanshi laughed and patted Xue Yuheng on the shoulder. Seeing Xiao Xiao beside him, he struck a flashy pose and said:

"This must be Cousin Yuheng's Crown Princess, right?

"Indeed, she's so beautiful she could make fish sink and geese fall, and the moon hide and flowers blush. No wonder you hurried to have Uncle propose to the Soul Suppressing Family. Were you worried another family's young man would snatch her away?"

His teasing made Xiao Xiao's pretty face turn red. She stepped forward and gave Xu Sanshi a slight nod in greeting.

Xu Sanshi led the two of them, followed by several disciples of the Xuanming Sect's direct lineage.

They passed through the mountain gate and followed a winding stone path uphill. Dense bamboo groves lined both sides, and as the morning breeze swept by, the leaves rustled, mixed with the faint sound of running water.

Halfway up, a waterfall spilled down from the cliff into a deep pool below. The mist it stirred up refracted the sunlight into a rainbow of colors.

The pool was clear to the bottom. Thousands of translucent spirit fish swam through the water. These were "Xuanwater Fish," unique to the Xuanming Sect. They lived by absorbing Soul Power from the water and served as supplementary spirit creatures for the sect's disciples during cultivation.

Xu Sanshi introduced it: "This waterfall is called Xuanwu Waterfall. Our Xuanming Turtle Martial Soul excels at controlling water, so the sect's buildings are all built alongside it. Look..."

Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao followed his pointing finger and looked toward the depths of the valley, where the view suddenly opened up.

Dozens of buildings with dark tiled roofs and white walls were arranged along both banks of the stream. Their roofs were all curved like turtle shells, while their walls were built from a special black iron stone, smooth as mirrors and reflecting the surrounding green mountains and clear waters.

The most eye-catching building was a three-story stone tower in the center. Xuanming Turtle patterns covered its walls, and a fist-sized blue crystal was set into its peak, radiating a gentle glow. It was a Water-Suppressing Divine Crystal carved from a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, capable of stabilizing the water-attributed energy within the sect.

"That's Xuanwu Tower, the sect's core grounds. It was built from several Xuanming Turtle Shells."

Xu Sanshi's voice carried a hint of pride. "Every sect master throughout history has cultivated there. It's also where we hold the bloodline awakening ceremony."

Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao exchanged a glance. What a coincidence—their goal on this trip was precisely that water-attributed treasure, the core shell of a Xuanwu Underworld Turtle.

Since the Wordless Heavenly Book had recognized the Golden Crow True Source they'd obtained from the Golden Crow Family as comparable to Phoenix Essence, Xue Yuheng figured that this Xuanming Turtle Shell, which was on the same level as the Sun Dominator, had to be at least forty thousand years old.

And the entire Xuanming Sect had only two treasures of this level.

No matter how you looked at it, Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao were still just juniors. The sect master wouldn't attend a gathering of juniors, and Xu Sanshi, as the Xuanming Sect's young sect master, was of a comparable status.

With Xu Sanshi and his entourage leading the way, Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao toured the entire Xuanming Sect, apart from a few forbidden areas.

At Xuanwu Pavilion, Xu Sanshi arranged the most sumptuous feast, featuring local specialties from around Xuanming City, to treat Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao.

He had certainly shown them the proper respect.

"Cousin, to be frank, Xiao Xiao and I came to your sect because there's a business deal we'd like to discuss with the young sect master." Xue Yuheng served some food to the shy Xiao Xiao and got straight to the point.

Xu Sanshi smiled. "Oh? My Xuanming Sect can't compare to the vast and resource-rich Dou Ling Empire. Is there anything here that would catch your eye?

"If it's nothing too important, Cousin, you can take it."

So he was playing the long game.

Xue Yuheng pointed to Xuanwu Tower beside the pavilion. "I want a Xuanming Turtle Shell."

Xu Sanshi remained calm. "Cousin—or perhaps I should say, Cousin-in-law—do you have a water-attributed Martial Soul?"

Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao's Martial Souls had always been a mystery. Even Xu Sanshi's mother, Xue Lingxun, a princess of the Dou Ling Empire, hadn't received any information about them.

Information on Soul Masters born with Innate Full Soul Power within the empire's borders had always been kept confidential by the Dou Ling Empire's Offering Hall. Unless the Soul Master chose to reveal it, no one could access the relevant files.

"No, but we need one. Ideally, a Xuanming Turtle Shell that's at least forty thousand years old." Xue Yuheng's words were startling.

The fewer people who knew about Xiao Xiao's God-Level Martial Soul, the better. The Golden Crow Family's interests were closely tied to those of the Dou Ling Empire, and its main branch had been entrenched in Lingdou City for a thousand years.

So, aside from the Golden Crow Family, whom they could tell to show Xue Yuheng's trust in them, they should keep the purpose of these heavenly treasures a secret from places like Dragon City, the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and now the Xuanming Sect.

If those people found out, who knew what other ideas they might get?

Better not to let anything go wrong.

"Pfft—cough, cough—" One of the direct disciples nearby had clearly choked on Xue Yuheng's words.

Xu Sanshi's expression darkened. What an embarrassment. He shot the disciple a displeased look and said, "You can all leave."

The enormous private room was left with only the three of them.

Xu Sanshi looked troubled. "If it were a thousand-year-old Xuanming Turtle Shell, I could probably put in a few words. But one that's forty thousand years old...

"The sect used all the ones older than ten thousand years to build Xuanwu Tower. We don't have many in reserve."

Here came the familiar price-haggling routine. He was making it obvious that the deal could be discussed, but Xue Yuheng would have to offer something in return.

Wasn't this kid even ten yet? How was he so shrewd?

Xue Yuheng looked at Xu Sanshi, set down his chopsticks, and asked seriously, "Cousin, did you recently fail your Martial Soul Awakening?"

A shadow of resentment flashed through Xu Sanshi's eyes. The matter had left a mark on him, and not many people knew about it. His cousin must have considerable influence to have found out.

His expression brightened, and he smiled. "The Xuanming Turtle Martial Soul has flaws to begin with. There's nothing to be done."

"I have an ancient method that can make the Xuanming Turtle Martial Soul evolve." At Xiao Xiao's prompting glance, Xue Yuheng moved her favorite dishes in front of her.

What a little foodie.

Xu Sanshi didn't look particularly surprised. His father had told him that he only needed to try again when he turned fourteen.

In Xu Sanshi's view, Xue Yuheng's offer wasn't enough to exchange for a Xuanming Turtle Shell that was forty thousand years old.

"Cousin, have you ever heard of the different ranks of Martial Souls?" Xue Yuheng asked.

Xu Sanshi shook his head. He had a feeling Xue Yuheng wasn't talking about the usual way of ranking Martial Souls.

"I classify Martial Souls as trash, low-grade, middle-grade, high-grade, top-grade, Limit, pinnacle...and Demi-God Level.

"Even at its strongest, your sect's Xuanwu is only a Limit Martial Soul. Though you may have a chance of reaching Super Douluo, don't you want to go further, Cousin?"

Xue Yuheng's words echoed in Xu Sanshi's ears like those of a devil from hell, stirring his emotions.

A six-year-old boy was telling him how he classified Martial Souls.

Even the elders of Shrek, the First Academy of the Continent, wouldn't dare to define the ranks on their own, would they?

The Soul Master system had developed for tens of thousands of years, and its basic framework was set in stone. But who could define the ranks of Martial Souls?

There were no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters.

Xu Sanshi pondered Xue Yuheng's words. Now that he thought about it, perhaps Martial Souls really could be ranked that way.

"What are you trying to say?" Xu Sanshi frowned.

"I can make the Xuanming Turtle Martial Soul evolve into a Demi-God Level Martial Soul. It can let its Soul Master break through to the Limit Douluo level without any obstacles.

"However..." Under Xu Sanshi's burning gaze, Xue Yuheng continued.

"I have three conditions.

"First, my ancient method only works on women from your sect.

"Second, you'll have to provide the materials needed for the method yourself.

"Third, my fee is one Xuanming Turtle Shell that's at least forty thousand years old."

Xu Sanshi's breathing grew ragged. After a long while, he took a deep breath and shrugged. "I'd better have my father discuss it with Prince Gan."

How much would a female Soul Master with a Demi-God Level Martial Soul affect Xu Sanshi's position as young sect master?

Xu Sanshi knew.

But he couldn't refuse.

Would the Xuanming Sect turn it down?

The wealthy Xuanming Sect certainly wouldn't.

Xu Sanshi said goodbye to the two of them, left Xuanwu Pavilion, and went to find his father, the sect master of the Xuanming Sect.

Xiao Xiao watched Little Snow calmly strategizing, stars seeming to sparkle in her eyes.

Confident boys really were so handsome.

"Little Snow, if it weren't for my Martial Soul..." Xiao Xiao lowered her head sadly, her eyes brimming with tears.

A girl's thoughts were simple. If her Martial Soul couldn't advance to God Level, Little Snow wouldn't have to drag her all over the world.

And he wouldn't have to face so much pressure at just six years old.

Xue Yuheng comforted her with a hug. "Silly girl, I have my own selfish reasons, too.

"The stronger my future empress is, the more confident I'll be. Xiao Xiao, do you want to become stronger and protect me, a weak and helpless support-type Soul Master?"

Xiao Xiao nodded firmly, gazing into Xue Yuheng's deep eyes. She answered earnestly:

"I'm willing!

"I'll protect you, Little Snow!"

Xue Yuheng grinned mischievously and whispered a few words into Xiao Xiao's ear.

"Would you be willing to do that, too?"

"I... I... I'm willing to do that, too."