Xuanming Turtle Shell

Early the next morning, Xue Yuheng took Xiao Xiao and, using the name of his cousin Xu Sanshi, paid a visit to the Xuanming Sect located in the mountains north of the city.

Xu Sanshi had long since heard from his mother, Xue Lingxun, that the Crown Prince's cousin from the Douling Empire intended to visit the Xuanming Sect, so he was there in person at the foot of the mountain to welcome them.

The mountains north of the city coiled like a black dragon. At the foot of the Xuanming Sect stood two hundred-foot-tall stone statues of the Xuanming Turtle. The shells were carved with intricate water patterns, and the dark green rock walls shimmered with water light, their presence as heavy as the deep sea.

The stone steps wound straight up the cliffside, and water mist, thick with heavy water soul power, spread across the path. Every step Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao took felt as if they were treading upon the back of a Xuanwu, with a majestic pressure bearing down on them.

From afar, Xue Yuheng saw a dark green stone tablet standing beside the Xuanming Sect gate at the foot of the mountain. Inscribed upon it were the three large characters "Xuanming Sect," written with vigorous, dragon-like strokes.

Standing to the side was Xu Sanshi, dressed in the black core disciple robes of the sect. The youth stood tall with a rebellious glint in his eyes, waving at them with a smile.

Xue Yuheng had met Xu Sanshi a few times—at his own full-month and first-birthday banquets, and most recently two years ago during the New Year, when his aunt Xue Lingxun had brought Xu Sanshi back to the royal palace for a visit.

The current Xu Sanshi did not seem to harbor as much resentment toward the Douling royal family as he once did.

"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 nearby, he teased with a flourish:

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

Truly a beauty who could sink fish and drop geese, close the moon and shame the flowers. No wonder my cousin was in such a rush to have his uncle propose to the Soul Suppressing Family; were you afraid some other man might snatch her away?"

His words made Xiao Xiao's pretty face flush red. She stepped forward and nodded slightly to Xu Sanshi, offering a polite greeting.

Xu Sanshi led the two of them, followed by several inner-sect disciples of the Xuanming Sect.

The group passed through the mountain gate, and a bluestone path wound upward. On both sides were dense bamboo forests; as the morning breeze blew, the bamboo leaves rustled, strangely accompanied by the faint sound of flowing water.

Halfway up, a waterfall cascaded down from the cliff into a deep pool below, the mist it kicked up refracting into seven-colored halos under the sunlight.

The pool water was crystal clear, and thousands of transparent spiritual fish swam within—these were the "Xuanwater Fish" unique to the Xuanming Sect. They lived by absorbing the soul power in the water and served as auxiliary spiritual items for sect disciples during cultivation.

Xu Sanshi introduced, "This waterfall is called the Xuanwu Waterfall. Our Xuanming Turtle martial soul is best at controlling water, so the sect's buildings are all constructed around it. Look..."

Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao looked in the direction he pointed, and the depths of the valley suddenly opened up.

Dozens of buildings with green tiles and white walls were scattered gracefully along both banks of the stream. The roofs were arched like turtle shells, and the walls were built from special black iron stone, their surfaces as smooth as mirrors, reflecting the surrounding green mountains and clear waters.

The most eye-catching structure was a three-story stone tower in the center. The tower was carved with Xuanming Turtle patterns, and a blue crystal the size of a fist was embedded at the top. It emitted a soft glow; it was actually a Water-Suppressing Divine Crystal carved from a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, capable of stabilizing the water-attribute energy within the sect.

"That is the Xuanwu Tower, the core of our sect, built from several pieces of Xuanming Turtle shell."

Xu Sanshi's tone carried a hint of pride, "Every generation of sect masters cultivates there, and it is also where the bloodline awakening ceremony is held."

Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao exchanged a glance. What a coincidence; their goal for this trip was that very water-attribute treasure—a core turtle shell from a Xuanwu Underworld Turtle.

Since the Golden Crow True Source obtained from the Golden Crow Family had been verified by the Wordless Heavenly Book as Phoenix Essence, this Xuanming Turtle shell, being of the same level as the Sun Dominator, could not be less than forty thousand years old.

And for a treasure of this level, the entire Xuanming Sect only possessed two.

No matter how one looked at it, Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao were still just juniors. For a gathering of juniors like this, there was no need for the sect master to appear, and as the young sect master of the Xuanming Sect, Xu Sanshi's status was more than sufficient.

Under the guidance of Xu Sanshi and his group, Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao toured the entire Xuanming Sect, with the exception of a few restricted areas.

At the Xuanwu Pavilion, Xu Sanshi arranged a lavish feast featuring local delicacies from around Xuanming City to entertain Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao.

It was a gesture that gave them plenty of face.

"Cousin, to be honest, Xiao Xiao and I came to your sect because there is a business matter I would like to discuss with the young sect master." Xue Yuheng placed some food for the shy Xiao Xiao and got straight to the point.

Xu Sanshi laughed, "Oh? My Xuanming Sect is not as vast and rich as the Douling Empire. What could possibly catch your eye, cousin?

As long as it's not a major issue, feel free to take it."

He was playing it coy.

Xue Yuheng pointed toward the Xuanwu Tower next to the Xuanwu Pavilion, "I want a piece of Xuanming Turtle shell."

Xu Sanshi remained calm, "Is your cousin, or... your fiancée, a water-attribute martial soul user?"

The martial souls of Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao had always been mysterious. Even though Xu Sanshi's mother, Xue Lingxun, was a princess of the Douling Empire, she had never received any information about them.

Information regarding soul masters with Innate Full Soul Power within the country was always kept confidential by the Offering Hall of the Douling Empire. Unless the soul masters themselves chose to reveal it, others could not access the relevant files.

"No, but we need it. Preferably a Xuanming Turtle shell of over forty thousand years." Xue Yuheng's words were startling.

Naturally, the fewer people who knew about Xiao Xiao's God Level martial soul, the better. The interests of the Golden Crow Family and the Douling Empire were highly intertwined, and the main branch had been entrenched in Lingdou City for a thousand years.

Therefore, aside from the Golden Crow Family, whom they could inform to demonstrate Xue Yuheng's trust, it was best to keep the uses of these heaven-sent treasures hidden from places like Dragon City, the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and now the Xuanming Sect.

If these people found out, there was no telling what other ideas they might get.

It was best to avoid capsizing in the gutter.

"Pfft—cough, cough—" One of the inner-sect disciples nearby was clearly choked by Xue Yuheng's words.

Xu Sanshi's expression darkened. How embarrassing. He glanced at the disciple and said with displeasure, "You all may leave."

In the large private room, only the three of them remained.

Xu Sanshi looked troubled, "If it were a thousand-year-old Xuanming Turtle shell, I might be able to say a few words. But this forty-thousand-year one...

Anything over ten thousand years has all been used by the sect to build the Xuanwu Tower. We don't have much in stock."

The familiar stage of price-gouging had begun; he was clearly telling them that the deal could be discussed, but they would have to pay a price.

This little guy isn't even ten years old yet, right? How is he so shrewd?

Xue Yuheng glanced at Xu Sanshi, set down his chopsticks, and said solemnly, "Has my cousin failed his Martial Soul awakening recently?"

A flash of gloom crossed Xu Sanshi's eyes. This matter had cast a shadow over him, and not many people knew about it. His cousin clearly wielded significant influence.

His expression shifted from gloomy to bright as he laughed, "The Xuanming Turtle Martial Soul has inherent flaws; there's nothing to be done about it."

"I possess an ancient method that can trigger a Martial Soul Evolution for the Xuanming Turtle." Following a subtle nudge from Xiao Xiao, Xue Yuheng rotated the dish she liked toward her.

Little glutton.

There wasn't much surprise in Xu Sanshi's expression, as his father had told him that he just needed to try again when he turned fourteen.

In Xu Sanshi's view, Xue Yuheng's conditions were not yet enough to trade for a 40,000-year Xuanming Turtle Shell.

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

Xu Sanshi shook his head. He had a premonition that what Xue Yuheng was about to say was certainly not the conventional classification of Martial Souls.

"I define Martial Souls as: Trash, Low-grade, Mid-grade, High-grade, Top-grade, Limit, Ultimate... and Demi-God Level Martial Soul.

Your sect's Xuanwu may be strong, but it is at best a Limit Martial Soul. While it holds the potential to reach Super Douluo, doesn't my cousin want to go even further?"

Xue Yuheng's words echoed and stung in Xu Sanshi's ears like the whispers of a demon from hell.

A six-year-old boy was telling him how he defined the levels of Martial Souls.

Even the elders of Shrek, the First Academy of the Continent, wouldn't dare to define them so unilaterally, would they?

After tens of thousands of years of development, the basic framework of the soul master system was set in stone, but who could truly define the levels of Martial Souls?

There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash soul masters.

Xu Sanshi carefully pondered Xue Yuheng's words. When put that way, it seemed that Martial Soul levels could indeed be classified like this.

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

"I can make the Xuanming Turtle Martial Soul evolve into a Demi-God Level. It would allow a soul master to 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 is only effective for the females of your sect.

Second, you must provide the materials required for the ancient method yourselves.

Third, my service fee is a 40,000-year Xuanming Turtle Shell."

Xu Sanshi's breathing grew rapid. After a long while, he took a deep breath, shrugged, and said, "I had better let my father come and talk to Prince Gan."

How much of an impact would a female soul master with a Demi-God Level Martial Soul have on Xu Sanshi's status as the young sect master?

Xu Sanshi knew.

But he could not refuse.

Would the Xuanming Sect refuse?

The wealthy and powerful Xuanming Sect would certainly not refuse.

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

Xiao Xiao watched as Xue Yuheng masterfully orchestrated the situation, little stars seemingly shining in her eyes.

A confident boy is really handsome, after all.

"Xiao Xue, if it weren't for my Martial Soul..." Xiao Xiao lowered her head in disappointment, her eyes brimming with tears.

The little girl's thoughts were very simple; if her own Martial Soul couldn't ascend to the God level, Xiao Xue wouldn't have to run around the world with her.

He also wouldn't have to face such immense pressure at the age of six.

Xue Yuheng gave Xiao Xiao a comforting hug: "Silly girl, I have my own selfish motives too.

The stronger my future empress is, the more confident I feel.

Does Xiao Xiao want to become stronger and protect this weak and helpless support-type soul master?"

Xiao Xiao nodded vigorously, looked into Xue Yuheng's deep eyes, and said earnestly:

"I am willing!

I will protect Xiao Xue well!"

Xue Yuheng whispered a few words into Xiao Xiao's ear with a mischievous smile.

"Are you willing to do this as well?"

"I... I... I am willing too."