Chapter 4

In the spacious, well-lit room, Xu Lanqing lay on his bed, his expression calm and peaceful, no longer showing any trace of the pain he had suffered earlier.

Beside his bed, an old woman pressed her index finger against his wrist and carefully channeled her Soul Power to examine him.

"How is he? Is anything wrong?"

An elderly man beside her asked in a low voice. His aged face was naturally imposing, and a noble, proud aura radiated from him. He was none other than the current Sun Moon Emperor.

The old woman withdrew her Soul Power, then carefully examined the rest of Xu Lanqing's body. Only then did she turn and bow to the Emperor, shaking her head with a trace of confusion on her face.

"His Highness the Fourth Prince's condition is somewhat unusual. His body is very healthy, and his blood and qi are abundant. I can say with certainty that the Martial Soul Mutation is progressing in a positive direction."

"As for His Highness's spiritual power, my senses tell me it's safe as well. His spiritual power is much stronger than that of others his age, but the soul is an enigmatic thing, and I wouldn't dare examine it too deeply. For now, all we can do is wait for him to wake up on his own."

The Sun Moon Emperor silently watched Xu Lanqing sleeping. After a long while, he finally turned and left. The empire's affairs kept him busy, and he spent every day buried in state business. Even visiting Xu Lanqing had taken time out of his packed schedule.

As he reached the door, he instructed the guards, "Tell me immediately when he wakes up." Only then did he leave.

At that moment, within Xu Lanqing's Sea of Consciousness, a hazy figure with his face stood on the water's surface.

Calling it a sea was a stretch; a small pond would have been more accurate. He didn't know why he could already manifest within his Sea of Consciousness. Maybe his spiritual power had mutated because he was a transmigrator, or maybe he was simply exceptionally gifted. Either way, it was a good thing, so he didn't dwell on it.

"Teacher, how are you feeling?"

Xu Lanqing looked up at the small gray pearl above him, his concern plain on his face.

"I'm fine. I've just gone back to how I was at the beginning. A few years of recuperation should set me right. And this is actually a pretty good outcome. At least you weren't destroyed by it."

Electrolux spoke with admirable composure, even turning around to comfort Xu Lanqing.

Electrolux and the golden crystal core floating not far away had both entered Xu Lanqing's mind back then.

At the time, the two had formed a delicate balance, and Electrolux had awakened not long afterward. Having read the original story, Xu Lanqing had naturally latched onto such a powerful ally. Over time, he had become Electrolux's disciple.

Xu Lanqing looked at the golden crystal core with a complicated expression. He hadn't expected it to be the Golden Dragon King's God Core. After his Martial Soul Awakening, it had usurped his body and become his Martial Soul.

It was both a blessing and a curse. The benefit was obvious: he had gained a powerful Martial Soul. But the Golden Dragon King's God Core was far too powerful, and it was filled with a violent, bloodthirsty aura—more than he could possibly bear.

Fortunately, they had managed to deal with the problem for now. But he couldn't cultivate with it at all. If he added a Soul Ring to the Golden Dragon King Martial Soul, the seal might loosen. This was no joke; one wrong move, and both he and Electrolux could be done for.

"Ugh, not only did I lose a Martial Soul, but my life could be in danger at any moment."

Xu Lanqing sighed, looking utterly dejected.

"Every calamity may bring its blessing, and every blessing may conceal a calamity. Just because there's no solution now doesn't mean there won't be one later. Things will work out eventually. Don't lose heart. Maybe this will turn out to be a good thing."

"Ah, if this counts as a good thing, then I've wasted all these years living."

Xu Lanqing grumbled. His mood improved a little, and he had already accepted reality.

"All right, hurry and go out. There are people outside worrying about you."

Xu Lanqing opened his eyes and abruptly sat up in bed. Then he froze. He clenched his fist, feeling as though his body brimmed with endless strength.

Xu Lanqing got out of bed and looked at his fist, then at the marble table in front of him. He hesitated, closed his eyes, and swung with all his strength, punching it directly.

"Ahhh—!"

Tears squeezed from Xu Lanqing's eyes as pain wracked him. Clutching his swollen, red fist, he wailed like a banshee.

"Your Highness! What's wrong? Did something happen?"

With a bang, the guards at the door burst in and rushed to protect Xu Lanqing as if facing a deadly threat.

"I'm fine. I just... accidentally hurt my hand. You can go out."

Xu Lanqing shook his hand, acting as though it were nothing.

The two guards looked at his swollen fist, exchanged glances, and then left the room.

"Gurgle~"

"Wait, I'm hungry. Bring me something to eat. A lot of it." Xu Lanqing clutched his stomach, suddenly feeling as though he hadn't eaten in three days and was about to starve to death.

"Yes, Your Highness. Please wait."

The guard went out and closed the door. One went to get food, while the other went to inform the Emperor.

Before long, the guards brought in several exquisite, delicious dishes. Xu Lanqing sniffed the air and immediately wolfed down the food, eating like a starving man.

"Bring me some more. Preferably something packed with energy."

Xu Lanqing rubbed his stomach. The food he'd just eaten would usually have been enough for three meals, but after finishing it, he felt only a third full. He thought the Golden Dragon King Martial Soul might be the reason. The punch he'd thrown had clearly cracked the marble surface in several places; he never could have done that before. His strength had increased, but so had his energy needs. Ordinary food couldn't fill him up.

As Xu Lanqing buried himself in the food, footsteps approached from afar.

Xu Lanqing looked up, quickly wiped his mouth, and tried to stand to greet him.

The Sun Moon Emperor waved him off and asked with concern, "How are you feeling? If anything feels wrong, tell me right away. I'll have the imperial physician examine you again." His voice was gentle and his expression kind. He seemed nothing like an emperor who ruled over countless people, but more like an elderly father worried about his child.

Xu Lanqing hurriedly replied, "Father, I'm perfectly healthy now. It's just..." He paused, then continued, "I can't use my Second Martial Soul anymore."

He had concealed Electrolux and the Golden Dragon King from the Emperor, telling him only that his Martial Soul had mutated. Even though the Emperor was his birth father and had always treated him exceptionally well, he thought it was better to keep some things to himself.

The Emperor considered this, then spoke to the empty air. "Elder Kong, sorry for the trouble. Please take a look and see what's wrong with Lan Qing's Martial Soul."

Xu Lanqing blinked curiously. Before he could react, space rippled, and an elderly man appeared out of thin air.

Unlike the Emperor, who was surrounded by the air of twilight, the old man looked even older, yet he was vigorous and imposing, like a towering mountain.

The Sun Moon Empire's number one Soul Engineer and the man known as the father of Soul Tools. Even Zheng Zhan, Ye Yulin, and Jing Hongchen had to show him the respect due to a disciple.

Silver Moon Douluo, Kong Deming!