Lan Yiyi Was Shocked: A Living Blue Silver Emperor! The Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor's Right Leg Bone!

And he had even threatened to stake the lives of everyone in Shrek and the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

Ning Rongrong's face turned deathly pale. Her lips trembled, but for a long while, she couldn't utter a word.

She might have been spoiled, but she wasn't stupid.

The absolute confidence radiating from the man before her wasn't an act.

He really was sure of himself!

"What?

Afraid?"

Xu Zhao looked at Ning Rongrong's silence and smiled scornfully.

"If you're afraid, then shut your mouth and stand quietly to one side."

With that, Xu Zhao paid Ning Rongrong no further attention. He turned his gaze back to Tang San and held out a hand.

"Hand it over."

"My patience is limited."

His eyes held a hint of mockery.

Xu Zhao wasn't worried that Tang San would rise against all odds.

He would take every opportunity Tang San had for himself.

He was a Titled Douluo; Tang San was a Soul Ancestor.

Xu Zhao's growth far outpaced Tang San's.

If he still had to fear Tang San, wouldn't all his cultivation have gone to waste?

Once the elite tournament was over, Xu Zhao would kill Tang San outright if the opportunity presented itself.

Tang San gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.

Should he hand it over?

Or not?

If he refused, given the strength and domineering nature the other man had shown, he would probably attack the very next second.

Then not only would Tang San fail to protect the Immortal Herbs, but everyone's lives would be at stake.

But if he handed them over...

They were the key to restoring the Tang Sect and increasing his strength!

Just as Tang San wrestled with himself, Xu Zhao seemed to see straight through him. He said calmly:

"I know what you're thinking."

"You think these Immortal Herbs are your hope for the future, your means of surpassing ordinary people."

"But before absolute power, so-called advantages are nothing but a joke."

Xu Zhao slowly raised his hand. A golden flame suddenly sprang to life in his palm.

It looked feeble, yet gave off a terrifying heat that made the soul tremble, as if it could burn straight through space.

"I'll count to three."

"Three."

"Two."

"Fine! I'll give them to you!"

Tang San suddenly shouted, as though he had poured every last bit of strength into his voice.

With trembling hands, he untied the Wishful Hundred Treasure Pouch from his waist.

His eyes were full of humiliation and resentment, but in the end, he still tossed it to Xu Zhao.

As long as the green hills remained, there would be no shortage of firewood.

As long as he stayed alive, he would have a chance to take back everything that belonged to him!

Xu Zhao caught the pouch casually and swept it with his spiritual sense. A satisfied smile curled his lips.

Just as he expected. Everything was there.

The Nine-Grade Purple Mushroom, Dragon Zhi Leaf, Fragrant Silk Luo, Snowy Swan Kiss...

Though only the Fragrant Silk Luo and Snowy Swan Kiss remained among the Immortal Herbs,

they were still priceless.

There were even a few more Nine-Grade Purple Mushrooms, like the one he had previously given Yu Xiaogang.

"At least you know what's good for you."

Xu Zhao put away the pouch, and the flame in his palm went out.

He tossed Tang San a Gold Soul Coin as payment.

He didn't trouble Tang San and the others any further. Turning around, he was about to leave.

Xu Zhao had accomplished what he came for today.

Not only had he obtained the Immortal Herbs he wanted, but more importantly, by using Ning Rongrong as a stepping stone, he had sent a message to the entire Soul Master World.

The Great Ming Empire feared no power!

Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, was nothing in his eyes.

Though the move seemed arrogant, it was in fact a strategic decision made after careful consideration.

The Great Ming Empire had only just been established. If it wanted to claim the biggest piece of the pie on Douluo Continent—a pie already divided among the great powers—conciliation alone wouldn't be enough.

It needed to wield the thunderbolt!

It needed to make a name for itself!

Only when everyone felt fear and awe would the Great Ming Empire's expansion proceed unhindered.

As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

Xu Zhao sneered inwardly.

Ning Fengzhi was an old fox, most skilled at placing his bets.

In the original story, he had backed Tang San early on and even went so far as to break completely with Spirit Hall for his sake.

Now, Tang San and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were already deeply entangled. Trying to win one over and divide the other was nothing but a fool's dream.

If they couldn't be friends, then they could be enemies.

Enemies who would be driven to despair!

"By the way."

Just as Xu Zhao was about to soar away, he seemed to remember something and stopped.

He glanced back at Ning Rongrong, who looked utterly dejected, and said calmly:

"Go back and tell your father."

"If he's not convinced, he can bring those two old fellows to find me anytime."

"The place is Spirit City."

"When he arrives, I'll show him what a true... god-level power looks like."

With that, Xu Zhao flashed away, taking Lan Yiyi with him. They became a streak of light and vanished into the horizon.

All that remained was a group of Shrek students staring at one another, still shaken.

It took less than half a day.

They reached Holy Soul Village.

Xu Zhao brought Lan Yiyi down on an uninhabited hillside outside the village.

"Brother Zhao, is the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor's soul bone here?"

Lan Yiyi looked around curiously.

Soul Power was scarce here. It looked like an utterly ordinary village of mortals.

"A backwater?"

Xu Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the stone stele at the village entrance, engraved with the words "Holy Soul Village."

He merely smiled.

If he hadn't brought others to Douluo Continent, this place would one day have been renamed God Soul Village!

Xu Zhao slowly closed his eyes.

Hum!

A vast yet extraordinarily subtle wave of spiritual power,

spread out in a fan shape from Xu Zhao in an instant, silently enveloping all of Holy Soul Village and the surrounding woods.

He was looking for someone.

Or rather, confirming that person's whereabouts.

Tang Hao.

According to the original timeline, Tang Hao should have been hiding nearby, protecting Tang San as he made his way to Spirit City.

Or licking his wounds alone somewhere.

But Xu Zhao had always been cautious.

Even with his strength surging, he had no desire to face the Titled Douluo known as the Killing God head-on without being prepared.

Especially since Tang Hao would surely risk burning up his life to drag Xu Zhao down with him if he stumbled upon what Xu Zhao was about to do.

His spiritual power swept over every inch of ground and every thatched cottage like a sheet of quicksilver.

The blacksmith's shop... empty. The furnace had long gone cold, and dust covered everything.

The village chief's home... Old Jack was taking an afternoon nap.

The fields... only a few farmers were working.

After a long while,

Xu Zhao opened his eyes. The wariness in them had faded, replaced by a relaxed smile.

"Just as I thought. He's not here."

"That old drunkard is probably busy protecting his precious son from the shadows."

With Tang Hao confirmed to be nowhere nearby, Xu Zhao didn't hesitate any longer.

"Come on. Let's go to the back mountain."

Xu Zhao called to her, then flashed toward the hill behind the village.

Lan Yiyi followed close behind.

Soon, the two arrived in a secluded valley.

Rumble—

The roar of rushing water echoed in their ears.

A broad waterfall plunged from the cliff like a silver ribbon suspended in midair.

It crashed into the deep pool below, sending mist billowing into the air.

Sunlight shone through the mist, refracting into a brilliant rainbow.

The scenery was beautiful, but to Soul Masters accustomed to famous mountains and grand rivers, it was nothing remarkable.

"Brother Zhao, the thing you're looking for is behind this waterfall?"

Lan Yiyi was clever and immediately guessed Xu Zhao's intention.

"That's right."

Xu Zhao nodded, his gaze passing through the heavy curtain of water as if he could see through the rock behind it.

"That's where Tang Hao keeps the most precious treasure of his life. It matters more to him than his own life."

"It's also the second gift I'm giving Tang San."

With that, Xu Zhao said no more.

Unlike Tang San, he didn't waste time looking for some hidden switch. That was the way of the weak.

He casually waved his hand.

Whoosh!

An invisible Soul Power barrier sprang up around him and Lan Yiyi.

Then Xu Zhao lightly tapped his toes. His whole body shot forward like a golden cannonball.

He ignored the torrents crashing down with tremendous force and slammed straight into the waterfall!

"Splash!"

Water sprayed in every direction.

They passed through the heavy curtain, and the view opened up before them.

It wasn't dark and damp as they might have expected. Instead, a faint, delicate fragrance drifted toward them.

It was an enormous natural cavern.

The cave was filled with jagged rocks. Though the light was dim, Xu Zhao and Lan Yiyi were strong enough to see clearly.

"So this is... the world behind the waterfall?"

Lan Yiyi looked around in surprise.

She could feel that the air was moist but exceptionally fresh, carrying a hint of an extremely pure life force.

"Come on. It's deeper inside."

Xu Zhao didn't stop. He headed straight into the cave.

The farther they went, the stronger the life force became. Lan Yiyi could even feel her Soul Power circulating faster.

At last,

after passing through a long, narrow passage, they reached a spacious stone chamber.

Xu Zhao stopped and fixed his gaze on the center of the chamber.

There stood a small mound of earth.

And on top of it, an unusual plant grew in stillness.

It was a Blue Silver Grass.

But it was utterly different from the Blue Silver Grass found everywhere outside.

Its leaves were crystal clear throughout, as if carved from the finest sapphires.

Faint golden patterns flowed across them, radiating a gentle, sacred light.

The Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin.

Or rather, the new Ah Yin, growing anew from the seed she had left behind after her sacrifice.