Hunting the Blue Silver Emperor

Gu Ci's heart stirred as he suddenly recalled the plot from the original story.

For so many powerful figures to pursue someone through the night, given the current timeline, there was only one possibility...

The Blue Silver Emperor!

The next morning, the news spread throughout Heaven Dou City.

The Blue Silver Emperor had reappeared on the continent, located in a hidden gorge along the border of the Heaven Dou Empire called Green Mist Valley.

It was said to be a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast transformed from Blue Silver Grass. After taking human form, she was named Ah Yin. Her beauty was unmatched, drawing the covetous eyes of countless experts.

The first person to discover her was Tang Hao, one of the Clear Sky Sect's twin stars.

Gu Ci sat in the courtyard, listening to the news Gu Xiao had brought back, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

Tang Hao, Ah Yin, a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring...

This was one of the most important plotlines in the original story.

Tang Hao and Ah Yin met and fell in love, but in the end, because of Spirit Hall's pursuit, Ah Yin sacrificed herself and died, leaving behind Tang Hao and the infant Tang San.

And now, it was happening.

"I heard Spirit Hall has mobilized as well."

Gu Xiao said gravely, "Pope Qian Daoliu personally gave the order to capture the Blue Silver Emperor alive."

"Although the Clear Sky Sect has also sent people to bring him back and abandon the Blue Silver Emperor, that brat Tang Hao is stubborn as hell. He's fleeing with that transformed Soul Beast and refusing to listen to anyone."

Dugu Bo sneered. "A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast taking human form—this is an opportunity rarely seen in ten thousand years."

"Who wouldn't want a share? It won't be easy for Tang Hao to protect her."

Gu Ci remained silent.

He knew the ending, but he could not say anything.

That was Tang Hao and Ah Yin's fate, something he could not interfere with.

Besides, with his current strength, only level eighteen, he could not even get close to the battlefield.

Zi Dian seemed to sense his emotions and rubbed its head against his hand.

Gu Ci stroked its head and said softly, "It's nothing. I'm just feeling a little sentimental."

Over the next few days, the entire continent erupted.

Tang Hao fled with Ah Yin from Green Mist Valley, heading west through the mountains, while powerful figures constantly intercepted them along the way.

The Clear Sky Sect tried to mediate, but Spirit Hall's people pursued them relentlessly and gave them no chance at all.

News arrived in Heaven Dou City one report after another.

"Tang Hao has fled into the Sky Ripple Mountains with that Soul Beast!"

"Three Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall have joined forces to hunt them down! Pope Qian Xunji has personally acted! Tang Hao has been severely injured!"

"That Soul Beast sacrificed herself! She sacrificed herself to Tang Hao!"

"Tang Hao has broken through to Titled Douluo! With one hammer strike, he severely wounded three Titled Douluo!"

"Spirit Hall has suffered a crushing defeat and retreated!"

When Gu Ci heard the final report, he was cultivating with Dugu Yan in the courtyard.

Sacrifice.

Ah Yin had still sacrificed herself.

That frail woman had chosen the most brutal ending in order to protect her lover and child.

Her hundred thousand years of cultivation had become Tang Hao's spirit ring and Soul Bone, along with that swaddled infant—Tang San.

He just did not know whether Tang Hao truly loved her, or whether he had been deceiving her from beginning to end for her spirit ring.

"Brother Gu Ci, what's wrong?"

Seeing that something was off about his expression, Dugu Yan asked cautiously.

Gu Ci shook his head. "Nothing."

He rose to his feet and looked into the distance.

Toward the Sky Ripple Mountains.

There should have been an infant there, lying amid the ruins and awaiting the arrangement of fate.

And that infant would be the protagonist of this era.

If things followed the original story, he would grow step by step, eventually become a god, and change the entire continent's landscape.

But now...

Gu Ci touched the Heavenly Eye between his brows, feeling the power of the Thunder Prison Heaven-Slaying Tiger within him, as well as the Purple Lightning Wings behind his back that could unfurl at any moment.

Now, there was one more person: him.

"Interesting," he murmured.

"Tang Hao, Tang San... this world is becoming more and more interesting."

Dugu Yan tilted her head at him, unable to understand what he was saying.

Dugu Bo, however, gave Gu Ci a thoughtful glance.

This child seemed to know something.

But none of that mattered. Gu Ci was destined to be extraordinary.

What was one Tang Hao worth?

"Grandpa Dugu, Yanyan and I are almost ready. We can absorb the complete Immortal Herbs now."

"And it's time to prepare suitable Immortal Herbs for you as well."

Dugu Bo tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"That's thoughtful of you. Then you two will cultivate in the Ice and Fire Dual Pools for the time being. Once I condense my Soul Core, I'll absorb the Immortal Herbs and help you obtain your Second Spirit Rings while I'm at it."

Gu Ci nodded, not forgetting to remind his parents as well.

"Father, Mother, collect some metals over the next few days. Get both rare ones and common ones."

"Once I break through level twenty, I'll start considering the production of Soul Tools."

"Alright, we understand. Go without worry. Your father is here to handle things at home."

Li Wanyue nodded.

"Mother, we're leaving then."

Outside the gates of the Marquis Manor, three figures stood ready to depart.

Dugu Bo wore a dark green robe and stood with his hands behind his back.

Gu Ci and Dugu Yan stood at his side, each followed by their own Soul Spirit.

Zi Dian's enormous purple tiger body glimmered faintly in the morning light, while Mo Jiao coiled at Dugu Yan's feet, her black scales resembling the finest black jade.

They did not hide them. After all, Soul Spirits looked no different from Soul Beasts, and once they assumed juvenile forms, no one would suspect anything.

Gu Xiao and Li Wanyue stood at the entrance to see them off.

"Ci'er, take good care of yourself."

Li Wanyue's eyes were slightly red. Though she knew her son would be safe following a Titled Douluo, a mother could never truly stop worrying.

Gu Ci smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, Mother. When I return, I'll bring you a few interesting herbs."

"And when it comes to making Soul Tools, your Martial Soul is the most suitable."

Li Wanyue laughed at his words and waved her hand. "Go on, then."

With a sweep of his hand, Dugu Bo wrapped the two children in Soul Power and carried them into the air. Zi Dian and Mo Jiao turned into streaks of light and entered Gu Ci and Dugu Yan's bodies, and they vanished beyond the horizon in an instant.

Three hours later, at the Ice and Fire Dual Pools.

The mist still hung thick in the air, and the strange pool water was still scorching on one side and freezing on the other.

Standing by the pool, Gu Ci took a deep breath of the herb-scented air, feeling utterly refreshed.

Zi Dian and Mo Jiao were summoned once more. The moment the two Soul Spirits appeared, they were stunned by the dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Zi Dian threw back its head and roared, Thunder Light flickering around it as it clearly brimmed with excitement.

Mo Jiao greedily absorbed the energy drifting through the air, her scales growing increasingly dark and lustrous.

"Don't rush. There are benefits for you too."

Gu Ci smiled and patted Zi Dian's head, his gaze falling on the various Immortal Herbs growing by the pool.

This time, he intended to choose carefully.

The Heavenly Eye between his brows silently opened, its golden radiance sweeping across the entire Immortal Herb Garden.

The energy fluctuations of those Immortal Herbs, their medicinal properties, and even the ways they enhanced or restrained one another were all laid bare before his eyes.

"Brother Gu Ci, which one should I choose?"

Dugu Yan tugged at his sleeve, her little face filled with anticipation.

Gu Ci did not answer immediately. Instead, he carefully examined Dugu Yan.

Under the Heavenly Eye, the condition within her body was completely clear.

Although the toxins had been removed, the essence of her Jade Scale Snake Martial Soul had not changed. It was still merely an ordinary poison-attributed Martial Soul.

However, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot she had consumed earlier had already been subtly transforming her physique.

Those two Immortal Herbs had only been used to neutralize the medicinal effects of the Whale Rubber, but the essence of ice and fire they contained had already left seeds within her body.

If he could find suitable Immortal Herbs to awaken those seeds...

A qualitative transformation would definitely occur.