But with so many benefits, why was Feng Xinglie still hesitating? The risk was simply too great. Never mind Tang Hao, who was secretly following Tang San as his protector. Just consider the three pillars of power he currently controlled: the economy, intelligence, and publicity. They still had to keep running while he was away for a long time, so who would lead them? Naturally, the Pope's Palace and the Worship Hall would divide them between themselves. Even if he returned in triumph, there was no telling whether his power would come back with him. Without his foundations, Feng Xinglie's influence would be greatly diminished, and he would once again become the "Holy Son" in name only.
After pondering for a long while, he finally gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
"To hell with it. Unless Bibi Dong's problem is resolved, there's no chance of easing the turmoil within Spirit Hall. Real power is only a tool for achieving my goals. If there's a better option, then I can afford to lose it. I'd still like to keep the Immortal Herb intelligence to pave the way for the future, but using it to gather power again wouldn't be a bad trade. At worst, I can use this opportunity to expand my influence further."
In the days that followed, Feng Xinglie calculated when he would graduate from Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy and mapped out the journey from Spirit City to Shrek Academy. Once he'd confirmed that none of his prior arrangements had gone awry, he handed over all his duties and went to the Pope's Palace.
"Your Holiness the Pope, I've encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation and would like to travel the continent for a period of training. I hope to seek an opportunity to break through while tempering my state of mind. I ask for your permission."
"Granted."
The answer came so smoothly that Feng Xinglie was slightly surprised. Then Bibi Dong added:
"But since this is training, you should experience the hardships of the world, too. Once you leave Spirit City, you must not call yourself the Holy Son, nor may you use any of Spirit Hall's resources. You may take only one month's worth of food and thirty Gold Soul Coins."
With that, she waved her hand, and a powerful Soul Sage emerged from the shadows.
"As for your safety, Shadow Spider will be responsible. But he won't intervene unless your life is in danger. Understood?"
Understood. She still hadn't cooled off and wanted me to suffer a little out there...
Feng Xinglie cursed her for being petty. This time, she hadn't even let Gui Mei accompany him, instead assigning him a shadow guard whose loyalty was beyond doubt. But that was for the best. If a Titled Douluo followed him, Tang Hao would spot him before he even got close to Shrek Academy.
"So you want to temporarily remove Ling Yuan from protecting you?"
After accepting all of Bibi Dong's conditions, Feng Xinglie went to the Worship Hall. Using the need to train without a Titled Douluo's protection as his excuse, he planned to give Ling Yuan a long vacation.
"Yes. I ask for Master's permission."
Qian Daoliu stared at his only disciple and reminded him:
"Do you know what this trip means?"
"This disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master. I've already made arrangements with the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. The newspapers will continue to be printed as usual. I've also handed over the financial work within Spirit Hall. The Martial Soul Chamber of Commerce's headquarters is far away in the Heaven Dou Empire, and after reaching an agreement with the imperial family, the Young Master has the authority to deploy and command its forces."
Seeing that Feng Xinglie understood the stakes and had prepared in advance, Qian Daoliu said no more. He nodded.
"Very well. Go, then."
"Thank you, Master. I'll prepare to leave."
Turning away from the Worship Hall, Feng Xinglie raised his hand, and a bird slowly alighted on his palm. He took the Secret Letter from its leg. After confirming that all the arrangements were in order, he crushed it in his hand.
"Everything's ready. Let's go..."
On the main road, Feng Xinglie sat inside a carriage, resting with his eyes closed.
He'd left Spirit City several days ago, and by his calculations, he'd reach Suotuo City in less than a day. As dusk settled, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
"We're here."
The driver lifted the curtain and respectfully uttered two words. Feng Xinglie looked past his shoulder at the forest, dyed gold and crimson by the setting sun.
"Mm, thanks for your hard work."
He took out a map to check their location, then nodded and stepped down from the carriage. The driver bowed toward his back before driving away.
"I'll spend the night somewhere around here."
He surveyed the area and chose a wide, level spot. Feng Xinglie pitched his tent, lit a campfire, and began preparing dinner. By the time he'd finished, night had fallen completely. A faint aroma drifted from the pot over the flames, and its firelight—the only light in the forest—danced merrily.
Suddenly, a strange noise came from the woods nearby. Listening closely, he could tell that something was speeding toward him. Feng Xinglie remained unfazed and continued cooking. A few seconds later, a shadow suddenly darted out beside him and stopped near the campfire. Feng Xinglie turned to look. It was a cool, black-clad young woman with a curvaceous figure. He gave her a friendly smile.
"Greetings, miss."
But when the young woman saw that Feng Xinglie was just a boy about her own age, she frowned and turned to leave. Before she could move, a laugh rang out from the woods behind her.
"Hahaha, Second Young Lady, you may as well save your strength. The eldest young lady ordered me to bring back your head."
In the blink of an eye, five more figures leapt out, surrounding the two of them.
The young woman looked around, her expression growing darker. Then she glanced at Feng Xinglie, who was still sitting by the fire and adding wood to it. She bit her lip and addressed the leader.
"I'll go with you, but leave this man out of it. Our business has nothing to do with him."
Her words sent the men into loud laughter.
"Hahaha, Second Young Lady, what are you talking about? Since this brat ran into us, he can only blame his bad luck. The eldest young lady doesn't want a single word of this getting out."
As they spoke, the Soul Rings beneath all five men's feet lit up. There were four Soul Elders and one Soul Ancestor. As they advanced, the young woman looked around for an escape route, but couldn't find a way through.
"Friend, you're awfully bold for someone trying to silence witnesses."
Feng Xinglie, who'd been cooking the whole time, suddenly stood and beckoned to the leader with the ladle in his hand. The Soul Ancestor was instantly amused.
"Second, teach this brat a lesson."
"Sure thing, big brother! Just watch!"
A short, stocky Soul Master answered. The phantom of an ape behind him merged into his body, and he charged at Feng Xinglie, Soul Rings glowing around him.
"Second Soul Skill: Sky-Rending Fist!"
"Watch out!"
The young woman cried out in alarm and tried to rush over to help, but the moment she moved, her exhausted body seized with pain and spasmed. She had no choice but to stop. Meanwhile, Feng Xinglie didn't panic as the fist drew closer. He leaned aside to dodge it, then set the large cooking ladle against the Soul Master's wrist and gently pulled the handle, deflecting the punch.
"Hey!? You brat..."
The stocky Soul Master had never seen a move like that and was taken aback. He was just about to start cursing when a sharp pain struck his abdomen. The next moment, his body folded into a > shape and flew backward.
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