"What... what is this Soul Power fluctuation!"
In the distance, She Long and Pufferfish were so shocked their jaws nearly hit the ground.
They could clearly feel their young mistress's Soul Power surging at a rocket's pace.
What had this senior done to their young mistress?
No, rather, what had he taught her?
Their hearts instantly burned with excitement, and they itched to know more.
They even felt an urge to step forward and ask him to take them on as disciples.
But when they thought of their status as Titled Douluo, they simply couldn't bring themselves to swallow their pride. All they could do was watch eagerly, consumed by envy and jealousy.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, tamping down the storm raging in her heart.
She bowed to Chen Xuan again. This time, her gesture was one of wholehearted conviction—a sincere, ninety-degree bow.
"Thank you, teacher, for imparting your wisdom and teaching me! Your disciple... is eternally grateful!"
She raised her head. Alongside reverence, a light called "adoration" shone in her golden eyes.
Chen Xuan withdrew his finger, his expression still calm.
"Remember what you learned today, and study it well."
[ Ding! The host has successfully taught a disciple core theory and completed a lesson. Reward: 100 Immortal Herbs! ]
The system's notification rang in his mind.
Chen Xuan's heart stirred.
A hundred Immortal Herbs would be of little use to him.
But they were an excellent resource for cultivating his disciples.
He was rather satisfied with this.
Just then, Qian Renxue spoke again. "Teacher, now that everything here is settled, I'm preparing to return to Heaven Dou City. Would you be willing to travel with me? It would give your disciple a chance to show you some filial devotion."
Chen Xuan considered this for a moment.
Reviving Ah Yin required the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, but there was no need to rush. Her origin needed to be nurtured first.
Besides, he had no fixed destination at the moment.
He nodded. "All right."
Only after Chen Xuan and the others had completely disappeared along the path outside Holy Soul Village did a disheveled figure cautiously poke his head out from a distant thicket.
It was Tang Hao, who had returned.
He watched carefully for a long while, confirming that the aura that had made his heart tremble was gone. Only then did he sigh in relief, clutch his aching chest, and step out.
Whenever he recalled how that ordinary-looking Blue Silver Grass had withstood his full-powered strike, fear gripped his eyes.
What kind of power was that?
How could a single strand of Blue Silver Grass be more terrifying than a god?
He couldn't understand it, and he didn't dare think about it any further.
He hurried to the spot where the Blue Silver Emperor had been and began searching frantically.
"Ah Yin? Ah Yin!"
But there was nothing on the ground except a shallow pit.
The familiar Blue Silver Emperor, marked with golden patterns, was gone.
Tang Hao froze, as if struck by lightning.
He dropped to his knees in a daze, clawing desperately at the dirt with both hands as he muttered to himself.
"No... it can't be... Ah Yin..."
A moment later, a boundless hatred and madness burst from his eyes.
"Spirit Hall!"
"It was you! You must have taken Ah Yin!"
"Qian Renxue! And that mysterious accomplice! I, Tang Hao, swear that I won't be a man if I don't tear you limb from limb! I'll get Ah Yin back!"
His furious roar echoed through the empty outskirts of the village, sending countless birds into flight.
Seven days later, in Heaven Dou City.
As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, it was undoubtedly one of the most prosperous cities on the entire continent.
Inside the Crown Prince's palace.
Qian Renxue wore an elegant, luxurious gown. Her golden hair was pinned up, revealing a long, fair neck. She looked noble and refined, like a true goddess.
She personally brewed a cup of fragrant tea for Chen Xuan and respectfully offered it to him.
"Teacher, your abilities are extraordinary. If you're willing, I can introduce you to my father. With your strength, you're sure to be entrusted with important responsibilities. Being made a prince or minister would be well within your reach."
Chen Xuan took the teacup, blew on the steam, and took a small sip.
"I have no interest in the political struggle at court."
He continued, "I only want to open an academy and teach a few things."
"An academy?"
Qian Renxue paused, then her eyes lit up.
That certainly suited a worldly expert like her teacher.
She understood at once and smiled sweetly. Beneath her skirt, her long legs crossed gently, accentuating her alluring figure.
"So you have such an interest, teacher. I was being too narrow-minded."
"Leave it to your disciple! I guarantee I'll build you the finest academy on the entire continent!"
She patted her chest as she promised, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness. She was nothing like the dignified crown prince she usually appeared to be.
In front of Chen Xuan, she seemed able to cast aside every disguise.
In the days that followed, a major event took place in Heaven Dou City.
His Highness Crown Prince Xue Qinghe spent a fortune to build a vast, magnificent academy in the city's most prosperous district—and did it at astonishing speed.
The entire Soul Master World of Heaven Dou City was thrown into an uproar, and people speculated about which Grandmaster was coming to the city to establish a sect.
But on the day the academy was completed and its signboard was hung, everyone burst into laughter.
"Blue Silver Academy?"
"Hahahaha! Am I seeing things? His Highness the Crown Prince went to all that trouble just to build an academy that teaches people how to use Blue Silver Grass?"
"What a waste! Does anyone really need to be taught how to use that stuff? Can't just about anyone use it?"
"I bet His Highness the Crown Prince got scammed!"
Before long, all sorts of rumors were spreading through the streets and alleys of Heaven Dou City.
Blue Silver Academy became a laughingstock among the city's Soul Masters.
In a quiet courtyard inside the academy.
Qian Renxue told Chen Xuan about the rumors outside, her exquisite face bearing a touch of anger.
"Teacher, those ignorant fools dare to mock you! I'll send people to arrest those gossipmongers and cut out their tongues!"
Chen Xuan was reclining leisurely in a rocking chair, eyes closed as he rested.
At her words, he didn't even lift an eyelid.
"It doesn't matter."
"You can't talk about ice to a summer insect, nor about the sea to a well frog. Let them say what they like."
Seeing how calm and composed her teacher was, Qian Renxue's anger quietly faded away.
Her admiration for him grew even deeper.
His strength was unfathomable, and his heart was as vast as the sea.
How many men like him could there be in the world?
She walked over to Chen Xuan, crouched beside him, and rested her chin in her hands as she gazed up at him.
"Teacher, there are still a few things I don't understand about the theories you taught me last time. Could you... explain them to me again?"
Chen Xuan opened his eyes and sat up straight.
"Go ahead."
"About Martial Soul advancement: you said that will and conviction were key. But how can will... be measured, and how can it be tempered?"
At her question, Chen Xuan began explaining in detail.
He spoke of the essence of the soul, the use of spiritual power, and the gathering of the power of conviction, explaining each idea clearly and profoundly. His words were pearls of wisdom.
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