Planning for the Future, Searching for Hu Liena

"Of course. Even if you don't believe in yourself, you should at least believe in Brother Feng, right?"

Jin Chen nodded. That was true.

After all, over the past few years, Brother Feng had never led him into a trap and had even taken the blame for him several times.

"Brother Feng, I believe you."

"No, you should believe in yourself."

Qiangu Lingfeng corrected him.

"There's no need to mention Xiaoxue and me. A thousand-year first Soul Ring won't be a problem for us."

"As for you, the limit for your first Soul Ring is a little over four hundred years. The Golden Crocodile martial soul is known for its powerful physical strength, and you've trained your body since childhood. A first Soul Ring of over six hundred years is your true limit."

"You've just absorbed a sixty-thousand-year Soul Bone, further improving your physique. If we can get hold of a ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber, you might really have a chance of achieving a thousand-year first ring."

"But a thousand-year first ring is incredibly difficult. You'll definitely suffer quite a bit, but it will all be worth it. If you can't cross this hurdle, catching up to Xiaoxue and me in the future will probably be difficult."

Ling Feng immediately began psychologically pressuring Jin Chen. He did not know why the original story contained no mention of Golden Crocodile Douluo's descendants, nor of the descendants of Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, the two Douluo.

But his arrival in this world must have already changed some things.

At the very least, his father was one such change. The original story had never mentioned the wielder of the Dark Coiling Dragon Staff. According to the original timeline, his father should have been a Titled Douluo no matter what.

"Could he have died during Qian Xunji's campaign against Tang Hao?"

Ling Feng did not rule out that possibility. After all, if his father lacked Soul Bones a few years from now, he would only be around Rank 87. Facing Tang Hao, who possessed the Clear Sky Sect's secret arts and was fighting desperately, it was entirely possible that he could be taken out.

"Tang Rat, this life will be different. You won't get the chance."

Ling Feng had heard quite a bit about the title of the Clear Sky Twin Stars on the continent. In at most four years, Ah Yin's identity would be exposed, which would put Ling Feng at around ten years old.

He and Qian Renxue were the same age, while in the original story Qian Renxue was eleven years older than Tang San. After Ah Yin's identity was exposed, she hid for anywhere from half a year to a year, so this estimate was roughly correct.

After sorting out the timeline, Ling Feng had a general grasp of things.

As for Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue, the three of them were probably only around two years old at this point in the timeline.

"Based on Hu Liena's background, the three of them should all be in Spirit Hall's orphanage. Their talents aren't bad. It wouldn't hurt to take them under my wing."

With that thought, Ling Feng resolved to bring Hu Liena and the others into his fold. After all, three geniuses with Innate Soul Power at Rank 9 were absolutely rare in this era.

As for their personalities in the original story, Ling Feng had ways to train them properly.

"Brother Feng? Say something. What are you thinking about?"

"I'm not afraid of hardship. I'll definitely be able to absorb a thousand-year first ring!"

While Ling Feng was lost in thought, Jin Chen had already thumped his chest and made his promise.

"Mm, work hard. I was just thinking about something else."

"It's getting late. Go to sleep."

The two little ones quickly fell asleep, while Ling Feng lay in bed tossing and turning.

"The matter of Hu Liena and the other two should be handled as early as possible. They're only two years old, after all. Four years should be enough to make them loyal to me."

"Dugu Bo and the Immortal Herbs must be secured, even if I have to resort to force."

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well held an immense attraction for Ling Feng.

It was not only because of the various Immortal Herbs growing there, which could raise the strength of Spirit Hall's upper ranks by at least one level, but also because of the Ice and Fire Twin Dragon Kings below.

Those were million-year-level divine beasts. Even if their attributes were not particularly compatible, Ling Feng still wanted to absorb the Soul Rings and Soul Bones of both divine beasts.

"And there's Uncle Qian Xunji's situation. He's treated me quite well. At the very least, I have to save his life. The Great Enshrined even gave Father such an excellent Soul Bone. It would be hard to justify not saving him."

Of course, Qian Renxue was even more important. She still depended on Qian Xunji to some extent, and Ling Feng naturally could not stand by and watch Qian Xunji walk to his death.

"If four years are enough for me to secure Dugu Bo and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, then all the grandfathers in the Worship Hall can each increase by at least one rank."

"Father can reach the Titled Douluo realm, Mother can break through to Soul Douluo, and Xiaoxue, Xiaocheng, and I can also advance further because of it."

"My head hurts. Spirit City is closer to the Star Dou Great Forest, after all. I have no reason to go to Sunset Forest to obtain a Soul Ring."

"After all, whether in distance, variety of soul beasts, or their quality, Sunset Forest cannot compare to the Star Dou Great Forest."

Ling Feng was still a child in this life. As he thought, his eyelids grew heavy, and before he knew it, he had fallen into a deep sleep.

After he fell asleep, two dragon-shaped phantoms suddenly emerged within his body, one gold and one black, complementing each other. The golden threads and dark radiance they produced continuously flowed into Ling Feng's sea of consciousness, making him unconsciously moan in comfort.

The night passed without incident...

Early the next morning, Ling Feng was the first to awaken and quickly noticed the changes in himself.

His vision had improved, his mind was clearer than ever, and his entire body felt as though it had been reborn.

"This is... a visualization diagram innate to my martial soul?"

A totem appeared within Ling Feng's sea of consciousness, engraved with the images of the Radiant Sacred Dragon and the Dark Sacred Dragon.

When Ling Feng focused his attention on it, he discovered that the previously motionless totem became animated once he concentrated.

This was a method of cultivation. By visualizing the Sacred Dragons, he could improve his understanding of his martial soul and strengthen his spiritual power.

Moreover, the enhancement was remarkably significant. Over time, Ling Feng's spiritual power would far surpass that of his peers.

"I remember that ten thousand years later, Mu En of Sea God Pavilion relied on the Radiant Sacred Dragon martial soul and his powerful spiritual power to create the spiritual self-created Soul Skill, Ruling the World."

"Then there's no reason I can't do it too."

Ling Feng stretched lazily and woke Qian Renxue and Jin Chen, who were still sleeping soundly.

"Wake up, you two little sleepyheads. Time for morning training."

The so-called morning training consisted of routines tailored for the little ones by the enshrined elders: running around the Worship Hall, engaging in close-quarters combat with others, and then being tossed into medicinal baths.

Though it was the most primitive method, it was indeed effective. The physical strength of all three of them was comparable to that of an ordinary Soul Grandmaster.

"Let's go. We awakened our martial souls today. In Martial Soul Possession, we probably won't get beaten as badly as before."

"..."

The three quickly finished their morning training and each lay in a medicinal bath filled with precious herbs, while Tuoba Yue'er stood guard nearby.

"Mother, where did Father go?"

"Your father went to look for Whale Rubber. The enshrined elders are discussing your training plans."

Ling Feng gave an acknowledging sound, intending to use this opportunity to visit Spirit City's orphanage.

"Mother, we'll start cultivating in a few days. Take us out to play today, okay? It's been a long time since we went out."

At the mention of playing, Qian Renxue and Jin Chen also became interested and began pleading with her.

"Auntie, please? Mid-Autumn Festival is in a few days. I heard there are already many vendors on the streets selling lanterns and mooncakes."

"Alright, alright. I'll do as you wish. Once you've changed, we'll set out."

Tuoba Yue'er had no objection. After all, no one in Spirit City could touch these three children.