A Month Later

...One month later, Star Dome Valley.

"Third Form: Moonlight Dust Cleansing!!!"

Murong Huai held the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword. Silver-white swordlight flowed along its blade, revealing a sacred and pure sword intent. He thrust forward, launching a fierce attack at Qian Xunji.

A look of astonishment flashed through the latter's eyes. He too imbued the long sword in his hand with sword intent, then casually thrust it out, effortlessly dispelling Murong Huai's attack.

Qian Xunji dispersed the long sword in his hand and looked at Murong Huai, who stood opposite him with sword in hand, full of youthful vigor. He was overcome with emotion.

Over the past month, he had truly witnessed Murong Huai's talent for the sword. On the fifth day, he had mastered the first form of the sword technique perfectly. By the tenth, he had comprehended the second stage of the Angel Sword Technique. And now, after just half a month, he had comprehended the third form—Moonlight Dust Cleansing.

When Qian Xunji had comprehended the third form, he had already been practicing for a whole year. The gap between them was no small thing.

"Very good, Huai. You've now comprehended the third sword form. Excellent work." Qian Xunji praised him without reservation.

"You flatter me, Senior Brother. I owe it to your careful guidance over the past month." Murong Huai thanked Qian Xunji gratefully.

Over the past month, Murong Huai's swordsmanship had improved tremendously. In addition, under Tu Zhen's control of gravity, his physique had improved several times over, and he had adapted to three times normal gravity. His progress had been considerable.

Just then, Tu Zhen stepped forward with a box in his hands and said to Murong Huai:

"Your Highness the Holy Son, His Holiness the Pope asked me to deliver this to you."

At that, Murong Huai stepped forward and took the box. When he opened it, he saw rows of dark-colored, crystal-like gelatinous objects nestled in its slots. Delighted at the sight, he exclaimed:

"This is... Whale Rubber!!!"

"That's right, Holy Son. There are eight pieces of Whale Rubber in this box, all over ten thousand years old. The one in the very middle is fifty thousand years old and has the best effects," Tu Zhen explained from the side.

Hearing Tu Zhen's words, Qian Xunji looked at Murong Huai with a suddenly "serious" expression.

"Well, well, Huai. Who would've thought, at your young age, you're already..."

"Wait... hold on!" Murong Huai hurriedly raised a hand to stop him, then said:

"Senior Brother, don't get the wrong idea. I'm using the Whale Rubber to improve my physique. That's not the same reason you use it!"

"Ah, oh." Qian Xunji smiled awkwardly, then quickly said, "Hey, that's not right. I've never used it, okay!"

"Oh."

"..."

Murong Huai's physique had already far surpassed that of Soul Masters at the same rank and was no weaker than a Soul Elder's. After a month of training, he had reached the level of an Advanced Soul Elder. If he took this fifty-thousand-year-old Whale Rubber, his physique would improve yet again.

Murong Huai then sat cross-legged by the lake and took out the piece of Whale Rubber. It was a faint gold color. He took a deep breath and swallowed the whole thing.

The Whale Rubber had a strong fishy smell as soon as it entered his mouth, but soon the stench turned into a stream of heat that flowed into his stomach. What was more, after it reached his belly, a faint fragrance rose up and wafted from his nostrils. The sensation was truly rather strange.

After just a few breaths, Murong Huai felt the space between his chest and abdomen grow hot. That searing yet comfortable sensation immediately set every part of his body abuzz.

Steam billowed from the top of his head, and his whole body turned red. Before even a minute had passed, Murong Huai couldn't take it anymore.

"Ahhh!"

Murong Huai sprang to his feet, leaped, and plunged straight into the lake. The icy water washed over his body, dulling the sensation.

After all, he was only six years old. Even with the Whale Rubber, that thing was no bigger than a peanut—it wasn't going to stand up at all. Holding it in was especially uncomfortable, so he could only jump into the lake to ease the effects.

Watching Murong Huai, Qian Xunji glanced at the remaining pieces of Whale Rubber and fell into thought...

About half an hour later, Murong Huai leaped out of the lake and landed on the ground, drenched from head to toe.

A milky-white energy flew over and merged into Murong Huai's body. It restored his condition and evaporated the water from his clothes.

Murong Huai clenched and unclenched his hand, exclaiming in delighted surprise:

"Good heavens, I didn't expect this fifty-thousand-year-old Whale Rubber to be so potent! My physique has taken another huge leap. Apart from my soul power, I'm now almost on par with a Soul King in every way."

"Besides, after a month of training, my Soul Power is completely saturated. It's time to get my Second Soul Ring!"

Though he was formidable among those of the same rank, his cultivation level was what mattered most. No matter how strong you were at your own rank, what could you do if your opponent was two or three major realms above you?!

Murong Huai walked up to Qian Xunji and grinned.

"Hehe, Senior Brother, your junior here is missing a Second Soul Ring. How about..."

Hearing Murong Huai, Qian Xunji shook his head with a smile.

"You little rascal. All right, I'll be getting busy again before long, so I'll take you to the Star Dou Great Forest in the next few days."

"Then thank you, Senior Brother. I'll head back to the mansion first." Hearing Qian Xunji agree, Murong Huai smiled happily and left Star Dome Valley. He had spent most of the past month living at Star Dome Mansion, and it had been a long time since he'd gone home.

Spirit City, Murong Mansion.

"Mom, your adorable darling son is home!"

Murong Huai dashed into the mansion and headed for the back courtyard. Beneath the pavilion, Wu Xianyun was reclining in a chair while several maids stood nearby, waiting with fruit and refreshments.

"Madam, it seems the young master is back."

"I heard him. That little rascal took nearly a month to come home." Wu Xianyun rubbed her head as she spoke.

Then Murong Huai's small figure came racing in. He stepped on a nearby stone pillar and leaped straight into the pavilion, throwing himself into Wu Xianyun's arms.

"Mom..."

Wu Xianyun gently rubbed Murong Huai's head. "You little rascal, it took you a whole month to remember to come home?"

"Hehe, Mom, my teacher assigned me a training regimen. Otherwise, I'd definitely come home every day to see my dear mother~" Murong Huai grinned.

"Enough, you little rascal." Wu Xianyun lightly tapped Murong Huai on the head.

"By the way, Mom, where are Grandpa and the others?" Murong Huai asked curiously.

"Oh, the Spirit Hall is going to carry out a plan soon. All the elders and worshippers have gone to discuss countermeasures, including your father," Wu Xianyun explained.

"A plan? What plan?"

"Hmm... It seems they're going to attack some faction. Only those at the rank of elder or above know the details." Wu Xianyun shook her head.

"Oh, I see..." Murong Huai thought it over. In the original story, the Spirit Hall seemed to have attacked some faction around this time, but he couldn't remember which one.

Never mind. He'd get his Spirit Ring first.