One Month Later.

One month later, Star Dome Valley.

"Third Form: Moonlight Dust Cleansing!!!"

Murong Huai held the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword, silver-white sword light flowing along the blade and revealing a sacred, pure sword intent. With a single thrust, he launched a piercing attack toward Qian Xunji.

A flash of admiration crossed the latter's eyes. With his own longsword imbued with sword intent, he struck out casually, instantly neutralizing Murong Huai's offensive.

Qian Xunji dissipated the sword in his hand and looked at Murong Huai, who stood opposite him, sword in hand and brimming with high spirits. Qian Xunji was filled with deep emotion.

Over this past month, he had fully witnessed Murong Huai's talent for the sword. On the fifth day, he had perfectly mastered the first form; by the tenth day, he had grasped the second level of the Angel Sword Technique; and now, in just half a month, he had even mastered the third form—Moonlight Dust Cleansing.

When he himself had mastered the third form, it had taken him an entire year of practice. The gap between them was by no means small.

"Very good, Little Huai. You have now mastered the third form of the sword technique. Truly excellent." Qian Xunji did not hesitate to offer his praise.

"Senior Brother is too kind. It is all thanks to your meticulous guidance over this past month," Murong Huai said to Qian Xunji with gratitude.

After a month, in addition to a massive increase in his own sword cultivation, Murong Huai's physical fitness had improved several times over under the gravity control of Tu Zhen. The gravity he could adapt to had reached three times the norm, which was a significant improvement.

At this moment, Tu Zhen stepped forward, holding a box, and said to Murong Huai:

"Your Highness the Holy Son, this is what His Holiness the Pope has instructed me to bring to you."

Hearing this, Murong Huai stepped forward and took the box. Upon opening it, he saw rows of dark, crystalline gelatinous objects resting in the grooves. Seeing this, Murong Huai exclaimed in surprise:

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

"Correct, Holy Son. There are eight portions of Whale Rubber in this box, all over ten thousand years old. Among them, the one in the very center is fifty thousand years old and will have the best effect," Tu Zhen explained from the side.

Hearing Tu Zhen's words, Qian Xunji looked at Murong Huai's expression and began to act "solemnly."

"Yo, Little Huai, I couldn't tell, but at such a young age you already..."

"Ugh... hold your horses!" Murong Huai quickly raised a hand to stop him, then said:

"Senior Brother, don't get the wrong idea. I am using the Whale Rubber to improve my physique, not for the same purpose as you!"

"Ah, oh, oh." Qian Xunji gave an awkward laugh, realized what he had said, and quickly added:

"Hey, no, I've never used it, alright!"

"Oh."

"..."

Originally, Murong Huai's physique had far exceeded that of his peers, being no weaker than a Soul Elder. Now, after a month of training, it had reached the level of a high-ranking Soul Elder. If he were to consume this fifty-thousand-year-old Whale Rubber, his physique would improve once again.

Afterward, Murong Huai sat cross-legged by the lake and took out the fifty-thousand-year-old Whale Rubber. It appeared a faint gold. Murong Huai took a deep breath and swallowed the entire piece.

The Whale Rubber had a thick, fishy smell upon entering his mouth, but it quickly turned into a stream of heat flowing into his belly. Not only that, but after reaching his stomach, the Whale Rubber emitted a faint fragrance that wafted out through his nostrils. The sensation was truly quite marvelous.

Within just a few breaths of consuming it, Murong Huai felt his chest and abdomen heat up. The scalding, comfortable sensation immediately activated every bone and joint in his body.

Steam was rising from the top of his head, and his entire body turned bright red. After less than a minute, Murong Huai could no longer hold it back.

"Ahhh!"

Murong Huai stood up, leaped into the air, and dove straight into the lake. The icy water washed over his body, dulling the intense sensation.

After all, he was only six years old. Even with the Whale Rubber, that thing was just the size of a peanut; it couldn't really stand up, and holding it in was incredibly uncomfortable, so he had no choice but to jump into the lake to soothe the effects.

Watching Murong Huai's state, Qian Xunji looked at the remaining Whale Rubber, lost in thought...

About half an hour later, Murong Huai leaped out of the lake and landed on the ground, soaking wet.

A beam of milky-white energy flew over and merged into Murong Huai's body, not only restoring his state but also evaporating the moisture from his clothes.

Murong Huai clenched his palm, feeling both happy and surprised:

"Goodness, I didn't expect the effect of this fifty-thousand-year-old Whale Rubber to be so strong. My physique has taken another leap; aside from my soul power, the rest is almost comparable to a Soul King."

"And after this month of cultivation, my soul power is completely saturated. It is time to obtain my second soul ring!"

Although he was formidable among his peers, one's realm was the most important thing. No matter how strong you are at your level, if your opponent is two or three major realms higher, how are you supposed to fight?!

Murong Huai walked up to Qian Xunji and gave a cheeky grin.

"Hehe, Senior Brother, look, your Junior Brother is currently lacking a second soul ring. How about..."

Hearing Murong Huai's words, Qian Xunji smiled and shook his head.

"You brat, fine. It just so happens that I will be busy in a little while, so I will take you to the Star Dou Great Forest for a trip in these next few days."

"Then many thanks, Senior Brother. I'll head back to the mansion first." Hearing Qian Xunji's agreement, Murong Huai smiled happily and left Star Dome Valley. He had basically been living in Star Dome Mansion for the past month and hadn't been home in a long time.

Martial Soul City, Murong Mansion.

"Mother, your adorable, precious son is back."

Murong Huai rushed into the mansion and arrived at the backyard. Under the pavilion, Wu Xianyun was lying on a chair, with several maids waiting nearby with fruit platters and refreshments.

"My Lady, it seems the Young Master has returned."

"I heard him. That brat, it took him almost a month to come back," Wu Xianyun said, rubbing her temples.

Then, Murong Huai's small figure came running in quickly. He stepped on the stone pillar at the edge and leaped directly into the pavilion, throwing himself into Wu Xianyun's arms.

"Mother..."

Wu Xianyun gently ruffled Murong Huai's hair. "You brat, it took you a whole month to remember to come home."

"Hehe, Mother, it's because of the training tasks my teacher assigned me. Otherwise, I would definitely come home every day to see my dear mother!" Murong Huai said with a wide, toothy grin.

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

"Right, Mother, where are Grandfather and the others?" Murong Huai asked, puzzled.

"Oh, Martial Soul Hall is going to execute a plan in a while, so all the titled douluo and elders have gone to discuss the strategy, including your father." Wu Xianyun explained.

"A plan? What kind of plan?"

"Hmm... it seems they are going to attack some faction. Only those at the elder level or above know the specific details." Wu Xianyun shook her head.

"Oh, I see..." Murong Huai thought to himself. It seemed the original story mentioned Martial Soul Hall attacking some faction during this period, but he couldn't quite recall which one.

Forget it, I'll focus on obtaining my spirit ring first.