Half a month later, heading to Heaven Dou City.

Half a month later, Murong Mansion.

"Second Soul Skill, Death Hunt!"

A purple-green spider web surged toward Murong Huai. Seeing this, he summoned the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword. Though the blade remained sheathed, a tremor of golden light erupted, and several sword auras lashed out, shredding the web into dust. The moment the web touched the ground, it corroded a massive hole into the earth.

Immediately following, Bibi Dong controlled the Death Spider Emperor to unleash several venomous slashes. Murong Huai raised his sword to parry, blocking every strike with ease. His figure flickered, appearing before Bibi Dong with his scabbard stopping three inches from her eyes.

"Dong'er, you've lost again." Murong Huai retracted his martial soul and said with a smile.

At these words, Bibi Dong pouted, placed her hands on her hips, and said:

"Hmph, Brother Huai, how are you so strong? You're much stronger than the Soul Elder at the academy."

Murong Huai ruffled Bibi Dong's hair and said, "Dong'er is very impressive too. You are already a level 28 Soul Grand Master; it won't be long before you reach the Soul Elder realm."

Yue Guan had found a celestial herb for Bibi Dong called the Blood Sacrifice Demon Heart Flower, which granted her Death Spider Emperor and Soul-Eater Spider Emperor each a formidable toxin—Blood Pattern and Heart-Eroding Drop.

However, because the vast majority of the medicinal power was consumed by the two martial souls, the boost to Bibi Dong's soul power was not significant, increasing it by only five levels.

"Little Huai, are you ready..."

The two looked over to see Qian Xunji walking into the courtyard. Upon seeing Bibi Dong, Qian Xunji smiled and said:

"Little Huai, who is this little girl..."

"Senior Brother, her name is Bibi Dong. We met when we awakened our martial souls together. Like me, she also possesses Twin Martial Souls. Dong'er, this is the Senior Brother I told you about, the young master of Martial Soul Hall, Qian Xunji." Murong Huai introduced.

"Dong'er greets the Young Master." Bibi Dong hurriedly bowed.

Seeing this, Qian Xunji waved his hand. "Eh, no need for such formalities. So you are the other genius who awakened Twin Martial Souls? To have level 28 soul power at such a young age, not bad at all."

"Senior Brother, why are you in such a rush..."

Qian Xunji replied, "Hey, you brat, have you forgotten? We have to head to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to attend their birthday banquet!"

"Right, right, I almost forgot." Murong Huai slapped his forehead, finally remembering.

"A birthday banquet? Can I go?" Bibi Dong asked curiously.

Hearing Bibi Dong's question, Murong Huai thought for a moment and looked at Qian Xunji, who nodded and smiled:

"Sure, why not? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is wealthy and powerful; they won't miss the food for one little girl."

"Yay!" Bibi Dong was overjoyed.

"Alright, let's set off, Senior Brother."

"Let's go."

The group arrived outside the Murong Mansion to find three carriages waiting. Aside from Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Dugu Bo waiting by the carriages, Thousand Jun and Falling Devil were also present.

"Young Master, Holy Son."

Qian Xunji nodded. "Let's depart."

"Understood."

The group boarded the carriages, and the coachmen slowly drove them away from Martial Soul City, heading in the direction of Heaven Dou City.

One day later, Heaven Dou City.

Murong Huai, Qian Xunji, and the others arrived in Heaven Dou City after a day of travel.

"Senior Brother, aren't we going to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Why aren't we heading straight to Seven Treasure City? Why stop in Heaven Dou City?"

Hearing Murong Huai's grumbling, Qian Xunji crossed his arms over his chest and said:

"Hah, we are Martial Soul Hall. It would be beneath our dignity to arrive so early. Let's stay in Heaven Dou City for the night; it won't be too late to go tomorrow."

"Such a show-off..." Murong Huai muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Ah..." Just as Murong Huai began to make up an excuse, a shout rang out.

"Get out of the way, you lowly commoner!"

Murong Huai pushed aside the curtain to look. A youth in luxurious robes, roughly fifteen or sixteen years old, was whipping his horse and charging recklessly through the street.

An elderly woman, unable to dodge in time, stood frozen in place. Seeing this, the youth raised his horse whip, which was coated in white soul power. With a sharp crack, the woman was whipped to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Old woman!!"

A hunched old man ran over in a panic and cradled her. The woman was already quite old and possessed no soul power; having taken the youth's lash, she was severely injured, coughing up blood with a fading breath.

"Old woman, are you alright?"

"Pah! A mere commoner dares to block this young noble's path? If you want to die, go die on the side of the road! If you can't, I'll help you along!"

The youth said with disdain. Hearing this, the old man was consumed by rage and shouted angrily:

"You bunch of butchers! You treat human lives like grass, you won't have a good end!!"

The old man's fury drew a crowd, and the onlookers began to condemn the youth.

"How could someone be like this..."

"Galloping through the streets, charging around like a madman, and now you're hitting people..."

"Exactly, it's completely immoral!"

"..."

Hearing the old man dare to curse him, and feeling the gazes of the surrounding crowd, the youth let out a cold snort. He stepped forward as his spirit power surged, two yellow Spirit Rings descending as a magnificent white swan appeared behind him.

"A Swan Martial Soul? Could he be a member of the royal family?"

"That old couple is in trouble..."

"Run, hurry and run!"

"..."

Upon seeing the Swan Martial Soul, the surrounding crowd scattered in a panic. In the Heaven Dou Empire, especially in Heaven Dou City, the Swan Martial Soul was the symbol of imperial power. No one dared to provoke it, let alone commoners.

"You old thing, you dare curse this young prince? Fine, contempt for the royal family is punishable by immediate execution. I'll send you both on your way today!"

Hearing this, the old man's eyes filled with resolve and fury as he glared at the youth.

"Bah! You're nothing but parasites. Slaughtering innocent lives—you will surely be struck down by lightning! Even as ghosts, my wife and I will never let you go!"

The youth coated his palm in spirit power and struck directly toward the old man. The latter closed his eyes.

However, death did not arrive. The old man opened his eyes to see a slender yet powerful hand gripping the youth's wrist. The one who had intervened was Murong Huai. Seeing someone dare to stop him, the youth flew into a rage.

"Who are you to meddle in this young prince's affairs!"

Murong Huai sneered, applying slight pressure with his fingers. With a crack, the youth's bones were crushed, and the latter let out a miserable shriek.

"Ah..."

Murong Huai then flicked his hand, tossing the youth aside. The latter slammed into the ground, wailing in agony.

At this moment, a man arrived with a squad of soldiers. Seeing the youth writhing on the ground, he rushed over.

"Prince Xue Xing, Your Highness, are you alright?"

Xue Xing clutched his hand, cold sweat dripping down his face as he glared at Murong Huai and shouted, "Kill him for me!!"

Hearing Xue Xing's command, the man stood up, looked at Murong Huai, and snorted.

"Hmph, you bold commoner, how dare you lay a hand on Prince Xue Xing! Men, attack! Kill him!"

As the man finished speaking, the dozen soldiers surrounding them charged at Murong Huai with spears leveled. Murong Huai snorted, not taking them seriously in the slightest. Then, a voice rang out.

"Third Spirit Skill, Aura Barrier!"

Suddenly, a terrifying pressure descended, pinning everyone to the ground. Even the man was forced to his knees, his hands pressed against the earth.

Yue Guan walked out from the side and stood beside Murong Huai. Seeing this, the man gritted his teeth and roared, "Insolent! Do you know who you have harmed? He is the son of Prince Xue Tian! If you dare to hurt him, you will..."

"Hmph, noisy... Cripple one leg each and get them out of my sight," Murong Huai snorted.

"As you command, Your Highness." As Yue Guan finished speaking, a dozen golden blades flew out, slicing through the tendons and leg bones of the men. Blood sprayed everywhere, and the group let out wretched screams. Xue Xing fainted from the pain.

"Ah..."

"Get out!"

Hearing Yue Guan's command, the men limped away, scrambling to flee with the unconscious Xue Xing.