Xuan Qing's Malice

Inside the imperial palace, the expression on the face of Emperor Xue Ye grew increasingly unsightly as he finished listening to the report from Xue Qinghe.

For the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to seize people within the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was nothing short of a slap in the face to the empire.

That they dared to act in such a manner proved they held no regard for the empire whatsoever.

However, Emperor Xue Ye was more concerned with another matter.

"A Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear King with cultivation exceeding one hundred thousand years? Did Xuan Qing truly say that? Does such a thing really exist?"

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"Father, back in Suotuo City, Xuan Qing already mentioned that the Star Dou Forest has existed for so many years; how could it possibly only contain two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts?"

"It seems he had already verified this beforehand. I fear the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear King is real."

Emperor Xue Ye's face turned pale. If that were the case, then going there now would be a journey with ten deaths and no life.

Hunt the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear King? Don't joke around; that is simply courting death.

In the end, Emperor Xue Ye only issued a symbolic imperial decree, condemning the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan for causing a disturbance within the academy.

But he did not take any real action; after all, Yu Yuanzhen was still alive.

Regardless of how one looked at it, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was within the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire. Although they had always maintained neutrality, their strength was undeniable.

Xuan Qing might not fear their retaliation, but that did not mean the empire felt the same.

"Qinghe, continue to interact with Xuan Qing in the future. Within the bounds of safety, try your best to extract the method for exceeding the limit when absorbing soul rings. This is too important for the empire."

Xue Qinghe could only offer a bitter smile.

"Father, regarding this, I have already asked Xuan Qing. Aside from physical constitution, the only requirement for a ten-thousand-year soul ring is spiritual power."

"But the drawbacks of spiritual power or treasures that enhance it are not easy to come by. He suggested three methods—"

"First: If you don't push yourself, you will never know how much potential you have. To put it plainly, it is life-and-death tempering."

"Second: Mermaid's Tears, as well as treasures that might be in the possession of soul beasts exceeding one hundred thousand years."

"Third: High-quality external soul bones for the head."

Emperor Xue Ye frowned deeply as he listened.

"Then how did he manage to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring as his third ring? Could he have truly used Mermaid's Tears?"

Xue Qinghe nodded, confirming this speculation.

"It is very likely. Otherwise, why would he be able to describe the effects and acquisition methods of something we have never heard of in such detail? It defies common sense."

Hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye narrowed his eyes.

"Hunt a hundred-thousand-year mermaid that can leverage the advantages of the ocean? What level of powerhouse would that require?"

Xue Qinghe analyzed the situation.

"Think about it, Father. On the current Douluo Continent, only Tang Hao possesses a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, and that was sacrificed by his wife."

"But what about the person by Xuan Qing's side? Two hundred-thousand-year soul rings."

"This proves he has hunted two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and obtained two soul bones. This alone is enough to prove just how terrifyingly powerful the force behind him is."

Emperor Xue Ye gasped. He had only been focusing on Xuan Qing before and hadn't thought that far.

Now, prompted by his son, he realized the gravity of the situation.

How strong must a faction be to be able to hunt Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and cultivate such monsters? Are they perhaps even stronger than Martial Soul Hall?

At the very least, Martial Soul Hall only had Qian Daoliu as a peerless Douluo on the surface, and his current status was unknown.

The force behind Xuan Qing, capable of hunting Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, at least implied they possessed powerhouses capable of contending with such beasts—and certainly more than one, otherwise, a failed hunt would have meant total annihilation.

The more Emperor Xue Ye thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

"Qinghe, do you think... is it possible for the force behind Xuan Qing to unify the continent?"

Xue Qinghe shook his head.

"Unlikely. Between the two, Xuan Qing is the core, but Xuan Qing's temperament..."

Thinking of Xuan Qing's temperament, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Although that kid was strong and had a sharp tongue, he had no ambition. He only did what he believed was right and had no interest in power.

Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

After Ning Fengzhi finished reading the intelligence sent back from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He took several deep breaths before he could barely calm his mood.

Chen Xin also took a deep breath.

"To think that kid's third ring was ten thousand years old. With the Demon Dragon Douluo having a ten-thousand-year fourth ring and a hundred-thousand-year eighth ring, it is not entirely unacceptable."

Gu Rong added a point.

"That kid's third soul ring is not just ten thousand years old. Looking at that aura, it is clearly over twenty thousand years. The soul power fluctuations are definitely not something one could have just after crossing the ten-thousand-year mark."

Ning Fengzhi's expression turned grave.

"This is a massive disaster. Xuan Qing is digging a grave for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and it's a death trap with no escape."

Ning Rongrong looked puzzled.

"Does Father mean... Xuan Qing is lying to them? That bear-type soul beast isn't seventy thousand years old?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded.

"Exactly. Given Xuan Qing's temperament, how could he possibly let them off so easily?"

"That bear-type soul beast is definitely more than seventy thousand years old, and he didn't even specify the species. The loophole is far too large."

Gu Rong wore a rather strange expression upon hearing this.

"Then it's nine times out of ten an incredibly powerful soul beast. This kid, his strategy of borrowing a knife to kill is truly ruthless. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is about to suffer a terrible fate."

Ning Fengzhi sighed.

"In this way, we have one fewer ally against Martial Soul Hall. If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is wiped out, only we and the Clear Sky Sect will remain of the Upper Three Sects."

"With the Clear Sky Sect having sealed their mountain and refusing to emerge, it effectively leaves only our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The pressure... is simply too great."

Chen Xin, however, remarked.

"They brought this upon themselves. Who told them to be so greedy, trying to capture Xuan Qing and Dugu Yan? They kicked an iron plate; who can they blame but themselves?"

Ning Rongrong asked in a low voice.

"Then what should we do? Should we warn the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head.

"We cannot warn them. If we do, we offend Xuan Qing. We cannot afford to provoke that boy; it is better to protect our own interests."

Meanwhile, inside Dugu Manor, Xuan Qing was leisurely sipping tea while Zi Ji stood by his side, looking as if she had something to say but was holding back.

Xuan Qing glanced at her, his tone carrying a hint of a smile.

"If you have something to say, just say it. No need to hold it in."

Zi Ji hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Senior, is it really alright to just throw those people to Lord Bear like that? With Lord Bear's explosive temper, he doesn't know how to hold back his strength."

Xuan Qing set down his teacup, his tone indifferent.

"You know my nature. A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years. That fellow caused me trouble last time, and I haven't settled the score yet. Consider this a 'gift' in return."

"If they actually manage to return alive, then Lord Bear really ought to go practice with Di Tian. If he can't even finish off a group of trash, what kind of Fierce Beast is he?"

Zi Ji thought about it and agreed.

"That is true. As long as that foolish bear doesn't decide to play with his food, given Lord Bear's strength, unless Yu Yuanzhen can break through to level ninety-seven, it's unlikely any of them will survive."

"A twenty-thousand-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear can already tear apart a weaker Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Lord Bear has over four hundred thousand years of cultivation, and Yu Yuanzhen is only level ninety-five. Going there is just serving themselves up as a meal."

Xuan Qing nodded.

"That is exactly why I sent them there. Surviving is a matter of skill, and dying is a matter of fate. I gave them the opportunity; if they don't cherish it, who can they blame?"