Farewell to Jiujiu, a Chance Encounter with Huo Yuhao?

She clapped her hands, and a maid immediately stepped forward carrying a tray holding the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife.

"I'm very happy to have met Brother Qiangu today."

"Since Brother Qiangu likes this item, I'll make the decision to give it to you!"

"However, Brother Qiangu, although I don't know why you need this, you must be careful. Just as those people outside said, the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife is a cursed engraving knife. Dozens of its previous owners all died in the end."

Xu Jiujiu was not cursing Qiangu Qitian; she was simply stating a fact. To everyone on Douluo Continent, the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife was an ominous curse.

"Heh, thank you. I'll be careful."

"Princess Jiujiu, our paths will cross again. Farewell!"

Qiangu Qitian cupped his hands and immediately prepared to leave.

Although Xu Jiujiu was very beautiful, Qiangu Qitian was not particularly interested in her. This woman was far too clever. If their relationship continued to deepen, he would only end up covered in trouble.

Moreover, in Qiangu Qitian's eyes, Xu Jiujiu was an ambitious woman.

She would never be willing to live beneath another person. Mm... never.

"Brother Qiangu, farewell!"

Xu Jiujiu revealed a warm smile as well. She had originally intended to keep Qiangu Qitian in Star Luo City for a few more days so that she could further cultivate their relationship, but unfortunately, Qiangu Qitian was eager to leave. She could not force him to stay.

Only after watching Qiangu Qitian push open the door and leave did Xu Jiujiu look to the side.

"Grandma Manyi, with your cultivation, you must have already seen Brother Qiangu's strength, right?"

"Just what level has Qiangu Qitian's Soul Power reached? Are Shrek's direct-line core disciples truly this powerful?"

As a princess of the imperial family, Xu Jiujiu was well aware of Shrek Academy's might. But to casually encounter a direct-line core disciple of Shrek with such talent was simply too shocking!

Shrek's foundation was truly terrifying!

Under Xu Jiujiu's gaze, a figure slowly emerged from the spot beside her, where no one had been standing.

She was an old woman who appeared to be at least eighty years old. Her hair was completely white, and her face was exceedingly aged. Yet at this moment, her hunched body was clad in a bright red robe, the vivid color forming a stark contrast with her age.

But what drew the most attention was her snow-white, lustrous hair, which did not seem like hair an old woman in her eighties could possess at all.

"This is a true genius. At such a young age, his Soul Power has already reached level forty-eight. He isn't far from level fifty!"

"It's a pity he's Shrek's genius. If he were one of Star Luo's people, the empire would have no need to worry for the next three hundred years!"

Though the elder called Manyi was old, she was exceptionally vigorous. With her level ninety-three strength, she could effortlessly see exactly what level Qiangu Qitian's Soul Power had reached.

"Level forty-eight!"

"He reached this level of Soul Power at only twelve or thirteen years old!!!"

"So this is what a true genius is like?"

Hearing Manyi's words, Xu Jiujiu could not help revealing a shocked expression.

She had always believed her own talent was already good enough, but compared to Qiangu Qitian, the gap between them was simply far too great.

"Jiujiu, there is no need to feel disappointed or unwilling. Every era produces true geniuses."

"Compared to him, your talent may be somewhat inferior, but as long as you persist in cultivating diligently, you may not necessarily be unable to catch up to him!"

"With your talents, Title Douluo will only be your starting point in the future. Set your sights on the future. Your goals should be beyond Limit Douluo."

Nebula Douluo Manyi, who possessed level ninety-three Soul Power, looked at Xu Jiujiu with an increasingly serious expression and earnestly cautioned her.

She was deeply afraid that Xu Jiujiu would lose her original drive after seeing talent that far surpassed her own.

Having lived for more than a hundred years, she understood better than anyone just how important one's spirit was to a Soul Master.

She had experienced much and seen much. Once a Soul Master lost that spirit, the speed of their Soul Power growth would slow dramatically. In the end, they might even become trapped at a certain realm, never able to break through again!

"Grandma Manyi, don't worry. How could I possibly become discouraged over this? I only wanted to know Qiangu Qitian's Soul Power and talent so that I could have a goal to chase."

"My determination to pursue the continent's peak is no weaker than anyone else's."

Although Xu Jiujiu's Innate Soul Power was only level nine, her goal had never been merely becoming a Title Douluo. Her goal was to become a Super Douluo, a Limit Douluo beyond a Super Douluo!

After taking the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife, Qiangu Qitian swiftly left the Starlight Auction Venue. He then intended to pass through the streets where the nobles lived and immediately leave Star Luo City.

Yet just as he arrived before the White Tiger Duke Mansion, his gaze suddenly sharpened. A figure dressed in tattered clothes was struggling forward while carrying a wooden bucket.

It was a young boy who appeared to be no older than ten. Long-term malnutrition had made him somewhat frail, but what drew attention were his eyes—bright and clear, obviously extraordinary at a glance.

Was that the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul?!

So this bedraggled fellow was the future God of Emotions, the future Dai Yuhao?

Watching the disheveled Huo Yuhao stagger through the rear entrance of the Duke Mansion, Qiangu Qitian had no intention whatsoever of helping him.

He neither pitied Huo Yuhao nor held any goodwill toward him. He even felt a degree of dislike.

Their personalities simply did not mesh. If the Huo Yuhao of the original story had turned the White Tiger Duke Mansion upside down, Qiangu Qitian would not have disliked him.

But in the original story, after Huo Yuhao became stronger, not only did he fail to take revenge on the White Tiger Duke Mansion, he even chose to forgive them in the end?

After arriving in the God Realm, he even directly changed his name to Dai Yuhao. Qiangu Qitian's values fiercely rejected such behavior.

It was also because of Huo Yuhao's actions that Qiangu Qitian felt physically uncomfortable around the thought of him. Compared with Tang San's courage to love and hate, Huo Yuhao's behavior made him even more uncomfortable.

It even disgusted him. Whenever he thought about how Huo Yuhao had initially sought strength in order to take revenge on the White Tiger Duke Mansion, Qiangu Qitian felt that this person was a complete clown!

At the end of his life, he actually knelt down again and called someone father?

Shaking his head, Qiangu Qitian said nothing more. He turned and headed directly out of Star Luo City.

He needed to return to Shrek Academy and attempt to borrow Mu En's power to completely remove the curse on the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife.

Only after removing that curse could Qiangu Qitian attempt to fuse with that piece of Gold of Life.