Departure, Skywater City

"We still need about a month to reach the sea from our current location."

"Let's treat these days as sightseeing along the way. You and Ling Xin can take turns driving."

Qian Yufeng said to Qian Lingsu.

The three of them stood before a carriage, ready to leave Tianyong City.

"Family Head, are you planning to go to the mysterious Sea God Island?" Qian Lingsu asked doubtfully.

Having remained by Qian Yufeng's side for many years, she naturally knew of some of the continent's hidden places.

"With the strength of just the three of us, we can't set foot on Sea God Island for now."

"Back then, the Great Worship dispatched two thousand elite Soul Masters, yet fewer than one in ten returned."

Qian Yufeng naturally had no intention of going to Sea God Island.

Bo Saixi guarded Sea God Island. Aside from the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, no one was her match.

Sea Soul Masters were extremely hostile toward outsiders. Landing on the island at this time would only be asking for trouble.

The Soul Beast Qian Yufeng had chosen was a hundred-thousand-year Golden Conch.

This fellow was lazy by nature and liked to forage and sleep near reef-strewn shallows.

Its defense and attack were both quite good; he simply did not know what kind of soul bone it might yield.

The Golden Conch's weakness was its poor resistance to corrosion.

Qian Yufeng had brought mixed corrosive venom in his storage Soul Tool.

If a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast came into contact with 500 milliliters, it would lose its ability to resist within an hour and become lamb to the slaughter.

Against a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, the dosage would likely need to be higher. Two liters should be enough.

With Qian Lingxin and Qian Lingsu working together to hold back the Golden Conch, it would not be too difficult.

Afterward, the three bid Mu Cheng farewell and drove toward the outskirts of Tianyong City.

Mu Cheng turned and entered the shop, hurrying home through the back door. She needed to tell her grandfather the President's message.

At Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji looked at the information in his hand regarding his Second Granduncle, and the corner of his mouth could not help twitching.

At his age, how could he still be so young at heart, going to places of pleasure?!

Qian Xunji had heard of Tianyong City's great reputation when he was young and had gone there once or twice.

But after his father found out, he never went again.

The reason was: You are destined to become the Pope in the future. How can you go to such a place of entertainment?!

Second Granduncle had also rarely gotten angry and given him a harsh scolding.

"You really never stop worrying people. I'm curious—why didn't Grandfather arrange a marriage for you back then?"

"If you had a second grandmother, Second Granduncle probably wouldn't be so unruly, right?!"

Qian Xunji thought to himself.

This was also something he found deeply puzzling. On the continent, Second Granduncle could be considered a handsome man.

He excelled in both literary and martial pursuits. How could he have no admirers?

That was clearly unreasonable!

His father, Qian Daoliu, had never cared about such matters anyway.

Seeing that something was off about Qian Xunji's expression, Gui Mei asked with concern, "Your Holiness, has something happened?"

Qian Xunji raised his eyes to look at him and shook his head. "Nothing. As for Elder Feng's whereabouts, don't look into them too deeply. Remember not to disturb his private life."

Gui Mei understood at once. "Understood, Your Holiness."

Qian Xunji gestured for him to withdraw and began considering Qian Yufeng's words before he left.

If Spirit Hall truly expanded its recruitment to include commoner Soul Masters, its influence could indeed rise once more.

"Ah, what a headache!" He sighed and continued handling official business.

Still, what comforted Qian Xunji was that Bibi Dong brought him soup every day. She was truly a thoughtful little darling.

No matter how agitated he felt, he could find a brief moment of peace.

Time passed in a flash. Qian Yufeng stepped down from the carriage, refreshed and alert, and looked at their destination.

Skywater City!

This was the largest coastal city in the northwest of the continent, and also the only place home to an academy that admitted only female students.

Skywater Academy.

Skywater Academy was also one of the reasons Soul Masters from across the continent were drawn to this city.

A graceful lady was what every gentleman desired.

Whether graduates or current students, the female Soul Masters of Skywater Academy were all outstanding among women.

That applied both outwardly and inwardly!

Skywater Academy could be said to be the best place to find a partner.

After examining the city gate in the distance, Qian Yufeng said to the two maids:

"We also have an outpost in Skywater City. Drive to Maple Leaf Retail."

After entering the city without incident and making a few simple inquiries about Maple Leaf Retail's location in Skywater City, the three quickly arrived at their destination.

Qian Yufeng stepped down from the carriage, entered the shop, and displayed his exclusive identity token.

The female attendant invited the three of them to a guest room on the third floor. Soon afterward, a woman dressed in sea-blue clothing entered.

"Shui Ya pays respects to the President!" the woman said respectfully.

Qian Yufeng smiled. "Xiao Ya, it's been years since we last met. You've grown into a fine young woman!"

Shui Ya's martial soul was the Mystic Water Crocodile. She was an eighty-ninth-rank assault-type Soul Douluo.

It could be said that she was even stronger than Tang Hao, and she was only twenty-eight years old.

Shui Ya looked at Qian Yufeng and asked, "President, have you come to Skywater City this time for some mission?"

Qian Yufeng nodded. "My Soul Power has reached rank ninety. It's time to obtain a soul ring."

"Huh?!" Shui Ya wore the same expression Mu Cheng had.

Shock!

According to her father's judgment, this President was at least one hundred and seventy years old.

Yet most people on the continent broke through to Title Douluo before the age of eighty.

Starting from sixty, one's vitality and blood would decline. If one had not broken through by eighty, then there would be no possibility of doing so for the rest of one's life.

The President clearly defied common sense!

"Heh, I'm not lying to you."

"I came to Skywater City this time to go out to sea in search of a Soul Beast and acquire my ninth soul ring."

Qian Yufeng spoke again.

Shui Ya knew this President's strength well. His eighth soul ring was already a hundred-thousand-year one, so this voyage was undoubtedly intended to hunt a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast.

"President, whatever you need me to do, Xiao Ya will certainly give it her all."

If the President broke through to Title Douluo, he could extend his lifespan once more.

Then the intelligence network he had built would remain the strongest on the continent, and their Shui Family could continue its hidden legacy.

"I need a stable ship capable of long-distance voyages." Qian Yufeng made only one request.

"President, isn't this... too poorly prepared? What if you..." Shui Ya asked worriedly.

Qian Yufeng was already so advanced in years, and he had brought only two people with him.

Hunting a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, especially at sea, required thorough preparation!

Qian Yufeng naturally understood what she meant. He glanced at the two maids before looking at her and saying:

"Ling Xin and Ling Su are both Title Douluo. That is more than enough for this soul hunt."

"I'm not traveling across the sea for leisure. We'll return once the hunt is over."

Shui Ya was somewhat surprised. The President's two maids were actually Title Douluo!

Judging by their ages, they seemed to be about the same age as herself.

She could only marvel inwardly: as expected of the President, he always managed to uncover genius Soul Masters.

"As for my father, I..." Shui Ya looked at Qian Yufeng, seeking his opinion.

"Keep it from your father for now. He's retired already, and you're the shop manager now!"

"And there's no need to tell your elder brother either."

Qian Yufeng said immediately. He had no desire to meet that father-and-son pair who could not hold their liquor.

They were poor drinkers yet loved drinking. It was dreadfully boring!

Shui Ya showed a trace of embarrassment, understanding the implication behind his words.

"Then please wait here, President. I'll notify you once I've made the arrangements!"

"Sorry to trouble you."

After Qian Yufeng spoke, Shui Ya left the room to find a ship for him.

Looking at the two maids, he said again, "Xiao Ya's talent is no worse than either of yours. If inheriting the shop had not delayed her cultivation, she would likely be a Title Douluo by now."

"There are many genius Soul Masters on the continent. Do not underestimate anyone."