Qian Jue: How can Wulin casually call someone Dad?

A long, long time ago, in an age far before Spirit Ice Douluo created the soul-spirit system.

It was said that in that era, even Spirit Hall did not exist, Soul Masters were still a tiny minority among humans, and soul beasts were the true masters of this planet.

The ancestor of the Qiangu Clan witnessed a dragon falling from the sky while working in the fields.

Strictly speaking, it was the corpse of a dragon.

According to the ancestor's handwritten notes, it was that dying dragon, which called herself Shu, that allowed the ancestor to possess the Coiling Dragon Staff martial soul.

From then on, that giant dragon used the great power of time to cocoon herself, slowing the loss of her life force.

And the Qiangu Clan had always sheltered that giant dragon named Shu. Relying on the super martial soul that was the Coiling Dragon Staff, they managed to establish themselves firmly on the continent.

After that came their following of Spirit Hall, founded by the first Angel God, with one ancestor becoming one of its consecrated elders.

Until now, more than twenty thousand years had passed.

Shu's injuries had grown increasingly severe. Even Time Divine Power could no longer reverse the loss of her life force.

Out of adherence to their agreement, the head of the Qiangu Clan at the time used the Spirit Pagoda's highest-priority technology to transform her into an Indomitable Soul. To this day, she was still guarded by their Qiangu Clan.

As for this giant dragon who might be connected to the gods, it was impossible to say they had never coveted her at all.

Almost every head of the Qiangu Clan had tried to subdue Shu as a soul spirit, promising to return her freedom after becoming a god.

But without exception, no one had ever gained Shu's approval.

Even Qiangu Dieyan himself had tried, and in the end, he could only fail.

If it was this child, whose talent surpassed every ancestor in history, perhaps he could make that proud giant dragon submit?

In truth, Qiangu Dieyan himself was not confident.

Shu, who had taken human form, that graceful green figure, always had empty eyes no matter when it was, as if nothing in this world could draw her attention.

After a long while, the sun sank westward.

With a lift of his hand, Qiangu Dieyan withdrew the Coiling Dragon Staff, and the remaining people on the field could finally catch their breath. All of them felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted.

"How did it feel?"

"I gained a great deal of insight," Qian Jue replied, neither servile nor overbearing.

This kind of cultivation that directly faced the power of laws truly produced excellent results. The scouring of the Indomitable Staff Intent could greatly strengthen his spiritual power, and it also let him comprehend the power of planar laws in advance, paving the way for his future cultivation.

Moreover, by actively resisting Qiangu Dieyan's Indomitable Staff Intent, the Soul Power within his body would circulate on its own. Not only could it enhance his spiritual power, his Soul Power could also be further refined.

Sure enough, as long as great clans and noble families did not decline completely, their descendants' starting lines were far higher than those of ordinary people.

One generation planted the trees so the next could enjoy the shade.

As for ordinary people on Douluo Continent, they could only rely on mutation, just like Qilin Douluo Tong Yu in the original work.

Originally, he only had a Chinese Rural Dog martial soul, but after drinking his fill of pesticide, it mutated. He actually ascended to the heavens in a single step and became the divine beast qilin, then the lineage was passed down all the way to ten thousand years later, becoming one of the emerging great families.

Martial souls were pretty mysterious, right?

Why hadn't Tong Yu awakened as Anubis back then? After all, he was a dead dog.

Wu Zhangkong also slowly stood up and gave Qiangu Dieyan a deeply respectful salute. "Many thanks for your guidance, senior."

Qiangu Dieyan waved his hand, then said, "Though you're a Shrek brat, at least you've taken your identity as a teacher seriously."

"I can tell that you have an obsession in your heart. That's also why your cultivation has stagnated for so many years. I'm not interested in looking into what that obsession is, either."

"Those old fellows told you to see past it, let it go, and look forward." When Qiangu Dieyan thought of those old elders from Shrek, his expression turned sour.

"But what I want to say is that some things can't be put down just because you want to. How you face an obsession—whether it becomes kindling that ignites you or a heart demon that hinders you for life—depends entirely on you."

Wu Zhangkong wanted to speak, but stopped himself. In the end, he could only nod slightly.

What else could his obsession be? It was nothing more than the dead Long Bing.

The dead were gone, yet the murderer still lived freely in this world.

Wu Zhangkong silently clenched his fists, a trace of ferocity flashing through his eyes.

Qian Jue saw all of this from beside him, but he did not speak.

The blood feud between Dark Hummingbird and Wu Zhangkong still had to be handled by Wu Zhangkong himself. He just did not know whether, when that great vengeance was finally repaid, Teacher Wu would choose the same ending as in the original work—proving his resolve through death and going to the underworld to accompany Long Bing.

At this thought, Qian Jue suddenly remembered some later plotlines from the original work.

The abyssal invasion and the Holy Spirit Cult's high-profile return.

At that time, because the Qiangu Clan had done wrong, and with Shrek and the Tang Sect pressing them step by step, this grandfather before him and Qiangu Dongfeng had both died in battle in the end.

Since he had come here, the original story had to be changed.

Qian Jue thought this, and the obsession in his heart to become stronger grew even more intense.

"Don't go back just yet later. I plan to take you to look for a soul spirit suitable for the Coiling Dragon Staff," Qiangu Dieyan said.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Tang Wulin, who had the weakest cultivation and the shallowest foundation among them, suddenly let out a fit of violent coughing. His body swayed unsteadily, and fortunately, Qian Jue reacted quickly and supported him.

"Captain... I'm fine. Let me walk on my own."

Tang Wulin's face was pale. He forced down his discomfort, not wanting Qian Jue to worry about him.

Qian Jue did not need to think hard to know this guy must have been forcing himself just now. Otherwise, with Tang Wulin's current level of strength, if Tang San's divine consciousness had not intervened, he would never have lasted half an hour.

Without thinking further, Qian Jue placed a hand on Tang Wulin's shoulder, then infused him with Soul Power.

This was also one of the recent projects he had been developing around the Dragon Rising Pillar and his own Soul Power.

Qian Jue had discovered that his Soul Power seemed to possess an extremely strong attraction to dragon-attribute soul masters. Even without using a soul skill, as long as they absorbed his Soul Power, it would trigger a reaction.

By taking advantage of this trait, Qian Jue's Soul Power could accelerate the blood circulation of the object connected to his Soul Power, optimize material exchange, and activate the cells throughout the body.

It was basically the equivalent of carrying a healing skill with him, one that worked especially well on dragon-attribute soul masters.

After Tang Wulin felt that warm stream of Soul Power from Qian Jue, his consciousness gradually sank.

A flash of golden light swept through the bloodline within his body. In a daze, Tang Wulin looked at Qian Jue's face and somehow felt a sense of parental warmth and security from him.

"Dad..."

In his hazy consciousness, under the influence of the bloodline within his body, Tang Wulin called out softly.

Qian Jue froze slightly.

Why was this kid casually calling him Dad? If Tang San found out about this, wouldn't he beat him up for sure?

The people beside them heard it too, and their expressions varied.

Xie Xie and Wang Jinxi expressed their approval. Although Qian Jue was young, he always had a kind of mature, adult air about him, treating them as if he were looking at children.

As for Gu Yue and Na'er, no one knew what they were thinking. In any case, their feelings were rather complicated.

Seeing Tang Wulin asleep in his arms, Qian Jue was rather helpless too.

It gave him the illusion that he had gone back to his previous life to take care of children.

"Xie Xie, sorry to trouble you, but help me send Wulin back. He overtaxed his spiritual power just now. After he wakes up, remember to take the Jade Violet Orchid from the warehouse, simmer it slowly over a low flame, and once it becomes soup, give it to him in small portions."

"Also, when you get back, remember to wipe his body with a hot towel. He sweated quite a bit during training just now..."

"Okay, okay, I get it. Captain, if you have something to do, hurry up and go! Grandpa Qiangu is waiting for you." Xie Xie hurriedly cut him off, lest Qian Jue keep rattling off instructions here like an old mother.

"Mm, then I'm leaving."