At that, he immediately leaned over, delighted, and pressed his head against Bo Saixi's belly.
Two little footprints appeared on Bo Saixi's belly. Then Qian Daoliu felt a sharp pain in his cheek and reluctantly pulled away, complaining to Bo Saixi.
"Xixi, those two little rascals kicked me. Aren't you going to do something?"
When he finished, Bo Saixi spread her hands. "Qian Daoliu, there's really nothing I can do about that!"
Just like that, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi frolicked together for a while longer. After absorbing their God-bestowed Soul Rings, they left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with the gains they had made and returned to the Sun Moon Empire.
When Qian Daoliu returned to the Sun Moon Empire, he passed through Heaven Dou City and found that a great many troops from the Sun Moon Empire were stationed there.
At first, he thought nothing of it. But after entering the Sun Moon Empire's territory, he saw that troops were gathering all across the empire as well.
Only then did Qian Daoliu realize that something had happened inside the Sun Moon Empire again.
Helpless, he could only travel through the night with Bo Saixi.
Finally, at dawn the next day, they returned to Ming Capital, the Sun Moon Empire's capital.
This time, Ming Capital was clearly under much tighter security. But to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi's surprise, the guards seemed to recognize them and let them pass without question.
Just like that, Qian Daoliu headed straight for the Soul Hall in Ming Capital.
Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi made no effort to conceal their auras when they returned, so Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, and the others soon sensed their arrival.
As soon as the two sides met, Ye Guyi was the first to call out to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi affectionately. "Grandpa, Auntie Bo!"
Then Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, and the others called out to Qian Daoliu, "Teacher, Auntie Bo!"
Guang Yao greeted them, too. "Uncle Qian, Teacher!"
Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi responded to each of them. What surprised them was that a Silver-Clad Girl stood beside Guang Yao. It was none other than Silver Moon, whom Bo Saixi had rescued.
Seeing how close the two looked, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi exchanged glances, both finding it unbelievable.
But they didn't ask about it. After all, they had no idea what had happened between the two of them over the past month.
Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi greeted everyone one by one.
Then Qian Daoliu asked Ye Guyi curiously, "Yiyi, where's your teacher?"
Hearing Qian Daoliu call to her, Ye Guyi replied, "Grandpa, Teacher is dealing with the empire's military affairs."
At the mention of military affairs, Ye Guyi looked somewhat weary.
Qian Daoliu was curious. Wasn't Xu Tianran supposed to be handling the empire's affairs? Since when had Kong Deming, one of the empire's worshippers, needed to take over in person?
He didn't ask outright, but Ye Guyi read the question in his changing expression and quickly explained.
"Grandpa, after you left, Teacher followed the plan you gave him and indeed destroyed the Soul Master Legion from Shrek Academy!"
"But for some reason, the Star Luo Empire and the Spirit Empire attacked the Sun Moon Empire at the same time!"
"The empire is under attack on two fronts. Ju Zi is personally commanding the Star Luo front, and the fighting there is at a stalemate for now!"
"But on the Spirit front, we're being pushed back at every turn because of the Holy Spirit Cult!"
"That's why His Majesty sent my teacher to the Spirit front to hold off the Spirit Empire's invasion!"
Hearing that, Qian Daoliu's brow slowly relaxed. He couldn't help sighing, "So that's what happened?"
"By rights, the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Tools and technology are far ahead of the other two empires!"
"How could we still not sweep them aside?"
Qian Daoliu asked the question without thinking.
Ye Guyi answered him directly. "Grandpa, at first, things were indeed as you said. But after the Spirit Empire allied with the Holy Spirit Cult, its Soul Guidance Technology advanced by leaps and bounds!"
"Though they still haven't caught up with the empire in such a short time!"
"They rely on the Holy Spirit Cult's Death God Tower to keep the empire's Soul Master Legions firmly suppressed on the battlefield!"
Only then did Qian Daoliu understand where the problem lay.
It was the Holy Spirit Cult's Supreme Leader, Ye Xishui. That woman herself was close to being a Rank 10 Soul Engineer. With her there, it was no wonder the Spirit Empire could threaten the Sun Moon Empire's eastern border in a mere year.
Now that he knew the predicament facing the Sun Moon Empire, Qian Daoliu had no good solution in the short term. The most urgent task was to increase the Soul Hall's overall strength.
In troubled times, nothing mattered more than making oneself strong.
So Qian Daoliu led the Soul Hall's younger generation into a secret chamber in the Worship Hall.
Qian Daoliu began by sealing off the entire space of the Worship Hall.
Then he solemnly gestured for Bo Saixi to summon the Immortal Herbs they had brought inside her Life Space.
Bo Saixi raised her jade-like hand slightly, and strands of lustrous light poured out of the Life Space. Dozens of rare Immortal Herbs slowly appeared.
These spiritual plants, which had lived in a secret realm for years, had entered the human world for the first time. They were filled with innocent curiosity. Their tender branches and leaves swayed lightly, and their luminous leaves looked about in every direction as they carefully sensed the surrounding energies of heaven and earth. Yet they stayed close to Bo Saixi, not daring to wander even half a step away, nestled tight against this gentle guardian.
Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, and the others' eyes widened in shock, their attention completely captivated.
Though they didn't know the names of these Immortal Herbs, the surging vitality and pure origin energy washing over them made it clear that these were peerless treasures of the world, priceless beyond measure.
In the end, Ye Guyi was still the most outgoing. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked Qian Daoliu, "Grandpa, what are these?"
At that, Qian Daoliu chuckled. "These? These are your chance to reach an even higher realm!"
"Ah!"
Qian Daoliu's words left Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, and the others even more bewildered.
Bo Saixi couldn't stand to watch any longer, so she stepped forward to explain. "Yiyi, these are Immortal Herbs. You could also call them Soul Beasts that have taken human form!"
"Soul Beasts that have taken human form? Doesn't that mean they're all at least a hundred thousand years old?"
Ye Guyi blurted out instinctively.
Bo Saixi nodded to confirm it.
That single nod sent Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, and the others into an uproar.
"What? Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts!"
"Teacher, you don't mean they're all prepared for us, do you?"
This time, it was Qiangu Zhenyue who spoke.
Not long ago, Ye Guyi had become the first among them to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. As her peers, it was impossible for them not to envy her.
But envy aside, Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were impossible to come by.
All they could do was work hard at cultivation while envying her.
But now, more than a dozen Hundred-Thousand-Year plant-type Soul Beasts sat right before them, fresh and vibrant. How could they not be tempted?
At that, Qian Daoliu picked up where Qiangu Zhenyue left off. "Zhenyue, you're not entirely right!"
Qian Daoliu's words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing the hope that had just flared up in Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, and the others.
"I knew it!"
Before Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, and the others could lose all hope, Qian Daoliu continued, "Zhenyue, each of you will get one of these Immortal Herbs!"
"First, consume its body. Then have it sacrifice itself and become your Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!"
"Buzz!"
Happiness had come far too suddenly.
Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, and the others hadn't even had time to react.
Ye Guyi had already leaped up in delight and tugged at Qian Daoliu's clothes. "Grandpa, really?"
At that, Qian Daoliu laughed heartily. "Of course it's true!"
Only then did Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, and the others come out of their daze.
Qian Daoliu then asked Bo Saixi to communicate with the Immortal Herbs and match each of them to Ye Guyi and the others according to their needs.
At Youyou's suggestion, Ye Guyi was paired with the Aromatic Silk Beauty;
Qiangu Zhenyue was paired with the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng;
Qiangu Zhenxie was paired with the Nine-Grade Purple Mushroom;
Jin Lin was paired with the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum;
Guang Yao was paired with the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew;
The five of them began absorbing the energy of the Immortal Herbs' bodies according to the method Qian Daoliu had read in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
With the Immortal Herb's help, Ye Guyi broke through to Rank 90 and condensed her first Soul Core. She only needed her ninth Soul Ring to officially become a Titled Douluo.
Qiangu Zhenyue broke through directly to Rank 70 with the Immortal Herb's help;
Qiangu Zhenxie broke through directly to Rank 70 with the Immortal Herb's help;
Jin Lin broke through directly to Rank 70 with the Immortal Herb's help;
Guang Yao broke through directly to Rank 70 with the Immortal Herb's help.
Everyone felt the all-around changes in their Martial Souls, bodies, and Soul Power, and they were overjoyed. Next came the most crucial moment.
Bo Saixi communicated with the spirits of the five Immortal Herbs and asked them to sacrifice themselves to Ye Guyi and the others.
Under Bo Saixi's gentle mental communication, the spirits of the five Immortal Herbs understood. Their swaying leaves shimmered with dazzling seven-colored light.
They followed her instructions in unison, performing the complete sacrificial ritual. Pure, surging origin Soul Power became a rolling torrent of light and poured toward the five of them.
Gentle, healing energy enveloped Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, and the others. Warmth flowed through their limbs and bones, washing over their meridians and Martial Souls.
The five closed their eyes, their faces relaxed and serene as they enjoyed this sublime nourishment. They let the Hundred-Thousand-Year Immortal Herb origins temper their bodies and fill them with Soul Power, waiting for the moment their Soul Rings would take shape.
In the blink of an eye, brilliant Soul light burst forth, and the transformation was complete.
Radiance surged around Ye Guyi as a deep, weighty Hundred-Thousand-Year ninth Soul Ring slowly took shape and settled into place, firmly anchoring her in the ranks of Quasi-Titled Douluo.
Her cultivation had also reached the astonishing Rank 93.
At the same time, light blossomed around Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, Jin Lin, and Guang Yao. Each of them formed a brilliant Hundred-Thousand-Year seventh Soul Ring, its patterns full and majestic.
Everyone's aura surged. Their Soul Power grew rich and steady, and each of them experienced a qualitative leap in both cultivation and the foundation of their Martial Soul.
As for their cultivation ranks, Qiangu Zhenyue reached Rank 76, Qiangu Zhenxie reached Rank 76, Jin Lin reached Rank 75, and Guang Yao reached Rank 75.
All five had completed their transformations.
Ye Guyi and the others looked at their newly formed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings, excitement written all over their faces.
Just as the entire Worship Hall was immersed in celebration,
a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the hall. "Angel Excellency, Sea God Excellency, Xu Tianran requests an audience!"
At that, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi exchanged glances. They knew that they would inevitably meet with Xu Tianran after arriving in Ming Capital; they just didn't know what he wanted from them this time.
The Immortal Herbs had just been distributed, so Qian Daoliu gestured for Bo Saixi to put away the remaining ones.
Then Qian Daoliu lifted the seal and led everyone out to meet Xu Tianran.
When Qian Daoliu and the others stepped out of the Worship Hall, they saw Xu Tianran, the old fox, sitting in his wheelchair with a miserable look on his face.
As soon as he saw Qian Daoliu and the others emerge,
Xu Tianran immediately rose from his wheelchair and bowed respectfully to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi. "Your servant Xu Tianran pays his respects to Angel Excellency and Sea God Excellency!"
As he bowed, he didn't forget to sneak a glance at Ye Guyi beside Qian Daoliu.
Ye Guyi glared at him fiercely.
Qian Daoliu seemed to notice.
He casually told Xu Tianran there was no need to be so formal, then asked, "Your Majesty, may I ask what brings you here?"
Xu Tianran didn't take offense when Ye Guyi glared at him. But at Qian Daoliu's question, his whole body jolted with fright. He hurriedly stood straight and replied, "Angel Excellency, I know it was presumptuous of me to disturb you, but I truly had no other choice!"
"Just as you entered Ming Capital, urgent battle reports arrived from both the Star Luo and Spirit fronts!"
"On the Star Luo front, two Limit Douluo suddenly appeared on the enemy's side!"
"This has left Ju Zi with no choice but to hold the line!"
"If we can't send reinforcements soon, we may lose the Mingdou Mountain Range. Then the entire Sun Moon Empire will have no natural barriers left to defend!"
At that, Qian Daoliu furrowed his brow slightly and asked Xu Tianran curiously, "Have you found out who they are?"
At the question, Xu Tianran immediately perked up, realizing that Qian Daoliu was interested. As expected, the strong are always drawn to one another!
Xu Tianran immediately answered Qian Daoliu respectfully. "To be frank, Angel Excellency, their origins are shrouded in mystery!"
"We only know that one of the two Limit Douluo is a man whose Martial Soul is the Clear Sky Hammer!"
"The other one's Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass!"
"Clear Sky Hammer!"
"Blue Silver Grass!"
While Qian Daoliu was murmuring the names of the two Martial Souls, Bo Saixi reminded him, "Qian Daoliu, could it be Tang Chen?"
"No."
Qian Daoliu directly rejected Bo Saixi's suggestion. "Xixi, Tang Chen may have the time and the motive, but don't forget that he used Ring Detonation not long ago. He won't be able to fight again for some time!"
Bo Saixi thought Qian Daoliu made sense. She continued with another bold guess. "Could it be someone else from the Clear Sky Sect?"
Qian Daoliu nodded at her guess. "Xixi, that's the only explanation that makes sense!"
Hearing Bo Saixi's guess, Xu Tianran was shaken as well.
"Excellencies, are you saying that the Clear Sky Sect, the number one sect on the Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago, has joined this war?"
Qian Daoliu merely nodded, confirming Xu Tianran's guess.
"That's bad!"
Xu Tianran blurted out instinctively.
Qian Daoliu was curious. How was that bad?
At worst, he and Bo Saixi could go to the Mingdou Front themselves.
So Qian Daoliu continued, asking Xu Tianran, "Your Majesty, is there some other problem?"
At that, Xu Tianran quickly pulled himself together and said to Qian Daoliu, "Excellency, yesterday, a battle report came from the Spirit front. Elder Kong, he..."
"What happened to Kong Deming?"
"What happened to Teacher?"
"What happened to Brother Kong?"
Before you continue