Though Kong Deming walked ahead of Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, he sensed the affection between them. So he deliberately refrained from flying and instead led them along at a leisurely pace. Qian Daoliu was tempted to give the old man a thumbs-up.
The atmosphere was unusually quiet as they traveled. Unable to contain his curiosity, Qian Daoliu asked what kind of technique had produced the sturdy light shields Jing Hongchen and Kong Deming had raised in an instant.
Kong Deming looked a little surprised. "This Angel Douluo really is a remarkable person. First, he didn't know about Shrek Academy, the greatest power on the Douluo Continent, and now he doesn't even know about Soul Tools."
"Could he come from some reclusive, powerful faction...?"
Though Kong Deming was curious, he still calmly explained to Qian Daoliu that it was a high-level defensive Soul Tool. Powered by Soul Power, it could form a protective barrier that blocked both attacks and defenses. It had long been commonly used by the top experts of the Sun Moon Empire.
"Soul Tools? The Soul Tools of the Sun Moon Empire can actually do this much? Doesn't that mean Soul Tools can already do most of the things only Soul Masters could do?"
Qian Daoliu understood. He marveled inwardly at how, over the passage of ten thousand years, Soul Tool development had far surpassed what he had seen in his own day.
Seeing the curiosity in Qian Daoliu's eyes, Kong Deming took the opportunity to add, "Soul Tools are divided into three grades: low, middle, and high. They cover everything from healing support to offense and defense in combat. They're powered by Soul Cores and Soul Power, and the higher the grade, the more powerful the Soul Power required. The Sun Moon Empire currently leads the way in Soul Tool Technology. Besides defensive types, there are offensive and auxiliary Soul Tools as well. They have long since become part of the cultivation of the strong and the operation of the empire."
As he spoke, Kong Deming wore an unmistakably proud expression. After all, he, Kong Deming, was the one and only person who had led the Sun Moon Empire to the pinnacle of Soul Tool development.
He had devoted his life to the study of Soul Tools, pouring his heart and soul into research and innovation. He had broken through countless established limits and created many entirely new Soul Tool systems.
Most of the Sun Moon Empire's mighty Soul Tool foundation had been laid by his own hand. Many of its finest high-level Soul Tools were his creations. Through his efforts alone, he had propelled the Soul Tool civilization of the entire continent to new heights. No one could match his standing.
"I see!"
Qian Daoliu thought that although Kong Deming was a little old and a little weak, he was quite considerate. He then curiously asked what the core-like spheres inside Soul Masters were.
Kong Deming paused in surprise, then smiled faintly. Soul Power stirred within him, and a lustrous, solid orb appeared before his chest, slowly turning and glowing.
He spoke softly. "Is this the sphere you're asking about, Your Excellency? This is a Soul Core. It's the foundation upon which high-level Soul Masters gather Soul Power. The higher one's cultivation, the more stable and refined one's Soul Core becomes."
Kong Deming explained, "A Soul Core is a fundamental core condensed by a Soul Master after reaching a cultivation bottleneck. It not only stabilizes and strengthens Soul Power and speeds up cultivation, but also greatly increases the speed at which Soul Power circulates."
"After condensing a Soul Core, a Soul Master's endurance surges. Their Soul Skills flow more smoothly, and a Soul Core is also indispensable for activating high-level Soul Tools. It's a necessary step for any modern powerhouse aiming to join the ranks of the elite."
"So this is called a Soul Core!"
"It can make a Soul Master's endurance surge!"
Qian Daoliu's eyes blazed with light, as though he had discovered a whole new world.
"Your Excellency is interested in the Soul Core method?"
Seeing that Qian Daoliu seemed interested in Soul Tools and the Soul Core method, Kong Deming asked him curiously.
Before Qian Daoliu could answer,
Kong Deming took a timeworn book and a handwritten volume from his Soul Tool. Smiling warmly at Qian Daoliu, he said, "As it happens, I have two books here on condensing Soul Cores and on Soul Tools."
"This one contains the most widely circulated Soul Core condensation method on the continent. It records the complete steps and techniques ordinary Soul Masters use to condense Soul Cores."
"The other is an introductory guide to Soul Tools that I compiled myself, drawing on everything I've learned over the course of my life. It contains the insights I've gathered through years of research. If you don't mind my humble work, Your Excellency, you may take it and have a look."
Qian Daoliu's face immediately brightened. He had been worrying about how to quickly learn the cultivation methods and Soul Tool knowledge of the present day, and now his wish had been granted.
He hurriedly accepted the two books and carefully put them away, thanking Kong Deming again and again, his words full of gratitude.
"Then I'm much obliged for these gifts, Brother Kong! Brother Kong, we hit it off from the moment we met. You don't have to keep calling me 'Your Excellency.' You can call me Brother Qian."
"Brother Qian!" Kong Deming exclaimed, flattered, and quickly addressed him.
"Brother Kong!" Qian Daoliu replied.
The two exchanged a look, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha!"
Bo Saixi, standing nearby, gave a slight nod and watched Qian Daoliu become fast friends with Kong Deming so quickly, somewhat amused. Following the principle of standing by her partner, she
turned to Kong Deming and said, "You can call me Bo Saixi!"
"Bo Saixi!" Kong Deming said, even more delighted.
"Kong Deming!" Bo Saixi replied.
At that moment, Qian Daoliu held the two books Kong Deming had given him.
He assumed they were ordinary introductory texts and happily planned to read them at his leisure, never realizing that the old man before him was someone extraordinary.
Kong Deming was the most powerful Soul Engineer of the age. His introductory guide might have seemed simple, but it concealed countless profound insights. Even many renowned and powerful Soul Engineers across the continent dreamed of obtaining the book. It was a peerless treasure worth more than gold.
Of course, Kong Deming had only one thought about giving away those two books: "Worth it!"
Xu Tianran had offered Qian Daoliu an enshrined position and the title of prince, yet failed to win him over. Kong Deming had merely handed over a book used by the continent's major powers and another he had put together in his spare time, and had earned the trust and favor of two Limit Douluo.
How could that not be worth it?
And so, along the way, Qian Daoliu and Kong Deming continued to talk at length. When Qian Daoliu told him where he came from, saying, "Brother Kong, I'm from Spirit Hall,"
and added, "Saixi is from Sea God Island,"
Kong Deming was left completely baffled.
Still, Kong Deming confirmed that Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi did not belong to any of the factions currently hostile to them.
Kong Deming then asked Qian Daoliu about his plans for the future. Qian Daoliu answered frankly, "I can only stay in the Sun Moon Empire for a short while!"
Only then did Kong Deming relax. He chatted freely with Qian Daoliu about Soul Tools, and Qian Daoliu couldn't help feeling that he and Kong Deming had met far too late.
After a long while, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi finally followed Kong Deming to a magnificent, imposing palace. The words "Worship Hall" were clearly engraved above its doors. It stood only a wall away from Xu Tianran's bedchamber, in an exceptionally advantageous location.
Kong Deming pointed toward the depths of the Worship Hall and handed Qian Daoliu a token engraved with the words "Great Enshrined of the Sun Moon Empire."
He smiled at Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi. "Brother Qian, Bo Saixi, see that secluded Nine-Story Pagoda? That's where the Sun Moon Empire keeps its ancient books. The tower holds precious records spanning nearly ten thousand years, including the histories of the Sun Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent, changes in cultivation, and the development of Soul Tools. If you'd like to learn about the past, you may use the Offering Token to enter and read whatever you wish."
Qian Daoliu took the token and cupped his fists toward Kong Deming in thanks. "Then I'm much obliged, Brother Kong!"
"Think nothing of it, Brother Qian!"
With that, Kong Deming led Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi into a quiet side room within the hall. The room was tastefully furnished and clean, peaceful and secluded.
Kong Deming smiled. "Brother Qian, this is where the two of you will be staying for now. No one will come to disturb you, and it's very quiet."
Qian Daoliu nodded in thanks. "Sorry for the trouble, Brother Kong."
Bo Saixi also thanked him softly, thoroughly pleased with the lodgings.
After a few parting words, Kong Deming took his leave, letting the two of them rest in peace.
The room was empty. Only Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi were there.
Bo Saixi gazed up at Qian Daoliu, her eyes full of tenderness, and asked softly, "Qian Daoliu, what are you planning to do next?"
Their eyes met, their feelings surging between them. Qian Daoliu took Bo Saixi's hand, his eyes full of unending warmth. "Let's go to the Nine-Story Pagoda and read about the history of the Douluo Continent first!"
Deep within the Sun Moon Imperial Palace.
In a secret chamber.
Kong Deming and Xu Tianran sat facing each other.
"Elder Kong, in your opinion, can I bring this Angel Douluo under my command?"
At this, Kong Deming shook his head repeatedly.
"Should we...?"
"I'm afraid it'll affect the empire's plans going forward!"
Before Xu Tianran could finish, Kong Deming cut in. "Your Majesty, I advise you to abandon that idea!"
"Now that three Limit Douluo have appeared on the continent who are at odds with Shrek Academy, the Body Sect, and the Holy Spirit Cult, it's a blessing for our Sun Moon Empire!"
"Even if we can't win them over, we must at least avoid pushing them into our enemies' camp!"
"Besides, I've already learned from Qian Daoliu that they don't belong to any of our hostile factions, and they won't be staying in the empire for long. They won't affect the empire's plans for the future!"
Xu Tianran's expression was solemn. "Elder Kong is right. I've learned my lesson!"
Meanwhile, at a pitch-black underground altar. A woman in red clutched the black-clad figure before her, her hair disheveled and her face streaked with tears. Her eyes were swollen red, and her sobs were hoarse and broken as she wailed, "Long Xiaoyao, you bastard! Don't die! I bore you a son! I haven't even told you the truth about what happened back then!"
"You haven't fulfilled your promise to me!"
"How could you die just like that!"
Grief and despair filled the cold, dark chamber.
The woman in red held the lifeless figure in black and roared toward the ceiling, "Qian Daoliu, Xu Tianran, I'll make sure you die horribly!"
Above the altar, a continuous stream of bewitching whispers rang out. "Come. Submit to me, offer yourselves to me, and I'll give you power!"
A man stood motionless nearby. He wore a close-fitting black outfit, his face cold and impassive, his dark hair tied back. An eerie aura of evil and malice swirled around him.
The woman abruptly looked up and shouted, "Zhongli Wu, mobilize every member of the Holy Spirit Cult in Ming Capital. Turn Ming Capital into a living hell!"
The man in black spoke to the woman in disbelief. "But, Mother, that's the last of our forces in Ming Capital!"
"Go!"
"Yes!"
Before you continue