Within the Nine-Story Pagoda in the Worship Hall of the Sun Moon Empire.
After spending the night studying, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi had gained a general understanding of the Sun Moon Empire and the various powers across the continent.
"More than four thousand years ago, the Sun Moon Continent collided with the Douluo Continent for some unknown reason."
"Afterward, the Sun Moon Empire on the Sun Moon Continent went to war with the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire on the Douluo Continent."
"Relying on Soul Guidance Technology, the Sun Moon Empire fought three enemies at once. In the end, it narrowly lost after Shrek Academy joined the war! From then on, a delicate balance formed between the four great empires and Shrek Academy!"
As for the information Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi wanted about the Spirit Hall and Sea God Island from ten thousand years ago, Qian Daoliu had searched through every ancient text in the pagoda, but found nothing. Not a single trace of the Spirit Hall's downfall ten thousand years ago.
Perhaps the Sun Moon Empire was too far from the Douluo Continent, or its foundations were too shallow. Or perhaps someone had deliberately erased that part of history. It was as if the Spirit Hall and Sea God Island had never existed on the continent.
However, the various texts did contain a wealth of information about other powers.
Shrek Academy gathered the continent's geniuses and trained numerous Titled Douluo and Limit Douluo. With its well-developed training system and the legacy of Sea God Island, its combat strength was top-tier, allowing it to independently counterbalance the great empires. A brief introduction to Shrek's current experts: Mu En, a Level 99 Limit Douluo; Xuan Zi, a Level 98 Super Douluo...;
The Holy Spirit Cult lurked in the shadows, relying on evil Soul Guidance techniques. Its members grew stronger by devouring Soul Rings and plundering Soul Bones. With a Limit Evil Soul Master at its helm, the cult's combat methods were bizarre and devastating. The Holy Spirit Cult's current experts: the Supreme Leader, Ye Xishui, a Level 99 Limit Douluo; the Cult Leader, Zhongli Wu, a Level 98 Super Douluo...;
The Body Sect specialized in cultivating Body Martial Souls. With one expert after another emerging from its ranks, it had risen to become one of the continent's top sects. The Body Sect's current expert: its leader, Du Busi, a Level 98 Super Douluo...;
The three great empires—Heaven Dou, Star Luo, and Sun Moon—each had vast Soul Master armies and deep reserves of power. They had vied with one another for centuries, and all possessed formidable strength.
Yet the records he cared about most—the Spirit Hall's strength in the past—were nowhere to be found.
Of course, there was no information about Sea God Island, either.
After a night of searching, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi had failed to find the information they wanted.
It was impossible not to feel disappointed.
In the end, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi reached a decision. Qian Daoliu said, "Saixi, it looks like we'll still have to make a trip to the Douluo Continent!"
"But before we go, we should form our Soul Cores!"
"I just looked through the method for forming Soul Cores that Kong Deming gave us. It's quite ingenious!"
Bo Saixi gave a gentle nod. It seemed she was entirely content to follow Qian Daoliu's lead.
The two immediately sat cross-legged and followed the method Kong Deming had left behind, calming their minds and guiding their Soul Power to slowly draw inward and merge.
In just a short while, they had mastered the method without any difficulty. Their two powerful sources of energy spun and intertwined, and their Soul Cores formed perfectly with ease. Their auras grew ever more steady and profound. Although their cultivation had not improved,
both Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi could feel the wonders of their Soul Cores.
They watched as their Soul Cores floated quietly within their dantians, continuously absorbing the energy of the world around them and turning it into pure Soul Power that flowed through their bodies. Their foundations grew ever more solid.
A flicker of understanding crossed Qian Daoliu's eyes. He spoke softly. "So this is a Soul Core?"
Bo Saixi's beautiful eyes shone. "What a marvelous feeling!"
"Qian Daoliu, I feel like this thing can greatly improve our staying power."
"Mm!"
The two closed their eyes and cultivated for a while longer, until their Soul Cores had fully stabilized.
Qian Daoliu then took out the beginner's book on Soul Tools that Kong Deming had given him and began to study it.
After just one glance, Qian Daoliu was completely engrossed.
He didn't notice that Bo Saixi had already laid her head against him and drifted off to sleep.
At the same time, at the venue of the Soul Master Tournament,
several figures were flying out of a Gate of the Undead, wreathed in deathly energy.
"Du Busi, I'm leaving Yuhao in your hands. Remember your promise!"
"Hmph. Don't worry. I guarantee I'll return a far stronger Huo Yuhao to you!"
"Who's there?"
"Run!" Several black figures vanished from the tournament grounds.
"Strange."
After studying for a day and a night, Qian Daoliu had finally gained a basic understanding of Soul Tools.
Just as Kong Deming had said, Soul Tools were truly revolutionary.
Unfortunately, Qian Daoliu had no metal materials for crafting Soul Tools. Otherwise, he would have already tried making one himself.
Qian Daoliu thought, Next time I see that old Kong Deming, I'm definitely going to ask him for some metal materials!
If he hadn't still had so many unanswered questions, Qian Daoliu would have liked to stay in the Sun Moon Empire and learn more about Soul Tools from Kong Deming.
Qian Daoliu slowly closed the beginner's book on Soul Tools and carefully put it away in his Storage Soul Tool.
When his mind had settled, he turned his head. He had been so absorbed in his reading that he hadn't noticed what was happening beside him.
Bo Saixi was sleeping peacefully against his shoulder, her dark hair slipping down in silken strands, a few locks resting softly against her jade-smooth cheek. Her long, thick lashes were lowered like butterfly wings, and her skin gleamed with a delicate luster. Her gentle features were captivating.
Her slender figure rested softly against him, her sleeping face calm and serene. A faint, clear aura surrounded her, bringing out the gentle beauty of an unparalleled woman. Even in stillness, she was breathtaking.
Qian Daoliu gazed at the sleeping woman with tenderness in his eyes. His heart was full of warmth, and he was just about to gently caress the exquisite face of the woman he loved.
In the midst of the peaceful silence, an anxious voice suddenly came from outside the pagoda. "Brother Qian, I knew you'd be here."
Kong Deming's voice rang out, abruptly shattering the quiet inside the hall. Bo Saixi, a light sleeper, opened her eyes at once, the haze of sleep still lingering in them.
She realized she was leaning intimately against Qian Daoliu. Then she looked up and saw Kong Deming walking into the pagoda. Her cheeks instantly flushed red, all the way to her ears. She quickly straightened up and adjusted her clothes, then shot Qian Daoliu an embarrassed glare, afraid Kong Deming would misunderstand and think she and Qian Daoliu had done something. Her look seemed to say, "Why didn't you wake me?"
Qian Daoliu's hand stopped mid-motion, his tenderness interrupted. A hint of displeasure flashed through his eyes. He spoke to Kong Deming in a mildly reproachful voice. "Brother Kong, you're not nearly as considerate today as you were yesterday."
Kong Deming looked a little awkward. He knew he had interrupted Qian Daoliu at a bad time.
He quickly apologized. "Brother Qian, this is urgent. Evil Soul Masters have been killing people in Ming Capital all night. His Majesty would like you to release your Martial Soul and make another sweep around Ming Capital, so we can wipe out those scum hiding in the shadows once and for all!"
At the mention of Evil Soul Masters, Kong Deming's voice turned colder.
"So that's what happened?" A grave look crossed Qian Daoliu's eyes.
"Brother Kong, I agree!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Qian Daoliu accepted Kong Deming's request.
"Good!"
Kong Deming secretly let out a breath of relief. He had finally lived up to His Majesty's trust.
And so, Qian Daoliu released his Martial Soul and activated his ninth Soul Skill, "Breath of the Angel." With Bo Saixi at his side and Kong Deming leading the way, he searched every corner of Ming Capital, starting from the imperial city.
Moreover, since Qian Daoliu had already formed his first Soul Core, he felt no pressure on his Soul Power at all.
Kong Deming was secretly astonished as he watched. Qian Daoliu didn't have a Soul Core yesterday, yet he formed his first one in just a single night. What terrifying talent.
Before you continue