My Entire Body Is Hard, Breaking Through to Soul Elder, Hunting My Third Soul Ring

At noon the next day, Qian Renxue and Snake Lance Douluo finally returned to the Crown Prince's Residence.

"Today is the weekend. Where's Nanchen?"

Qian Renxue noticed that Jiang Nanchen was nowhere to be seen in the courtyard. Porcupinefish Douluo was still there, and it was already noon.

"Young Mistress, Nanchen is sleeping," Porcupinefish Douluo said. "He ate too much this morning and has been asleep ever since."

Porcupinefish Douluo did not ask about Qian Renxue's gains from this trip, merely answering her question.

"Still sleeping?" Qian Renxue frowned. "You two go stand guard outside."

"Yes!" Porcupinefish Douluo replied, leaving with Snake Lance Douluo.

Qian Renxue was brimming with energy. As soon as she pushed open the door, she saw Jiang Nanchen lying on the bed, sound asleep and utterly unaware of her arrival.

"He's sleeping quite soundly."

Qian Renxue chuckled.

Rather than disturb him, she sat quietly at the bedside and waited.

Another half hour passed before Jiang Nanchen finally woke up. He stretched, and as he yawned, he spotted Qian Renxue by the bed.

"Your Highness has returned?" Jiang Nanchen's expression was calm. "You look quite well, Your Highness. I assume everything went smoothly?"

Qian Renxue raised her brows and smiled, her tone carrying a hint of pride.

"Naturally, everything went smoothly. I even gained a few unexpected rewards. Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen make it."

Jiang Nanchen rubbed his eyes, sat up, and shook his head. "I'm not hungry for now. I don't have much of an appetite right after waking up."

"If you're not hungry, get some more rest." Qian Renxue stood and casually tucked in his blanket. "This Crown Prince only came back to see whether you'd run off and cause trouble. It seems you're behaving yourself well enough."

With that, she turned and headed out.

Once the door closed, Jiang Nanchen leaned against the headboard for a moment before sitting cross-legged and closing his eyes to circulate the Angel Meditation Method.

The foundation laid by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was solid, and the lingering effects of the immortal herbs continued nourishing him. His cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary people. As long as he steadily refined his foundation, he would be prepared for the next breakthrough.

In the blink of an eye, a year and a half passed.

Inside a secret chamber in the rear courtyard of the Crown Prince's Residence, Jiang Nanchen soaked in a wooden tub filled with crimson medicinal broth, steam curling around his body.

Potent medicinal energy seeped into his body through his pores, repeatedly cleansing his meridians and bones.

After a year and a half of steady cultivation, his Soul Power had long since reached the level-thirty bottleneck. He was now using the medicinal bath to further temper his body and lay a solid foundation for obtaining his third Soul Ring.

Several clumps of spent immortal herbs lay scattered beside the tub. With the foundation of ice-and-fire body tempering and continued medicinal nourishment, his physical strength had long surpassed that of Soul Masters at the same level.

"I've swallowed another three pieces of five-thousand-year Whale Rubber. This should be enough."

He had waited several months to prepare for obtaining a ten-thousand-year third Soul Ring.

The herbs used to temper his body had also been gathered from the Star Dou Forest.

Since he was at it, he might as well finish everything completely today.

"Little Nanchen, you're too tense. Relax a little."

Bing Yue flew out, her slender hand touching Jiang Nanchen's chest with great seriousness. "Not bad. Your build is pretty solid. Once you grow a few more years, you'll probably be quite the handsome man."

Jiang Nanchen's face darkened as he slapped Bing Yue's hand away. "Don't touch me carelessly. Men and women should keep their distance."

"Give me a break. I'm not a woman, I'm a dragon maiden!" Bing Yue retorted. Strictly speaking, she indeed counted as a dragon maiden.

Jiang Nanchen could not be bothered with her. He had long grown accustomed to Bing Yue's behavior, and only within this secluded cultivation chamber Qian Renxue had specially built for her could the Ice Dragon King come and go freely.

As for Huo Li, she remained in the Spiritual Sea, recuperating and restoring more of her strength during this period.

After falling and becoming a remnant soul, her strength had naturally been greatly diminished. She needed a long time to recover.

Bing Yue saw things very clearly. Returning to the God Realm could also restore them, so there was no need to go through so much trouble. If they obtained a Divine Throne Inheritance in the future, the rewards from the Divine Trials alone could help them recover quickly.

Bing Yue was all about enjoyment, while Huo Li focused on practicality.

The two had their own thoughts and plans. As for Jiang Nanchen, he did not concern himself with either of them. They were bodyguards he had tricked into coming along, so what the hell did he have to fear?

"Hurry back. The Crown Prince will be here soon."

Jiang Nanchen urged Bing Yue to return quickly.

"What a buzzkill."

Bing Yue reluctantly returned to the Spiritual Sea. Seeing Huo Li still cultivating, she snorted. "That Huo Li is really diligent. Doesn't she ever get tired?"

Just as Bing Yue turned into a streak of light and entered the Spiritual Sea, the stone door of the secret chamber slowly opened, and Qian Renxue stepped inside.

Seeing Jiang Nanchen in the tub, already finished with his cultivation, she walked over and curiously poked his chest with a fingertip. It felt firm and hard, nothing like the body of a seven-year-old child.

"Nanchen, your chest is really hard. It's like a rock."

Jiang Nanchen wiped the droplets from his face, his tone flat. "I know I'm hard."

Qian Renxue raised her brows and poked his arm again. "Is your whole body this hard?"

"My whole body is definitely hard." Jiang Nanchen helplessly brushed her hand aside. "Brother Crown Prince, stop poking me. It's like poking a wooden post."

Qian Renxue withdrew her hand and nodded with a smile. "It seems this medicinal bath really worked. These past few months weren't wasted, nor were those spiritual herbs squandered."

Jiang Nanchen stepped out of the tub, picked up a cloth from the side to dry himself, and quickly changed into a clean set of fitted clothes. He stretched his limbs, his bones giving off soft cracks as his entire body brimmed with strength.

"Your Highness, now that my body tempering is complete, it's time for me to settle my third Soul Ring."

Qian Renxue's expression turned serious. "Naturally. I've already had Uncle Pufferfish scout the Star Dou Forest in advance. This time, Brother Crown Prince will go with you."

Jiang Nanchen had no objections and nodded in agreement.

To ensure that his third Soul Ring would be of ten-thousand-year quality, this trip had to be absolutely foolproof.

Leaving the secret chamber, the two walked one behind the other toward the front courtyard. Qian Renxue wore a golden brocade robe and walked with composure. To accompany Jiang Nanchen in hunting a Soul Beast, she had cleared all the accumulated documents on her desk three days in advance and had even turned down Prince Xue Xing's invitations.

By the time they reached the front courtyard, Porcupinefish Douluo had already prepared the carriage and was waiting at the foot of the stairs. Seeing them emerge, he bowed. "Young Mistress, little friend Nanchen, everything is ready."

Jiang Nanchen boarded the carriage first. Its interior was lined with soft cushions, with pastries and fresh water prepared at the side. Qian Renxue had clearly ordered it specially.

Qian Renxue boarded afterward and lowered the curtain. "Let's go."

The carriage slowly departed from the Crown Prince's Residence, heading along the main road toward the Star Dou Forest.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Nanchen leaned against the window with his eyes closed, silently circulating his Soul Power to stabilize his condition.

Qian Renxue, meanwhile, flipped through an illustrated guide to Soul Beasts, mentally reviewing the details of this hunt and ensuring nothing could go wrong.

This was Nanchen's third Soul Ring, after all. She could not afford to be careless. They had to choose a suitable Soul Beast carefully.

A ten-thousand-year third Soul Ring was a crucial milestone. Others could not achieve it, but Nanchen was going to become the first.