After leaving Chen Liang's home, Su Changqing and Hu Liena hired a carriage and set out from the Heaven Dou Empire, officially beginning their journey to Spirit City.
Heaven Dou Imperial City, within the Crown Prince's residence.
"Miss, he has gone to Spirit City with the Saintess."
"The Saintess? You mean that Hu Liena?"
"Yes."
Golden Crocodile Douluo was reporting Su Changqing's current whereabouts to Xue Qinghe.
He had previously been secretly following Su Changqing. After forcing Tang Hao away, he had been summoned back by the Elder Hall, and had only just returned after handling his affairs.
In other words, he had only seen Su Changqing leave Heaven Dou City with Hu Liena. He did not know what had happened between them in Sunset Forest.
Xue Qinghe frowned slightly, her expression darkening.
"Grandpa Golden Crocodile, return to the Elder Hall. Keep an eye on Su Changqing for me there. If necessary, you may personally try to win him over. I absolutely cannot let Su Changqing fall into that woman's hands!"
"Understood, Miss. I will keep watch over Su Changqing."
After their exchange ended, Golden Crocodile Douluo left Xue Qinghe's room.
A few days later, news of the death of Chen Liang, a renowned wealthy merchant of the Heaven Dou Empire, instantly spread throughout the empire. Major factions began investigating the matter, all curious about who would dare kill even Chen Liang!
Even Xue Ye felt some regret upon learning of Chen Liang's death.
He truly had been a rare commercial genius.
However, in this dog-eat-dog world, no one could guarantee they would live to see the next day. Thus, aside from those small families that could not survive without Chen Liang, no faction investigated the cause of his death.
The Heaven Dou Empire was far from Spirit City. Even in a fast carriage, the journey would take more than ten days.
It was now the eighth day, and Su Changqing and Hu Liena had already completed half their journey.
"Sister Nana, I think my Soul Power is about to break through. I'm at level thirty-four now," Su Changqing said.
He had just awakened from meditation.
"You broke through already?"
Hu Liena's beautiful eyes widened slightly.
When she had first met him, he had only just absorbed his third soul ring. Since he had absorbed it beyond his limit, he had immediately broken through to level thirty-three upon becoming a Soul Elder.
And now, only a few days had passed, yet he was already level thirty-four!
"Your cultivation speed is so fast. Is that really okay? Won't your foundation become unstable?"
Hu Liena's tone carried a hint of concern.
Su Changqing smiled calmly. "Don't worry, Sister Nana. It won't. For me, this is a perfectly normal rate of improvement. Once we reach Spirit City, I'll raise your Soul Power by at least three levels too!"
Hearing Su Changqing's words, Hu Liena did not take them seriously at all, thinking he was merely joking with her.
"How are you going to make me break through? Give me your Soul Power?"
As she spoke, she reached out and pinched Su Changqing's cheek.
Ever since the two had left Sunset Forest, Hu Liena had developed this habit.
Su Changqing's cheeks really did feel wonderful!
It would be nice if I could kiss him.
At that thought, Hu Liena's face could not help flushing slightly.
What am I even thinking?
Changqing is still a child!
"Sister Nana, stop fooling around. I need to strike while the iron is hot."
Su Changqing brushed away Hu Liena's hands.
Then, he took the seven-thousand-year Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew from his Storage Bag.
"Stand guard for me. I'm going to absorb this."
"Alright, go ahead and absorb it."
With that, Su Changqing began absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.
Hu Liena watched him, then glanced at the immortal herb, her lovely face filled with curiosity.
What miraculous effect would this immortal herb have?
Vast spiritual power burst forth and spread directly beyond the carriage. Su Changqing could clearly feel his mind undergoing a cleansing.
So this is what it feels like for spiritual power to rise?
Su Changqing carefully experienced the sensation while meditating.
Most of Xiaomi's core power came from the shard of light on his forehead. In other words, improving his spiritual power would likewise strengthen his comprehension of the Light Element!
Xiaomi's final form had even condensed a halo through powerful spiritual power and an understanding of the Light Element!
He needed spiritual power more than ordinary soul masters did!
And before Tang San awakened his Blue Silver Emperor, the only method Tang San had that could possibly hurt him was his Purple Demon Eye!
As long as he made up for his deficiency in spiritual power, Tang San would be almost incapable of harming him by any means before awakening the Blue Silver Emperor.
Su Changqing's body had begun to heat up, sweat flowing down from his forehead. He was nearly done absorbing it.
About five minutes later, a powerful wave of Soul Power burst out, and the resulting air blast instantly jolted the carriage to a halt!
"Buzz—"
Golden light erupted, so dazzling that Hu Liena did not dare look directly at it.
More than ten seconds later, the light gradually faded, and Su Changqing opened his eyes.
"That fast? You finished absorbing it in less than twenty minutes?"
Hu Liena was surprised, but only a second later, the look of surprise on her face became even more exaggerated!
That was because Su Changqing's cultivation had already reached level thirty-seven!
"Not bad."
Su Changqing felt out his current condition, a faint smile appearing on his face.
His current spiritual power was likely even stronger than the Purple Demon Eye's third realm!
"No need to be surprised. It only raised me three levels. This immortal herb can only improve spiritual power, so I simply used the power from its seven-thousand-year cultivation to make a breakthrough as well."
The moment those words left his mouth, Hu Liena's jaw nearly dropped in shock!
She had never heard of anything in this world that could raise a soul master's level by so much after being consumed!
Even her teacher might not know about it!
It seemed he had many secrets!
"You only became level thirty not long ago, yet your Soul Power is already about to reach Soul Ancestor. You'll surpass your sister very soon."
Hearing that, Su Changqing deliberately stroked his chin with a profound look.
He blinked. "Then Sister Nana, you'd better cultivate diligently. Otherwise, once I surpass you, it'll be my turn to pinch your cheeks!"
Hu Liena was first stunned. Then her willow brows furrowed slightly as she feigned anger and extended a jade-like finger, poking Su Changqing repeatedly.
"You little brat, dream on! You want to pinch your sister's cheeks? How shameless!"
The pokes made Su Changqing terribly ticklish, and he began laughing loudly.
After a few pokes, a mischievous glint appeared on Hu Liena's enchanting face. She raised both hands and pinched Su Changqing's cheeks again.
"Sister Nana, stop... mm... it..."
Su Changqing grabbed her wrists and pulled her hands away from his face.
"Seriously, Sister Nana, once we reach Spirit City, I guarantee your Soul Power will soar!"
Hu Liena withdrew her hands. "Alright, alright, I believe you!"
She still thought Su Changqing was joking with her. But compared to her earlier doubts, this time, an indulgent smile lingered in her eyes, one she had not even noticed herself.
The journey became lighter amid their laughter and playful bickering, while the scenery outside the window swept rapidly backward.
Before you continue