Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, the spectacle of countless beasts bowing in worship gradually subsided. The seven-colored radiance drew inward, and the forbidden ground vanished into the Dense Forest once more, leaving only devastation strewn across the earth as witness to the battle that had shaken heaven and earth.
Standing at the forest's edge, Lin Chen cast one last glance toward the forbidden ground in its depths. The Life Emperor Pendant in his palm remained as warm and smooth as ever, while the surging soul power within him continued to flow slowly.
In the battle just ended, he had drawn upon the power of Star Dou's countless souls to temporarily break through to rank forty Soul Ancestor and force Ghost Douluo back. Yet the emperor grass origin he had forcibly activated still churned within him, not fully stabilized. His newly condensed ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring circled him, gleaming jet-black. It meshed perfectly with his first three soul rings, radiating a steady, formidable aura.
This journey to Star Dou yielded far more than I expected. But my cultivation advanced too quickly. I need to stabilize it and absorb the emperor grass inheritance memories as soon as possible, Lin Chen mused. Closing his eyes, he focused on regulating his breathing, gathering the restless soul power within him strand by strand and channeling it into his dantian and meridians, firmly consolidating the foundation of his rank forty Soul Ancestor cultivation.
Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi quietly stood guard beside him, their gazes tender. The sight of Lin Chen single-handedly battling a Soul Douluo and meeting a Titled Douluo head-on had already been seared deep into both women's hearts, filling them with admiration and a sense of security.
The two Royal Soul Douluo experts guarded him throughout. The respect with which they had first regarded Lin Chen had now become complete submission. They had witnessed a young Soul Master force back a Titled Douluo with the cultivation of a Soul Ancestor and command Star Dou's countless souls. Such a feat was destined to enter the annals of the soul master world. In the future, Lin Chen would surely stand at the pinnacle of all Soul Masters.
An hour later, Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes. The divine light in his gaze had drawn inward, and his aura was calm. His rank forty Soul Ancestor cultivation had fully stabilized, and his control over his Emperor Grass Soul Skill and Iceheart Domain had grown increasingly refined.
"It's time we returned to Heaven Dou City."
Lin Chen spoke softly, then set off on the journey home with the two women, under the covert protection of the two Soul Douluos. To avoid another Spirit Hall ambush, they deliberately bypassed the main roads and traveled along forest paths, keeping a low profile throughout.
What they did not know was that news of the battle in Star Dou Forest had already spread across the entire soul master world as though it had sprouted wings, stirring towering waves!
First came word that a Spirit Hall Titled Douluo had brazenly entered the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt down Lin Chen, a student of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Then came news that Lin Chen had mounted a powerful counterattack as a Soul Elder, subsequently broken through to Soul Ancestor, commanded Star Dou's countless soul beasts, and forced Ghost Douluo back. Finally, the earth-shattering secret emerged that Lin Chen was the inheritor of the Ancient Life Blue Silver Emperor Grass—the Soul Beast Co-Ruler...
Each new report battered the entire soul master world's understanding of what was possible!
The Upper Three Sects, the great Reclusive Sects, the royal families of both empires, Soul Master Academies across the land, and even Independent Soul Masters among the common people were utterly shaken by this succession of revelations.
The young Soul Master who had once distinguished himself through his domain became the focus of the entire soul master world overnight, thrust into the teeth of the storm.
Some felt awe—awe at his heaven-defying combat strength and emperor grass inheritance;
Some felt apprehension—apprehension over Star Dou's countless souls behind him and his limitless potential;
Still others felt greed, coveting the heaven-defying inheritance of the Life Blue Silver Emperor Grass and secretly stirring into motion.
Inside the Imperial Palace in Heaven Dou City, the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire read the secret report in his hand and abruptly rose to his feet, his face filled with shock and wild delight. "Excellent! What a remarkable Lin Chen! To think our Heaven Dou Empire has produced such an unparalleled genius! With him here, why should we fear Spirit Hall's arrogance?"
He immediately ordered that Lin Chen be granted the additional title of Imperial Consecration. Upon Lin Chen's return to Heaven Dou City, he would personally hold a banquet in his honor and spare no effort to win him over, treating him as a pillar of the empire.
Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, Ning Fengzhi read the intelligence report while gently waving his folding fan, his eyes filled with admiration. "This young man's character, talent, and fortune are each one in ten thousand. He will surely become Spirit Hall's nemesis. Rongrong made the right choice in following him."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance, each seeing approval in the other's eyes. Both declared outright that they would keep Lin Chen safe.
Within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the elders discussed the matter at length. Deeply wary of Lin Chen's emperor grass inheritance, they also quietly devised plans to befriend him and jointly resist the increasingly powerful Spirit Hall.
Meanwhile, inside the Papal Hall at Spirit Hall Headquarters.
Bibi Dong sat upon the papal throne, the Uncanny Black Aura coiling around her. As she listened to Ghost Douluo's report, her expression grew terrifyingly dark. The oppressive aura around her spread unchecked, plunging the temperature of the entire hall to freezing.
"The Life Blue Silver Emperor Grass inheritance... it truly exists, and it has awakened in a mere child." Bibi Dong's voice was icy, killing intent churning in her eyes. "After a million years, it has finally appeared. Lin Chen... this person cannot be allowed to live. He must be eradicated before he fully matures. I will not let him ruin my grand plan!"
Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo stood bowed before her, drenched in cold sweat, neither daring to speak.
"Pass down my orders. Mobilize every covert operative in Spirit Hall and monitor Lin Chen's movements closely. The next assassination must kill him in a single strike. I will act personally and seize the Emperor Grass Origin!" Bibi Dong commanded harshly, a terrifying aura far surpassing that of an ordinary Titled Douluo erupting from her body.
At the same time, under pressure from both empires, the Continental Soul Master Tournament's organizing committee officially issued an announcement: in three days, the Soul Master Tournament final would resume, with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team versus the Shrek Academy Team to determine the ultimate champion!
The storm sweeping across the continent grew ever fiercer, and every gaze converged on Lin Chen, who was about to return to Heaven Dou City.
On the journey home, Lin Chen's group evaded several groups of Spirit Hall's covert sentries, encountering scares but no real danger along the way.
During breaks in their travels, Lin Chen continued absorbing the Emperor Grass inheritance memories, searching them for clues about the Nine Emperor Grass Fragments. According to those memories, the Nine Emperor Grass Fragments resided within the Nine Apex Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. Aside from the two fragments in Spirit Hall's possession, the remaining seven were scattered across the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sunset Forest, the Far North, and other forbidden soul beast grounds.
Gathering all the fragments will be a heavy burden and a long road. My first priority is to finish the Soul Master Tournament and consolidate my own power, then gradually search for the fragments, Lin Chen planned inwardly, remaining vigilant against Spirit Hall's next assassination attempt.
After several days of travel, the outline of Heaven Dou City finally appeared at the edge of their vision.
The imposing city stood upon the plain, but even from afar, a tense atmosphere seemed to shroud it. Security was tight both within and outside its walls, and royal Soul Masters could be seen patrolling everywhere. These measures were clearly meant to welcome his return while guarding against trouble from Spirit Hall.
When Lin Chen's group appeared at Heaven Dou City's gates, the academy dean and instructors, who had long been waiting there, immediately hurried forward, their faces alight with excitement.
"Lin Chen, you're finally back! Word of your incredible feat in Star Dou Forest has already spread throughout the city. You are the pride of our Heaven Dou Royal Academy!" The dean clasped Lin Chen's hand tightly, his voice trembling with emotion.
Passing Soul Masters and ordinary citizens gathered around as well, looking at Lin Chen with eager eyes as cheers rose one after another.
"Lord Lin Chen!"
"The Emperor Grass Inheritor, our hero!"
Faced with the crowd's cheers, Lin Chen gave a slight nod, his expression calm, without the slightest trace of arrogance or impatience.
He knew very well that stepping into Heaven Dou City meant another storm was about to descend.
The final in three days, Spirit Hall's lethal plot, the overtures and probing of the various powers, the search for the Emperor Grass Shard...
All of it awaited him.
Lin Chen raised his head and looked toward Arena Square in the center of Heaven Dou City, his gaze sharp and his fighting spirit rising.
"Heaven Dou City, I'm back."
"In the final three days from now, I will take the championship."
"Spirit Hall, I'm waiting for you to make your move."
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