Wang Dong recuperated beside Sea God Lake for another two days, and his body finally recovered for the most part. However, he did not intend to return straight to the outer court to study.
His soul power had reached the Level 30 bottleneck. In other words, he needed to obtain his third soul ring.
Going from Level 24 to Level 30 in four months was already extremely fast. This was thanks to his Haodong Power with Huo Yuhao, along with just a little bit of "resources."
The Golden Dragon King Bloodline had indeed greatly accelerated Wang Dong's advancement.
He was just about to find Mu En to discuss it when he saw Huo Yuhao running over, her face full of delighted surprise. "Wang Dong! I've broken through to Level 20!"
Wang Dong froze for a moment, then smiled. "It looks like Mu En's cultivation haven really does work. Even you've broken through."
Although Huo Yuhao had taken several Mystic Water Pills, her talent had reached its limit, and her innate soul power was no higher than Level 4. This pace was indeed very fast.
Huo Yuhao nodded vigorously, unable to hide the excitement on her face. "Mu En said I can go obtain my second soul ring now."
As the two were talking, Xuan Zi appeared from somewhere, holding a chicken leg in one hand as he looked at them.
"You've both reached your bottlenecks? Perfect. I'll personally take you to hunt soul beasts. I'm a Level 98 Super Douluo, after all. Taking two little children like you to hunt for soul rings is well within my abilities."
As he spoke, his face wore an expression that said, "You must be deeply moved, right?" Xuan Zi had always been an old rascal who said whatever was on his mind.
His emotions were written all over his face. When he had issues with Wang Dong and the others, his expression was unpleasant, but now that he found the two of them agreeable, he naturally wanted to do something for them.
However, Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao exchanged a glance and shook their heads almost simultaneously.
"No need, Elder Xuan." The corner of Wang Dong's mouth twitched. "My family will help me hunt soul beasts, so I won't trouble you."
Xuan Zi paused. "Your family?"
"Yes, my family." Wang Dong nodded with a perfectly serious expression. "My family has already arranged everything. I just need to make a trip home."
Only then did Xuan Zi remember that Wang Dong was someone from the Clear Sky Sect. He indeed had no need for his help.
Xuan Zi rubbed his nose somewhat awkwardly. "Well... all right, then. What about you, girl?"
He certainly did not remember Huo Yuhao having any remarkable family background.
Huo Yuhao shook her head as well. "Elder Xuan, I also have someone taking me... I made arrangements with someone before, so I won't trouble you either."
In truth, Huo Yuhao was lying. She was going to the Far North to obtain her second martial soul, so it naturally would not be convenient.
Xuan Zi opened his mouth. Having been rejected by two people in succession, he felt somewhat embarrassed. He coughed and waved a hand.
"All right, all right. You youngsters have your own plans, so I won't interfere. But if you run into any trouble, you can come find me at any time."
With that, he turned and left, his departing figure looking somewhat forlorn. Watching him go, Wang Dong inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
What a joke. Xuan Zi was a man nicknamed the "Supreme Leader of the Holy Spirit Cult." He was far too unreliable. If Wang Dong went hunting soul beasts with him, who knew what sort of pit he might land him in?
He would rather go to the Star Dou Great Forest alone and try his luck than entrust his life to Xuan Zi.
Soon, both of them had packed their bags and were ready to set out. Standing beside Sea God Lake and gazing at its shimmering surface, they both had somewhat complicated thoughts.
Huo Yuhao lowered her head and clenched her fists. She was going to the Far North to obtain her second martial soul under the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's guidance.
Once she succeeded, her strength would undergo a qualitative leap. Then she would no longer be a burden to Wang Dong. She, too, would be able to stand beside him and fight shoulder to shoulder with him.
Looking at her profile, Wang Dong was thinking about something else. He was going to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, that legendary treasure land.
Countless natural treasures lay there, along with immortal herbs and miraculous medicines capable of changing a person's aptitude. He wanted to get his hands on its resources ahead of time and truly let the two of them soar.
"I'm leaving, then." Huo Yuhao raised her head and looked at Wang Dong, her eyes slightly red.
Wang Dong nodded. "Be careful on the road."
Huo Yuhao murmured an assent but did not move. She stood there looking at Wang Dong, her lips moving as though she wanted to say something but could not get the words out.
After a long silence, she suddenly stepped forward and threw her arms around Wang Dong.
Wang Dong froze, his whole body going stiff. Huo Yuhao rested her forehead against his chest, her voice muffled. "You be careful too... I'll come back early."
With that, she let go, turned, and ran. After a few steps, she looked back at Wang Dong once more, her cheeks flushed crimson, then ran off without looking back again.
Wang Dong stood there, watching her figure disappear from sight. He raised a hand to his chest, where a trace of warmth seemed to linger. He smiled, then turned and headed in another direction.
After leaving Sea God Lake, Huo Yuhao headed straight for the Far North. Bitter winds howled, and snow and ice filled the sky, making her figure look especially frail amid the blizzard.
But she did not shrink back. Her gaze was firm, and her steps were steady. She was going to the Core Area of the Far North to obtain her second martial soul.
She clenched her fists and silently swore to herself, This time, I must succeed. I must gain strength. I must protect Wang Dong. From now on, I will never stand behind him again and watch him fight alone.
Wang Dong, meanwhile, did not head straight to the Star Dou Great Forest. He planned to go home first-to the Clear Sky Sect.
Following the original owner's memories, he trekked across mountains and rivers, crossing countless ridges before finally arriving before a secluded valley.
The Clear Sky Sect's secluded home was extremely inconspicuous, hidden among the mountains. Sheer cliffs stood at the entrance, with only a chain bridge connecting two peaks. Beneath the chain bridge lay an abyss ten thousand fathoms deep, wreathed in clouds and mist that obscured the bottom.
For an ordinary person, this chain bridge was nothing short of an impassable chasm. To Wang Dong, however, it was no obstacle at all.
He activated his Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul and leaped lightly onto the iron chains. In a few bounds, he easily crossed them and landed steadily on the other side.
The Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate appeared before him, ancient and imposing, carrying an air tempered by the passage of years.
He had barely steadied himself when two figures emerged from the gate, followed by a group of sect disciples. Of the two men at the front, one was tall and powerfully built, with stern features and a steady, weighty presence radiating from his entire body.
The other was slender, with refined features and a gentle gaze, yet he carried an unquestionable air of authority.
They were none other than his Big Dad and Second Dad, Da Ming and Er Ming, who had assumed human form and descended to the mortal world. Ten thousand years ago, they had been the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, Tang San's companions.
After becoming a god, Tang San had resurrected them, allowing them to take human form and come to the lower realm to protect Wang Dong. Under the aliases Niu Tian and Tai Tan, they served as the Clear Sky Sect's Grand Sect Master and Second Sect Master, respectively.
"Dong'er!" Seeing Wang Dong, Niu Tian broke into a delighted smile and strode over to greet him. "Why have you suddenly come back? Weren't you only supposed to return once a year?"
Tai Tan walked over as well and looked Wang Dong up and down before nodding in satisfaction. "Not bad. Your soul power has improved again. It seems you haven't been slacking off at Shrek Academy."
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