System, open the panel.
[Host panel updated] Current realm: Level 41 (Soul Ancestor) Available Bond Points: 58,000 (provided by the goddesses going off the charts) Available Face-Slapping Points: 35,000 (provided by antagonists such as Tang San and the Poison Shadow Sect elder)
Looking at this "fortune," Xiong Shaoqing was thrilled and immediately opened the shop's exchange list.
Several divine treasures occupying the most prominent positions instantly caught his eye:
[First-Generation Spirit Transmission Array Blueprint]: The core technology for establishing the Spirit Pagoda. Allows the construction of arrays that transform willing, dying Soul Beasts into "Soul Spirits." Contract effect: Establishes a bidirectional equal peace contract. The Soul Beast resides in the Soul Master's Soul Ring in soul form and retains its consciousness; while the contract remains in effect, the Soul Master and Soul Spirit absolutely cannot harm each other. Special mechanism: If the Soul Master dies, the Soul Spirit can automatically unbind itself and seek its next contracted host. Price: 100,000 Bond Points. (Note: This is foundational technology capable of changing the laws of the Douluo Continent and can be deployed and disseminated in unlimited quantities. [Myriad Changes Breath Concealment Art (passive)]: Perfectly conceals the colors of your Soul Rings and your true cultivation. No one below god level can see through it. Price: 10,000 Face-Slapping Points. [Archaic True Dragon Blood Essence (one drop)]: Can greatly purify the Archaic Heaven-Shaking Bear bloodline and add the attribute of absolute strength. Price: 80,000 Face-Slapping Points.
"Hiss."
Looking at the [First-Generation Spirit Transmission Array Blueprint], Xiong Shaoqing inwardly sucked in a breath of cold air, but what followed was immense jubilation that swept through his entire body like a raging tide.
A bidirectional equal contract, unbinding to find another host, and unlimited mass deployment-now this was the real fucking trump card!
Xiong Shaoqing's mind raced, his eyes startlingly bright. If the system only gave me a consumable, or a one-way enslavement contract that only I could use...
That wouldn't solve the irreconcilable deadlock between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts at all. But this was an entire set of array blueprints!
Once I saved up 100,000 Bond Points and bought this blueprint, I could mass-produce spirit transmission arrays.
Then I could promote this bidirectional, equal contract model across the entire continent, letting Soul Beasts that didn't want to perish completely become Soul Spirits of their own free will.
Not only could this overturn Spirit Hall's monopoly over Soul Rings, it could also bring every hundred-thousand-year Ferocious Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest to the negotiating table.
The blueprint was expensive, but this was a foundation for ten thousand generations, enough to establish a sect and change the world order.
What was 100,000 Bond Points? I already had nearly 60,000. At worst, I'd keep working like mad in the diary once I got back and fleece that little kitty and little bunny bald.
Suppressing his excitement, Xiong Shaoqing unhesitatingly spent 10,000 Face-Slapping Points to redeem the [Myriad Changes Breath Concealment Art] first.
His fourth Soul Ring was a shocking thirty-thousand-year black Soul Ring. If he flaunted it openly, he would inevitably draw those old monsters over.
With this art, he could disguise the black as an ordinary purple and quietly make a fortune.
Having finished taking stock, Xiong Shaoqing swiftly gathered his thoughts.
The stench of blood here was too strong. Sooner or later, the Abyssal Demon Bear's corpse would attract other predators.
He opened his eyes, his deep gaze turning to the worried Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing beside him. His tone was cold and hard, brooking no argument. "The Soul Ring is complete. We shouldn't linger here. We're returning to the city immediately."
They traveled through the starry night without stopping.
By the time the three returned to Suotuo City, it was already well past midnight.
After prolonged tension and a long trek, Xiao Wu's stomach let out a clear "grrrumble" the moment they entered the city.
Xiao Wu's face instantly flushed scarlet. Her two rabbit ears pressed tightly against her head in embarrassment, and she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Although Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, her slightly pale face also revealed her hunger.
Xiong Shaoqing stopped and gave them a cold glance.
"After one day of exertion, you can't even maintain a little stamina." His voice was stern, his brows slightly furrowed, yet he turned toward a nearby alley. "Follow me."
The two girls exchanged a look and hurriedly followed obediently.
Suotuo City's streets were much quieter late at night. Xiong Shaoqing did not take them to those smoky barbecue stalls serving heavy, greasy food, but stopped directly in front of a particularly clean-looking clay-pot congee shop.
"Boss, a pot of Signature Seafood Congee, and a few baskets of Crab Roe Crystal Buns and Vegetable Steamed Dumplings." Xiong Shaoqing sat squarely at a table with his legs spread, casually ordering a few light, stomach-warming dishes.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite him. Watching the steaming seafood congee arrive, they felt such warmth in their hearts that it nearly melted them completely.
Big Brother spoke so sternly, criticizing their poor stamina, yet in the middle of the night, he had specifically picked this light, stomach-soothing supper for them.
He was clearly afraid they would feel uncomfortable sleeping on empty stomachs, and also afraid that eating greasy barbecue late at night would give them indigestion.
"Big Brother, you're so good to us..." Xiao Wu held her bowl of congee, her eyes reddening.
"No talking while eating or sleeping." Keeping a cold face, Xiong Shaoqing picked up his own bowl and took an elegant, unhurried sip, not sparing them so much as an extra glance.
On the surface, he was an icy God King untouched by the mortal world.
In reality, however, his inner dirty old lecher was already putting on a wild drama.
Holy shit, I'm starving! This seafood congee is fucking delicious!
I really want to go next door and wolf down a hundred skewers of grilled kidneys with ice-cold ale! But no, I'm a God King who cares about health and class now. Taking girls to a roadside stall in the dead of night to gnaw madly on kidneys-that picture is too beautiful for me to bear.
As he slowly drank his congee, he kept sneaking frantic glances at the two girls opposite him out of the corner of his eye.
Amid the curling steam, Xiao Wu ate with her little mouth all greasy, like an adorable little hamster guarding its food.
Zhu Zhuqing drank her congee far more elegantly. When she lowered her head slightly, a few strands of hair fell loose, and the astonishing creamy whiteness peeking from the neckline of her black skintight outfit was downright lethal amid the rising steam.
Amitabha. Form is emptiness.
What did this little kitty eat to grow a figure like that? It defies all basic laws! My blood pressure is getting out of control again.
Chapter 84: Copping a Feel in Plain Sight
Xiong Shaoqing frantically recited the Heart-Clearing Mantra inwardly. To conceal his slightly heavy breathing, he struck his porcelain spoon hard against the rim of his bowl, producing a crisp clink.
"Eat faster," he urged expressionlessly, his voice cold enough to shed ice. "We have to get up early tomorrow to review today's battle. If you're as helpless as you were in the Black Market again, you can walk the road ahead yourselves."
Hearing this stern reprimand, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu did not feel wronged at all. Instead, they nodded with utter obedience.
They knew this was his unique way of pushing them to grow stronger as quickly as possible in this cruel world.
Only Xiong Shaoqing himself knew that he was urging them to eat faster purely because, if he kept looking at them face-to-face like this, the "aloof persona" he was so proud of would be completely washed away by the pink filth filling his mind.
At dawn, as the sky began to brighten, a faint mist already hung over the rear courtyard of Suotuo City's Listening Snow Inn.
After that frustrating battle in the Black Market's dark alley, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing had turned shame into resolve. Before daylight had fully broken, they had changed into neat training clothes and were waiting in the courtyard.
Before long, Xiong Shaoqing opened his door and stepped out.
He had changed into a dark xuan-colour outfit, his shoulders broad and waist narrow. Beneath his high, straight nose, his lips were tightly pressed together, and his deep black eyes held a cold severity that commanded respect without anger.
Now, he was a genuine level-41 Soul Ancestor, and every movement carried a powerful, oppressive presence that could not be ignored.
"Shaoqing."
"Big Brother, we're ready."
Upon seeing him, both girls immediately straightened their backs.
Xiong Shaoqing nodded slightly and walked up to them with his hands behind his back. "You've already recognized your shortcomings from the battle in the dark alley the day before yesterday. Against opponents whose cultivation exceeds yours, your Martial Soul's innate gifts alone are nowhere near enough."
"Starting today, I'll teach you the breathing method of the 'Archaic Body Tempering Art.' Combined with techniques for exerting force, it will be enough to raise your physical strength and reaction speed to a new level."
With that, he personally demonstrated the opening stance.
His movements were broad and sweeping. Every breath seemed capable of making the surrounding air resonate, brimming with the beauty of strength.
"Do it," he ordered coldly.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing dared not delay and immediately began imitating him.
However, this body-tempering art placed exceptionally strict demands on muscle control and balance. The moment the girls assumed the stance, their muscles and bones began to ache all over.
His face still as water, Xiong Shaoqing paced beside them, a slender bamboo switch having appeared in his hand at some point.
"Xiao Wu, your waist is too soft. You haven't sunk your strength down. This art requires you to be tough as reeds, not dance."
Xiong Shaoqing walked behind Xiao Wu and lightly tapped the side of her waist with the bamboo switch.
Then he extended his broad hand, pressed it against her slender waist, which could barely fill a hand, and pushed down with a little force.
Xiao Wu gave a startled cry. She felt scorching warmth at her waist, and those large hands seemed to possess magic, instantly throwing her breathing out of rhythm. A blush spread from her neck all the way to her ears.
Outwardly, Xiong Shaoqing's expression did not change as he rebuked her sternly. "Focus. With your heart beating so fast, how are you supposed to feel the circulation of your Qi and blood?"
In reality, however, the groundhog inside him had already begun rolling around madly.
Holy shit, Xiao Wu's waist is way too soft! It's practically boneless.
This feels incredible. No wonder this girl's soft techniques are so fierce.
Steady. I'm a strict teacher. No drooling. Keep those eyes nailed straight ahead.
After correcting Xiao Wu, he walked over to Zhu Zhuqing with steady steps.
Zhu Zhuqing already had an outstanding figure. Now, dressed in tight black training clothes, with the body-tempering art requiring her to lift her chest, tighten her abdomen, and bend slightly at the waist, her breathtaking curves were outlined to their fullest.
"Your breathing is erratic. The Hell Spirit Cat emphasizes explosive power, but this art requires you to sink your breath into your dantian in a long, sustained flow."
Xiong Shaoqing moved to Zhu Zhuqing's side. Looking at her shoulders trembling slightly from excessive exertion, he forcibly endured his skyrocketing blood pressure and reached out, placing one hand on her back and the other on her abdomen.
"Straighten your back, tighten your abdomen, and breathe along with the pressure of my hands." His voice was low and husky.
At the touch of his warm palms, Zhu Zhuqing stiffened as though struck by electricity.
Her cool face instantly flushed crimson. She could even clearly feel the thin calluses on the man's palms through her thin clothing, bringing an indescribable tingling sensation.
"Sha... Shaoqing..." She bit her lower lip, her voice soft and trembling.
"Don't get distracted. If you think it's too hard, you can give up right now and go back to being a flower in a greenhouse."
Xiong Shaoqing gave a merciless, cold snort, yet his hands guided the circulation of her True Qi with absolute precision.
Those stern words instantly stirred the pride in Zhu Zhuqing's bones. She immediately gritted her teeth, forcibly banished the romantic thoughts from her mind, and circulated her Soul Power furiously under his guidance.
As Xiong Shaoqing watched her stubborn yet alluring appearance, his heart had long since burst into bloom, while he also frantically recited the Heart-Clearing Mantra.
This is killing me. This little kitty's figure is practically cheating.
Who could withstand this? I'm risking cultivation deviation to teach her!
Still, seeing how desperately she's trying, those pieces of trash like Tang San really dealt her a heavy blow yesterday.
Fine. Today, I'll be a cold-hearted drill instructor and give them a proper lesson.
After an hour of high-intensity body tempering, the two girls were drenched in fragrant sweat and could barely stand, yet unmistakable excitement shone in their eyes.
They could clearly feel that their physical stamina and the circulation of their Soul Power really had become smoother.
Looking at their exhausted state, a barely perceptible trace of tenderness flickered in Xiong Shaoqing's eyes.
He turned his back to them, leaving them with, "Meditate where you are and absorb what you've learned," before walking straight back to the shade beneath the eaves.
He sat cross-legged and summoned the "Destiny Diary" with a thought.
This morning's strict-teacher training session needed a soul-piercing piece of self-promotion to make it perfect.
[Today, I taught them the Archaic Body Tempering Art.]
[I know how painful this art is. That agony of tearing muscles and bones is something even an iron-boned man might not withstand. Seeing them drenched in fragrant sweat, gritting their teeth and struggling to endure, I wanted several times to reach out, pull them up, and say, "Rest."]
[My hands even trembled a little when I touched them to correct their stances. I feared that being too harsh would break their proud bones; but I feared even more that my softness today would become the blood they shed beneath an enemy's blade someday.]
[Tang San's poisoned crossbow bolts in the dark alley the night before last were like a thorn lodged in my heart.]
[They think they're too weak and have held me back. But they don't know that, in my eyes, they have never been burdens. They are the dragon's reverse scales I would protect at any cost.]
Chapter 85: Removing the Firewood from Beneath the Cauldron
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