Tang Lie stood to the side with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings to ensure there were no distractions.
The crowd gathered around, consciously keeping quiet, but their eyes met with a mixture of relief and lingering fear.
Dugu Yan gently patted her chest, Zhu Zhuqing slowly loosened her clenched hand, and Tang Jian and Tai Long exchanged a glance, both seeing the relief in each other's eyes.
The group decided to rest for one night before continuing their journey.
Nothing more was said that night.
On the other side of the sky, three slightly disheveled figures accelerated to their maximum speed, speeding away like startled birds for nearly an hour without looking back.
They didn't land until they were completely away from the edge of that terrifying forest, and their Soul Power was greatly depleted, before they finally landed behind a pile of rocks in a desolate valley.
As soon as they landed, Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo couldn't help but cough violently, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths again, their breaths becoming weak.
The lingering power of Tang Lie's furious attack, along with the mental shock caused by the earlier interference from the " Bloodthirsty Demonic Sound," was far more severe than it appeared.
The two quickly swallowed the healing pills made by the Spirit Hall, sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing, and their faces still showed signs of lingering shock.
Qian Renxue's condition was slightly better, but her once sacred and inviolable radiance had been lost from her exquisite face, making her appear somewhat pale.
She leaned against a cold rock, her bright golden eyes gazing into the void, her pupils somewhat unfocused, as if still immersed in that brief but transformative confrontation.
The valley was deathly silent, save for the whistling of the wind through the cracks in the rocks and the heavy breathing of the two Douluo.
After a long while, Qian Renxue slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on the Snake Lance Douluo who was healing himself. Her voice was hoarse as she broke the silence. " Elder She..."
Snake Lance Douluo opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Have you... ever seen... no," Qian Renxue seemed to feel that the question was not precise enough, paused, and rearranged her words.
For the first time, a clear look of confusion and a hint of self-doubt appeared in her golden eyes, which were always filled with majesty and confidence. "As far as you know, in the records of the Spirit Hall, in the history of the continent... has there ever been Soul Ring Configuration like his?"
Her voice was soft, yet it struck the hearts of the two Titled Douluo like a heavy hammer.
The Snake Lance Douluo remained silent, exchanging a glance with the Porcupinefish Douluo had just finished his training and had a complex expression. They both saw the same answer in each other's eyes.
The Porcupinefish Douluo, his voice hoarse, shook his head with difficulty. "Young Master... I've lived for nearly a hundred years and have never seen or heard of such a thing. Fourth Soul Ring starting at ten thousand years... This... this exceeds the theoretical limit of the optimal Soul Ring ratio. Unless..."
He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
"Unless what?" Qian Renxue pressed.
"Unless he has a special method that can significantly increase his physical and mental limits, or..."
The Snake Lance Douluo interface spoke in a heavy tone, "Or perhaps the essence of his Martial Soul far surpasses our understanding, allowing him to naturally bear the power of even more powerful Soul Ring. The Clear Sky Hammer... the number one Tool Martial Soul in the world, could there be secrets we don't know?"
This conjecture sent a chill down the spines of all three.
If it is indeed the latter, then Tang Feng's potential is probably even more terrifying than they just sensed.
Qian Renxue stopped speaking and slowly closed her eyes.
The battle scene from just now kept replaying in her mind, uncontrollably, showing Tang Feng, with the cultivation of Soul Emperor, withstanding the Elder Snake Lance's frontal assault.
The Gui Mei speed and immense power, especially the shock to her from the level of cognition when the unconventional Soul Ring rose, were truly astounding.
And finally, Tang Lie's devastating hammer blow, which left her no room for resistance...
She has always been a favored daughter of heaven, possessing the top-tier Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, with a perfect Soul Ring Configuration, making her invincible among her peers, and even challenging opponents of higher levels is as commonplace as eating rice.
She was used to being high above others, used to being surrounded by their awe and wonder.
She viewed Tang San as a potential threat, but was also confident that Tang San was no match for her.
But today, Tang Feng's appearance was like a cold, heavy hammer, shattering all her pride and confidence.
They were younger than me and their Soul Power Level was probably lower, yet in a head-on confrontation, they completely overwhelmed me with their hammer techniques alone!
That incredible power, those endless streams of powerful Soul Bone Skill, that will as unyielding as steel even under the combined attack of two Titled Douluo...
An unprecedented feeling, a mixture of shock, frustration, humiliation, fear, and even a trace of helplessness that she herself was unwilling to admit, Entanglement around her heart like vines, leaving her feeling suffocated and desolate.
The valley wind lifted a few stray strands of her golden hair from her forehead and brushed against her cold cheeks.
The innate arrogance and holiness of the past have vanished, leaving only a bone-chilling coldness and a heart in utter chaos.
Time passed slowly, and the light in the valley gradually dimmed.
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the mountain ridge, Qian Renxue suddenly opened her tightly closed eyes.
The confusion and desolation in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a deeper, colder resolve, like tempered iron.
The brilliant golden light shone again, but it was more restrained and sharper than ever before.
She slowly straightened up, and although her clothes were slightly disheveled, her upright posture regained the dignity that belonged to the young master of the Spirit Hall.
" Elder She, Elder Ci Xue." Her voice regained its calmness, yet carried an undeniable power, "How are your injuries?"
"They're all out of danger, young master," the two replied hastily.
"Alright." Qian Renxue gazed towards Heaven Dou City, her eyes seemingly piercing through endless mountains. " The Heaven Dou Empire's plans must be accelerated. Xue Qinghe's identity needs to be fully utilized as soon as possible."
She turned her head again, looking in the general direction of Spirit City, a complex emotion flashing across her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "Once this matter is settled and I return to Spirit City, I will immediately enter the Worship Hall. Under my grandfather's personal guidance... I will go into seclusion and cultivate diligently."
She spoke the last few words almost deliberately, each syllable conveying an iron will.
Today's defeat, today's humiliation, today's shock must be washed away with redoubled efforts and greater strength!
Tang Feng... this name was etched into her heart like a brand.
I absolutely refuse to let myself look so pathetic next time we meet!
Sensing the imposing aura emanating from her, the Snake Lance and the Pufferfish felt somewhat relieved and bowed, saying, "Yes, Young Master! We will do our utmost to assist you!"
Qian Renxue nodded slightly and said no more.
The three of them rested silently in the desolate valley for a night, each processing the shock and lessons learned from the day.
The following morning, as the rising sun illuminated the valley once more, the three had regained their basic mobility.
Qian Renxue glanced one last time in the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest, her eyes cold and resolute, before turning away.
"Let's set off and continue searching for a suitable Soul Beast. My Seventh Soul Ring can't be delayed any longer."
Three figures soared into the sky once more, flying towards another part of the forest. However, this time, the atmosphere in the group was countless times heavier than when they arrived.
The arrogance and ease of the past have faded away, replaced by a composure hardened by reality and an unprecedented thirst for power.
Meanwhile, Tang Feng and his group didn't delay any longer. They evacuated the perilous Star Dou Great Forest at the fastest speed and along the safest route, and successfully returned to the small town on the outskirts.
Back in a relatively safe environment, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
We rested for another day in the town, had a hearty meal, and bought new clothes and supplies.
The next morning, the sky was clear and the air was crisp at the entrance of the town.
The time for parting has come.
Zhu Zhuqing, dressed in a neat black outfit, stood tall and straight in the morning light. When she looked at her companions with whom she had spent nearly a month, a faint but genuine reluctance appeared on her cool face.
"I should go back." She spoke softly, her voice still clear and cold, but without the usual chill. "There are still some matters waiting for me at the family."
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Everyone knows what that means: the brutal royal competition within the Star Luo Empire, and the marriage shackles between the Zhu Family and the royal family.