On the tenth day at noon, the courtyard gate was pushed open by a familiar commotion.
" Little Feng! We're back!"
Tang Jian's cheerful voice rang out first, followed by Oscar, Tai Long, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Niu Zhen, Bai Chenxiang, and others who filed in one after another. They all looked travel-worn, but their faces were filled with the joy of returning home.
As their eyes met, everyone immediately spotted Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing standing side by side in the courtyard, their fingers naturally clasped together.
After a brief moment of surprise, expressions of "I knew it" and "It should have been this way" appeared on everyone's faces. There was no surprise, only heartfelt blessings.
Tang Jian strode forward, first patting Tang Feng's shoulder forcefully, then turning to Zhu Zhuqing with a hearty smile, " Zhu Zhuqing, if this kid ever dares to wrong you again, just tell your Brother Jian Brother Jian 'll take care of him for you!"
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks flushed slightly, but she nodded frankly, "Thank you, Brother Jian."
Oscar grinned and leaned closer, saying, "We've been braving the elements outside, but it's all warm and cozy at home! Congratulations Brother Feng! Congratulations Zhu Zhuqing!"
Everyone burst into laughter, teasing each other, and the courtyard was instantly filled with a lively and warm atmosphere.
Amidst laughter and conversation, everyone sat down around the stone table in the courtyard. Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling quickly brought over hot tea and some simple snacks and fruits.
Tang Feng glanced at his companions, who had matured considerably, and smiled, "Judging from your expressions, you've had a very fruitful trip."
Tang Jian, as the leader of the expedition, took the initiative to introduce the group first, "We set off from the sect, heading north straight for the Frozen Forest, where we plan to train!"
He then looked at Oscar, who was beaming with pride, and continued, "Just one month later, Little Ao broke through to level 50. We started looking for his Fifth Soul Ring, and we were quite lucky; we encountered a 20,000-year-old ' Mirror Shadow Beast '!"
Oscar immediately chimed in, "That guy was too tough! It took a lot of effort to finally take him down. My newly acquired Fifth Soul Skill, ' Duplicating Mirror Image Sausage,' can copy someone else's Martial Soul and Soul Skill with just a drop of their blood."
He lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Moreover, I was incredibly lucky and even got a ' Mirror Image Skull '! The Soul Bone Skill is ' Mirror Image Clone,' which generates a Mirror Image Clone with 70% of the original's strength, lasting for one minute!"
"After absorbing the Soul Ring and Soul Bone, my Soul Power steadily reached level 53."
Tang Feng nodded slightly. The ability to copy Martial Soul has great practical value.
Oscar's face beamed with satisfaction.
Ning Rongrong smacked him on the back of the head, annoyed. "What are you so smug about!"
Ning Rongrong maintained her young lady's tone as she continued, "We trained in the Frozen Forest for three months, then traveled eastward along the northern border of the empire, clearing out the Wolf Bandits who plagued the people along the way. After nearly half a year, we finally arrived at North Sea City coastal city in the east. Along the way, everyone helped me hunt down a 15,000-year-old Fifth Soul Ring, which increased my attack power by 50%. After absorbing the Soul Ring, my Soul Power rose to level 52."
Dugu Yan immediately put down her teacup and continued, "When we arrived at North Sea City, I had just broken through the Level 60 bottleneck. My grandfather personally assisted me and helped me find a 40,000-year-old ' Deep Sea Poison Dragon Lizard.' After absorbing its Soul Ring, my Jade Phosphorus Poison Dragon's dragon might became even stronger, and I also obtained a Right Leg Bone. After absorbing the Soul Ring and Soul Bone, my Soul Power rose to level 63. Then we continued our training southward along the coast for half a year."
Bai Chenxiang said somewhat embarrassedly in a low voice, "On the way back, I luckily broke through to level 40. When we passed through the Xiwei'er Mountain Range, everyone helped me hunt a 6,000-year-old ' Swift Shadow Sparrow ' and got my Fourth Soul Ring. Now my Soul Power is level 42."
Tang Jian concluded, "In short, this trip out for training was worthwhile for all the brothers! We broadened our horizons, gained more practical experience, and our individual strengths have steadily improved significantly! Now, Sister Yan is level 65, I'm level 58, Lingling level 58, Little Ao is level 56, Rongrong level 54, Tai Long level 48, Niu Zhen is level 47, Xiangxiang is level 42."
Tang Feng listened quietly for a while, then said, "Very good. I'm so happy to see everyone's growth."
He then took out the Defense System Soul Bone he had obtained from killing the elder of the Elephant Armor Sect and gave it to Niu Zhen, the only Defense System Soul Master here.
Tang Feng concluded, "You've all had a long journey, so take a good rest these next few days to recover. In a few days, once Grandpa and the other elders are ready, Zhu Zhuqing and I will set off for the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for Soul Ring."
Upon hearing this, Tang Jian immediately sat up straight and said, " Little Feng, take us with you!"
Tang Feng firmly shook his head, refusing, "This time it won't work. Not only do I need the Seventh Soul Ring, but Elders Tai Tan, Niu Gao, and Tang Yu also need to hunt for the crucial Ninth Soul Ring. We must venture deep into the core area of Star Dou Great Forest, where dangers lurk everywhere, and even Titled Douluo dare not be careless. With your current strength, it's still too dangerous for you to venture there."
Seeing the disappointment and resentment flash across their faces, he said in a gentler tone, "You've just gone through a long training journey and need time to consolidate your gains and strengthen your cultivation. Rest well and get back to your best condition. When I return with the Soul Ring, I'll take you to a place where you can rapidly improve your strength once again."
Upon hearing this, the disappointment in everyone's eyes was replaced by renewed curiosity and fighting spirit. They knew Tang Feng; he never spoke recklessly.
As the sun began to set, the travelers, having finished sharing their stories, gradually dispersed with new tasks and expectations, and the courtyard returned to tranquility.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing smiled at each other, their fingers still intertwined.
That evening, as the moon rose above the trees, steady footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard.
A guard of the sect leader bowed respectfully outside the courtyard gate. "Young sect leader, young mistress, the sect leader requests your presence in the council hall to discuss important matters."
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, knowing that it must be about Soul Hunting.
After tidying up briefly, the two followed the guards to the main hall of the sect's core area.
The council chamber was brightly lit, and the sect's top leaders were all seated on both sides of the huge long table.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing entered the hall, bowed to everyone, and then sat down in the empty seat to Tang Xiao's left at his signal.
Tang Xiao got straight to the point. "The reason I've gathered you all here today is to discuss our mission to hunt for Soul Ring deep within the Star Dou Great Forest. Our primary objective is for Tang Feng to obtain his Seventh Soul Ring, targeting Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Titan Giant Ape. Secondly, Tai Tan, Niu Gao, and Tang Yu need to acquire their Ninth Soul Ring, targeting Soul Beast that are at least 80,000 years old, with the specific species depending on the circumstances."
He paused, then said seriously, "This mission is extremely risky. Venturing deep into the core area of Star Dou, we may encounter multiple Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and we must also be wary of the Spirit Hall or other forces taking advantage of the situation. Therefore, the personnel chosen must be highly capable, and those left behind must be reliable."
Then everyone began to offer their suggestions one after another.
Finally, Tang Xiao announced the final decision, "Alright. In that case, I will lead the team, with the Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder, Seventh Elder, Ninth Elder, Elder Yang, and Elder Bai He, a total of seven people, providing escort."
Then, turning to Tang Zhen and the others, he said, "I trouble Second Elder, Third Elder, Eighth Elder, Elder Dugu, and Elder Ye to remain at the sect, oversee both internal and external affairs, and closely monitor the movements of the Spirit Hall in case of unforeseen circumstances."
Tang Xiao finally looked at Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing: " Feng'er, Zhu Zhuqing, you two, especially Zhu Zhuqing, the core area of Star Dou is fraught with danger. Stay with the team and make sure to stick close to Tang Feng. Do not leave without permission."
Zhu Zhuqing stood up and solemnly replied, " Zhu Zhuqing understands and will certainly be cautious."
Tang Xiao's sharp gaze swept over the crowd. "Five days from now, at the beginning of Chen Shi (7:00 AM), gather at the mountain gate square and depart. We are determined to succeed on this mission!"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
After the meeting, everyone dispersed.
When they returned to the courtyard, it was nearly 9 PM. Tang Feng pushed open the courtyard gate, and Zhu Zhuqing followed closely behind. She did not go inside immediately, but stood in the courtyard, looking up at the night sky.
"Are you nervous?" Tang Feng walked to her side and stood beside her.
Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head, looking at him with clear eyes and said, "It's not nervousness. It's anticipation. Anticipation of becoming stronger, anticipation of facing real challenges side by side with you, instead of... always being protected in the back."
She craved power, the power to stand confidently beside him, rather than being a dependent who needed to be carefully protected.
Tang Feng looked at her intently and saw a familiar determination in her eyes—the eagerness of someone who had broken free of their cocoon and was eager to spread their wings and test their skills.