Two years later.
Star Luo Empire, Star Chasing City.
Two years is enough time for many things to change.
Xiao Yan stood at the highest point of the Spirit Hall Main Hall, overlooking the entire city, exuding an aura of authority without anger, his eyes looking down on everyone.
Two years ago, he was just a newcomer who almost died in Xu Mu's conspiracy.
Now, he has completely become the true master of this Spirit Hall Main Hall.
In the past two years, he used the Barrier-Breaking Pill to firmly control the Soul Master of the Spirit Hall Main Hall. As for Xu Mu's death, he wrote a letter to Qian Renxue, Qian Renxue has already taken care of it.
Tempted by the elixirs, a group of Soul Master pledged their loyalty to him.
Those who originally harbored disloyal intentions either died or fled under the brutal purge.
The current Spirit Hall Main Hall is united in purpose and its orders are strictly obeyed.
However, what satisfied Xiao Yan the most was not the power of the Spirit Hall Main Hall Spirit Hall, but that he was able to use its power to cultivate his own influence within the Star Luo Empire, while also pursuing his own interests.
Following the Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pill, he launched the Clear Mind Pill two years ago, which is actually an improvement on the Mind Spirit Concentration Pill from Battle Through the Heavens.
Its function is to keep a person clear-headed while absorbing Soul Ring Clear Mind Pill, greatly increasing the success rate of absorbing the Soul Ring.
If the first two types of pills only drove up the price...
The appearance of the Clear Mind Pill truly made Xiao Yan's pills incredibly popular.
Absorbing Soul Ring can lead to erosion by the remnant soul of Soul Beast. The appearance of the Clear Mind Pill not only increases the success rate of absorbing Soul Ring, but also gives Soul Master the opportunity to absorb stronger Soul Ring.
Of course, this was on the premise that one's own body could keep up with the rampant energy. Taking advantage of the medicinal pills, Xiao Yan extended his reach to the entire Star Luo Empire.
After two years of development, they used the resources of the Spirit Hall to refine elixirs.
Today, he has people in every city and province of the Star Luo Empire.
Hundred Herbs Pavilion, the Zhu Family, and some smaller families he had subdued all became part of this network.
Similarly, their cultivation levels improved by leaps and bounds within two years.
Two months ago, Zhu Zhuqing successfully broke through to level sixty and advanced to the Soul Emperor Realm.
Three days ago, he finally broke through to the Soul Emperor Realm.
Star Chasing City, Spirit Hall Main Hall.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window and fell on Xiao Yan's face. He slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of stale air, and felt the surging Soul Power within his body. A satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
Now, he has finally broken through to level sixty and officially entered the Soul Emperor Realm.
How are you feeling?
Zhu Zhuqing's voice came from behind. She walked to Xiao Yan's side with a cup of hot tea in her hand, her purple dress shimmering softly in the morning light.
Xiao Yan took the teacup and took a sip.
"Very good." He stretched his shoulders. "Better than ever before. Level 60 Soul Power is at least 50% stronger than when I was level 59."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.
"That's good. But what you need most right now is your Sixth Soul Ring."
Xiao Yan nodded.
A level 60 Soul Power requires a suitable Soul Ring.
"Let's prepare for our journey to the Star Dou Great Forest," Xiao Yan said softly, putting down his teacup.
Two months ago, when Zhu Zhuqing broke through to the next level, they went to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt down Soul Ring for her.
And now, it's his turn.
Zhu Zhuqing did not object.
The Star Dou Great Forest is the largest gathering place for Soul Beast on the Douluo Continent, spanning the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, covering an area of hundreds of thousands of miles.
The area is home to a wide variety of Soul Beast, making it the top choice for Soul Master to acquire Soul Ring.
Moreover, they had already been there back when they were still at the Shrek Academy.
When do we depart?
"Today then," Xiao Yan stood up, stretched, and said, "I've already taken care of things with Zhou Yuan and Han Qing."
Furthermore, the Dark Hall has long been on the right track and no longer needs to keep a close eye on the Spirit Hall.
The Dark Hall was simply an egg that Xiao Yan laid for himself by using the Spirit Hall as a shell.
The people in the Dark Hall were all personally trained by Xiao Yan. Although their numbers were not large, they were all core members who were absolutely loyal to him.
These are the changes he has made in the past two years.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
After a quick tidy-up, the two left the Spirit Hall Main Hall.
When they stepped out of the palace gate, Zhou Yuan and Han Qing were already waiting outside.
Congratulations, Elder Xiao, on your breakthrough!
Zhou Yuan stepped forward, smiled at Xiao Yan, and said:
"Rest assured, I will handle everything within the palace properly."
Xiao Yan looked at the two of them and smiled slightly.
" Deacon Zhou, thank you for your hard work these past few days."
Zhou Yuan and Han Qing exchanged a glance and hurriedly said:
"These are simply my duties as a subordinate."
Xiao Yan waved his hand and walked out of the city with Zhu Zhuqing.
Behind them, Zhou Yuan and Han Qing watched their retreating figures for Jiujiu without leaving.
Zhou Yuan whispered, "This Elder Xiao is truly unfathomable. To possess such strength at such a young age, and those heaven-defying pills..."
Han Qing sighed:
"At our age, we've really wasted our lives. But being able to follow someone like that is a blessing."
Zhou Yuan nodded. "Yes. That idiot Xu Mu insisted on being his enemy; he deserved to die."
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the same thought in each other's eyes: Elder Xiao has a bright future ahead of him!
Three days later, on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing entered the Star Dou Great Forest from the part bordering the Star Luo Empire. Although it was still the Star Dou Great Forest, the direction they entered from was different from when they entered from the Heaven Dou Empire.
Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing stood at the edge of the forest, gazing at the scene before them, which seemed somewhat familiar.
After all, we had just gone through this place two months ago.
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously stepped into the forest.
The moment I stepped into the forest, the surrounding light suddenly dimmed.
The towering canopy blocked out the sunlight, with only a few rays filtering through the gaps in the branches and leaves, creating dappled light and shadow on the ground.
The air was filled with the damp, musty smell and the fresh scent of grass and trees. Occasionally, a few small animals would dart through the grass and disappear in the blink of an eye.
The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, which felt soft and rustling underfoot.
Xiao Yan walked in front, with Zhu Zhuqing following closely behind.
Neither of them spoke, but they cautiously observed their surroundings.
Xiao Yan's goal is to find Soul Beast that is over 20,000 years old. Since no Soul Beast that meet his requirements will appear on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, he needs to go deeper into the forest.
Those ancient Soul Beast that have existed for hundreds or thousands of years on the outskirts are no longer of any significance to them.
After walking for about two hours, the surrounding trees became even thicker, each requiring several people to encircle it.
A faint sense of oppression emanated from the air; it was the aura left behind by a powerful Soul Beast, used to warn other creatures not to approach.
After a moment, Xiao Yan sensed the presence in the distance and spoke softly:
"Three miles to the left front, there is a ten- Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Its age is approximately twelve thousand years, and it should be of the dark attribute."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, and her Martial Soul instantly possessed her.
Purple Soul Power swirled around her, and the phantom of the Serene Moon Love Shadow Cat appeared behind her, its cold eyes fixed on the distance.
Her hands transformed into sharp cat claws, their nails gleaming with a chilling light.
The two silently made their way in that direction.
Three miles is but a moment's travel for them.
Soon, they spotted the Soul Beast.
It was a gigantic Shadow Demonic Tiger, entirely black, with wings on its back and a silver king-shaped marking on its forehead.
It was lying on a huge rock, dozing with its eyes closed, occasionally flicking its tail.
Its breathing was long and steady, and with each exhale, black mist spewed out from its nostrils.
" The Shadow Demonic Tiger excels at stealth and ambush; it's fast and powerful. This one is at least 12,000 years old."
Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing hid behind a large tree, observing the demonic tiger. Xiao Yan spoke up, observing the markings on the Shadow Demonic Tiger's body.
Not long after entering the Star Dou Great Forest, they encountered a Soul Beast that was 12,000 years old. They were quite lucky.
I'll attract it.
Zhu Zhuqing said in a low voice, "Find an opportunity to make your move."
Xiao Yan nodded.
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, and in a flash, disappeared from the spot.
The next moment, she appeared beside the Shadow Demonic Tiger, her claws tearing through the air, aiming straight for the tiger's throat!
She moved with lightning speed, leaving a purple afterimage in the air!
The Shadow Demonic Tiger suddenly awoke, its eyes wide open, and let out a deafening roar!
"Roar--!!!"
The sound was like a thunderclap, causing the leaves around to fall in a rustling sound, and countless birds took flight, scattering in all directions.
It turned around, and Zhu Zhuqing's figure was reflected in its pupils. Its tiger tail swept across like a steel whip!
The tiger's tail tore through the air, emitting a piercing shriek!
Zhu Zhuqing neither dodged nor evaded, Third Soul Ring lit up!
" Love Threads Severing Moon Slash!"
A purple crescent-shaped energy roared from her fingertips and collided with the tiger's tail!
boom!