He had initially thought Yu Tianheng was merely a talented cultivation genius, but he hadn't expected the other to throw out such a startling question so directly. His gaze swept over Yu Tianheng's sharply defined profile, and the ambition burning in the young man's eyes coincided with his own. He suddenly felt a tightness in his throat, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
What a remarkable Yu Tianheng! I thought he was just a young prodigy, but I never imagined he would be such a hero who shares my Sun Moon ambitions! From this day forward, it seems that I will no longer be the sole ruler of this world!
Xue Qing thought to herself, and her regard for Yu Tianheng grew even stronger!
After a moment of silence, Xue Qinghe said in a deep voice, "Since you've put it that way, Tian Heng, then I'll be frank. The situation on the continent is complex right now. The Spirit Hall is all-powerful, the Star Luo Empire is eyeing us covetously, and the various kingdoms and duchies are all self-reliant with their own armies. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family may seem majestic, but in reality, it's just a puppet used to balance the power between the various factions."
"I will end this chaotic world." His voice was deep and resolute. " Star Luo Empire, the Spirit Hall, and even the sects that have drifted apart will all be incorporated into the Heaven Dou Empire." Xue Qinghe's pale golden eyes suddenly flashed with a fervent light. " Tian Heng, I hope you can lend me a hand!"
"As long as you can help me, I can fulfill any request you make. Whether it's the Soul Ring or Soul Bone you need for cultivation, or the power and status above all others, I can give them to you!"
Yu Tianheng looked at Xue Qinghe, who had made a huge promise, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
He knew that the Xue Qinghe in front of him was Qian Renxue in disguise, and the so-called "incorporation into the Heaven Dou territory" was just a pretext. What she really wanted to do was to ascend to the throne of the Spirit Hall Pope and then let the Spirit Hall unify the continent.
Although he knew perfectly well what was going on, Yu Tianheng did not say it aloud.
He stood up, looked at Xue Qinghe sitting opposite him, and said, "Alright, I can agree to serve you, but I have one condition."
Xue Qinghe was overjoyed, "Please speak, whatever the conditions, as long as I can do it, I will fulfill them."
Yu Tianheng nodded. "I come from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and I am the next successor to the clan leader. To be honest, I don't lack Soul Ring or Soul Bone at all. As for power and status, in this world where Martial Soul are revered and strength is king, the only way to gain true power is to become a strong person, such as becoming Titled Douluo."
"With my talent, becoming Titled Douluo wouldn't be difficult."
At this point, Yu Tianheng paused.
Xue Qinghe did not refute, and continued to listen to Yu Tianheng speak.
"But there is one thing I cannot do alone, and I need Your Highness's help."
"Oh, what's troubling you so much?" Xue Qinghe asked, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"No rush." Yu Tianheng smiled and sat back down. "Before I make my request, I'd like to ask you, Qinghe, do you know anything about martial artists?"
"Martial artist?" Xue Qinghe was even more puzzled. "What is that? I've never heard of it before!"
Yu Tianheng explained, "Those who cultivate Martial Soul are called Soul Master, while those who cultivate Martial Dao are called Martial Artists. Although both Martial Artists and Soul Master value strength, their essence is completely different. Soul Master rely on the Martial Soul Awakening and the enhancement of their Soul Ring, and their strength mostly comes from innate gifts and external forces, while Martial Artists rely on themselves."
Yu Tianheng flicked his finger, and a bolt of lightning exploded at his fingertip before quickly disappearing. " Soul Master absorb Soul Ring to master specific skills, like taking a shortcut; Martial Artists, however, must temper every inch of muscle and every drop of blood into weapons through day-to-day training. They don't rely on the power of Soul Ring; they can split mountains and shatter rocks with just their fists and feet, relying on pure qi, blood, bones, and Martial Dao will."
As he spoke, his eyes became more intense. "Soul masters have reached the pinnacle of being a titled Douluo, but the realm that warriors pursue is the ultimate in spirit and power that transcends the soul power system. They can fight soul beasts with mortal bodies, fight against realms with their martial will, and even change the pattern of this world."
Then, he looked at Xue Qinghe again, "Does Your Highness know what the biggest difference is between Soul Master and a Martial Artist?"
Xue Qinghe shook his head. "What is it?"
"The biggest difference between martial artists and Soul Master is that martial artists do not rely on innate talent. In other words, anyone can cultivate Martial Dao and become a martial artist."
He then pointed to Mu Qing, who had been standing quietly beside him, and asked Xue Qinghe, "Your Highness, please look at this person. Can you see anything different about him?"
Xue Qinghe narrowed his eyes slightly, his golden pupils releasing a subtle mental probe. After a moment, his expression shifted slightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at his waist. "This person has no trace of Soul Power fluctuation."
"Not only did he lack Soul Power fluctuations, he didn't even have Martial Soul. He was just an ordinary person. If nothing unexpected happened, he would only ever be an ordinary person, at the very bottom of the Douluo Continent, one of the masses. But he met me, and I taught him Martial Dao. After years of arduous training, he can now contend with Three-Ring Soul Master without being at a disadvantage."
Xue Qinghe was shocked, letting out an incredulous whisper, "Impossible! How can an ordinary person who hasn't awakened Martial Soul contend with Soul Master? Especially a three-ring one! This defies all logic!"
It's no wonder Xue Qinghe lost his composure, because in his mind, Soul Master were the mainstream of this world. Only those who awakened their Martial Soul could become Soul Master, and only Soul Master were the only strong people on this continent. There was no other possibility.
Yu Tianheng crossed his arms and said, "If Your Highness does not believe me, you may immediately summon a Three-Ring Soul Master to fight Mu Qing. Then we will know whether the Martial Dao are illusory or there is another truth to it." After saying that, he waited for Xue Qinghe to make a decision.
Xue Qinghe's expression was uncertain, both intimidated by Yu Tianheng's certainty and unable to suppress the surging curiosity in his heart. Finally, he sat down heavily and said, "Alright! I'd also like to see for myself what kind of scene the Martial Dao you're talking about is like, Tian Heng."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xue Qinghe raised her hand and waved it lightly. The guards outside the hall immediately understood and hurriedly ran to summon the Soul Master.
A moment later, a Three-Ring Soul Master in his twenties strode into the hall. He was burly, with veins bulging like dragons beneath his wheat-colored skin, and well-developed muscles. In contrast, Mu Qing appeared thin and small, not at all like a martial artist practicing Martial Dao. Instead, this Soul Master looked more like a martial artist.
Xue Qinghe pointed at the imposing Three-Ring Soul Master and said softly, "This is Lin Bao, Martial Soul Master from the Royal Imperial Guard. His Martial Soul is a spiked club. He is Power Attack System weapon Soul Master who broke through to the third ring at the age of twenty-three and is currently at level 32."
"While he may not be on par with the elite students of the top-tier Soul Master Academy, he's still a talent." Xue Qinghe leaned back slightly in his carved chair, a provocative smile playing on his lips. " Tian Heng, are you sure you want a mortal without Martial Soul to compete against such a Soul Master?"