When the red light faded, Xiao Wu's figure disappeared, leaving behind only a palm-sized white rabbit quietly lying among the Blue Silver Grass.
At the same time, a streak of blood-red light suddenly appeared above Ning Rongrong's head, as the shadow of a red skull flickered and vanished.
Seeing the sacrifice of the 100,000-year soul beast come to an end, Ning Fengzhi couldn't wait another second. Gone was his usual refined demeanor as he hurriedly approached his daughter, his tone filled with concern. "Rongrong, what soul skill did you gain?"
Ning Rongrong slowly opened her eyes. Beneath her feet appeared five brilliant soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, red. Staring at the glowing Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand, she frowned slightly. "My fifth soul skill is called Soul Power Amplification. It enhances the quality of a teammate's soul power, allowing them to use less energy to release stronger soul skills."
"A 100,000-year soul beast didn't grant you a second soul skill?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head. "The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is just like the Seven Treasure one. Its soul skills are fixed combinations with fixed enhancement effects. The age of the soul ring only affects how much energy is required to use those abilities. This 100,000-year soul ring simply made my skill cost negligible…"
Ning Fengzhi nodded helplessly. The pagoda's fixed skills, while reliable and unchanging, couldn't benefit from high-quality soul rings the way other soul masters could. Still, after absorbing two immortal herbs, the pagoda's soul skill set had been optimized, and its support capabilities were significantly enhanced.
Ning Rongrong gently touched her head, adjusting to the presence of a new soul bone. After a pause, she added, "The skull left behind by Xiao Wu's sacrifice gave me two pretty good soul skills… they'll really help me survive on the battlefield."
"What skills did this 100,000-year soul bone grant you?"
"Invincible Golden Body and Instant Transmission. The first grants immunity to any sub-god attacks for three seconds, and the second lets me teleport within 100 meters. They perfectly make up for a support-type soul master's weakness in defense."
"Excellent! This is wonderful! Rongrong, with these abilities, you've become the perfect support soul master!" Ning Fengzhi was beaming ear to ear, as if he himself had just gained a 100,000-year soul bone.
Behind him, Sword Douluo stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly. "Rongrong can try combining Instant Transmission with Invincible Golden Body… advancing and retreating freely. Even if enemies want to block you, they won't be able to."
As they excitedly discussed how to use the soul bone, Yu Tianming suddenly held up a piece of meat to Ning Rongrong's mouth.
She chewed and swallowed without thinking, then smiled. "Tianming-gege, what kind of meat is this? It's so fragrant! After eating it, my soul power feels like it's surging!"
"Remember the spicy rabbit meat Ma Hongjun made from a 4,000-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit on the way to Spirit City? This is stir-fried rabbit meat made from a 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Enchanting Rabbit. I know you love tender rabbit cheeks, so I saved that piece especially for you."
"Tianming-gege… you… you didn't cook Xiao Wu, did you?" Realizing what she had just eaten, Ning Rongrong suddenly gagged, imagining her former roommate now in her stomach.
"Don't panic, Rongrong. Xiao Wu gave her soul, cultivation, and life force in the sacrifice. Her body wouldn't have lasted long. Why waste it? Besides, her flesh is no different from any other rabbit. Even if you value her friendship, you can still resurrect her one day. Her soul is still within your soul bone."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong calmed down and asked curiously, "Wait… even if her body vanished, her soul can survive in the soul bone?"
"Of course. The soul bone holds the essence of her body. If one day you stop feeling sorry for her, you could even use the soul bone skills more often and grind her soul away completely."
"So there's still hope… Tianming-gege, I'll definitely revive her one day." Her eyes flicked toward the stir-fried rabbit meat in Yu Tianming's hand again. "I didn't expect there'd be such a huge difference between a 100,000-year soul beast and a 4,000-year one… Can I have another piece?"
"Of course…"
…
Half an hour later, the group left the Water World and made their way back toward the Blue Tyrant Academy's spectator section.
Having lost their qualification to compete, the Blue Tyrant team was still reeling from the chaos. Most looked despondent, especially Dai Mubai, whose complexion closely resembled Xiao Wu's just before her sacrifice.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi and the others approach, Oscar mustered up the courage to ask, "Master Ning, may I join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
His words made Ning Rongrong's expression slightly uncomfortable. 'Seriously? I'm already with Tianming-ge, and this guy is still hanging around me like a lovestruck puppy. It's so annoying.'
But Ning Fengzhi, upon hearing that a food-type soul master with innate full soul power wanted to join, was momentarily stunned before quickly grinning from ear to ear. "Of course. Any of you are welcome in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
He even gave Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun a meaningful glance.
Zhu Zhuqing looked to Yu Tianming hesitantly. Seeing him nod, she smiled. "Thank you, Master Ning, for taking me in."
Ning Fengzhi had already learned about Zhu Zhuqing's situation from his daughter. With Yu Tianming's approval, offering her protection was a simple matter. His eyes then turned to Ma Hongjun. "And you, young man?"
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "I'll pass. I like my freedom. I've always wanted to travel the continent, broaden my horizons. Now that we've graduated, I want to fulfill that dream."
Flender was stunned. 'This kid's always only cared about food and women. Since when did he want to explore the world?'
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Then I won't force you. Dean Flender, we'll take our leave. Rongrong, Zhuqing, Oscar—let's go."
With that, he and Sword Douluo led the others away from the tournament arena.
Not far away, Davis quietly waited as Yu Tianming approached. He greeted him politely. "Brother Tianming, I didn't expect you to be able to overpower the Clear Sky Douluo so easily. You really hid your strength well…"
Yu Tianming smiled. "Zhuqing has joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and won't be involved in the Star Luo royal struggle anymore. Thank you for letting her go."
"It's nothing. The Evil Eye White Tiger and Netherworld Civet must be paired to compete for the throne. Zhuqing alone poses no threat. No need to be so formal with me." Davis's tone had lost all arrogance. His violet eyes were soft—like a gentle older brother.
Before, he had only treated Yu Tianming cordially because of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan's influence. Now, seeing Yu Tianming defeat Tang Hao at only twenty years old, he realized the man likely had the strength of a Title Douluo. Respect was now a matter of survival.
As for Zhu Zhuqing—yes, women from the Zhu Clan weren't allowed to marry outsiders, and she was originally meant to be his concubine. But all that meant nothing before overwhelming strength. Even if Yu Tianming forced her away, what could Davis do? Especially now that the alliance between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had spread across the continent—he had to win Yu Tianming over to stabilize his future reign.
While Davis and Yu Tianming chatted amiably, the defeated prince Dai Mubai narrowed his eyes, his mind churning with dark thoughts.
He had failed in the succession battle, recently humiliated before his brother, and now faced a grim future. Life and death were at stake, and desperation gave rise to wild schemes.
A known flirt, Dai Mubai had long noticed the unusual closeness between Yu Tianming and Xue Qinghe back at Blue Tyrant Academy. 'Those looks they exchanged… there's something between them that men shouldn't have.'
Dai Mubai thought darkly, 'Davis always uses whatever means necessary… Could it be that Tianming prefers men, and Davis used his looks to win him over?'
'If Davis can do it, why can't I? To survive, what's dignity worth?'
Steeling himself, Dai Mubai stepped forward. His Evil Eye narrowed slightly as he asked, "My lord, how do you find my looks compared to Davis?"
Yu Tianming raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What are you trying to say?"
"I, Mubai, am willing to follow you—day or night. I only ask for your mercy…" He dropped to his knees with a thud, his tone utterly sincere. This was his last chance. If Davis dragged him back to the Star Luo Empire, he was finished.
Yu Tianming immediately stepped back, keeping his distance. "It seems the Star Luo royal family's rules are too cruel. Davis, I think your brother's lost his mind under the pressure. You'd better take good care of him before he starts disturbing others."
With that, he turned and left the arena without a backward glance. Davis looked at his kneeling brother, and a hint of coldness crept into his gaze.
…
Elder Hall
The Elder Hall was the largest structure within the Pope's Palace and the true seat of power in Spirit Hall.
The towering dome stretched nearly thirty meters high, and the surrounding walls housed thirty chambers—each belonging to a Title Douluo-level elder. Even the Pope was bound by the authority of this place.
At present, the Elder Hall was eerily silent. Not a single elder or servant could be seen.
As Qian Renxue entered the vast hall, her pupils shrank slightly. Before the towering, golden statue of a six-winged angel, stood a lone figure with his back turned, gazing reverently up at it.
It was a tall, middle-aged man dressed in a plain gray robe. His neatly combed black hair flowed down his back. Though simply standing there, the sunlight streaming in seemed to gather around him.
"Grandfather."
With a thud, Qian Renxue knelt at the entrance, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Qian Daoliu slowly turned. Though over two hundred years old, he looked barely thirty. Handsome, dignified, and pure—it was like a divine being had descended upon the world. One couldn't help but feel a desire to draw close.
Most striking of all, he emitted not even a trace of soul power.
He stepped forward gently and was instantly before Qian Renxue, pulling her into his arms. In her grandfather's embrace, after ten long years, Qian Renxue finally let go of all her defenses and broke down in sobs.
Even the strongest have moments of weakness. Pretending to be Xue Qinghe for over a decade, growing up in a foreign palace as a spy—only she knew the pressure she endured.
Qian Daoliu gently stroked her golden hair and whispered, "Xiaoxue has grown up..."
"It's been ten years... Ten years since I last saw Grandpa... But my mission is almost over now..."
Her sobs grew more intense. Before the age of nine, she had no father, and her mother despised her. Qian Daoliu was the only one who had ever truly loved her. If anyone in this world could be called her family, it was him. After ten years apart—how could she not weep?
"Xiaoxue, there's no need to rush," Qian Daoliu said softly, patting her back. "Worldly power is fleeting. If you don't want to stay in Heaven Dou City, you can return to Spirit Hall at any time. No matter what you choose, Grandpa will always support you."
(End of Chapter)
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