"Thank you... Grandpa," Ling Yuan said gratefully.
Qian Daoliu nodded."How long do you plan to stay in Spirit Hall this time?" he asked.
Qian Renxue chuckled,"Probably not too long, Grandpa. The outside world is way more fun than Spirit Hall.The people are nicer, they talk sweetly, and there's way more stuff to play with. I just love being out there."
Qian Daoliu's face darkened slightly, showing a trace of grievance:"I seem to recall saying you should come back at least once a year. This seems to be your first time back since leaving, isn't it?"
Qian Renxue gave an awkward smile,"But Grandpa, I am back now, right? From now on, I'll definitely visit more often."
Qian Daoliu waved it off:"Forget it. Being outside isn't bad either. But there's one thing: once you reach the Soul Sage level, you must return to the Douluo Hall.At the latest, by the Soul Douluo realm. It concerns the legacy of the Angel bloodline. There are things you need to know."
His eyes carried an inexplicable glint.Qian Renxue's growth had already surpassed his expectations.
With Lin Feng having forged three soul meridians for her, boosting her cultivation speed by 40%, and adding to her natural talent,her progress was nothing short of meteoric. In just two years, she had already reached level 49.
Given time, she could be a Soul King at 12 or 13—an achievement current soul masters could hardly fathom.
While Lin Feng's published three-meridian path could give ordinary soul masters a 15% boost, that usually translated to just one or two levels in two years.
Compared to Qian Renxue, it was no competition—and that was before reaching the Soul King level.
The real bottleneck for soul masters typically came after becoming a Soul King.
After that point, leveling up slowed considerably.
For example, the soul ring age jumped directly from 5,000 years to 12,000 years.
The quality of soul power and the amount the body could contain both took a huge leap.
The next major transformation for a soul master came at the Soul Sage level.
Unlocking the Martial Soul True Body symbolized the start of truly mastering one's martial soul.The seventh soul ring was critically important—it represented an origin-level transformation.
A well-matched seventh ring could even upgrade the martial soul's quality.
Qian Renxue tilted her head:"You can't tell me now? Do I really have to wait until I'm stronger? What is it, Grandpa?"
Qian Daoliu looked up at the statue of the Angel God:"It's not the time yet. Even if I told you now, it wouldn't help. Just remember what I said."
"…Fine."
Lin Feng pondered for a moment,"Is the Pope going to obtain her ninth soul ring?"
Qian Daoliu nodded:"Likely very soon. That's also why Yue Guan was called back. The Pope has no authority to mobilize the Douluo Hall's enshrined elders."
"What about the soul beast selection?"
"She's already found traces of a 100,000-year-old soul beast that matches her martial soul—Death Spider Emperor. It's in the Star Dou Great Forest."
Qian Daoliu turned to the now more mature Lin Feng:"You've been away for years. How do you feel about it all?"
Lin Feng responded solemnly:"The outside world is unlike Spirit Hall—full of both surprises and opportunities.There are many incredibly talented soul masters, but even more have ruined their futures by choosing the wrong path, or soul rings that didn't suit their traits.
Over the past two years, we've also completed many missions to hunt down fallen soul masters.We've gained a much deeper understanding of the darker side of human nature.Finally, there's the mysterious person from the Heaven Dou Mountains—we've had no further contact since that encounter."
Qian Daoliu nodded:"Though the Douluo Continent isn't truly boundless, it's still vast.Hidden sects are unlikely, but not impossible.
If I had to guess…"
Qian Daoliu's gaze drifted toward the sea.
In his view, the only place that could produce an unknown Titled Douluo like that was Sea God Island—a land of divine inheritance,where even a single island could house multiple Titled Douluo.
Considering the strange stone and the external soul bone that were gifted, it made sense.
"She knows about Lin Feng and his theories too? Was that a test?"
Seeing the yearning in Qian Daoliu's eyes, Lin Feng realized he had misunderstood—but didn't bother to correct him.
After all, the real Lake of Life in Douluo wasn't widely known yet.It was no surprise Qian Daoliu guessed Sea God Island.
Come on, old man—how do you jump straight to Bo Saixi just because of Sea God Island?!
Qian Renxue asked curiously,"Guess what?"
"Nothing. Xiao Feng, as for that mysterious person, don't overthink it.Since they meant no harm and even gave you two gifts, it's probably just a gesture to get on your good side early.
Let's just wait and see."
Lin Feng nodded. He wasn't about to assume Bo Saixi was sending him friendly signals.
"How many soul meridians have Xue'er and Ling Yuan condensed now?"
"All three are fully condensed. We'll need to get familiar with the fourth one first.The first and second meridians have both been upgraded to the thousand-year level."
Qian Daoliu nodded.
"Ling Yuan, you should absorb your soul bone now.You'll be joining the Pope to acquire a soul ring.I've already scouted a soul beast—a 90,000-year-old Crimson Feather Kite. It's perfect for you.
Phoenix soul beasts only exist in legends,and only martial souls occasionally exhibit phoenix traits.This Crimson Feather Kite shares some phoenix origin with your Ling Yuan martial soul—very compatible.
As for companions, Qingluan will go with you.He was the one who recommended the Crimson Feather Kite."
A cool, slightly detached voice rang out:"Xue'er, do you still remember this old man?"
They all turned.Standing beside Qian Daoliu was Enshrined Qingluan Douluo.
He had short dark-blue hair, smoky-blue eyes, sky-blue bangs, sharp eyebrows, and a handsome face.
He wore a blue ceremonial robe that marked his status as an enshrined elder—different from the black robes of Soul Douluos and the red robes of elders.
Golden shoulder armor adorned with blue feathers added to his grandeur.
Qingluan looked indifferent, as usual—but when he glanced at Lin Feng, something was off.
Normally expressionless, he seemed to be gritting his teeth in secret?What's with that glare?!
"Ahem."
Lin Feng cleared his throat, face serious.
Qingluan narrowed his eyes. So this little punk is the one who led our genius girl astray?Ever since Xue'er was 7, he'd barely seen her. After she turned 10, it was like she forgot her grandpas entirely.
"Hmph."
Even Qingluan, cold as he was, couldn't help getting annoyed.
"Xue'er, your other grandpas are sulking too.They've all been here in Spirit Hall, and you haven't visited once."
Qian Renxue gave an embarrassed smile,"Grandpa Qingluan, I'll visit in a few days.But we did live here for a long time before—why didn't you come find us?"
Qingluan glanced at Lin Feng, the meaning clear:Find you? When some yellow-haired brat ran off with our precious girl?Now I'm supposed to go pay him a visit? Who do you think you are?!
Lin Feng took a deep breath and stood to bow:"It was my oversight. I'll be sure to visit and apologize soon. Please forgive this junior for his thoughtlessness."
Qingluan said nothing, but the hostility in his expression softened.
T/N: For twenty chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle