The days following the absorption of the Chronos Temporal Tyrant Dragon's spirit bone were ones of deep, focused consolidation for Song Qing. He remained secluded within the innermost sanctum of his cultivation chambers, the residual echoes of temporal energy still humming faintly within his right arm.
'Rank 79 peak…' he mused, circulating his soul power, feeling the immense energy now brimming within his meridians. The sheer density of it was exhilarating, the bottleneck to Rank 80 feeling thin, almost brittle. 'But brute force isn't enough. Need control. Integration.'
He spent hours meditating, not just circulating soul power, but actively familiarizing himself with the new temporal abilities. He experimented cautiously with the Temporal Acceleration Field, creating small bubbles of faster time around inanimate objects, watching them blur slightly at the edges. He practiced activating Momentary Stasis, feeling the immense drain required to freeze even a falling leaf for a mere second.
His Chronal Reflexes felt… strange at first. The world seemed to move just a fraction slower, allowing him more time to perceive, to react. It took conscious effort to adjust, to prevent himself from overreacting to normal stimuli. The subtle enhancement to his healing from Temporal Resilience was less noticeable but reassuring. And the Draconic Time-Might thrumming in his right arm felt like coiled potential, a physical blow now carrying an echo of disrupted time.
He also spent considerable time integrating the temporal energy's subtle infusion into his existing soul skills. The Void Dash felt different, leaving behind that faint temporal drag. The Shadow Dominion felt… weirder, less like simple darkness and more like a pocket of unstable reality. The Abyssal Draconic Space Rend felt genuinely terrifying now, capable of punching holes not just in space, but in the continuity of moments. And his enhanced red rings pulsed with power that felt ancient and immediate simultaneously.
'Control,' he reminded himself constantly. 'This power is immense, but raw power without control is just chaos. Need to master it. Make it an extension of my will.'
After several days of intense, isolated focus, he felt a sense of equilibrium return. His Soul Power stabilized at the peak of Rank 79, his body adjusted to the temporal energies, and his mind began to grasp the nuances of his enhanced abilities. The restlessness faded, replaced by a calm confidence in his newfound strength.
Satisfied with his immediate consolidation, he shifted his focus. Reaching into his spiritual sea, he called out mentally.
'A'Rou.'
A gentle, warm mental presence responded almost instantly, blooming within his consciousness like a soft flower. A'Rou, the soul of Xiao Wu's mother, the hundred-thousand-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit, residing safely within the protective confines of his Dark Soul Emperor's Crown spirit bone.
'Yes, Little Qing?' Her mental voice was melodic, maternal, tinged with the wisdom of her long existence and the affection she had developed for him over the years of observation and interaction within his soul.
'It is time, A'Rou,' Song Qing projected, his mental tone calm but carrying a weight of significance. 'Time to fulfill the promise I made to you years ago.'
He sensed her immediate surge of anticipation, a wave of hopeful energy washing through their connection.
'You remember the herb I spoke of?' he continued. 'The one capable of miracles, found only in the desolate chill of the Extreme North? The one that holds the potential to reshape destiny, to weave spirit back into flesh?'
'The Yin-Yang Extreme Reversal Herb!' A'Rou's mental voice trembled with suppressed excitement. 'Yes, Little Qing! Of course, I remember! I have thought of little else since you first described it!' Her longing was palpable. The dream of regaining a physical form, of escaping the spectral existence within his spirit bone, burned brightly within her soul.
'Then prepare yourself,' Song Qing stated simply. 'We will be journeying to the Extreme North soon. Very soon. Our primary objective will be to locate and secure that herb for you.'
A wave of pure, unadulterated joy flooded their connection from A'Rou. 'Truly?! Oh, Little Qing! Finally! Thank you! Thank you! I… I don't know how to express my gratitude!' Tears of spectral joy seemed to well within her essence.
'Your patience has been commendable, A'Rou,' Song Qing acknowledged gently. 'The time wasn't right before. My strength was insufficient, the risks too high. But now…' He let the implication hang. Now, things were different.
He paused, then shifted his mental tone slightly, becoming more strategic. 'However, A'Rou… before we embark on this journey, I have a request. A favor to ask of you. It concerns… your daughter. Xiao Wu.'
He felt A'Rou's joy momentarily temper, replaced by maternal concern and curiosity. 'Xiao Wu? What about my Little Wu, Little Qing? Is she alright? What do you need?' He could sense her immediate willingness to agree, her trust in him absolute when it came to her daughter's well-being. She knew he considered Xiao Wu a friend, perhaps even more, and had always treated her kindly.
'She is perfectly safe and thriving at the Lake of Life, under the protection of Da Ming, Er Ming, and now, indirectly, Lord Di Tian himself,' Song Qing reassured her quickly. 'My request is not about danger, but about… participation.'
He laid out his request clearly. 'In a few months, the continent-wide Elite Young Soul Master Tournament will commence. It is a prestigious event, showcasing the brightest talents of the younger generation from all major powers.'
He continued, 'Spirit Hall naturally fields a team from our own elite academy. I wish for Xiao Wu to join that team. To participate alongside our geniuses like Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.'
He felt A'Rou's confusion. 'Join… Spirit Hall's team? Little Wu? But why, Little Qing? She is a spirit beast… And Spirit Hall already possesses such incredible talents. That Seven Tailed Sin Fox girl, Hu Liena, is already a Soul Emperor, isn't she? Surely they don't need my daughter's strength to secure victory?'
'Spirit Hall's victory is assured, A'Rou, with or without Xiao Wu,' Song Qing confirmed calmly. 'Hu Liena and the others are indeed formidable. My reasons for wanting Xiao Wu to participate are… more strategic. Personal, even.'
He didn't elaborate on his true motive – using Xiao Wu as bait to draw out Tang San, to force his hand, to gauge his allegiance. He knew A'Rou wouldn't fully understand the complexities, the animosity between him and the Tang family. Instead, he focused on reassurance.
'It will be an opportunity for Xiao Wu to experience the human world under controlled circumstances, to interact with human geniuses, to perhaps even temper her fighting skills in a structured environment,' he offered plausible justifications. 'And her safety, I give you my absolute word, will be paramount.'
He added firmly, 'She will be under my direct protection, my Teacher's protection, and the full might of Spirit Hall. Even if – and I consider it unlikely given our precautions – her identity as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast were somehow revealed during the tournament, no harm would come to her. We have the power to ensure that. You know this.'
A'Rou fell silent for a moment, processing. She trusted Song Qing implicitly. She had watched him grow, observed his interactions, felt his genuine affection for Xiao Wu, his respect for her own soul. He had never broken a promise, never shown malice towards them. And his power, combined with Bibi Dong's… yes, they could undoubtedly protect Xiao Wu, even from discovery.
The reason remained puzzling – why deliberately involve Xiao Wu when Spirit Hall didn't need her? But perhaps it was simply as he said, an opportunity for Xiao Wu's growth. Or maybe… maybe he simply wanted his friend close during the competition? That felt plausible too.
'Very well, Little Qing,' A'Rou finally responded, her mental voice filled with warmth and trust. 'If you wish for Little Wu to participate, and you guarantee her safety with such conviction, then I will help convince her. I can project my thoughts to her. She trusts me, and she trusts you. I believe she will agree, especially if I frame it as an adventure, a chance to see the world with you.'
'Thank you, A'Rou,' Song Qing projected back, genuinely grateful. 'Your cooperation is invaluable.'
'Anything for you, Little Qing,' she replied sincerely. 'And for my daughter's happiness and safety. Now… the Extreme North?' Her anticipation surged again.
'Yes,' Song Qing confirmed. 'Soon. Once I make the final preparations.'
He gently withdrew his consciousness from the connection, leaving A'Rou's soul buzzing with hope within the Dark Soul Emperor's Crown.
'Good,' Song Qing thought, standing up from the meditation platform. 'A'Rou's influence should ensure Xiao Wu's participation. And that… will set the stage beautifully.'
His gaze turned cold again. 'Tang San. Let's see what choice you make when your childhood love and even your dear mother stands openly on the side of Spirit Hall. Will loyalty to your father outweigh your feelings for her? Will you join Tang Hao in his pathetic war against us?'
A cruel smirk touched his lips. 'Or will you choose love, choose Xiao Wu, and perhaps… choose survival? The tournament will be the crucible. Your choice, Tang San, will determine your fate. Cross me… and there will be no mercy this time.'
He pushed thoughts of Tang San aside for the moment. Other matters required attention.
His network of informants had been busy. The strategic withdrawal from Star Luo was proceeding smoothly, accompanied by carefully leaked tales of Spirit Hall's reluctance for conflict and Star Luo's bullying tactics. Public opinion was slowly, subtly shifting.
His informants also confirmed Dai Mubai's presence back in the Star Luo Imperial Palace. 'Pulled back from that second-rate academy they dumped Shrek into,' Song Qing mused. 'Dai Xing is consolidating power, likely preparing Mubai for… unpleasant realities. The competition between him and his elder brother, Dai Weishi, will only intensify now, fueled by the Empire's rising ambitions and the Clear Sky Clan's shadow looming over them. A messy situation I have no desire to involve myself in directly. Let the tigers fight.'
As for the other former Shrek members…
'Oscar? Probably vanished back to whatever food-spirit clan he hailed from. Utterly irrelevant.'
'Ma Hongjun? That fat, lecherous phoenix wannabe? Probably causing trouble in some provincial town, his corrupted spirit barely controlled. Also irrelevant.'
Their minor roles in the grand scheme were over. Only Tang San and, by extension, Xiao Wu, still held strategic significance.
Satisfied with the intelligence updates, Song Qing returned his focus to his own imminent breakthrough. The peak of Rank 79 felt solid, stable. The temporal energy from the Chronos bone was fully integrated. He needed just one final push.
He retrieved a specific set of Immortal Herbs he had reserved for this exact purpose – not the overwhelmingly potent life-force herbs used for Cai'er or the specific attribute ones for Liu Erlong, but herbs focused purely on Soul Power refinement and bottleneck shattering. A sprig of Thousand Transformations Jade Leaf, known for smoothing energy pathways. A small piece of Nine Revolution Soul Gathering Root. A single drop of condensed essence from the Heart Piercing Profound Ice Flower, paradoxically useful for stimulating breakthroughs through controlled internal shock.
He consumed them methodically, spacing them perfectly, guiding their potent energies through his meridians, channeling them directly towards the fragile barrier separating Rank 79 from Rank 80.
The process took another week of deep, uninterrupted meditation. He felt the energies swirl, condense, pressure building against the bottleneck. It resisted, hardened by the sheer amount of power he already possessed. But under the combined assault of the herbs and his own indomitable will, cracks began to appear.
Then, with a sensation like crystalline ice shattering silently within his soul, the barrier broke.
A flood of new understanding, a deeper connection to the world's energy, washed over him. His soul power expanded, deepened, qualitatively shifting. The aura around him pulsed, settling at a new, higher equilibrium.
Rank 80. Soul Douluo.
He opened his eyes, a calm satisfaction settling deep within him. Two lifetimes of effort, relentless cultivation, strategic acquisition of resources… it had all culminated in this moment. Soul Douluo at the age of fourteen. An achievement that would shock the entire continent, perhaps even rival the legends of the past.
But he felt no arrogance, only readiness. This was merely another step. The path ahead was still long, the true enemies far more powerful.
'Now… the rings,' he thought immediately. Rank 80 required the acquisition of the Eighth Soul Ring for both his spirits. And he knew exactly where he intended to find them.
The Extreme North.
The decision solidified instantly. The journey served multiple purposes: secure the Yin-Yang Extreme Reversal Herb for A'Rou, find suitable high-level spirit beasts for his Eighth Rings – preferably ice-attribute or darkness/void-attribute to complement his spirits – and perhaps even investigate the core region, seeking clues about the Ice God or other hidden powers rumored to dwell there.
He began planning the expedition. This journey required power, versatility, and absolute trust. He wouldn't be taking a large Spirit Hall contingent; that would attract too much attention and hinder mobility. He needed a small, elite team.
His choices were immediate, obvious.
First, himself. Newly minted Rank 80 Soul Douluo (though appearing as Rank 79 until he acquired the rings), equipped with potent spirits, multiple spirit bones including time manipulation, and strategic acumen.
Second, Song Cai'er. Her transformation had settled beautifully. A Rank 60 Soul Emperor with an incredibly potent Golden Dragon spirit, inherent Ultimate attributes including Fire (useful against Ice), and the formidable Golden Dragon Spear. Her auspicious nature might also prove useful in navigating the dangers. Her loyalty was absolute.
Third, Qian Renxue. His partner, his lover. Already a formidable Soul Douluo herself, likely Rank 81 or 82 by now. Her Seraphim spirit possessed Ultimate Light and Fire, a powerful counter to the Extreme North's darkness and cold. Her combat experience and strategic mind were invaluable. And frankly, he wanted her close. Their connection had deepened profoundly since his birthday.
Fourth and Fifth, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. While seemingly the 'weakest' links in terms of raw combat power (though both were likely nearing Soul Emperor rank themselves by now), their utility was undeniable. Rongrong, with her fully evolved Nine Treasure Pagoda, provided unparalleled support – amplification, defense, stamina recovery, elemental resistance. Her presence multiplied the entire team's effectiveness exponentially. Zhu Zhuqing, with her incredible speed, agility, stealth capabilities derived from her Abyssal Phantom Lion spirit, and sharp combat senses, was the perfect power and agile damage dealer. Their loyalty was unquestionable, and their presence provided emotional balance and tactical flexibility.
And finally… Bibi Dong. His Teacher, his lover, the Supreme Pontiff. A peak Titled Douluo at 99. Possessing twin Death Spider Emperor spirits, terrifying poison abilities, domains, and immense combat experience. Her raw power provided the ultimate safety net, capable of handling almost any conceivable threat they might encounter in the Extreme North, short of perhaps the Snow Empress or Ice Emperor themselves awakening fully. And besides the strategic value… he simply wanted her there. The dynamic established on his birthday was something he wished to explore further, away from the political pressures of Spirit Hall.
'Yes,' he confirmed the roster internally. 'Myself, Cai'er, Renxue, Rongrong, Zhuqing, and Teacher. A team balanced with offense, defense, support, scouting, overwhelming power, and unique attributes suited for the environment. No need for extraneous Elders. This team is more than sufficient.'
He rose from his meditation platform, Rank 80 power humming beneath his skin, a plan solidifying in his mind.
Extreme North. It was time. Time for herbs, time for rings, time for reckonings. He made his way out of his chambers, ready to gather his chosen companions.