The return of Tang Chen to the Douluo Continent was like the detonation of a nuclear bomb, shocking the entire continent.
The previously overbearing Spirit Empire, upon hearing of Tang Chen's return to the soul master world, seemed to have reined in its aggressive actions, no longer as offensive as before.
Soon after, Qian Daoliu, the long-missing Grand Worship of the Spirit Hall, also made a reappearance in the soul master world.
These two ninety-nine-level Limit Douluo were known as the twin peaks of the soul master world—unassailable summits that few could dream of reaching. Now, with both returning at the same time, the soul master world was thrown into turmoil. Even the Spirit Hall had lost much of its former influence and rallying power.
After meeting, Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen seemed to have reached a new agreement. Following this, the soul master world fell into an eerie calm.
Meanwhile, Tang San, after overcoming countless perils, finally completed the seven trials of the Sea God. Using the excuse of needing to return to the continent to add spirit rings to his Hao Tian Hammer, and with Poseidon's permission along with his Red Rank privileges on the Sea God Island, he returned to the Douluo Continent.
When Tang San arrived at Han Hai City, the first person he encountered was Titan.
Since Tang Chen's return, Tang Hao had arranged for Titan to wait in Han Hai City for Tang San and his group. This was crucial for Tang San's next phase of training, especially given how little time Tang Chen had left.
As expected, upon hearing about Tang Chen's return and the current state of the continent, Tang San immediately followed Titan back to the Hao Tian Sect.
Xiao Wu accompanied Tang San back to the Hao Tian Sect, while Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and Ma Hongjun planned to return to Tian Dou City. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing intended to visit the Star Luo Imperial Palace. With the three empires preparing for war, Dai Mubai, as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, needed to serve his country during this critical time.
Within the Hao Tian Sect, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were filled with joy upon seeing Tang San and Xiao Wu return.
Especially now that Tang San had reached Level 87 and Xiao Wu Level 85—they were both already powerful individuals. The future of the Hao Tian Sect looked promising.
Even Tang Chen, upon observing Tang San and Xiao Wu's current progress, couldn't help but praise their innate talent.
After exchanging pleasantries, Tang Chen's demeanor turned unusually serious.
"Little San, though you've now reached Level 87, you must train even harder and faster. Otherwise, whether it's the Hao Tian Sect or this world, the dangers ahead will be immense."
Tang San quickly responded: "I'll follow your every instruction, Great-Grandfather. I'll do my utmost to grow stronger."
Tang Chen sighed helplessly: "Though Qian Daoliu and I have reached an agreement, it's clear that Qian Daoliu has already hit the limit of what a soul master can achieve. As for me, my body is no longer in its prime. We urgently need top-tier experts to emerge."
Tang San nodded silently. Though agreements existed in this world, everything ultimately rested on strength. If something were to happen to Tang Chen or if he were to fall, the agreement would likely crumble instantly. At that point, the Hao Tian Sect would face attacks from Qian Daoliu and other elders.
However, Tang San had some doubts: "Great-Grandfather, although hunting on the Sea God Island was relatively fast, I feel that my Blue Silver Grass has hit a bottleneck. My cultivation speed has noticeably slowed compared to earlier stages. I fear it will be difficult to raise these last three levels."
Tang Chen smiled: "Little San, other plant-type soul masters might find cultivation troublesome, but you're different. You possess dual martial souls. You can now increase your soul power by adding spirit rings to your昊天锤 (Hao Tian Hammer)."
Tang San quickly asked: "Great-Grandfather, but I haven't yet resolved the issue of conflict between dual martial souls. Won't adding spirit rings to the昊天锤 (Hao Tian Hammer) cause a rejection between the two martial souls?"
Tang Chen nodded: "I cultivated all the way to the ninety-nine-level Limit Douluo stage, achieving perfect fusion between my martial soul and body. I understand the connection between soul masters and their martial souls deeply. The so-called conflict between dual martial souls is simply due to insufficient physical conditioning."
"I've already examined your body. After years of training on the Sea God Island, your physique has reached an extraordinary level. With your current strength, absorbing a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring won't be a problem. If you can absorb high-year spirit rings and soul bones, it will resolve the issue of dual martial soul conflicts."
Upon hearing this, Tang San was overjoyed. For years, he had been troubled by the conflict between his dual martial souls. Now, with Tang Chen's confirmation, if he could add spirit rings to his昊天锤 (Hao Tian Hammer) early on, he would undoubtedly be able to rapidly ascend to the advanced Title Douluo stage.
However, while Tang San was elated, Xiao Wu's expression grew troubled.
Xiao Wu was well aware that Tang San needed spirit rings—many spirit rings—and many top-tier spirit beasts as sources.
But as someone born from a spirit beast, Xiao Wu didn't know how to communicate this to Tang San. Although the Star Luo Great Forest housed numerous hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, only two were particularly famous and easy to locate: the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python. Unfortunately, these two were Xiao Wu's younger brothers.
Tang San gently stroked Xiao Wu's face: "Don't worry, Xiao Wu. I won't let anyone harm you, nor will I harm your brothers. When we go to the Star Luo Great Forest to hunt for spirit beasts, we'll target those who once bullied you or those evil spirit beasts."
Xiao Wu seemed deeply moved: "Third Brother, I trust you. I know there are some extremely cruel spirit beasts in the Star Luo Great Forest who enjoy wanton slaughter. Such beasts deserve to die."
Hearing this, Tang San was delighted: "Xiao Wu, I knew you'd support me. I won't disappoint you—I promise to protect you."
A few days later, Tang San, under Tang Chen's personal guidance, left the Hao Tian Sect with two others to head to the Star Luo Great Forest to hunt for spirit rings.
In the Spirit Hall's Pope Palace:
Recently, Bibi Dong had faced nothing but setbacks. Though she was now the emperor of the Spirit Empire, she continued to reside and work in the Pope Palace.
While the Spirit Empire was advancing rapidly and exerting immense pressure on the two major empires, Bibi Dong was acutely aware that compared to the empire's formidable soul master strength, its military power lagged far behind the two empires.
The two empires, having ruled for countless years, boasted robust economies, political systems, and financial resources—things a newly established empire like the Spirit Empire couldn't match.
Moreover, in recent years, while the Spirit Hall appeared strong on the surface, internally, things were far from smooth.
Following the魂猎行动 (Soul Hunt Operation) several years ago, the Spirit Empire suffered significant losses. The attack on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family resulted in the loss of over ten thousand soul masters, nearly twenty percent of their total strength.
Furthermore, in recent years, the Spirit Empire had consecutively lost five Title Douluo, including her right-hand men, Ju Douluo and Gui Douluo.
Now, Bibi Dong only had four Title Douluo under her command. Their overall strength was weaker than that of the供奉殿 (Hall of Elders), making it difficult for her to act without being constrained.
To make matters worse, Tang Chen of the Hao Tian Sect had recently reemerged.
The Spirit Hall and the Hao Tian Sect were now bitter enemies. Despite Bibi Dong's formidable strength, she remained intimidated by Tang Chen, a ninety-nine-level Limit Douluo.
What disappointed her further was that though Qian Daoliu had returned to the soul master world, he had reached an agreement with Tang Chen. These two Limit Douluo would not appear on the battlefield.
Bibi Dong harbored deep hatred for Qian Daoliu and the Angel lineage.
However, her own strength hadn't improved much over the years. She was currently only at Level 98, still some distance away from Level 99.
Under Bibi Dong's repeated requests, Qian Daoliu assigned two Title Douluo, Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo, to assist the Spirit Hall in various matters. This was the only positive development lately.
At this moment, Holy Maiden Hu Liena arrived at the Pope Palace.
"Reporting to Master, the four elders are ready. Everything from the day before yesterday has been arranged. We can depart at any time."
"The situation in the Star Luo Great Forest has also been thoroughly investigated. The whereabouts of the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts have been confirmed."
Bibi Dong nodded: "Good. We'll set out tomorrow for the Star Luo Great Forest."
This time, Bibi Dong brought six Title Douluo with her, planning to hunt down the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python in the Star Luo Great Forest.
These six Title Douluo included Qian Jun Douluo, Jiang Mo Douluo, Ling Yuan Douluo, Gui Bao Douluo (Ghost Leopard), Sheng Long Douluo (Saint Dragon), and Mo Xiong Douluo (Devil Bear).
It could be said that for this operation, Bibi Dong was taking enormous risks and pushing her subordinates to their limits.
After Hu Liena left, Bibi Dong glanced at the Douluo Hall, her eyes revealing a hint of ferocity.
"Old man, once I absorb the spirit rings and soul bones of the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, you won't be able to manipulate the Spirit Empire anymore."
…
After leaving Slaughter City, Yang Xiong immediately headed to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Unexpectedly, despite his increased strength, Yang Xiong still couldn't reach the core area at the bottom of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Moreover, the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well seemed to strongly repel his Asura Demon Sword and even his martial soul.
Yang Xiong felt utterly helpless: "It seems I underestimated the difficulty. Obtaining these two arm soul bones won't be as simple as I thought."
After meeting the Asura God, Yang Xiong had learned the content of his third trial.
"Yang Xiong, the third trial of the Asura Nine Trials: obtain both arms' soul bones. Time limit: one year. Failure results in annihilation."
Over the years, Yang Xiong had tried other top-tier soul bones. When he obtained the right arm soul bone of the seventy-thousand-year Demon-Eyed White Tiger King, he attempted to use it, but his right hand couldn't absorb it.
After multiple confirmations, Yang Xiong realized that all these changes likely stemmed from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
At the bottom of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, there appeared to be a massive seal fusing the entire area into one cohesive unit. Mortal strength couldn't penetrate it, and even Yang Xiong, using every method at his disposal, couldn't break it.
Yang Xiong understood that truly entering the bottom of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would require someone else entirely.
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