With a single thought, Wei Xuan directed his Soul Power into the harness of the Icecloud Wings. The arrays engraved across the metallic feathers lit up in sequence.
The wings came alive, unfolding like the glacial plumage of an icebound eagle.
As the fine exhaust vents beneath each segment activated, faint propulsion surged forth, gently lifting Wei Xuan into the air.
It was his first time flying with them; his ascent was unsteady at first. But within seconds, he had adapted, body aligning naturally with the wings' rhythm.
Ten seconds later, Wei Xuan soared higher, gliding upward like a silver hawk in the sky.
He twisted, dove, and banked effortlessly—each motion as fluid as thought itself. The wings responded as if they were part of his own body.
Since flight was forbidden within Mingdu, he only circled above Mingde Hall a few times before descending.
As he landed, the wings folded neatly behind him. The harness released automatically, and a pulse of Soul Power guided the Icecloud Wings back into his storage device.
Jing Hongchen hurried forward, eyes gleaming. "Your Highness! Could I have the design for this Soul Tool? I'd like to promote this model throughout the Hall!"
Wei Xuan's design was revolutionary—lighter, more responsive, easier to control than any previous flight-type Soul Tool. If refined and replicated, it could push the field of aerial Soul Tools to a new height.
"Of course," Wei Xuan replied with a nod. "But this model demands exceptionally high spiritual strength from its user. Keep that in mind."
"High spiritual strength?" Jing Hongchen frowned slightly, enthusiasm dimming a little.
"Yes," Wei Xuan explained. "It's fully controlled through mental power. Without sufficient strength, it won't even activate."
"I see." Jing Hongchen sighed softly. Spiritual growth was far more difficult than Soul Power cultivation; few would meet such a requirement.
Still, curiosity glimmered in his eyes. "Even so, I'd like a copy of the blueprint for study."
"Sure." Wei Xuan drew several folded pages from his storage ring and handed over the detailed design—fifteen sheets of precise hand-drawn schematics.
The next day, inside a secluded courtyard in Mingdu—
Wei Xuan stood flanked by Jing Hongchen on his left and Kong Deming on his right, the Grand Elder of the Hall, his gray-white hair faintly glimmering under the morning light.
Across from them were six people—five men and one woman.
The first man was Long Xiaoyao, whom Wei Xuan had met weeks ago. Beside him stood the cloaked woman.
She was completely enveloped in a dark crimson mantle. A faint mist obscured her face, concealing every feature, yet her graceful silhouette betrayed her gender—her curves soft and unmistakably feminine.
Though she emanated no discernible energy, appearing as harmless as a commoner, no one here was foolish enough to be deceived.
To stand beside Long Xiaoyao as an equal could mean only one thing: this was none other than Ye Xishui, the Supreme Leader of the Holy Spirit Cult—known across the continent as the Death God Douluo.
Behind her stood four cultists, their bodies wreathed in faintly bloodstained, sinister energy.
None dared move a muscle; their posture toward Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao was one of absolute reverence.
"Well, well," Ye Xishui's hoarse yet commanding voice broke the silence. "Nearly forty years since I last saw Elder Kong. I never expected to see you again."
From the moment she arrived, her unseen gaze had fixed on Kong Deming—her tone calm, but with a flicker of caution.
If there were anyone in the world she truly hesitated to provoke, Kong Deming was one of them.
His Soul Power might not rival her own, but his mastery of Soul Tools—his proximity to the fabled Rank Ten Soul Engineer—made him a terrifying opponent even for an Ultimate Douluo.
Long Xiaoyao too showed mild surprise. He hadn't expected the reclusive master to appear at this meeting.
Kong Deming chuckled faintly, his eyes sharp. "What can I say? When people start bullying the young with the old, one has to step out and remind them of balance."
As he said this, his gaze drifted to Long Xiaoyao. The jab was obvious.
Long Xiaoyao's face remained expressionless, not a single ripple of emotion visible. At their level, self-control was second nature.
Ye Xishui's tone stayed neutral. "Elder Kong, you know how this began. If you wish to blame someone, blame the late Xu Tiannan. We merely accepted his invitation."
Her words, though even, pricked like barbs—an open reminder of the Empire's internal disgrace.
Kong Deming's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Sensing the rising tension, Wei Xuan stepped forward, interjecting smoothly. "Senior Long, won't you introduce your companion?"
Understanding his intent, Long Xiaoyao nodded slightly. "This is the Supreme Master of the Holy Spirit Cult, Ye Xishui. You may address her as you do me. You already know why we're here."
Wei Xuan inclined his head politely. "Greetings, Senior Ye."
Ye Xishui's voice carried a trace of anticipation. "You're the one who claims to be able to cure the Evil Soul Masters' corruption?"
This matter meant everything to her; even she found it hard to remain calm.
"Why not see for yourself?" Wei Xuan replied evenly. Words were meaningless—proof would speak louder.
"Good," Ye Xishui said approvingly, raising a hand. She pointed casually toward one of the cultists. "You. Step forward."
The man stiffened. Fear flickered in his eyes; being the first test subject seldom ended well.
"Did you not hear me?" Ye Xishui's tone chilled. With a wave of her hand, invisible force yanked him into the open. His limbs locked in place, body suspended midair.
"You may begin," she said curtly.
Wei Xuan frowned slightly at her forceful tone but held his peace. He stepped forward, stopping before the immobilized man.
Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen followed closely behind—neither daring to stray far with two Ultimate Douluo present.
Kong Deming's very presence here was a shield; as long as he lived, neither Ye Xishui nor Long Xiaoyao would dare lay a hand on Wei Xuan.
Under his command, the entire Mingdu Soul Guidance Array could activate in an instant—obliterating even an Ultimate Douluo caught within its scope.
"Release your Martial Soul," Wei Xuan said calmly.
The cultist trembled under Ye Xishui's restraint but obeyed immediately.
His Martial Soul manifested—a hulking, jet-black, twin-headed wolf with razor fangs and feral eyes, its body wreathed in black mist.
The Dark Twin-Headed Wolf—a mid-tier Evil Martial Soul known for speed and vicious strikes.
As his Soul Power surged, black fur covered his skin; claws lengthened into talons; fangs grew sharp; bloodlust consumed his gaze. Four Soul Rings—one yellow, three purple—rose beneath his feet.
"Raaagh!" the man roared, eyes burning scarlet, straining against Ye Xishui's invisible hold.
Were it not for her spiritual restraint, he would have torn into Wei Xuan without hesitation.
But Wei Xuan's expression remained serene. No fear, no hesitation.
His Soul Power flared. Behind him, the Ancient Ice Dragon Martial Soul unfurled, and two rings—yellow and purple—lit up in sequence.
At the sight, both Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao's eyes flickered with surprise.
"What a powerful aura…" Long Xiaoyao thought, stunned. As one with a Dragon-type Martial Soul himself, he could feel it clearly—the bloodline suppression.
The Dark Holy Dragon he possessed was being suppressed… by Wei Xuan's Martial Soul.
That could only mean one thing: Wei Xuan's Ancient Ice Dragon carried blood far purer and nobler than his own.
The crystalline dragon coiled protectively around Wei Xuan. He leapt lightly, landing atop its head, meeting the Evil Soul Master's blood-red eyes.
Reaching forward, he pressed a single finger to the man's forehead.
A thread of Soul Power flowed outward from Wei Xuan's fingertip, sinking into the man's body.
Instantly, the Evil Soul Master's trembling ceased. His feral eyes closed, his breathing slowed.
Wei Xuan circulated the Clear Heart Technique (Qingxin Jue)—his Soul Power turning tranquil and pure, imbued with the essence of clarity and calm.
That power spread through the man's mind, soothing the violent corruption, dissolving madness, and cleansing away the shadows of bloodlust.
(End of Chapter)