Long Xiaoyao and the others were visibly astonished. None of them knew what Wei Xuan had done, but the result alone was shocking enough—
the Evil Soul Master's violent, murderous aura was rapidly fading. His hostility was receding, and the killing intent in his eyes began to dissolve.
"This…" Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao exchanged glances. Both could see the same surprise—and faint delight—reflected in each other's eyes.
Ten minutes passed. By then, Wei Xuan's Soul Power was nearly exhausted—more than eighty percent gone—and fatigue began to show on his face.
From his storage ring, he drew out a Soul Power Recovery Bottle, specially prepared for occasions like this. He skillfully multitasked—restoring and channeling power at the same time.
Normally, one could not use Soul Power while replenishing it from a bottle; doing so risked chaotic energy flow and damage to the meridians.
But Wei Xuan was no ordinary Soul Master. His control over his own power was exquisite—there was no risk of imbalance.
By cycling his energy through two full restorations with the high-grade bottle, he finally completed the purification of the Evil Soul Master's corruption.
At the final step, Wei Xuan embedded a simplified version of the Clear Heart Technique (Qingxin Jue) into the man's mind.
He placed a special restriction on it—one that prevented the technique from ever being transmitted. The man could practice it instinctively,
but he would have no memory of the technique itself, nor any awareness that he was constantly cultivating it.
It was not a destructive ban but a forgetful one—an ingenious method Wei Xuan had stumbled upon in his previous life. Even he marveled at the brilliance of the one who had devised it.
The Clear Heart Technique wasn't a particularly profound method, but Wei Xuan had no desire to see it spread freely—at least not yet.
To ensure secrecy, this restriction was necessary.
The Ancient Ice Dragon faded, and Wei Xuan landed lightly, though a wave of weakness swept through him. He staggered a step before regaining balance.
"Your Highness!" Jing Hongchen quickly moved to support him, worry flashing in his eyes.
"I'm fine," Wei Xuan said, waving off the concern.
Meanwhile, both Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao turned their attention to the cleansed Evil Soul Master. Their spiritual senses probed him closely.
"How do you feel?" Ye Xishui asked the moment the man's eyes opened.
Still dazed, the man blinked in confusion at the strange calm within him. Her voice jolted him fully awake.
He dropped to one knee at once.
"Reporting to the Supreme Offering," he said, his tone trembling with emotion. "This subordinate feels… clear. My mind is lighter—there's no longer any violent urge!"
Excitement shimmered in his eyes. He felt as though he had been reborn—like a true human again.
Ye Xishui's eyes brightened sharply. "Explain your condition in detail. Release your Martial Soul once more."
The man obeyed immediately.
The transformation looked the same as before—his body darkened, fur sprouted, black mist surrounded him—
but his eyes no longer turned scarlet, and the madness within them was gone.
Seeing this, everyone except Wei Xuan stood dumbstruck.
"I'm… still conscious!" the man exclaimed in disbelief. "I can control myself!"
Ye Xishui ignored him and turned to Wei Xuan, her gaze intense, her mood surging with rare exhilaration.
It had been decades since she last felt genuine joy.
"Now you believe me, Senior?" Wei Xuan smiled faintly.
"How did you do it?" Ye Xishui asked bluntly. "I want to learn this method."
"I can't teach it—not yet," Wei Xuan said calmly. "If you wish to save another Evil Soul Master, bring them to me. I'll help purify them personally."
He spoke lightly, but his intent was firm. Teaching the method was out of the question.
This was his leverage—his means to keep the Holy Spirit Cult in check.
Ye Xishui frowned, instantly discerning his intent. A seasoned schemer like her saw through it immediately.
"What would it take for you to share the method?" she asked coldly. "Name your terms.
Whatever is within our power, we'll do it."
She couldn't accept long-term dependence on Wei Xuan. A single, permanent solution would be far preferable—even if it came at a steep cost.
Even within an alliance, she refused to be beholden to anyone.
Wei Xuan smiled faintly, shaking his head. "Senior, you're far too wise to expect that. You should know I won't reveal it so easily."
"We still lack true trust," he continued. "Until that changes, I must have some way to keep your people in check."
His words were direct, unflinching. He saw no need for pretense before someone as sharp as Ye Xishui.
Her expression darkened. The air around her chilled sharply as her killing intent seeped forth.
Blood-red puppet figures flickered faintly in the air behind her.
Kong Deming stepped forward instantly, placing himself between Wei Xuan and Ye Xishui.
"Supreme Offering," he said sternly, "this is Mingdu. I advise restraint."
As he spoke, strange ripples spread from his body—like the awakening of a slumbering beast.
Both Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao tensed. They could sense the danger emanating from him.
Even as Ultimate Douluo, their hearts beat faster under that pressure.
"Xishui," Long Xiaoyao said quietly, stepping to her side, "calm yourself. Don't act recklessly."
Ye Xishui's eyes flickered. After a brief struggle, she exhaled slowly, forcing her aura to subside.
The tension in the air eased, though her gaze lingered on Kong Deming with wariness.
"Elder Kong," she said softly, "you grow more unfathomable by the year."
"And the Supreme Offering's strength has improved as well," Kong Deming replied, smiling thinly.
Their eyes locked, the air between them heavy with silent hostility.
"Senior," Wei Xuan said evenly, his voice cold and steady, "if you truly wish for an alliance, it will be on my terms. Otherwise, our agreement is void."
Since arriving in this world, he had carried himself with calm detachment, rarely angered.
That detachment had made him seem forgiving—but it was not apathy.
He could be angered. And when he was, the result would be terrifying—blood would flow before his wrath cooled.
If not for his own restraint, Mingdu would have already been a city of corpses.
Now, Ye Xishui's arrogance had struck a nerve. His patience was gone.
Kong Deming glanced at him and gave a slight nod, a silent reassurance: As long as we're in Mingdu, not even Ultimate Douluo can act freely.
Wei Xuan nodded back, understanding. Then his gaze turned to Ye Xishui—cold, still, utterly expressionless.
That emotionless calm was more dreadful than rage.
Facing him, Ye Xishui—the Death God Douluo herself—felt a flicker of fear.
For the first time in many years, she regretted losing her composure.
Something deep within told her that provoking Wei Xuan was akin to offending a slumbering deity.
Once, she would have struck down anyone who dared threaten her so.
But now, the Supreme Leader of the Holy Spirit Cult stood silent—
her instincts screamed that crossing Wei Xuan would end disastrously.
Sensing the tension, Long Xiaoyao spoke to break it.
"Since His Highness can indeed resolve the Evil Soul Masters' afflictions, I shall honor my word—
I will guard him for ten years."
His statement was both an attempt to defuse the situation and a sincere declaration.
The oppressive atmosphere eased slightly.
Wei Xuan's gaze shifted to Ye Xishui. "And you, Senior? What is your stance?"
Ye Xishui fell into brief contemplation. After weighing the situation carefully, she finally nodded.
"Very well," she said quietly. "We'll do it your way."
(End of Chapter)