Chapter 91: 91 Dai Mubai's Unknown Whereabouts
Chapter 91: 91. Dai Mubai's Unknown Whereabouts
"So... you're saying Xue Beng has already turned into a monster?!!"
Had he failed to see it, and conferred the title of Prince upon a monster?
Xue Qinghe's face was ashen, a cold light flashing in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Ting; he... was truly enraged!
Xue Beng was... his younger brother, and he would not allow such slander!
On the surface, this was the emotion he had to display.
Furthermore, he had intentionally spared Xue Beng not just to reduce suspicion on himself, but for a more fundamental reason from childhood... when Qian Renxue first replaced Xue Qinghe, Xue Beng had tried everything to play and joke with him. Sometimes he found it annoying, but in his heart, he felt more... warmth.
That was a brotherly affection she had never experienced; unfortunately, Xue Beng was ultimately not her brother.
Later, for some reason, Xue Beng suddenly came around much less, but she still remembered that feeling and could not forget it.
"Do you know the consequences of lying!"
"I am only stating what I saw. As for the truth, our Great Emperor Qinghe will have to verify it himself."
Xue Qinghe's mouth twitched, utterly speechless: this little brat was just being a rogue.
"I will verify it."
The voice was muffled, sounding very unhappy!
She had wanted to say some threatening words, but this hateful fellow in front of her had blocked the path in advance!
Moreover, as an emperor on the surface, she needed to mind her image and couldn't throw a petty tantrum!
Being an emperor... is so stifling!
Suddenly, an absurd thought popped into her head.
"What if I use my real identity?!!"
But in the next instant, she rejected the idea.
The plan hadn't succeeded yet... the Empire was undergoing a subtle transformation, and it still needed time.
Xue Qinghe waved his hand, and Zhou Ting wisely took his leave.
Xue Qinghe hesitated for a second before issuing a warning in a solemn tone.
"The situation has been treacherous and unpredictable lately. Be... safe!"
Zhou Ting looked back and saw the profound meaning in her eyes along with... a heavy warning!
Zhou Ting wanted to ask for clarification, but the other party turned and left even faster than him, quickly disappearing from sight.
Fine, so she's unwilling to talk in detail!
..."Whoosh!"
A thin figure emerged from nowhere and bowed to Xue Qinghe.
"Your Majesty!"
This person was none other than his bodyguard... She Long. He had always followed Xue Qinghe, but ordinary Spirit Masters could not detect his presence.
The only exception was the last assassination attempt... Xue Qinghe's face was calm, lost in thought.
"You heard everything, right? Investigate Xue Beng strictly!"
"Yes."
She Long looked quite hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Xue Qinghe looked up; She Long knew... Xue Qinghe was displeased, so he quickly voiced his concerns.
"Does the Young Lord believe that kid is telling the truth?"
"Whether I believe it or not isn't important. What's important are the facts. Remember, investigate strictly!"
"Yes!"
She Long actually understood the gravity of the situation. If what Zhou Ting said was true, the situation would become very grim... "Also... should we report back to Spirit City?"
Xue Qinghe thought of the things his grandfather had told him after returning from the Star Dou Great Forest. That woman... had schemed against both grandfather and grandson... a nameless fire rose in his heart, yet his gaze grew colder.
"No..."
Xue Qinghe thought of something, and a flash of excitement crossed his eyes.
"Wait, tell them. Tell her everything that kid said, word for word. I want to see if that woman gets overwhelmed with trouble! Haha..."
Women, what a terrifying desire for revenge!
She Long lowered his head, utterly speechless.
Is this mother-daughter pair really necessary?
Of course, he didn't dare say this in front of Qian Renxue, and the name Bibi Dong was something he couldn't even mention!
Thinking of this mother and daughter, neither was easy to provoke. Being caught between them... "Sigh, it's really hard to manage!"
...Clear Sky Sect.
The appearance of the Old Ancestor Tang Chen finally gave the Clear Sky Sect a backbone, and they followed his lead. The atmosphere of the Sect was incredibly "harmonious."
With Tang Chen, his grandfather, present, Tang Hao's return was only natural. His son Tang San also successfully acknowledged his ancestors. Tang Hao's sister Tang Yuehua suddenly gave up the Moon Pavilion in Heaven Dou City and returned to the Clear Sky Sect.
With Tang Chen, the invincible of the land, presiding, the Clear Sky Sect Disciples could finally enter and leave the Sect with peace of mind, no longer needing to fear Spirit Hall's retaliation.
In fact, Spirit Hall didn't even have such intentions!
Sect Training Grounds.
Young people were Cultivating diligently, not daring to slack off. Tang San, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were among them.
Outside the grounds, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, the Four-Eyed Owl Flender, and the Immovable King of Brightness Zhao Wuji... almost all the original Shrek members were here!
During this time, under Yu Xiaogang's persuasion, Flender had completely given up on Shrek Academy, deciding to let Oscar and the others participate in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament under the name of the Clear Sky Sect.
"These top-tier medicinal herbs are already so miraculous. If they were Immortal Herbs..."
Flender felt a pang of regret. Tang San and the others had each consumed two or three rare medicinal herbs, and their spirit power had jumped by five or six levels in one go, yet their Foundation remained solid without any side effects.
Furthermore, their Cultivation speed had become even faster!
Unfortunately, they weren't Immortal Herbs; otherwise, their progress would have been even greater and their future even brighter.
Yu Xiaogang also felt a pang of regret: It's a pity I didn't go in. Dong'er... if he had gone in, perhaps he could have secured a few more Immortal Herbs for his Disciples.
Thinking of that woman who was both familiar and a stranger, Yu Xiaogang felt incredibly bitter in his heart.
Tang San finished his daily dose of Cloak-Shaking Hammer training and walked over to Flender, his expression a bit strange.
"Dean, Mubai... he's back!"
This was intelligence he had obtained through the Clear Sky Sect's channels. Although the Clear Sky Sect had been secluded for many years, their secret intelligence network had never been dismantled.
"Mubai is still alive!"
Flender was overjoyed. They had waited in the Star Dou Great Forest for five days but hadn't seen Dai Mubai come out. He had thought this stubborn Disciple had already perished.
Now, however... "Good, that's truly wonderful!"
Flender suppressed the urge to dance with joy, reached out to push the glasses on the bridge of his nose, and feigned composure.
"This way, you can all participate in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament together..."
"By the way, he probably doesn't know we've come to the Clear Sky Sect, right? Where is he? Let's go pick him up quickly..."
Flender was simply too happy and kept talking incessantly, failing to notice that Tang San's expression was becoming increasingly strange.
Yu Xiaogang was much calmer and pulled at his excited friend.
"Stop talking for a moment. Little San, you tell us!"
Flender looked at his friend and then at Tang San, realizing that things might be a bit different from what he imagined.
"Is it about the tournament roster?"
Tang San shook his head in denial.
"No, Mubai... has become a bit different. He..."
Tang San didn't know how to describe it.
Flender grew anxious, very anxious.
"What exactly is going on?"
Tang San's expression was odd; he couldn't figure out what had happened to Dai Mubai either.
"Mubai... he actually went directly back to the Star Luo Imperial Palace!"
"What?"
Both Yu Xiaogang and Flender were stunned.
They both knew about Dai Mubai's situation.
They knew even better that it was absolutely impossible for Dai Mubai to go back right now.
In this struggle for the imperial succession, Dai Mubai was at an absolute disadvantage—he was younger and had a lower cultivation.
Now, he had even lost his 'partner' Zhu Zhuqing, and was facing a pair of older brother and sister-in-law all by himself!
Going back... offered no hope! Dai Mubai couldn't be that muddled!
Tang San continued his account.
"Furthermore, according to the Clear Sky Sect's intelligence, no one knows what he said to the Emperor, but in the end, he disappeared... along with several imperial Enshrinements!"
"Disappeared?!!"
It sounded like a tall tale; this was the shared feeling of the three men.
"Teacher, Dean, don't worry too much. Mubai knows what he's doing; he won't lead himself into a dead end."
Flender did not agree with Tang San's view, his face full of gravity.
"If it were before, I naturally wouldn't worry. But now, after what happened with Zhu Zhuqing..."
Yu Xiaogang was suddenly startled, his eyes widening.
"He couldn't be going to Heaven Dou City to find Zhu Zhuqing and... that kid, could he?"
That was very possible!
The three looked at each other, speechless!
"Teacher, that shouldn't be the case. That's Heaven Dou City. Even if Mubai wanted to, considering the diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Emperor would never agree!"
"That... makes sense!"Chapter 92: 92 Spirit Beast Shackles
Chapter 92: 92. Spirit Beast Shackles
The quinquennial Advanced Spirit Master Tournament is a top-tier event that draws the attention of the entire continent, providing an excellent opportunity for countless Advanced academies to make a name for themselves.
It already pulled at the heartstrings of countless people.
Now, with prizes that are impossible to refuse, this Spirit Master Tournament is destined to be incredibly intense!
All sorts of characters are rubbing their hands in anticipation, and this tournament is heading in an unknown direction.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy has also begun intense selection and training, which has made life difficult for a certain somewhat lazy and headstrong Young Miss!
At the academy's main gate, a noble girl with an anxious expression was disregarding her image and constantly urging the few people behind her.
"Sister Xiao Wu... hurry up! We finally have a day off, we have to go out, shop, and buy, buy, buy..."
"Otherwise, I'll be bored to death sooner or later!"
Ning Rongrong was like a husky that had broken free from its leash, frolicking to her heart's content, incredibly excited!
"Coming, coming, don't worry, Rongrong, stop rushing us."
Xiao Wu said this, but her feet unconsciously quickened their pace.
Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan looked at each other and smiled, following closely behind.
On their day off, the four sisters had agreed to go shopping and relax.
Well, actually there were more than four; another sister had something to do and didn't come!
Zhou Ting had a long face, his eyes full of reluctance as he muttered softly.
"If we're going shopping, then fine, but why did you have to drag me along?"
He really didn't want to follow them out; those women's clothing and accessory shops were really... embarrassing to go into.
While they shopped, Zhou Ting could only find a place to sit by himself out of boredom.
And he couldn't even leave!
If he left, there would be thousands of ducks quacking in his ears; it was truly unbearable.
Before he knew it, the four girls had already ducked into a clothing store.
Zhou Ting found a bench and sat down, listening to the silver-bell-like laughter behind him, and his mood improved slightly.
It was just that, even now, he still hadn't figured out why Xiao Wu... wanted to come out with him?
Titled Douluos aren't rare in Heaven Dou City, and she didn't have the Yearning Heartbroken Red to mask her.
Why?
Zhou Ting's brow furrowed, deeply puzzled.
Inside the store, after buying a long dress, Xiao Wu looked back at the figure by the window, looking a bit lonely... her heart softened, and she walked out, sitting down beside Zhou Ting and speaking softly.
"With such a long face, what are you thinking about?"
"Thinking about you!"
After the healing incident, how could Xiao Wu not know Zhou Ting's nature? Upon hearing these sentimental words, the tenderness in her heart instantly vanished, and she gave him a massive eye-roll.
"Would it kill you to speak properly!"
Zhou Ting looked her straight in the eye, perfectly serious.
"You... why did you come out?"
Holding up the clothes in her hand, Xiao Wu looked like... he was making a fuss over nothing.
"I bought them, so I came out."
"I'm asking you, why did you come out from... home?"
Xiao Wu withdrew the smile from her face and looked up at the sky, a look of melancholy on her face.
"My Cultivation... doesn't allow me to stay in the forest; frequent contact with people is the best way to Cultivate!"
"And..."
Xiao Wu's expression was a bit hesitant, as if she had something difficult to say.
"And what?"
"The poisonous mist is spreading, and Da Ming and Er Ming even said... home isn't safe either, there seems to be something beneath the lake!"
The spreading poisonous mist was already shocking enough.
Furthermore, there was something beneath Star Lake... Zhou Ting had heard what was in there. If Da Ming and Er Ming sensed it... thinking of their rumored terrifying strength, Zhou Ting sucked in a breath of cold air: Hiss, I should visit the Star Dou Great Forest less in the future, especially Star Lake—best not to go if possible!
"What do Da Ming and Er Ming plan to do?"
Xiao Wu thought of what Da Ming had told her before they parted; her mood was incredibly complex, and there even seemed to be a hint of regret in her eyes.
Extremely rare!
"Da Ming also said that both he and Er Ming felt it—the shackles on their bodies have shattered!"
Zhou Ting was shocked: Shackles?!!
Was it the shackles he was thinking of?
The shackles that prevent Spirit Beasts from becoming gods?
Zhou Ting's eyes were filled with horror: What on earth happened to Douluo Continent?
At this time, people who shouldn't have appeared have shown up: Tang Chen, Qian Daoliu, and the Tang Sect from another world!
Plus the strange changes in Dai Mubai and Xue Beng—none of this was part of the plot Zhou Ting knew!
A look of realization appeared in Xiao Wu's eyes.
"You really did know!"
Xiao Wu had long suspected this; from the first moment they met, she felt there was something off about Zhou Ting.
Zhou Ting's eyes were indeed well-hidden, but occasionally they would still reveal a hint of an unusual expression.
As their contact deepened, she always felt in her heart... that Zhou Ting knew her very well, even though they clearly hadn't interacted many times.
Later, when Zhou Ting secretly passed her information about Tang San and his father, she was already 99.99% certain that Zhou Ting knew her true identity.
And... after returning from the trip to the Soul Hunting Forest, she went to the library to check... let's be honest, she avoided the library like the plague and hadn't gone at all.
However, Tang San was a regular at the library.
After asking Tang San, she learned that there was no introduction to the Nine Heart Begonia in the library at all. This special, rare, and mysterious super-healing Spirit had no records at the Nuoding City Elementary Spirit Master Academy.
Tang San only knew about it from Grandmaster's research notes.
So, where did Zhou Ting get this top-secret information?
Xiao Wu stared at Zhou Ting with a serious face.
"Confess honestly, why do you know so many secrets, and even saw through my true... identity so early on? This isn't like a village kid who's supposed to be ignorant!"
Zhou Ting gave a helpless, bitter smile: Sure enough, you can't treat others like fools!
But... "You should worry about yourself and how to keep your identity from being exposed. You can't just hide in the dormitory every time Dugu Yan's grandfather comes; there will always be a day when an accident happens."
Xiao Wu didn't care at all, radiating confidence!
"Hehe, don't worry about me. Although your potion's side effects were too great..."
Zhou Ting's gaze involuntarily drifted downward, and then, with a "smack," he took a hard hit to the shoulder. Xiao Wu looked ashamed and annoyed.
"Keep your eyes to yourself!!!"
With a sheepish smile, Zhou Ting turned his head to look at the street and gestured for her to continue.
"After this transformation, I can feel... my aura is more hidden. Not only that, during the time I was frozen, I comprehended a special... technique, well, or rather a talent to be more accurate. In short, I can completely restrain my aura so it won't leak out..."
"Da Ming and Er Ming have both confirmed it!"
The girl looked full of confidence, not like she was faking it, and Zhou Ting somewhat believed her.
"Then why are you hiding from Dugu Bo?"
Xiao Wu didn't answer, only smiling sheepishly.
Zhou Ting understood instantly and sighed in his heart: To think the fearless Xiao Wu would also... tsk tsk. To avoid the girl flying into a rage from embarrassment, Zhou Ting wisely didn't press further.
Meanwhile, at the Star-Plucking Pavilion in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, the tallest building in the palace!
Xue Qinghe stood on the top floor, looking toward the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with an inscrutable gaze.
Behind him stood a burly man... it wasn't She Long!
"Young Lord!"
Xue Qinghe's expression flickered with uncertainty and hesitation.
"Grandfather... why did he do this?"
The burly man seemed to know his thoughts and spoke with a firm tone.
"The Grand Elder said... children should Cultivate hard, and it's better not to waste time and energy on matters between men and women!"
"But..."
"Young Lord, the Grand Elder also said that a Genius who hasn't grown up isn't a Genius—they're just an ordinary corpse!"
Xue Qinghe fell silent, his foot stepping out, then pulling back...Chapter 93: Duel
Chapter 93: 93. Duel
"...Rongrong, is Uncle Ning at home today?"
Shaking her head, the high-spirited girl visibly slumped, her small mouth pouting.
"My father went back yesterday, saying he had to handle some sect affairs..."
"Alright, Rongrong, Uncle Ning is the Sect Master after all, so he's naturally very busy."
Xiao Wu hugged and comforted her, while not forgetting to glare at Zhou Ting: We finally came out to relax, and you just had to bring up a sore subject!
Zhou Ting also felt innocent; he helplessly spread his hands, as he didn't know Ning Fengzhi had gone back.
He was just... eager to know if there were any results from the investigation into Xue Beng.
Besides, Xiao Wu should also be very concerned about this matter!
Speaking of which, it was quite ridiculous.
Three days, a full three days had passed since he found out... and yet not only was there no movement from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but the Spirit Hall was the same as well. These two great powers... acted as if they were completely unaware of the matter.
Looking up, the sunlight was quite blinding. Zhou Ting squinted his eyes, but his heart was shrouded in dark clouds.
"I always have an ominous premonition..."
"Maybe, I shouldn't have..."
He shook his head vigorously, driving away the thoughts of self-blame and regret from his mind.
"This is all Tang San's fault!"
After another hour of shopping, the girls were still full of enthusiasm and didn't feel tired at all.
But Zhou Ting, who was sitting outside the shop, felt mentally exhausted and closed his eyes for a nap. Suddenly, the hair all over his body stood on end, and he got goosebumps.
"Not good!"
Without any hesitation, he slid directly from the bench, like boneless flesh, extremely smooth!
"Puff!"
A small hole appeared on the originally brand-new bench, and frost spread from the hole, gradually freezing the entire bench and emitting a chilling Aura.
He could sense it without even looking back; if he were hit, the consequences would be dire!
Zhou Ting crouched halfway, looking up and staring deathly in the direction of the attacker; they actually didn't strike immediately.
His eyes widened, and Zhou Ting saw someone unexpected, yet expected... Dai Mubai!
That shining blonde hair was still flying wildly, and in those golden pupils, it seemed as if a terrifying storm was brewing, threatening to pull all enemies in and crush them.
He smiled wickedly, as if looking at an interesting prey, with no trace of killing intent visible on the surface.
Zhou Ting's heart sank to the bottom, his face extremely unsightly as he murmured to himself.
"Has he been completely replaced?"
Otherwise, with Dai Mubai's Heart-Nature, he would never be this "calm" when facing him!
"Hehe, Zhou Ting... this time next year will be..."
Zhou Ting suppressed the unease in his heart and interrupted him directly.
"I know, it's the anniversary of your death!"
Dai Mubai showed no sign of anger, only sneering continuously.
"Hmph, sharp-tongued!"
As they spoke, the pedestrians who had already sensed something was wrong had run far away. Xiao Wu and the other three also heard the movement outside and ran out.
More than twenty Spirit Masters with obscured faces surrounded Zhou Ting from all sides, trapping him in the middle of the street.
Zhou Ting gave Xiao Wu a look, the meaning clear: Go, take them away immediately, and... call someone to save me!
Seeing a more unfamiliar Dai Mubai surrounding Zhou Ting, Zhu Zhuqing didn't even think before trying to rush over to help.
Dai Mubai glanced at the four girls, his eyes showing no fluctuation, as if they were complete strangers, before finally focusing back on Zhou Ting.
"If you want them to leave, I won't stop them. My only target today is you!"
Since that was the case, Zhou Ting simply said it directly.
"You know the situation... quickly take them away."
Xiao Wu knew Dai Mubai's strength and eeriness. She nodded solemnly, pulling the other three who were about to rush forward, signaling frantically with her eyes.
"Go, let's go quickly. Rongrong, don't you know the situation? Quickly go back and find your uncle and the others..."
They had all heard about Dai Mubai's eeriness from Zhou Ting; he was someone who could chase and fight a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast. They definitely couldn't beat him.
However, the elders in their respective families were not weak!
"Whoosh whoosh..."
Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan ran away without looking back, choosing different directions to fetch reinforcements.
"It's all because of me!"
Zhu Zhuqing stood on the spot with a face full of guilt; even though Xiao Wu was pulling her, she was unwilling to leave.
Xiao Wu was helpless and could only force her to walk away.
"You can't help him here, let's go first..."
The four girls left, at least on the surface.
Dai Mubai didn't care about them at all; his eyes were only fixed on Zhou Ting.
"Last time, you beat me very easily. This time, let me see your summoning Spirit Ability again!"
Zhou Ting knew very well that he was definitely not a match for so many people; he couldn't even beat Dai Mubai alone.
He had to stall for time and wait for support. As long as the commotion was big enough, he didn't believe Xue Qinghe wouldn't notice.
"Fine, then let's have another match!"
"Third Prince, he wants to stall for time..."
Dai Mubai frowned at the Imperial Enshrined Expert who was advising him, looking displeased.
"This operation is led by me!"
"Third Prince, this is not Star Luo..."
"Enough!"
Dai Mubai roared, his whole body shining with golden light.
"Third Spirit Ability, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
Golden light surged, and Dai Mubai's entire body expanded by two sizes within the light, like a muscle maniac, his Aura exploding with strength.
"The power of this Spirit Ability has changed too much!"
Compared to the last time he used it, it was like the difference between heaven and earth!
On a high building fifty meters away, Zhu Zhuqing's face changed drastically, her hands tightly gripping the railing, worry written all over her face.
Xiao Wu held her shoulders, afraid she wouldn't be able to stop herself from rushing out. This battle was not something she could participate in.
"Don't worry, that kid Zhou Ting is not simple, and his third Spirit Ability is not weak!"
Yes, Zhou Ting had a third Spirit Ability. Originally, with his cultivation speed, it would have taken at least two or three months to reach level thirty.
However, with the new royal jelly, everything was different. It not only cured Xiao Wu but also allowed Zhou Ting to quickly reach level thirty, with no Bottleneck to speak of.
The only pity was that the production was too low, not enough to eat.
Thus, Zhou Ting was only level thirty-two now; it had taken nearly half a month to increase by one level, which was quite slow.
"First Spirit Ability, Jade Emperor Bee Swarm!"
Tiny transparent bees flew out from his palm, a dense black mass that even made the sunlight dim.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
On this day, everyone in Heaven Dou City heard the sound of bees, echoing in their ears!
An excited light flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes, and with a wave of his hands, ten cold gleams flashed.
"Puff..."
The sky above his head cleared, and the midday sun was so warm!
"Jade Emperor Bee... is nothing more than this!"
Zhou Ting's face was solemn as he commanded the bee swarm to attack in squads.
The great battle... had begun.
Imperial Palace.
Xue Qinghe's face was ashen as he looked at the broad figure blocking his way, his tone unusually stern.
"Move aside!"
The burly middle-aged man shook his head, his eyes firm.
"Young Lord, you cannot go!"
Xue Qinghe knew this must be his grandfather's order; otherwise, Porcupinefish Douluo wouldn't dare to block him, but... "Why?"
Xue Qinghe had too many questions in his heart; this matter was extremely strange.Chapter 94 – Everyone Wants Him Dead
Chapter 94 – Everyone Wants Him Dead
"The Grand Elder didn't say!"
He said it so righteously that Xue Qinghe's liver hurt from anger.
Xue Qinghe even wondered how this guy had Cultivated to Titled Douluo!
But in the next instant Xue Qinghe understood: Grandpa hadn't said it, but that didn't mean Porcupinefish Douluo didn't know the reason.
He'd almost been fooled by that honest face!
None of the Titled Douluo were truly stupid.
Xue Qinghe knew very well that since Porcupinefish Douluo had chosen to fob him off like this, no amount of questioning would make him speak.
Sensing the growing commotion from Zhou Ting's side—his situation turning ever more perilous—Xue Qinghe was frantic, yet strangely calmed.
Earlier, Grandpa had first concealed Dai Mubai's whereabouts from him, causing him to misjudge the situation and assume that even if someone tried to assassinate Zhou Ting, the danger wouldn't be great. Yes—he'd known in advance that Star Luo experts were coming to kill Zhou Ting, and had even obliquely warned Zhou Ting about it.
In his view the move was somewhat risky, but Heaven Dou City had him present, plus two Titled Douluo bodyguards; so-called imperial offerings didn't scare him.
It was the perfect chance to gain a pretext—yet now Dai Mubai had actually shown up too!
For Dai Mubai to return to Star Luo Imperial Palace and bring out so many experts was itself abnormal.
Zhou Ting's words, Xue Qinghe now believed a little more.
Only… he was under house arrest and couldn't go to the rescue.
"Teacher… if Rongrong begs for help, you'll rush back at top speed, right?"
Xue Qinghe had no other option; he could only pin his hopes on others.
At this point the silent Porcupinefish Douluo finally could not hold back.
"Young Lord, you don't really think… Ning Fengzhi doesn't know, do you?"
"Teacher… knows?!!"
It was like a bolt from a clear sky.
The information within made Xue Qinghe suddenly feel this World so unfamiliar!
The Grand Elder's thoughts were not to be guessed, but Ning Fengzhi's affairs needn't be kept secret, so Porcupinefish Douluo continued.
"If he didn't know, why did he send word in advance that he had to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School for business?"
Which meant… they were in the city, and Zhou Ting could be saved!
Before Xue Qinghe could rejoice, he saw Porcupinefish Douluo's face twist into cold ridicule.
"Young Lord, that old fox Ning Fengzhi is watching from the shadows, but… he may not necessarily save him!"
Xue Qinghe couldn't understand.
"Why do they want him dead?"
Porcupinefish Douluo shook his head and said no more.
Xue Qinghe was powerless, a deep helplessness welling up.
"…Best of luck to you."
"Grandpa, hurry and save him!"
Dugu Yan seized Dugu Bo's hand and tried to run outside.
But Dugu Bo didn't budge.
Dugu Yan turned blankly, looking at her grandfather in bewilderment.
He felt… unfamiliar.
"Grandpa, Zhou Ting is being besieged; it's critical—let's go save him!"
Dugu Bo shook his head, silent.
Dugu Yan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Didn't you say your grudge with him was written off, and that he's a true peerless Genius worth befriending?"
Dugu Bo gave a bitter smile.
"I still think so!"
That only puzzled Dugu Yan more.
Now was the perfect moment to save him and cement that friendship—an opportunity not to be missed.
"Why, then?"
Dugu Bo gazed at the big tree outside the courtyard, his look heavy and helpless.
"Too many want him dead, and they're too strong; Grandpa can't save him."
Dugu Yan froze, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
Dugu Bo looked at his pained granddaughter and gently stroked her head.
"Yan-er, this decision hurts; Grandpa will help you."
Disbelief filled Dugu Yan's eyes as her body suddenly collapsed. "Yan-er, the sooner you cut it off, the better."
The leaves rustled endlessly, a faint sigh of disappointment drifting far away… Ning Rongrong burst through the door, shouting urgently.
"Quick, quick, send word to my dad—"
"Oh, what are you sending me?"
Ning Rongrong stared at her unhurriedly approaching father; her brain crashed.
"Dad, why are you here?"
Unlike the somewhat careless Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong—groomed since childhood as the noble family's successor—had far stronger composure.
From the mere act of her father walking out, she sensed something off.
"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone?"
"I'm here." ·2
Bone Douluo stepped from the main hall, yet Sword Douluo… emerged from behind her!
In that instant everything clicked in Ning Rongrong's mind.
Her father's false departure, Grandpa Sword's protection… countless thoughts converged into one question.
"Dad, are you going to kill Zhou Ting too?"
Ning Fengzhi neither denied nor admitted—only endless silence!
Ning Rongrong's heart sank; just as despair was about to swallow her, Ning Fengzhi spoke uncertainly.
"He might not die, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School absolutely must not intervene!"
Ning Rongrong's mind reeled; she didn't know what to do.
Then another young lady "fell victim" and slipped into sleep.
"Uncle Bone, keep an eye on Rongrong!"
"Feng Zhi, rest assured—today Rongrong won't set foot outside this door."
With a nod Ning Fengzhi left the house with Sword Douluo… "Ten thousand Jade Emperor Bees are dead, twenty thousand Soul Passing Worms gone…"
Zhou Ting glanced into the black tower at the thirty thousand limp Spirit Beasts—no fight left in them.
His heart sank to the bottom.
He… was close to despair.
The battle with Dai Mubai had already lasted two quarters of an hour. Ignoring Ning Fengzhi's group that had left Heaven Dou City, ignoring Dugu Bo with whom he had little rapport, just look at Xue Qinghe… that is, Qian Renxue.
She… why hadn't she appeared?
With such a huge disturbance and so much time passed, none of Qian Renxue's people had come, no Heaven Dou Empire guards, and the nearby Heaven Dou Royal Academy stayed silent.
Moreover, Dai Mubai showed no worry about him stalling; in fact Dai Mubai actively cooperated, killing every summoned Spirit Beast one by one.
Dai Mubai… was fearless!
Zhou Ting knew clearly: no rescue would come!
At that moment he felt as though… the entire World had abandoned him!
Dai Mubai saw his despair and smiled mockingly.
"Noticed? Everyone wants you dead!"
"Today no one will come to save you; you… will undoubtedly die!"
Despair… did not exist!
Zhou Ting had already died once, had lived more than a dozen extra years, had witnessed miraculous Spirits and Spirit Abilities—he was content.
Only pity: he hadn't gotten to mess with Tang San a bit more!
Zhou Ting really couldn't stand that guy!
"Since there's no rescue, then fight with everything!"
Zhou Ting steeled himself, looked solemnly at Dai Mubai and said.
"You're strong—worthy of my final move!"
Dai Mubai grew interested and stopped advancing.
"Oh, you still have another trick?"
Zhou Ting turned toward a tall building nearby and gave a meaningful glance.
Xiao Wu's face changed drastically; she leaned to Zhu Zhuqing's ear, lips moving without a sound.
The next moment the two vanished from the window.Chapter 95 – A Man Doomed to Die
Chapter 95 – A Man Doomed to Die
"Third Spirit Ability, Violent Rabbit Swarm!"
From far behind her, Zhou Ting's shout made Xiao Wu's mouth twitch non-stop.
She was clearly a Soft Bones Demon Rabbit, yet Zhou Ting insisted on renaming her Violent Rabbit, claiming it sounded more vivid.
True… her youngest little brother was all muscle, far stockier than even Tang Hao.
But did he have to be so blunt about it?
Besides, her kid brother hadn't learned their mother's Soft Technique; he'd inherited their father's… Bunny-Boxing.
A cute name, sure—Father had always opposed it, but Mother had spoken, so his objection was useless.
In short, it was the polar opposite of soft skills: every punch landed solidly, blending a kangaroo's lightning jabs with a rabbit's eagle-kicking stomp—devastatingly powerful.
In other words, the title Violent Rabbit… fitted perfectly.
Of course, the bucks studied Bunny-Boxing, while the does still learned Soft Technique—no muscle-bound girls in the warren!
…Dai Mubai watched Zhou Ting's third Spirit Ability with great interest; he wasn't in a rush. Even with countless hidden eyes watching, he felt no worry.
Snow-white rabbits carpeted the whole street as far as the eye could see.
Zhou Ting himself vanished within the endless sea of rabbits.
Most striking among them stood a three-metre-tall upright hare, its body outrageously "inflated," eyes fierce—who knew such a creature existed?
Dai Mubai's expression turned odd.
"Violent Rabbit—pummel him!"
Tens of thousands of plump white rabbits rose on their hind legs and, under their chieftain's command, charged Dai Mubai, determined to bury him.
Glancing at the encircling net, Zhou Ting quietly summoned one more fragile Little Rabbit… Attacks kept coming, yet few noticed that Zhou Ting amid the swarm… had disappeared.
Every rabbit he summoned was a Violent Rabbit, each versed in savage Bunny-Boxing.
About her little brother's tribe, Xiao Wu hadn't lied: male or female, all mastered two hallmark racial skills—Teleportation and Paragon Golden Body.
Only because of age, however, did her little brother alone possess Paragon Golden Body.
"Teleport… Teleport… Teleport…"
He dared not stop, hopping incessantly.
Things felt wrong; the penny had dropped—after so long without help, more than one faction clearly wanted him dead.
He had to flee, far away to some deserted corner and lay low.
Where exactly?
First, escape Heaven Dou City—then decide.
"Third Prince, the target's gone!"
Dai Mubai, in the thick of slaughter, heard this and instantly raged.
"White Tiger Light Wave!"
A shockwave burst from him, blasting in every direction and clearing the space—save for one glittering golden Violent Rabbit left intact.
"What ability is this?"
A millennium-old rabbit naturally wouldn't speak; it simply triggered its skill.
Whoosh!
The golden Violent Rabbit vanished; Dai Mubai turned just in time for a rabbit foot to kick his forehead.
Thud!
A surprise blow that ripped the disguise: white fur sprouted across Dai Mubai's forehead—he clamped a hand over it, Killing Intent blazing.
"Seeking death!"
When he lowered his hand, his brow was smooth again. A swipe of his claws tore five rifts in space.
Clang-clang-clang…
The slightly translucent golden body actually parried his strike.
Dai Mubai's eyes flickered; he'd just drawn on another power—no mere millennium-old rabbit, not even a Titled Douluo, would dare take that hit head-on—yet it blocked it!
"What Spirit Ability is this?"
Swoosh!
The rabbit vanished again; a white foot shot from the side. This time Dai Mubai's protective white light erupted.
Squeak!
Under the fierce backlash, the white rabbit exploded… From surrounding pavilions came soft murmurs of "as expected."
At that moment, every hidden observer had obtained the intel they wanted.
Zhou Ting had vanished, yet Dai Mubai showed no anger, as if he cared nothing for Zhou Ting's life or death, nor whether he himself was exposed.
"Your Highness, shall we—"
Before the word "pursue" left the man's mouth, Dai Mubai waved him off, remarkably calm.
"No need—we can't leave anymore."
The royal retinue exchanged bewildered glances.
The next instant, figures leapt from the surrounding rooftops and ringed them in.
In their eyes Zhou Ting had been prey, but in others' eyes they were prey too!
Outnumbered, Dai Mubai still showed no alarm; the corner of his mouth even curled—he was smiling—and he called each name.
"Quite the honour: School Master Ning, Sword Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Snake Lance Douluo, Porcupinefish Douluo…"
So many Douluo experts—any one beyond them, yet here they all came. What now?
The Star Luo Imperial Family's retainers paled and tightened formation.
How unflappable Dai Mubai was! Ning Fengzhi's heart sank, his face grave.
"How do you even know all these people?"
Dai Mubai shouldn't recognise these long-famous Titled Douluo, let alone reel them off so casually.
Even if some monster possessed him… this made no sense!
Dai Mubai offered no answer, only smiled.
"You'll have struck at all of us at once, right?"
Easy to guess, and Ning Fengzhi wasn't surprised.
But Dai Mubai's reaction was far too calm—utter resignation, or… absolute confidence?
The latter looked far more likely!
At the same time, Star Luo, Heaven Dou, Spirit Hall, the Seven Great Sects, and scattered Titled Douluo all mobilised; a purge of humanoid monsters officially began.
Such unified action was impossible without an absolute powerhouse commanding it.
Still—could they really succeed?
In the Heaven Dou palace, when Xue Qinghe heard Zhou Ting had fled, his expression relaxed—until he noticed Porcupinefish Douluo's face hadn't changed at all.
Xue Qinghe's heart clenched; a bad premonition stirred.
"Grandfather, what else have you done?"
Porcupinefish Douluo knew that even if the Young Lord stormed out now, it was too late; the die was cast, no need for further concealment.
"Elder Gold Crocodile is personally watching him—he won't get away!"
Gold Crocodile Douluo, second seat of the Spirit Empire's Spirit Hall Elder Palace, a 98th-level attack system Peak Douluo.
His Spirit was a top Beast Spirit—Golden Crocodile King. Loyal to Spirit Hall and to the Seraphim line of the angel clan, he answered to Qian Daoliu.
With him involved, Zhou Ting had no chance of survival!
Questions swirled through Xue Qinghe's mind like an endless sea.
He wasn't alone in his confusion—Tang Hao, Tang San, Bibi Dong, Dugu Bo… many were puzzled.
Qian Daoliu uniting the major powers to exterminate monsters made sense, but why go to such lengths, dispatching a supreme expert just to kill a minor figure like Zhou Ting?
The motive was baffling!
Only Qian Daoliu himself likely knew the answer.Chapter 96 – A World at Odds
Chapter 96 – A World at Odds
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace!
"Who dares break into the palace?"
Listening to the slaughter outside, Xue Qinghe was dumbfounded.
Who could it be?
So fierce—charging into the palace. Forget his guard Porcupinefish Douluo; even the court's own Titled Douluo were no common warriors.
Porcupinefish Douluo's face twisted with the same thought: who's in such a hurry to die?
The next instant, master and servant both paled.
The screams stopped; the palace fell into terrifying silence.
Something was wrong. Whatever the outcome, the guards should have reported—unless… no one was left.
…At the same time, ringed by countless foes, Dai Mubai's face lit with excitement, a bloody gleam in his eyes.
"Heh… it begins—and it ends!"
"Roar!"
With a sky-shaking roar, a hundred-metre tiger, one foot in fire, one in water, rose behind him, white fur endless, only the faint outline of its frame and ten claws of cold light visible.
Across Heaven Dou City and beyond, people saw the terrifying vision and, thinking a tiger-god had descended, bowed in worship.
Dai Mubai's transformation was a signal flare, opening a new chapter.
Above Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, a giant swan soared, singing to the sky.
"Cluck-cluck…"
Endless celestial fire rained down; the palace became a sea of flame.
Far away in Star Luo Imperial Palace, a forty-metre blade split into dozens that crashed to earth, reducing the palace to dust and leaving only a crater.
Between the two Empires, meteoric flames fell on Spirit City; the landmark Spirit Hall and Angel Temple were obliterated… the continent shook.
A new era… had begun.
No one noticed that less than ten li from Heaven Dou City a youth lay in a pool of blood like broken mud.
A spike had pierced his chest; where his heart should beat was a gaping hole, bloody Blue Silver Grass visible behind… Half a year later the turmoil finally settled.
Star Luo Empire: the palace annihilated, the emperor and royal family almost wiped out—only the Third Prince survived.
While visiting Heaven Dou he'd been hunted, saved by Prince Xue Beng, then returned to Star Luo, took the throne, and seized total control.
This was the official Star Luo version.
From Star Luo, Xue Beng declared that Heaven Dou's emperor Xue Qinghe was an impostor… Heaven Dou retorted that Dai Mubai and Xue Beng were monsters, not themselves.
Few outside the inner circle believed it.
Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe—having narrowly escaped—branded Xue Beng a regicide and traitor, guilty of conspiracy and usurpation, deserving death.
Star Luo suddenly boasted a dozen new Titled Douluo; its prestige soared.
Under "pressure", Heaven Dou courted Spirit Hall; the two signed a pact against Star Luo.
In that upheaval half a year ago Spirit Hall had also suffered: Ghost Douluo, Snake Lance Douluo, Porcupinefish Douluo perished, Spirit Hall and Angel Temple razed.
Worst of all… Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong vanished that day; her fate remains unknown.
A realm cannot stand sovereign-less.
United in purpose, Spirit Hall's council implored Grand Elder and former pontiff Qian Daoliu to resume the mantle of Supreme Pontiff.
With Heaven Dou and Spirit Hall allied against Star Luo, every major power on the continent spent the next months "choosing"—willingly or… "willingly"—to side with one faction.
A month after taking the throne Dai Mubai, with a dozen comrades, visited Clear Sky Sect's gates.
What they discussed no one knows.
That day folk for a hundred li heard thunderous booms.
In the end even mighty Clear Sky Sect could not stay aloof.
A curious footnote: three months earlier strangers had begun appearing near the sect.
Two months ago assassins tried to break in—without success.
One month ago Spirit Hall relaunched the Advanced Soul Master Tournament, promising equal treatment for every contestant.
Tang San emerged to enter Star Luo's qualifiers.
Since then he had faced countless attempts on his life—Hidden Weapons from nowhere, untraceable poisons… Familiar methods that nearly drove him mad.
Each attempt grew deadlier; Tang Hao, recognizing the weapons, had to guard his son day and night.
Star Dou Great Forest had lain silent for half a year.
At its core, beside Star Lake…
Two girls kicked at each other in mid-air, perfectly matched.
One of them, taller and explosively curvaceous in tight battle-dress, was Zhu Zhuqing—who'd left Heaven Dou early. Her sparring partner was naturally Xiao Wu.
The catastrophe six months earlier had left the two friendless girls adrift; together they had returned to Star Dou Great Forest… Another draw. Feeling her big-sister dignity slip, Xiao Wu stamped and stalked into the lake.
"No more, I give up!"
They had sparred so often they knew every Move; victory was impossible.
Zhu Zhuqing smiled at her sulking friend and followed her into the water.
Instantly droplets flew.
"Ah, Sister Xiao Wu, you cheat…"
"Get back here!"
The two girls splashed joyfully in Star Lake.
Though Da Ming warned of something dreadful beneath, no danger had ever come.
Moreover the lake's water brimmed with life-energy—a perfect balm for fatigue and hidden wounds.
After every session the girls soaked—yet always fully clothed, as if guarding against some peeping horror.
Even when Da Ming and Er Ming were away they kept their guard up.
Human footsteps sounded; the two kept playing, unconcerned.
A small figure stepped from the trees to the shore—a cute girl of five or six, pink cheeks, round limbs, huge bright eyes and waist-length black hair, barefoot.
"Xue'er, come here!"
Hearing the call, the little girl's eyes crinkled and she began to peel off her dress.
Xiao Wu panicked.
"No, Xue'er—remember: if you swim, you keep your clothes on, just like us!"
Nodding obediently, Xue'er stepped into the lake in her snowy dress.
Star Lake bubbled with laughter as two big girls and one tiny one played to their hearts' content.Chapter 97: Xue'er's Abnormality
Chapter 97: 97. Xue'er's Abnormality
The sun shone upon all things, warming even the cold rocks, and bringing warmth to the heart.
Xiao Wu was unusually quiet, sitting on a rock by the lakeside, gently braiding little Xue'er's hair with a tender expression.
Xue'er's eyes curved into crescents as she laughed happily. Her cute little face made even the usually cold Zhu Zhuqing unable to resist reaching out to pinch it.
"Xue'er is so cute!"
"Yeah..."
Xiao Wu agreed, but then something suddenly crossed her mind. She stared blankly toward the center of the lake.
"In the blink of an eye... half a year has passed!"
Affected by the mood, Zhu Zhuqing's expression also turned somber.
Half a year ago, they were the first to leave Heaven Dou City, and no one stopped them. With nowhere else to go, they eventually returned to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Just as they entered the Star Dou Great Forest, they unexpectedly discovered a battlefield where the corpses of several Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beasts still remained.
They searched the vicinity of the battlefield and found a little girl nearby—Xue'er. At that time, Xue'er was lying on the back of a corpse... even while unconscious, she refused to let go.
When they saw the face of the corpse, both were stunned, and tears flowed uncontrollably... Xiao Wu snapped back to reality and continued braiding Xue'er's hair.
"How much more time... does he need to recover?"
"I don't know. His Physical Body has basically finished repairing itself, but his Soul still only awakens occasionally, and the timing is uncertain."
Xiao Wu nodded, turned Xue'er around, and looked at her carefully.
"Xue'er, you're so cute."
"Heehee, Xue'er thinks so too!"
Xue'er's unreserved answer immediately amused Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Haha..."
The three of them burst into laughter together!
After a while, Xiao Wu looked seriously into Xue'er's eyes and asked for the 10,086th time.
"Xue'er, do you still not remember anything from before?"
Xue'er's little brow furrowed, her face filled with distress. Over the past six months, her two sisters had asked her this countless times.
But... she just couldn't remember!
"Alright, don't make it hard for Xue'er!"
Zhu Zhuqing felt sorry for her and pulled Xue'er into her arms to comfort her.
"Xue'er, don't force yourself. Just let nature take its course."
Xue'er nodded heavily.
"Sister Xiao Wu, Sister Zhuqing, I will definitely remember in the future!"
Patting Xue'er's little head, Xiao Wu felt a sense of relief.
"Xue'er is such a good girl!"
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing had always wanted to figure out why Zhou Ting was with Xue'er, but unfortunately, Zhou Ting didn't know either.
This was the answer they got during a brief mental exchange when his Soul awakened.
For a five or six-year-old girl to appear in the Star Dou Great Forest for no reason was truly inconceivable.
That day, they had intended to send Xue'er to a nearby farming family for adoption, but Zhou Ting... Although they thought Zhou Ting was truly dead, the two decided to treat a dead horse as if it were alive and sent Zhou Ting into the Star Lake as quickly as possible.
To their surprise, as soon as they put him into the Star Lake, an immense amount of life energy swarmed in, entering through the large hole in his chest, and countless buds of flesh began to grow at the wound.
Zhou Ting was actually recovering... he was actually still alive.
No mental fluctuations, no breathing, no heart, liver, spleen, or lungs—yet he wasn't completely dead.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were overjoyed.
In fact, if it hadn't been for that rain in the Star Dou Great Forest last time, which allowed Zhou Ting to have an Epiphany regarding the true essence of the Natural Meditation Method and learn life energy on his own, he would have died long ago.
At the very least, his Physical Body would have been finished!
On the day Zhou Ting fled Heaven Dou City, the Gold Crocodile Douluo took action. As expected of a Level 98 Super Powerhouse, his power was simply too great.
He didn't even use any Spirit Ability; the tip of that golden crocodile tail just lightly poked, easier than piercing a thin sheet of paper, and it bored right through Zhou Ting's chest.
Then, Zhou Ting... died!
To prevent the Gold Crocodile Douluo from noticing anything unusual, he proactively forced the life energy and Soul within his body into a state of dormancy.
He didn't know what happened after that.
As for how he got to the Star Dou Great Forest, he was even more clueless.
And then there was Xue'er. Xiao Wu had asked Zhou Ting, but he didn't remember this person's existence at all.
What was even weirder was that Xue'er had amnesia; she didn't remember anything.
When Xiao Wu asked her name, she pointed at the falling snowflakes and said the word "Xue".
Since then, Xue'er became her nickname. Her real name... was unknown!
Xue'er was just an ordinary little girl. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing later wanted to send her back to human society so she could return to a normal life.
But strangely, she had a peculiar attachment to Zhou Ting and refused to leave no matter what!
The two young women, who had no experience raising children, couldn't withstand the tears of a cute toddler and had no choice but to let her stay.
Anyway, with Da Ming and Er Ming around, ordinary Spirit Beasts wouldn't dare intrude into the Star Lake, so Xue'er wouldn't be in much danger.
Moreover, the lively and cute Xue'er brought a different kind of scenery to their repetitive daily lives, becoming quite the little bundle of joy.
Xiao Wu looked Xue'er up and down, a look of confusion on her face.
"Xue'er's age should be about right, shouldn't it?"
"She should be about ready for Spirit Awakening!"
Spirit Awakening wasn't some top-secret technique; most Spirit Masters knew how to do it.
However, the only ones willing to perform Awakening for all eligible commoners was probably only the Spirit Hall.
Xiao Wu placed her hand on Xue'er's head, her spirit power surging.
"Don't move, Xue'er. Let me check your body!"
"Oh."
Xue'er nodded ignorantly. Her sister was very good to her, so she would do whatever her sister said.
A faint spirit power entered Xue'er's young body... Xiao Wu's expression suddenly changed, and she withdrew her hand, looking puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
Zhu Zhuqing was a bit worried. Could there be something wrong with Xue'er's body?
In that moment, Xiao Wu thought of many things. Ultimately, the way she looked at Xue'er was filled with pity and reluctance.
"Her body... is exactly the same as it was half a year ago!"
So it was just that? Why make such a fuss... Zhu Zhuqing didn't care at first, but then she suddenly realized, her expression changing as she personally checked the oblivious Xue'er.
The result was the same.
Xue'er was still six years old, exactly six years old!
This age is clearly a stage of rapid growth for a child.
But looking closely at Xue'er, there was no change compared to half a year ago.
In other words, time had no effect on her.
This meant she might... stay six years old forever!
If her body didn't fully develop, she wouldn't be able to undergo Spirit Awakening either.
Could she only ever be a child?
Adults always want to return to childhood, to be carefree. But if she really couldn't grow up, how would Xue'er, a six-year-old child, survive?
Zhu Zhuqing tried to find a silver lining.
"This might not necessarily be a bad thing. If Xue'er really stays six forever, then this is... eternal youth!"
Xiao Wu nodded with a bitter smile, forced to admit that this was true.
If Xue'er's state remained constant, she really would have eternal youth!Chapter 98: Forced Extraction
Chapter 98: 98. Forced Extraction
Such a strange Xue'er—what was her origin, and how did she become like this? It was a massive mystery.
All the secrets, perhaps... were hidden within Xue'er's lost memories, and who knew when they would be unsealed.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing both had a bad premonition: with her state fixed, there might never be a day of unsealing!
Of course, a mere half a year wasn't enough to be certain of this. Perhaps Xue'er was just a late bloomer.
But the possibility was... extremely small... Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, the Emperor's bedchamber.
On the luxurious carpet sat a slumped woman of noble temperament and peerless beauty, with striking blonde hair, an exquisite face, a well-proportioned figure, and snow-white skin... Could it be... that the Great Emperor Qinghe, who had always kept his distance from women, had finally seen the light?
Naturally, that was not the case!
The peerless beauty was Xue Qinghe, and also Qian Renxue.
Her teeth were clenched tight, and a trace of blood unconsciously seeped from the corner of her mouth.
A peculiar Nine Heart Begonia flower floated above her body, shedding endless light of life, most of which gathered on her head.
She looked up at the man leaning back in his chair. Her face was cold, and pain flashed in her eyes from time to time, but more than that, there was disbelief!
"Grandfather, why?"
Qian Daoliu held a... gemstone, or perhaps a Spirit Bone, in his hand, radiating a holy golden light. The light passed through the doors and windows like a miracle descending.
Yet, inside and outside the palace, not a single person came to investigate.
Qian Daoliu looked down at his suffering granddaughter. A flash of pity crossed his eyes before being replaced by absolute determination.
"Don't blame Grandfather. If everything were normal, not just the Phantasmal Heaven, but the entire Angelic Set... Grandfather would have given it all to you. But now... there's no chance!"
Qian Renxue fell silent. Was this still the warm and loving grandfather in her memory?
What had caused him to change so much?
Or perhaps, this was who he had always been!
"Maybe... I should have been on guard half a year ago!"
Qian Renxue gave a bitter smile at her own negligence. She suddenly felt extremely pathetic.
"My father died early, I was abandoned by that woman, and now even Grandfather..."
"Rest assured, it's just the removal of a Spirit Bone. With the Nine Heart Begonia here, you will be fine and will recover soon!"
After saying this, Qian Daoliu left the bedchamber.
Qian Renxue looked at the owner of the Nine Heart Begonia, an ordinary-looking old man who was nonetheless a Titled Douluo with nine spirit rings.
The Nine Heart Begonia could only have one successor in each generation.
Only two Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Masters could be alive at the same time; only when one died could another appear in the next generation.
It could be said that the Nine Heart Begonia was one of the most bizarre Spirits on the continent.
A bizarre Spirit naturally had effects that were powerful to the point of being game-breaking. The Nine Heart Begonia had only one Spirit Ability... a wide-range area-of-effect healing. As long as the Spirit Master wasn't dead, they could be restored.
Of course, this wasn't absolute.
Like Qian Renxue, who had her skull Spirit Bone forcibly stripped this time. In addition to the Nine Heart Begonia's treatment, Qian Daoliu had also given her an immortal herb... the immortal herb!
Otherwise, it really might not have been curable!
The injury to her head was healing, and the pain was gradually subsiding, but the pain in her heart was growing heavier, with no solution!
Once the treatment ended, the old man bowed respectfully to her and then slowly withdrew.
The vast bedchamber was left with only Qian Renxue, sitting alone on the spotless, luxurious carpet, her gaze dull.
Outside the bedchamber, Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the moon in the sky.
Having personally destroyed the bond between grandfather and granddaughter, one wondered if he felt any regret.
"Your Holiness..."
"Mm, how are the injuries?"
"With the help of the immortal herb, the Young Miss's injuries have basically healed, and her spirit power Realm has not dropped. However... due to the unique nature of the Spirit Bone, the Young Miss's Spirit may have suffered some damage and will require a long period of rest!"
It was as he had predicted; Qian Daoliu let out a sigh of relief.
Although reclaiming the Phantasmal Heaven Spirit Bone was imperative, Qian Renxue was his granddaughter after all, the only flesh and Bloodline of the Qian family.
If he hadn't "exchanged" for the immortal herb, he would never have done this!
"Phantom!"
A figure emerged from the darkness, a blonde youth with an air of noble elegance.
Upon closer inspection, his face was none other than... Xue Qinghe. Another Xue Qinghe!
"His Holiness the Pope!"
Qian Daoliu scrutinized the Xue Qinghe before him, very satisfied.
"You have learned well this past month!"
"Thank you for the affirmation, Your Holiness!"
"Mm. From this day forward, you are Xue Qinghe!"
"Yes!"
Qian Daoliu waved his hand, and he and the old man vanished simultaneously.
The dark night would eventually pass, and light would illuminate everything.
The morning sun rose, sweeping across the world.
Creak!
The palace gates opened, and an unmarked carriage slowly drove out from within. The guards at the gate had no intention of checking it, turning a blind eye.
A breeze blew, making the leaves on both sides of the imperial road rustle, and it also lifted the carriage's curtains.
A fleeting glimpse revealed an exquisite face within the carriage, devoid of any expression, like a pool of stagnant water.
The journey was silent as the carriage steadily left Heaven Dou City. The person inside still showed no movement.
Passing through a forest, four people suddenly appeared and blocked the carriage's path.
"Whoa!"
The carriage stopped, and the driver unhurriedly lifted his bamboo hat, revealing his true face.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, you think you can stop me?"
Inside the carriage, the dazed Qian Renxue finally reacted, whispering soundlessly: "Is it that woman..." At this moment, Qian Renxue's emotions were extremely complex.
The conversation outside continued.
"If Old Ghost were still here, I might be wary of you. But now..."
There wasn't a trace of a smile on Chrysanthemum Douluo's face, not from start to finish. Since Gui Mei's death half a year ago, he had never smiled again!
Facing him was like facing ten-thousand-year-old ice—only endless cold!
"Ghost Leopard..."
The driver, who was Spirit Hall's Ghost Leopard Douluo, was startled by the sudden sound of Chrysanthemum Douluo's hoarse, gravelly voice, which sounded like a whetstone: "Is this still that weak and delicate Miss?!!"
He felt something was slightly wrong and began to take this defeated opponent seriously.
As for the three young people beside Chrysanthemum Douluo, they were merely juniors at the fiftieth or sixtieth level, not worth noting.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, where is the Supreme Pontiff... Bibi Dong?"
This was his only concern. Although he had reached level ninety-five, he had no hope of victory against the level ninety-nine Bibi Dong.
Chrysanthemum Douluo saw through his concerns, his eyes as calm as still water.
"To deal with you, His Holiness does not need to act personally!"
Since Bibi Dong hadn't come, he could relax.
Ghost Leopard Douluo sneered.
"Just you?"
It was thick contempt, but Chrysanthemum Douluo remained unmoved, just quietly watching him like he was watching a jumping clown.
And a failed clown at that!
Ghost Leopard Douluo wanted to provoke the Chrysanthemum Douluo who made him feel uneasy, but he helplessly found that... he was the one provoked first.
"Fine... fine. Not seeing you for half a year, let me see what progress you've made!"
Ghost Leopard Douluo jumped off the carriage and instantly transformed into a black leopard, leaping a thousand miles... in an instant, a pair of leopard claws appeared before Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes.Chapter 99: 99 Invincible Vajra Body
Chapter 99: 99. Invincible Vajra Body
"He... why isn't he moving?"
Ghost Leopard Douluo's heart was full of doubt; Chrysanthemum Douluo's dull performance was even worse than before!
Could it be... after Gui Mei's death, his strength was affected?
These thoughts lasted only a moment, as the sharp claws already struck Chrysanthemum Douluo's body.
"Zizizi..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's entire body seemed cast in gold; the sharp claws landed, yet he remained unscathed.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the shocked Ghost Leopard Douluo instantly retreated, backing away more than ten meters.
Seeing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes flickered with a rare, strange emotion. He touched his Face.
He reached out... only because his Face felt a bit itchy. Was Ghost Leopard Douluo's reaction really necessary?
That was too much of an overreaction!
Seeing this, Ghost Leopard Douluo understood everything. His Face turned ashen as he stared at the golden-glowing Chrysanthemum Douluo with uncertainty.
"Isn't the immortal herb... in His Excellency's hands?"
"The immortal herb was by my side for over two months. Although I didn't consume it, my Spirit was also affected. I comprehended this Spirit Ability and named it... Invincible Vajra Body!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's Face was calm, as if this self-created Spirit Ability was not worth mentioning.
But... was that really the case?
Ghost Leopard Douluo was the first to disagree.
"Fine, let me see... which is stronger, your self-created Spirit Ability or my Ninth Spirit Ability!"
"Ninth Spirit Ability..."
A cloud of black mist suddenly enveloped Chrysanthemum Douluo, yet it couldn't hide the golden light on his body. Piercing through the black mist, he looked sacred and inviolable.
"Ding ding dang dang..."
A Black Leopard Phantom suddenly appeared and disappeared. In just three or four seconds, the black leopard launched eight or nine attacks around Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Furthermore, every strike had the power of a Titled Douluo's Ninth Spirit Ability, showing how terrifying it was!
"Huff, huff..."
Ghost Leopard Douluo was like a real leopard, crawling on all fours, panting heavily.
Although the Ninth Spirit Ability was strong, its consumption was also staggering, let alone how long he had maintained it.
"With an attack of such intensity, a mere self-created Spirit Ability..."
He raised his head confidently, only to see a scene that shocked him beyond measure... As the black mist dissipated, the golden light remained, and Chrysanthemum Douluo looked indifferent.
Ghost Leopard Douluo could no longer control the panic in his heart, his Face paling in shock.
"This is impossible!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo looked with disgust at his clothes, which had been torn to shreds by Ghost Leopard Douluo's Ninth Spirit Ability. How... rude!
"No, I need to change my clothes."
Action followed thought. Golden light erupted, and a dazzling golden chrysanthemum enveloped him, hiding Chrysanthemum Douluo's figure from everyone's sight.
After just a few breaths, the chrysanthemum bloomed, and Chrysanthemum Douluo reappeared in full regalia.
To make such a grand display just to change clothes—Ghost Leopard Douluo was speechless at Chrysanthemum Douluo's eccentricity.
Chrysanthemum Douluo brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes, looking quite satisfied before finally addressing Ghost Leopard Douluo.
"Nothing is impossible. The Medium Grade Immortal Herb Immortal Herb, should naturally be like this!"
This was the greatest result of his two months spent day and night with the Immortal Herb. It corrected his own path and pushed his spirit power from rank 94 to rank 95.
Even his Spirit and Spirit Ability were influenced by the immortal herb, undergoing subtle changes.
From now on, he, Chrysanthemum Douluo, would no longer be in the lowest tier of Titled Douluo.
He raised his hand, and a strange giant flower slowly bloomed in his palm, incomparably beautiful.
"Ninth Spirit Ability... Broken Chrysanthemum, Ground Full of Wounds, Flowers Wither and Hearts Break!"
Ghost Leopard Douluo had seen Chrysanthemum Douluo's Ninth Spirit Ability before and was quite familiar with it; it wasn't a concern.
But that was in the past!
He couldn't understand the current Chrysanthemum Douluo and had to treat him with caution.
Ghost Leopard Douluo took a step back, standing ready.
The immortal herb, which should have shattered, remained intact at this moment. Instead, it suddenly turned into a beam of golden light and fell to the ground.
It changed rapidly, first growing into a real immortal herb, then the chrysanthemum bloomed, its fragrance filling the air.
"I must say... the chrysanthemum's scent is truly fragrant!"
Ghost Leopard Douluo was somewhat intoxicated but was instantly startled awake, wishing he could slap himself.
"We're still in battle, how can I be distracted!"
"Thump... thump thump..."
The unknown change made Ghost Leopard Douluo's nerves highly tense: This heartbeat... is it mine?
No, it's that chrysanthemum. There's one underground beneath me too!
Realizing something, Ghost Leopard Douluo couldn't help but cry out.
"Not good!"
He kicked off the ground... "Puchi..."
Chrysanthemums shot out, blood splattering across the sky!
In the sky, a ghostly shadow sped away, leaving behind only a carriage and a harsh parting word.
"Ah! Chrysanthemum Douluo, you Miss... you just wait for me, next time I'll also gouge..."
Although the last word was too quiet for everyone to hear clearly, everyone present knew what it was.
This was also a wretched Titled Douluo. Based on those words, he and Chrysanthemum Douluo... each had their own merits!
Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan looked at Chrysanthemum Douluo with very strange expressions.
That move just now... was really a bit too wretched, huh!
At the same time, they couldn't help but feel a hint of sympathy for the fleeing Ghost Leopard Douluo.
He really... was quite miserable!
As the first Titled Douluo to experience Chrysanthemum Douluo's Ninth Spirit Ability, his encounter was truly... too tragic.
Even as he turned into a dark shadow, everyone's minds automatically filled in the posture of his escape—he must be clutching his... cough cough. This scene was too "beautiful," and even Qian Renxue etched it deep into her mind, unable to forget it for a long time.
The four members of the younger generation simultaneously wailed in their hearts.
"My eyes!"
Even someone as cold as Chrysanthemum Douluo felt a bit embarrassed at this moment.
The effect of this Spirit Ability seemed... a bit too focused on the lower body!
However, as long as the Spirit Ability was powerful enough, who cared if it was wretched or not?
Having successfully driven away Ghost Leopard Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed toward the carriage.
"Young Miss, could you come down for a chat?"
Qian Renxue was expressionless and didn't respond at all, just like a piece of wood.
Hu Liena and the other two looked at each other, not knowing where the title "Young Miss" came from.
Hu Liena was only following the orders left by her teacher, Bibi Dong, to accompany Chrysanthemum Douluo to protect Qian Renxue and take the opportunity to pick her up.
As for the reason, Bibi Dong had never explained.
Thus, they didn't actually know about the relationship between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, and they still didn't know now.
Chrysanthemum Douluo saw that Qian Renxue neither objected nor agreed.
Knowing the tense relationship between her and Bibi Dong, the mother and daughter, she probably couldn't save Face.
He thought for a moment and simply sat directly in the spot Ghost Leopard Douluo had left, acting as the coachman.
"Giddy up..."
The carriage started moving, and Hu Liena's group of three said nothing, silently following behind.
A moment later, a slightly raspy voice came from inside the carriage.
"Hu Liena, come up and sit with me..."
This was a good sign. Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately stopped the carriage, his eyes brightening.
"Hu Liena... where is Bibi Dong?"
She actually called her by name, which was disrespectful to the teacher. Hu Liena was about to get angry when she saw Chrysanthemum Douluo signaling her with his eyes.
Infinite doubt surged in her heart. What exactly was her relationship with the teacher?
"The teacher ordered us to protect you and, when necessary, take you to see her..."
...On the other side, Ghost Leopard Douluo lay in the grass on the hilltop, not daring to move, his mood extremely depressed.
"Ah, damn Old Ghost Chrysanthemum! It was just a show, was it necessary to strike so hard?"
At this moment, he had completely forgotten how he had just been eager for a fight and attacked Chrysanthemum Douluo with all his might.
The reason he fled as soon as he was injured wasn't that he couldn't win... well, that point was questionable!
He fled because he had received an order from Supreme Pontiff Qian Daoliu before setting out.
If Bibi Dong sent people to take her, he should let them have her. Of course, it had to be seamless; at the very least, he couldn't just run without a fight.
"Sigh, when this family has a falling out, it's us subordinates who suffer!"
The more Ghost Leopard Douluo thought about it, the more upset he felt.Chapter 100 Hatching
Chapter 100. Hatching
After half a year of recovery, Zhou Ting's body had long since returned to its original state. It wasn't that he didn't want to go ashore, but that he couldn't.
On the Ninth Level of the Black Tower, magma and ice water danced together. The Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass were like two playful little fish, coveting different sensations as they chased each other through the ice and fire, yet never quite catching one another.
They unexpectedly formed a moving... Taiji Diagram.
At the bottom of the volcano, one hundred and eight spirit beast eggs stood as steady as Mount Tai, tempering and transforming amidst the alternating ice and fire.
"Things are getting more and more unusual!"
Zhou Ting could feel an invisible energy from the outside World being poured into the Black Tower and merging into these spirit beast eggs.
Look, the originally bare eggshells now had faintly visible scales, which were becoming more and more prominent!
"Is it really going to hatch one hundred and eight Dragons?"
Zhou Ting was still quite expectant in his heart.
After all, those were Dragons, legendary creatures, an existence that even the Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast Sky Azure Bull Python could only dream of but never reach.
Yes, it was something out of reach.
During the last trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Sky Azure Bull Python had failed completely, and its dream of transforming into a Dragon was utterly shattered!
Regarding the source of this external power, Zhou Ting had some suspicions.
But it was precisely these suspicions that made him urgently want to stay away from the Star Lake and the Star Dou Great Forest.
Deep beneath the Star Lake, there was a Secret Realm space where a Dragon King lay dormant... the Silver Dragon King, possessing the strength of a God King.
She was a living Dragon, a living god, not a dead thing like the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings.
Furthermore, Spirit Beasts ranging from several hundred thousand to a million years old lived within that Secret Realm space.
Also, Spirit Beasts appeared because of the Silver Dragon King; it was the divine force she unconsciously emitted that created the Spirit Beast race. Calling her the Ancestor of Spirit Beasts would not be an exaggeration.
Speaking of which, the Douluo Continent really had profound Luck. Not only did it possess the corpses of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, which coincidentally formed an Immortal Herb Garden like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but it also had a powerful existence like the Silver Dragon King recovering here.
Back to Zhou Ting, he was currently experiencing a mix of pain and pleasure.
Living a life akin to imprisonment for half a year, with only occasional moments of fresh air—an opportunity that came only once every one or two months, lasting less than fifteen minutes each time.
This feeling was truly... agonizing!
As for... the pleasure!
"Crack!"
The spirit beast eggs were cracking even faster. Beneath the fetal membranes, it seemed as though little claws were pushing upward, trying to break through the protective layer and head toward the new World.
"Pop... pop pop..."
"They've broken through!"
Zhou Ting danced with joy, unable to contain himself!
More energy flooded in, causing Zhou Ting to lose his vision entirely; he could no longer see the changes in the spirit beast eggs.
An hour later, the external energy suddenly vanished, leaving not a trace behind.
Zhou Ting didn't mind; the power of a god was too far removed from him. He just looked at the spirit beast eggs with curiosity... the murky magma and ice water could not block Zhou Ting's vision.
"Whoosh, whoosh..."
One hundred and eight streaks of light burst out of the water, drawing brilliant trails across the air.
The streaks of light stopped, and Zhou Ting finally saw them clearly. They all possessed a pair of huge transparent wings that were so prominent. They... no, it should be... them.
"Not Dragons?"
Compared to Spirit Beasts, they looked more like humanoid Little Sprites.
Tiny beings with hands and feet like humans, and clear facial features. The only difference was probably that pair of large wings growing from their backs.
To say they were related to Dragons... there was simply no connection at all!
Suddenly, Zhou Ting's eyes fixed on the foreheads of the Little Sprites. There seemed to be a birthmark the size of a grain of rice... A careful scan with his mental force revealed that it wasn't a birthmark at all, but a gemstone—a snow-white gemstone that looked like... a scale. It was the same color as the Little Sprites' skin.
Zhou Ting reached out, and a somewhat bewildered little fellow landed in his palm.
"Little fellow, what abilities do you have?"
The Little Sprite tilted its head and thought for a second, then pressed its hands together. A snow-white ice Dragon swam out from its palms and struck a rock the size of a soccer ball.
Frost spread rapidly, and the rock was frozen solid.
Zhou Ting waved his hand, and with a "crack," the rock split open. A wave of heat that hadn't yet dissipated... Zhou Ting's eyes lit up, his face full of excitement.
"Not just ice, but fire too! These Little Sprites have the attack power of a hundred-year Spirit Beast right after being born..."
"Haha... good, very good!"
After using this attack, the Little Sprite seemed a bit wilted, its spirit flagging... No matter how powerful the Little Sprites were, they couldn't be used for the time being.
Although they weren't like the old man Anthony who had fallen into a deep sleep, they still couldn't leave the Black Tower!
"It's been half a year. I wonder what the outside World is like now? It's time to go out!"
During this half year, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing hadn't left the Star Lake. However, Da Ming and Er Ming went out frequently. From the mouths of Spirit Masters coming to the Star Dou Great Forest, they had heard some scattered bits of intelligence about the outside World, though it wasn't complete.
"Splash..."
"Xue'er, quick! Your Sister Xiao Wu is being held down by me. Quick, splash her..."
"Okay, I'm coming..."
The three girls were playing and frolicking.
On the water's surface, Xiao Wu was being held from behind by Zhu Zhuqing and couldn't move. Her soaked long dress, combined with her well-proportioned figure... tsk tsk, a wet-clothed temptation!
And then there was Zhu Zhuqing, with her hot figure and cool pajamas, *slurp*... "Wait, that's not right!"
After experiencing Rebirth, Xiao Wu's mental force had increased greatly. Not only could she conceal her own Spirit Beast aura, but she had also become extremely sharp.
She turned her head and whispered softly into Zhu Zhuqing's ear.
"Someone is watching. It should be Zhou Ting..."
Zhu Zhuqing was first delighted, and then she realized they were having too much fun today, and both of them were disheveled... *Swish...*
Zhu Zhuqing let go of Xiao Wu, picked up the still-unaware Xue'er, and both of them ran toward the shore together.
In less than a minute, all three had put on their clothes.
"What a pity..."
Without needing Xiao Wu or the others to call him, Zhou Ting walked onto the shore himself.
Xiao Wu seemed to hear his inner thoughts and looked ashamed and annoyed.
"Bah, you scoundrel! You didn't say a word when you woke up; you actually peeked at us..."
Zhu Zhuqing held Xue'er, her face slightly red, and nodded in agreement.
The corners of Zhou Ting's mouth curled up, and he spread his hands in a feigned display of helplessness.
"I just woke up too. I didn't know you were having a water fight."
His exposed, lean upper body didn't have large muscles, but there were obvious small bulges. They weren't noticeable when he was still, but as soon as he moved, the firm small muscles immediately became prominent.
Xiao Wu felt like she couldn't look away, but in an instant, she realized there were other people around.
She turned her head to see Xue'er looking at Zhou Ting blankly and innocently, and Zhu Zhuqing, whose face had turned even redder.
"Hmph, now that your injuries are healed, hurry up and put on your clothes. Have you no shame?"
Zhou Ting shook his hair, which was still dripping with water, and lake water immediately splashed everywhere.
Zhu Zhuqing retreated while holding Xue'er, while Xiao Wu dodged and shouted loudly in a huff.
"Zhou Ting, you brat, how dare you tease us! Don't force your Sister Xiao Wu to slap you!"
Zhou Ting curled his lip, looking heartbroken.
"Sigh, didn't we agree that you'd call me Brother Ting?"