After finishing the report, Lin Long was about to take his leave when Xu Zihuang stopped him.
"Wait a moment, Elder Scaly."
As he spoke, Xu Zihuang took out the two eyes of the 50,000-year Deep Sea Demon Whale King from his storage soul tool.
A crystal-clear, emerald-like cold light bloomed in the hall.
Lin Long's gaze narrowed as he asked in surprise, "Young Master, could these be the eyes of a ten-thousand-year demon whale soul beast?"
"Yes. They came from a 50,000-year-old Deep Sea Demon Whale King. When I went out to sea for training before heading to Moon Pivot Island, I happened to encounter it and killed it," Xu Zihuang nodded calmly.
"Elder Scaly, take them away. The eyes of this 50,000-year Deep Sea Demon Whale King should be enough to craft quite a few high-level defensive soul tools."
"Yes, Young Master, Young Lady. This subordinate takes his leave." Lin Long quickly stored them in his own storage soul tool, respectfully saluted Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi, and then turned to leave.
His long-dormant heart grew even hotter.
Xu Zihuang had broken through to Soul Emperor at only sixteen years old, possessed such a terrifying soul ring configuration, and had astonishing combat strength.
Their Young Master's talent was truly world-shaking. Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, they would be able to follow Xu Zihuang and openly return to their homeland in glory.
Now that only the three of them remained in the hall, Ye Guyi no longer needed to maintain her dignified and serious appearance. She practically leaned her entire body against Xu Zihuang, her chest pressing against his shoulder and forming a subtle curve.
She smiled and beckoned to Nana.
"You come sit too, Nana."
"Yes, Mistress." Nana obediently followed Ye Guyi's instruction and sat on the sofa opposite them, knees together, sitting upright. However, the corner of her eye couldn't help drifting toward Xu Zihuang.
When she first learned Xu Zihuang's true identity, she had been greatly shocked. The pride of Shrek Academy was actually the only son of the Purple Radiance King of the Sun Moon Empire.
Moreover, their experiences were extremely similar; both had their families destroyed because of the Holy Spirit Cult.
Xu Zihuang looked up at Nana and spoke calmly.
"Nana. Since you voluntarily joined the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion, you should be very clear about my goal. In the future, I will have to confront the entire Holy Spirit Cult and even the entire Sun Moon Empire under Xu Tianran's rule. Are you certain you're prepared for this?"
Nana raised her head to look at Xu Zihuang, suddenly standing up, her eyes filled with determination.
"Master. From the moment you and the Mistress rescued my parents' souls, I made my decision, I am willing to serve you as a slave or maid with all my heart. My parents were both killed by the Holy Spirit Cult. I hate the Holy Spirit Cult, and I hate this country that harbors filth. I am willing to follow you to achieve this goal, with no regrets, even in life or death."
Xu Zihuang gazed at Nana for a long time before suddenly revealing a gentle smile.
"From today onward, you are one of us. Go. In the coming years, focus on raising your strength. Before long, the situation on the continent will become turbulent."
"Yes! Master!"
Watching Nana's figure disappear, Ye Guyi leaned close to Xu Zihuang's ear and sighed softly, "Nana is also a pitiful person. Although her martial soul borders on an evil martial soul, from spending time with her these past days, I can tell she is kind deep down."
"That's why I asked you, Sister Lingyi, to bring her to Moon Pivot Island as well," Xu Zihuang smiled faintly. A flash of white light appeared on his left wrist, and a right arm soul bone radiating dense soul power fluctuations materialized above his left palm.
It was the soul bone dropped by the Golden Flame Bird after its death.
Dazzling golden light bathed the entire hall in gold; within that golden radiance was a scorching aura.
"Sister Lingyi, you know the origin of this soul bone. From my observations, the soul skill attached to it has already solidified; it's very likely an ability related to the fire of the sun. In terms of attributes, it's extremely compatible with your Holy Angel martial soul. The only flaw is that its age is relatively low."
Ye Guyi rested her chin on Xu Zihuang's shoulder, gazing at him from extremely close range, her delicate nose slightly wrinkled.
"The soul bone that another woman didn't want, you give to me?"
Xu Zihuang naturally knew which woman Ye Guyi was referring to, and could only smile bitterly.
"Sister Lingyi, there really is nothing between Senior Sister Xiao Tao and me."
"You may have no intentions toward that old woman, but that doesn't mean she thinks the same," Ye Guyi huffed coldly, her golden eyes deep. From Xu Zihuang's memories, she had seen some of Ma Xiaotao's little thoughts. Moreover, back then, Ma Xiaotao had many times used a commanding tone to have Xu Zihuang help suppress her evil fire.
She herself had never treated Xu Zihuang that way, so what right did that old woman have?
Old woman?
The corner of Xu Zihuang's mouth twitched slightly. He felt that, given Ye Guyi's personality, when they reached Shrek Academy, she would sooner or later clash with Ma Xiaotao.
The coldness in Ye Guyi's eyes vanished in an instant. She reached out, channeled soul power, and took the soul bone from Xu Zihuang's hand.
Ma Xiaotao's seventh soul ring and this soul bone came from the same soul beast. The more that was the case, the more she wanted to absorb this soul bone. It would be best to display the soul skill attached to it right in front of Ma Xiaotao later.
Of course, Ye Guyi wasn't acting entirely out of spite. She could feel that this soul bone was extraordinarily compatible with her. Soul rings valued age, but soul bones valued quality more. Although the soul bone before her eyes couldn't compare to the highest-grade 100,000-year soul bones, it was still an extreme-quality soul bone on the same level as Xu Zihuang's Thunder Hell Prison Vine right leg bone.
The priority of a right arm soul bone far exceeded that of a right leg bone. All things considered, absorbing this soul bone would absolutely not be a loss for her.
"Sister Lingyi, don't force yourself. We'll definitely obtain soul bones with higher ages in the future; this one's age is indeed a bit low," Xu Zihuang reminded her.
Ye Guyi shook her head with a charming smile.
"Zihuang, don't take what I said earlier seriously. Soul bones suitable for me are rare to begin with, and actually, this soul bone is even more compatible with my martial soul than you think. Protect me while I absorb it."
Since Ye Guyi had said this, Xu Zihuang fell silent for a moment and no longer insisted. Just as she said, he had brought out this soul bone precisely because he had considered these factors.
Ye Guyi sat cross-legged on the sofa, releasing her golden-white soul power to guide the energy within the soul bone and begin fusing it with herself.
As soon as she raised her right arm, her soul power lightly touched the Golden Flame Bird's right arm bone, dense golden light surged toward her like flowing clouds and water, instantly wrapping around her right arm.
The golden light danced like leaping flames, extraordinarily divine. Ye Guyi's entire body was illuminated in gold, her soft golden hair rising without wind. That holy and bright aura made one feel the urge to prostrate in worship.
Thanks to the profound foundation of the Holy Angel's martial soul, her aura remained steady from beginning to end, firmly suppressing the violent energy contained within the soul bone.
This state was extremely similar to when Xu Zihuang had fused the Thunder Hell Prison Vine right leg bone. Because both of their martial souls were among the absolute top-tier in the current world, they couldn't suffer soul bone backlash.
However, Ye Guyi's fusion this time still lasted a full three days, not because something unexpected happened during the process, but because she gained insight and entered a state of deep meditation.
Yet she was currently at the level 70 bottleneck; before obtaining her seventh soul ring, the benefits of deep meditation could not manifest in soul power level.
In fact, the greatest gain from her deep meditation came through the Golden Flame Bird's right arm bone, gaining enlightenment regarding the true essence of light and flame. The soul skill attached to that Golden Flame Bird's right arm bone was also related to these aspects.
After successfully fusing the soul bone, Xu Zihuang carefully scanned with his spiritual power. Now, Ye Guyi's physical strength was no longer inferior to Ma Xiaotao's. However, fusing a 100,000-year level soul ring at level 70 was still far too difficult.
Following the original plan, Xu Zihuang began having Ye Guyi use whale glue to strengthen her physique.
Three days later, on the day Ye Guyi emerged from deep meditation.
Silvery starlight and moonlight climbed the window ledge; the golden silk curtains swayed left and right with the sea breeze.
Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi, having just finished dinner, returned to the central room on the top floor of the castle. The crystal chandelier on the ceiling illuminated the room brightly.
Ye Guyi bent her long, straight legs, hugged her knees, and leaned against the headboard.
Xu Zihuang sat on the edge of the bed, using the high temperature from his Ultimate Lightning to soften the fist-sized piece of 100,000-year whale glue. As the heat increased, it gradually turned into a soft gelatinous substance, like half-melted gold, with a rich fragrance assaulting the senses. Golden light shimmered above it, extremely miraculous.
Xu Zihuang softly called out.
"Sister Lingyi."
"Feed me." Ye Guyi stared straight at Xu Zihuang, a trace of inexplicable amusement appearing in her noble and cold golden eyes.
"Alright."
Xu Zihuang chuckled lightly, pinched off a small piece with his left hand, and brought it to Ye Guyi's mouth.
Ye Guyi did not eat it; instead, her smile unchanged, she repeated the words.
"Feed me."
Xu Zihuang paused for a moment but quickly understood what Ye Guyi meant.
At this point, the smile on Ye Guyi's face faded slightly. She extended her jade foot and placed it on Xu Zihuang's thigh, saying with a hint of jealousy, "However, your Senior Sister Ju Zi fed you before; that's exactly how you feed me."
Gazing into Ye Guyi's eyes, Xu Zihuang, filled with apology, no longer hesitated. He placed the whale glue in his mouth and, under Ye Guyi's half-smiling gaze, leaned forward.
After the temperature dropped, the whale glue would harden over time. Inside the mouth, that hardening process would be greatly prolonged.
Ye Guyi wrapped her arms around Xu Zihuang's neck, smiling as she enjoyed his feeding.
Again and again, until the entire fist-sized piece of ten-thousand-year whale glue was completely consumed.
Ye Guyi contentedly licked her lips with her fragrant tongue and patted Xu Zihuang's shoulder as if in praise.
"Not bad."
After consuming such a large piece of 100,000-year-old whale glue, a faint blush appeared on Ye Guyi's beautiful face. Intense heat flowed through her limbs and bones.
But that was all. Whale glue was an extremely yang and rigid tonic with certain aphrodisiac effects, but those were for men.
Ye Guyi experienced no such side effects from using whale glue.
However, she soon could no longer remain so composed. The medicinal effects contained in the 100,000-year whale glue were far too vast; she hurriedly sat cross-legged and entered a cultivation state, mobilizing all her soul power to absorb it.
Xu Zihuang let out a sigh of relief, sat back down on the chair by the bed, and guarded Ye Guyi. Fortunately, earlier, Ye Guyi had been very thorough, obediently licking everything clean without leaving a trace. Otherwise, if he had accidentally ingested some, it would have been unbearable. With his body's functions nearing perfection and his vital energy flourishing, receiving such strong stimulation might cause him to explode at any moment.
In the following month or so, Ye Guyi continued using whale glue to strengthen her physique. Naturally, it was the whale glue from the 50,000-year-old Deep Sea Demon Whale King. That piece of whale glue was the size of a millstone; if fully consumed and refined, its effects would definitely surpass the fist-sized 100,000-year piece.
Every day, Ye Guyi would consume a small portion. To promote absorption and maximize the whale glue's efficacy, Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi engaged in intense battles every day until Ye Guyi was completely exhausted.
Although Ye Guyi's Holy Angel martial soul was extremely powerful, she held no advantage against Xu Zihuang. Throughout, she was completely suppressed. As for the abilities Elder Yi had taught her, they naturally weren't suitable to use in this situation, after all, they weren't fighting to the death. Having those strange abilities seen wouldn't be good either.
During this time, Wang Xiao returned safely. Xu Zihuang personally handed over the design blueprints for the rank-9 stationary soul cannon and other high-level soul tools to Wang Xiao.
As well as the production method for Thunder Rockets.
Making Thunder Rockets wasn't difficult. The key lay only in synthesizing the rare metal alloy Thunder Flame Gold in the correct proportions.
Xu Zihuang himself also spent this month-plus in bitter cultivation. With the support of his spiritual soul core, his soul power cultivation was steadily rising.
This time, he had been out training for over three months. Now, less than half a year remained until the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Grand Competition began.
And in another month, he would turn seventeen.
On the west coast of the castle, above the crescent-shaped inland sea.
Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi stood facing each other.
Ye Guyi held her golden-white Angel Holy Sword, pointing it forward. A massive sword beam instantly streaked across the sky, crossing dozens of meters to slash vertically downward at Xu Zihuang's body.
Xu Zihuang gripped the Thunder Holy Sword in his right hand and the Destruction Holy Sword in his left. The Destruction Holy Sword in his left hand slashed horizontally, similarly unleashing a massive sword beam, but deep purple in color.
The clash of vertical and horizontal was also a collision between the destruction attribute and the holy attribute.
Ye Guyi's invincible holy attribute held no advantage against Xu Zihuang.
The golden-white sword beam was eroded by strands of deep purple, then shattered in mid-air, turning into countless specks of light. Terrifying soul power fluctuations swept outward, causing the sea surface below them to tremble.
Ye Guyi's delicate brows furrowed slightly. The pair of pure white wings behind her flapped, and in the next moment, she appeared before Xu Zihuang. The tip of her golden-white light sword trembled lightly, transforming into thousands of sword shadows.
Obscure, brilliant golden patterns flashed in Xu Zihuang's eyes as his figure shifted using pieces of dark red crystal mirrors in the air. The Destruction Holy Sword and Thunder Holy Sword in his hands performed one exquisite block after another.
Their exchange had long left Nana, watching from the shore, staring in stunned silence. She knew that even if she broke through to Soul Emperor, she would still be on a completely different level from Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi.
"Clang!" A crisp, explosive sound rang out. Xu Zihuang reverse-gripped the Destruction Holy Sword to block in front of him, while Ye Guyi's Angel Holy Sword that collided with it shattered with a boom.
In a certain sense, the destruction attribute could restrain any attribute. Ye Guyi's holy attribute was no exception.
With every collision, the Angel Holy Sword condensed from the origin power of Ye Guyi's Holy Angel martial soul would be eroded by the destruction attribute. After so many continuous clashes, it had long begun to collapse from within.
Xu Zihuang controlled the Destruction Holy Sword and Thunder Holy Sword to dissipate in the air, lightly tapped his toes, stepped forward, and very naturally wrapped his arm around Ye Guyi's slender waist.
"Sister Lingyi, no matter how many more times we try, it will still be the same. My second martial soul's destruction attribute is just too special."
Having carefully experienced the power of this weapon-type soul skill during this period, he had even begun to think about attaching a similar soul skill to his second martial soul, the Purple Radiance Thunder Prison Dragon.
"That's not what I care about."
Ye Guyi let out a delicate huff, the slight gloom in her eyes instantly turning into a sweet smile. She wrapped her arms around Xu Zihuang's back in return and flapped her angel wings to ascend higher.
Of course, she was happy about Xu Zihuang's strength. What depressed her was that her current strength was inferior to his; how could she talk about protecting him then?
But now she had let it go. Some things couldn't be changed, and enjoying the feeling of being spoiled and protected by Xu Zihuang didn't seem bad either.
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