The weather at sea today was very good.
A pleasant sea breeze blew gently across their faces. Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi were sitting on the balcony in front of the top-deck room, having just finished breakfast.
Apart from that thirty-thousand-year Lion Mane Jellyfish, the warship encountered no further attacks from sea soul beasts. After sailing smoothly for two hours, the warship entered the boundary between the deep sea and the offshore waters.
The Yue Nan Archipelago was originally located in the central deep-sea area south of both the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Traveling northward without deviating from the route meant that if they continued toward the continent, the warship would land at the border between the two empires.
The warship was too large a target and would be easily spotted if it approached the continental coastline too closely. Therefore, Xu Zihuang's original plan was to switch to the Demon Whale in this sea area along with Ye Guyi to make landfall.
During this time, Xu Zihuang carefully explained the abilities of the radiance of the Seven-Star Lightflame Sword to Ye Guyi. According to his and Wang Xiao's design concept, once the radiance of the Seven-Star Lightflame Sword was fitted with an eighth-level core formation aggregator and supplemented with energy crystals from light-attribute and fire-attribute soul beasts, it would absolutely rank among the peak works of eighth-level close-combat soul tools, its power even comparable to some ninth-level close-combat soul tools.
The radiance of the Seven-Star Lightflame Sword possessed both light and fire dual attributes. Although light and flame had always complemented each other, balance was equally important.
Condensing the blazing gel of a hundred-thousand-year Blazing Fire Apricot into a rhombic crystal and inlaying it would be ideal, but in that case, the other crystal should also come from a hundred-thousand-year light-attribute soul beast to achieve perfect symmetry.
In Xu Zihuang's knowledge, only the Heavenly Dragon Horse perfectly fit the criteria.
However, even within the Star Dou Great Forest, Heavenly Dragon Horses were extremely rare. Though horse-shaped in appearance, they possessed pure Bright Sacred Dragon bloodline. A rhombic pale-golden gem would grow on their forehead, the source of their entire power.
In fact, when Xu Zihuang designed the radiance of the Seven-Star Lightflame Sword, he had already taken all of this into consideration. He had just explained everything completely to Ye Guyi.
"Heavenly Dragon Horse…" Ye Guyi murmured.
Of course, she understood what Xu Zihuang meant. If a hundred-thousand-year Heavenly Dragon Horse truly existed in the Star Dou Great Forest, it would be perfectly suitable to become her eighth or ninth soul ring.
The Sacred Angel martial soul was mainly of the sacred attribute, with light and fire as auxiliary. However, sacred-attribute soul beasts were far too rare, their scarcity comparable to the Dark Evil God Tiger. Finding one with an appropriate cultivation year limit was even more difficult.
After weighing the pros and cons, absorbing soul rings from light-attribute and fire-attribute soul beasts was also an excellent choice.
"Zihuang, do you really think a hundred-thousand-year Heavenly Dragon Horse exists in the Star Dou Great Forest?" Ye Guyi asked.
Xu Zihuang smiled and shook his head.
"I can't be certain. I only think it's possible. Besides the Heavenly Dragon Horse, I also know of another soul beast that definitely exists and would be very suitable to become Sister Lingyi's soul ring."
"What soul beast?" Ye Guyi asked with great interest. She had complete faith in Xu Zihuang's words.
"The Six-winged Demon Tiger. That fellow possesses three attributes, two of which are light and fire."
The information about the Six-winged Demon Tiger came from Xu Zihuang's memories of his previous life. When Di Tian launched the beast tide, the Six-winged Demon Tiger had once led a large group of flying soul beasts to attack Shrek City. In the end, however, due to its arrogance, it died miserably under the combined main cannon fire of Xuan Ziwen's all-terrain self-propelled artillery platform.
Compared to the Heavenly Dragon Horse, this Six-winged Demon Tiger was actually even more compatible with Ye Guyi's Sacred Angel martial soul.
Watching Wang Xiao direct everyone to furl the sails, Xu Zihuang stood up and continued:
"Let's go, Sister Lingyi. We've already reached the offshore waters."
"Mm." Ye Guyi smiled lightly and took Xu Zihuang's arm. Together, they walked onto the deck.
"Young Master, Young Miss." Wang Xiao and the others on deck bowed in greeting.
Xu Zihuang nodded slightly. His left thumb rested on the storage ring he wore on his left index finger, the very ring Wang Xiao had once handed over to him. Now he decided to take it with him.
The ring was made of the same material as the main body of the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon, a violet-crystal-like substance inlaid with an extremely high-quality, flawless starlight blue gem. It perfectly matched the blue-purple ring Ye Guyi wore on her right middle finger.
The dragon patterns engraved on them were respectively the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragonand the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
A deep blue light flashed. Xu Zihuang took out the head soul bone he had obtained from E Cheng.
The soul bone looked rather small and delicate, crystal clear, quietly floating above his left palm and instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Under everyone's gaze, Xu Zihuang handed the head soul bone to Wang Xiao with a faint smile.
"This head soul bone comes from a nine-thousand-year Demon Soul Great White Shark. The attached fixed soul skill is a mental attack-type skill. In the upcoming operation to exterminate those pirate groups, whoever performs the most outstandingly will receive this soul bone."
Everyone's eyes immediately blazed with heat.
A fixed soul skill that was the hallmark of high-quality soul bones. And a mental-attack-type skill meant this soul bone was suitable for any soul master. Although its year limit was only nine thousand years, its quality was comparable to many ten-thousand-year soul bones.
For ordinary soul masters, such a soul bone was undoubtedly a supreme treasure.
"Old Wang, the rest is up to you and Yang-ge."
Xu Zihuang exchanged a glance with Wang Xiao. Before anyone could react, he and Ye Guyi jumped off the deck one after another, boarded the Demon Whale, and sped northward toward the continent.
The Demon Whale quickly disappeared into the distant sea. Wang Xiao withdrew his gaze, turned to the crowd, and barked:
"Return!"
"Yes, sir!"
The crew's morale was visibly ignited.
...
Crossing hundreds of kilometers of sea only took the full-speed Demon Whale a few hours. Before noon that same day, Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi reached the continent.
The special sixth-level light-distorting soul guidance protective shield was released, revealing their figures.
Xu Zihuang sat at the front of the Demon Whale, while Ye Guyi straddled his lap, arms wrapped around his neck.
They had maintained this position for over two hours.
And all of it was at Ye Guyi's insistence. Ever since she saw some of the intimate interactions between Xu Zihuang, Ning Tian, and Ju Zi, she had stubbornly demanded that Xu Zihuang do the same things with her.
The smile on Ye Guyi's face faded. Her clear, cold gaze carried strong pressure.
"How does it feel?"
"Pretty comfortable."
Xu Zihuang was already used to it. His expression remained calm as he met Ye Guyi's eyes steadily.
Ye Guyi, who had been exuding an imposing aura, immediately blushed faintly and shot him a coquettish glare.
Xu Zihuang smiled and gently caressed her fair, delicate cheek with his right hand, then leaned in close and savored her lips carefully.
"Sister Lingyi, you really don't have to do this. In my heart, you will always be the most special one."
Ye Guyi's pretty face flushed deeper. She was very pleased by his words. She pursed her moist red lips.
"Let's go."
She also realized that her behavior had been a bit undignified. With that, she stepped down onto the sandy beach.
Xu Zihuang put away the Demon Whale and followed right behind. The two of them tacitly took out their respective flying soul guidance devices from their storage soul tools and soared into the sky.
Xu Zihuang's flying soul guidance device had deep-purple wings, while Ye Guyi's were brilliant gold. Not long after they rose into the air, the outline of a vast, deep, lush forest appeared in their line of sight.
Ming Dou Great Forest.
For the sake of convenience while traveling today, Ye Guyi had not worn a long skirt but instead changed into an elegant outfit. The main color was white, adorned with luxurious golden patterns that complemented her fair complexion and long, soft golden hair.
The form-fitting clothes perfectly outlined her flawless figure.
Ye Guyi glanced sideways at Xu Zihuang beside her and asked:
"Zihuang, where do you plan to go first?"
"Dragon City first," Xu Zihuang answered without the slightest hesitation. He had already planned the route.
"We'll follow the edge of the Ming Dou Great Forest all the way north, pass through the Ming Dou Mountain Range, reach the northwest frontier of the Heavenly Soul Empire, then turn east toward Dragon City. Along the way, I want to survey the terrain along the borders of the Star Luo Empire, Heavenly Soul Empire, and Sun Moon Empire."
If the Sun Moon Empire launched a war in the future, this area would undoubtedly become the foremost front line. Preparations should be made. As he said, it was just on the way. With his current mental power level, he could simply extend his spiritual sense outward while traveling and memorize everything without delaying their journey.
Ye Guyi naturally had no objections. As long as she was with Xu Zihuang, that was enough.
One-third of the border between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire consisted of the Ming Dou Great Forest, home to many variant soul beasts, while the other two-thirds was formed by the steep Ming Dou Mountain Range.
Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi did not deliberately avoid anything. They flew openly across the outer regions of the Ming Dou Great Forest.
This was confidence in their own strength.
In fact, along the entire journey, neither of them was attacked by any flying soul beasts from the Ming Dou Great Forest.
Although variant soul beasts possessed strong attack power, that did not mean they could not sense danger. Most of the soul beasts living in the outer regions of the Ming Dou Great Forest were only ten-year or hundred-year level; thousand-year soul beasts were already very rare. After sensing the powerful aura emanating from the two of them, they basically fled in terror.
After crossing the Ming Dou Great Forest, what came into view was the continuous, undulating Ming Dou Mountain Range.
Suddenly, Xu Zihuang looked down at the branch ridge that extended into the Ming Dou Great Forest. It was here that he, Ju Zi, and Ke Ke had once encountered a pack of Gale Demon Wolves.
As he expected, after the Gale Demon Wolf pack was wiped out, the Red Flame Monkey group had immediately taken over this territory.
He could clearly see streaks of crimson figures darting between the treetops, seemingly watching them and letting out piercing chattering cries.
Some soul beasts were simply born annoying. Like these Red Flame Monkeys.
Xu Zihuang released his spiritual sense. Terrifying mental pressure swept over the area, instantly silencing the region.
Ye Guyi gazed distantly toward the small town on the Sun Moon Empire side near this branch ridge.
"That town… that's where she grew up, right? Actually, she's also quite pitiful."
There was no other emotion in her tone, only empathetic sympathy.
"Mm." Xu Zihuang nodded gently.
"Where there are people, there is strife. These things cannot be solved at the root. Unifying the continent would only end the conflicts on the surface. Human nature is like that."
After that, the two flew as close as possible to the steepest main ridge of the Ming Dou Mountain Range, because on the gentler flatlands on both sides of the range, the Sun Moon Empire and Star Luo Empire had stationed troops.
At nightfall, they finally reached a peak at the starting point of the Ming Dou Mountain Range, the tripoint where the Sun Moon, Star Luo, and Heavenly Soul Empires met. Going further north would take them into the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Unlike the natural moat formed by the Ming Dou Mountain Range and Ming Dou Great Forest between the Sun Moon Empire and Star Luo Empire, the terrain between the Heavenly Soul Empire and Sun Moon Empire was much gentler.
After dinner, Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi sat around the campfire.
It was already deep autumn, and this location was in the middle of the continent. The night mountain wind was bone-chillingly cold, and waves of damp fog frequently drifted past. Yet the starry sky above was exceptionally bright and clear.
Ye Guyi took a small sip of the steaming meat soup, then cast a faintly resentful gaze at Xu Zihuang.
"Zihuang."
"Hm?" Xu Zihuang, who was preparing other food, looked up in confusion.
"I never thought I would be the last one to eat food you cooked." Ye Guyi furrowed her delicate brows. The flavor of the meat soup was flawless, yet sour jealousy bubbled up in her heart.
When they first reunited, Xu Zihuang had not yet told her about those memories, so she hadn't known he could cook. Later, on Moon Pivot Island, she finally learned about it, but she didn't want Xu Zihuang to do something that might tarnish the dignity of the royal family in front of Wang Xiao and the others, so she kept delaying until now.
"My fault, Sister Lingyi."
Xu Zihuang was somewhat speechless and did not try to defend himself.
Ye Guyi smiled brightly.
"Just compensate me properly."
"Tell me. I'll do whatever you want," Xu Zihuang replied with a smile.
"You'll find out later." Ye Guyi gave him a mysterious smile.
After dinner, the campfire still flickered in the wind. But the two figures were now pressed tightly together.
Xu Zihuang sat cross-legged inside the warm sleeping bag, back against a rock. Ye Guyi was also inside the sleeping bag, facing away from him, her entire body curled up in his embrace.
The two of them gazed up at the starry sky that seemed almost within reach, their breaths filled with each other's scent.
Curled up in Xu Zihuang's arms, Ye Guyi felt an overwhelming warmth. A reminiscent look appeared in her eyes as she spoke in a soft, coquettish voice:
"Do you still remember when we were little? Back then, I was always the one holding you like this to coax you to sleep. Now it's your turn to coax me. If you don't satisfy me, you're not allowed to sleep."
Memories stirred, and Xu Zihuang fell silent for a long time. A tightness formed in his chest. The more Ye Guyi brought up their childhood, the more that faint awkwardness left in his heart, caused by the change in her identity, was magnified.
There was no denying that his feelings for Ye Guyi were pure and sincere. But at the very beginning, what they had shared was something akin to familial affection.
Ye Guyi seemed to have anticipated his reaction. Her gaze deepened, a trace of determination flashing through it.
It's fine, Zihuang. When we reach Dragon City, I'll make you accept your fate obediently.
Thinking of this, moisture gathered in her eyes. She bit her lip.
...
Meanwhile, in the northwest of the Star Luo Empire.
Large stretches of military camps were built against the mountains, some even constructed directly on the Ming Dou Mountain Range. On the western side of the encampment stood a continuous city wall more than thirty meters tall, with an astonishing width exceeding fifty meters.
Even though it was night, endless convoys still transported stones out from the mountains. Clearly, this massive construction project was far from complete.
At the very center of this military camp stood an enormous hexagonal tent made entirely of dark brown cured oxhide. There were not many guards around the tent, only two squads of about thirty elite personal guards each patrolling the perimeter. Under the starlight, every chest bore a faintly glowing white tiger-head emblem. The tiger head was huge, covering most of the leather armor on their chests, vivid and majestic.
This was the standard armor of the White Tiger Personal Guard.
Without a doubt, the person residing in this tent was none other than the current White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao.
At the main entrance of the tent stood an abrupt pair: a burly, lean old man and a cold-faced youth.
The youth appeared to be fifteen or sixteen years old, with short golden hair. The icy mountain wind howled past, chilling his body, yet his heart burned fiercely.
An old man emerged from the tent.
The old man was named Du Leisi, a veteran of the White Tiger Duke's household. He had followed the White Tiger Duke through countless battles north and south, earning numerous military merits and even holding the rank of viscount in the Star Luo Empire.
Seeing Du Leisi, the golden-haired youth hurriedly asked anxiously:
"Uncle Du, does Father have time to see me now?"
The youth's identity was obvious. Among the three publicly acknowledged sons of the White Tiger Duke, the only one who would lose composure and fail to control his emotions like this was Dai Luoli.
Ever since parting with Xu Zihuang, Dai Luoli had trained even harder. During an accidental training trip, he unintentionally triggered the origin of his mutated martial soul. In just over three short years, he broke through fifteen levels in succession. Now his soul power had reached the thirty-sixth rank.
A thirty-sixth-rank Soul Elder at sixteen was not considered a genius on the continent, but Dai Luoli's identity and circumstances were very special. With such rapid progress in cultivation, even that Duchess could no longer suppress or conceal it.
Left with no choice, she had Zhou Ye bring Dai Luoli to personally request an audience with the White Tiger Duke. After this meeting, it was foreseeable that Dai Luoli's position within the White Tiger Duke's household would improve somewhat.
Du Leisi nodded and said gravely:
"The Duke only has this short window of free time. Third Young Master, go in quickly."
Then he turned to Zhou Ye, who understood and followed Du Leisi.
Dai Luoli stepped forward excitedly and pushed aside the tent flap. In this life, what he admired most were heroes like his father, men who led armies, defended the country, and geniuses like Yu Tianhuang. After enduring so many years, he finally saw hope of becoming a powerful soul master. The excitement in his heart was indescribable.
The interior of the tent was very spacious but simply furnished: only a wooden bed and a desk.
A tall, golden-haired middle-aged man sat at the desk, which was covered with all kinds of maps and scrolls.
The middle-aged man appeared to be only in his thirties. His features were upright, his eye sockets deep-set, and within his azure eyes shone twin pupils. His face was slightly gaunt. When his gaze fell upon Dai Luoli, Dai Luoli felt as if a giant blade had flashed before him and unconsciously halted his steps.
The golden-haired middle-aged man was none other than the current White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao.
"Father." Regaining his senses, Dai Luoli dropped to one knee before Dai Hao.
Dai Hao frowned and glanced at his son, who had shown little talent in cultivation.
"Why aren't you training properly? Why did you come here? Go back."
Dai Luoli froze. The enthusiasm in his heart was somewhat extinguished by Dai Hao's cold attitude. But thinking that this was finally a chance to gain his father's attention, he let out a tiger roar and released his martial soul.
His muscles swelled, white fur covering his body. Two yellow and one purple soul rings rose from beneath his feet simultaneously.
Yet on the surface of his white fur shimmered a bloody glow. The white tiger phantom behind him had also been dyed blood-red. His eyes were especially bright; besides the original black pupils seemed to appear an additional blood-colored pupil. Faintly, there was a trace of mental power fluctuation.
"Mutated martial soul?" For once, a look of surprise appeared on Dai Hao's face.
"No… It's a still-incomplete mutation of a mutated martial soul."
As a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse, he naturally had this level of insight.
Dai Luoli sneaked a glance at Dai Hao, then lowered his head timidly and confessed:
"Father, more than two years ago, when I went alone to the Hunting Soul Forest outside Star Luo City to train, I encountered a thousand-year soul beast I couldn't handle. While it was chasing me, I felt as if some power inside my body was triggered. My strength surged dramatically. After I escaped and returned to the residence, I discovered that my soul power had suddenly jumped several levels, and my cultivation speed had increased significantly as well."
Only then did Dai Hao truly look at Dai Luoli seriously.
"For the time being, stay here and cultivate. You may leave."
He decided to personally observe Dai Luoli's condition. If the boy truly had potential, he could be sent to Shrek Academy and let the people there take a look.
No matter how much he had been neglected, Dai Luoli was still his biological son.
"Yes, Father!"
Hearing Dai Hao's arrangement, the earlier depression in Dai Luoli vanished instantly.
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