Listening to Ye Yin's deadpan explanation, everyone present was completely stunned.
"That's it?" Ma Hongjun asked skeptically. "Yin Ge, if you don't want to tell us, that's fine. There's no need to lie to us."
Ye Yin rolled his eyes. "Lie to you? There's no need for that. This is the standard. It can't be too much or too little; it has to be just right. If you run even one millimeter more, it's useless. Anyway, that's what I do. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."
Just as he finished speaking, a series of beast roars echoed through the forest, much closer this time.
"Everyone, get back in the poison array, quickly!" Flender shouted.
One thousand-year Spirit Beast after another rushed toward them, drawn by the lingering fragrance. Even a Titled Douluo would have trouble dealing with such a horde. Zhao Wuji and Flender quickly joined Liu Erlong, standing as a bulwark in front of the students. The three Spirit Saints didn't need to coordinate; they fought individually, blocking the fierce Spirit Beasts and preventing them from crossing the line.
"Quickly put away the herb!" Yu Xiaogang urged Ye Yin. If he didn't put it away soon, even more beasts would be attracted, and they would become even more frenzied.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong displayed the true power of her family's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The three halos on the pagoda lit up, transforming into three streams of light that shot into Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji. Her support was percentage-based, meaning the stronger the Spirit Master she boosted, the greater the effect.
The light around the three Spirit Saints surged, and they quickly pushed back the tide of Spirit Beasts. Ning Rongrong's assistance, however, only lasted for a few moments. The powerful effect came at the cost of a massive amount of her spirit power.
"Everyone, retreat into the poison array now!" Flender yelled.
The group quickly fell back into the safety of the array. The three Spirit Saints didn't linger; while they couldn't defeat the entire horde, the beasts couldn't stop them from running. Once everyone was inside the poison array, the pursuing Spirit Beasts immediately skidded to a halt. They had seen the power of the strange, green barrier and didn't dare to cross it.
"Ye Yin, the effect of your herb is a little too good," Flender said with lingering fear, looking at the ever-growing number of beasts outside. Among the twenty or so beasts that had gathered, at least six of them were at the ten-thousand-year level, and one was even close to thirty thousand years old.
"I've found one," Ye Yin said, pointing at the pack. "The ten-thousand-year Netherworld Wolf King. That Spirit Beast is the same type as the one from Zhuqing's third ring, so it will be a perfect fit and much easier for her to absorb."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Yin Ge, I'll listen to you."
Ye Yin took out his upgraded Flying God Claw. "Dean, Sister Erlong, Teacher Zhao, I'll grab the Netherwolf and pull her in. The three of you just need to subdue her."
The three of them nodded. "Okay, go ahead. We're ready!"
Just as Ye Yin was about to make his move, the Netherwolf's figure suddenly blurred into a black shadow. In the next instant, it passed straight through the poison array and appeared out of thin air right in the middle of their group.
"It has a spatial ability!" Yu Xiaogang yelled.
"Holy cow!" Ye Yin exclaimed. "Quick, move!"
Liu Erlong reacted instantly, unleashing a heavy punch on the Netherwolf's body. The wolf let out a strange cry as its figure flickered again, teleporting to another location.
"So annoying!" Liu Erlong cursed. This time, the wolf appeared directly beside Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong!" Ye Yin's upgraded Flying God Claw shot out, instantly wrapping around Ning Rongrong's waist.
"Ah!" she shrieked as she was pulled through the air to Ye Yin's side, landing on her feet and panting heavily.
"This thing is a real problem," Ye Yin muttered. His second spirit ring flashed. "Curse!"
A black light shot out and landed on the Netherwolf King. Its figure flashed as it tried to teleport again, but this time it landed heavily on the ground with a loud thud. The curse had greatly increased its spatial power, but it had also subjected the wolf to a gravitational pressure more than ten times its own weight. The Netherwolf panted heavily, trying to get up, but its body remained motionless, pinned down as if by an invisible mountain.
"Now let's see what you've got," Ye Yin said, kicking the wolf's body. "Where's that arrogance from before?"
"[Resentment from the ten-thousand-year Netherworld Wolf King +9!]"
"Zhuqing, finish it," Ye Yin ordered.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, and after activating her Spirit Possession, she used her second Spirit Ability, Nether Claw, to frantically attack the immobilized wolf's neck. Under her continuous attacks, the wolf finally let out one last painful cry and died. Zhu Zhuqing glanced gratefully at Ye Yin before taking the corpse aside to begin absorbing its ten-thousand-year spirit ring.
"Next up are Rongrong's and Fatty's third rings," Yu Xiaogang said. "Rongrong, your first two skills increase speed and strength, so your third should focus on defense. That four-thousand-year-old Scale Armor Beast is the most suitable."
He pointed to a crocodile-like Spirit Beast about five meters long, with thick, powerful limbs and a body covered in tough, black, palm-sized plates of armor.
Ye Yin nodded in agreement. Normally, Ning Rongrong would get a Scale Armor Beast for her fourth ring, but absorbing it as her third was perfectly fine. He flicked his wrist, and the upgraded Flying God Claw shot out, clamping firmly onto the beast's tail and forcibly dragging it into the poison array.
Seeing the beast flying toward them, Zhao Wuji acted decisively. The full force of his Gravity Amplification slammed down on the Scale Armor Beast, pressing it to the ground. It was completely immobilized, obediently waiting for death.Spirit Hall. Its headquarters, Spirit City, stood as the undeniable center of power on the Douluo Continent, a magnificent and sacred place for all Spirit Masters.
Inside her private chambers, Bibi Dong was deep in cultivation when she felt a strange shift within her body. It was an unmistakable feeling, as if a new life was gestating in her womb. Her heart leaped into her throat. She was pregnant again.
Eight years ago, she had been forced into a relationship with her teacher, Qian Xunji, which resulted in the birth of Qian Renxue. Now, after a similar situation just days ago, she was once more with child. But while the circumstances were nearly identical, Bibi Dong's mindset had undergone a complete transformation. Back then, she had seen the child in her womb as nothing more than a bastard, a mark of her shame that she desperately wanted to erase. Now, she felt it was a wonderful miracle.
Her relationship with her first daughter, Qian Renxue, was abysmal. Despite being the Holy Maiden, Bibi Dong was practically an island, isolated and alone within the vastness of Spirit Hall. This time, where she had once desperately wanted to abort the child, she now desperately wanted to protect it.
The news of her pregnancy quickly reached Qian Xunji. When he heard it, his mind went blank. The last time had been such a coincidence. Could this time be a coincidence as well?
He confronted Bibi Dong. "Dong'er, I hope you will give birth to this child," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If you insist on trying to abort it again, you will face the same situation as before."
The Qian family currently had only one junior: Qian Renxue. As he had no formal wife, another child from Bibi Dong—preferably a boy—would secure the family's lineage.
Bibi Dong snorted coldly. "I can give birth to it, but on one condition."
"The child's name will be decided by me," she declared, her voice firm. "And regardless of gender, it will absolutely not carry your Qian surname!"
Qian Xunji was stunned. His expression darkened. "Bibi Dong, do you know what you're saying? A child takes its father's surname! The Qian surname!"
"Impossible!" she retorted without hesitation. "If you try to force me, my current strength is more than enough to abort this child, and I will not be controlled by you like last time!" She gently caressed her lower abdomen. "Since this child will be born in Spirit Hall (Wuhun Dian), it will take the surname Wu!"
Just as Qian Xunji was about to erupt in fury, Qian Daoliu's powerful voice echoed in his mind. "Don't push her. The birth of the child is the most important thing. For now, agree to whatever conditions she has."
Qian Xunji swallowed his anger and nodded at Bibi Dong. "Alright. I'll listen to you. Spirit Hall will provide you with full assistance to ensure you give birth to this child safely."
This time, without Spirit Hall's subtle obstruction, Bibi Dong felt the warmth and care of a pampered pregnancy. Everything she ate, used, and wore was of the highest possible quality. Though this care came from Spirit Hall, she attributed it all to the child growing within her. Her love for this unborn baby grew deeper with each passing day. She had already chosen a name: if it was a boy, he would be Wu Dao; if a girl, Wu Xiu.
Qian Xunji and Qian Daoliu also greatly anticipated the child's arrival. After all, the direct Qian line was perilously thin, consisting only of the three of them. The other six Great Priests of Spirit Hall were also excited at the prospect of a new young master or young lady.
And then there was Qian Renxue. Her mother disliked her, and her father, the Supreme Pontiff, was always busy. Her grandfather had time, but he mostly forced her to cultivate. If she could have a younger sister, she would finally have someone to accompany her.
Before it was even born, the child had become the pampered darling of Spirit Hall's entire upper echelon.
Days turned into weeks, and Bibi Dong's belly grew larger. More than eight months passed in the blink of an eye.
"My little darling," she would whisper to her stomach, "Mama has been waiting for you for so long."
Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, and the six other Great Priests of the Elder Palace all waited anxiously outside her chambers. The Seven Great Priests rarely left their silent cultivation, but for this birth, they had been standing guard for a week straight.
Guangling Douluo paced back and forth nervously. "I'm dying of anxiety! I wonder how it's going. It's been so long, isn't it born yet?"
Gold Crocodile Douluo rolled his eyes. "Fifth brother, you're over ninety years old. Can you stop acting like a child and be a little more composed?"
Guangling Douluo snorted. "I'll ask you, are you anxious?"
"...Anxious," Gold Crocodile admitted.
"Then that's that, isn't it? And you're still lecturing me."
Behind the closed door, a gentle-faced woman lay on the bed, her forehead covered in sweat. She knew the child about to be born could one day influence the entire Douluo Continent. The child of Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong—two of the most talented geniuses in the world—was guaranteed to have an incredible Spirit and talent. It was the new blood that the aging leadership of Spirit Hall desperately needed to avoid a power vacuum.
Suddenly, a baby's cry echoed from inside the room.
"It's born! It's born!"
A moment later, the midwife ran out, her face flushed with excitement. "Congratulations, Your Holiness! Congratulations, esteemed Priests! Congratulations, Young Lady! It's a young lady!"
Several figures rushed into the room. Bibi Dong was pale from the ordeal, but her eyes shone with pure joy as she looked at the infant in her arms. Wrapped in swaddling clothes was a tiny, pink-skinned girl.
Ten sharp claws shot out, gripping the Enchanting Tree Mushroom firmly. The massive plant-type Spirit Beast instantly realized something was wrong and began to struggle with all its might. With a loud snap, one of the steel ropes from the Flying God Claw broke, and a chunk of bark was ripped clean off by another. However, eight claws still held fast.
Ye Yin gently applied force, and the remaining eight claws pulled taut, dragging the Enchanting Tree Mushroom forcefully into the poison array. Once inside, Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji simultaneously unleashed their power. A storm of explosive attacks rained down on the beast's body. The mushroom's vibrant form trembled violently, and in the blink of an eye, its massive body was blasted apart, leaving only a core less than a cubic meter in size. Flender delivered the final blow, ending its life.
"Fatty, your spirit ring is ready," Flender called out to Ma Hongjun, who quickly sat down to begin the absorption process.
Just as he started, Xiao Wu emerged from the depths of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. At the same time, Ning Rongrong, who had been absorbing her own spirit ring from the Scale Armor Beast, also finished. Three purple spirit rings now floated around Rongrong, while Xiao Wu now possessed three purple and one black ring, indicating she had successfully condensed a ten-thousand-year spirit ring.
After absorbing her fourth ring, the already tall Xiao Wu grew a little taller. Her figure also became more prominent, though she still couldn't compare to Zhu Zhuqing. Her pink top now looked a bit tight, and much of her childishness had faded. For Spirit Masters, absorbing powerful spirit rings often accelerated their physical development, making them appear more mature than their actual age.
"Xiao Wu, congratulations," Ye Yin smiled. "How do you feel after absorbing your fourth ring? What Spirit Ability did you gain? It should be two of them again, right?"
Xiao Wu nodded eagerly. "The first is called Paragon Golden Body. It makes me immune to all damage for five seconds, and my strength doubles while I'm invincible. I can only use it three times a day. The second is called Thousand Calls, which lets me summon a group of small jade rabbits. They automatically track targets and attack them."
When Yu Xiaogang heard about Paragon Golden Body, he was completely stunned. The ability defied his entire understanding of Spirit Abilities. "Invincible? There's such a skill? And for five seconds? If you can use that three times a day… that's fifteen seconds of total invincibility. In a battle between Titled Douluo, fifteen seconds of relentless, damage-immune attacks would be more than enough to kill an opponent. Your Spirit Ability is a bit too outrageous."
Just as he was speaking, another strong, ten-thousand-year spirit power fluctuation washed over the group. This aura came from Zhu Zhuqing. She had finished her absorption. She sat cross-legged for a moment before standing up effortlessly. Beneath her feet, three purple and one black spirit ring floated quietly.
Zhu Zhuqing's aura was now even colder, with a new hint of heroism in her eyes. She, too, had grown a few centimeters. Her top was now noticeably tight, severely compressing her ample chest. The phrase 'childlike face with an ample bosom' seemed to have been created just for her.
"Zhuqing, congratulations," Ye Yin smiled. "How do you feel after absorbing the Netherwolf's ring? What's your fourth Spirit Ability?"
In a flash, Zhu Zhuqing's figure transformed into a chilling black shadow and appeared right beside Ye Yin.
"It seems to be just Teleportation?" Yu Xiaogang said with a slight frown. "Xiao Wu's third ability is also Teleportation. The effect is a bit redundant."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't even glance at him. "Fourth Spirit Ability, Netherworld Shadow. After using it, I can freely move to a new location and simultaneously cause damage to everything between the two points. While it's active, my attack power and agility are doubled, and the damage I receive is reduced by twenty-five percent."
Yu Xiaogang immediately fell silent.
"That's a three-in-one skill!" Flender exclaimed. "It has movement, enhancement, and an attack all in one. It's an incredibly versatile ability."
"Not only that," Zhu Zhuqing added, her voice calm. "Perhaps because both my third and fourth rings are from Nether-type beasts, my third Spirit Ability, Nether Clone, has also been enhanced. The original ability created two clones that could use my other skills. Now, I can also freely swap positions with each clone once."
The exclamations from the crowd grew even louder. The ability to swap positions twice was like gaining two extra lives for an agility-type Spirit Master, solving their biggest problem of survivability during an attack. They couldn't even imagine the chaos of Zhu Zhuqing, and her two clones, all using Netherworld Shadow at the same time. Forget attacking her; it would be impossible to even find her.
As the group celebrated, Dai Mubai and Tang San exchanged a look. They thought about their own Spirit Abilities. Dai Mubai had White Tiger Barrier, White Tiger Light Wave, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and White Tiger Meteor Shower. Tang San had Blue Silver Grass's Binding, Parasite, and Spiderweb Restraint.
The more they thought about it, the more they felt like primitive people. Their abilities were simple and straightforward, with no complex mechanisms or special effects. Then they looked at the girls. Xiao Wu had Teleportation and fifteen seconds of invincibility. Zhu Zhuqing had clones, a teleportation that also attacked and buffed her, and the ability to swap places with her clones. Not only were the girls' abilities mechanically advanced, but their power levels were also absurdly high.
How were they supposed to compete with that?
Spirit Hall, the unparalleled force on the Douluo Continent, was headquartered in the magnificent Spirit City, a sacred place for all Spirit Masters.
Within her private chambers, Bibi Dong was deep in cultivation when she felt a distinct shift inside her body. It was the unmistakable sign of a new life forming in her womb. Her heart seized. She was pregnant again.
Eight years ago, she had been forced into a relationship with her teacher, Qian Xunji, which resulted in the birth of Qian Renxue. Now, after a similar incident just days prior, she was once more with child. Although the circumstances were nearly identical, Bibi Dong's mindset had undergone a complete transformation. Back then, she had seen the child in her womb as a symbol of her shame, something she desperately wanted to be rid of. But now, she felt a profound sense of wonder.
Her relationship with her first daughter was abysmal. Despite her title as the Holy Maiden, Bibi Dong was utterly alone within the grand halls of Spirit Hall. Where she had once desperately wanted to abort her child, she now desperately wanted to protect this one.
The news quickly reached Qian Xunji. When he heard it, his mind went blank13. The last time had been a coincidence. Could this be one as well?
He confronted Bibi Dong. "Dong'er, I expect you to give birth to this child," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If you insist on trying to abort it, you will face the same consequences as before." The Qian family currently had only one junior: Qian Renxue. As he had no formal wife, another child from Bibi Dong—preferably a boy—would secure the family's lineage.
Bibi Dong snorted coldly. "Giving birth is fine, but on one condition."
"I will be the one to name the child," she declared, her voice unyielding. "And regardless of gender, it will absolutely not carry your Qian surname!"
Qian Xunji was stunned. "Bibi Dong, do you have any idea what you're saying?" he snarled. "A child takes its father's name! It will be a Qian!"
"Impossible!" she retorted. "If you try to force me, my current strength is more than enough to abort this child. I will not be controlled by you like last time!" She gently stroked her lower abdomen. "Since this child will be born in Spirit Hall (Wuhun Dian), it will take the surname Wu!"
Just as Qian Xunji was about to erupt, Qian Daoliu's powerful voice echoed in his mind.
"Do not push her now. The birth of the child is what matters most. For now, agree to whatever she asks."
Qian Xunji swallowed his rage and nodded at Bibi Dong. "Alright. It will be as you say. Spirit Hall will provide you with full assistance to ensure you give birth safely."
This time, without any resistance from Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong experienced the warmth of a pampered pregnancy. The food, clothing, and accommodations were all the finest imaginable. Although the care came from Spirit Hall, she attributed it all to the child growing within her, and her love for it deepened with each passing day. She had already chosen names: Wu Dao if it was a boy, and Wu Xiu if it was a girl.
Qian Xunji and Qian Daoliu also eagerly awaited the child's arrival. Regardless of gender, this was a descendant of the Qian family, and their direct line consisted of only the three of them31. The other six Great Priests of Spirit Hall were also excited at the prospect of a new young master or lady.
And then there was Qian Renxu. Her mother disliked her, and her father, the Supreme Pontiff, was always busy34. Her grandfather had time, but he mostly forced her to cultivate. If she could have a younger sister, she would finally have a companion.
Before it was even born, the child had become the pampered darling of Spirit Hall's entire upper echelon.
Eight months passed in a blur38. "My little darling," Bibi Dong would whisper to her growing belly, "Mama has been waiting for you for so long."
Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, and the other Great Priests of the Elder Palace all waited anxiously outside her chambers. The Seven Great Priests rarely left their silent cultivation, but for this birth, they had been standing guard for a week straight.
Guangling Douluo paced nervously. "I'm dying of anxiety! I wonder how it's going. Hasn't the baby been born yet?"
Gold Crocodile Douluo rolled his eyes. "Fifth Brother, you're over ninety years old. Can you try to be a bit more steady?"
Guangling Douluo snorted. "I ask you, are you anxious?"
"...Yes," Gold Crocodile admitted.
"Then that's that, isn't it? And you're still lecturing me."
Inside the room, the midwife knew the child about to be born could one day influence the entire continent. The offspring of Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong—two of the most talented geniuses in the world—was guaranteed to have incredible power. This was the new blood the aging leadership of Spirit Hall desperately needed.
Suddenly, a baby's cry cut through the tense silence50. "It's born!"
A moment later, the midwife ran out, her face flushed with excitement. "Congratulations, Your Holiness! Congratulations, esteemed Priests! Congratulations, Young Lady! It's a girl!"
The group rushed into the room. Bibi Dong was pale from the ordeal, but her eyes shone with pure joy as she looked at the infant in her arms. Wrapped in swaddling clothes was a tiny, pink-cheeked girl.
Ye Yin walked directly to the main gate of the Strength Clan's compound. He gave a slight nod to the nearest guard. "Please inform Tai Tan, patriarch of the Strength Clan, that Ye Yin of Shrek Academy wishes to see him."
The guard, a mountain of a man with eyes like large bells, scanned Ye Yin from head to toe. Compared to the clan's members, the young man before him was slender. He was dressed in a simple academy uniform, and his aura didn't feel particularly powerful. He certainly didn't look like someone who would have business with their patriarch.
With the characteristic bluntness of his clan, the guard's deep voice boomed, "Ye Yin? Never heard of you. The patriarch is busy and doesn't see outsiders. You should leave."
Ye Yin's brow furrowed slightly, but his voice remained even. "I'm here to discuss a matter of cooperation."
"Cooperation?" another guard scoffed. "Kid, do you know how many people show up every day trying to see the patriarch with some excuse? You can't just say 'cooperation' and expect us to let you in. Where's your proof? Our patriarch is an important man; he doesn't have time to meet with some random kid. Now hurry up and leave before you get in our way!"
Ye Yin just shook his head. He knew it wouldn't be that simple. If a mere conversation could open any door, the world would be a far easier place.
"In that case," he said calmly, "I apologize for the intrusion."
Four spirit rings—three purple and one black—erupted from under his feet. The first purple ring glowed, and twelve faint black rays of light shot out, striking the four guards.
The effect was instantaneous and bizarre. The guards felt their bodies betray them in strange ways. One of them immediately lost control of his bowels, soiling his pants. Another dropped to his knees and began retching violently. A third started scratching furiously at his own skin as if he were being swarmed by invisible ants. The last one's legs began to tremble uncontrollably, his entire body shaking as if caught in a freezing wind.
"So, how about it now?" Ye Yin asked, his tone unchanged. "If you won't let me in, I'll have to fight my way in."
The guard with the trembling legs was the only one still standing, though just barely. "You… you… you just wait!" he stammered through chattering teeth. "You'll pay for offending the Strength Clan! I'm going to get the patriarch right now!"
He was the only one of the four who could still move, but his legs felt like jelly. The curse had trapped him in a state of constant, exhausting tremors. There was no pleasure in the sensation, only a deep fatigue that grew with every passing second.
Ye Yin waited patiently. Before long, a figure even more massive than the gate guards emerged from the compound. He had a build similar to Zhao Wuji's, but he stood much taller. It was Tai Tan.
The patriarch frowned as he studied Ye Yin. "Are you the one demanding to see me? You mentioned cooperation?"
Ye Yin didn't answer with words. Instead, he calmly took out the Upgraded Zhuge Divine Crossbow. He aimed it at the thick outer wall of the Strength Clan's compound and pulled the trigger. Six crossbow bolts fired in a rapid burst. With a series of loud cracks, the steel-tipped bolts punched clean through the several-foot-thick wall, embedding themselves deep into the ground of the courtyard on the other side.
In an instant, Tai Tan's gaze shifted from Ye Yin to the weapon in his hand, his eyes shining as if he were looking at a priceless treasure.
"I just need the Strength Clan to help me forge these," Ye Yin said simply.
Tai Tan's stern expression melted away, replaced by a wide, eager smile. "Please, please come in!"
The heavy cast-iron gates were hastily pushed open by the guards. Without another word, Ye Yin stepped into the Strength Clan's residence, the air thick with the scent of hot metal and raw power. He walked past the bewildered guards, crossed the massive training ground, and was led directly into the clan's main reception hall.
Tai Tan's face was still wreathed in a grin. "Young friend, may I have a look at that marvelous creation?"
Ye Yin casually tossed the Upgraded Zhuge Divine Crossbow to him.
Tai Tan examined the crossbow, nodding in appreciation. Then, he applied a bit of force, attempting to disassemble it. The outer casing immediately fell apart into several pieces, but he found himself unable to go any further, stopping short of touching the core components.
"The design of this thing is truly ingenious!" he exclaimed. "Its core structure… even I can't seem to take it apart!"
Ye Yin's expression remained indifferent. Of course you can't, he thought. If it were that easy to disassemble, my upgrade would have been for nothing.
Tai Tan carefully reassembled the external parts he had removed. "Young friend, you mentioned cooperation. What did you have in mind?"
"This item is called the Upgraded Zhuge Divine Crossbow," Ye Yin explained. "I need a large batch of them forged, so I came to you, Patriarch Tai Tan, to propose a partnership."
"Good! Very good!" Tai Tan's voice was filled with a new, profound seriousness. A weapon with such terrifying power could change the standing of blacksmiths forever. "Someone! Bring our finest tea! Young friend, where did this crossbow come from? Do you have the blueprints? Without them, I'm afraid I won't be able to replicate the internal components. There's a powerful anti-disassembly mechanism inside that I can't crack."
He paused, studying Ye Yin intently. "I am considered one of the three Divine Craftsmen in this world. Although I may be the weakest of the three, the others are not much better than me. If I can't bypass this mechanism, it's unlikely they could either. I'm very curious, who was it that designed and built such a masterpiece?"
Ye Yin answered calmly, "The person you're looking for is right in front of you. I crafted it myself. I plan to sell them to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"What!" Tai Tan exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. He once again scrutinized Ye Yin from head to toe, as if seeing him for the first time.
Ye Yin took the crossbow back. In a blur of motion, his fingers expertly worked over the device. In seconds, all the components were laid out on the table, completely disassembled without triggering the anti-disassembly mechanism.
Staring at the table covered in intricate parts, Tai Tan was completely and utterly convinced. He gave Ye Yin a thumbs-up. "This old man is impressed! With all the parts laid out like this, I can definitely replicate them. However, putting them back together is another matter entirely. Young friend, could you teach me? Or perhaps… are the blueprints for this Upgraded Zhuge Divine Crossbow for sale?"
Ye Yin chuckled. "Patriarch Tai Tan, think about what you're asking. If you possessed the blueprints for a weapon like this, would you sell them?"
Tai Tan laughed awkwardly, a hint of red coloring his cheeks. "You're right. This old man was being presumptuous."
Ye Yin didn't press the matter. "Then, Patriarch Tai Tan, why don't you try forging one set first? If your clan can successfully forge all the parts, we can finalize our agreement for cooperation."
Tai Tan nodded eagerly. "Good! I'll have my men prepare immediately. However, I must state beforehand, forging this item will not be easy. The cost for each one will be at least one hundred gold spirit coins. The materials required are all high-grade, so they account for a large portion of the cost."
"Understood," Ye Yin replied calmly. "I will need five hundred of them."
Tai Tan's eyes lit up. Five hundred units meant fifty thousand gold spirit coins in business. If managed well, the profit would be enormous.
Ye Yin followed Tai Tan to the Strength Clan's forging workshop. The massive space echoed with the constant, rhythmic clanging of hammers on steel.
"Young friend, please wait here for a moment," Tai Tan said, his voice filled with renewed energy. "This old man will go and help out. We will have a finished product for you within the hour!"
In Spirit City, the magnificent and sacred heart of the Spirit Hall, a power unrivaled on the Douluo Continent, Bibi Dong was meditating in her private chambers. Suddenly, she felt a subtle but unmistakable shift within her own body. It was a familiar sensation, a feeling of life beginning to gestate within her womb. The signs were too clear to be mistaken.
I'm pregnant again, she thought, a wave of complex emotions washing over her.
Eight years had passed since her teacher, Qian Xunji, had forced himself on her, resulting in the birth of Qian Renxue. Just a few days ago, the same thing had happened, and now, once more, she was with child. But while the circumstances were similar, Bibi Dong's feelings couldn't have been more different. Back then, she had seen the life in her womb as nothing but a bastard child, something she desperately wanted to be rid of.
Now, however, she felt that having this child was a good thing. Her relationship with Qian Renxue was strained and distant. Despite her title as the Holy Maiden, Bibi Dong was largely alone within the vast hierarchy of Spirit Hall. She had fought to abort her first child, but this one, she was desperate to keep.
The news of her pregnancy soon reached Qian Xunji. When he heard it, his mind went blank for a moment. The first time had been a startling coincidence. Could it have happened again?
He confronted Bibi Dong, his expression severe. "Dong'er, I expect you to give birth to this child. If you try to abort it, you will face the same situation as before."
The Qian family line was thin, with only Qian Renxue representing the next generation. He had no formal wife, and if Bibi Dong could give birth to a son, the family's future would be secured.
Bibi Dong met his gaze with a cold snort. "Fine, I'll have the child, but on one condition. I will be the one to name it. And regardless of its gender, it will absolutely not take your surname, Qian!"
Qian Xunji's expression darkened. "Bibi Dong, do you know what you're saying? A child takes its father's surname. It will be a Qian!"
"Impossible!" she shot back without a moment's hesitation. "If you try to force me, you'll find that my strength is more than enough to get rid of this child myself! I won't be controlled by you again like last time."
She gently caressed her lower abdomen, her voice filled with a defiant resolve. "Since this child will be born in Spirit Hall, it will take the surname Wu, in its honor!"
Just as Qian Xunji was about to argue, the voice of his father, Qian Daoliu, echoed in his mind. "Don't argue now. The most important thing is that the child is born. For now, agree to whatever conditions she has."
Qian Xunji took a breath and nodded stiffly at Bibi Dong. "Alright, I'll agree to your terms. Everyone in Spirit Hall will assist you during your pregnancy and help you give birth safely."
This time, without the opposition from Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong was able to experience the care and warmth of pregnancy. She was given the best food, clothing, and living arrangements. While she knew this treatment came from Spirit Hall's leadership, she attributed all of it to the child growing inside her. If not for this baby, she knew they would never treat her so well. Her affection for her unborn child grew stronger with each passing day. She had already decided on a name: Wu Dao if it was a boy, and Wu Xiu if it was a girl.
Qian Xunji and Qian Daoliu were also filled with anticipation. They loved this child immensely, even before its birth. Boy or girl, it was a descendant of the Qian family, a clan that currently consisted of only the three of them—Qian Daoliu, Qian Xunji, and Qian Renxue. The other six great Elders of Spirit Hall were equally excited for the arrival of a new young master or young lady.
And then there was Qian Renxue. Her mother disliked her, and her father, the Supreme Pontiff, was always busy. Her grandfather had time for her, but their time was almost always spent on her cultivation. If she had a younger sister, she thought, she would finally have someone to play with. Even before it was born, the child had become the darling of Spirit Hall's entire upper echelon.
The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. Bibi Dong's belly grew larger with each passing day. She initially maintained a routine of light exercise but eventually chose to be fully cared for as her due date approached.
"My little darling," she would whisper to her stomach, "Mama is waiting for you."
Eight months passed in a flash.
Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, and the great Elders of the Elder Palace all waited anxiously outside Bibi Dong's room. Normally, the Seven Elders would never leave their silent cultivation in the Elder Palace unless there was a matter of extreme importance. But for the birth of this child, all seven of them had been waiting outside the door for a week. Though they knew no one would dare cause trouble in Spirit Hall, they stood guard just in case.
Guangling Douluo paced back and forth, unable to hide his anxiety. "This is killing me! I wonder how it's going in there. How long has it been? Hasn't she given birth yet?"
Gold Crocodile Douluo rolled his eyes at him. "Old Fifth, you're over ninety years old. Can you stop acting like a child and be a bit more patient?"
Guangling Douluo snorted proudly. "I'll ask you, then. Aren't you anxious?"
"Yes, I am," Gold Crocodile admitted.
"Then that settles it, doesn't it? So don't lecture me."
Behind the closed door, a woman with a gentle face lay on the bed, her expression a mixture of shock and exhaustion, her forehead beaded with sweat. Today was the day. It was no exaggeration to say that the child about to be born could influence the future of not just Spirit Hall, but the entire Douluo Continent. Its father was Qian Xunji, and its mother was Bibi Dong—two geniuses with incredibly powerful spirits and immense talent. The child's own talent and spirit would surely be extraordinary, especially with the possibility of inheriting the divine-bestowed Seraphim spirit, which came with innate rank twenty spirit power.
In recent years, many talented individuals had appeared across the continent. Spirit Hall could recruit outsiders, but they were never truly considered one of their own. In the eyes of the elders, their "own people" were just the few standing outside this door and the child about to enter the world. All seven of them were old. The new generation consisted only of Qian Renxue, and they urgently needed new blood to avoid a future power vacuum. Without strength, Spirit Hall would be nothing but an empty shell.
Suddenly, a baby's cry pierced the tense silence.
"It's born! It's born!"
Immediately, the midwife ran out of the room, her face flushed with excitement. "Congratulations, Supreme Pontiff! Congratulations, Elders! Congratulations, Young Lady! It's a girl! A young lady!"
The group quickly entered the room. Bibi Dong, though pale from the delivery, looked down at the bundle in her arms with eyes full of joy. There, wrapped in swaddling clothes, was a tiny, pink-skinned baby girl.