While Yang Xiong was refining his body within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the outside world was in an uproar.
Inside a magnificent golden hall of the Spirit Hall, countless people with extremely powerful auras stood, and the atmosphere was tense.
At the center, upon a grand throne, sat an extraordinarily noble-looking woman,Pope Bibi Dong.
Below her sat all the elders of the Spirit Hall, while those standing were red-clad cardinals, each at least at the Contra level or higher.
A flamboyant man in golden armor bowed to Bibi Dong and said, "Your Holiness, according to the latest information, we found many corpses of Elephant Armored Sect disciples in the Sunset Forest. Because of the forest environment, only a small portion of their remains were left, so the exact cause of death cannot be determined."
Bibi Dong's expression was solemn. "Where is Hu Yanzhen? Last time, he only feigned an attack, so no one should have targeted him deliberately. Besides, with Hu Yanzhen's level 89 strength, apart from a Title Douluo, no one should be able to do anything to him. In the Sunset Forest, there shouldn't be soul beasts strong enough to kill him either."
The flamboyant man was Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, one of Bibi Dong's most loyal followers.
Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "After our investigation, whether it's Yu Yuanzhen, Sword Douluo, or Bone Douluo, all have been within their sects recently. They shouldn't have attacked Hu Yanzhen.
"But in recent years, the Elephant Armored Sect has been extremely unlucky. Back in the Star Dou Forest, they were attacked by two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. Now Hu Yanzhen has vanished without a trace in the Sunset Forest,he may have been attacked by soul beasts again."
Everyone's lips twitched at this. The Elephant Armored Sect was truly unfortunate,it seemed top-tier soul beasts only targeted them. Last time they lost several Contras, and now their sect master had disappeared.
Chrysanthemum Douluo continued, "Now that the Elephant Armored Sect has lost 80% of its high-level strength, their support for us will be affected, and their own status may even be threatened. With their current top-level power, they can no longer maintain their position among the Four Lower Sects."
Bibi Dong's face darkened. "Alive or dead, we must find Hu Yanzhen. Elder Yue, you will personally go to the Sunset Forest to investigate. Is there anything else?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated, then said reluctantly, "Your Holiness, in recent years, the Four Lower Sects have had great difficulties. The Elephant Armored Sect has suffered heavy casualties, while the Black Tiger Sect, Holy Dragon Sect, and Wind Sword Sect have been suppressed by the Star Luo royal family. Even some medium-sized sects that secretly sided with us have been targeted.
"Judging by the current situation, the strength of the Four Lower Sects has been weakened. I wonder if the Star Luo royal family already knows about our plan to win them over."
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with anger. "So the Star Luo Emperor dares to obstruct the Spirit Hall's development without me even provoking him? He's courting death!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, "Your Holiness, with the Four Lower Sects' support now very limited, should we still proceed with the plan?"
Bibi Dong's eyes grew cold. "Of course. If we don't remove these thorns in our side, our future plans will still be hindered. With the strength of the Spirit Hall, even without their support, completing our plan will be effortless."
The entire soul master world was in an uproar, with many people trying to confirm the situation of the Elephant Armored Sect.
The sect had always been domineering, offending many people. Now that Hu Yanzhen was dead and their strength crippled, many were ready to kick them while they were down.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong was having a great time at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well,either soaking in the spring to cultivate or testing his combat strength by sparring with Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi was a battle maniac, passionate about both fighting and alchemy, with unique insights into offensive combat. His Breaking Soul Spear was a top-tier weapon-type martial soul, incredibly powerful.
Every time Yang Xiong fought with Yang Wudi, his offensive skills improved noticeably.
Though Yang Xiong had mainly trained in fist techniques and swordsmanship, he now found himself fascinated by spear techniques.
If swordsmanship emphasized agility and precision, spear techniques were more forceful, domineering, and unstoppable,sometimes even stronger.
In terms of combat power, Yang Xiong was still slightly behind Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi's attacks were extremely fast and reckless, and even Yang Xiong often suffered losses against him,his vaunted defenses were even broken several times.
As for Dugu Bo, though his poison was ineffective against Yang Xiong, he was both an offense and control type. Yang Xiong, being a close-combat soul master, was often at a disadvantage, ending each match disheveled and ridiculed.
Dugu Bo's eccentric personality made him particularly displeased with Yang Xiong, so after each fight they would bicker like children.
Recently, Yang Xiong discovered something alarming,his cultivation speed had slowed down significantly.
After absorbing the hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone, he felt his strength soar, his every movement brimming with power. This was one reason he dared to face Hu Yanzhen head-on.
His self-created Yin-Yang Meditation Method was becoming increasingly refined and operated faster, circulating endlessly within his body, constantly improving him.
However, his spirit power growth had slowed greatly. Normally, he could advance four or five levels a year, especially in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well where cultivation speed was much faster.
Now, however, his progress was turtle-paced, barely improving each month,far from his speed after his second awakening.
On the other hand, his physical strength kept increasing rapidly. In terms of raw power, he might already surpass Dugu Bo,a Title Douluo who could normally crush anyone below his level.
This made Dugu Bo often complain that Yang Xiong's body was monstrous,he had never seen such disproportionate strength to spirit power.
Yang Xiong also noticed that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had a strange pull on him. But no matter how hard he tried to dive into its depths, some force blocked his way.
After countless attempts, he gave up, suspecting his spirit power level wasn't high enough to reach its true core.
After a month and a half there, Yang Xiong and Yang Wudi left. Yang Wudi had to return to Cloud Mist Mountain to handle clan matters.
From his research into his body and recalling events from the original work, Yang Xiong concluded that years of continuously absorbing strength-type spirit rings far beyond his limits had given him the ultimate strength attribute.
That explained his slow cultivation speed but rapid physical power growth.
After leaving the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Yang Xiong parted with Yang Wudi. Sect affairs could be handled by Yang Wudi; he himself intended to continue training outside and take care of some personal matters.
He first went to Heaven Dou City. With less than a year before the so-called Spirit Hunting Operation, there was much to prepare in advance,otherwise, once it began, things would be too hectic.
Upon arriving, Yang Xiong headed straight to the residence of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
The palace guards were strict, but Yang Xiong had been there many times with Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong, so he knew the way well.
Showing Xue Qinghe's token, he was immediately welcomed inside.
In the reception hall, Xue Qinghe still appeared calm and unbothered by outside affairs.
Xue Qinghe smiled. "Brother Yang Xiong, what brings you to my palace today? It's been three years since you last visited."
Yang Xiong smiled. "Brother Qinghe, my apologies. I've been too busy lately. I just returned from training outside, and you were the first I came to see."
Xue Qinghe said, "So you've missed me, have you? You wouldn't come here on your own unless the teacher had some arrangement, would you?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "This has nothing to do with the sect master,I came for a personal matter."
Xue Qinghe looked curious. "That's strange. What could trouble you? We're brothers, so speak freely."
Yang Xiong was silent for a moment before saying, "Brother Qinghe, I'd like to borrow something from you. Given your status, it should be an easy matter."
Xue Qinghe said, "Go ahead. The teacher has shown me great kindness, and you are one of his closest people. I'll do what I can."
Yang Xiong said without hesitation, "I've heard the Heaven Dou Empire's Vast Sea Cosmic Barrier is mysterious beyond compare. Could you lend it to me to examine?"
Xue Qinghe's expression changed instantly. "You want to borrow the Vast Sea Cosmic Barrier, the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure? That's impossible. It's kept by my father himself. Even as crown prince, I can't get it."
Yang Xiong smiled. "You're too modest, Brother Qinghe. In the Heaven Dou Empire, you are second only to one person and above all others. Is there really anything you can't access?"
Xue Qinghe shook his head. "You flatter me. As crown prince, my position is delicate. Even before my father, I must be careful. The Vast Sea Cosmic Barrier is too important. If you truly wish to borrow it, it's best to have our teacher ask. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's relationship with the royal family, my father might agree."
Yang Xiong inwardly mocked this fake prince,did he really believe he was the real crown prince, defending the Heaven Dou royal family so fiercely?
If you want to read 40 advanced chapters and 3 new chapters daily, please subscribe to my : patreon.com/Moorowkeel