Just as Tianmeng Iceworm had said, replenishing the energy of the ten golden soul rings around him took him less than three days.
He absorbed forty-three of the last forty-five stalks of Ten-thousand-year Mysterious Ice Marrow, leaving two remaining.
After Ye Guyi completed fusing with the head soul bone of the Demon Soul Great White Shark King, Xu Zihuang returned to the Douluo plane, retrieved the remaining two stalks of Ten-thousand-year Mysterious Ice Marrow from the undead semi-plane, and stored them inside the Huanglong Space.
Due to the restrictions of plane laws, he could not connect to the Huanglong Space while inside the undead semi-plane. In other words, both Ye Guyi's undead semi-plane and his Huanglong Space could only connect to the Douluo plane.
Ye Guyi's fusion with the soul bone took relatively longer, about seven days in total.
As early as five months ago, when assassinating Xu Tianran, Ye Guyi had already received soul power feedback from killing a considerable number of high-level evil soul masters. Combined with five months of cultivation and the gradually manifesting effects of the Lovesick Heartbroken Red, before fusing the soul bone, her soul power cultivation had already reached level seventy-seven.
During this fusion of the Demon Soul Great White Shark King's head soul bone, she naturally and smoothly broke through two more levels, advancing to level seventy-nine. She was now only one step away from the level-eighty bottleneck.
Not only that, but Ye Guyi's spiritual power also underwent an essential sublimation. It had leaped from the initial stage of tangible but formless to approaching the level of tangible and formed.
Although the Sacred Angel martial soul provided strong amplification to spiritual power, she was not a pure spiritual-attribute soul master after all, and could not directly step into the tangible and formed realm like Xu Zihuang. Still, the amplification brought by the Demon Soul Great White Shark King's head soul bone was already quite considerable.
Moreover, the two soul bone skills granted by the Demon Soul Great White Shark King's head soul bone were both spiritual-attribute soul skills, with absolutely no attribute conflict. One was a range-control spiritual soul skill, and the other was a range-attack spiritual soul skill. The two perfectly complemented each other and were highly compatible with her Sacred Angel martial soul abilities.
On the very day Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi finished these matters, they headed north at full speed and entered the territory of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Unlike the Star Luo Empire, which had the natural barrier of the Mingdou Mountain Range to defend against invasion from the Sun Moon Empire, the border between the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Sun Moon Empire was almost completely without natural defenses.
In some border cities of the Heavenly Soul Empire, one could clearly sense the murderous intent hidden beneath the calm surface. All signs indicated that war was approaching. The only question was when it would erupt.
What made Xu Zihuang feel fortunate was that he now possessed the strength to influence the course of the war to a certain extent. After more than ten years of patience, this was exactly the moment he had been waiting for.
With such thoughts in mind, traveling at full speed, Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi returned to Shrek Academy that very afternoon.
Shrek Academy, Sea God's Island.
Entering late autumn, the once verdant Sea God's Island inevitably became dotted with large patches of withered yellow. The autumn wind, carrying a slight chill, blew head-on, stirring up clear ripples that shattered the golden-red tree reflections on the surface of Sea God Lake.
A massive golden eye-pupil light shadow appeared without warning in the space above Sea God Pavilion, blooming with dazzling radiance that distorted the surrounding space for thousands of meters.
The inner court students and teachers who noticed the anomaly above Sea God's Island almost simultaneously looked upward. Naturally, the elders of Sea God Pavilion were also alarmed.
When Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi stepped outside by side from the void where the golden pupil light shadow was located, a crowd of figures had already gathered on the open ground in front of Sea God Pavilion. Leading them was Elder Xuan and the other elders.
Facing the eager gazes of Elder Xuan and the others, Xu Zihuang smiled and respectfully bowed.
"Elder Xuan, esteemed elders, I have returned."
"Good, good, good!" Elder Xuan nodded excitedly, his white beard trembling slightly. Thousands of words in his heart ultimately condensed into a relieved sigh.
"It's good that you're back."
As long as Yu Tianhuang returned safely, no matter whether the Sun Moon Empire launched a war or how the situation on the continent developed, Shrek Academy's future status could never be shaken.
With the future number-one expert on the continent overseeing it, who would dare show no fear?
The other elders also completely relaxed, their aged faces blooming with gratified smiles.
"This era ultimately belongs to the young." Elder Song sighed kindly, then continued, "Since Tianhuang has returned, we old fellows no longer have anything to worry about. Everyone, disperse."
Under Elder Song's lead, the elders understandingly left the space to Xu Zihuang, Ye Guyi, and Elder Xuan.
Ye Guyi stepped forward and said to Elder Xuan, "Elder Xuan, next I wish to enter secluded cultivation in the underground world of Sea God Pavilion to break through the level-eighty bottleneck."
"Guyi, I remember five months ago, your soul power was still at level seventy-seven. How did you reach the level-eighty bottleneck so quickly?" Only now noticing Ye Guyi's exact soul power level, Elder Xuan couldn't help raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Tianhuang brought me an extremely high-quality soul bone this time he returned. As for the specifics, let him explain it to you." Ye Guyi replied seriously, then looked at Xu Zihuang with genuine emotion.
"This cultivation will likely take quite a while. After this, go to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Don't let Ning Tian worry anymore."
This was the first time Ye Guyi had proactively pushed Xu Zihuang toward another woman, showing just how much she acknowledged Ning Tian.
"Don't worry, I will. After speaking with Elder Xuan about some matters, I'll set off for the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect immediately." Xu Zihuang nodded solemnly.
Ye Guyi's advancement in cultivation was undoubtedly good news for Shrek Academy. Elder Xuan naturally would not refuse her request. With a wave of his right hand, he mobilized the power of the Golden Tree and sent Ye Guyi into the underground world of Sea God Pavilion.
Although Elder Xuan's cultivation was not as high as Elder Mu's, limiting his control over spatial power, with the Golden Tree's assistance, he could still perform spatial transfer.
"Guyi, go ahead."
Ye Guyi walked familiarly into the first room on the rightmost passage. This was the same place she had used for secluded cultivation last time.
The room was only about a dozen square meters in size. Countless roots hung down from the ceiling, nearly covering the walls and corners. All of these roots were golden yellow, the roots of the Golden Tree.
The light element inside the room was so dense that it was nearly liquid. Bright aura continuously merged into Ye Guyi's body.
Ye Guyi sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion. With a flash of light, she took out a jade box from her Thunder Dragon Ring. Inside the jade box lay the pristine, jade-white Primordial Chaos Immortal Grass.
Her cool gaze fell upon the Primordial Chaos Immortal Grass in her hand, and her eyes gradually became resolute.
"Zihuang…"
This time, Ye Guyi's secluded cultivation was not only to break through the level-eighty bottleneck; the main purpose was to use the Primordial Chaos Immortal Grass together with the effects of the Lovesick Heartbroken Red inside her body to condense a soul core in one go. Only then could she truly become Xu Zihuang's support and assistance in the future.
On the other side, Elder Xuan personally led Xu Zihuang into the main hall on the first floor of Sea God Pavilion.
Elder Xuan sat at the head of the long table and, with a smiling face, gestured for Xu Zihuang to sit on his right.
"Tianhuang, you sit too."
"Yes, Elder Xuan." Xu Zihuang did not refuse and sat down calmly.
Elder Xuan's expression was somewhat emotional. He shook his head with a wry smile.
"I originally thought that Lexuan and Xiaotao were already once-in-a-century geniuses of our academy, but ever since meeting you and Guyi… Guyi is only twenty-two, yet she has already reached the level-eighty bottleneck ahead of Xiaotao. It's no wonder Xiaotao felt the pressure and chose to go out for training."
"Senior Sister Xiaotao left the academy again?" Xu Zihuang immediately frowned slightly.
Ma Xiaotao's personality made her too prone to causing trouble; she might end up being targeted by the evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Cult. Fortunately, she had already resolved the evil fire issue inside her body, so she should not end up with the same fate as in his previous life's memories.
Elder Xuan nodded helplessly.
"Xiaotao left the academy during the period when you went to Mingdu for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Youth Tournament. Before Elder Mu passed away, he once divined for her and said she would encounter a calamity in her fate. But once she overcame it, her future path would be smooth and unobstructed. It seems the calamity Elder Mu spoke of was precisely the evil fire problem."
At this point, Elder Xuan suddenly changed the subject, his gaze becoming fervent.
"Let's not talk about Xiaotao for now. Tianhuang, what exactly is your current soul power rank?"
Ever since Yu Tianhuang broke through to Soul Saint, he had discovered that even with his ninety-eighth level Super Douluo cultivation, he could no longer see through him. Today, he finally found the opportunity to voice the doubt in his heart.
"I was quite lucky and gained some opportunities in these five months." Xu Zihuang smiled faintly and said calmly, "Not long ago, I just broke through to level seventy-seven."
Upon hearing Xu Zihuang's words, Elder Xuan's expression instantly froze. His hands unconsciously clenched, showing just how unsettled his mood was.
"Level seventy-seven?!"
A not-yet-eighteen-year-old level-seventy-seven Soul Saint was simply too shocking. Even someone as prodigiously talented as Elder Mu back in the day, with all kinds of cultivation resources and opportunities, had only just touched the level-seventy bottleneck at eighteen.
Most importantly, Yu Tianhuang possessed an ultimate-attribute martial soul. After breaking through to Soul Saint, his soul power cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds.
Within ten years, he would surely be able to attempt breaking through to the Title Douluo realm.
A Title Douluo with a golden-level body martial soul and an ultimate martial soul, what kind of terrifying existence would that be? Even one who had just broken through to Title Douluo would likely be able to contend with a Limit Douluo.
Elder Xuan stared at Xu Zihuang with blazing eyes and said gravely, "Tianhuang, before Elder Mu passed away, he gave instructions. The moment you break through to Title Douluo, he hopes you will take over the position of Sea God Pavilion Master. From this moment on, you will bypass Shaozhe and officially become the sole successor to the next Sea God Pavilion Master."
"Elder Xuan, I will certainly not disappoint Elder Mu's expectations." Although Xu Zihuang said this, there was not much emotional fluctuation. He had never coveted the position of Sea God Pavilion Master.
However, these words were not false. He was simply honoring his promise to Elder Mu to protect Shrek Academy.
Only after he unified the continent and eliminated the drawbacks of Shrek Academy could the academy continue to inherit and develop more stably.
Elder Xuan took a deep breath and, with gratification, reached out his right hand to pat Xu Zihuang's shoulder.
"Alright, Tianhuang, you go now. I won't say much more. I believe you understand your limits. Ning Tian is a good girl; don't let her down. Go to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and meet her elders. In the future, the two of you supporting each other will surely stand at the pinnacle of the continent."
"You're not going to ask about what happened to me in these five months?" Now it was Xu Zihuang's turn to be surprised.
Elder Xuan laughed freely.
"Just as Elder Mu said back then, everyone has their own opportunities. Why dig into the roots? As long as you return safely, that's enough. But since you mentioned it, there is actually one thing I do want to ask."
"Wang Qiu'er should have returned with you, right? Why didn't I see her come back to the academy?"
Xu Zihuang's gaze slightly condensed, and his expression changed faintly as he replied, "She probably went home."
Elder Xuan seemed to sense something from Xu Zihuang's facial expression, but did not press further.
Afterward, Xu Zihuang withdrew from the main hall on the first floor of Sea God Pavilion. Standing outside Sea God Pavilion, he bowed once more, this time not to Elder Xuan, but to Elder Mu, whose soul resided within the Golden Tree.
Earlier, he had sensed Elder Mu's soul aura.
But not long after Xu Zihuang left Sea God Pavilion, the golden trident mark on his brow that had been dormant once again emerged.
As if echoing the golden trident mark, the Golden Tree flashed in the void and stretched out its branches and leaves.
Elder Xuan stood up abruptly with a face full of shock. At the same time, specks of brilliant golden light gathered beside him, forming a faint human figure—it was none other than Elder Mu.
Elder Mu's aged eyes were filled with gratification and kindness. He murmured,
"Sea God inheritance… It's actually the Sea God's inheritance. I never expected that Tianhuang would already receive the favor of a divine being…"
"Elder Mu, your foresight is still as sharp as ever." Elder Xuan said excitedly to Elder Mu beside him.
Elder Mu sighed with melancholy.
"If I truly had such discerning eyes, I wouldn't have let Lexuan make that promise back then. Xuanzi, from what you told me last time, Lexuan's background should indeed be related to the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family. Her martial soul was inherited from her mother, and the reason her family suffered extermination was probably because of this."
"Remember, do not stop Lexuan from investigating her own origins. We only need to know that she is a member of the academy, that's enough…"
After saying this, Elder Mu's figure disappeared from the spot, turning into specks of golden light that merged back into the Golden Tree.
Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang, who had also sensed the abnormality of the golden trident mark on his brow, had eyes filled with icy coldness.
"Tang San, no matter how you scheme against me, you are destined to fail!"
Calming his inner emotions, Xu Zihuang once again used his spiritual power to precisely locate Tang Ya.
In a two-story wooden pavilion on the west side of Sea God's Island.
Tang Ya, who had just finished cultivating, was sitting on the balcony gazing at the distant Sea God Lake, lost in thought.
The form-fitting blue training outfit accentuated her graceful curves, and her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall over her fragrant shoulders.
Tang Ya had been cultivating in her room earlier and was one of the few who had not noticed the golden pupil anomaly. Ever since Jiang Nannan left the academy, she always felt the pavilion was empty, and her mood was often low.
Although their personalities were vastly different, she could always see a reflection of herself in Jiang Nannan.
If she hadn't met Beibei, her fate might not have been much better than Jiang Nannan's. And Yu Tianhuang, over these years, had really helped her a lot.
Just as Tang Ya was thinking of Xu Zihuang, his figure silently appeared in front of her.
Tang Ya's beautiful phoenix eyes refocused, and she couldn't help exclaiming loudly, "Tianhuang?!"
"It's me, Senior Sister Xiaoya. I just returned to the academy today." Xu Zihuang smiled warmly in greeting, then directly took out a section of crystal-clear Blue Silver Emperor vine from his chest and handed it to Tang Ya.
"This is a Blue Silver Emperor vine I obtained by chance. I think it should be able to help you, Senior Sister Xiaoya."
Tang Ya could no longer stay calm. She gripped the Blue Silver Emperor tightly, her delicate body trembling. After searching bitterly with Beibei for so many years, the Blue Silver Emperor had come to her just like this, giving her a dreamlike feeling.
"This is the Blue Silver Emperor?"
Tang Ya could clearly sense the rich life aura contained within the Blue Silver Emperor; even the bloodline in her body was faintly stirred.
Xu Zihuang was about to bid farewell to Tang Ya when the recovered Tang Ya, overwhelmed with excitement, suddenly hugged him tightly, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, Tianhuang! I really don't know how to thank you enough."
A moment later, Tang Ya seemed to realize her earlier action was a bit over the line. Her pretty face flushed slightly as she stammered,
"Tianhuang, don't… don't misunderstand. Also, don't tell Beibei about this. If he finds out, his jealousy jar will definitely overturn again."
"I understand, Senior Sister Xiaoya. I'll be going now. I still need to go to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to find Ning Tian." Xu Zihuang smiled as usual. Space twisted, and his figure disappeared without a trace, as if he had never been there, leaving behind no aura whatsoever.
Tang Ya was still the same as when they first met, but in the future, perhaps one day, they too would stand on opposite sides.
Not just Tang Ya, Xu Sanshi, Beibei, Ma Xiaotao, and all these familiar people, even Elder Xuan and the elders of Sea God Pavilion.
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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