"Hahaha, I'm truly amazing!"
Jin Yue'er looked at the destruction she had caused and laughed heartily, her demeanor utterly arrogant.
Crack!
"Yue'er, don't get too full of yourself. You're only at the 29th level—one spear thrust is all it would take to knock you down."
Seeing Jin Yue'er's arrogant expression, Qian Renxue rarely made a joke. She held the Fire Tipped Spear given by Ye Tian, aiming it playfully at Jin Yue'er's head.
"Sister Xue wouldn't really do that."
Not showing the slightest fear, Jin Yue'er instead turned to look at Dugu Yan, who had just stood up, and said with a smile:
"Little sister Yan Yan, how does it feel to have your Martial Soul evolve?"
"It feels wonderful!"
Dugu Yan nodded, her face filled with excitement.
"Soon I'll be able to obtain a Spirit Ring and become a true Soul Master!"
At that moment,
Ye Tian stood up and said with a smile, "That's right, you'll soon become a true Soul Master. But before that, the first thing you need to do is concentrate the serpent venom within your body into that Inner Core."
As he spoke, Ye Tian stepped forward.
He already held a large porcelain bottle in his hand, filled with small crimson pills.
Nearly eighty to ninety pills in total.
Approaching Dugu Yan, Ye Tian bent down and handed her the bottle, advising gently, "Although the serpent venom in your body isn't as severe as that of Senior Dugu and the others, you still need these pills. They will cleanse the serpent venom you've carried since birth."
"Thank you, big brother~"
Dugu Yan nodded slightly, a shy smile on her face.
Her eyes were filled with gratitude as she looked at Ye Tian.
"Haha, you've really said that many times already. There's no need to keep repeating it."
Ye Tian laughed and ruffled Dugu Yan's beautiful hair.
"Mmm~"
Dugu Yan nodded obediently,
She sniffed lightly with her small nose, secretly inhaling the pill fragrance that surrounded Ye Tian.
A faint flush appeared on her delicate, petite face.
While stroking Dugu Yan's head, Ye Tian turned his gaze to Dugu Bo and reminded softly, "By the way, Senior Dugu, regarding Yan Yan's process of eliminating the serpent venom from her body, I'm afraid you'll need to pay extra attention to prevent any accidents."
"Thank you for the reminder, young friend Ye Tian. Yan Yan is my granddaughter, so naturally I will stay by her side throughout this process."
Dugu Bo responded seriously.
When facing Ye Tian, he clearly showed more respect for a powerful expert than before.
Prior to this,
even though Ye Tian was the disciple of the current Spirit Hall Saintess, the future disciple of the Spirit Hall Pope, or potentially the Spirit Hall Saint Child—and even though his first and second Soul Skills could lay a solid, terrifying foundation for any faction—
Dugu Bo never thought he would become Pope.
However, after witnessing Ye Tian's third Soul Skill and seeing the weapons he created himself!
Dugu Bo couldn't help but feel some doubt stirring within him.
Was it truly impossible for someone who wasn't a Battle Soul Master to become the Spirit Hall Pope? Previously, the answer to this question seemed to be a definite yes.
But who could have imagined that Ye Tian, a support-type Soul Master, could have a Third Soul Skill comparable to a Soul Emperor's Sixth Soul Skill? Even more unimaginable was that with just a slight effort, Ye Tian could enable ordinary people without Soul Power to easily obtain strength sufficient to rival—or even kill—a Soul Emperor!
Ye Tian had already shattered too many impossibilities, making even Dugu Bo, a Soul Douluo, dare not treat this young man lightly.
"Yes, yes, we will definitely keep a close watch on Yan Yan's condition."
As soon as Dugu Bo finished speaking,
Dugu Xin eagerly stepped forward, giving Ye Tian a thumbs-up.
"Brother Ye Tian, you've been so attentive to our Dugu Family's affairs, considering every aspect. Our Dugu Family will never forget your great kindness!"
"..."
Ye Tian merely responded with a light smile.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. His deep concern for the Dugu Family certainly wasn't without ulterior motives—though his intentions had shifted.
Pulling Dugu Bo into the Spirit Hall at this point wouldn't be particularly useful.
It would be better to have the Dugu Family serve him directly.
This way, when handling certain matters, he could bypass Bi Bi Dong.
More importantly, Ye Tian was still hesitating—
Should he establish a pill exchange to conveniently gather medicinal ingredients from across the land?
Setting aside other considerations,
Pill trading was a highly profitable industry in any world!
"Indeed! If you ever need our assistance in the future, young friend Ye Tian, our Dugu Family will certainly not refuse!"
Dugu Bo suddenly bowed to Ye Tian.
Witnessing this scene,
Qian Renxue and Jin Yue'er's eyes lit up instantly—
It seemed Ye Tian had achieved his goal, successfully bringing the Dugu Family under his wing!
But contrary to their expectations, Ye Tian didn't ask Dugu Bo to join the Spirit Hall. Instead, he shook his head with a smile.
"Let's talk about the future when it comes."
"For now, we should leave Sunset Forest and return to Heaven Dou City."
"??!"
Qian Renxue was taken aback.
Jin Yue'er also looked bewildered.
"Huh? We're going back already?"
"Otherwise? There's nothing left to do here, right? Since we've made the trip, why not explore Heaven Dou City?"
Ye Tian shrugged with a laugh.
He hadn't yet refined enough of the blood-red pills, so this was a good opportunity to experience the local culture of Heaven Dou City.
"Shopping? Great, great!"
Carefree as ever, Jin Yue'er immediately cast aside her doubts, brimming with excitement as she exclaimed eagerly,
"I wanted to go shopping when we arrived!"
Meanwhile, Dugu Xin's expression shifted oddly. Exchanging a glance with Dugu Yan, who had just broken through to level ten, he cautiously reminded, "Um... Brother Ye Tian, we still need to conduct a Soul Hunt for Yan Yan. Perhaps you and Your Excellency should return first?"
"Brother Dugu, there's no need to rush. It might be better to wait a while before conducting the Soul Hunt for your daughter."
Ye Tian smiled meaningfully.
He wasn't in a hurry to recruit Dugu Bo—after all, he still had other cards to play.
"??!"
Utterly confused, Dugu Xin looked toward Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo keenly sensed that Ye Tian's words carried deeper implications.
His dark green eyebrows slightly raised,
As if realizing something, his pupils contracted sharply!
His green eyes quickly scanned Ye Tian, Qian Renxue, and Jin Yue'er, his face lighting up with excitement as he hastily agreed.
"Alright!"
"As the young friend suggests, we shall return to Heaven Dou City so our Dugu Family may fulfill our duties as hosts."
"..."
Dugu Xin remained dazed and utterly confused.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan had calmed down. Since Ye Tian said so, he must have his reasons. Perhaps he wanted her to obtain a Thousand-Year Spirit Ring too?
Dugu Yan pursed her red lips, lost in fantasy.
"In that case, we'll be imposing on you for several days."
Ye Tian smiled and turned to look at Qian Renxue and the others.
"Xue Er, Your Excellency, it's time we left this place."
"Grandpa, get up quickly! We're leaving!"
Jin Yue'er immediately urged Golden Crocodile Douluo, already eager to depart.
"Very well!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded. He had no intention of interfering with whatever Ye Tian planned to do. Given Ye Tian's status and connections, there was no reason for him to act against the Qian Family or the Spirit Hall.
"Xiao Tian, shall I take you out?"
Qian Renxue put away her Fire Tipped Spear and quickly ran to Ye Tian's side, wrapping her arms around his. A slight smile played on her lips as she had already guessed his intentions.
Whale Jelly was undoubtedly a treasure to those unaware of its existence!
"Sure!"
Ye Tian agreed with a laugh.
Before the words fully left his mouth, Qian Renxue eagerly threw herself into his arms, shyly murmuring, "Then let's take off in this position!"
Hum—!
Golden light burst from Qian Renxue as six snow-white wings tinged with gold unfurled.
"Senior Dugu, if you please!"
"No problem, Your Highness. Feel free to take off. This old man will disperse the poison mist immediately."
Dugu Bo wasn't sure how to address Qian Renxue, but given her status, calling her "Your Highness" couldn't possibly be wrong.
"Wait, Xue Er—"
Ye Tian tried to stop her, but his feet left the ground against his will.
Helpless, and to spare his back the strain, Ye Tian had no choice but to hold Qian Renxue tightly, feeling like crying but having no tears.
When taking off, he still preferred facing away from her...
"Haha... Grandpa, let's catch up quickly! Go, go—"
Jin Yue'er's excited voice pierced through the poison mist's barrier even faster than Qian Renxue and Ye Tian. By the time everyone had left the valley, the Serpentine Venom Array slowly closed once more.
"Xue Er, could you flip me over instead?"
Ye Tian pleaded miserably. With Qian Renxue holding him horizontally, he had no idea what to do with his legs.
"Pfft—"
Qian Renxue giggled, her beautiful face flushing crimson. Despite her shyness, she wasn't willing to waste this intimate opportunity and flatly refused, "No. If you're tired, I'll allow you to wrap your legs around me."
"Xue Er, do you realize you're being a rogue?"
"Hmph! You've called me a rogue ever since I was little whenever I got close to you. What's one more time?"
Qian Renxue held Ye Tian tightly, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Uh— alright then..."
Ye Tian opened his mouth but gave up struggling. After all, Qian Renxue couldn't carry him for long. It was better to travel on foot after leaving Sunset Forest, as flying would only attract unnecessary attention.
——
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Following the Clear Sky School's expulsion of Tang Hao and his son, another earth-shattering news rocked the entire Soul Master Realm!
The Clear Sky School had been beaten into a hasty retreat by the Spirit Hall, abandoning all their assets and subordinate forces to withdraw entirely back into their mountain stronghold.
And they publicly announced:
From this day forward, they would no longer involve themselves in any matters of the Soul Master Realm, nor would any Clear Sky School disciples roam the Soul Master Realm, completely sealing their mountain and closing their sect!
Just after the Clear Sky School announced the sealing of their mountain and closing of their sect,
the Spirit Hall's offensive came to an abrupt halt.
The majority of their forces turned to cleaning up the battlefield, counting and taking over the various assets seized from the Clear Sky School, while the remaining minority continued to hunt down the affiliated forces abandoned by the Clear Sky School!
"Damn it!"
"The Clear Sky School—what a righteous and unyielding Clear Sky School they are!"
Within the encirclement,
Yang Wudi gripped his Soul Piercing Spear, his entire body battered and disheveled, the flames of hatred in his eyes nearly bursting forth.
"To actually use the lives of our Four Great Clans to exchange for the lives of their Clear Sky School disciples!"
"How despicable—!"
Niu Gao, standing back-to-back with Yang Wudi, reminded him, "Old Goat, you should say less and save your strength to deal with the Spirit Hall."
As he spoke, a bitter smile appeared on his face.
"Haha... The Heart Clan must be suffering even more than we are!"
"..."
Yang Wudi did not respond,
instead looking at the Swallow-tailed Swift Soul Masters scattering in all directions, each trying to break through the encirclement.
Niu Gao was right—even toward their own relatives, the Clear Sky School could be so heartless! After all, Bai He's sister was the mother of the current Clear Sky School leader, Tang Xiao!
Yang Wudi stopped cursing and instead asked Niu Gao, "Old Rhino, have you seen Wushuang on the battlefield?"
"Your brother? I haven't seen him in a long time."
Niu Gao shook his head.
Boom—!
The earth shook as a giant gorilla roared furiously on the battlefield.
"Old Goat, given the situation, if he's been separated, I'm afraid the odds are against him. I advise you not to wait any longer. Let's join forces and break through together... When our master returns, he will surely make the Spirit Hall pay!"
"Enough! Old Gorilla, don't mention anyone from the Clear Sky School in front of me again!"
Yang Wudi roared in anger.
"From now on, my Breaking Clan and the Clear Sky School are sworn enemies!"
"..."
"Report—!"
Outside the encirclement, several miles away in a town.
A Red Cardinal hurried into the main hall, bowing as he reported, "Holy Maiden, the Clear Sky School's affiliated forces are attempting to break through the encirclement!"
"Break through?"
Bi Bi Dong propped her head up, slightly lifting her eyelids as she thought for a moment before casually saying, "Since they want to live, open a small gap for them... Don't push them too far. Things have already reached this point, understand?"
"Yes! This subordinate will arrange it immediately..."
"Go ahead."
Bi Bi Dong waved her hand, watching the departing Red Cardinal.
A look of deep disdain spread across her face.
The progression of the war had been almost exactly as she had imagined—Qian Daoliu had ultimately given up on wiping out the Clear Sky School completely. After conveying Qian Daoliu's intentions, the two elders Qianjun and Xiangmo had left the front lines, leaving the aftermath of the war entirely in her hands.
Under these circumstances,
with the war already declared a resounding victory,
as the next Pope, she had no reason to cause unnecessary sacrifices.
Even a cornered dog will bite...
"It's about time for me to set off and return to Spirit Hall City. That kid Ye Tian should have returned long ago, right? And that child..."
Bi Bi Dong pushed herself up from the table.
Thinking of Ye Tian, she couldn't help but think of Qian Renxue as well.
Could she temporarily set aside her hatred for her father's killer?
Bi Bi Dong didn't know.
She wouldn't pay too much attention to it, as long as she didn't harbor any ill intentions toward Ye Tian.
With this thought,
Bi Bi Dong immediately issued a command to the outside.
"Pass the order!"
"Notify Elder Chrysanthemum and Elder Ghost to tally all prisoners from this battle and await further instructions outside!"