Yin Zhang, Yun Shan, and Hu Liena rode the Golden Sacred Dragon. With the support of Yin Zhang's inexhaustible soul power, the three crossed vast distances and returned to Spirit Hall territory in barely a single day.
During the journey, Hu Liena's cultivation broke through to Rank 40.
With Yin Zhang's assistance, they searched through a dense forest and soon located a bewitching Nine-Tailed Fox that was just over ten thousand years old. After killing it, Hu Liena absorbed its soul ring and gained a mental-type soul skill.
Her soul power surged again, rising directly to Rank 42.
This result was not difficult to understand.
The fundamental difference between a ten-thousand-year soul ring and those of ten, hundred, or thousand years lay in one crucial factor—the residual soul power and spiritual imprint of the slain soul beast. That power attached itself to the soul ring, and upon absorption, it directly interfered with the Soul Master's mind.
For an ordinary Soul Master, lacking strong spiritual power, attempting to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring at Rank 40 would be nothing short of suicide.
But Hu Liena was different.
Her martial soul itself was a mental-type fox, and all her previous soul rings had strengthened spiritual abilities. In addition, she had consumed the Mental Strength Pearl Yin Zhang had obtained from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, greatly reinforcing her spiritual foundation. Her first soul skill, Foxfire Charm Kill, had already undergone a qualitative leap.
Under these circumstances, absorbing the soul ring of a bewitching Nine-Tailed Fox—a soul beast perfectly aligned with her martial soul—was not only safe, but unusually smooth.
In fact, the process was even easier than absorbing her previous three soul rings.
---
Wuhun City
After entering Wuhun City, the three parted ways.
Yin Zhang needed to return to the Hall of Offerings to report his safe return to his teacher, Golden Crocodile Douluo, and the other enshrined elders. At the same time, he would formally introduce Yun Shan into the Hall of Offerings.
With Rank 97 soul power, Yun Shan was more than qualified.
After all, the minimum requirement to become an enshrined elder was Rank 96—and strength ultimately spoke louder than rules.
There was even an unwritten rule within the Hall of Offerings:
If one reached Rank 98 and possessed sufficient combat strength, they could challenge the existing elders and directly rank above the four Rank-97 elders such as Qingluan and Qianjun, becoming one of the top three, second only to Qian Daoliu and Jin E.
Yun Shan might not be able to defeat Qian Daoliu or Jin E—both Rank-99 Limit Douluos—but overcoming the other elders posed little difficulty.
And more importantly, Yin Zhang's influence within Spirit Hall was already unquestionable.
"Nana, go back first," Yin Zhang said softly to Hu Liena. "Let your teacher know you're safe. Something major will happen in a few days—don't get involved."
Hu Liena nodded without hesitation.
"Alright, Xiao Zhang. Be careful. I'm heading back now."
She naturally understood what Yin Zhang was referring to, but she neither asked nor commented, turning and walking toward the Papal Palace.
At this time, Bibi Dong should still be handling official affairs.
Yin Zhang watched Hu Liena's retreating figure for a moment, then turned to Yun Shan.
"Elder Yun Shan, come with me to the Hall of Offerings. I'll introduce you to the enshrined elders—and to my teacher."
Yun Shan's expression immediately became solemn.
"Your Highness, rest assured. I will treat your teacher with the utmost respect."
Even so, deep in his heart, Yun Shan placed Yin Zhang above all others—including himself.
Yin Zhang nodded slightly.
He summoned his martial soul, the Fire-Breathing Dragon, while Yun Shan condensed six light-blue wings from wind element energy and followed closely behind.
The two released their auras—not aggressively, but unmistakably. For experts at the Title Douluo level, the presence was impossible to ignore.
---
Papal Palace
Inside the palace, Bibi Dong felt a surge of joy upon seeing Hu Liena return safely—though she hid it well.
To her, Hu Liena leaving Spirit Hall without permission alongside Yin Zhang was a blatant provocation. Even though she cherished her disciple deeply, she still intended to reprimand her a little.
But just as she was about to speak, two powerful auras swept past the Papal Palace, heading straight toward the Hall of Offerings.
One aura was unfathomable.
The other made Bibi Dong's pupils contract sharply.
An unfamiliar Rank-97 Title Douluo?
Bibi Dong was stunned.
Across the entire Douluo Continent, aside from Spirit Hall itself, there were almost no Title Douluos at this level.
And the second aura…
It felt strangely familiar.
She turned to Hu Liena and asked coldly, "Nana, who did you return with? Was it Yin Zhang?"
Hu Liena answered honestly. There was no point in hiding it.
"Yes, Teacher. I came back with Brother Zhang."
"Brother Zhang?"
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed slightly, a chill silently spreading through the hall.
Hu Liena sensed it clearly but said nothing, only lowering her head and adopting a slightly pitiful expression.
Bibi Dong sighed inwardly and waved her hand.
"I'll deal with you later. Tell me—when Yin Zhang returned, did he bring anyone else with him?"
Hu Liena nodded.
"Yes. Besides Brother Zhang and me, there was one more person."
Just as Bibi Dong was about to ask further, she suddenly noticed something wrong.
Hu Liena's aura was completely different from before she left Wuhun City.
Her expression changed.
"Nana," Bibi Dong asked sharply, "what is your soul power level now?"
The aura Hu Liena was emitting clearly belonged to a Soul Ancestor—yet only a few months had passed!
Even Bibi Dong, who possessed twin martial souls, was momentarily shaken.
Hu Liena answered without concealment.
"Teacher, my soul power is now Rank 42. When we left, I was Rank 39. I broke through on the way back, and then Brother Zhang and Elder Yun Shan helped me hunt a ten-thousand-year bewitching Nine-Tailed Fox. Because it was a ten-thousand-year soul ring, my soul power directly rose two levels."
Bibi Dong instantly caught the name Yun Shan—but for the moment, even that was overshadowed by her shock.
Her gaze locked onto Hu Liena.
A ten-thousand-year soul ring.
At Rank 40.
And successful absorption.
At this moment, even Bibi Dong could no longer remain calm.
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