Chapter 106: Spirit City

At this moment Xue Qinghe had fully returned to his previous state and instead smiled: "Xiao Xiong, I was indeed a bit out of line just now; after all, such a powerful Title Douluo is truly rare to see, especially since this person even has a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Ring, which is the supreme treasure of the Soul Master World."

"Teacher, that person just now looked so powerful—could it really be a prodigy from the Clear Sky Sect?"

Ning Rongrong also showed a hint of confusion: "Dad, how could that person be so formidable? I saw the ambushing Title Douluo repelled by a single strike from him."

Ning Fengzhi was silent for a while before speaking: "Xue Qinghe, Xiao Xiong, Rong Rong, the person who just arrived is Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect from back then, whose talent was outstanding, a genius who never emerged, and also the youngest recorded Title Douluo in existing records."

"However, some events occurred back then; Tang Hao was expelled from the Clear Sky Sect, so you should be especially careful when you encounter him in the future."

Xue Qinghe nodded: "The Clear Sky Hammer is indeed formidable, especially his Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Ring, which is incredibly shocking. It was my first time seeing a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Ring, so I was a bit out of line just now."

Seeing Xue Qinghe return to his original state, Yang Xiong couldn't help but glare at him: "This guy can really act; no wonder he stayed hidden for so long without being discovered."

After night fell, all the carriages gathered together, while hundreds of knights guarded the perimeter.

Yang Xiong then secretly approached Lin Gong: "Teacher Lin, I have a small matter I'd like you to help with; after it's done, I will repay you greatly."

Lin Gong was a bit puzzled: "What could you, little brat, possibly need? This Spirit City is treacherous all the way; without me by your side, aren't you afraid you'll truly fall? At that time, the Sword Douluo might not be able to look after you, after all he is tasked with protecting Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong."

Yang Xiong laughed: "It's just Spirit City, right? We are making such a big show, even with the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, nothing could possibly go wrong."

Lin Gong was silent for a while before speaking: "This Spirit City is more fraught with danger than you imagine, especially with top experts constantly emerging. Even I wouldn't dare get involved lightly. If you truly make a showing, they might target you next time."

"You didn't see that kid Tang San in your team? It's precisely because his talent is so outstanding that it attracted the killing intent of the Spirit Hall."

Yang Xiong said: "At least I'm a sect disciple; as long as I don't act recklessly, the Sect Leader and others should keep me safe. However, this matter is indeed urgent, and now I can only trust you, so I would like Teacher Lin to handle it personally."

Lin Gong was also puzzled, wondering what matter required this Soul Douluo to act personally, and he seemed extremely anxious.

Without further words, Yang Xiong handed Lin Gong a map and an envelope: "Teacher Lin, this matter is of utmost importance. After it's done, don't return to Spirit City; go straight back to the sect, and we will meet inside the sect."

"Of course, if the matter is impossible, then there's no need to worry about it."

Lin Gong clearly saw Yang Xiong's emphasis on this matter; after taking the envelope and map, he left the place without informing anyone.

When they returned to the carriage, Ning Rongrong was still playing with Zhu Zhuqing and the others; inside the carriage were only Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo.

Ning Fengzhi seemed to know of Lin Gong's departure, but said nothing the whole time, silently reading a book, while the Sword Douluo continued to sit with eyes closed, cultivating.

Just as Yang Xiong was about to meditate, Ning Fengzhi suddenly spoke: "Xiao Xiong, I don't know what your attitude toward Tang San and Yu Xiaogang is, but they both come from the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; unless it's a critical moment, we have no need to become hostile."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Sect Leader, you're overthinking; how could I get into conflict with them?"

Ning Fengzhi self‑mocked: "Xiao Xiong, I know you strive to be strong and dislike my evasive attitude toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Clear Sky Sect, but the Spirit Hall is powerful now; without allies, my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would likely be at a standstill."

Yang Xiong thought carefully: "Sect Leader, we ultimately still need to strengthen ourselves; can the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan actually give us any help?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "It's not a matter of that kind of help; the Clear Sky Sect once gave rise to the Clear Sky Twin Stars. If not for the conflict with the Spirit Hall, their fame might still surpass ours. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, though only supported by Yu Yuanzhen's struggling effort, also produced the Blue Lightning Twin Stars, which may yet rise again."

"If the top three sects fight each other, it will only drain our own strength, and the Spirit Hall will be the one that benefits."

Yang Xiong nodded: "Sect Leader, I understand. I won't initiate conflict with anyone, but when it's my turn, I won't back down, even with anyone, without exception."

Ning Fengzhi said: "I know you felt aggrieved being sent to Shrek for schooling; at least in this Soul Master Competition, with your strength, you would be the most honored presence in any team, yet you barely participated in the advancement tournament."

Yang Xiong smiled calmly: "Sect Leader, you should know I don't care about such honors; I just want to cultivate peacefully. Regarding the team, I will do my part when needed, though with some reservation. At least I consider myself now a qualified team member and student, contributing quite a bit to the team."

Ning Fengzhi nodded: "I understand. Perhaps I shouldn't have let you enter the Shrek vortex; after this Soul Master Competition, I won't interfere with your cultivation plan any longer."

"Of course, there's one more thing: my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is not inferior to any other sect; you can strive for it, and the sect will always be your backing."

Yang Xiong felt a surge of joy: "Thank you, Sect Leader, for your support!"

……

A few days later, they finally arrived at Spirit City.

However, during this period another small incident occurred: Xiao Wu, after the team's previous attack, managed within a few days of cultivation to breakthrough to the Soul Ancestor realm.

Liu Erlong was extremely delighted, taking Xiao Wu alone to the nearby Soul Beast Forest to obtain a Soul Ring, and her Fourth Soul Skill is Invincible Golden Body.

Whether Liu Erlong or the other team members, everyone was extremely delighted; thus the whole team now had a full seven Soul Ancestors, including Yang Xiong, the formidable top‑level Soul Elder, and especially Xiao Wu, who possesses the divine skill Invincible Golden Body, which will greatly aid the team in the future.

When they arrived at Spirit City, everyone let out a sigh of relief; at least within Spirit City they wouldn't encounter enemy ambushes, making Spirit City arguably the safest place in the world.

Especially after a long journey, having spent over ten days on the carriage, they finally had a place to settle.

The entire Spirit City is built atop a high mountain, featuring a towering hexagonal wall each side dozens of meters high, adorned with exquisite murals; notably, at the center of Spirit City stands a massive Angel Statue, visible clearly even from afar.

In terms of scale, Spirit City cannot compare to Heaven Dou City, but being built on a mountainside makes it evidently easy to defend and hard to attack; the walls are extremely sturdy, using many special materials, resembling a work of art.

Moreover, Spirit City's guards are extremely strict, with patrol soldiers everywhere, and these soldiers happen to all be Soul Masters, seemingly with high Soul Power Levels.

Although Yang Xiong couldn't help but marvel at the Spirit Hall's formidable strength; even palace guards might not all be Soul Masters. These Soul Masters appear extremely strict yet devout, underscoring the Spirit Hall's influence in the Soul Master World.

Stepping into Spirit City, Yang Xiong felt as if a special power enveloped him, making his whole being more ethereal, as if a certain belief had been added.

However, others didn't feel it as distinctly as Yang Xiong; perhaps it's due to the uniqueness of his own martial soul.

And Yu Xiaogang, who had vanished since the end of the advancement tournament, suddenly reappeared, though looking rather despondent, as if he had grown considerably older.

Yang Xiong guessed Yu Xiaogang must have gone alone to find Bibidong, seeking the cultivation method for the twin divine martial souls, but it seemed Bibidong no longer cherished those old feelings.

After resting in Spirit City for a full three days, the continent‑wide High‑level Soul Master Elite Competition Grand Finals officially began.

A total of thirty‑three teams entered the Grand Finals, including fifteen teams from the Tiandou Region and Xing Luo Region, plus three seeded teams: Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team, Star Luo Royal Academy Team, and the Spirit Hall Team.

All matches comprised five rounds; in the first round the three seeded teams had byes, in the second round the first‑place qualifiers from the Two Great Empires had byes, in the third round the second‑place qualifiers from the Two Great Empires had byes, and by the fourth round no team had a bye.

When the fourth round ended, three teams emerged to enter the fifth round, the three finalists of the competition.

The final three, after individual and team contests, fought for the ultimate champion; the championship demands are extremely high, especially since there is only one day of rest between each round, making the schedule very intense.

Yu Xiaogang and Flanders still organized a full mobilization, and even Crown Prince Xue Qinghe personally stepped forward; after all, this represents the Heaven Dou Empire in the battle.

However, compared to the Second Team, Oscar and Qin Shuang of the First Team appeared extremely dejected; although they could easily advance to the second round, it was clear that once they appeared they would lose, perhaps even suffer a crushing defeat, which would damage the Heaven Dou Empire's image.

The team was still arranged by Tang San, but after further coordination and changes, a seven‑member main lineup was reestablished, including Tang San, Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Yang Xiong, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong.

The Shi Brothers, though strong in defense, are not as agile offensively compared to Xiao Wu; especially Xiao Wu's Fourth Soul Skill, Invincible Golden Body, is extremely powerful, surpassing many defense‑type soul skills by a good margin.

After such a long period of verification, a single defense‑type Soul Ancestor's contribution to the team is actually less than the support from Ning Rongrong, this top‑level Soul Elder.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is a premium support‑type martial soul; although Ning Rongrong is only Level 36, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda provides very strong support, greatly enhancing everyone, and Ning Rongrong's Divided Mind Control has been cultivated to the Five Apertures Scattered Heart, allowing simultaneous assistance to five people.

Ning Rongrong is now a Soul Elder, possessing three augmenting soul skills that can increase strength, speed, and soul power respectively, each boosting its attribute by forty percent, making the team's overall enhancement terrifyingly high.

Of course, the team also includes another support Soul Master, Ye Lingling, but Ye Lingling mainly focuses on healing and lacks such strong combat augmentation attributes.

As for Xiao Wu, even Yang Xiong found it odd; how could a normal rabbit martial soul possibly give rise to the skill Invincible Golden Body, which is extremely rare, and even top Defense System Soul Grandmasters might not possess it.

After some adjustments, Yang Xiong became a Defense System Soul Grandmaster again and once more fell to the back of the team.

Of course, Yang Xiong also gave Ning Rongrong countless admonitions, telling her that no matter how dangerous it gets, she must not reveal the Eight Spider Spirit Bone; this battle attracted great public attention, and Ning Rongrong's Eight Spider Spirit Bone has not fully merged, which could invite others' covetous eyes.

(End of Chapter)