Chapter 267: Returning Home

After everyone returned to Hanhai City, besides a sigh of emotion, they also noticed that Hanhai City had undergone a considerable change.

Previously Hanhai City was relatively loose; the Sea Soul Masters lived freely, with little competition.

However, this time after returning to Hanhai City, the number of Soul Masters there had increased significantly compared to before; in addition to the original Sea Soul Masters, there were now many Land Spirit Masters as well, and the atmosphere seemed unusually tense.

Yang Xiong and his eight companions didn't bother with all that for the moment; they went straight to a large hotel and happily ate the land's delicacies.

Life on Sea God Island was decent, but the staple foods were essentially Sea Soul Beasts and seafood, with hardly any land Soul Beast meat; seafood, though nourishing, became a bit greasy if overindulged.

After everyone ate heartily, a middle‑aged man entered the room that Yang Xiong had booked for them.

This man was a steward of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; after Yang Xiong contributed the use of Whale Glue to the sect, Ning Fengzhi decided to set up a small outpost on Sea God Island, mainly to handle Whale Glue procurement and to monitor the situation in Hanhai City.

After Yang Xiong's party left Hanhai City by sea, Ning Fengzhi arranged personnel to keep an eye on their situation at all times and be ready to provide support.

The middle‑aged steward bowed unusually respectfully: "Miss, I'm Lin Yi; the Sect Leader has instructed me to await your word at any time, ready to follow your commands."

Ning Rongrong appeared unusually poised: "Steward Lin, how is the situation on the continent now, and how is the sect faring?"

Lin Yi hurriedly replied: "Miss, during the years you were away, the continent has fallen into chaos, though the sect itself remains relatively stable."

The others were taken aback, and their expressions turned serious.

Through Lin Yi's briefing, they learned that in recent years the Spirit Hall no longer exists, having become the Spirit Empire, with Bibidong as the Empire's first Emperor.

Especially in recent years the Spirit Empire has expanded aggressively; beyond the original Spirit City it has seized all the small and large duchies and kingdoms, and also taken two provinces of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. In sheer land area, the Spirit Empire is no longer inferior to those two empires.

The three great empires have stationed millions of troops at the borders, and a large‑scale war could break out at any moment.

The Spirit Empire's Soul Master Corps has exerted tremendous pressure on the two great empires; even if those empires continue to develop, the disparity in Soul Master power remains huge.

The Spirit Empire recalled all Archbishops and stewards of the two great empires, shut down every subsidiary hall of the Spirit Hall, and now the two empires have no personnel to assist ordinary people in Spirit awakening.

This has drawn strong public opinion in the two empires, and the empires themselves lack enough Soul Masters to specialize in awakening people.

Facing the Spirit Empire's heavy pressure, both the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect dispatched some Soul Masters to the front lines; however, compared with the Spirit Empire's ten‑thousand‑person Soul Master Corps, the disparity is too great, so the two great empires can only rely on massive armies for defense.

Of course, Lin Yi also described the current state of the Body Sect; in recent years the Body Sect has kept a low profile, operating around Thunderclap Gorge, but in the face of the Spirit Empire's offensive it has had to send some personnel to the front, albeit in relatively small numbers.

……

After Lin Yi finished presenting all the information, Ning Rongrong's face showed a hint of worry.

"Xiao Xiongzi, why don't we head back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect now? I'm still a bit worried about dad and the others."

Yang Xiong nodded: "Alright, the continent's situation is chaotic, but for our two great sects the impact won't be severe for now; I'm also a bit worried about my parents."

"We'll first return to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; I also plan to discuss the current developments with the Sect Leader, and after that head back to the Body Sect."

The others, though concerned about their families, all agreed to go back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect first.

……

The eight of them did not hesitate nor take a carriage; they sprinted back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and at their pace they were certainly faster than a carriage.

About four days later, everyone had returned to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and only then did they all sigh in relief.

Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong were the first to meet Ning Fengzhi, while the others were all assigned by Yang Wei and Qin Shuang to settle in first.

Ning Fengzhi saw Yang Xiong and the others return, his face full of delight.

"Rong Rong, Xiao Xiong, you've finally come back. It seems your years on Sea God Island were decent; your progress has been huge."

Ning Rongrong beamed with pride: "Dad, Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, Rong Rong's progress has been massive these years; now Rong Rong is an Eighty‑Nine Level Douluo."

After speaking, Ning Rongrong displayed her martial soul, revealing two purple and six black soul rings; even Jian Douluo and Gu Douluo were delighted by her condition.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect originally had only Ning Fengzhi as a Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and now with Ning Rongrong added, the sect's strength has greatly increased.

Especially since Ning Rongrong is already at Eighty‑Nine Level, she is very close to becoming a Title Douluo; soon she may become a Title Douluo of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, truly the unrivaled number‑one Support Soul Master in the world, a rare support‑type Title Douluo.

Jian Douluo, Gu Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi all cared for Ning Rongrong with great affection and excitement, surrounding her with endless smiles; Jian Douluo especially offered comforting words.

The group, excited, chatted for a long while before beginning to discuss the current situation on Douluo Continent.

Ning Fengzhi then grew a bit solemn: "Xiao Xiong, the Spirit Empire is now ambitious; with their strength, once they defeat the two great empires they could sweep them aside, and if they then turn on us we'll have no way to fight back."

Yang Xiong asked, puzzled: "Sect Leader, what are your plans now?"

Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before speaking: "The war between the Spirit Empire and the two great empires is about to erupt; large‑scale clashes have already appeared on the front, and a full‑blown war is imminent."

"But the two great empires have had no contact so far; the region where they once bordered has been cut off by the Spirit Empire. Now even the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Star Luo Imperial Family find it difficult to interact. Some have suggested the two empires must cooperate against the Spirit Empire, but concrete cooperation likely requires the Emperor Xue Ye and the Emperor Xing Luo Da Di to meet."

Yang Xiong asked, puzzled: "The two empires have long harbored grudges; if the Xing Luo Da Di and the Xue Ye truly meet, the venue would likely be within the Spirit Empire's territory—aren't they afraid of being trapped?"

Ning Fengzhi replied helplessly: "We're at a critical juncture; if the two empires don't cooperate they'll be picked apart by the Spirit Empire. Given their past disputes, unless the two emperors meet, neither side will feel comfortable proceeding with cooperation."

"Moreover, under the current circumstances, given the hatred between my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Empire, joining the war is inevitable; after all, the Spirit Empire suffered huge losses in the previous Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect battle, and it will never let us go."

Yang Xiong thought for a moment before speaking: "The two great empires indeed need to cooperate; whether it's the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect or the Body Sect, joining the war is inevitable. However, we could initially commit only a portion of our forces, and unleash a large‑scale effort at the crucial moment. If we enter the war too early, the battlefield may drain our strength without limit."

"By the way, Sect Leader, what is the Clear Sky Sect's stance now, are they planning to join the war?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded: "The Clear Sky Sect's hatred toward the Spirit Empire exceeds even ours; Tang Lie is already on the front lines, and Tang Xiao has also approached me, hoping that the Clear Sky Sect and all the top talents of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will go to the front, which can truly deter the Spirit Empire."

"Of course, Tang Xiao also spoke with me, hoping your Body Sect will also join the war; after all, many of your members hold blood feuds with the Spirit Hall, and the Spirit Empire will not spare any forces that resist it."

Yang Xiong nodded: "Joining the war is fine, but I need to consider the exact timing and how many personnel to commit. Our Body Sect has only just been founded, its foundation is far weaker than the top three sects, and there are many internal matters to handle, especially I may need to redeploy the Thunderclap Gorge."

Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment before saying: "Very well, the matter is indeed huge; when the time comes the three of us will meet and discuss. I think Tang Xiao and Tang Hao should be very willing."

"By the way, Xiao Xiong, aren't you already Level 90? What are your plans for your Ninth Soul Ring?"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "My Ninth Soul Ring already has a target, but it won't happen that soon; I still need to make other preparations."

Ning Fengzhi laughed: "I know you're always calculating; if the Ninth Soul Ring's target turns out too formidable, Jian Shu and Gu Shu can both lend a hand. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect now has some foundation, so Jian Shu and Gu Shu leaving together won't cause much impact."

……

After seeing Ning Fengzhi, Yang Xiong finally returned to his own home.

Father Yang Lin and mother Sun Yu were unusually delighted; a Title Douluo‑level powerhouse had appeared in the family, truly marking the clan's rise.

However, looking at father Yang Lin, he seemed even more pleased with elder brother Yang Wei's changes and growth.

Now elder brother Yang Wei is also a Douluo‑level powerhouse; the family's inherited martial soul iron sword has surprisingly cultivated to Douluo level, and with such inheritance perhaps they can become a truly mighty Soul Master clan.

Especially, Yang Wei's soul rings now consist of two yellow, two purple, three black and one red; he possesses a hundred‑thousand‑year eighth soul ring, and even already has a Ninth Soul Ring on his body, awaiting Level 90 to absorb it himself. In the future he will surely reach Super Douluo rank, which essentially fulfills the foundation for a Soul Master family.

Father Yang Lin and mother Sun Yu are very concerned about the elder brother's marriage, especially mother Sun Yu, who is eager to introduce a girl to Yang Wei.

(End of chapter)