Chapter 205

Because it was the first time controlling the martial soul fusion technique, the Princess Residence suffered severe damage, with many buildings needing reconstruction; Xu Jiu Jiu also took this chance to prepare a new architectural style for the Princess Residence, after all this is her and Shu Yan's home, whatever looks good and feels comfortable is fine, she cares about nothing else.

Shu Yan has been in seclusion lately, and after Xu Jiu Jiu arranged some affairs, she also entered seclusion.

Because of the martial soul fusion technique, her soul power surged to the peak several times, and now there are signs of a breakthrough.

……

Recently the Mingdou Mountains have been unsettled again; the conflicts between the Xingluo and the Sun-Moon nations are hard to reconcile. The Mingdou Mountains are the core of their struggle, and lately, due to various disputes, the armies stationed there have clashed more than once.

Xu Jiawei stared at the huge map on the desk, his expression heavy, then slapped the table. Golden soul power ripples spread outward, forming a ring of gusts, startling the surrounding maids who knelt trembling, fearing they might be implicated.

Three white‑bearded elders beside him gazed at the massive map, pondered briefly, then the one seated in the middle spoke: "Your Majesty, the Mingdou Mountains occupy a special geographic position and are rich in mineral resources, producing dozens of rare ores. The Sun-Moon Empire's production of a steady supply of high‑level Soul Guide Devices depends on these rare ores. In recent years, there have been no fewer than a hundred conflicts of various scales. Yet according to the information relayed by Marshal Dai Hao, the Sun-Moon Empire has deployed large‑scale lethal Soul Guide Devices; our casualties exceed three hundred. This is no longer a simple clash, but more like a provocation."

Xu Jiawei coldly stared at a crimson‑marked circle on the map, was silent for a moment, then said:

"Let them continue their arrogance for a short while; it won't be long. They have no idea what they will face in the future. When the time comes, whether Sun-Moon or Slake, they will all bow beneath the Empire's feet."

The three white‑haired elders saw the resolve in Xu Jiawei's eyes, their thoughts drifting, then the leading elder slowly rose, stepped forward, patted Xu Jiawei's shoulder, and let out a light, aged yet strong chuckle.

"That Jiujiu girl found a good husband, and even us old bones can bask in some glory before we die. Our Xu family has a legacy of ten thousand years; if we can produce a deity in this life, it would be a fulfillment."

Xu Jiawei's expression faltered slightly, but in the end he said nothing.

Shu Yan's ascension to deity is now almost a foregone conclusion, and given Shu Yan's attitude toward his own people, perhaps Xu Jiu Jiu could also overcome the barrier that blocks countless Heavenly Pride's path to heaven and become the first deity in the entire Xingguan Xu family's history? ……

As a massive blood‑red soul ring slowly settled, the seven soul rings that were rising and falling gradually coalesced; when the seventh ring completed absorption, Xu Jiu Jiu's soul power broke through two levels, soaring to level 72.

Su Tong and Ling Luocheng have also been in seclusion recently; they have been training by fusing soul power, and Su Tong absorbed a soul bone. Both their soul powers have increased; now Ling Luocheng has just entered level 69, while Su Tong is at the peak of level 69.

Indeed, Su Tong's cultivation once again overtook Ling Luocheng; the soul bone she absorbed is over 80,000 years old, and its quality is no worse than the one Ling Luocheng took. The massive accumulation of soul power let her surpass him in one leap.

Shu Yan and Xue Di possess many ice‑type soul bones, but lack any of the top‑grade ones; most are of middling quality. Such soul bones naturally aren't given to a few people for absorption; unless necessary, keeping them until a breakthrough is still very useful.

As for the others, the quietly progressing Du Gu Yan has already broken through the Soul Emperor realm; Qian Gu Yueyin's cultivation has entered the Soul Emperor level; Luo Qinghan and Tian Ling are high‑level Soul Kings; Hu Yan Hao, Wang Lin, and Chen Ming are also at the Soul King level. Meng Ning is young and still a Soul Ancestor, but she has dual martial souls; although her second martial soul lacks a soul ring, its combat power is no less than a typical Soul King, and its methods are even more bizarre and unpredictable—clearly showing the terror of the Black Demon.

……

Underground secret chamber.

A faint thread of blood‑chi mingled with the chilling air; the terrifying soul power fluctuations slightly warped the surrounding space. In the next instant, as the soul power abruptly contracted and condensed, a massive hum rang out, followed by the rapid‑shrinking soul power explosively bursting, causing minor damage to the underground chamber, which was built deep below and forged entirely of red‑mixed metal.

Large mottled bloodstains came into view; Shu Yan casually tossed aside his battle‑worn white robe, then put on a brand‑new garment. He wiped the blood from his mouth corner, leaned against the wall and sat slowly. Xue Di's figure materialized out of thin air; she frowned slightly, her expression tinged with pity as she looked at the disheveled Shu Yan, then said:

"This time the situation is somewhat better than last time; it seems my explanation is still effective. The Yin‑Yang complementary method differs from the isotopic resonance method humans can use. The specific requirements are still too difficult for the current, imperfect high‑stage human cultivation system. You should be grateful your body's resilience is high, and your internal life force is inexhaustible. An explosion of this magnitude, if endured by any 98‑level Super Douluo, would cripple them for three to four years. In your case, it's only…"

Shu Yan let out a low sigh, then spat out a mouthful of congealed blood, feeling considerably better.

"Hard to say, but compared with the previous two times, this time I've sensed a hint; it feels like a momentary thing. I have a premonition that I'll succeed soon."

Xue Di leaned down, not at all bothered by the black scorch marks and bloodstains everywhere in the chamber. She reached out and wiped Shu Yan's cheek, then softly said, "You really don't have to push so hard; achieving condensation is only a matter of time for you. I know your body has some issues; at this critical juncture, you often must not be impatient."

Shu Yan grasped Xue Di's hand, then placed it to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss, after which he smiled lightly and said:

"Don't worry about me; it's you, Snow Sister, when did you become as nagging as my mother…?" A faint flush crossed Xue Di's face; she withdrew her hand and said, "Do you think I enjoy nagging you? Considering pros and cons before acting—that's not your usual style. What's wrong, have you changed?"

Shu Yan was silent for a moment, then raised an eyebrow and said, "People always change; on the road of growth, one's temperament shifts due to experiences and different lives, just as Jiujiu said—people like me are born unsuited to wade in the power‑play arena."

"I hold both reverence and contempt for life; it's complex and contradictory. Over these years I've become clearer about the path I wish to walk. Knowing the road ahead naturally compels me to make changes."

Xue Di said no more, and helped Shu Yan out of the chamber. Outside, the women watching the bomb‑smashed Shu Yan showed a hint of worried concern on their faces.

Shu Yan whispered a few words, washed up, then reclined on a lounge chair to rest.

A few water spheres gradually coalesced in midair; fine streams of water washed over Shu Yan's body, slowly erasing his fatigue and reviving his vitality.

Xu Jiu Jiu fed Shu Yan sweet fruit; following his direction, she glanced shyly at the others nearby, then sipped some juice and shyly fed it to Shu Yan.

The women felt a little embarrassed, their faces flushing as they turned their heads. Shu Yan became increasingly absurdly straightforward; now he didn't even want to act. This vast Princess Residence, in other words, is more like Shu Yan's harem.

So they… are not just concubines in the harem?

Alright, Shu Yan actually wanted to say, they are his wings…

Hmm, just afraid to say it out loud and get beaten up…

Su Tong, sitting beside, no longer knew what to say; everyone present, one by one, except Meng Ning, had to call her "sister". Well, she didn't have the courage to do so with Xue Di and Bing Di, but theoretically the relationship was indeed that way.

The group chatted briefly; Xue Di, as usual, said little, while Bing Di was busy stewing with Shu Yan; most topics were sparked by Xu Jiu Jiu and Meng Ning.

Thinking it over, Xu Jiu Jiu said, "A Yan, the participants for this Douluo competition have been finalized; let me tell you."

Shu Yan hummed in acknowledgment, awaiting the details.

"Recently, Luochen and the others fought several matches back and forth with Huang He Yun and their group; the final outcome is clear—Huang He Yun's side conceded defeat wholeheartedly. I had the Crown Prince give them compensation, and they were willing to withdraw voluntarily. However, perhaps due to family elders, they still remain in the academy, and their families have gradually established contacts with the Crown Prince's people, mostly to show loyalty."

"As for the current team, I remain the captain, with Su Tong as vice‑captain. Luochen, A Yan, Yueyin, Luo Qinghan, and Meng Ning are members; others who meet the age and cultivation requirements, such as Huang He Yun's group, are substitutes. What do you think?"

Shu Yan didn't see any major issue, and casually asked, "A Ning, also wants to join?"

Meng Ning, hearing this, excitedly nodded and said, "Brother, I want to join!"

Meng Ning's current soul power level is 47. In the past year she refined the remaining potency of eight petals of the Immortal Orchid, and with a soul bone gifted by Shu Yan, her soul power rose greatly. Moreover, over the past year her temperament has changed; the little girl wants to take the stage to showcase herself, and Shu Yan has no reason to refuse.

Seeing Shu Yan nod, Meng Ning was first delighted, then hesitated a moment before saying eagerly, "Brother, I want to add a soul ring to my Heaven Star Furnace martial soul."

"Not allowed, no discussion."

Shu Yan glanced at the little girl, then rejected her without mercy.

Just kidding, given Meng Ning's current bodily limit, the soul rings she can absorb are roughly between twenty‑thousand and thirty‑thousand years old. Shu Yan's requirement is that the second martial soul's soul ring must be at least fifty‑thousand years old; later he'll find her a suitable hundred‑thousand‑year soul beast to become a soul spirit, allowing her to possess four to five hundred‑thousand‑year soul rings.

Now wanting to have the second martial soul absorb a soul ring, Shu Yan thought she was just itching for it…

……

(End of chapter)