Chapter 221: Xiao Wu's Sacrifice

Entering the majestic main hall, the civil and military officials were already standing within.

Shi Quan and Zhu Zhuqing followed Xue Qinghe to stand in the position below the throne, but Dugu Bo did not stand by Shi Quan's side, instead standing beside Xue Xing, who was opposite Shi Quan.

This action also signaled to the civil and military officials present that Dugu Bo did not support Xue Qinghe.

"Greetings, Emperor."

Soon, Xue Ye the Great arrived in the main hall and sat down; Shi Quan also followed the crowd in bowing to Xue Ye the Great.

Xue Ye the Great looked at Shi Quan with a smile, "Master Shi, it has been a long time. I heard from Qinghe that Master Shi will soon head to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain a Soul Ring. The Empire can prepare a hunting team for you to assist you in hunting a Spirit Beast with all its might. I wonder if Master Shi requires this?"

Shi Quan bowed with a smile and said, "I appreciate the Emperor's kind intentions, but for this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, Grandpa Dugu will accompany me, so there is no need to trouble the Emperor."

Xue Ye the Great nodded, "Very well. Master Shi has contributed the Zhou Tian Cultivation Method to the Empire this time, making a huge contribution. I wonder what kind of reward Master Shi would like?"

Shi Quan smiled and said, "Your subordinate has recently become very interested in Soul Guidance Devices. Soul Guidance Devices have a wide range of uses; if one could research combat-type Soul Guidance Devices specifically for Spirit Masters, it would surely be of great benefit to Spirit Masters and even the entire Empire."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye the Great laughed heartily, "Master Shi is truly a pillar of the nation; everything you do is for the country and the people. Since Master Shi is interested in Soul Guidance Devices, I naturally cannot be stingy. There are many Soul Guidance Devices in the Imperial Treasury; you may borrow any of them for research, and the Empire will provide all the necessary materials."

"Your subordinate thanks the Emperor." Upon hearing this, a smile appeared at the corner of Shi Quan's mouth.

"In addition, I confer upon Master Shi the title of Duke, reward you with ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, and from now on, you are exempt from kneeling."

"Thank you, Emperor." Upon hearing this, Shi Quan bowed once more.

With Shi Quan's rewards concluded, the rest of the matters in the imperial court were just trifles. As the saying goes, report if there is business, or dismiss the court if there is none.

The morning court session ended very quickly.

"Brother Shi, come with me."

Seeing Shi Quan's gaze, Xue Qinghe naturally understood and led Shi Quan toward the Imperial Treasury.

Under Xue Qinghe's guidance, the group of four soon arrived at a heavily guarded hall.

"Brother Shi, wait a moment. I will order someone to retrieve it for you."

Even Crown Prince Xue Qinghe could not enter or leave the Imperial Treasury at will; those who could enter and leave were absolute loyalists of the Heaven Dou Empire, absolute death-sworn guards.

To take items out of the Imperial Treasury, besides Xue Ye the Great himself, one must have the Soul Hunting Permit of Xue Ye the Great.

Even with the permit, one still could not enter the Imperial Treasury; only the guards of the treasury could enter.

They could only wait outside.

After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, an attendant finally arrived before the four of them carrying a brocade tray, which was covered with a layer of red cloth.

Shi Quan looked at the brocade tray with burning eyes and lifted the red cloth.

Instantly, the entire bedchamber was enveloped in intense treasure light.

It was an extremely strange object, entirely crystalline blue in color and in the shape of a three-dimensional triangle. The whole thing seemed to be carved from sapphire and was only the size of a palm. Within the crystalline blue light, treasure light swirled, and strange energy fluctuations constantly emanated from it. On this blue triangular body, water-like ripples undulated; these patterns did not look like they were carved on, but rather as if they were alive, with circles of blue light flashing, reflecting a faint treasure light throughout the bedchamber.

"Is this the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?" Shi Quan narrowed his eyes, looking it up and down.

Dugu Bo, standing to the side, also showed a look of amazement. He had heard the name of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, but this was his first time seeing it. With such a sight, it was truly worthy of being a national treasure.

The reason Xue Ye the Great agreed to let Shi Quan borrow the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, besides Shi Quan's personal strength, was primarily Shi Quan's terrifying intelligence.

The cultivation methods Shi Quan created were too shocking; the Small Heavenly Cycle Cultivation Method and Zhou Tian Cultivation Method would bring a qualitative improvement to the strength of the entire Empire.

To be so young and able to successively create the New Extreme Soul Ring Theory, plus these two cultivation methods.

This made Shi Quan's influence reach a terrifying level throughout the entire Spirit Master world.

If Shi Quan could really research combat-oriented Soul Guidance Devices, the Empire would directly possess the power to contend with any force.

Moreover, these Soul Guidance Devices were just sitting there anyway; using such items to win over Shi Quan's future potential was absolutely worth more than the cost.

Furthermore, it was only a loan; if Shi Quan were to fall or fade away in the future, he could reclaim it under the guise of it being a loan.

For the Empire, there was no loss.

Shi Quan raised his hand and grabbed the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, and the familiar voice of the system rang out in his mind.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining the special item Haichenzhixin, triggering a Plunder Treasure Chest."

"Ding, detected that the host has successfully placed Xiao Wu under house arrest; you can trigger a Plunder Treasure Chest again. Would you like to integrate and trigger the Plunder Treasure Chests?"

"Yes!"

Shi Quan answered without hesitation.

"It really worked," Shi Quan thought to himself.

Soon he would know what kind of good things could be opened from the integrated treasure chest.

He put the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud into his Hundred Treasure Bag.

The purpose of this trip had been achieved, and Shi Quan did not intend to stay in the imperial palace for long.

When leaving, Xue Qinghe accompanied Shi Quan all the way to the palace gate.

"Brother Shi, I wish you a smooth journey and that you obtain a satisfactory Soul Ring."

Shi Quan nodded toward Xue Qinghe and waved goodbye.

After bidding farewell to Xue Qinghe, Shi Quan returned directly to the Sunset Forest with Dugu Bo and Zhu Zhuqing.

Upon returning to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the three first returned to the cave at the bottom of the spring to confirm that Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan were still absorbing their soul bones, before returning to the outside of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Shi Quan..."

A gaunt and sallow Xiao Wu appeared before the three of them. As soon as they met, she began to viciously curse at Shi Quan.

Shi Quan's expression was indifferent upon hearing this. He raised his right hand, and the next second, powerful Mental Power manifested as a phantom dragon shadow behind Shi Quan.

"Phantom Spirit Tsukuyomi!"

Xiao Wu's expression immediately became sluggish.

In the blood-colored illusion space, Xiao Wu discovered in horror that she had been trapped on a cross, unable to move her limbs.

Countless phantoms appeared all around, and every phantom was herself.

And standing in front of every phantom was a person—it was Shi Quan.

Xiao Wu wanted to open her mouth to speak, but found she could not make a sound at all.

Shi Quan held a sharp blade, cutting into her flesh and blood; the immense physical and mental pain caused Xiao Wu's expression to twist, and despite her frantic struggling, she could not move even the slightest bit.

Outside.

In an instant, Xiao Wu lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground; even while unconscious, her entire body continued to convulse, as if she had experienced something terrifying.

"In just an instant, you are actually able to torture the Soul Soul of a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to the point of collapse?" Dugu Bo raised his eyebrows slightly.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Quan in confusion, "Xiao Quan, did you release Xiao Wu just to torture her?"

"Of course not." Shi Quan shook his head, "Zhuqing, Xiao Wu is a gift I have prepared for you."

"Ah?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Quan, puzzled.

"Zhuqing, have you heard of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts taking human form?"

Shi Quan then told Zhu Zhuqing about Xiao Wu's origins.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were filled with shock and disbelief, "You mean Xiao Wu is actually a Ten-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Charm Rabbit?"

"That's right." Shi Quan nodded and said, "And her Soul Ring and soul bone are perfectly suited for you."

Zhu Zhuqing quickly calmed down and said, "With my current strength, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to absorb Xiao Wu's Ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring and soul bone, right?"

"Under normal circumstances, that is indeed impossible." Shi Quan looked down at Xiao Wu, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, "But as long as she performs a Sacrifice, you will be able to perfectly absorb her Ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring and soul bone."

"This Xiao Wu hates us to the core, why would she be willing to perform a Sacrifice for me?"

"I naturally have my own methods."

Shi Quan smiled, a phantom image appeared behind him, and four silver and one red, five Soul Rings appeared beneath him, "Xiaomeng, assist me!"

"No problem, A-Quan." Xiaomeng drifted down and landed on Xiao Wu's forehead; at the same time, Shi Quan's Fifth Soul Ring suddenly lit up.

"Fifth Soul Skill, Dream Soul Heart Capture!"

A silver-gold light rose up, enveloping Xiao Wu, and it became increasingly intense.

"Hmm?" Xiao Wu's painful expression quickly changed; her brows smoothed out, she began to show joy, and with her eyes slightly closed, she called out softly, "Third Brother!"

Before long, Xiao Wu's voice turned into a scream, "Third Brother, be careful!"

"No, don't, Third Brother, don't worry about me, run!" The expression on her face was very anxious.

A moment later, it turned to despair, and then to determination.

"Third Brother, forget me!"

The next second, pink light rose continuously from her body, and the surrounding fluorescent green light was quickly dispelled, turning into a dark red. At the same time, her entire body's skin also turned dark red. It was as clear and translucent as a ruby, with thick blood-colored flames burning upon it.

"She really performed a Sacrifice!" Zhu Zhuqing watched this scene in shock.

"Third Brother!" Xiao Wu still kept her eyes tightly shut, her expression twisted, completely unaware; the burning pain in her physical body had completely merged with the dream, making her unable to distinguish reality from illusion.

Her Mental Power had locked onto Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuqing, who was locked by this mental force, was also enveloped by the surrounding red light.

And Xiao Wu's physical body was gradually turning illusory.

"Third Brother, I love you..." Xiao Wu, with her eyes closed, leaned forward, then her brows furrowed, and her eyelashes trembled as she opened her eyes. Within her line of sight, the person wrapped in the contracting giant red ring in front of her was not the Third Brother she was pining for.

It was Zhu Zhuqing.

"Zhu Zhuqing!" Her complexion changed drastically; everything before her eyes proved that she had been deceived.

"No, no..." Xiao Wu let out a shrill scream and turned abruptly to look at Shi Quan.

"Shi Quan, you will die a horrible death!"

"You will not..." The voice stopped abruptly, and her figure became completely illusory. The expression remained, but no sound could be emitted.

"You can only blame yourself for following the wrong person." Shi Quan watched this scene with a calm expression.

When facing an enemy, mercy is fine, but going soft is absolutely impossible...