Dai Chengfeng and Qian Renxue walked side by side out of the Worships' Hall district, stepping onto Spirit City's main thoroughfare.
Morning light filtered through thin mist, gilding the city's white grandeur. The entire metropolis seemed bathed in a sacred halo. Silver-armored Temple Knights marched in perfect unison along the streets. In the distance, the golden domes of the Supreme Pontiff's Palace and Douluo Hall gleamed—testaments to the Spirit Hall's majesty.
"I first came to Spirit City at six," Qian Renxue murmured, eyes distant. "Father brought me here, he told me this was the continent's soul master sanctuary—the place our Qian family guards for generations."
"For you," Dai Chengfeng squeezed her hand, "it's not just a sanctuary—it's home."
She nodded, complexity flickering in her eyes. "Yes, home. But sometimes… home carries suffocating expectations." She turned to him. "Before meeting you, my path was set: complete the Angel God's trials, inherit Grandfather's role, become the Spirit Hall's Judging Elder—guard this city, guard its glory."
"And now?" Dai Chengfeng smiled. "What new horizons do you see?"
Qian Renxue halted, studying him intently. "Possibility. Not just mine—but the Spirit Hall's, even the continent's. Your words about its future, about soul masters and commoners… I've thought deeply on them."
They strolled onward, arriving at Central Plaza. A colossal Seraphim statue towered at its heart. Below, young soul master trainees drilled under their instructor's watch.
"The Spirit Hall Academy's elite class," Qian Renxue explained. "Each year, we recruit gifted children continent-wide—to shape the Spirit Hall's future."
Dai Chengfeng observed them closely. The oldest were fifteen or sixteen; the youngest barely eight or nine. Yet all burned with hunger for power and dreams of greatness—a fire he'd seen in Shrek Seven's eyes… and his own.
"The Spirit Hall truly cultivates exceptional soul masters," he admitted. "But it only breeds loyalty to itself."
Qian Renxue fell silent. "It's systemic. Resources demand loyalty—but that breeds division. Smaller sects and clans, refusing full submission, thus depriving their children of top-tier training and resources."
"What if," Dai Chengfeng mused, "all gifted soul masters—regardless of origin—could access equal opportunities?"
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. "Like your 'Soul Master Academy Alliance' idea?"
"More than an alliance." His gaze deepened. "I envision a continental soul master education system. Led by the Spirit Hall, backed by both empires, with tiered academies worldwide. Primary schools scout talent; intermediate solidify fundamentals; advanced colleges forge elites. Unified standards, shared resources—but each retains uniqueness and rivalry."
"Such a system…" Qian Renxue pondered. "Would uncover more talent—but end the Spirit Hall's monopoly on apex soul masters."
"But the Spirit Hall would lead it," Dai Chengfeng countered. "Rule-making holds greater influence than mere resource control. Long-term, a continent teeming with strong soul masters benefits everyone—more faith, stronger defenses against rogue soul masters and soul beast rampages."
Qian Renxue was awed. "This requires time, sweeping changes… and convincing many skeptics."
"Hence 'the path forward,'" Dai Chengfeng smiled. "It's not easy—but worth pursuing. First, we must prove new methods can rival—or surpass—tradition."
"You'll prove it at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?" she grasped instantly.
He nodded. "Exactly. If I lead a team—not from Spirit Hall Academy, nor imperial colleges, but a fledgling school of diverse backgrounds—to victory? It'll shatter the old paradigm."
"Do you have a plan?" Her eyes sharpened.
"Roughly." He withheld details. "But first, I need my own academy, my own team. Time and resources… luckily, I have five years."
"Five years…" Qian Renxue whispered, heartache etching her voice. "Grandfather's demand is brutal. Soul Douluo in five years? It's near-impossible. Even Tang Chen of the Hao Tian Sect—the fastest ever—took eight years from Soul King to Soul Douluo."
"Records exist to be broken," Dai Chengfeng grinned. "And I have… unique advantages."
He couldn't reveal his reincarnator's memories—of immortal herbs, divine inheritance sites, hidden opportunities. But with that knowledge, Soul Douluo in five years was within reach.
They wandered to an east-district teahouse—elegant, quiet, frequented by elder soul masters sipping tea by sunlit windows.
In a secluded corner, Qian Renxue ordered tea and snacks. With a flick of her wrist, she erected a soundproof barrier.
"Share your plan with me," she urged, earnest. "Five years seems long—but vanishes for soul masters. Reaching Soul Douluo means gaining 30+ levels. That's six levels a year—it's impossible, especially past Soul Emperor."
Dai Chengfeng sipped his tea slowly. "Traditional cultivation won't suffice. Luckily for me… I won't rely on tradition alone."
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