The crisis threatening White Tiger Duke Dai Hao had been resolved. When Xu Zihuang and Elder Song returned to Shrek Academy, they were no longer in as much of a hurry as before.
Both of them flew through the air relying solely on their own soul power.
During the journey, Xu Zihuang stored the captured Sun Moon Divine Needle and Blazing Sky Net, two ninth-level soul tools, into his Starlight Sapphire Storage Ring. The Starlight Sapphire Storage Ring that Ning Tian had given him was a peak seventh-level soul tool, and it was still capable of storing these two ninth-level soul tools.
Something like the Sun Moon Universe Cauldron, a peak ninth-level soul tool, would require a storage soul tool of eighth level or higher. The process of crafting storage soul tools involves spatial abilities, so such restrictions are inevitable.
Moreover, storage soul tools cannot contain other storage soul tools.
If storage soul tools had no such limitation, one could endlessly nest them inside each other.
In the end, the soul guidance technology derived from the rules of the Douluo plane still had to obey those established rules.
Recalling what Elder Song had said to Xu Jiujiu earlier, Xu Zihuang roughly understood some things.
"Elder Song, Dean Xian, and Dean Qian taking that ninth-level fixed soul cannon to negotiate with the Star Luo Empire should be the academy's decision, right?"
"Regarding this matter, the Sea God's Pavilion had already held a meeting long ago. A strategic weapon like the ninth-level fixed soul cannon serves as a deterrent simply by existing. If the Sun Moon Empire learns that the original Douluo Continent has also developed a ninth-level fixed soul cannon, they surely won't act as unscrupulously as they do now." Elder Song nodded solemnly, then let out a soft sigh.
"It's just that we didn't expect the Sun Moon Empire to move so quickly. Now that war has already broken out, it probably won't be easy to quell. I only hope that the Star Luo Empire can make good use of that ninth-level fixed soul cannon to slow down the Sun Moon Empire's invasion. The academy will also hurry to collect top-grade rare metals to continue producing ninth-level fixed soul cannons. As long as we can drag this out for a few years, until you break through to the Titled Douluo realm, then this war will have the possibility of being completely ended."
At this point, Elder Song's expression eased considerably. He smiled and said, "Tianhuang, your soul power cultivation should be very close to rank 80 by now, right?"
"Not long ago, I just broke through to rank 78," Xu Zihuang replied seriously.
"Elder Song, you also know that I have twin martial souls. Right now, my second martial soul only has four soul rings attached, leaving five more slots empty. In the future, I can rapidly increase my cultivation by attaching soul rings to my second martial soul. Give me five years, and I'm confident I can break through the Titled Douluo bottleneck within that time."
The smile on Elder Song's ruddy face did not fade; a trace of gratification flickered in his eyes.
"Old Xuan and I both believe you won't disappoint the academy. In fact, this was also Elder Mu's final instruction to us before he passed away. Elder Mu said you are the child of destiny born in response to this era, and this turbulent age is destined to be ended by you."
Xu Zihuang gave a gentle smile, his eyes filled with determination.
"I will definitely not let Elder Mu down."
Elder Song nodded in satisfaction. Then, as if suddenly thinking of something, he asked thoughtfully, "By the way, Tianhuang. There's one thing I'd like to ask you: have you ever had any contact with the Dragon Emperor Douluo?"
"You mean the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao, who was called one of the Black and White Twin Holy Dragons together with Elder Mu?" Xu Zihuang looked at Elder Song in surprise.
Elder Song gave a slight nod and spoke openly without any concealment.
"It seems you've heard about the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao from Elder Mu. Back then, the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao once received guidance at the academy from that generation's Sea God's Pavilion Master, Elder Mu's teacher. During the time Long Xiaoyao cultivated at Shrek Academy, I had just begun to make a name for myself in the inner court. I personally witnessed a spar between him and Elder Mu. The self-created soul skill he used at that time had several points in common with the Extinction Finger you used earlier. What he wielded was the power of darkness and extinction."
"Elder Song, I think this must be a coincidence. Although I heard about the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao from Elder Mu, I have never had any contact with him. Moreover, my self-created soul skill, Extinction Finger, is derived from the power of destruction, the power of universal extinction."
Xu Zihuang replied calmly, his expression unchanged.
"To be honest, during the five months before I returned to the continent, I was fortunate enough to obtain a dragon clan torso soul bone with the destruction attribute."
Using the external attached soul bone, Brilliant Dragon Claw in public, as an inherited item of the Sun Moon Empire imperial family, did carry the risk of exposure. But when it came to the Brilliant Dragon King's torso soul bone, he could speak of it vaguely without any issue.
This was also the main reason Xu Zihuang had no qualms about using the Brilliant Dragon King torso soul bone skill in front of Ning Tian. In the legends left by the dragon clan, there was no record whatsoever of the Brilliant Dragon King. Apart from him, no one else even knew of the Brilliant Dragon King's existence.
"You absorbed a dragon clan torso soul bone with the destruction attribute?" Elder Song immediately understood.
"So that's how it is, I see. When lightning reaches its extreme, it naturally gives rise to the power of destruction. It was precisely because of this that you were able to fuse with that destruction-attribute soul bone without suffering backlash from the destructive aura. I recall that the Sun Moon Empire imperial family seems to possess the inheritance of a dragon-type martial soul with the destruction attribute."
"You're referring to the Purple Brilliant Sky Destroyer Dragon, right? That powerful soul beast truly existed on the Sun Moon Continent thousands of years ago, but it gradually went extinct over time," Xu Zihuang said with a faint smile.
"However, there are no detailed records of the Purple Brilliant Sky Destroyer Dragon on our original Douluo Continent side, so I can't be certain whether the torso soul bone I obtained is related to that dragon-type soul beast."
Elder Song smiled kindly.
"These are all your own opportunities; there's no need to dwell on it."
This was the so-called "blind spot under the lamp." Combining all the previous circumstances and with the Heavenly Dragon Gate as evidence, no one would ever connect Xu Zihuang to the Sun Moon Empire imperial family.
In the minds of veteran Sea God's Pavilion elders like Elder Xuan and Elder Song, Yu Tianhuang's origin on the original Douluo Continent had long been deeply imprinted.
As they conversed, Xu Zihuang and Elder Song drew steadily closer to Shrek Academy.
This time, it took them nearly three hours to return to Shrek Academy.
Upon arriving, Elder Song personally went to report the situation regarding White Tiger Duke Dai Hao to Elder Xuan. Xu Zihuang, meanwhile, landed on Sea God's Island and gazed at the shimmering surface of Sea God Lake.
No matter how turbulent the situation on the continent became, it would never affect Shrek Academy in the slightest.
As long as Shrek Academy did not actively participate in the war, the Sun Moon Empire would never dare take action against the entire Shrek City. Such was the deterrent power of the number one academy on the continent.
Xu Zihuang walked unhurriedly along the lakeside. Ye Guyi would likely finish her cultivation in the next few days, and on the other side, Ning Tian was pregnant; he couldn't help but worry about her.
After thinking it over, during this period, he could only travel back and forth between Shrek Academy and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
At that moment, a youth with short golden hair hurriedly approached from the residential area south of Sea God's Island.
Seeing Xu Zihuang's familiar back, he quickly sped up and caught up.
Only after clearly seeing Xu Zihuang's face did Dai Luoli freeze in place, eyes wide.
"Brother Yu?!"
"Long time no see, Luoli." Xu Zihuang turned his head toward the pleasantly surprised Dai Luoli and gave a warm smile.
Dai Luoli was still dazed and murmured, "Brother Yu, it really is you?! I heard from Brother Bei and Sister Xiaoya that you went to Sister Ning's home?"
"I only just returned today." Dai Luoli's genuine admiration and respect stood in stark contrast to Xu Jiujiu's strong sense of utility. Naturally, Xu Zihuang's attitude toward Dai Luoli was much warmer.
"In less than a year, your soul power cultivation has improved quite a bit. It won't be long before you break through to rank 50."
"Brother Yu, I…"
Dai Luoli's face flushed red, his eyes filled with gratitude toward Yu Tianhuang, yet for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Thanks to Yu Tianhuang fully awakening the origin of his martial soul, he had made such rapid progress in less than a year. One could say that because of meeting Yu Tianhuang, his fate had completely changed.
Xu Zihuang patted Dai Luoli on the shoulder, then walked toward the eastern inner court male student residential area of Sea God's Island.
"Luoli, from the looks of it, you're also heading to the residential area. Did something happen?"
"Family sent word, Second Brother told me to come over." Dai Luoli scratched his head in embarrassment and followed beside Xu Zihuang.
Xu Zihuang understood immediately. The message from the White Tiger Duke's Mansion was most likely related to Dai Hao.
Sea God's Island wasn't very large, and the two soon reached the eastern male student residential area. Rows of exquisite two-story wooden pavilions were built along the lakeside.
Xu Zihuang said to Dai Luoli, "Luoli, go ahead then. We'll chat again when there's a chance. I'll also give you some pointers on that self-created soul skill of yours."
"Yes, Brother Yu!" Dai Luoli nodded vigorously, his face full of excitement.
The two parted ways. The "Second Brother" Dai Luoli referred to was undoubtedly Dai Huabin.
Xu Zihuang, meanwhile, arrived alone at the wooden pavilion where Beibei and Xu Sanshi lived. Xu Sanshi was currently not at Shrek Academy, so only Beibei resided here.
After a series of changes, of the original Shrek Seven Monsters reserve team, only Xu Zihuang and Beibei remained on Sea God's Island. Although He Caitou was still at Shrek Academy, he spent most of his time researching soul tools in the Soul Guidance Department. With the high-level soul tool blueprints Xu Zihuang had provided, the Soul Guidance Department of Shrek Academy was currently developing at an astonishing pace.
Later, Beibei called Tang Ya over, and the three of them barely made a gathering.
Xu Zihuang and Beibei sat facing each other on the second-floor balcony of the wooden pavilion. Both successively accepted the hot tea Tang Ya had brewed.
Tang Ya carried the tray, her pretty face slightly flushed as she stole a glance at Xu Zihuang. In this special location on the balcony, she couldn't help but recall what had happened that day.
Although back then she had acted purely out of gratitude toward Yu Tianhuang in a moment of emotional agitation,
Xu Zihuang's expression remained unchanged as he lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and then asked Beibei, "Senior Brother Bei, you said Senior Brother Xu went home temporarily?"
"As an outsider, I originally shouldn't speak too much, but Sanshi's background isn't exactly a secret in the Dou Ling Empire," Beibei said with a somewhat strange expression.
"Sanshi comes from the Hidden Sect Xuanming Sect; this much you should know, Tianhuang. However, his mother is actually a princess of the Dou Ling Empire, the current Dou Ling Empire emperor's own younger sister. Right now, the direct bloodline of the Dou Ling Empire imperial family is withering away. That emperor intends to have Sanshi adopted into the imperial family so that he can inherit the throne of the Dou Ling Empire in the future."
"Right now, the Dou Ling Empire is in an uproar. To ensure the purity of the imperial bloodline, Sanshi's mother is forcing him to marry a collateral daughter of the Xue family in the Dou Ling Empire imperial clan. Sanshi is probably frantic right now."
Tang Ya had regained her composure and sat down beside Beibei. She couldn't help but complain, "When I first heard the news, I was really shocked. That lecherous guy Xu Sanshi doesn't have the slightest bit of an imperial heir's demeanor."
Just imagining Xu Sanshi as emperor made Tang Ya feel a chill.
"So in other words, Senior Brother Xu doesn't have to do anything; the throne of the Dou Ling Empire is just being handed to him?" Xu Zihuang couldn't help feeling speechless. Moreover, this development differed quite a bit from what he remembered from his previous life.
Beibei's mouth twitched slightly.
"Pretty much, yes."
Tang Ya suddenly turned her gaze toward Xu Zihuang and asked with some concern, "Tianhuang, what about Junior Sister Ning Tian? She didn't come back to the academy with you?"
Xu Zihuang fell silent for a moment, a trace of a tender smile appearing on his face.
"Ning Tian is pregnant. She's currently resting at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Hearing this, Beibei's gaze suddenly sharpened, while Tang Ya abruptly stood up, covering her lips in shock with her jade hand.
"Junior Sister Ning Tian is pregnant?! Whose is it?"
"If it's not mine, could it be yours, Senior Sister Xiaoya?"
Hearing Yu Tianhuang's teasing, Tang Ya's pretty face flushed red once again.
After a long moment of silence, she finally accepted it within her worldview and stared at Xu Zihuang in a daze.
"How could you two… how could you…"
"Alright, Xiaoya." Beibei pulled Tang Ya back down to sit.
"Tianhuang and Junior Sister Ning Tian are in love; it's something worth celebrating."
"That's not what I meant," Tang Ya shook her head repeatedly in denial, saying shyly and adorably, "I meant… isn't this a bit too soon?"
Xu Zihuang smiled without speaking.
Beibei, however, no longer maintained his usual dignified appearance. He looked at Tang Ya with a face full of resentment and grievance.
"Xiaoya, do you think there's a possibility, I mean, do you think you may be just too conservative?"
Tang Ya warily crossed her arms over her chest and huffed lightly, "I'm warning you, don't even think about it before we're married!"
It could only be said that someone was about to break.
…
The three of them talked until dusk. At Tang Ya's urging, Xu Zihuang set off on his way back to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
This pattern of coming and going continued for three straight days.
On the Star Luo Empire side, under White Tiger Duke Dai Hao's leadership, the situation on the northwest border had already stabilized. However, the most important thing was that after occupying the Mingdou Mountain Range, the Sun Moon Empire had made no further moves.
Thanks to his keen intuition and long experience commanding troops, White Tiger Duke Dai Hao sensed something was wrong, especially since no news had come from the Heavenly Soul Empire border. He immediately sent people to warn the Heavenly Soul Empire and instructed the Dou Ling Empire's reinforcements to prioritize entering Heavenly Soul Empire territory for support.
Meanwhile, on the fourth day, when Xu Zihuang arrived at Shrek Academy, Ye Guyi finally finished her cultivation and awoke.
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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