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"Since that's the case, let's split into two groups."
Shi Quan nodded upon hearing this, then raised his hand and pointed to a city in the middle of the map, marked with two characters in Sun Moon Continent's language: 'Mingdu'!
"I'll go to Mingdu, the capital of the Sun Moon Empire, to see if we can establish cooperation with the Empire."
"The situation in Mingdu is still unclear, and it will definitely take longer. I need to understand the situation first. Gu Yuena, you and Ditian go to the Evil Demon Forest together. With the two of you there, there shouldn't be any issues with the Spirit Beasts, and things will be handled faster. Once you've dealt with the Spirit Beasts, you can come find me in Mingdu."
"No problem." Ditian and Gu Yuena nodded.
After discussing everything, Shi Quan called the two of them to taste the local delicacies in Bianhai City. They stayed in Bianhai City for a day, and the next morning, the three of them parted ways.
The current spread of the Underworld theory is only an initial propagation of belief. Achieving true belief will require the accumulation of time and the display of Divine Artifacts.
According to Shi Quan's plan, the Underworld theory will first be spread across the entire Douluo Star. Afterwards, some people will be selected to form a religious-like organization to further expand the influence of belief. The propagation and collection of belief require a large amount of manpower and energy, so it must be done step by step.
Setting off, Shi Quan summoned Juntian according to the map and flew south.
Looking at the terrain along the way, one has to admit that in terms of living environment, the Douluo Continent is indeed much better than the Sun Moon Continent. The southwestern region of the Sun Moon Continent, where plateaus and deserts connect, is vast and not very suitable for long-term human habitation.
Along the way, traces of spirit tools were visible everywhere.
It's no wonder the Sun Moon Continent focuses on the research and development of spirit tools; their primary purpose is to improve human life.
However, this also led to a problem. Although spirit tool technology is relatively developed, the path of Cultivation is like sailing against the current. While spirit tool weapons are convenient, their research and application also require energy. Battle-type spirit tool technology is fine, but civilian-type spirit tools consume a lot of manpower and resources.
Spirit Masters immersing themselves in the research of spirit tools naturally affects their spirit power Cultivation, which is also a reason for the weaker strength of Spirit Masters on the Sun Moon Continent.
Sun Moon Empire, Mingdu.
Shi Quan had already changed into the attire of the Sun Moon Empire. Before entering Mingdu, he had already put Juntian into his hundred treasure pouch.
Walking into the city, looking at the stone spires that soared into the clouds, Shi Quan felt as if he had arrived in Athens. Marble walls, carved metal inlays—each one felt like a castle, elegant yet substantial, and very artistic.
The streets were also paved entirely with large stone slabs, with streetlights neatly arranged on both sides, their main bodies crafted from metal.
"The development of spirit tools on the Sun Moon Continent is indeed much faster than on the Douluo Continent; the two are not on the same Rank at all."
Upon entering Mingdu, the difference in spirit tools became even more apparent. Compared to Heaven Dou City, everything in Mingdu seemed so novel, like a common person from a small town arriving in a major city.
"The Sun Moon Empire's control over spirit tools is surprisingly high."
Along the way, Shi Quan discovered that the Sun Moon Empire does not sell any books related to spirit tools to outsiders. This alone shows the Empire's degree of control over spirit tools.
All spirit tool manufacturing is under control, whether for civilian or combat spirit tools.
Furthermore, regarding spirit tool Materials, they are not allowed to be traded on ordinary markets.
Ordinary people only have the right to use spirit tools, not to manufacture them. Even most Spirit Masters are like this; only some Advanced Spirit Master academies provide systematic spirit tool learning.
It seems the Sun Moon Empire also knows that spirit tool research will delay Spirit Master Cultivation, and they probably made these regulations out of concern that Spirit Masters would waste their Cultivation during their golden Cultivation years.
"The Sea God's Heart, as a Divine Artifact, can actually be rephrased as a Divine Rank spirit tool."
In that case, the Sun Moon Empire's knowledge of spirit tools is worth studying and referencing.
When advancing to a God, the Spirit Bone within a Spirit Master's body can transform into Divine Rank armor. If these spirit tool concepts are integrated, the refined Divine Rank armor might become even stronger.
To learn systematic spirit tool knowledge, only Spirit Masters who enter a Spirit Master academy are qualified to study.
Therefore, Shi Quan now has two options: one is to join a Spirit Master academy, and the other is to infiltrate a Spirit Master academy to learn.
Of course, there's another option: finding a so-called black market.
Money makes the World go round. No matter where, as long as there's money to be made, someone will always take risks. Although the state explicitly forbids it, there are still people secretly trading spirit tools in the dark.
However, Shi Quan immediately dismissed this option. After all, things obtained from the black market are not comprehensive and lack quality assurance, making it time-consuming, laborious, and unrewarding.
Shi Quan thought as he walked into the city.
As he walked, he arrived in front of a lavishly decorated gate. Above the gate were four gilded characters: Sun Moon Academy.
Sun Moon Academy is the Sun Moon Empire's top academy.
Both commoners and nobles can attend, which shows the Empire's emphasis on Spirit Masters. As for whether there is noble discrimination against commoners within the academy, that remains unknown.
As the Empire's highest academy, its knowledge reserves are naturally the most abundant in the entire Sun Moon Continent.
Shi Quan walked directly to the gate of Sun Moon Academy.
"Sir, may I ask what you need?" Seeing Shi Quan's handsome appearance and luxurious clothes, the guard politely asked.
Clothes make the man, indeed. To enter high-class establishments, one must maintain appearances. Shi Quan agreed wholeheartedly.
Shi Quan directly said, "Hello, I would like to join the academy to study."
To establish cooperation with the Sun Moon Empire, Sun Moon Academy is a very good stepping stone. Instead of infiltrating, directly joining the academy to study is more straightforward.
"?" The guard was stunned upon hearing this. Looking at the young Shi Quan, he wondered if the person in front of him was here to cause trouble. Anyone with common sense would know that it's not the academy's enrollment period, right?
But then he thought that this was the Sun Moon Royal Academy, the Empire's highest academy, representing the Empire. And Shi Quan was elegantly dressed, so he wouldn't be so foolish.
He immediately politely reminded, "The academy's enrollment period has already passed."
Shi Quan said indifferently, "I am a Spirit Douluo."
The guard was amused by this, but his just-raised smile quickly froze in place, as spirit rings began to rise one after another from Shi Quan's feet.
The guard trembled all over, feeling an invisible Aura emanating from Shi Quan. His spine instinctively chilled, and after clearly seeing the eight spirit rings floating beneath Shi Quan, his body went limp. "Sir, please wait a moment!"
Shi Quan did not hide the color of his spirit rings; he wanted a sensation so that he could quickly get in touch with the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Continent, which would facilitate the promotion of his subsequent plans.
This World is a World of the strong. As long as one's strength is sufficient, there is no need for so many twists and turns.
Spirit Douluo—experts of this Rank are few and far between on the Sun Moon Continent. He dared not delay in the slightest, especially after seeing Shi Quan's exaggerated spirit ring configuration, which made him feel a chill down his spine. He quickly lifted his weak legs and turned around.
"No need!" Just as the guard turned around, a tall, sturdy figure appeared outside the gate.
"Dean Ming." The guard respectfully saluted.
The middle-aged man, referred to as Dean Ming by the guard, clearly showed a hint of shock after seeing the spirit rings on Shi Quan. He looked at Shi Quan and asked seriously, "Young friend, I am Ming Huo, the Vice Dean of Sun Moon Academy. May I ask why you have come today?"
"I am Shi Quan. I wish to study the relevant knowledge of spirit tools at the academy." Shi Quan retracted his spirit rings and stated his purpose directly.
"Study spirit tools?" Ming Huo was somewhat surprised but still very enthusiastically invited, "Young friend, please come inside first."
Walking into the academy, Ming Huo couldn't help but ask curiously, "Young friend Shi, your name is unheard of to me. May I ask where you are from?"
Shi Quan smiled faintly and said, "I come from overseas."
"Overseas!?" Ming Huo's voice rose a few degrees, and his gaze towards Shi Quan became more serious and scrutinizing. "May I ask what 'overseas' you are referring to, young friend Shi?"
"Another continent beyond the great sea."
Ming Huo felt his throat dry up and chuckled, "Young friend, are you not joking with me?"
"Of course not." Shi Quan continued calmly, "Besides the Sun Moon Continent, there are other continents in this World. I come from the Douluo Continent, which is the largest continent in this World. The Sun Moon Continent is slightly smaller than the Douluo Continent. In addition, there is another continent called the Dragon Ascension Continent, which is even smaller than your Sun Moon Continent. Other landmasses can only be considered larger islands."
Upon hearing this, Ming Huo was completely stunned. His Worldview was clearly severely impacted. After a while, he said, "Young friend, how can you prove that you are from overseas?"
"Prove?" Shi Quan thought for a moment, then reached into his embrace and pulled out some clothing, currency, and items from the Douluo Continent and Dragon Ascension Continent. "The Douluo Continent and Dragon Ascension Continent differ greatly from the Sun Moon Continent in terms of culture, language, clothing, and various other aspects. The ones on the left are from the Douluo Continent, and the ones on the right are from the Dragon Ascension Continent. Moreover, with my strength, do I really need to deceive you?"
Ming Huo's expression paused as he looked at the strange clothing and currency floating in mid-air. "It's mainly because I've never heard of what you've said before, young friend, so I'm naturally curious."
"Young friend, since you come from overseas, may I ask what your purpose is in coming to my Sun Moon Continent? And why do you wish to study spirit tools?" Ming Huo's expression gradually became serious, because for him, Shi Quan's answer would affect the entire Empire.
"I came to the Sun Moon Continent to propagate a legend. As for spirit tools, they also exist on the Douluo Continent, but the Douluo Continent does not focus on the research and development of such external objects, placing more emphasis on spirit power Cultivation. I wish to study spirit tools simply because I enjoy experiencing all sorts of new things."
"Propagate a legend?" Ming Huo frowned slightly, his face filled with suspicion. How dangerous is the middle of the sea? If Shi Quan truly crossed the sea, expending such effort and energy, just to promote an obscure legend? How could he believe that?
"Young friend, if you were a person of my Sun Moon Empire, you could naturally learn knowledge related to spirit tools. But if you are from overseas, you cannot." Ming Huo shook his head and explained, "You should also know that the Empire has always had corresponding control rules regarding spirit tool knowledge: for internal use, not for external."
Shi Quan smiled and nodded, not feeling surprised. He had long anticipated this situation. He slowly said, "I can exchange the Spirit Master theories of the Douluo Continent with you."
Ming Huo was about to refuse directly, but Shi Quan said, "Don't rush to refuse. Convey this message to the high-ranking officials of the Empire and your Empire's strong cultivators. I can wait for them at the academy."
"Alright!"
Ming Huo thought for a moment and agreed. He led Shi Quan to a lavishly decorated hall. After giving instructions to the people outside, he was about to turn and leave, but Shi Quan called him back again.
"Oh, Dean Ming, could you please have someone prepare some meat for me? My mount is a bit hungry." Shi Quan said with a faint smile.
"No problem, please wait a moment." Ming Huo was a bit confused but still ordered someone to arrange it. He then quickly rushed towards the Sun Moon Empire's imperial palace.
Half an hour later, three powerful Auras appeared outside the academy, along with a middle-aged man dressed in a red and white ornate robe.
"What happened? Why did His Majesty personally come to the academy?"
"Didn't you notice? Even the three Grand Elders of the Empire came along."
"Something big must have happened in the academy."
Outside the academy, there was a buzz of discussion, while Ming Huo led the four rapidly towards the academy.
"What's going on?"
Just outside the hall, Ming Huo saw a group of guards with terrified expressions constantly carrying large platters of meat in and out of the hall. He immediately called one of them over to inquire.
"Your subordinate greets Your Majesty, the three Elders, and Dean Ming." The guard quickly knelt down and hastily explained, "We are delivering food to that adult's mount."
"Why does it need so much?" Ming Huo frowned. He then remembered that before he left, Shi Quan had asked for some food for his mount. He had been back and forth for almost half an hour. If they kept delivering, how much would they have sent?
"Dean, you don't know, that adult's mount is not an ordinary wild beast, but a Spirit Beast!" The guard said in terror, "And this Spirit Beast's Aura is very terrifying…"
The middle-aged man in the ornate robe in the center said with authority, "Dean Ming, enter and you will know."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ming Huo replied, "You may go."
After instructing the guard, Ming Huo continued to lead the group into the hall.
When Ming Huo and the others entered the hall and clearly saw the enormous figure, their expressions froze. They had all seen Spirit Beasts before, and some of them had even encountered 100,000-year Spirit Beasts, but a 100,000-year Spirit Beast mount was something they had never heard of…