Chapter 206: A Small Family Has a 100,000-Year Spirit Soul? Is That Even Possible?
Ever since the destruction of the Tang Sect headquarters, communication with its branches across the continents had been completely severed.
Leaderless and scattered, the branches could no longer coordinate with Shrek Academy, leaving them feeling utterly abandoned.
In response, the Federation swiftly launched an "emergency protection operation," under the banner of "safeguarding citizens against the plots of evil soul masters."
They directly took control of all Tang Sect branches across the continent.
Most personnel were sent home, while those with families were relocated under guard. Exceptional Tang Sect experts, in particular, were returned to their families along with formal notifications to their clans.
After all, the Tang Sect's recruitment standards had always favored Federation citizens—usually graduates of Shrek Academy's outer or inner court.
In other words, nearly every Tang Sect member came from prominent or well-rooted families with martial souls and decent levels of cultivation.
The Federation simply handed them back under strict family supervision while awaiting further instructions.
Eastsea City.
As a first-tier city of the Douluo Federation, Eastsea also hosted a major Tang Sect branch.
Today, however, a group of uninvited guests had arrived.
Their mission—steal important personnel and advanced technology from the Tang Sect branch.
Oh no, pardon—retrieve what rightfully belonged to the Tang Sect.
They were, in fact, agents from the Xingluo Federation.
Similar infiltrations had been arranged for nearly every major city that once held a core Tang Sect division.
Each operative in this squad possessed at least the power of a Soul Sage, while their captain was a Soul Douluo.
"This time, our mission is to extract a top scientist from the Eastsea Tang Sect branch—Xu Chu of the Xu Family. Be on high alert!"
"If the Federation discovers us, ensure Scientist Xu Chu's safety above all else. Understood?"
"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.
"Begin the operation!"
At once, dark currents began stirring throughout Eastsea City.
The Xu Family was a renowned name in Eastsea, a major clan tracing its lineage back to the old Xingluo Imperial Family's "House of Xu."
The current patriarch of the Xu Family even served as Eastsea City's governor.
Within this sprawling family estate—its lands spanning several miles—stood the ancestral hall, where a broad-shouldered man knelt before memorial tablets, reflecting quietly.
"That's our target."
"Who are you people?" Xu Chu asked coldly.
A group of figures in black emerged, presenting a token.
"Greetings, Elder Xu. We are from the Tang Sect, acting under the orders of the acting Sect Master to rescue key members of its branches."
Xu Chu exhaled in relief but frowned slightly. "Acting Sect Master? Rescue? What on earth are you talking about?"
The leader in black answered quietly, "The cursed Douluo Federation attacked both the Tang Sect Headquarters and Shrek Academy. The Academy was forced to relocate to the Xingluo Continent, and the Tang Sect headquarters was completely destroyed."
"Wait—what in the world are you even saying?" Xu Chu looked baffled.
"Wasn't it the Holy Spirit Cult that attacked the Sect? The Federation told us they were protecting us for our safety—not holding us hostage!"
Hostage? Didn't hostages get thrown into dungeons—not sent home?
The black-clad man hesitated. "It's complicated. You'll understand once you come with us."
Xu Chu shook his head with a weary sigh. "We can't leave."
"What do you mean, can't leave? You don't want to be rescued?"
Xu Chu looked at them helplessly. Were these people really from the Tang Sect? They didn't sound like it.
"Do you even know where you are?"
The man blinked. "Eastsea City?"
Xu Chu sighed. "You're standing on Xu Family grounds."
The man relaxed, smiling. "That's fine. The Tang Sect planned everything. The family patriarch's at a meeting right now, the family's strong cultivators are all away—perfect timing to get you out."
Xu Chu gave a faint chuckle.
"Who told you all the strong ones have left?"
He raised his head slightly and called softly, "Ancestor, for my sake—please show them mercy."
The intruders froze.
Ancestor?
The Xu Family had an ancestor still alive? But that didn't make sense—while powerful, the Xu Family was no great clan by continental standards. In the Federation, they barely counted as notable.
So why did Xu Chu sound… calm?
From behind the ancestral tablets, a creature emerged—completely white, about two meters long, resembling a massive canine but radiating an otherworldly, divine presence.
"A… spirit soul?" one spy muttered uncertainly.
"No problem," their captain said. "Our leader's a Soul Douluo. A mere spirit soul can't stop him."
Yet before Xu Chu could even respond, the creature began to change.
It expanded rapidly, filling the entire ancestral hall, its head nearly smashing the ceiling before halting at an enormous height of fifteen meters.
In human eyes, the thing was monstrous—a massive beast radiating overwhelming energy.
What terrified them, however, was the pressure—far beyond their captain's level.
Above Soul Douluo?
The beast opened its mouth and spoke—in human language.
"Little brat, what did you just call me? An ordinary soul beast?"
All three agents promptly lost control and collapsed to their knees.
Holy—
A 100,000-year spirit soul!?
What was happening here?
A small city family… had a 100,000-year spirit soul guarding it?
Were 100,000-year spirit souls just lying around these days!?
Their minds reeled in disbelief.
Xu Chu's voice softened. "Ancestor, please… forgive them. They're still my colleagues."
That giant creature was the Xu Family's ancestral guardian—the Iceberg Behemoth.
A soul creature with water and space attributes.
Throughout generations, the Xu family had maintained a soul contract with it. Because of this, their martial souls would frequently mutate, evolving alongside the Behemoth's lineage.
The combination of water and spatial energy eventually produced their family's unique variant martial soul—Celestial Constellation.
This Iceberg Behemoth originated from beyond the stars—a cosmic being known as a Stellar Behemoth—that had crash-landed on Douluo after sustaining mortal injuries.
It would have perished had the Xu Family's ancestor not saved it and formed a soul bond. Through countless generations, it had grown—reaching the 100,000-year threshold.
A hundred-thousand-year spirit soul… and this was supposed to be a small clan?
The Iceberg Behemoth ignored Xu Chu's plea, instead lowering its gaze toward the intruders.
"Bring your leader to me," it said coolly.
The trio clamped their mouths shut, refusing to betray their superior.
They had been trained never to expose their organization—no matter what.
The Behemoth shook its head.
Then it roared skyward.
The clouds above scattered instantly, revealing the moon and stars.
The constellations glittered in perfect alignment, forming a glowing pattern above the Xu estate.
That starlight enveloped the entire family.
Every Xu clansman's martial soul began resonating at once, spontaneously awakening.
Even the children who had not yet experienced their Awakening had faint star-shaped marks glimmering on their foreheads.
And those whose marks did not appear…
The Iceberg Behemoth spoke softly—
"Come here."
(END CHAPTER)
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