Logically speaking, mechanisms that were used long-term would usually leave visible traces. However, this waterfall was twenty meters wide and two hundred meters high; even knowing the entrance was roughly in the middle, finding it at a glance was no easy task.
Gu Xuan's observational skills, however, were top-tier. After only fifteen minutes, he successfully located the trigger—a small protrusion hidden beneath a cluster of Blue Silver Grass. He avoided damaging the plants and gently pressed the mechanism.
A stone entrance, two meters high and one meter wide, ground open before him. Eight dragon swords detached from his back, forming a hovering platform to carry him inside. To be safe, he even donned protective shoe covers; professionalism was his hallmark. Gu Xuan left virtually no traces behind. Even when Tang Hao eventually returned, he wouldn't know who had been here, nor could he use physical evidence to deduce Gu Xuan's age or identity.
The cave was small, only about ten meters wide. At its center was a small stone pool, similar to the one outside. Growing beside it was a stalk of Blue Silver Grass with golden veins and silver edges. Or rather, the Blue Silver Empress—Tang San's mother. As Gu Xuan entered, the Empress swayed slightly, its leaves curling inward as if in fear.
Gu Xuan's mind whirred as he muttered to himself, "To think that Tang Hao actually planted the Blue Silver Empress here. I wonder what he'll think when I take her away! If that bastard hadn't severely injured the Pope back then, leading to his untimely death, I wouldn't have been marginalized!"
Indeed, Gu Xuan was framing someone else. Whether the Blue Silver Empress had a conscious mind or not, he immediately slapped the label of "Spirit Hall" on himself. If she could communicate with Tang Hao through some special method, he had just handed out a perfect scapegoat for Spirit Hall to carry. This was the way of the world—making as many friends as possible and keeping enemies in the dark.
Gu Xuan scanned the cave and spotted a vine hanging above the Empress. Wearing his white gloves, he gave it a tug, and a lead box tumbled down. Two dragon swords flew out to catch it; he didn't even touch the box with his hands. The box was heavy, weighing at least a hundred jin, and it perfectly insulated the aura of the soul bone within. Even at this distance, Gu Xuan felt nothing.
To be sure, he extended his Darkgold Terrorclaw and pried the lid open. There were no traps; the lid was simply heavy. The moment it opened, a rich aura of life surged out. The Blue Silver Empress below trembled violently, but Gu Xuan had no interest in her. Taking her now would serve little purpose, and even planting her in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would take time for her to mature. Moreover, Tang Hao might be able to track him through the connection between his rings and the plant. Thus, he chose to leave her behind.
After confirming the bone, he closed the lid and stored the lead box in his soul tool. Then, looking at the stone walls, he flashed a wicked smile. Since he was pretending to be from Spirit Hall, he might as well go all the way.
He used his Darkgold Terrorclaw to carve a series of flowing characters into the wall. Fifteen minutes later, he nodded in satisfaction and left the cave. He had come empty-handed and left with a 100,000-year soul bone. But he wasn't heartless; he left behind a "directory of enemies" so that Tang Hao, in his inevitable rage, would at least have a target to vent on.
'I, Gu Xuan, am truly a helpful and righteous person!' he thought. His Sword Dragon Eight Wings flared, and his fourth soul ring flashed repeatedly as he vanished into the mountains. He left behind nothing but a broken heart for Tang Hao.
He returned to the tavern where Ye Lingling was waiting and greeted her with an enthusiastic embrace. Though she was only a "B-cup," she provided all the warm comfort he needed. It was already noon, and after spending half a day together, he prepared to lead her toward the Star Duo Forest. The theft had been a mere detour; her fifth ring was the priority.
The night before they left, Ye Lingling held his arm and asked where he had gone. Gu Xuan explained casually, "Just picking up some loot. After the tournament, your husband will give you a token of my love!" Ye Lingling blushed and rested her head on his arm, her heart pounding. She was afraid he wouldn't come, yet afraid he would "go too far"—after all, they were engaged now. Gu Xuan, however, had the heart of a lecher but the courage of a mouse; he decided to wait until he was eighteen to aim for the title of "Seven-Stinger Master" and give his girls a happy life.
Five days later, they reached the Star Duo Forest. This time, they had a specific target. A soul master from the Clan had previously discovered a 20,000-year Pure White Lotus while hunting for their own ring. It was a top-tier plant-type healing beast and perfectly suited for Ye Lingling.
Gu Xuan knew the location, but when they arrived, the spot was empty. He was annoyed; he should have come for it the moment he got the news. However, since plant-type beasts leave traces of their roots on the ground when they move, Gu Xuan began tracking the lotus.
While he was searching, the tournament in Heaven Dou City was in full swing. The Seven Treasure Team of the Seven Treasure Academy finally had their first match. This team was now a legitimate contender for the championship.
Captain: Dugu Yan, age 20. Martial Soul: Ancestor. Rank 54 Control Type Soul King.
Vice Captain: Ning Rongrong, age 14. Martial Soul: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Rank 48 Support Type Soul Ancestor.
Li Li: Martial Soul: Man-Faced Demon Spider. Age 13. Rank 42 Control Type Soul Ancestor.
Zuo Yan: Martial Soul: Phoenix God-Wings. Age 15. Rank 45 Agility Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Yang Pojun: Martial Soul: Soul Breaking Spear. Age 17. Rank 47 Power Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Ma Bao: Martial Soul: Blazing War Horse. Age 17. Rank 48 Power Attack Type Soul Ancestor.
Zhan Yu: Martial Soul: Steadfast Shield. Age 17. Rank 47 Defense Type Soul Ancestor.
The entire team consisted of Soul Ancestors—a result of the Clan's full-scale cultivation over three years. However, Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong did not intend to play in the qualifiers. Instead, they selected five geniuses from the Clan's pool of talent to act as substitutes. For the qualifiers, Li Li and Zuo Yan would lead five Soul Ancestor substitutes to hide the team's true strength. These substitutes were all around twenty years old and possessed the potential to become Soul Saints or even Soul Douluos in the future.
(End of Chapter)
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