News of Qiangu Yunying's return to Spirit City spread quickly.
Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying had only just left the Hall of Worship and returned home when Qiangu Yuan came looking for them.
With Yin Zhang's assistance, Qiangu Yuan had long since reached Rank 90. Then, with the combined help of Qian Jun and Jiangmo, the three of them spent more than three months poring over ancient texts. In the end, they discovered an over–eighty-thousand-year-old sub-dragon–type soul beast deep within a primeval forest on the border of the Star Luo Empire.
After successfully absorbing that soul ring, Qiangu Yuan officially stepped into the ranks of Titled Douluo.
His soul power reached Rank 91.
But that wasn't all.
Because of the unique nature of his martial soul, the soul of that eighty-thousand-year sub-dragon soul beast was captured by Qiangu Yuan's Dragon-Subduing Staff and sealed within his ninth soul ring. It was refined into a dragon soul that could be released when he activated his ninth soul skill, allowing it to fight alongside him.
This alone could dramatically boost Qiangu Yuan's combat strength.
In fact, it allowed him to unleash power far beyond that of an ordinary Rank 91 Titled Douluo. Against someone like Dugu Bo, who was weaker in direct combat at the same level, Qiangu Yuan could even overwhelm and defeat him.
This was precisely why the original records stated that when the two brothers Qian Jun and Jiangmo joined forces, they were capable of contending with — and even defeating — Gold Crocodile Douluo.
Although Qiangu Yuan's future growth potential was limited, that didn't dampen his excitement in the slightest.
He had once believed that becoming a Spirit Saint would be the pinnacle of his life. If fortune favored him, perhaps he might one day reach the Spirit Douluo realm.
Never, in his wildest dreams, had he imagined becoming a Titled Douluo like his father and uncle.
As for his chosen title…
It wasn't the traditional "Dragon-Subduing" title of the Qiangu Family.
But it was still resounding enough.
Titled Douluo: Fulong!
It was, in truth, a clever play on words—an idea inspired by Yin Zhang. Since he couldn't use the exact characters for "Dragon-Subduing," then "Fulong" would do just fine.
Qian Jun and Jiangmo had "educated" him quite thoroughly over it—though they ultimately had no choice but to accept it. After all, it technically didn't violate the family rule.
Whether they secretly regretted not thinking of something similar back in their own days was anyone's guess.
Qiangu Yuan strode into Yin Zhang's courtyard. The gate stood open, likely because Yin Zhang had already anticipated visitors before noon.
"Uncle Qiangu, what brings you here today?" Yin Zhang asked midway through greeting him.
Qiangu Yuan shot him a glare, scanning the courtyard for his daughter.
"You brat!"
"I've been busy these past few days," Qiangu Yuan said gruffly. "After becoming a Titled Elder, I had to hand over the academy. The High Priest's replacement didn't understand anything, so I had to guide him personally. On top of that, I now have official duties to fulfill."
He sighed with emotion.
"I've stayed in that academy for decades. Now that I've suddenly left and am no longer the principal, it really feels… strange."
Yin Zhang curled his lips.
"My great Titled Douluo Fulong, you truly have a short memory. If it weren't for my help, would you have broken through so quickly? And now you treat me like this—tsk!"
Qiangu Yuan laughed awkwardly.
"Alright, alright, I won't argue with you. I came to see Yunying. That girl really has some nerve. She came back to Spirit City and didn't even stop by home, instead running straight to you. She didn't even go see her favorite niece!"
Yin Zhang smiled calmly.
"Sister Yunying is resting right now. She just underwent purification by the High Priest—her bloody aura, evil qi, and the darkness formed from Slaughter City have all been cleansed."
"Because of that, her soul power was heavily depleted, and her body is exhausted. She needs proper rest. You wouldn't want to wake her up in such a state just to see her, would you?"
Hearing that his daughter was weak, Qiangu Yuan immediately dropped the matter. She could rest for now; they could meet later.
Still… Yin Zhang's smug tone made his fist clench instinctively.
Hard.
Very hard.
Qiangu Yuan quickly reminded himself of a painful truth—he was no longer Yin Zhang's opponent.
Yin Zhang's strength had skyrocketed. Not only had he awakened a second martial soul, but he had also absorbed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. His luck was outrageous: two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts in human form, two hundred-thousand-year spirit bones…
Qiangu Yuan sighed.
"Fine. I'll head back. One more thing—news has surfaced that Tang Hao has appeared in the Star Luo Empire. Several Spirit Hall branch halls have already been destroyed by him."
"Many deacons—and even innocent bystanders—were smashed to death by the Clear Sky Hammer. If you go out recently, be careful. Getting bitten by that mad dog wouldn't be pleasant."
Tang Hao…
At this point, he had already left Holy Spirit Village and Nuoding City more than a year ago.
He probably didn't yet know that Xiao Wu—the so-called "child bride" and future soul-ring provider he'd arranged for Tang San—had already been killed by Yin Zhang.
Nor that another hundred-thousand-year transformed spirit beast had met the same fate.
If Tang Hao learned the truth… the blow would be devastating.
Yin Zhang nodded.
"I understand, Uncle Qiangu."
After Qiangu Yuan left, Yin Zhang returned to the bedroom.
Just as he sat down, intending to lie beside Qiangu Yunying and rest quietly—
She suddenly sat up herself, stretching lazily.
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