With Chen Ming's current identity and status, requesting a leave of absence was actually quite a simple matter.
Although the three education board members did not fully understand his intentions, Chen Ming's recent performances had already more than proven that he was an unquestionable genius. As such, the three of them chose not to investigate further.
They simply reminded him to stay safe and told him that if he needed any help, he could ask the three of them at any time.
Chen Ming quickly arranged his recent affairs, instructing Ning Rongrong, Yu Tianheng, and Yu Tianxin to return to their respective sects and show their elders the gains they had made during this period.
After that, he went to Dugu Bo's residence. After meeting Xiao Wu and having a talk with Dugu Bo, he was led by Qian Renfeng back into the Worship Hall of the Spirit Hall.
Seeing Chen Ming return, Qian Daoliu's expression turned somewhat strange. He paced back and forth, repeatedly taking deep breaths. He seemed to want to say something, but then hesitated and couldn't get the words out.
He looked hesitant and indecisive, constantly walking around, which appeared quite odd.
After a long while, Qian Daoliu finally gritted his teeth, slowly spoke up, and forced a gentle tone:
"Xiao Ming... you encountered a transformed hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast, didn't you? And that Blue Silver Empress from before—you've already cultivated her seed successfully too, right?"
"Yes, Grand Martial Uncle. What's the matter?"
"Don't misunderstand me. I absolutely have no intention of coveting a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring or hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone." Qian Daoliu first made his position completely clear before continuing seriously, "I simply want to tell you that getting involved with transformed hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts is not a good thing."
"Hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bones are treasures beyond measure. They're enough to drive people into desperate actions. Even if they don't dare harm your life directly, you can't guarantee that the people around you won't be threatened or hurt."
"And furthermore, as a race fundamentally different from humans, transformed hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts are not necessarily trustworthy simply because they've taken human form."
"Some hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts are evil by nature. Even after transforming into humans, they don't suddenly develop compassion or hesitation. Instead, they use their human identities to wreak havoc throughout human society. Things like this have happened many times throughout history."
"A man is innocent, yet treasures invite disaster. These matters are simply too dangerous. I know you have your own thoughts, and I don't intend to stop you."
"But I must tell you all the risks and all the possibilities that may arise. Only then can you make your own choice properly... and perhaps avoid regretting it in the future."
Qian Daoliu rambled on for quite some time.
Yet throughout everything he said, not once did he mention bringing the hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast to Spirit Hall, nor did he speak of wanting the hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone.
Qian Daoliu's personality truly embodied the meaning of a righteous gentleman. One could even say he was the rigid, principled sort of gentleman described by the phrase "a gentleman may be deceived because of his adherence to propriety." The only real flaw in his life was that he had somehow raised a son like Qian Xunji. Otherwise, his entire life could practically be described as spotless.
"Grand Martial Uncle, don't you have any thoughts about that Blue Silver Empress?"
"It's impossible for me to feel no resentment." Qian Daoliu sighed softly. "But no matter how much resentment exists, it no longer means anything. What happened back then is too difficult to judge clearly—who was right, who was wrong..."
"The Clear Sky Sect has already sealed itself away, and Spirit Hall also lost its Pope because of that conflict. Both sides finally managed to calm things down after so many years. I don't wish to continue stirring up more trouble over it..."
"In this matter, both Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect were at fault in their own ways. Yet among everyone involved, the Blue Silver Empress herself may actually have been the most innocent one of all."
"Since the Blue Silver Empress already died once, and her hundred-thousand-year cultivation was completely lost, then let it count as her debts dying alongside her. We'll treat everything as though it never happened."
Looking at Qian Daoliu's helpless yet tolerant expression, Chen Ming silently sighed inwardly.
Qian Daoliu's temperament really was soft, but he was also undeniably a good person. Whether they were his allies or his enemies, people trusted Qian Daoliu instinctively.
Such a personality might not be the best possible kind, but it was certainly far from the worst. Perhaps it was precisely because of this nature that Qian Daoliu had ultimately become someone trusted by nearly everyone within Spirit Hall.
"Grand Martial Uncle, I'm planning to hunt my next Spirit Ring."
"What?" Qian Daoliu's eyes widened immediately. "You've only just turned eleven, haven't you? And you're already level forty? Isn't that a little too outrageous? You absolutely must not use methods that forcefully stimulate your potential at the cost of your future."
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu quickly circulated his Spirit Power through Chen Ming's body, probing him repeatedly. He attempted to use his Angel Spirit Power to repair any hidden damage that might exist within Chen Ming's body.
"I simply developed a few new medicinal pills, and combined with absorbing the Blue Silver Empress Spirit Bone, my improvement ended up being rather significant."
"If it's because of a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone, then it's not so strange..." Qian Daoliu nodded slowly.
"Have you already decided what kind of Spirit Beast you want for your fourth Spirit Ring? Are you planning to continue pursuing dragon bloodlines? Or perhaps seek a powerful elemental Spirit Beast to complete your own attributes? Or are you targeting some other Spirit Beast with special abilities?"
"As long as traces of it still exist somewhere on the continent, Spirit Hall can most likely find it."
At this point in time, Spirit Hall's influence spread across the entire world. As long as a Spirit Beast had not gone completely extinct, Spirit Hall would almost certainly be capable of locating it eventually. It was merely a matter of time and effort.
"I want to go to the Volcano Islands and hunt a Blazing Winged Dragon."
"A Blazing Winged Dragon?" Qian Daoliu frowned slightly. "Flying dragons are, in a sense, indeed quite suitable for you. But fire and light attributes directly conflict with the water and earth attributes you currently possess. You should think things through carefully and prepare yourself properly first."
"I've already made my decision. That's the Spirit Beast I want. It'll also help complete my attribute composition."
"In that case, I won't stop you." Qian Daoliu nodded. "But at the very least, you'll still need another Titled Douluo accompanying you."
The Volcano Islands were a chain of islands far removed from the Douluo Continent, formed from magma constantly erupting from underwater volcanic clusters.
Because the volcanoes erupted periodically, the land there was incapable of supporting large amounts of life.
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, violent storms, torrential rainfall, blizzards—countless secondary natural disasters caused by tectonic activity constantly ravaged the region with terrifying force.
The Blazing Winged Dragons could only continuously travel between islands, hunting fish-type Spirit Beasts across the sea as food. Only occasionally would they attempt to land upon the Douluo Continent itself in search of prey.
Under normal circumstances, hunting Spirit Beasts there did not merely require consideration of the Spirit Beasts themselves. One also had to account for the countless secondary disasters present throughout the region.
Essentially, only with two Titled Douluo-level experts traveling together could one truly ensure safety there.