After the group returned to Hanhai City, aside from a wave of nostalgia, they also noticed significant changes in the city.
Previously, Hanhai City had been relatively loose-knit, with sea soul masters living freely without much competition.
But this time, upon returning, they found that the number of soul masters in Hanhai City had noticeably increased. In addition to the original sea soul masters, there were now many land-based soul masters as well, and the atmosphere felt unusually tense.
Yang Xiong and the other seven didn't pay much attention to these developments at first. They headed straight to a large hotel and happily indulged in the delicacies of the land.
Life on the Sea God Island had been good, but the main diet consisted mostly of sea soul beasts and seafood. There was hardly any meat from land-based soul beasts, and while seafood was highly nourishing, eating it for so long had become somewhat monotonous.
After everyone had their fill, a middle-aged man arrived at the room Yang Xiong's group had booked.
This man was an elder of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. After Yang Xiong had contributed the use of whale glue to the sect, Ning Fengzhi had decided to establish a small outpost on the Sea God Island to handle the acquisition of whale glue and monitor the situation in Hanhai City.
When Yang Xiong's group had left Hanhai City for the sea, Ning Fengzhi arranged for personnel to keep track of their movements and prepare for their return.
The middle-aged elder was extremely respectful: "Young Miss, my name is Lin Yi. Lord Ning has instructed me to await your orders and be at your service at all times."
Ning Rongrong appeared composed: "Elder Lin, what is the current state of the continent? How is our sect faring?"
Lin Yi quickly responded: "Young Miss, since you left, the continent has fallen into chaos. However, our sect remains relatively stable internally."
The group exchanged puzzled looks, their expressions turning serious.
Through Lin Yi's explanation, they learned that over the past few years, the Spirit Hall had ceased to exist, transforming into the Spirit Empire, with Bibi Dong as its first emperor.
In recent years, the Spirit Empire had aggressively expanded. In addition to the original Spirit City, it had occupied all the smaller kingdoms and principalities, as well as two provinces each from the Tian Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. In terms of territory, the Spirit Empire now rivaled both the Tian Dou and Star Luo Empires.
The three empires had amassed a million soldiers along their borders, and a large-scale war could break out at any moment.
The Spirit Empire's army of soul masters placed immense pressure on the two empires. No matter how much the Tian Dou and Star Luo Empires developed, the disparity in soul master power was simply too great.
The Spirit Empire had recalled all bishops and elders from the two empires, shutting down all subsidiary and branch halls of the Spirit Hall. Now, there was no one left to help ordinary citizens awaken their martial souls.
This decision had caused widespread dissatisfaction among the populace, and neither empire had enough soul masters to take on the task of awakening martial souls for others.
Under such immense pressure from the Spirit Empire, both the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Hao Tian Sect had dispatched some soul masters to the front lines. However, compared to the Spirit Empire's army of ten thousand soul masters, the disparity in strength was overwhelming. The two empires could only rely on their massive armies to maintain a defensive stance.
Lin Yi also provided updates on the Body Sect. Although the sect had remained relatively low-profile in recent years, operating mainly around the Thunderclap Canyon, they too had sent some personnel to the front lines in response to the Spirit Empire's aggression—though their numbers were relatively small.
…
After Lin Yi finished explaining the situation, Ning Rongrong wore a worried expression.
"Little Bear, maybe we should return to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect first. I'm still a bit worried about Father and the others."
Yang Xiong nodded: "That's a good idea. Though the situation on the continent is chaotic, for now, it won't have a major impact on our two sects. I'm also a bit concerned about my parents."
"Let's head back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect first. I plan to discuss the current developments with Lord Ning, and after that, I'll return to the Body Sect."
Though the others were also worried about their families, they unanimously agreed to return to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect first.
…
The eight of them didn't hesitate or take a carriage, instead traveling directly at high speed toward the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. At their pace, they were significantly faster than any carriage.
About four days later, the entire group returned to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong immediately went to see Ning Fengzhi, while the others were settled by Yang Wei and Qin Shuang.
Seeing Yang Xiong and the others return, Ning Fengzhi's face lit up with joy.
"Rongrong, Little Xiong, you've finally returned. It seems your time on the Sea God Island was fruitful—you've made tremendous progress over these years."
Ning Rongrong proudly declared: "Father, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone—I've made incredible progress! I'm now a Level 89 Soul Douluo!"
With that, Ning Rongrong manifested her martial soul, displaying two purple and six black soul rings. Even Sword Elder and Bone Elder were filled with delight at the sight of her achievements.
Originally, Ning Fengzhi had been the only Soul Douluo-level Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda user in the sect. Now, with the addition of Ning Rongrong, the sect's strength had greatly increased.
Especially since Ning Rongrong was already at Level 89, just a step away from becoming a Title Douluo. It was likely that she would soon become a Title Douluo-level Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda user, truly deserving the title of the strongest auxiliary soul master in the world—a rare sight indeed for an auxiliary-type Title Douluo.
Sword Elder, Bone Elder, and Ning Fengzhi doted on Ning Rongrong, their joy evident as they laughed and surrounded her. Sword Elder, in particular, felt deeply reassured.
After an emotional and lengthy conversation, they began discussing the current state of the Douluo Continent.
Ning Fengzhi grew more serious: "Little Xiong, the Spirit Empire is extremely ambitious. Once they defeat the two empires, they will likely sweep across their territories. When they turn their attention to us, we won't stand a chance."
Yang Xiong asked: "Lord Ning, what are your plans?"
Ning Fengzhi fell silent for a moment before speaking: "The war between the Spirit Empire and the two empires is almost upon us. Large-scale conflicts have already begun at the front lines, and a full-scale war is imminent."
"But so far, the two empires haven't made any contact. The border regions between them have been severed by the Spirit Empire, making it difficult for the Tian Dou and Star Luo royal families to communicate. Some have suggested that the two empires need to cooperate to resist the Spirit Empire, but any concrete collaboration will require a meeting between Emperor Xue Ye of Tian Dou and Emperor Xing Luo of Star Luo."
Yang Xiong frowned: "The two empires have long-standing grievances. If the Xing Luo Emperor and Emperor Xue Ye really meet, it will likely be on the Spirit Empire's territory. Won't they fear being wiped out?"
Ning Fengzhi sighed: "We're at a critical juncture. If the two empires don't cooperate, they'll be defeated one by one. Given their historical disputes, unless the two emperors meet, no one will trust the cooperation to follow."
"Moreover, given the current situation, considering the enmity between our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Empire, participating in the war is inevitable. After all, the Spirit Empire suffered heavy losses during their attack on our sect—they won't let us off easily."
Yang Xiong thought for a moment before responding: "It's true that the two empires need to cooperate. Whether it's our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect or the Body Sect, participating in the war is only a matter of time. However, we can start by committing only a portion of our forces, reserving large-scale involvement for a critical moment. If we join the war too early, the battlefield will endlessly drain our strength."
"By the way, Lord Ning, what's the Hao Tian Sect's stance? Do they plan to participate in the war?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded: "The Hao Tian Sect's hatred for the Spirit Empire surpasses even ours. Tang Lie is already on the front lines, and Tang Xiao has contacted me. He hopes that all the experts from both the Hao Tian Sect and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will go to the front lines together, which would truly intimidate the Spirit Empire."
"Tang Xiao also communicated with me, hoping that your Body Sect will join the war as well. After all, many members of your sect have blood feuds with the Spirit Hall, and the Spirit Empire won't spare any force that opposes them."
Yang Xiong nodded: "Participating in the war isn't a problem, but I need to consider the timing and the number of people to commit. Our Body Sect was only recently established, and our foundation is far weaker than the top three sects. There are still many internal matters to address, especially reorganizing Thunderclap Canyon."
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment before replying: "That's reasonable. This matter is too significant. When the time comes, the three of us will meet and discuss it. I believe Tang Xiao and Tang Hao will be more than willing."
"By the way, Little Xiong, aren't you already at Level 90? What are your plans for your ninth soul ring?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "I already have a target for my ninth soul ring, but it might take some time. I still need to make other preparations."
Ning Fengzhi smiled: "I know you always have a plan. If your target for the ninth soul ring is too powerful, Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone can assist you. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect now has some depth, so their temporary absence won't cause major issues."
…
After meeting with Ning Fengzhi, Yang Xiong returned home.
His father, Yang Lin, and mother, Sun Yu, were overjoyed. Having a Title Douluo-level powerhouse in the family meant the family had truly risen.
However, Yang Lin seemed even more delighted by the growth and transformation of his eldest son, Yang Wei.
Yang Wei was now a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse, having cultivated the family's inherited Iron Sword martial soul to the Soul Douluo level. With this legacy, the family might become a true powerhouse among soul master clans.
Especially since Yang Wei's soul rings were now two yellow, two purple, three black, and one red. He possessed a hundred-thousand-year eighth soul ring, and his ninth soul ring was already in place, waiting for him to reach Level 90 to absorb it. In the future, he would undoubtedly reach the Super Douluo level, laying the foundation for the family to become a prominent soul master clan.
Yang Lin and Sun Yu were particularly concerned about Yang Wei's marital prospects. Sun Yu, in particular, was eager to introduce eligible young women to him.
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