Time passed like flowing water.In the blink of an eye, four years had gone by.
Soul Clan.
Inside the small courtyard belonging to Hun Xiu, the youth had not taken a single step outside for four whole years.
All he did was cultivate.Nothing else—just relentless, tireless cultivation.
Above the courtyard, the elemental forces of heaven and earth formed a powerful vortex, like a hurricane in reverse, pulling energy inward without pause.
This sight had persisted day and night for four years straight.
And during those four years, the vortex only grew larger and more intense.Now, the swirling energy nearly enveloped half the entire Soul Realm.
The spiritual energy within the entire Soul Realm had begun to flow uncontrollably toward Hun Xiu.Such a phenomenon made it clear just how terrifying his rate of absorption was.
Many from the younger generation had already finished their seclusion.
And not just them—even many elder experts who had been in death-closed seclusion were forced to exit early.
The reason?
All the elemental energy of the realm had been drawn to Hun Xiu's courtyard—there was nothing left for them to cultivate with.
There was simply no helping it.
The Soul Clan had to open a new sub-realm just to provide a place for those elders to continue their cultivation.
Perched atop a distant tree, Hun San gazed toward the courtyard and murmured:
"Young Master Hun Xiu has been in seclusion for four years now... When will he finally come out?"
At the beginning, Hun San had been stationed outside the courtyard to guard him.But as time went on, the elemental power flowing into the courtyard became so intense that even he, a Dou Zun, couldn't withstand it.
He had no choice but to retreat.
Now, all he could do was watch from afar.
And inwardly, he felt deeply unworthy of his post.
Inside the palace of the Soul Emperor...
Void Swallowing Flame (Xūwú Tun Yán) stood beside the Soul Heavenly Emperor and looked at the sky-darkening vortex above the realm.
The black flame danced within his eyes as he said:
"Heavenly Emperor, I never expected this little guy's cultivation to cause such a stir."
"Indeed," the Soul Emperor nodded."With such a massive disturbance, his strength must've increased dramatically. It seems he's used up nearly all the resources I gave him."
His gaze sharpened as he looked in the direction of Hun Xiu's courtyard.Clearly, he was lost in thought.
"I believe he'll be coming out very soon," Void Swallowing Flame added with a smile.
"Mm."
The Soul Emperor nodded again.
"Huh?"
Just then, the massive vortex of energy above the courtyard began to dissipate.
Both men locked eyes.
They could see the same thought in each other's expressions:
"Xiu'er… is coming out."
In the next moment—Both their figures vanished from sight.
Inside the room—
Hun Xiu slowly opened his eyes, black flames flickering within them.His once pristine white robes were now ragged and frayed—torn from within.
His appearance was a bit rough now, no longer the handsome and radiant youth of four years ago.But after a bit of grooming, he would undoubtedly shine once more—a man capable of turning heads across the continent.
"F-Four years…" Hun Xiu murmured, almost disbelieving.
He clenched his fists, feeling the sheer strength coursing through them.
"A full four years… and I've finally exhausted all my resources."
Excitement lit his face as he stretched his long-stiffened limbs and stepped out of the room.
"Father.""Master Xu Wu."
He bowed respectfully as the Soul Emperor and Void Swallowing Flame appeared before him.
"Xiu'er, you've used up all the resources?" the Soul Emperor asked, still visibly stunned.
"Yes, Father."
Hun Xiu held out his palm, revealing two spatial rings—the very ones his father had given him four years ago.
One contained a Dou Technique, while the other—once packed with countless cultivation resources—was now completely empty.
The Soul Emperor took the rings, staring at his son with a mix of disbelief and complicated emotion.
In his estimation, the contents of these rings should've taken at least twenty years to fully digest.
And twenty years was the bare minimum.
But now—just four years later—and Hun Xiu had consumed it all.
A monster.
The Soul Emperor had always considered himself a genius.But now, with this son...
Only now did he realize what it truly meant to be a prodigy.
"Worthy son of mine. The student surpasses the master," he thought with a rare swell of pride.
After standing silently for a few moments, he looked at Hun Xiu and said:
"You've done very well. As your father, I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, Father." Hun Xiu cupped his fists slightly in gratitude.
"Father, I—"
Just as Hun Xiu began to speak, the Soul Emperor waved his hand to interrupt:
"Don't worry."
"Four years ago, the reason I wouldn't let you leave the clan was because you were still young—and, more importantly, weak."
"But now… you're strong enough. You may leave."
"Go clean yourself up. Come find me in the study later tonight."
He patted Hun Xiu's shoulder with satisfaction, then turned and vanished with a single step.
Hun Xiu watched them leave and his eyes gleamed:
"That level of movement… When will I be able to do that?"
He shook his head, clearing the thought.
His mind quickly turned to Xun'er.
"It's been four years… Has she forgotten her Brother Hun Xiu?"
That night.
Hun Xiu arrived in a flowing white robe, exuding an extraordinary air.His long black hair cascaded to his waist, and his striking features were like those of a young immortal—A face that could devastate entire kingdoms.
In these four years, his appearance had matured fully.
With his background and that face, he could give every girl on the continent a warm home—if he so desired.
And frankly, he wouldn't even need to lift a finger—girls would come to him willingly.
"Father."
Hun Xiu stepped into the study and gave a respectful bow.
"Mm."
The Soul Emperor nodded slightly and flicked his hand. A black token floated toward Hun Xiu, hovering in front of him.
"This is your identity token," the Soul Emperor explained."With it, the Soul Hall will obey your command."
The token was pitch-black, its material unknown.One side bore the character 'Hun' (魂), the other: 'Young Lord' (少主).
"Thank you, Father."
Hun Xiu accepted the token with a bow.
He didn't care much for the inscriptions—since his father gave it, that was enough.
Frankly, he had expected his father to make things more difficult, but the straightforward approval surprised him.
"Mm." the Soul Emperor nodded again.
"Inside the token is a trace of my soul clone. If you ever encounter an enemy you can't defeat—Drop your blood on the token, and the clone will activate."
"But it can only be used once. Use it wisely."
"Understood," Hun Xiu replied, moved by the gesture.
"Also—wear a mask when you leave."
With another wave, a mask floated over to him.
Hun Xiu accepted it, confused.
"Father, why the mask?"
The Soul Emperor pointed at a nearby mirror and said:
"Take a good look at yourself."
Hun Xiu: "…"