The two parted ways.
Dugu Bo's figure was like lightning as he swiftly returned to the city.
Yue Guan pondered for a moment before beginning his journey back toward Spirit City.
This was an urgent mission,once completed, it was time to report back and explain the reason behind Fang Ling's astonishingly rapid improvement.
"Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum… sigh~"
Yue Guan couldn't stop thinking about that Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. The thought that Dugu Bo had discovered such an immortal herb, hadn't eaten it himself, and instead let his disciple consume it made him feel especially uncomfortable.
It felt like his heart had shattered into eight pieces.
He sighed gloomily, and his figure soon disappeared into the distance.
At the Crown Prince's mansion, Qian Renxue and Fang Ling were having an enjoyable conversation.
She truly lived up to her role as crown prince. Xue Qinghe's reputation for wisdom was something this impostor had painstakingly built over time.
Though not familiar with Fang Ling, their conversation flowed naturally without awkwardness.
With her broad knowledge and composed manner of speaking, she gave people a sense of calm confidence, like a refreshing spring breeze.
"Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum?" Qian Renxue immediately thought of Yue Guan's martial soul upon hearing Fang Ling explain the reason.
"Isn't that…"
"Yes, it's the same martial soul as His Excellency Chrysanthemum!"
Fang Ling nodded slightly and clenched his fist. "Just by eating one, my soul power increased greatly, and my talent improved to some extent as well."
"An immortal herb…" Qian Renxue's eyes showed a trace of yearning.
At that moment, Fang Ling's face revealed a particularly regretful look.
"Unfortunately, there was only one. If I could get another, I'm confident I could become a Soul King by the age of twelve!"
What a beautiful dream.
A twelve-year-old Soul King? Even with my innate rank twenty, I wouldn't dare imagine it.
You, with innate rank one, were lucky enough to have such fortune, and you still dare to be so greedy.
Qian Renxue felt a slight pang of envy and teased, "A treasure born from heaven and earth like this is already a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck. Finding a second would be unimaginable."
"Brother Qinghe is right. This is heaven's reward for my hard work. I really shouldn't ask for more." Fang Ling seemed to realize the thought was unrealistic and scratched his head sheepishly.
Then, as if remembering something, he stood up. "I've troubled Your Highness for quite a while now. I should be going back."
"Thank you again for your help. When I've prepared a gift, I'll come visit you in person."
This was the result of the plan!
He would take the initiative to visit, and from there, they could slowly grow closer.
Qian Renxue wore a gentle smile, her tone carrying a hint of reproach. "What gift? You could come directly and I'd be happy."
"Since learning about the effort you've put in over the years to become the strongest, I truly feel I've been slacking."
During the day she was busy with political affairs, and when she had time, she still meditated diligently,but her cultivation progress never felt satisfactory.
Isn't that slacking?
With innate rank twenty, she was destined to become a god if she followed the normal path, yet she had chosen to act as an undercover agent in Heaven Dou, slowing her cultivation like an idiot…
Slacking didn't even begin to cover it.
Fang Ling grumbled inwardly but shook his head slightly.
"Your Highness lacks talent in cultivation and has no interest in the path of soul masters, dedicating yourself entirely to state affairs. How could that be called slacking?"
He shifted his tone and promised Xue Qinghe:
"When I return, I will train hard. In three years, I will definitely bring the academy the ultimate victory in the tournament!"
"Haha, good. That's the spirit."
Qian Renxue's eyes were full of joy.
To trample that fox underfoot and slap Bibi Dong in the face!
But as for one genius defeating three, she wasn't sure it was possible.
She also bid Fang Ling farewell. "Don't worry about this incident, Brother Ling. I will report to my father and work with Uncle Ning to demand an explanation from Spirit Hall!"
"But Spirit Hall is powerful,this may end up all thunder and no rain. Don't get your hopes up."
"It's fine, I'll trouble you with it, Brother Qinghe."
Dugu Bo rushed to the Crown Prince's mansion. Seeing that Fang Ling was unharmed, he finally relaxed.
But his expression was still very unpleasant.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your help."
He clasped his hands toward Xue Qinghe, expressed his gratitude, and decisively left with the three of them.
At home, after hearing Fang Ling's account and Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's additions to the full story, fury burned in Dugu Bo's eyes.
"Yue Guan is one thing, but Salas, a mere Soul Douluo, dares to provoke me?"
Killing intent surged, but Fang Ling quickly stopped him. "Teacher, you mustn't kill."
"I know." Dugu Bo sighed heavily and nodded.
Still too weak!
Fang Ling offered a suggestion for venting his anger:
"In my opinion, you should just beat them up and then make them suffer diarrhea for a month, stinking up ten miles with the wind…"
"Social death. Let's see how they can still show their faces in Heaven Dou City!"
As long as no one died, the matter could be considered settled.
Spirit Hall was in the wrong and could only swallow their pride.
After all, they had targeted a junior of a Title Douluo,surviving was already showing Spirit Hall's strength.
"What a vicious idea." Ye Lingling thought Fang Ling's mind was truly devious, but soon a clear, bell-like laugh rang out.
They were all villains and deserved no sympathy. They ought to be punished.
Dugu Yan, already a poison expert, immediately grinned wickedly. "Haha, I like it."
"Good idea. Let's see if they have any shame." Dugu Bo's eyes also lit up.
For him, a poison-attribute Title Douluo from a poison-using clan, this was far too easy.
"Yan Yan, Lingling,come, the three of us will discuss which poison to use."
Countless ideas flashed through Dugu Bo's mind. He decided to make this a hands-on training exercise for Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, upon seeing the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe personally visit, Ning Fengzhi naturally dared not be negligent and welcomed him personally.
"Put pressure on Spirit Hall together?"
Qian Renxue nodded. "Yes. Spirit Hall's actions are becoming increasingly arrogant,they dared to attack the empire's future. I hope Uncle Ning will fully support us and curb their arrogance."
"Alright, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will not back down." Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment, consulted briefly with Gu Rong and Chen Xin, and agreed.
Spirit Hall was in the wrong here, and ever since the Clear Sky Sect's withdrawal, they had been growing more overbearing.
The royal family of an allied empire was requesting help, and this was only about exerting pressure.
It could even improve Fang Ling and Poison Douluo's favor toward them,a win-win with minimal risk. Why not do it?
Yue Guan returned to Spirit City and explained the matter in detail to the Pope.
"An immortal herb, Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum?" A trace of deep thought crossed Bibi Dong's fair face.
"Exactly. This is a rare treasure born of heaven and earth, something only those with great fortune can hope to see." Yue Guan's eyes still held envy.
"In your opinion, what level could he reach in three years?"
After the elders had intervened, Bibi Dong was still considering giving Qian Xunji's fifty-thousand-year head spirit bone to Hu Liena as a tournament reward.
If Fang Ling became a Soul Emperor, then even if the other three became Soul Kings, they wouldn't be able to win.
They would need to find another opportunity.
Yue Guan pondered for a while. "The Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum is a supreme treasure, but it cannot cover all aspects."
"While soul power increases and physical constitution strengthens, the improvement to innate talent may be slightly less pronounced. Reaching Soul Emperor level may be difficult,I estimate he'll be around level fifty-seven or fifty-eight."
"But with his past cultivation speed, I can't be sure. He may stay out of sight from now on, so we can only have the young master keep a close watch."
After Yue Guan left, Bibi Dong sat alone in her chair, thinking about how to give the soul bone to Hu Liena.
She recalled Qian Renxue's report on Fang Ling's training method. "Meditation under the pressure of strong soul power?"
After a brief thought, she said casually, "Go and bring Nana and the others here."
This should be a very useful method.
If Fang Ling, a crippled beggar who had crawled out of the mud, could do it, why couldn't her genius disciples?
At the Spirit Hall Academy, Hu Liena was still unaware of the hell awaiting them in the next three years.
But in the world of soul masters, strength was the most important thing.
If they knew the reason, they would definitely thank Fang Ling.
Thank his ancestors for eight generations.