Near noon, the Holy Maiden Enthronement Ceremony concluded.
According to the original plan, there were supposed to be more exciting events afterward.
For instance, the newly appointed Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, Hu Liena, was to challenge the young geniuses from various forces across the continent and defeat them with overwhelming strength, showcasing the power of the younger generation of the Spirit Hall.
With her top-tier variant martial soul, the Star Moon Nine-Tailed Fox, a sixty-thousand-year-old Wisdom Skull Bone that enhanced herself while suppressing opponents, the Killing God Domain, and her dominance as a control-type soul master, even at the Soul Emperor level, Hu Liena's strength could rival that of an ordinary Level 80 soul master.
With such strength, it wasn't just her peers she could defeat—even opponents ten or twenty years older would find it difficult to match her.
But alas, the Tian Dou Empire and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had produced an abnormality—Chu Chengzhou.
The purpose of challenging the geniuses from various forces was to demonstrate the Spirit Hall's strength and build momentum for the newly appointed Holy Maiden.
However, these challenges could only end in victory—not defeat. Otherwise, the stage would be handed over to others for free. And how could the Spirit Hall save face if their newly appointed Holy Maiden was soundly defeated by an outsider?
Knowing full well that her disciple Hu Liena was no match for Chu Chengzhou, Bibi Dong naturally abandoned this idea.
As for having Chu Chengzhou throw the fight?
Though Chu Chengzhou might very well agree, Bibi Dong couldn't bring herself to make such a request.
---
In the evening, in Hu Liena's courtyard.
Originally, as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, Hu Liena should have resided in the Holy Maiden Palace near the Pope's Palace on Pope Mountain. However, due to certain reasons, there was no need for her to move for now.
Inside the room, an intense battle was underway.
The Holy Maiden Enthronement Ceremony had ended, and tomorrow would mark the departure of the Tian Dou delegation. Feeling reluctant to part, Chu Chengzhou intended to shower his beloved sister with affection one last time tonight.
After a long while, the clouds parted, and the rain ceased—the battle came to an end.
"Nana, I'm leaving tomorrow."
Looking down at the sister nestled in his arms, Chu Chengzhou said with a hint of melancholy.
"It's better that you leave, you bad guy. It'll save me from being bullied so badly!"
Exhausted, Hu Liena pinched Chu Chengzhou and spoke irritably.
"Bullied? Nana, how can you call this bullying? I've been following your instructions."
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou's mischievous hands began wandering again.
Instantly, Hu Liena shivered and slapped away Chu Chengzhou's wandering hand. She hadn't even recovered her stamina for the next round yet!
"By the way, I'll give you a big surprise in a while!"
Recalling her teacher Bibi Dong's plans to transfer her to the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall, Hu Liena told Chu Chengzhou.
Although being transferred to the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall carried the implication of demotion, Hu Liena was secretly delighted.
The highest-ranking position in the Tian Dou Holy Hall was Platinum Bishop, and both in terms of identity and status, it was a notch below her position as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. In other words, once she arrived at the Tian Dou Holy Hall, she, Hu Liena, would be the ultimate authority.
If she was the most powerful in the Tian Dou Holy Hall, wouldn't she be able to do whatever she wanted?
Of course, Hu Liena didn't harbor any rebellious thoughts, but with her teacher not around, meeting her lover in secret shouldn't be an issue, right?
"A big surprise? What kind of surprise?"
Pausing for a moment, Chu Chengzhou asked.
"I won't tell you. You'll know in a while!"
Smiling, Hu Liena didn't elaborate further.
"Alright, keep your secrets. I hope it's a pleasant surprise, not a scare."
Clicking his tongue, Chu Chengzhou said.
"Well, little rascal, this Holy Maiden has rested enough. Get to work!"
"At your command, my Holy Maiden!"
---
Early the next morning, representatives from various factions who attended the Holy Maiden Enthronement Ceremony departed from Spirit City.
Before leaving, Chu Chengzhou noticed the malicious glares from Dai Weisi and Dai Feng.
However, Chu Chengzhou paid no mind to them. The Star Luo Empire was nothing but a bag of bones in a graveyard.
In the original storyline, if Tang San hadn't made a miraculous comeback and crushed the Spirit Hall, within ten years, the Star Luo Empire would have ceased to exist on the continent.
Moreover, the strength of the Star Luo Empire was mediocre at best. While they had many Titled-level experts, they lacked true top-tier powerhouses.
When they first clashed with the Star Luo Empire, if the Dai family had used some of their hidden resources, they could have eliminated him.
Now that his wings had grown stronger, even if the Dai family mobilized all their resources, they still might not be able to take him down.
But the question was—did the Star Luo Empire dare to take such risks? Or were they willing to bear the enormous cost?
They didn't dare, nor were they willing to bear too great a loss, because the Star Luo Empire had more enemies on the continent than just him. If they lost more Titled-level experts, the ever-watchful Spirit Hall might just swallow them whole.
If they invested too little, it would only be sending people to their deaths. But if they invested too much, even if they managed to defeat Chu Chengzhou, the losses would be unbearable.
In short, when it came to the issue of Chu Chengzhou, the Star Luo Empire was currently stuck between a rock and a hard place.
As for the bounty issued by the Star Luo Empire?
Those blinded by greed were likely no more than the likes of She Long—most of whom probably hadn't even reached the Titled level.
Top-tier experts all hailed from major powers. Setting aside whether they could lower themselves to become bounty hunters, even if they were willing, they would have to consider the repercussions.
A reward of an eighty-thousand-year soul bone was substantial, but provoking the Tian Dou Empire and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was not worth it.
Even if the deed was done cleanly, upon claiming the reward, the Star Luo Empire would undoubtedly sell the information of the claimant to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Let others fight to the death while sitting back to watch the chaos—that was the most satisfying outcome.
Have someone else claim the reward on their behalf?
The Star Luo Empire wasn't running a charity. Even if they managed to claim the soul bone, the moment they left Star Luo City, both the soul bone and their lives would likely be taken away.
This reward came with significant risks—or was outright unclaimable—so naturally, no top-tier expert would be willing to take the risk.
As for the rumor that Chu Chengzhou possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul bone?
Ordinary greedy individuals might believe it, but true powerhouses did not.
Every appearance of a hundred-thousand-year soul bone meant the slaying of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Unless one had extraordinary luck and encountered a soul beast whose strength hadn't fully recovered after assuming human form, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast's strength could at least rival a 95-level Titled Douluo, with stronger ones potentially matching 96-level or higher Titled Douluos.
What background did Chu Chengzhou have to possess a hundred-thousand-year soul bone?
It was true that he was Ning Fengzhi's prospective son-in-law, but Ning Fengzhi certainly wasn't wealthy enough to gift his son-in-law a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
And if he truly had one, then he absolutely couldn't be provoked.
Because that would mean that besides the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Chu Chengzhou had the backing of someone capable of hunting hundred-thousand-year soul beasts!
---
Similar to their arrival, the delegation and royal knights slowly made their way back to Tian Dou City via land, while Chu Chengzhou and his three companions flew ahead to return to Tian Dou City.
Three days later, another group departed from Spirit City.
The newly appointed Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, Hu Liena, was transferred to the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall. Accompanying her was a Platinum Bishop loyal to the Angel Family, who would replace Sa La Si as the new head of the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall.
Half a month later, in the core area of the Great Star Dou Forest
"Ah—, Sister Xiao Wu is back!"
On the back of the Fire Phoenix Summon Beast, Xiao Wu spread her arms wide, pretending to embrace the entire Great Star Dou Forest.
Xiao Wu was originally a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who had assumed human form and consumed the immortal-grade King of Flowers: Yearning Heartbroken Red. Her cultivation talent was extraordinary, and she faced no bottlenecks before reaching Level 90.
Recently, Xiao Wu's soul power had broken through to Level 70.
Having entered maturity, Xiao Wu was now like an ordinary human soul master and could no longer naturally form soul rings. Therefore, Chu Chengzhou brought her to the Great Star Dou Forest to add her seventh soul ring and advance to the Soul Sage level.
"Xiao Wu, I remember you have two little brothers. Why don't we visit them this time?"
Chu Chengzhou asked Xiao Wu.
"No, let's not go."
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Wu shook her head.
It wasn't that Xiao Wu didn't miss her two younger brothers—it was just that it wasn't suitable to bring Chu Chengzhou along.
As soul beasts, Da Ming and Er Ming harbored a deep dislike for human soul masters, as humans often hunted soul beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest.
If Chu Chengzhou accompanied her, the dim-witted Er Ming might rough him up.
Especially since Chu Chengzhou's sixth summon beast, the Titan Giant Ape, belonged to the same species as Er Ming—meeting under these circumstances would be awkward.
After some thought, Chu Chengzhou said, "The Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong, is extremely strong. She possesses twin martial souls. During the previous soul master tournament, her second martial soul was missing two soul rings. The reason she left them empty was likely because she was pursuing two hundred-thousand-year soul rings.
I think you should go back and warn them to hide well in the forest.
Although the Great Star Dou Forest is vast, without prior precautions, it's not impossible for the Spirit Hall's experts to find them."
In the original storyline, Bibi Dong had set her sights on Da Ming and Er Ming, intending to use them as the eighth and ninth soul rings for her second martial soul, the Demon Spider Empress.
Although, according to the timeline of the original story, this event was still years away, Chu Chengzhou had to prepare for it.
Da Ming and Er Ming were Xiao Wu's younger brothers—he didn't want them to become Bibi Dong's soul rings and soul bones.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu became tense, worrying about her two younger brothers.
"Don't worry; I'm just saying this out of caution. Nothing should happen in the short term."
Seeing Xiao Wu's anxiety, Chu Chengzhou consoled her.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu relaxed slightly but still felt uneasy.
"Big Brother, what should Da Ming and Er Ming do in the future? Even if it's not Bibi Dong, sooner or later, some soul master will set their sights on them."
Xiao Wu said with a troubled expression.
"I don't have a good solution either, but if one day our little Xiao Wu becomes a god, then she'll be able to protect them!"
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou gently stroked Xiao Wu's bunny ears.
In Chu Chengzhou's view, the path for soul beasts in Douluo to undergo heavenly tribulations and become ferocious beasts was a dead end. Although there were countless soul beasts, not a single one had achieved godhood since ancient times.
On the other hand, soul masters—aside from the Angel God and Sea God from twenty thousand years ago—according to the original storyline, would see ten gods emerge on the continent in the coming years, and even more hundred-level divine beings in the future.
In short, the path for soul beasts was to transform into humans and ascend to godhood through their human forms.
Chu Chengzhou didn't know if the gods of the God Realm would accept transformed soul beasts as inheritors of divine positions, but the path to godhood through faith made no distinction between human soul masters and transformed soul beasts.
Moreover, even if the gods found it difficult to accept transformed soul beasts as inheritors of their divine positions, putting a knife to their throats would surely change their minds.
After all, those who could ascend to godhood were unlikely to be unreasonable, right?
When I become the God King, I'll grant you eternal divine favor!
Tang God King might have done some questionable things, but transforming the Douluo God Realm into the Tang Family God Realm wasn't wrong.
After all, humans are selfish. Why give good things to outsiders when they can be kept for one's own?
"Become a god? Mm-hmm, Sister Xiao Wu must become a god!"
Xiao Wu nodded, her eyes flashing with anticipation.
Achieving the legendary realm of godhood—surely no one would dare covet her younger brothers then?
"Then you'll need to work hard in your cultivation!"
"Pfft, Little Chu, your soul power level isn't even as high as Big Sister Xiao Wu's! You're the one who needs to work hard!"
Hearing Chu Chengzhou's lecture, Xiao Wu pouted and replied with an air of superiority.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
Glaring at Xiao Wu, Chu Chengzhou turned his attention to the forest below, searching for a suitable soul beast to serve as Xiao Wu's seventh soul ring.
While Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu were hunting souls in the Great Star Dou Forest, Hu Liena and her group, who had been transferred to the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall and traveled for half a month, finally arrived at Tian Dou City.
That night, at the Chu residence.
In the dining room, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were eating when a maid approached.
"Ladies, here is a letter for Master."
The maid bowed and handed over the envelope.
Since the master was out and not at home, the letter naturally had to be handed over to the two ladies.
Yes, that's right—ladies.
Although the two ladies hadn't officially married into the family yet and were a bit young, this title was merely a matter of calling it early. After all, they couldn't refer to the master's girlfriends as "Miss," which would confuse relationships.
"Who sent it?"
Glancing at the envelope, which bore no writing except for an abstract cat-like figure (a fox pattern) in the corner, Ning Rongrong asked.
"I don't know. The messenger only said it was for Master."
The maid shook her head.
Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong waved her hand, indicating she understood.
"Rongrong, Big Brother Chu and Xiao Wu just went out to hunt souls. They won't be back for a while. Open it and take a look, just in case it's urgent."
Zhu Zhuqing suggested.
"That's right. We can't afford to delay anything!"
Hearing her little sister's suggestion, Ning Rongrong nodded and opened the letter to examine its contents.
"I've arrived in Tian Dou City. See you tomorrow night at Room 506 of the Tian Dou Grand Hotel. Love you, mwah mwah."
There weren't many words in the letter, and Ning Rongrong read it aloud word by word.
Afterward, the two exchanged glances.
Bang—
After a long pause, Ning Rongrong slammed the dining table, her beautiful face filled with anger. "You scoundrel! Having us three sisters at home isn't enough, and now you've got someone else on the side?! How infuriating!"
"Zhuqing, tomorrow let's go check it out and see which vixen it is!"
Ning Rongrong said angrily to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Mm!"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak but simply nodded.
However, her silence didn't mean she wasn't angry.
The three sisters had been vigilant, but they never expected a vixen to slip through the cracks.
"Love you, mwah mwah"? And meeting at a hotel at night? If this isn't a vixen, Zhu Zhuqing would refuse to believe it!
At this moment, Chu Chengzhou, deep in the Great Star Dou Forest, had no idea his "good deeds" were about to be exposed.
---
The next evening, a carriage stopped not far from the entrance of the Tian Dou Grand Hotel.
Without even getting out of the carriage, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing sat inside, peering through the window to spy.
The two sisters wanted to see which vixen Chu Chengzhou had seduced outside.
They didn't go directly to wait outside Room 506 because they feared the vixen might send someone to scout ahead. If she saw them lying in wait, she might not show up.
"Zhuqing, what do you think we should do to punish that scoundrel when he gets back?"
Ning Rongrong asked Zhu Zhuqing beside her.
After some thought, Zhu Zhuqing gestured with a scissors hand sign.
"That's… not quite right~"
Ning Rongrong hesitated.
While the punishment was fitting—and very effective—losing that would not only affect Chu Chengzhou but also cause them suffering.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Directly cutting it off was obviously out of the question, but Zhu Zhuqing couldn't think of a better solution.
"How about tying him up and hanging him for three days and nights?"
"No, that brute's skin is too thick. Even hanging him for ten days wouldn't work."
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up as she thought of an idea. "Why don't we feed him medicine but not give it to him? Let him endure for a few days—no, half a month, no—a whole month, until he dies of frustration!"
Chu Chengzhou: Can you hear the whispers of betrayal?
"No, you'll definitely betray us when the time comes!"
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head again.
This plan sounded good, but she was certain that within three days, her little sister Ning Rongrong would betray the revolution.
Moreover, there was no doubt that Chu Chengzhou's strength surpassed that of the three sisters combined. Once he unleashed his illusion techniques and got physical, they wouldn't be able to resist.
Besides, what if he couldn't hold it anymore and went out to find the vixen? Wouldn't that be losing both the chicken and the egg?
"This won't work, that won't work—what should we do?"
Ning Rongrong made a bitter face.
"I don't know. Maybe we should wait for Xiao Wu to return and discuss it then?"
"Alright, let's catch that vixen first, and when Xiao Wu returns, we'll decide how to punish that big scoundrel!"
Nodding, Ning Rongrong said angrily.
Time passed gradually, and night fell. Over an hour later.
During this hour, many carriages and pedestrians arrived at the Tian Dou Grand Hotel, but none matched their imagined target.
What did they imagine the target to be?
First, a beautiful woman—because Chu Chengzhou wouldn't be attracted to anyone who wasn't beautiful.
Second, the vixen had to either possess excellent demeanor or be a genius soul master.
After all, beauty alone wasn't enough. There were plenty of beautiful women on the continent. Chu Chengzhou wouldn't fall for just any random beauty, let alone seduce her.
"Zhuqing, Zhuqing, another carriage has arrived."
Suddenly spotting another carriage arriving at the hotel entrance, Ning Rongrong tugged at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Hmm? That carriage belongs to the Spirit Hall?"
The sharp-eyed Zhu Zhuqing noticed the angel emblem hanging on the carriage.
The only ones on the continent who used the angel emblem were the Spirit Hall.
"Hmm? It really does! Wait, is that Hu Liena?"
Initially, seeing the angel emblem on the carriage, Ning Rongrong didn't pay much attention.
After all, this was Tian Dou City, not the Spirit Hall's stronghold. Moreover, given their opposing stances, it was unlikely that Chu Chengzhou would seduce a female soul master from the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall.
But Ning Rongrong never expected that the person stepping out of the carriage was none other than Hu Liena, the Spirit Hall's newly appointed Holy Maiden and their former opponent during the soul master tournament!
Instantly, Ning Rongrong confirmed that the vixen they were hunting tonight was Hu Liena!
No wonder, no wonder the letter said, "I've arrived in Tian Dou City"!
Hu Liena had been in Spirit City, and now she was in Tian Dou City—wasn't that exactly "I've arrived in Tian Dou City"?
"Waaah, it's that vixen Hu Liena! Zhuqing, what should I do?!"
Her nose tingling, Ning Rongrong hugged Zhu Zhuqing beside her, tears streaming down her face.
It wasn't just anything—the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall were potential rivals.
If Chu Chengzhou was seduced by Hu Liena, wasn't that equivalent to betrayal?
As the young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, how could she face herself in the future?
And while Ning Rongrong was confident she could drive away an ordinary vixen, Hu Liena was the newly appointed Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, and she was incredibly beautiful. Ning Rongrong had no confidence in driving her away.
What if this vixen whispered sweet nothings and turned Chu Chengzhou against her instead?
"Don't panic. Maybe Hu Liena isn't the vixen. Let's go upstairs and check first."
Seeing her little sister shedding tears, Zhu Zhuqing quickly consoled her.
"Yes, yes, maybe the vixen isn't Hu Liena!"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong clung to this lifeline like a drowning person grabbing onto a straw, immediately self-consoling.
After all, Hu Liena was the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall—she shouldn't be just any random woman.
Moreover, Chu Chengzhou hadn't interacted much with her. During the soul master tournament, they hadn't seen any close relationship between the two. Perhaps she had jumped to conclusions.
However, despite their words, both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had a gut feeling—the unknown vixen was most likely Hu Liena.
After waiting for over ten minutes, if the vixen was indeed Hu Liena, she should already be in Room 506 by now. Thus, the two sisters got out of the carriage and entered the Tian Dou Grand Hotel.
"Welcome. May I assist the two ladies with anything?"
As soon as they entered the hotel, a waiter greeted them with a smile.
"Take us to Room 506. Someone booked it earlier!"
Having never stayed at the Tian Dou Grand Hotel before, Ning Rongrong didn't know where Room 506 was, but it didn't matter—someone would lead the way.
"Ladies, Room 506 is on the fifth floor. Please follow me!"
The waiter bowed and led them up the stairs toward the fifth floor.
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