Spirit City, Pope's Hall.
Creaaak. The heavy doors were pushed open by the guards stationed outside. Salas walked in, his expression solemn and respectful.
At the sides of the stairs stood Chrysanthemum Douluo in golden armor and Ghost Douluo in black armor.
On the high seat above them, wearing a purple robe, crowned with a purple-gold coronet and holding a jeweled scepter, sat Bibi Dong. Her face was calm, unreadable.
Salas quickened his small steps until he stood beneath the steps. He bowed deeply.
"Subordinate greets Your Holiness the Pope."
"Rise," Bibi Dong lifted her delicate hand slightly, her voice even. "Speak. What matter brings you here?"
Remaining bent, Salas lifted both hands. Soul power surged, and a stack of documents appeared in his palms.
"Your Holiness, please have a look."
Ghost Douluo stepped forward, took the files, and in a flash delivered them respectfully to Bibi Dong.
Without change in her expression, she opened the files and began to read.
A moment later, her clear eyes narrowed slightly, her expression turning serious. She read quickly, then lifted her head, thought for a moment, and turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, you look over this as well. See if you recognize the rare treasure mentioned."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Chrysanthemum Douluo accepted with a bow, took the file, and began to read.
The moment he saw the description of Yang Yunhai drawing lightning into his body, his eyes widened. "This child… is he insane?!" he muttered.
But as he continued, his expression shifted drastically, and he quickened his pace.
'The ability to communicate with Blue Silver Grass… if extended to other plants…' His heart stirred.
Soon he finished, and looked up toward Bibi Dong.
"And?" Bibi Dong asked calmly.
"This bamboo shoot truly exists," Chrysanthemum Douluo said respectfully. "It is a peerless rare treasure known as Black Jade Divine Bamboo. Its effect primarily works on martial souls. It is said that plant-type soul masters who consume its essence can greatly increase the toughness of their martial souls and dramatically enhance combat strength."
"However, the one Yang Yunhai encountered must have still been immature, not yet fully ascended. Even so, if completely digested, its medicinal power is easily enough to help a Soul Grandmaster break through to Soul Elder."
"As for martial soul evolution and bodily transformation—it is rare, but not impossible. My guess is that his success was also tied to repeatedly tempering himself with lightning. According to the letter, he has trained by drawing lightning into his body. That practice tempers both body and martial soul. With the rare herb's energy plus thunder tempering, the dual effect broke his shackles and pushed his martial soul to evolve."
"Leaves with pale golden patterns, able to communicate with nearby Blue Silver Grass. Your Holiness, Yang Yunhai's Blue Silver Grass martial soul may already be nearing the level of the Blue Silver Emperor. On top of that, his martial soul carries lightning attribute, can actively draw lightning for cultivation, his body was reforged by the herb, and his foundation is extremely solid. Moreover, his first three spirit rings were all absorbed far beyond normal limits."
"If this continues, barring accidents…" Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed slightly lower, "…in my humble opinion, he has the qualifications to become a Titled Douluo. His future achievements may not fall beneath my own."
He added inwardly, 'Brat, I've said all the good words for you. Don't let me down in the future.'
A martial soul with control, healing, and lightning attack—honestly, Chrysanthemum Douluo felt envy. His own martial soul had always lacked offensive power.
Salas beside him was stunned. "For Elder Chrysanthemum to give such praise…?"
After all, Chrysanthemum Douluo was a rank 95 Super Douluo.
A martial soul with strong control, destructive lightning, plus healing ability, and with extraordinary research talent—if raised to Chrysanthemum Douluo's level, Yang Yunhai could surpass him in utility.
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered. 'If cultivated properly, he could even become a strong support for Nana in the future.'
She turned toward Ghost Douluo. "Elder Ghost, go to the treasury and bring item No. 38 from the Soul Tool section."
Then she looked back at Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Elder Chrysanthemum, go personally. Examine that child's martial soul and ability carefully. Also, bring back all information about his background."
'Perfect. I was hoping to go myself.' Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed. "As you command, Your Holiness."
"Dismissed," Bibi Dong said softly.
"Yes." The three bowed in unison and withdrew.
---
Days later, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Uncle Sword, how is it?" Ning Fengzhi asked as Sword Douluo descended on his flying sword.
Sword Douluo shook his head. "There are indeed several mountains that match the description. It's early March, with cooler mornings and evenings. When the sun rises, the mist easily forms. Yang Yunhai's account is plausible."
"But unfortunately, we found no such rare treasure. Only ordinary bamboo shoots."
"It seems that boy truly had good fortune." Ning Fengzhi sighed with a faint smile.
"There's more. During the search, our people spotted the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall searching as well. The Clan must have heard from Yu Tianheng. Spirit Hall likely picked up the news later."
"They searched far and wide—but like us, found nothing."
"That is to be expected. Such a treasure's effect is too great." Ning Fengzhi remained composed. "If fate doesn't allow it, then it cannot be forced."
He smiled faintly. "As for Yang Yunhai's background, I've already received news."
"His background?" Sword Douluo leaned forward.
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "A tragic life. He was born during a thunderstorm. The moment he came into the world, a hundred-year-old tree at the door was struck by lightning, the house caught fire, and if not for heavy rain, it would have burned down. Because of that, his family and neighbors all thought him cursed. They abandoned him."
Sword Douluo's eyes widened. "Superstitions—truly harmful."
"Indeed. Were it not for someone passing by, he would have died. That man was Changgong Tai, then a Spirit Hall deacon in Nuoding City. An orphan himself, raised in an orphanage, he later joined Spirit Hall. After retirement, he became village chief, and also the orphanage director. He raised Yang Yunhai personally."
"Then why didn't Yang Yunhai join Spirit Hall?" Sword Douluo asked.
"Because his innate soul power was only 0.5. Though his martial soul was a mutation, his record only showed Blue Silver Grass. Such a low innate soul power barred him from entering Spirit Hall's academies. He could only enter Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy as a work-study student."
"During his years there, he trained diligently. Because of certain circumstances, he didn't need to work in the afternoons. Every day, he went to a patch of Blue Silver Grass in the back hill to cultivate. In two and a half years, he raised his soul power to rank 10."
"That's impressive," Sword Douluo nodded.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "After reaching rank 10, he returned to his village to seek help. Most likely, Changgong Tai introduced him to Changgong Ao, the captain of the patrol team in the nearby forest. According to reports, Yang Yunhai went alone with a hunting warrant."
Sword Douluo's eyes narrowed. "And Changgong Ao, seeing his martial soul was Blue Silver Grass, looked down on him and casually arranged a low-quality century plant beast, not caring for his future."
"Perhaps so," Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Or maybe one of his subordinates did it. Either way, Yang Yunhai bore resentment—but out of gratitude to Changgong Tai, he never voiced it openly. Later, as he grew and understood his martial soul's defects, he realized his first spirit ring had been wrong. That resentment likely deepened."
Sword Douluo sighed. "So when he reached rank 20, he chose to risk hunting alone."
"Exactly. And that choice proved his distrust of Spirit Hall." Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed.
Sword Douluo chuckled. "I'd wager Spirit Hall regrets it bitterly now. A rank 31 defeating a rank 39 direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? His talent after evolution is undeniable."
"But too late. He's now living comfortably at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Why would he join Spirit Hall willingly?"
"I agree," Ning Fengzhi said calmly. "But Spirit Hall won't give up. They'll surely try again—perhaps when he next goes to claim his stipend. Salas might even try threats, using Changgong Tai or his parents."
"We'll see after he returns," Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Or better yet, we'll meet him ourselves."
Sword Douluo poured tea. "By the way, guess who else our people found in Nuoding?"
"Who?"
"Yu Xiaogang—and his new disciple. Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass. Innate rank 10 soul power. Name: Tang San." Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed. "His father: Tang Hao. Profession: blacksmith."
Sword Douluo's body jolted. "Tang San? The one at Shrek Academy—Rongrong's teammate?"
"Yes."
"…A blacksmith." Sword Douluo's voice softened. "So he truly has a child. No wonder the Clear Sky Hammer vanished for so many years."
Ning Fengzhi exhaled slowly. "Who would have thought…"
Just then, hurried footsteps approached.
"Reporting, Sect Master. The Crown Prince requests an audience."
"It seems Xue Qinghe also heard." Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Invite him in."
Moments later, "Xue Qinghe" entered in ceremonial robes, bowing politely.
"Disciple greets Teacher, greets Elder Sword."
"No need for courtesy," Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Qinghe, what brings you here today?"
"I wish to invite Teacher to meet Yang Yunhai with me," Qian Renxue said politely. "His background has been investigated. It is… rather unusual."
"Oh? How so?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"The one who raised him was once a Spirit Hall deacon," Qian Renxue replied.
Ning Fengzhi immediately understood. Qian Renxue wanted to show the royal family's support, warning Spirit Hall not to act recklessly in recruiting Yang Yunhai.
He smiled faintly. "Very well. I will accompany you."
Better to win him for themselves than let Spirit Hall snatch him away.
"Thank you, Teacher," Qian Renxue bowed respectfully.
"The carriage is ready outside," she added with a smile.
"Haha, Qinghe, you truly value this boy," Ning Fengzhi laughed, striding out.
"Such a prodigy deserves it. Even Father admires him, and asked me to pay extra attention." Qian Renxue followed gracefully.
"Indeed, he is worth it," Ning Fengzhi agreed, walking out the hall.
(End of Chapter)
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