"Just a small matter." Xue Ye smiled warmly, looking casual and relaxed.
Not long after, Xue Qinghe hurried over. Xue Ye turned his head, explained the situation, and instructed his son to be a proper host.
"Of course." Xue Qinghe smiled brightly.
After some polite exchanges, he led Yang Yunhai and the others to the Eastern Palace, arranging residences for Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan in a side hall.
"Greetings, Grandpa Qian, Sister Xue." Seeing Qian Renxue, and without any scene of jealousy, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan greeted her affectionately.
"Come, sit down." Qian Renxue, her belly slightly rounded, smiled warmly.
"Mm." The two girls stepped forward and sat nearby.
"Greetings, Grandpa Qian / Grand Worship." Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo also politely greeted.
"Mm." Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, then couldn't help but ask, "Are you all going on a long trip?"
Yang Yunhai nodded. "This time, we are heading to the Star Dou Forest to capture a 100,000 year transformed soul beast."
"100,000 year transformed soul beast?" Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu were both startled.
"It's that Xiao Wu beside Tang San," Dugu Yan added.
"It's her." Qian Renxue's eyes flickered with surprise. In her impression, Xiao Wu was impulsive and foul-mouthed. That was her evaluation.
A soul beast capable of cultivating for 100,000 years should, in her mind, possess extraordinary experience and steady temperament. Xiao Wu clearly didn't fit.
Such a person turned out to be a 100,000 year transformed soul beast—she found it difficult to comprehend.
Yang Yunhai nodded. "Back at the tournament, I investigated her. Tang Hao should have secretly given her some herb that concealed her aura, so she wasn't exposed on stage. We discovered this because back in Suotuo City's Great Spirit Arena, before she had taken that herb, she fought in front of us. And that time, Grandpa Dugu happened to be in the stands not far away."
"That's right." Dugu Bo nodded. "The moment she used her soul skill, I saw she wasn't human."
Yang Yunhai continued. "Grandpa Qian, with her connection to Tang San, and Tang San's current level far below the ability to absorb her soul ring, she would only drag him down. And since Tang Hao and his son are now wanted fugitives, carrying such a burden increases the risk of exposure. So, we suspect she was sent back to the Spirit Beast Forest for safety. Within her familiar territory, it would be safer and wouldn't hinder Tang Hao and Tang San's movements."
"Grandpa Qian, the first place I met her was in Nuoding City, right on the border of the two empires."
"The only forest in that region capable of raising a 100,000 year soul beast is, in my opinion, the Star Dou Forest."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly. "Indeed, the Star Dou Forest is the most likely." Raising his eyes to Yang Yunhai, he asked, "Do you need my help? In the Star Dou Forest's core area, as far as I know, there are both the 100,000 year Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape."
"That won't be necessary." Yang Yunhai shook his head. "With Teacher, Martial Uncle, and Grandpa Dugu, their strength is more than enough to hold the line. My task is only to seize Xiao Wu at the right moment. At my current soul rank 59, it should be easy."
"Soul rank 59?" Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu were both shocked. They had thought Yang Yunhai was still only at the level of a Soul Ancestor.
Qian Daoliu instinctively focused, but found a faint energy layer blocking his probe.
"Was this from cultivating with lightning strikes?" he asked.
Yang Yunhai nodded. "Also from consuming immortal herbs, residual medicinal power within my body, and some other factors."
"The medicinal power of immortal herbs is indeed vast. Even I have yet to completely refine mine." Qian Renxue nodded in agreement, secretly adding in her heart, 'This must also be related to the divine inheritance Yun spoke of.'
Qian Daoliu nodded, not pressing further. "With your teacher, your martial uncle, and Elder Dugu, it should indeed be enough."
Last night, he had already gauged their strength. Chrysanthemum Douluo had broken through rank 97, Dugu Bo was at rank 96, and Ghost Douluo must also be at rank 97 by now. Even he was surprised at their rapid progress.
Especially Dugu Bo—his cultivation speed was frightening.
But since they were now on the same side, there was no need to pry too deeply. Yang Yunhai's immortal herbs, one after another appearing, surely meant he still had some in reserve. But he was smart enough to share when necessary.
Now that he was his granddaughter's husband, with even a great-grandchild on the way, what was there not to trust?
"Still, the Star Dou Forest's core is dangerous. You must be cautious," Qian Daoliu reminded.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Qian. My Blue Silver Grass perception extends very far. Safety should not be an issue," Yang Yunhai said with a smile.
With Qian Renxue pregnant, Qian Daoliu naturally preferred to stay close and watch over her. That gave Yang Yunhai peace of mind as well.
"Mm." Qian Daoliu nodded. "Eat before you depart."
"Alright." Yang Yunhai nodded, then sat beside Qian Renxue.
The family chatted happily. Dugu Yan was the most lively, curious about the baby, making Qian Renxue's face turn red the whole time.
'When Xue'er delivers, I'll help her open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Don't want to risk disturbing the child before then.' Yang Yunhai thought silently, smiling.
Time passed, and soon it was noon.
They enjoyed a family meal, lingered in conversation, and then Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo excused themselves and left.
Back at the academy, Yang Yunhai spoke briefly with Meng Shenshou. By nightfall, the four of them flew into the sky, heading toward the Star Dou Forest.
Inside the core area of the Star Dou Forest.
Beneath a colossal, sky-shading tree beside a lake, shadows swayed in the wind. Gnarled roots arched up and spread outward, sinking deep into the soil.
A pink-clad girl sat atop the roots, her hands lightly braced, slender legs swinging as her eyes gazed blankly into the distance.
Her dazed look suggested she was lost in memories.
"Sister Xiao Wu, are you thinking of him again?"
The ground trembled as a massive black-furred ape charged forward on all fours.
Xiao Wu blinked back to herself, but her head didn't lower. She whispered, "Er Ming, do you think he's doing well?"
"Most likely not." A voice suddenly answered nearby.
"Polar Stasis Domain!" Ripples spread through the air, freezing everything in place. Four figures slowly descended from the sky.
Xiao Wu and the Titan Giant Ape were both immobilized.
Whoosh!
A black shadow flashed by, Xiao Wu's vision went dark, and she vanished.
Splash!
The lake surface erupted, a gigantic bull's head bursting forth, thunder arcs crackling along its twin horns.
Boom!
Terrifying lightning surged out—then instantly froze in midair.
Yang Yunhai swept back up into the sky, rejoining Dugu Bo.
"Let's go." He cast a glance at the two beasts still locked down.
"Mm." Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo nodded, withdrawing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
The four turned to leave.
"Humans, leave Xiao Wu!" The Sky Azure Bull Python roared, its voice full of fury.
"Get down here!" The Titan Giant Ape bellowed, hammering its fists into the ground. "Gravity Domain!" Strange ripples spread outward, sinking the earth around them.
But the four high in the sky were unaffected. The beasts could only rage helplessly.
"Perhaps we will meet again." Yang Yunhai glanced back with a smile, continuing onward.
Just then, an immense spiritual wave rippled from the depths of the lake, a calm yet mighty voice resonating directly in their ears.
"Respected Child of Nature, may we speak? I am the Myriad Demon King. I bear no malice."
(End of Chapter)
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