To accommodate Wei Na and Mu Xue, Lang Ya, Mo Feiyun, and Xu Zihuang naturally could not fly at full speed.
They would often fly for a period of time before Wei Na and Mu Xue, who were only at the Soul King level, had to stop to recover their soul power.
However, Xu Zihuang had no such issues. He didn't need to do anything; the spirit-attribute soul core located in a separate space at his brow would automatically absorb the heaven-and-earth elemental energy from the air like a black hole vortex, integrating it into his body.
Not only was his soul power not consumed at all, but it was even subtly increasing his cultivation. Simply put, the existence of the soul core meant he was essentially cultivating every moment.
If he actively controlled the soul core to absorb heaven-and-earth elemental energy for cultivation, his cultivation speed would multiply.
After condensing and fusing with the soul core, his cultivation speed had at least doubled. At this rate, he would be able to attempt breaking through to the Soul Sage level within about a year.
Moreover, the soul core restored not only his soul power but also the spiritual power in his sea of spirit. His sustained combat ability now surpassed even that of a Soul Douluo like Mo Feiyun.
It could be said that his overall comprehensive abilities were no longer inferior to those of an ordinary Titled Douluo; the only thing he lacked was soul power cultivation.
The Northern Spirit Great Plains were located in the north-central part of the Dou Ling Empire. Starting from there, the group took less than half a day to enter the northern border of the Dou Ling Empire.
Piercing, bone-chilling winds raged in the sky, and as far as the eye could see, the world was a vast expanse of white. After continuing to fly northeast for another two hours, they finally spotted the outline of a majestic city in the distance.
Qianling City, also situated in a world of ice and snow, still stood out from its surroundings. Especially the enormous city walls built around it, they were truly awe-inspiring. In terms of scale, Qianling City's walls surpassed even those of Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire.
Qianling City was quite close to the Extreme North, a place with a harsh environment and scarce food, where soul beasts often roamed out in search of sustenance. The walls were built not only to block the cold winds but also to defend against these wandering soul beasts.
Unlike the Star Dou Great Forest, soul beasts that could survive in the Extreme North's extremely harsh conditions were generally not weak, and many belonged to large groups. Beasts like the Ice Silkworm Tianmeng were ultimately rare exceptions.
Even the soul beasts that wandered out were aggressive types like Icefield Wolves. To ensure the safety of nearby residents and travelers, Qianling City's garrison patrolled the surroundings day and night.
Wei Na, after all, was a princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire with a special status. Even Lang Ya, confident in his strength, did not want to draw too much attention and potentially put Wei Na in danger. He led the group to land in a mountain hollow about five kilometers from Qianling City.
The terrain here was relatively high; climbing a nearby hill about a hundred meters tall allowed a full view of Qianling City. From here, one could also see the endless deep-blue sea to the east of the city.
The snow-white Qianling City contrasted sharply with the deep-blue ocean. Snowflakes drifted down, falling onto the ground and the sea, but the ocean, influenced by currents, remained unfrozen, with waves surging.
"Whew—" Wei Na and Mu Xue supported each other, their lips slightly parted, their full chests heaving. Their martial souls were both ice-attribute, so they were not unaccustomed to the cold; rather, the soul power consumption from using flight soul tools along the way had been immense.
The flight soul tools they used were considered extremely advanced on the original Douluo Continent, but compared to Xu Zihuang's, which incorporated the latest bionic soul tool technology from Mingde Hall, there was still a noticeable gap.
The key difference was that their flight tools lacked the light membrane function to reduce air resistance and cold winds. And since the group was flying against the wind, the intensity of soul power consumption was imaginable.
Lang Ya, to temper Wei Na and Mu Xue's willpower, along with Mo Feiyun, had not lent any assistance.
The group prepared to change into fur coats before entering Qianling City.
With their soul power cultivation, they were not affected by the surrounding low temperatures, but wearing warm fur coats would still be more comfortable. Moreover, if they kept their previous thin clothing, it would indirectly reveal their identities as soul masters.
Lang Ya and Mo Feiyun, well-prepared, donned ordinary black fur coats. Paired with their plain appearances, they looked just like ordinary locals who had lived here for years. No one would associate them with Soul Douluo or Titled Douluo-level powerhouses.
Wei Na and Mu Xue caught their breath, calming their disordered auras, and changed into identical Thousand-Year Snow Fox fur coats. The snow-white fur blended almost perfectly with the surroundings, fluffy yet not bulky, form-fitting, reaching down to their calves, further accentuating their tall figures.
One was gentle as water, fragile and pitiable; the other was cold and noble, standing proud against the frost. Standing together, the two women instantly formed a stunning sight.
Finally, there was Xu Zihuang in his Thousand-Year Purple Marten fur coat. The purple millenary fur of the marten complemented his deep purple eyes and the few strands of purple hair at his temples, instantly overshadowing Wei Na and Mu Xue in aura.
Turning around and seeing Xu Zihuang's ethereal temperament, both Wei Na and Mu Xue were momentarily stunned. Mu Xue's expression did not change much, but in Wei Na's translucent, jade-like light-green eyes, a trace of shy tenderness unconsciously appeared.
Liking beautiful things is human nature. Even if she wasn't particularly obsessed with looks, Xu Zihuang's flawless face and aura were still pleasing to the eye.
Lang Ya kindly asked Xu Zihuang, "Tianhuang, I heard you're from Dragon City on the northern border of our Heavenly Soul Empire. You should be quite used to this climate, right?"
"I've long been accustomed to it. Dragon City is much colder than Qianling City," Xu Zihuang replied with a smile.
On the other side, Mu Xue gently pushed Wei Na toward Xu Zihuang. As a princess, Wei Na maintained a calm expression despite her inner shyness and added, "When Snow Sister and I went to the Extreme North to obtain our fourth and fifth soul rings, we passed through Dragon City. The temperature there is indeed lower."
Lang Ya smiled and reminded them, "Let's enter the city first and rest."
He could naturally see Wei Na's little thoughts and was happy to see them. If Wei Na and Yu Tianhuang truly ended up together, it would be a tremendous blessing for both the Body Sect and the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Thus, the five, now dressed, walked out of the hollow one after another and stepped onto the official road leading to Qianling City. The road was covered in thick snow, but due to passing travelers, it had been compacted firmly.
They hadn't walked far when the sound of barking dogs rose behind them. A dozen or twenty snow dogs, resembling wolves in appearance, pulled sleds, joyfully racing across the snow.
These snow dogs carried part of the Icefield Wolf soul beast bloodline and had an impressive appearance; even their barks resembled wolf howls. Their beautiful heterochromatic eyes showed human-like curiosity as they ran, tongues out, tilting their heads to observe Xu Zihuang and the others.
The burly man on the sled noticed the group, stopped, and smiled kindly.
"You folks must be from out of town, heading to Qianling City? If you don't mind, I can give you a ride."
The pack of snow dogs surrounded the group. Wei Na touched one dog's head and asked in delight, "Is that okay, uncle?"
Mu Xue, standing beside Wei Na, tentatively reached out and touched a pure-white snow dog's head. The coldness in her eyes seemed to soften considerably.
The dogs around Xu Zihuang stared directly into his eyes, looking somewhat dazed, showing "intelligent" expressions before howling.
"Awoooo—"
"These idiots are truly embarrassing their ancestors," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, awakened by the cold environment, grumbled inwardly. But despite the grumbling, returning near his old home after a million years filled him with emotion.
"I never thought I'd see the day I'd come back."
The burly man, seeing the exceptional looks of Xu Zihuang, Wei Na, and Mu Xue walking at the front, was momentarily stunned. Recovering, he nodded and laughed heartily.
"When people are out traveling, helping each other is only right. I'm going that way anyway. As long as you don't mind the simple conditions."
Wei Na no longer hesitated and politely thanked him.
"Then we'll trouble you."
At the burly man's enthusiastic invitation, the group boarded an empty sled at the back. The sled had two rows of seats; Xu Zihuang, Wei Na, and Mu Xue sat in the front row, while Lang Ya and Mo Feiyun naturally took the back.
The two appeared as mere guards for the three young people, remaining expressionless and silent throughout.
Mu Xue pulled Wei Na to sit in the middle. The sled was not spacious, so with three people in a row, physical contact was inevitable. Xu Zihuang rested his right hand on the iron railing, propping his chin, clearly sensing Wei Na's soft body gradually stiffening.
"Hold on tight!" the burly man shouted, then drove the sled toward Qianling City once more.
With an outsider present, the five avoided topics that might reveal their identities or whereabouts and instead chatted with the burly man.
Riding the sled, the five-kilometer distance passed in an instant.
Qianling City's remote location meant it wasn't a bustling border city between nations. The city gate had no particularly strict guards; after a simple check, they were allowed through.
Thanking the burly man again, the group parted ways with him.
Xu Zihuang planned to visit the city lord's mansion to inquire about Ma Xiaotao, while Wei Na, Mu Xue, Lang Ya, and Mo Feiyun intended to find a hotel to rest and recover before entering the Extreme North to search for a suitable spirit-attribute soul beast for Wei Na.
"Wei Na, Mu Xue, Senior Lang Ya, Uncle Mo, farewell for now," Xu Zihuang said, preparing to leave.
"Tianhuang, wait."
Suddenly, Lang Ya took out a sturdy, old yellow parchment from his storage soul tool and handed it to Xu Zihuang, saying seriously, "This is a sea chart left by our Body Sect ancestors thousands of years ago after hunting hundred-thousand-year sea soul beasts. Areas with powerful sea soul beasts are marked on it. Take this chart. Be extremely careful during your sea training this time."
Lang Ya truly treated Xu Zihuang well, of course, because he sincerely recognized Yu Tianhuang and saw him as a future member of the Body Sect.
Xu Zihuang accepted the chart with emotion, then respectfully bowed to Lang Ya.
"Senior Lang Ya, this chart is indeed what I need. I won't refuse it."
Saying this, Xu Zihuang also took out the Windbreaker Bow and three Thunder Rockets connected to level-six fixed-installation explosive soul guide cannons from his storage soul tool and handed them to Wei Na.
"Although the value of these soul tools can't compare to the chart Senior Lang Ya gave me, I can't accept such a great gift for nothing. I made these myself. Wei Na, since our martial soul abilities are similar, you should be able to use the Windbreaker Bow and Thunder Rockets."
Wei Na was clearly caught off guard and instinctively accepted them. Looking at the exquisitely crafted Windbreaker Bow and Thunder Rockets, sweet affection grew in her gentle eyes.
Xu Zihuang's gaze swept over the four, then he smiled warmly and departed.
Watching Xu Zihuang's retreating figure, Lang Ya grew more satisfied. Yu Tianhuang's talent was unparalleled, and his own disciple Wei Na was also a twin martial soul genius. In his view, the two were a match made in heaven.
Wei Na was still immersed in the earlier unusual sensation, lost in thought.
Mu Xue, expressionless, parted her red lips.
"Wei Na."
"Ah… yes, what is it, Sister Snow?" Wei Na hurriedly put away the Windbreaker Bow and Thunder Rockets and looked at Mu Xue.
Mu Xue speechlessly took Wei Na's hand.
"Didn't you hear? These soul tools were made by him personally. That means, while reaching Soul Emperor level in soul power, he is at least a level-six soul engineer."
Wei Na merely smiled sweetly and countered, "Sister Snow, with his talent, is that really surprising?"
"…"
On the other side, after parting with Wei Na's group, Xu Zihuang headed straight for the city lord's mansion.
He had his reasons for giving the Windbreaker Bow and Thunder Rockets to Wei Na. In the future, when he sought revenge and reclaimed his position, he could borrow the Heavenly Soul Empire's power to oppose the Sun Moon Empire under Xu Tianran. These soul tools were an opportunity to forge closer cooperation with the Heavenly Soul Empire.
As long as Wei Na personally used the Windbreaker Bow and Thunder Rockets, she would proactively seek him out to facilitate this cooperation. He was absolutely confident of that.
Inside Qianling City, with the tall, thick walls blocking the cold air, the temperature was somewhat higher.
Despite the cold climate, the streets were lively, if not bustling. Especially the taverns on both sides, from which noisy sounds occasionally emerged. Each time someone entered or exited, a wave of heat escaped.
Drinking to ward off the cold was common in northern continental cities, and taverns were ubiquitous.
The close-fitting Thousand-Year Purple Marten fur coat highlighted his slender figure. A few snowflakes landed on his loose, black, long hair, lingering without melting, further emphasizing his elegant, transcendent aura.
Fortunately, as dusk fell, he did not stand out too much.
As night descended, the temperature dropped further, and foot traffic on the streets thinned.
Like most cities, Qianling City's lord's mansion was located in the city center. The mansion was grand, one of the most magnificent buildings in the city.
At the entrance, two soldiers stood straight, dressed in thick cold-weather gear. Warm-toned soul guide lights illuminated the falling snowflakes, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow.
Seeing Xu Zihuang approach, the two soldiers respectfully asked, "May I ask what business you have?"
Xu Zihuang's aura clearly marked him as no ordinary person, so they naturally wouldn't foolishly offend him.
Xu Zihuang calmly replied, "I'm here to see the lord of Qianling City."
The two soldiers' eyes widened. At that moment, footsteps approached from behind Xu Zihuang.
A young man and woman, both in their twenties, walked side by side. The stern young man stood as straight as a spear, while the blue-haired woman beside him had a cold expression, her aura somewhat similar to Mu Xue's. Standing together, they looked quite compatible.
"Miss, Young Master Shen." The two soldiers bowed to them.
The stern young man and blue-haired woman had overheard Xu Zihuang's conversation. Frowning, they passed him and examined his face. After a brief pause, their expressions froze.
"You're Yu Tianhuang?" The stern young man's pupils contracted sharply, and an invisible sharp aura emanated from him.
He could never forget the intense sense of defeat from being crushed single-handedly by that Shrek Academy youth during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
"Shen Ce?" Xu Zihuang raised an eyebrow at the newcomers.
The stern young man was none other than Shen Ce, captain of the Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team in that tournament, possessor of the Thousand Strike Spear martial soul. The cold, blue-haired woman beside him was An Lengye, the team's vice-captain and an Icefrost Bear soul master.
"Young Master Shen, Miss, you know him?" one soldier tentatively asked.
Shen Ce replied with a complex expression, "He's from Shrek Academy. Lengye and I lost to him back then."
Losing to Yu Tianhuang had been frustrating, but more importantly, it allowed Shen Ce to recognize his shortcomings and face them honestly, thereby improving himself. He spoke without feeling ashamed; losing was losing.
Shen Ce's words caused a stir. The soldiers' gazes toward Xu Zihuang instantly changed.
Shrek Academy's reputation on the continent was immense. This youth had represented Shrek and defeated their miss and Qianling City's top young genius, Shen Ce. What kind of genius must he be?
Even the usually taciturn An Lengye took the initiative to speak to Xu Zihuang.
"My grandfather is the lord of Qianling City. Come with me; I'll take you to see him."
The soldiers quickly opened the main gate. An Lengye nodded to Xu Zihuang, then walked deeper into the mansion with Shen Ce.
Xu Zihuang followed calmly.
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