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"That golden soul ring... what is its age?" Qian Renxue, sensing something significant, asked with a trembling voice.
"A million years," Tang San replied without hesitation. "My ninth soul ring is quite unique. It can't be measured by ordinary time limits. If you want a number, its existence predates the very birth of the Douluo World."
Qian Renxue was left speechless, her mind racing. Then she narrowed her eyes and asked, "Have you taken the God Trials?"
The colors of Tang San's previous soul rings weren't gold—they were yellow, purple, black, and red. Only God Trials could increase the age of soul rings.
However, her question was tinged with doubt, as she, being the successor of the Angel God, couldn't sense any divine aura from Tang San... which was strange.
"No," Tang San shook his head. He glanced at Bibi Dong, and when she nodded slightly, he began explaining about the Blue Silver Network, the Starry Sky World, and the Spirit Beast Illusion Realm.
"The Spirit Beast Illusion Realm?" Qian Renxue was stunned. She hadn't realized that so much had happened in Spirit Hall while she was undercover in the Tian Dou Empire. And Tang San's spirit had created a virtual space connected to a world of spirit beasts, where killing those beasts could enhance the age of soul rings, and even potentially drop soul bones...
Was this a joke? Or had the world changed so rapidly that she was falling behind?
Why hadn't her grandfather told her about this?
Although a multitude of questions swirled in her mind, Qian Renxue decided not to ask them just yet. After all, she was still Emperor Qinghe, and staying here for too long would be inappropriate.
"Can you take me in to see it someday?" Qian Renxue asked.
"I can, considering our 'brotherly' relationship, I'll give you a 20% discount," Tang San replied with a faint smile.
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes. "I have to pay?"
"That's right. Spirit Hall doesn't support freeloaders. If you have any doubts—"
Tang San nodded seriously, then handed her a price list for entering the Starry Sky World. "Different people have different rates. As of now... you're not an official member of Spirit Hall. By standard regulations, you're not even qualified to enter. You'll have to discuss the specifics with the Supreme Pontiff."
Taking the thick price list, Qian Renxue flipped through it, her eye twitching. Who came up with all these rules?
"These are the regulations," Bibi Dong said as she, following Tang San, pulled out another hefty book of guidelines. "You might want to memorize them."
Qian Renxue was at a loss for words. She didn't understand what was going on in Spirit Hall, but still stashed the books into her storage soul tool and quickly headed for the exit of the Supreme Pontiff's Palace, fearing that Bibi Dong and Tang San might pull out more regulations to overwhelm her.
"Why is Emperor Qinghe coming out so late?" Not far from the Supreme Pontiff's Palace, Xue Beng, who had been casually chatting with Emperor Dai of Star Luo, saw Qian Renxue, now back in her male guise, and immediately stepped forward with a sneer. "Are you planning to sell the empire your ancestors left you to Spirit Hall?"
Xue Qinghe ignored him, straightening his collar. He calmly turned to Emperor Dai and said, "I was just having an extended conversation with Earl Silverblue. His Feathered Tang Technology Company, which he runs with his disciple, is based in Tian Dou City. We've had quite a few collaborations... I apologize for keeping you waiting."
"No problem," Dai Legao nodded and took a few steps forward, offering, "Why don't we take a tour of Spirit City together?"
"In the past five years, Spirit City has developed rapidly, and its six outer districts have transformed remarkably. We might be able to learn a thing or two and address the shortcomings of our own empires."
"What do you think, Emperor Qinghe?"
Xue Qinghe smiled warmly and nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a good idea."
Dai Legao then turned to Xue Beng and invited him, "What do you think, Lord of the New Tian Dou Federation?"
Upon hearing the title "Lord of the Federation" again, Xue Beng's expression briefly darkened with anger, but he quickly composed himself and said, "Of course. Anything worth learning should be studied."
Even though he had been emperor for two years and could get temperamental at times, he had learned to mask his true feelings well, keeping his emotions in check.
...
"What do you think of Qian Renxue?"
After Qian Renxue left, Bibi Dong asked Tang San about his impression of her.
"Strong, confident, and self-respecting," Tang San replied, offering three adjectives. After a brief pause, he added, "Also, quite stubborn, and she craves your approval."
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed as she asked quietly, "Do you know what her relationship is to me?"
"Her surname is Qian, and she can speak to you directly without much courtesy, implying a high status, likely from the Angel bloodline." Tang San, already aware of the truth, began analyzing the situation. "But you don't seem to have a fondness for the Angel bloodline. Your attitude toward her is strange—there's resentment, reluctance, and also some affection. A complex mix of emotions. Given the former Pope's death, which seemed rather suspicious, since a Titled Douluo doesn't die easily from mere injuries, I suspect there's more to the story. I can also sense a blood relation between the two of you."
Well, there it was!
He had analyzed a lot, but the last sentence was the most straightforward.
Suppressing her growing anger, Bibi Dong asked, "You seem smart enough. So, you must know what happens when you speak such truths in front of me?"
"Hmm—" Tang San rubbed his chin, drawing out the sound. "It seems like... you can't beat me now."
Crack!
In her fury, Bibi Dong snapped the scepter she was holding. It took her a moment to calm down before she said quietly, "So, I've raised a 'tiger in my own den,' haven't I?"
"Ahem, there's no need to be so serious, Your Holiness. I'm not interested in the position of the next Supreme Pontiff, nor do I have any desire to take control of Spirit Hall," Tang San responded candidly. "My goal is to pursue higher realms and explore more unknowns. As a spirit master, that's what I should focus on. I just want to bring more companions along the way."
"You proposed the 'Tui En Decree,' which shows you have a clear understanding of human nature. I can't afford to take you lightly." Bibi Dong's words carried an implicit warning, as if signaling that she might test Tang San at some point.
"However, wise men don't test human nature. At most, they guide it," Tang San replied bluntly, unafraid of being direct. "Tests should have objective, physical standards—like strength, soul power, or spiritual energy levels. But the human heart? That should never be tested. Regardless of whether the person passes or fails, they'll always harbor some resentment."
"If the person has no power, it may not matter. But if they gain power later, they'll surely seek revenge."
"As long as there's no indiscriminate killing or unjustly blaming others, everything can be settled fairly. For example, with the prisoners from the Sun and Moon Army, we didn't just kill them all in one go. We judged them individually and handed out sentences accordingly."
(End of Chapter)