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With the infusion of Tang San's soul power and mental energy, the soul ring suspended in his hand began to transform, shifting from a pure white hue to a warm yellow, then to a sinister purple, and then to a deep black. Finally, a striking red color emerged.
One hundred thousand years!
Everyone present witnessed this transformation as if they were beholding a miracle.
Yet, the evolution of this hundred-thousand-year-level soul ring was far from over. The red deepened further, until a golden pattern appeared on its surface.
Then, the golden patterns continued multiplying—two, three...and by the ninth, the entire red soul ring was completely enveloped in gold, transforming into a magnificent blue-gold soul ring.
One million years!
The sheer age of this soul ring spoke for itself.
Xue Qinghe was inwardly shaken, feeling that only after achieving godhood could he hope to rival Tang San. "Could this soul ring, like your previous eight, also be of the million-year level?"
"Yes, and I've suppressed the soul ring's overwhelming pressure. Otherwise, most people here would be forced to the ground. Before the soul ring is fully absorbed, its force doesn't discriminate—it oppresses everyone," Tang San said as he closed his fingers, and the million-year-level soul ring scattered into stardust, returning to a crystalline bead. "However, whether someone can successfully obtain a million-year-level soul ring depends on their own abilities."
Despite this disclaimer, everyone present knew that unless the spirit master absorbing this man-made soul ring had reached level 99, they would struggle to achieve a million-year ring.
And do level 99 experts even need soul rings?
Only in the case of twin spirits.
Even so, everyone's gaze remained heated, as this man-made soul ring could provide spirit masters with ideal abilities without requiring them to venture into distant, dangerous hunting forests to kill spirit beasts.
If one could hold off until reaching level 90 to absorb this soul ring, would they secure a powerful hundred-thousand-year soul ring?
Xue Qinghe figured that in the future, instead of hunting spirit beasts, he could simply ask Tang San for a soul ring. That way, he wouldn't have to worry about his identity being discovered.
Furthermore, Qian Renxue, as the inheritor of the Angel God, was aware of god-bestowed soul rings. She found Tang San's man-made soul rings to be no less exceptional.
Gods—mysterious and unfathomable—but Qian Renxue had become less superstitious over time. After all, Tang San's might and intelligence allowed him to manifest what seemed like miracles time and again. Perhaps one day, he would declare to the world that gods are merely another stage of cultivation, and that what people consider divine could be achieved by people or even spirit devices reaching a certain level.
As it stood, Tang San was beyond what the soul masters on the continent could imagine.
---
Yue Trading Company
This was the trading vessel of the Xu family, a prominent family of the Sun and Moon Empire.
Since the Sun and Moon Empire began its campaign toward the Douluo Continent, many noble families of the Empire desired to sail across the sea and claim territories as their own colonies.
However, the Empire's authorities prohibited these families from doing so.
The reason?
It was due to a command left by Xu Huang before his departure. As a transmigrator, he knew well the dangers of unchecked capitalism and would not allow these families to establish powerful corporate entities that could challenge him.
This was one of the reasons why Xu Huang personally led the campaign to the Douluo Continent.
"Fu Hongchen, do you think my big brother has already conquered most of the Douluo Continent?" On the deck, a girl with a high nose bridge, delicate features, and neatly cropped short hair asked the young man beside her.
"Your Highness, according to our guide, the main powers on the Douluo Continent are divided among three nations. In the Tian Dou Empire alone, there are several duchies and kingdoms, and its governmental structure is relatively primitive."
The young man, Fu Hongchen, had a head of flowing white hair, including his eyebrows—a physical change due to his mutated martial spirit.
"With His Majesty personally leading the campaign, subjugating a primitive continent is as easy as turning over a hand, especially with so many titled Douluos accompanying him, not to mention the Imperial Deacons."
"Even if the Spirit Hall has peerless experts, they're no match for our patriarch!"
Although Yu Hongchen—recently slain by Tang San—was a senior member of Fu Hongchen's family, his reverence lay firmly with Xu Huang. No one else could unify an entire empire based solely on unrivaled power!
"That's Right, My Big Brother is the Best!"
The woman, named Xu Huang, was Xu Huang's younger sister. Their names were even homophones. Stretching lazily, she gazed at the distant shoreline. "We're about to reach land. I wonder how my brother will welcome me."
"I think His Majesty might be upset. After all, he didn't permit the Empire's prominent families to come here for trade," Fu Hongchen murmured, biting his lip, worried he might face punishment.
As for the princess?
It was well-known that in the Sun and Moon Empire, the great Emperor Xu Huang favored his sister dearly. As long as she didn't defy him, she could do almost anything she pleased.
"Relax, I'll plead for you if it comes to that. My brother always listens to me," Xu Huang said, patting Fu Hongchen on the shoulder in a carefree manner, looking more like a lively, mischievous young girl than a dignified princess.
Fu Hongchen sighed, gazing out to sea. Sensing something, he quickly moved to the railing and looked closely. He spotted a small raft with seven young fishermen sitting or standing on it.
"Are those natives from the Douluo Continent? They look pretty miserable, coming out to fish on such a crude raft," Xu Huang remarked, a playful smile spreading across her face. "Fu Hongchen, do you think they'll mistake our grand trading vessel for a sea monster?"
"Perhaps," Fu Hongchen agreed. "Even in remote parts of the Sun and Moon Empire, people who have never seen a ship like this would think it's some sort of monster, let alone here on the backward Douluo Continent."
On the raft, one member of the Spirit Hall team, blessed with sharp hearing, caught their conversation and whispered to his companions, "They think we're fishermen. It seems this is a trading vessel."
"In that case, let's play along. Pretend to be fishermen and hide your spirit energy," instructed the team leader. "Then, we'll row back to shore. After all, we're just ignorant native fishermen who've encountered a 'sea monster.' Of course, we'd be frightened!"
"Good idea!"
The others agreed, putting on panicked expressions and clumsily paddling back toward the mainland, with one of them even "accidentally" dropping an oar into the sea.
Seeing this display, Xu Huang doubled over in laughter and said to Fu Hongchen, "Bring them onboard. Perfect timing—I could use a few new servants, and they'll do nicely."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Fu Hongchen replied, calling over several guards to board a small spirit-powered vessel and pursue the raft carrying the Spirit Hall team. Soon, they captured them and brought them onboard.
"Who are you?"
"What do you want?"
"We don't have any money!"
"We didn't even catch any fish today!"
"May heaven protect us!"
"Ah! Help!"
The seven "fishermen" feigned terror, sparking uproarious laughter from the Sun and Moon Empire guards. "Ha! Stupid Douluo natives!"
This scene played out before all the spectators at the Great Spirit Arena in Spirit City—
"No wonder the Spirit Hall team is so highly regarded—their acting is flawless!"
"Bold and resourceful!"
"Spirit Hall is truly brimming with talent!"
"..."
Hearing the murmurs of praise for the Spirit Hall team around him, Tang Xiao frowned, unable to see any evidence of "bravery" or "resourcefulness" in the team's performance.
The Seventh Elder snorted disdainfully. "A bunch of bootlickers, not worth mentioning!"
Following the Spirit Hall team, the Tian Dou, Star Luo, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile, and Four Elements teams were each captured by the crew of the Yue Trading Ship and brought before Xu Huang.
"Are you all fishermen from around here?" Xu Huang scanned the thirty-five captives, a hint of amusement in her voice as her gaze sharpened slightly.
A moment ago, she had indeed thought they were fishermen, but now, something didn't quite add up. These people didn't look the part—at least some of them didn't.
What kind of fishing crew is composed entirely of young people?
Even though she wasn't a fisherman herself, Xu Huang knew that venturing out to sea required experienced elders. Otherwise, even near the coast, it could be perilous.
"Yes, my lady," said the Spirit Hall team captain, stepping forward with a quivering voice. "However, this time, we aren't here to fish. We're fleeing for our lives."
"Fleeing?" Xu Huang's interest was piqued.
"Yes, fleeing. Xiaohai City was taken over by a band of savages. We had no choice but to escape to survive." The Spirit Hall team captain, realizing that these people likely hadn't yet heard of the Sun and Moon army's total defeat, feigned terror, speaking loudly. "They wield weapons that breathe fire, stronger than any spirit master. At the sound of an explosive roar, like thunder from the heavens, our defending spirit masters fell instantly... Devils! They're nothing less than devils!"
The other four teams—Tian Dou, Star Luo, Four Elements, and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile—watched the Spirit Hall captain's exaggerated performance, each feeling a jolt of shock.
They were painfully aware that they'd soon have to act in a similar manner, and, since this entire scene was being broadcast live to viewers in Spirit City, a wave of embarrassment washed over them.
But—
Tian Dou: "Yes, those people… their skin is darker, like they work in charcoal."
Star Luo: "They're cannibalistic savages!"
Four Elements: "But we've heard that the Tian Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, and Spirit Hall are all preparing to launch a joint counterattack against those bandits."
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile: "Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has joined the fight too."
Seeing these "Douluo natives" speak of Sun and Moon warriors in such a disrespectful manner, Fu Hongchen's eyes flashed with anger, and he prepared to teach these "ignorant" Douluo upstarts a lesson.
But Xu Huang raised her hand to stop him. "They're just ignorant natives. My brother often says that we must liberate Douluo Continent, for one day, its people will inevitably become citizens of our Sun and Moon Empire..."
The Spirit Hall captain was taken aback, surprised by the open-mindedness of this woman. However, the Douluo Continent had no need for "liberation" by foreign invaders.
Just as the five teams were beginning to see Xu Huang in a more favorable light, she continued, "…but before they become citizens of the Sun and Moon Empire, they'll need to spend some time as slaves."
Spirit Hall team members: "..."
(End of Chapter)