After their failed mission, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo led their forces back to Spirit City. The grand operation, involving so many people, had ended in failure, and Chrysanthemum Douluo could already imagine the Pope's punishment awaiting them.
"Sir, don't you think there's something unusual about that girl?" Lordiala finally voiced his doubts. Earlier, when Xiao Wu took out that rare flower, he had sensed a strange aura—something that faded beyond a certain distance but grew stronger up close.
At the time, Chrysanthemum Douluo had been so enchanted by the Yearning Heartbroken Red that he'd missed the odd detail. Now, with Lordiala's reminder, he recalled a faint, non-human aura.
"Sir, could she be a spirit beast transformed into a human?" Lordiala speculated boldly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo shook his head, uncertain. There were a few things that didn't add up. A hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form should only be able to fully conceal their aura upon reaching level 60, which Xiao Wu clearly hadn't attained.
If Xiao Wu were truly a spirit beast, he, as a Title Douluo, would have sensed it immediately, making Lordiala's theory unlikely.
"Let's not overthink it," Ghost Douluo suggested. "We'll simply report the girl's situation to the Pope. It's up to her to decide if the girl is a spirit beast or not. We just follow orders."
Meanwhile, after the ambush, the Heaven Dou army did not retreat but continued onward. The knights guarded over twenty carriages, resuming their journey toward Spirit City.
Along the way, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe demonstrated an impressive level of command, organizing the troops efficiently—treating injured horses, repairing carriages, and clearing the battlefield.
The black-clad attackers had mostly used defensive tactics to buy time to target Tang San, so Heaven Dou's casualties weren't significant, allowing the group to proceed with a force of about a thousand soldiers.
However, the atmosphere was tense, especially for Tang San, who was deeply unsettled. From Ning Fengzhi, he had learned that the attackers, including the Title Douluo, had been there specifically to eliminate him.
Tang San was now a marked target. The Spirit Hall's failed attempt was just the beginning; while they could try again and again, he only had one life to lose.
"Sigh, let's take a walk," Dai Mubai said, making space for Tang San to process everything, as the rest of the Shrek team left the carriage to give him some quiet.
"Third Brother…" Xiao Wu approached, hoping to console Tang San, but he brushed her off with perfunctory responses.
The Yearning Heartbroken Red's rejection of Xiao Wu was a sign only he understood. Doubts plagued Tang San, and the possibility of a painful truth loomed over him. Exhausted, he needed time alone, away from Xiao Wu.
Inside the carriage, Tang San reflected on his situation. Facing a Spirit Douluo had shown him how weak he truly was. His prized hidden weapons had proven useless.
For years, he had managed to stay in control, but since meeting Chen Xuan, setbacks had piled up, culminating in today's near-death encounter.
Tang San felt powerless for the first time, realizing how much he needed strength. Though he was now level 40, his Blue Silver Grass spirit was advancing slowly. Currently, he could still rely on Tang Sect techniques, but he feared that beyond level 50 or 60, his spirit might become obsolete.
He opened his left hand, gazing at the small silver hammer floating above it, wondering if he should focus on cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer instead.
Outside the carriage
"Thank you for today, Chen Xuan," Xiao Wu approached Chen Xuan to express her gratitude.
Surprised by this rare display of politeness from her, Chen Xuan had not expected it. In truth, he sought no reward, only wishing to protect Xiao Wu and, indirectly, his child. Before the child was born, he would let nothing harm her.
"No need to thank me. It's my duty."
Chen Xuan's gaze shifted to her stomach as he solemnly vowed, "As long as I'm here, no matter the strength of our enemies—even if a god appears—I won't let either of you be harmed."
His words made Xiao Wu freeze momentarily, a trace of panic flickering in her eyes.
"B-both of us? What are you talking about, Chen Xuan? There's no 'both' of us." She forced a strained smile, trying to play it off.
Chen Xuan's deep gaze fixed on her in silence. Having come this far, he would not hide the truth any longer.
Gradually, an unspoken understanding seemed to settle between them, shifting their relationship. Where there had once been animosity, a strange harmony was beginning to take shape.
Xiao Wu attempted to appear calm, but under Chen Xuan's intense stare, her resolve faltered.
"Uh… I… I just remembered, I need to find Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing." Xiao Wu quickly excused herself and left to find the other girls.
Chen Xuan sighed, saying nothing as he turned and returned to his carriage.
Over the next few days, the Heaven Dou army continued its journey. After three days, they crossed a rocky terrain into a new landscape. The tense atmosphere among the soldiers gradually eased, and with Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi's guidance, the troops regained their morale and trust in their leaders.
On the fifth day
Chen Xuan remained in his carriage, meditating. He practiced new techniques using his Mangekyo Sharingan, integrating its powers with his spirit abilities.
Today, his spirit power advanced, reaching level 49, just one step away from level 50.
The sacred herb with nine fruits from Red Earth had provided a steady stream of energy, constantly replenishing his spirit power.
The toxic tea forced upon him by that woman had also become fuel for the sacred herb, benefiting him rather than harming him. The potency of the poison had turned into nourishment for the herb, which continued to supply him with power even now.
Chen Xuan estimated that, with continued training, he could reach a breakthrough within ten days.
Reaching level 50 was a critical milestone for Spirit Masters; even the most gifted saw their cultivation speed slow beyond this point.
Following the natural pace of cultivation would mean waiting years, perhaps even a decade, to reach the Title Douluo level. He would need external support to achieve his goals faster.
His hopes were now pinned on the reward from the system. Achieving level 50 would grant him a significant reward package, and based on past rewards, he expected this one to contain five items.
At that moment, Jiangzhu returned and sat beside him naturally, showing no hint of shyness.
"I just asked, and Dean Flender said that in about five or six days, we'll reach Spirit City."
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