Nan Feihuang carried Qian Renxue on his back for an entire day. To avoid alerting the powerful ten-thousand-year soul beasts in the area, the two of them moved with utmost caution.
He dared not run or channel his soul power, relying solely on his physical strength to tread carefully. With Qian Renxue's spiritual power constantly scanning their surroundings, they managed to cover significant ground without any mishaps.
Fortunately, Nan Feihuang's body had been tempered through the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Even after carrying a grown woman all day, he showed no signs of fatigue, his breathing steady and unlabored.
This feat left Qian Renxue silently impressed. This boy's physical strength is remarkable—far beyond that of an ordinary Soul Elder. To endure this journey without breaking a sweat… his foundation is truly exceptional.
As the sun began to set, the two arrived at a small riverbank.
"Snow Sister, it's getting late," Nan Feihuang said. "How about we rest here for the night?"
Qian Renxue nodded. "Alright. Set me down by that tree. You should rest as well."
"I'm not tired," Nan Feihuang replied with a smile. "You stay here. I'll fetch some water."
Although they still had dry rations, they hadn't drunk any water all day. Even a soul master with a tempered body couldn't ignore the need for hydration.
Nan Feihuang plucked a large leaf from a nearby tree, folding it into a triangular cup. He dipped it into the river and brought it to Qian Renxue. "Here, Snow Sister."
"Thank you, Feihuang," Qian Renxue said, taking the leaf cup and drinking deeply.
Watching her quench her thirst, Nan Feihuang chuckled softly before kneeling by the river to drink his fill.
Qian Renxue glanced at him, her gaze softening. This boy is surprisingly considerate. Everything he does, he puts me first.
Before the daylight faded entirely, Nan Feihuang summoned his Fangtian Halberd and waded into the river, skillfully spearing two fish. They couldn't survive on dry rations alone, and this was a good opportunity to improve their meal.
Though his cooking skills weren't as refined as certain "grilled fish masters" of the future, his preparations were decent enough to be edible.
Qian Renxue watched the scene unfold and couldn't help but laugh. "Feihuang, your powerful martial soul is truly impressive, but isn't it a bit of a waste to use it for catching fish?"
"What's the harm in that?" Nan Feihuang replied with a grin, unconcerned. "A martial soul is meant to serve us, whether in battle or in everyday life."
Without hesitation, he skewered the two fish onto his halberd and began roasting them over the fire.
Soon, the aroma of grilled fish filled the air. Once the fish were ready, Nan Feihuang handed the halberd to Qian Renxue. "You eat first, Snow Sister. I'll extinguish the fire."
He quickly smothered the flames to avoid drawing attention, prioritizing their safety as night approached.
Qian Renxue took the halberd and tasted the fish. Though it was a simple preparation, it was surprisingly delicious. Perhaps it was the hunger from their predicament, but the grilled fish felt more satisfying than the lavish delicacies she was accustomed to.
As she ate, something caught her attention.
"This halberd…" Qian Renxue murmured, examining the Fangtian Halberd closely. She had seen Nan Feihuang wield this weapon many times before, but today it felt… different.
There was an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if the weapon resonated with her on some level.
In truth, this was because the Fangtian Halberd had undergone an evolution. After Nan Feihuang's Ice and Fire Yin Yang tempering, the weapon's hidden potential had begun to awaken. This was the first time Qian Renxue encountered its enhanced state, which was why it felt both familiar and foreign to her.
As a martial soul, the Fangtian Halberd now rivaled, if not surpassed, her own Six-Winged Angel in quality. Its potential far exceeded ordinary martial souls and held the promise of becoming a divine artifact in the future.
"Feihuang, you're actually innately full of soul power, aren't you?" Qian Renxue suddenly asked. While the official story was that the crown prince of the Gu Lei Kingdom was born with only eight levels of innate power, his rapid progress suggested otherwise.
"Yes," Nan Feihuang admitted, deciding there was no point in lying. "My parents kept it a secret to protect me."
Qian Renxue nodded. "Understandable."
Internally, however, her thoughts ran deeper. This boy's Fangtian Halberd is extraordinary—strong enough to resonate with my Six-Winged Angel. Innate full soul power is usually the limit for human martial souls, but this halberd… it feels as though its potential far surpasses that threshold.
She recalled something her grandfather had mentioned long ago.
The Angel Clan's ancestor, Qian Yuhan, once shared an unbreakable bond with a soul master who wielded a divine halberd. Could it be… are the Angel Clan and halberd wielders truly fated to be intertwined?
"Snow Sister? What's wrong?" Nan Feihuang's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Qian Renxue returned the halberd to him. "It's nothing. I was just marveling at your martial soul's strength. Feihuang, with such a remarkable weapon, you must work even harder. There's nothing more tragic than wasting one's talent."
Nan Feihuang smiled warmly. "I understand, Snow Sister. Thank you for your guidance."
The two chatted amicably until night fell. Exhausted from her injuries, Qian Renxue soon drifted into a deep sleep.
Nan Feihuang, meanwhile, remained vigilant, keeping watch through the night. It was his second consecutive sleepless night, but thanks to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's tempering, he felt no fatigue.
Old Poison Douluo deserves some gratitude, he mused, glancing at Qian Renxue's peaceful face. Without the immortal herbs, even I wouldn't have lasted this long. But now, my body thrives under pressure, and my soul power grows as I fight and endure. Truly, this combination is incredible.
As he stood guard, Nan Feihuang failed to notice a pair of cold, gleaming eyes watching them from the darkness.
Those eyes weren't fixed on him. They were locked onto Qian Renxue.
---
Elsewhere in the Star Dou Forest, two separate search parties were making their way deeper into its treacherous depths.
One was led by Lan Xue, resolute in her determination to find her son. The other consisted of Qian Daoliu and Bright Feathers Douluo, moving at a speed unmatched by ordinary soul masters.
Lan Xue's group, having two Title Douluo among their ranks, managed to push slightly ahead. Even in the perilous forest interior, they were confident in avoiding unnecessary conflict as long as they steered clear of the ten-thousand-year soul beasts.
"Grand Ice Douluo, Your Majesty, look here!" Snake Spear Douluo exclaimed, pointing to a tree with a carved marking resembling angelic wings.
Lan Xue stepped forward, her heart racing. "What is it?"
"This is one of our Spirit Hall's secret codes," Snake Spear explained, excitement in his voice. "It must have been left by the young mistress. It means she's alive—and if she's alive, then so is your son. They must be together. If we follow these markings, we'll find them."
Tears welled up in Lan Xue's eyes as she nodded firmly. "Good. Then we press on. No matter how long it takes, we'll find them."
For the first time in two days, a sliver of hope pierced through her anguish.
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