After killing the three members of the Elephant Armored Sect, Yang Podi did not use any soul skills to recover. Instead, he wanted to test how well his body could recover on its own and determine how long it would take to heal his current injuries.
As for the three members of the Elephant Armored Sect, Yang Podi shook his head and muttered, "The strongest among them is only at the rank of an eighty-two-level Soul Douluo, yet they dared to rob me. They were simply courting death."
Yang Podi speculated that the commotion from his battle with the White-Eyed Demon Tiger King must have attracted them. He had only intended to test his body's strength through the fight, but it led these three to misjudge his abilities and become greedy. After all, a near-dead seventy-thousand-year-old White-Eyed Demon Tiger King was a priceless treasure.
After tidying up the scene, Yang Podi picked up three storage soul tools and left without further thought.
Next, he killed the severely injured White-Eyed Demon Tiger King. As expected, a white right arm soul bone appeared from the tiger's corpse. Yang Podi stored the soul bone and the tiger's body before leaving the area.
This place, though in the core of the Sunset Forest, was only about 200 kilometers from Heaven Dou City. Wasting no time, Yang Podi spread his wings and flew rapidly toward the city.
In less than an hour, he had already arrived at the outskirts of Heaven Dou City. To his amazement, his injuries had completely healed in such a short time. His recovery speed was truly astonishing, and he became even more satisfied with his Blue Silver Emperor soul ring.
After entering Heaven Dou City, Yang Podi randomly chose a hotel, took a bath, changed his clothes, and headed straight to the Crown Prince's Mansion. His primary purpose in coming to the city this time was to meet Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
When Yang Podi arrived at the Crown Prince's Mansion, he faced guards who attempted to block him. Without hesitation, he took out a token from the Breaking Clan and said, "Please inform your Crown Prince that Yang Podi wishes to meet him. I'll wait at Heaven Dou Grand Hotel tomorrow morning."
Without waiting for the guards' reply, he turned and left. The Crown Prince's Mansion was, after all, Xue Qinghe's territory, and there were two Title Douluos hidden within. Yang Podi wasn't confident about facing two Title Douluos at once, so there was no point in lingering.
As expected, Xue Qinghe arrived punctually the next morning. Judging by his spring-like expression and the irrepressible smile on his face, it seemed his efforts against Xue Beng were progressing well.
The two headed to the top floor of the Heaven Dou Grand Hotel and chose a very quiet room.
Xue Qinghe looked puzzled. "Brother Yang, why choose such a secluded place? Do you have some significant matter to discuss with me?"
Yang Podi shook his head. "It's not a major issue, just a deal I'd like to propose to Your Highness. I believe keeping it discreet is better."
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe's expression subtly shifted.
Yang Podi spoke calmly, "Why the change in expression, Your Highness? If I recall correctly, our last cooperation went rather smoothly. Surely you haven't forgotten already?"
Xue Qinghe forced an awkward smile. "Brother Yang, you jest. Our last deal was indeed a pleasant one, with mutual benefits. What sort of transaction are you proposing this time?"
Yang Podi chuckled. "I've heard the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, is extraordinary. Could I perhaps borrow it for a look?"
At these words, Xue Qinghe's face immediately darkened. "Brother Yang, you must be joking. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is the Empire's national treasure; it's not something easily lent out. Perhaps you could directly approach my father. Considering his regard for you, he might agree."
"Your Highness is too modest. Given our prior collaboration, I prefer dealing with you directly. It's mutually beneficial, after all."
Xue Qinghe hesitated, then said, "Since this is a trade, Brother Yang must offer something in return. Surely you can't expect to borrow our national treasure without compensation."
"Of course."
With that, Yang Podi retrieved a jade box and opened it, revealing a flaming sunflower—a Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. The flower emanated an extreme fire attribute, filling the air with fiery energy.
Yang Podi smiled and said, "This is a rare immortal herb I stumbled upon, known as the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. It possesses extreme fire properties and carries the phoenix attribute. Since your royal family's martial soul is a swan, consuming this might evolve the martial soul and even borrow the fire phoenix's properties to dispel poison."
"Your Highness, does this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower satisfy you? Is it worth the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?"
Xue Qinghe's expression grew grave as he examined the herb. His martial soul and bloodline seemed to resonate with it, yet he suppressed his emotions and said, "Brother Yang, if you have such a treasure, why not offer it directly to my father? I'm sure he'd provide satisfactory terms."
Yang Podi shook his head. "If I approached Emperor Xue Ye, the nature of the deal would change entirely, potentially involving my Breaking Clan. I prefer trading with Your Highness—it's simpler and mutually beneficial."
Xue Qinghe thought for a moment before responding, "Five days. Let's conduct the trade here in five days."
Yang Podi smiled. "Then I wish us a pleasant collaboration."
With that, Yang Podi left, leaving Xue Qinghe deep in thought.
After Yang Podi's departure, a figure emerged from the shadows—it was Snake Spear Douluo.
Snake Spear Douluo saluted and asked, "Young Master, why not detain him? That way, we'd obtain the treasure without giving up the national artifact."
Xue Qinghe glared at him. "What do you know? That Yang Podi is meticulous and wouldn't come unprepared. My identity is an absolute secret and must not be exposed."
"Go to Spirit Hall immediately and confirm with Yue Guan. I want to know if this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower can benefit my martial soul."
Snake Spear Douluo quickly departed.
Four days later, he returned to the Crown Prince's Mansion. To Xue Qinghe's surprise, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan had also arrived in secret, despite his injuries.
Seeing Yue Guan, Xue Qinghe quickly asked, "Elder Yue, thank you for your efforts. How are your injuries?"
Yue Guan shook his head. "Young Master, my injuries are no longer serious. Although I suffered greatly, Spirit Hall provided full treatment. I'll recover completely within two years."
Xue Qinghe's face turned serious. "What effects does the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower have? Can it benefit me?"
After a brief pause, Yue Guan replied, "The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower possesses extreme fire properties and greatly enhances any fire-attribute soul master. If Young Master consumes it, both your fire attribute and soul power will see significant improvement. For fire-attribute avian martial souls, it can even trigger martial soul evolution. It's a supreme treasure."
Xue Qinghe shook his head. "Given Yang Podi's insight, he must be fully aware of the value of this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Furthermore, Yang Podi is an exceptionally shrewd individual who would never engage in a losing transaction. Clearly, in his eyes, the value of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud surpasses that of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Investigate immediately—what exactly is the function of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?"
After speaking, Xue Qinghe took out a sapphire-colored, three-dimensional triangular crystal—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. The moment the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was brought out, the entire room was bathed in a blue glow, as though submerged in an ocean.
Unfortunately, no matter how Chrysanthemum Douluo and the others researched it, they could not uncover anything unusual about it. The only discovery was that the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was an extraordinarily fine storage soul tool. However, as the national treasure of the Heaven Dou Empire, it could not be that simple.
Finally, Snake Spear Douluo spoke, "Young Master, it seems this Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is far from ordinary. Should we still proceed with the trade?"
At that moment, Xue Qinghe inwardly cursed the group of people around him countless times. He hadn't expected that this group of titled Douluo couldn't discern the function of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, showing less insight than a mere Soul Emperor.
After much contemplation, Xue Qinghe finally spoke. "Of course, we'll trade. Exchanging something of no use to me for a supreme treasure that offers significant enhancement—how could that be a loss? As for the future, we'll deal with it later."
In truth, Xue Qinghe himself was feeling the pressure. Initially, with innate soul power at Rank 20, he had considered his talent unparalleled. However, his soul power had now been surpassed by Yang Podi. With such a rare treasure available, how could he let it slip away?
Nonetheless, Xue Qinghe still asked, "Have there been any movements from the other members of the Breaking Clan? They wouldn't allow Yang Podi to come to Heaven Dou City alone to trade with me."
Serpent Spear Douluo immediately replied, "Young Master, Dugu Bo has returned to Heaven Dou City in recent days. Additionally, Yang Zhentian of the Breaking Clan is also in Heaven Dou City, seemingly dealing with some matters regarding the clan's medicinal trade."
Xue Qinghe appeared to realize something. "What is Yang Zhentian's current strength? Can we find out?"
Serpent Spear Douluo shook his head. "This individual seems to possess an artifact that conceals his soul power. Without engaging him in combat, we cannot detect his level. However, we estimate that he should be at the rank of Soul Douluo. Furthermore, the Breaking Clan is renowned for their formidable offensive power."
"The Pope has decreed that unless absolutely necessary, we are to avoid conflicts with the Breaking Clan and the Imperial Clan to prevent creating unnecessary enemies and prematurely exposing our strength, which could interfere with subsequent plans."
Xue Qinghe shook his head again. "If Yang Podi possesses such a treasure, it's unlikely he wouldn't prioritize giving it to his father. As for this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower with its fire attribute, it likely holds no value for the Breaking Clan and was thus offered for trade."
"In that case, proceed with the trade as planned tomorrow. Avoid stirring up trouble, and we'll see how things unfold in the future."
If not for the immense value of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, Yang Podi wouldn't have dared to use an immortal herb in exchange.
Yang Podi had never doubted Qian Renxue's intelligence. After all, a fool could never have hidden so long within the royal palace of the Heaven Dou Empire. Ultimately, after much deliberation, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was deemed the most suitable choice, as it held no immediate value to the Breaking Clan.