After a dinner of exceptionally delicious roasted meat, Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan retired for the night.
The two shared a single tent, which was perfectly natural for an engaged couple. Gu Rong was more than happy with this arrangement. Gu Xuan was nearly fifteen, an age where starting a family was within sight, and Dugu Yan, approaching twenty, was certainly ready.
However, despite being engaged to two beautiful women, Gu Xuan remained remarkably disciplined. While Gu Rong was pleased with his grandson's firm character, he couldn't help but sigh, wishing he could hold a great-grandson sooner rather than later.
The next morning, the trio set out at dawn to find a suitable fifth soul ring for Gu Xuan. This year's Continental Elite Tournament offered three soul bones as rewards, and Gu Xuan was naturally determined to claim them. Even if he didn't use them himself, they would be incredible gifts for those close to him.
The Star Duo Forest, the largest wild soul beast habitat on the continent, spanned both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. Roughly three-fifths of its territory lay within Star Luo, while the remaining two-fifths belonged to Heaven Dou.
They searched from morning until noon. The sun hung high in the center of the sky, its fierce heat palpable even within the dense forest. However, since all three were at least at the Rank 50 Soul King level and above, the heat didn't bother them; a simple circulation of soul power kept their body temperatures normal.
Just as they approached a mountain range, Gu Rong's eyes suddenly flickered. "This aura... it should be a Titled Douluo."
Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan looked at him immediately. Although their strength far exceeded their peers, their mental perception couldn't compare to Gu Rong, who was at the peak of Rank 97. They hadn't sensed anything yet.
Noticing their confusion, Gu Rong explained. "There are fluctuations of soul masters fighting deep within this mountain range. It seems a Titled Douluo is hunting a soul beast."
Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan exchanged a look. "Grandpa, should we make contact?" Gu Xuan asked. "Perhaps it's a friend."
Gu Rong thought for a moment and then nodded. There were only so many Titled Douluos on the continent; most were at least acquaintances, if not friends. If they could use this chance to build rapport, it would be worthwhile.
Internally, Gu Xuan had a suspicion. At this point in time, any soul beast requiring a Titled Douluo's help to hunt would be at least at the ten-thousand-year level, and ordinary talents didn't get that kind of treatment. He wanted to see if it was the "Golden Generation" of Spirit Hall—Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.
With Gu Rong protecting them, Gu Xuan wasn't worried about safety. Unless Qian Daoliu himself appeared, Gu Rong could whisk them away through a Spatial Portal in the blink of an eye.
As they entered the mountain range, Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan finally felt the aftershocks of the battle, though the intensity wasn't as terrifying as Gu Rong had implied.
"The protector has likely stepped back," Gu Rong explained at the right moment. "After wounding the beast, they are letting the junior finish the job for practice."
Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan weren't surprised; they had often done the same. This was the advantage of having a powerful background. As the saying goes, out in the world, what matters is your background and your faction. Without power or backing, you're just a nobody!
Reaching the depths of the mountain range, Gu Rong activated his eighth soul skill and instantly arrived at the site of the battle.
The moment they appeared, two ferocious auras erupted, locking onto the trio.
"Who goes there! How dare you trespass into the hunting grounds of Spirit Hall!" a black-robed middle-aged man roared. He stood two meters tall and wielded a three-meter-long golden serpent spear.
Gu Rong was momentarily taken aback by the roar. As a Rank 97 Titled Douluo, being treated so dismissively in front of his grandson and grandson's fiancée was a bit embarrassing.
"Noisy!" Gu Rong's gaze instantly turned cold. "The territory of Spirit Hall? Since when did the Star Duo Forest become your Spirit Hall's backyard?"
It was only then that the two protectors realized who they were facing. They had roared out of alarm when Gu Rong appeared so suddenly, fearing he would interfere with their Young Lord's hunt. Now that they saw him clearly, Snake Lance and Porcupine Fish both felt their pupils shrink.
They were only Rank 93 and Rank 92, respectively, while Gu Rong was a peak existence beyond Rank 95. Moreover, Gu Rong's Bone Dragon Martial Soul was famous for its top-tier defense and bizarre offensive methods. Even if they teamed up, they might not be able to get the better of him.
"Bone Douluo, Your Excellency, we did not mean it that way," said the Golden Serpent Spear-wielding Yu Long (Snake Lance Douluo), his tone immediately becoming more respectful. "Your sudden appearance startled us, and we lost our composure. We hope Your Excellency will not take offense."
Yu Long was being very tactful. Since one doesn't strike a smiling face, and because their own appearance had indeed been abrupt, Gu Rong simply gave a dissatisfied nod. "Fine."
However, Gu Xuan's attention hadn't been on Snake Lance or Porcupine Fish at all. Instead, it was fixed on a stunning woman below.
She looked to be about twenty years old. Her figure and beauty were at their absolute peak. Two pairs of golden angel wings were spread behind her back, and with the sacred angel sword and shield in her hands, she looked like a valiant warrior. Who else could it be but Qian Renxue?
Qian Renxue was currently launching an assault on a 50,000-year-old Holy Light Pegasus. The beast was already crippled and far from its prime; under her relentless pressure, it was retreating step by step toward its inevitable end as her soul ring.
'Has Qian Renxue already broken through Rank 70? It seems that Mixed Yuan Pill really gave her a significant boost,' Gu Xuan thought with a hint of admiration.
He was fourteen, and she was eight years older than him, making her twenty-two. A twenty-two-year-old Soul Saint. Without a freak like Gu Xuan in the picture, Qian Renxue would undoubtedly be the most talented person on the Douluo Continent.
In the original story, Tang San was only Rank 67 at nineteen, even with the help of Immortal Herbs and a hundred-thousand-year ring. From that perspective, Qian Renxue's talent was indeed heaven-defying.
As Gu Rong spoke with the two Titled Douluos, Qian Renxue's sacred sword severed the head of the Holy Light Pegasus. A deep black soul ring began to condense over its body.
She had heard Snake Lance's roar earlier, but she had been unable to look away during the heat of battle. Now that the beast was slain, she flapped her wings and looked up at the three people in the sky.
When she saw Gu Xuan, her pupils constricted. The reason for Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan being in the forest was obvious; Gu Rong had no need for new rings. That meant Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan had broken through. A year ago, Gu Xuan had just become a Soul Ancestor; to break through again meant he was now a Soul King.
How was that possible? She knew better than anyone. A Soul King under fifteen—this talent was even more terrifying than her own, and she possessed a god-level Martial Soul with Rank 20 innate soul power!
Who could break through an entire tier in a single year? This wasn't just a genius; it was a monster!
However, since her current identity was Qian Renxue and not Xue Qinghe, she had to pretend she didn't know him. A strange thought crossed her mind.
What would Gu Xuan think when he saw her true appearance? Would that little brat who started dating at twelve be able to keep his composure?
(End of Chapter)
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