Upon returning to the clan, Gu Xuan did not immediately drive his companions back into the grueling regime of cultivation. Instead, he granted them a full month of leave. He understood that after months of high-tension combat and the psychological weight of facing the Spirit Hall's geniuses, their spirits needed to recover as much as their soul power.
Zuo Yan, naturally, had also returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Though he hadn't stood on the final stage as part of the championship team, his contributions to the clanclan's growth were undeniable. He and Shui Bing'er had made a pact to set out and travel the continent in six months. It was only now that Gu Xuan finally handed over the Immolation Flame Right Arm Bone to him. Zuo Yan was ecstatic; he hadn't been part of the championship team, yet this reward had landed on his head nonetheless.
Zuo Yan didn't stand on ceremony. He knew Gu Xuan's ultimate goals, and that their group was the foundation of Gu Xuan's future power—they had to keep up. Only a year older than Gu Xuan, the sixteen-year-old Zuo Yan was already at Rank 46. After three days of intense absorption, the bone merged perfectly with him. After absorbing the soul bone, his soul power rose to Rank 48, further bolstering his strength.
Gu Xuan himself wasn't idle during this month. He spent his time familiarizing himself with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. While the Heaven Dou Empire had obtained it by chance and remained ignorant of its true origins, Gu Xuan knew exactly what it was. This was essentially the Heart of the Sea God. With this in hand, the Sea God's inheritance was practically within his grasp.
Though the Sea God was "only" a 1st Class God, his strength was at the very peak of that tier. The fact that he could compete with the Asura God King for a successor in the original story proved his might. However, Gu Xuan had no intention of inheriting the Sea God's position himself; he just hadn't decided who should take it yet. For now, he kept the shroud to utilize its four powerful abilities to enhance his own combat effectiveness.
After a week of mastering the shroud, Gu Xuan prepared to take Zhu Zhuqing to the Sunset Forest to select an Immortal Herb for her. During that week, Chen Xin had already returned with her to the clan, having successfully settled the matters regarding their engagement.
The current head of the Zhu family was Zhu Zhuqing's father, Zhu Zhengting, a Rank 89 Peak Soul Douluo. When the Sword Douluo personally visited, Zhu Zhengting initially feared he had accidentally offended the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. However, once Chen Xin explained his intent, Zhu Zhengting was left helpless. Zhu Zhuqing's resolve was absolute, and she hadn't held back in exposing the "filth" she had encountered during her time with Dai Mubai.
Caught between the Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Zhu Zhengting's choice was clear. As a father, he chose Gu Xuan. The sincerity shown by the Sword Douluo in personally delivering the betrothal gifts was more than enough. Furthermore, this established a direct line to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—something he actually secretly craved. With his eldest daughter with Dai Weisi (a potential future Queen), and his youngest with Gu Xuan, the Zhu family would truly be "below one, above ten thousand."
Chen Xin didn't waste time with small talk. Once the wedding date was set, he brought Zhu Zhuqing back. Gu Xuan then immediately set off for the Sunset Forest with her.
Gu Xuan chose the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone for Zhu Zhuqing—the same herb she used in the original story. At Rank 43, it might not provide as many levels as it would have at Rank 30, but it would still drastically improve her latent talent. Combined with the Whale Glue and the spiritual herbs Tang San had given her previously, her foundation would far surpass her original counterpart's.
The other girls, along with Yang Pojun, Zuo Yan, Ma Bao, and Zhan Yu, also followed Gu Xuan to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Gu Xuan planned to cultivate there until he broke through to Rank 60 before starting the next phase of their training.
As for Princess Xue Ke, Gu Xuan sent Gu Rong to handle the formalities. He used the excuse of "recovering his origin essence" to stay behind, which served the dual purpose of misleading Xue Qinghe. While Xue Ke was disappointed she couldn't spend more time with her brilliant fiancé, Xue Qinghe stepped in to "comfort" her in the role of the doting elder brother.
The journey to the Sunset Forest was short. Within half a day, the group arrived. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was now a forbidden zone guarded by three powerhouses: Dugu Bo, Long Wu, and Yang Wudi. Though Yang Wudi was only Rank 87, his combat strength was on par with a Titled Douluo; in a life-or-death struggle, even the Rank 92 Long Wu might not be his match.
While Gu Xuan's group settled in, Chen Xin, Mi He, and Zuo Yi headed into the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt the ninth soul ring for You Mingluo, who had just reached Rank 90. With a Rank 98 Super Douluo leading two Rank 92 Peaks, they could even hunt a 100,000-year soul beast if they wished.
Back at the Well, as the group arrived, a five-meter-long dragon—with eight wing-blades like vertical swords and a sword-like tail—flew toward Gu Xuan.
"Gu Jian!" Gu Xuan smiled.
Gu Jian had remained at the Seven Treasure Academy for training with Dugu Yan and the others until the tournament began, at which point she was sent back to the Well. To Gu Xuan's surprise, the dragon that was only at the two-thousand-year level a few years ago had already reached the five-thousand-year level. Her growth rate was staggering.
(End of Chapter)
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