...
Time flies, like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall.
Two years is but a blink of an eye for the Douluo Continent, but for the students of the Martial Soul Academy, it has been two years of living in the shadow of the "Silver-haired Demon King".
On the surface, the academy was orderly, and the students were friendly and respectful to each other.
But in reality, a huge underground organization called the "Peace and Mutual Aid Society" has quietly extended its tentacles into every corner of the academy.
The leader of this organization is none other than the legendary "Silver-Haired Demon King"—Xuan Hao.
Since being confined by Bibi Dong two years ago, Xuan Hao has indeed become much more restrained—at least on the surface.
He no longer openly charged fees in the main square, nor did he hang up that conspicuous sign.
However, the underground operations are even more sophisticated and rigorous.
He would personally "talk" to every new member.
The content of the meeting was simple and also very crude.
"I am the Pope's personal disciple. Even if this matter is blown up, at most I'll get a scolding when I get back and be locked up in a dark room for a few days."
"But you need to think this through. We'll be spending several more years together at the academy.
I have plenty of time and resources to have in-depth conversations with you all."
"Furthermore, with my talent, it wouldn't be unreasonable for me to become a Holy Son in the future, would it?
Offending a future Holy Son, or even a future Pope, is a costly mistake that you all, being elites, should be able to calculate, right?"
This combination of "coercion and enticement" plus "future expectations" is practically a game-changer.
Who among those who can study at the Martial Soul Academy isn't a shrewd and intelligent person?
Who would be willing to offend a monstrous talent, a powerful background, and a ruthless person who is likely to become their boss for a few gold soul coins?
Thus, a strange tacit understanding formed within the academy.
The students paid their tribute on time, and Xuanhao was in charge of settling the matter.
Even teachers and education officials have long turned a blind eye to this.
Firstly, Xuan Hao hadn't really done anything too outrageous; it was just a matter of everyone eating two fewer good meals each month.
Secondly, this kid has a bright future, and no one wants to offend a future leader of the Spirit Hall at this time.
It's no exaggeration to say that at Martial Soul Academy now, Xuan Hao's stomp of his foot carries more weight than the Education Commission's words.
...
The Papal Palace, with a side hall meditation room.
As the final surge of soul power ended, Bibi Dong withdrew her hand, looking at the boy who had grown much taller and had a more upright posture, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
"Level 20 soul power, physical strength is sufficient to withstand the impact of a soul ring of about four thousand years."
"Although it is the second spirit ring, it is already the limit for ordinary people to reach the third or even fourth spirit ring."
Xuan Hao's expression turned serious: "It's all thanks to my sister's excellent guidance, plus my own hard work and practice over the past two years, training hard in the coldest winter and hottest summer..."
"Stop being so cheeky." Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him, then her expression turned slightly serious.
"I won't be taking you with me this time to hunt for spirit rings.
I've had some insights lately and need to go into seclusion for a while."
"Huh?" Xuan Hao was stunned.
"What am I supposed to do?
My sister doesn't care about me anymore?"
"How old are you that I still have to worry about everything?"
Bibi Dong said irritably. "I've already made the arrangements.
You will lead the Soul Hunting Operation, with Lena, Xie Yue, and Yan accompanying you."
"Yue Guan will be following you in secret, but he will only be responsible for handling emergencies that you cannot handle, such as ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts or uncontrollable crises.
As for finding, hunting, and absorbing soul beasts, that will be done by the four of you on your own."
At this point, Bibi Dong gave him a deep look:
"The four of you are the most outstanding geniuses of the Spirit Hall this generation.
I don't want you to be just reckless brutes fighting alone.
I want to see a team that knows how to cooperate and can rely on each other."
"Since you've managed to keep them under your thumb in the academy these past two years, even turning Xie Yue and Yan into your underlings, then this captain position naturally belongs to you."
"Lead the team well, don't embarrass me."
...
The next morning, at the gate of Wuhun City.
Beside a luxurious carriage, Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena had been waiting for a long time.
Ju Douluo Yue Guan was leaning against the carriage, toying with an unknown, vibrant flower in her hand.
Seeing Xuan Hao slowly approaching, a mocking smile appeared on her alluring face.
"Hey, our squad leader has finally arrived?"
Good morning, Elder Yueguan.
Xuan Hao greeted them with a smile, then turned his gaze to his three teammates.
Two years have passed, and everyone has grown quite a bit taller.
Hu Liena has grown even more beautiful, and her alluring charm is already beginning to take shape.
Xie Yue stood tall and straight, his eyes even sharper.
Yan, on the other hand, was as strong as a young calf, radiating a hot and restless aura.
However, at this moment, Xie Yue and Yan both tensed up instinctively when they saw Xuan Hao, their eyes revealing a sense of unbearable vicissitudes.
These past two years have been incredibly difficult.
Originally, as elites of the Martial Soul Academy, they were extremely proud.
Even after being taken in by Xuan Hao as his underlings, they always secretly dreamed of turning the tables.
So every now and then, Xie Yue or Yan would feel that they were good enough, that their strength had improved, and that they could challenge the boss's authority.
The result was—getting beaten up.
Getting beaten up in various ways.
By the end, they had completely lost their temper.
So be it, he's a lackey. After all, most of the Martial Soul Academy has become his lackeys, so it's not a shameful thing anymore.
"Is everyone here?"
Xuan Hao walked up to the three of them, habitually put his hands behind his back, and glanced at them. "I don't need to repeat the rules of this operation, do I?"
"I will follow your orders." Yan answered reflexively, standing at attention in a loud voice.
After saying that, he was stunned for a moment, and then a blush of embarrassment flashed across his face.
Damn it, I've gotten so many beatings over the past two years that they've become muscle memory!
Xie Yue sighed helplessly: "Alright, stop putting on airs. Nana told us that you're the captain this time, and we'll all listen to you."
"That's right." Xuan Hao nodded in satisfaction, then waved his hand with an air of commanding authority.
"Let's go! Destination: Star Dou Great Forest!"
...
Deep within the Starry Sky Forest, in the Mixed Zone.
The air was hot and humid, filled with the smell of decaying leaves.
The huge canopy blocked out the sun, cutting the midday sunlight into dappled shadows.
How much longer do we have to walk?
Yan, who was in charge of covering the rear, wiped the sweat from his forehead, kicked aside the thorns blocking the road, and said in a frustrated tone, "It's been three days.
We've been wandering around this area so much that we've practically trampled the ground flat.
Forget about top-grade soul beasts around four thousand years old, we haven't even seen a single hair of a top-grade soul beast."
Although Xie Yue, who was walking at the front, did not speak, the frequency with which he wielded his moon blade to clear the way had obviously slowed down.
Clearly, his physical strength and patience were being worn down by this endless search.
In this area, you can see thousand-year-old spirit beasts everywhere.
But that's precisely the most awkward part.
What you see everywhere are mostly "common goods" that are one or two thousand years old.
Occasionally, he would encounter a few three or four thousand years old, either wind-attribute demonic leopards or poison-attribute spiders, which had absolutely nothing to do with Xuan Hao's Golden Dragon Martial Soul, which purely pursued the ultimate power and defense.
What's the rush?
Walking in the middle of the group, Xuan Hao remained as leisurely as ever.
He held a wild fruit he'd picked from who-knows-where in his hand, took a bite, and calmly said:
"What I'm looking for is a top-quality spirit ring that can support the second spirit ring of a golden dragon.
If I could just pick one up off the street and use it, what kind of genius would I be?"
"Besides, this is a publicly funded trip.
Elder Yueguan is keeping an eye on things from the shadows, so our safety is guaranteed.
We don't have to attend classes or cultivate, and I'll be clearing the way for you.
Isn't this more comfortable than staying at the academy?"
Yan's lips twitched, thinking to himself, "You're comfortable now, but we've been on tenterhooks."
This is deep within the mixed zone! A place where high-level, thousand-year-old soul beasts roam!
It's only because Xuan Hao, this freak, dared to come here at level 20.
If it were an ordinary Soul Master team, even if all members were Soul Masters, they would have to keep their tails between their legs here.
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