The Xingluo people did not believe Gu Qinghan's words. They thought the Huo Yuhao she spoke of was fabricated.
But this was Tianhai City.
Several years ago, Huo Yuhao's battle to fame had taken place right here.
So in the face of the Xingluo people's doubts, Gu Qinghan simply pulled out her soul powered light screen and showed these ignorant visitors the video of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition from a few years ago.
After watching the video, Lin Yuhan and the others looked at each other in dismay.
Was this a fabricated video?
A four ring Soul Ancestor actually possessed four black spirit rings?
How was that possible!
Lin Yuhan frowned. "No matter how talented he is, there is no way he could obtain a ten thousand year spirit soul for his first spirit ring. How could his body and spiritual power withstand it?"
Gu Qinghan was first startled, then found it somewhat amusing. "You do not know about the Spirit Elevation Platform? It is a special facility of the Spirit Transmission Tower that can increase the age of spirit souls. As far as I know, Huo Yuhao reached the Spirit Abyss realm around the time he had four rings. That was how he was able to upgrade his first spirit soul to ten thousand years."
"Increasing the age of spirit souls? The Spirit Transmission Tower has such a place?"
Having never experienced the Spirit Elevation Platform, they naturally found this hard to believe.
In their Xingluo, there was no such place. This was outside their scope of knowledge.
While they were secretly astonished, Gu Qinghan continued, "At the Spirit Ice Ceremony a few months ago, Huo Yuhao participated in an exhibition match. At that time, he demonstrated the cultivation of a six ring Soul Emperor, and one with a hundred thousand year spirit soul at that. If you want to see the corresponding records, I can find them too."
Lin Yuhan said, "..."
She did not want to believe that such a soul master prodigy existed in the world. But Gu Qinghan's confident tone and the various pieces of information on the soul tool network left her and her companions in silence.
No matter what, the Douluo Federation would not use fake videos to fool them, would they?
So this was the Douluo Federation.
Whether it was the older generation of experts or the younger generation, they were all so impeccable.
Even Chang Gongyan, as an elder, furrowed his brow upon hearing the various information about Huo Yuhao, secretly alarmed.
Unlike the younger generation, those of their generation had a certain understanding of the Federation.
After all, although the two continents were far apart, there had been various conflicts and friction. In the process of probing each other, they had naturally gained some understanding of the Douluo Federation's situation.
But now it seemed their understanding had been somewhat one-sided. Just how terrifying the Federation's strength truly was, they only had a superficial understanding.
Had a soul master like Huo Yuhao ever appeared in the history of their Xingluo Federation?
Chang Gongyan's brow remained tightly furrowed. A faint unease rose in his heart. If a prodigy like Huo Yuhao was not an isolated case but rather a microcosm of the Federation's new generation of soul masters, then the future of the Xingluo Continent would likely face unprecedented challenges.
"To possess such talent... No wonder the lord thinks so highly of him."
Beside Chang Gongyan was a middle aged man with a proper appearance. Upon hearing of Huo Yuhao's current achievements, he could not help narrowing his eyes, satisfied in his heart.
Only such an incomparably talented genius was qualified to be their Holy Son.
Seeing him lost in thought, Chang Gongyan sent a telepathic message in a low tone. "Ning Fengzhi, what are you thinking about?"
Ning Fengzhi, like himself, was a Saint Craftsman level blacksmith. But before coming to the Douluo Federation, he had never met this man. There was no reputation for him in the forging circles of the Xingluo Continent either. (In the original work of Soul Land III, this character exists, a pseudonym similar to an Easter egg.)
Ning Fengzhi had been suddenly assigned to this delegation before the visit to Xingluo. Chang Gongyan did not know this companion at all, nor was he sure whether the man's name was real or fake. Naturally, he was also unclear about his intentions.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Chang Gongyan and said, "I am merely marveling at the Douluo Federation's strength."
In such a short time, Huo Yuhao had made further progress. It seemed the saying circulating in the Holy Cult was correct. If Huo Yuhao could be successfully brought back to the Holy Cult, the Holy Cult's rise was assured.
...
In the rooms prepared for the Xingluo visitors, there was a young girl in magnificent palace attire. She stood tall and graceful, posing elegantly. Lin Yuhan stood behind her, holding documents in both hands, speaking in a solemn tone.
"Miss Dai Yun'er, this is the information we have recently gathered. The Federation's strength exceeds our imagination."
"Let me see."
Dai Yun'er raised an eyebrow, reached out to take the documents from her, and began to study them seriously.
Lin Yuhan lowered her eyes and looked at her, her gaze flickering slightly.
The Xingluo Dai Family was one of the great families of the Xingluo Federation. Ten thousand years ago, their clan had held a pivotal position in the Xingluo Empire.
Unfortunately, their clan had encountered an unknown enemy. Overnight, the once prosperous White Tiger Duke's Estate was brutally slaughtered. The several heirs of the White Tiger Duke from that generation all died as a result. Even the White Tiger Duke himself turned gray overnight, his mind and spirit exhausted, unable to support the White Tiger Duke's Estate.
Fortunately, the White Tiger Duke still had a son born of a Concubine, Dai Luoli.
The then imperial family of Xingluo, the Xu Family, in order to win over the Dai Family and help the White Tiger Duke's Estate rise again, betrothed their young princess to Dai Luoli.
Later, the White Tiger Lineage, the Xu Family, and many Xingluo citizens who refused to submit immigrated together to the Xingluo Continent. To this day, the Dai Family had gradually recovered their vitality. They were also a great family of Xingluo, occasionally able to serve as the Speaker of the Xingluo Federation. Their status was not far from that of the imperial Xu Family.
This time, when coming to the Douluo Federation, the Dai Family's young princess, Dai Yun'er, had come with them. She was also the highest status person among their group of young people.
Dai Yun'er looked at the information. Her previously casual expression gradually became serious, finally revealing a trace of shock.
"Fourteen years old, six ring Soul Emperor... a hundred thousand year spirit soul... This Huo Yuhao, is he truly such a monster?"
Her slender fingers unconsciously pinched the edge of the documents, her knuckles turning slightly white.
Lin Yuhan said quietly, "Based on the intelligence we have gathered so far, it is indeed true. Moreover, he seems to have participated in the latest soul tool research and development projects of Mingde Hall and the Spirit Transmission Tower, achieving considerable success in the field of soul tool technology as well."
Dai Yun'er took a deep breath and scrutinized the documents for a moment longer. A trace of complexity flashed in her eyes.
He was practically a figure who should not exist in this world.
Thinking this, she was about to put down the documents when she suddenly saw the description of Huo Yuhao's martial soul. Her expression changed slightly.
"His martial soul is the same as mine? Could he be a descendant of the Dai Family?"
"Yes."
Lin Yuhan nodded and smiled. "The people of the Douluo Federation do not know that the White Tiger martial soul can also mutate into a special spiritual attribute body martial soul. They think Huo Yuhao simply has a body martial soul and do not know of his connection to the Dai Family. But with your martial soul as a reference, I came to this hypothesis."
When she first saw the various information about Huo Yuhao, her heart had been filled only with shock, and she had overlooked his martial soul. It was the same body martial soul as Dai Yun'er.
And Dai Yun'er's martial soul was a mutation of the White Tiger martial soul. Thus, Huo Yuhao's identity was very clear.
He should be a descendant of the Dai Family or the Zhu Family that had not left the Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago.
A glint of light flashed in Dai Yun'er's eyes. She slowly closed the documents. The corner of her lips curled into a meaningful smile.
"Interesting... Truly interesting."
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the bustling streets of Tianhai City, speaking softly.
"The strongest prodigy of the Douluo Continent actually has Xingluo blood flowing in his veins. How unexpected."
Many years ago, the imperial family of the Xingluo Empire had always been the Dai Family. It was only after the Sun Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent collided, and the nations of the two continents went to war, that the Dai Family suffered heavy casualties. The Xu Family then emerged and took over the imperial authority from the Dai Family. But the Dai Family did not withdraw from the stage of history. They continued to assist the Xu Family in governing the country, right up to the present day.
To say that the Dai Family represented Xingluo, that the Dai Family's bloodline was the bloodline of Xingluo, was entirely without issue.
But Dai Yun'er was not naive enough to think that Huo Yuhao would feel a sense of belonging to Xingluo simply because of bloodline. She knew very well that an incomparably talented genius like Huo Yuhao would certainly have his own convictions and stance.
She tapped lightly on the window frame, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Lin Yuhan, investigate Huo Yuhao's detailed background, especially his parents. He is from the Tianhai Alliance. More information should be available here."
Lin Yuhan nodded. "Yes, miss. Do you wish to meet him?"
Dai Yun'er continued, "There is no harm in making contact. In any case, the purpose of sending us younger generation members on this visit is to use our age advantage to do things that are not appropriate for our elders. The task of contacting our peers naturally falls to us. Moreover, he is the next Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower. If we want to win over the Spirit Transmission Tower, we cannot avoid him either."
At this point, a mischievous glint flashed in Dai Yun'er's eyes. She revealed her naturally Playful and Witty nature before Lin Yuhan.
"It is a pity he was born in the Douluo Federation. If he were from Xingluo, he might even have to call me 'big sister.'"
Lin Yuhan said, "..."
If such a prodigy, even if he were truly born in Xingluo, you could not force him to call you 'big sister' if he did not want to.
You might even have to ingratiate yourself with him.
Thinking this, Lin Yuhan nevertheless breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Dai Yun'er's words had alleviated the concerns that had been weighing on her heart recently.
The strongest prodigy of the Douluo Federation being a descendant of their Xingluo Dai Family was a good thing from every perspective. At the very least, it gave them a subtle psychological advantage when facing Huo Yuhao.
"Is there anything else?"
Seeing that Lin Yuhan had finished reporting her findings but still had not left, Dai Yun'er raised an eyebrow.
Lin Yuhan said, "My teacher communicated with the Tianhai Archon. They have arranged for us to have an opportunity to enter the Spirit Elevation Platform."
...
During the time the Xingluo delegation stayed in Tianhai City, every single member experienced unprecedented spiritual shock.
When, under the arrangement of the Tianhai Archon, they experienced the wonders of the Spirit Elevation Platform, everyone fell into a long silence. This soul tool technology, which projected one's consciousness into a virtual world while providing a one hundred percent real experience, and this device that could even increase the age of spirit souls, left these soul masters from Xingluo both amazed and fearful.
"The Spirit Transmission Tower must establish a branch in Xingluo." The delegation head stated categorically in a private meeting. "This technological gap is no longer just a matter of falling behind in soul tool technology."
After resting and resupplying in Tianhai City for a few days, the true inspection tour officially began. According to the itinerary, they would conduct an in depth three month visit to the Douluo Continent, comprehensively understanding the true strength of this rival.
Unexpectedly, after learning of their intention to inspect, the Tianhai Archon did not set up defenses. Instead, he personally planned an optimal route for them. From Eastsea City to Shrek City, finally directly to Mingdu, this route encompassed almost the most refined developmental achievements of the Douluo Federation. Afterward, he even booked tickets for a soul powered aircraft for everyone and thoughtfully sent them off from Tianhai City.
"Since our Xingluo friends are so interested in our development."
The Archon stood by the gangway, his face beaming as he waved goodbye. "Then please, see for yourselves the most authentic appearance of the Douluo Federation."
You Xingluo people want to know how strong our Douluo Federation is?
Fine. We will satisfy you.
Understand the Chasm between us, and then realize your own powerlessness.
Some gaps cannot be crossed by ambition alone.
...
Above the Tiandou City Blacksmithing Association, dark clouds gathered. Lightning flashed. A suffocating pressure enveloped the entire area.
Nearby soul masters felt the tremor and hurriedly moved away from the area.
"Is His Majesty Zhen Hua performing Heaven Forging? Something feels off. Compared to the lightning tribulation before, the power seems more terrifying."
"...I think this looks more like a spirit beast's heavenly tribulation. Judging from the brewing aura of the lightning tribulation, the strength of the savage beast undergoing tribulation is extremely terrifying. It is probably at the Limit level."
While the soul masters outside were discussing animatedly, inside the Blacksmithing Association, Zhen Hua looked at Bear Lord beside the forging platform, his mouth twitching. "Your Majesty Bear Lord, please leave the Heaven Ascension Platform quickly. Do not let the lightning tribulation affect this place."
"All right."
Bear Lord scratched his head and sighed. His entire body radiated furious spirit power fluctuations. The muscles of his arms were knotted. His golden fur sparkled in the light of the lightning.
"Boom!"
A thick bolt of lightning tore through the sky, striking straight down. Bear Lord roared, and instead of dodging, he met the heavenly lightning head on.
Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena, also at the Blacksmithing Association, watched Bear Lord attract the lightning tribulation. Gu Yuena tilted her head. "Yuhao, how is your research on lightning tribulation progressing? Do you need Bear Lord to continue?"
"Still far from it."
Huo Yuhao said, "But after this time, let Bear Lord rest first."
Gu Yuena nodded slightly. "All right."
Bear Lord in the sky heard their exchange and nearly burst into Tears Streaming Down His Face.
He did not have to continue trying for now?
Next time, he should not make fun of Spirit Ice.
While Bear Lord was being struck by lightning, the Xingluo people also arrived at Tiandou City.
Along the way, they witnessed quite a few things that were different between the Douluo Continent and the Xingluo Continent.
In remote small towns, soul masters were helping commoners with poverty alleviation.
Near the Star Dou Great Forest, there were scenes of spirit beasts and humans living together harmoniously.
These were all sights that did not exist in their Xingluo. As their knowledge grew, the confidence the group had felt upon first arrival completely disappeared, leaving only gravity.
When they arrived at Tiandou City and saw the lightning tribulation at the distant Blacksmithing Association, Chang Gongyan's expression became even more shocked. "That is the Blacksmithing Association? Could that lightning tribulation be... the legendary Heaven Forging?"
Their Xingluo did not have their own Divine Craftsman. This was another absolute gap between them and the Douluo Federation.
"..."
Gu Qinghan, who had been assigned to accompany them, had a somewhat peculiar expression.
A power like this did not resemble the lightning tribulation of a Divine Craftsman forging metal. It looked more like a savage beast's heavenly tribulation.
***
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