The four teammates were scattered around the courtyard, each sitting in a corner, quietly refining the medicinal energies surging within them. Chen Feng sat alongside Bone Douluo at a short distance, silently keeping watch over them.
This courtyard belonged to the two guardian elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, making it one of the most serene and undisturbed places in the sect, perfect for cultivation.
As the group immersed itself in absorbing their herbs, the cheerful expression on Chen Feng's face gradually faded. His demeanor grew serious as he turned to Bone Douluo and said in a low voice:
"Grandpa Bone, I've spent a lot of time traveling outside, and I've gotten a good sense of the Spirit Hall's current state. Under Bibi Dong's leadership, they've rapidly expanded their influence. At this point, many of the vassal kingdoms under the two empires have already pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall.
I believe they're up to something… and we need to start preparing now."
Bone Douluo nodded slowly, his face softening into a look of approval.
"It's rare for someone so young to be able to see so far ahead. You're right. Ever since Bibi Dong rose to the position of Pope, Spirit Hall has been quietly but steadily expanding. Both Sword and Fengzhi are very aware of this."
Chen Feng asked, "Then… has the clan taken any countermeasures?"
Bone Douluo sighed deeply.
"People always say that the Upper Three Sects share a common bond. But the Clear Sky Clan has gone into hiding, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is far removed and keeps its distance from our affairs.
We've had no choice but to grow closer to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, hoping their powerful military can serve as a deterrent to Spirit Hall."
Hearing this, Chen Feng felt a wave of disheartenment wash over him. While it was clear that the sect's leadership was wary, they were still underestimating the true scope of Spirit Hall's ambition.
He looked at Bone Douluo, opened his mouth, but hesitated.
"Should I tell him the truth? That the current crown prince, Xue Qinghe… is the daughter of the former Pope of Spirit Hall?"
"Would he even believe it?"
Bone Douluo caught the change in his expression and chuckled.
"What are you scheming in that head of yours? Your eyes are spinning like marbles! You're sneakier than your grandfather ever was!"
"Hehe…" Chen Feng scratched his head sheepishly.
"Grandpa Bone," Chen Feng said seriously, "don't you think we're all underestimating Spirit Hall's ambitions? With the number of Titled Douluo they have… do you think they're content just being the so-called sacred land of soul masters?"
Bone Douluo replied flatly, "What, do you think they want to unify the continent or something?"
Chen Feng responded, "Honestly… I think that might be exactly what they're aiming for."
Bone Douluo burst out laughing.
"You're underestimating the rest of the continent far too much. Even if Spirit Hall has several Titled Douluo, if they tried to conquer the world, every sect and kingdom would rise against them. They'd be overwhelmed."
Chen Feng's heart was pounding. He was tempted to spill everything, but forced himself to hold back.
Instead, he continued patiently, adding just enough suggestion to nudge the old man's thoughts.
"Grandpa Bone, think about it—if Spirit Hall truly had ambitions that large, wouldn't they work in secret?
What if the number of Titled Douluo they control… is much higher than what they reveal?
Also, I've heard they have something called a Worship Hall, and at the top sits someone named Qian Daoliu, their Grand Priest…"
Whoosh!
Before Chen Feng could finish, Bone Douluo shot to his feet. His towering, skeletal frame rose like a phantom, exuding a powerful pressure.
Chen Feng's words had struck a chord.
Bone Douluo began pacing restlessly, hands clasped behind his back, his face darkened with concern. After glancing toward the still-absorbing team members, he forced himself to sit down again and suppress his rising agitation.
"Kid," Bone Douluo asked in a low voice, "how do you know so much? The members of the Worship Hall rarely appear in public.
And that Qian Daoliu... even I've never laid eyes on him. He's a living legend in the soul master world—some say he's the sharpest blade dangling above every great sect's head.
So tell me—how did you learn about him?"
His voice was sharp and low, filled with tension. These were not things someone like Chen Feng—a mere Soul Sect—should know.
Even Bone Douluo himself had only ever heard of Qian Daoliu. If he and Sword Douluo ever faced such a figure, even the two of them combined wouldn't stand a chance.
But Chen Feng had prepared his answer long before this moment.
He slowly released his Martial Soul.
Yellow – Purple – Purple – Black.
Four soul rings glowed in perfect sequence.
Bone Douluo was momentarily stunned.
"Why are you showing me your soul rings all of a sudden?" he asked.
The elder had long known of Chen Feng's unprecedented fourth soul ring—a ten-thousand-year-old ring—ever since Sword Douluo informed him. So this didn't surprise him.
"Grandpa Bone, when you first saw my soul ring configuration, weren't you shocked?" Chen Feng asked.
Bone Douluo paused, wondering where this was going.
"When Sword told me… yes, I was quite surprised."
Chen Feng's expression turned cold.
"Well, guess who else was surprised—Spirit Hall."
"What are you talking about?"
Chen Feng said calmly, "On my way to recruit teammates in the Star Luo Empire, I was ambushed by two Purple-Robed Bishops from the Pistno City Branch Hall of Spirit Hall."
"What! Purple-Robed Bishops?! That's Soul King level at minimum! How did you escape?" Bone Douluo's eyes sharpened, his killing intent flaring.
"I didn't escape," Chen Feng replied. "I killed them. Though I was badly injured, I managed to defeat them—and it's from them that I learned what I just told you."
Bone Douluo fell into silence, his expression shifting continuously.
He didn't even question how Chen Feng killed them—the news about Spirit Hall was far more alarming.
A Purple-Robed Bishop held considerable authority in Spirit Hall. Their movements often reflected decisions made by the upper command.
If Spirit Hall sent two such individuals knowing that Chen Feng wielded the Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul, then weren't they blatantly provoking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?
Or… had they already factored in the consequences?
All these pieces… were forming a dangerous picture.
"It seems," Bone Douluo muttered grimly, "the situation is even more dire than we imagined. Once Fengzhi and Sword return, we must convene an emergency meeting.
This can't be delayed."
"Ahem…"
Chen Feng cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Grandpa Bone, I haven't finished my report."
"There's more?" Bone Douluo raised a brow.
Chen Feng smiled and said:
"While I was visiting the Po Clan and Yu Clan, I ended up getting along very well with Yang Wudi and Niu Gao. Both of them are now seriously considering allying with our sect.
In fact… they're even thinking about relocating their entire sects to Qibao City."