Since Gu Han was already close to level forty, the group didn't rush back to Martial Soul City. Instead, they penned a brief letter explaining the situation before heading to Longcheng.
Gu Han had been eager for a soul battle, but Bibidong waved it off.
"There's no need to rush," she told him with a faint smile. "If you want to fight, you'll have plenty of chances later."
In her view, beating weaker soul masters of the same level was meaningless. She much preferred watching her younger brother unleash his full strength against true experts—after all, a swordsman should draw his blade only for the strong.
It might sound like a lofty saying, but it wasn't without merit. And in Gu Han's case, it was backed by results. Returning after less than half a year and already reaching level thirty-nine was nothing short of astonishing.
To avoid attracting too much attention, Gu Han would need to lie low for a while. Even if he wanted to act, it would have to wait at least two or three years.
As for the continent-wide Soul Master Elite Competition three years later, Gu Han had no plans to participate.
This generation simply lacked opponents worth his time. Aside from Tang Hao, no one could stir his fighting spirit—and Tang Hao, who hadn't joined any academy, had never been seen representing the Clear Sky Sect in past tournaments. Gu Han doubted he'd show up this time either.
If he had the time to waste on the tournament, he'd rather spend it training with Bibidong.
Over the next few days, Gu Han focused entirely on cultivation. With the aid of rare herbs and whale glue, it took him only three days to break through to level forty.
For his fourth soul ring, he hunted down a ten-thousand-year Snow Mountain Spirit Fox. With his already formidable spiritual power—boosted further by the sixty-thousand-year Wisdom Skull—absorbing the ring was effortless.
The fox strengthened his ice attribute and granted him a new, intriguing soul skill—Teleportation.
As long as his soul power held, the skill could be used without limit. Short-range jumps consumed little energy: up to 500 meters per jump, costing only ten percent soul power at maximum range.
In close combat, it was a fearsome ability. His attacks were already deadly, his ice brought natural control, and now with teleportation, his combat power rose another tier.
Whether for assassination, duels, group battles, or retreat—this was a skill of pure practicality.
"Space-type soul skill, and a free one at that… truly a divine ability," Yue Guan sighed, unable to hide his envy.
Back in Martial Soul City, Bibidong wasted no time absorbing her own fourth soul ring—an eleven-thousand-year Thorn Spider, which granted a defensive ability. A layer of poisonous, thorn-studded armor now covered her body at will, greatly enhancing her defense.
With these gains, Gu Han's soul power reached level forty-two, while Bibidong's climbed to forty-three. The siblings' levels had nearly caught up to one another.
Since learning of whale glue's ability to strengthen the body, Qian Xunji had quietly dispatched a trusted Soul Douluo and a small team to Hanhai City to purchase it in secret.
For now, only the Hall's elders and a few reliable warriors knew of whale glue's existence and effects. Public knowledge would only drive up the price and strengthen the empires and sects—a risk Martial Soul Hall had no intention of taking.
With affairs settled for Gu Han and Bibidong, Qian Xunji finally had a moment for himself. He went straight to the memorial hall, holding a stalk of Bright Paradise Grass in his hands.
"Bright Paradise Grass?" Qian Daoliu's eyes widened in surprise. He had only ever read of it in ancient texts—yet here it was, its holy energy resonating with the Angel Martial Soul.
"Ji'er, where did you get this?"
Qian Xunji explained about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Qian Daoliu listened in silence, then nodded gravely.
"So, it's your disciple who led you to this fortune. Since Yue Guan knows of it, have him guard the place. Still… just in case, I'll send one of the Worship Hall to stand watch as well."
"My father is wise."
No one had fully grasped the Ice and Fire Well's importance before. But now that they knew of the immortal herbs within, its value was beyond question.
"As for the herbs," Qian Daoliu continued, "don't forget the old brothers in the Worship Hall. Let Yue Guan choose a few of the best for them. They've given their lives to our Hall—I won't see them treated unfairly."
"Of course," Qian Xunji agreed.
"Good. Now, you may absorb your herb here."
Qian Xunji nodded and consumed the Bright Paradise Grass as Yue Guan had instructed.
The instant it entered his body, it transformed into pure, radiant energy, merging seamlessly with his martial soul. Six-winged angel wings unfurled behind him, and divine power filled the hall.
Qian Daoliu watched intently as his son's aura climbed higher and higher, the absorption smooth and flawless. In moments, Qian Xunji stood at the peak of level ninety-five.
The statue of the Angel God behind them glowed brilliantly, its light echoing his martial soul.
"A divine test…" Qian Xunji whispered, eyes locked on the eight golden cards floating toward him—the Angel's Eight Tests.
Once, he hadn't even qualified for the divine trial. Now, after absorbing Bright Paradise Grass, he had been granted the highest trial beneath godhood itself.
"Angel's Eight Tests…" Qian Daoliu murmured. Surprise flickered in his eyes, followed by deep satisfaction.
If his son completed the trials, the future of the Hall would be secure. When Gu Han and Bibidong grew into their own, Qian Xunji could take the Pope's throne, and Daoliu could retire.
Then, he could even push his son to marry and give him grandchildren.
Just imagining it filled the old man's heart with joy.