A year later, Yao Yang publicly declared that he had found a long-lost younger clansman. At the time, it caused quite a stir across Yuexu Island.
But since this so-called clansman never appeared in public, the matter gradually faded from people's attention.
Seasons passed—spring to autumn, winter to spring. In the Moon South Archipelago, where summer reigned year-round, seasonal change was hardly noticeable, yet time never stopped flowing. In the blink of an eye, three years had gone by.
On the surface, the Moon South Archipelago remained peaceful, but those attentive to its currents sensed the hidden turbulence beneath.
Yao Yang, Viscount of the Moon South, was one such man.
In the past, he visited the castle where Xu Zihuang lived every few days. Recently, however, nearly half a month would pass between visits.
Even Xu Zihuang, usually immersed in cultivation and indifferent to worldly affairs, had begun to notice something amiss.
At the edge of the inner bay before the castle stretched a wide port plaza, formed from massive slabs of stone fitted seamlessly together. As Yao Yang's private harbor, it now stood empty of ships.
Cliffs at both ends shielded the crescent-shaped bay from crashing waves, leaving its waters calm as sunlight sparkled on the surface like translucent sapphire.
A youth of about eleven or twelve stood silently at the water's edge. His deep-violet eyes contrasted sharply with the brilliant blue sea before him.
He stood tall and slender, around 1.75 meters in height. Long, smooth black hair trailed down his back, streaked at his temples and forehead with strands of strange violet, adding a mysterious touch to his handsome features.
Exquisite, flawless facial features bore no blemish. Though still young, the lines of his brow carried an innate dignity, a presence that commanded without words. His noble, profound eyes betrayed no emotion, leaving his thoughts unreadable.
This youth was Xu Zihuang, who had cultivated in seclusion on Yuexu Island for three years.
In that time, his features had matured. Having inherited more of his mother's looks, he resembled the noble sons of the three former empires of the Douluo Continent. His skin was pale and flawless like jade—enough to stir envy in women—and gave little hint of his Sun Moon imperial bloodline.
Steady footsteps sounded behind him. The newcomer was Lin Long, whose cultivation ranked just below Wang Xiao within the Imperial Dragon Regiment. Living alongside Xu Zihuang for years, he too had been nourished by the dense essence of Heaven and Earth that surrounded him. In three years, his soul power had broken through two levels, reaching rank seventy-three.
Three months earlier, Wang Xiao had entered closed-door cultivation, leaving Xu Zihuang's training in Lin Long's care.
Whether tide-tempering, which Xu Zihuang had begun three years ago, or combat training against soul beasts, which started half a year ago, Lin Long always ensured his safety.
Stopping half a step behind him, Lin Long softly reminded:
"Young Master, everything is ready. This time, it's five millennium Sea Demon Elephants."
"Mn." Xu Zihuang nodded calmly. Five millennium-level soul beasts could drive even a Soul Ancestor to despair, yet to him they were nothing extraordinary.
He was no ordinary Soul Master. He bore twin martial souls—both among the most powerful in existence. One, the Golden Pupils, a spiritual-type body martial soul. The other, the Purple Radiance Thunder Prison Dragon, a martial soul of both destruction and Ultimate Lightning.
Half a year ago, his cultivation had already reached rank thirty. And because of the Ultimate attribute, his soul power quality far surpassed that of ordinary Soul Masters.
At just rank thirty, his total soul power nearly equaled that of an average Soul Ancestor.
Coupled with his two thousand-year spirit skills, which he wielded with increasing mastery, he had never once fallen behind in battles against soul beasts.
Removing his purple-gold robe, he revealed a fitted black training suit. His physique was not bulky with muscle but sleek and contained, his chest, arms, and legs marked with clear lines of strength—every movement radiated power.
This was the fruit of three unbroken years of tide-tempering.
Around the edge of the inner bay, Imperial Dragon soldiers stood stationed, ready to rescue at a moment's notice.
Out on the sea, pale-blue light spread swiftly, condensing into a vast iceberg that sealed off the bay completely. One after another, five massive black Sea Demon Elephants were released into the water by soldiers standing atop the ice.
Each beast radiated a faint blue glow, their mouths armed with two long tusks.
Sea Demon Elephants were a species of sea soul beast known for their extraordinary defense and strength. An adult—defined as one with at least a century of cultivation—could grow over seven meters long. These five, with over a thousand years each, exceeded ten meters, their hides more than fifteen centimeters thick. Their tough skin made them nearly impervious to physical attacks.
Compared to other sea soul beasts, they were relatively docile.
But dragged here, even they could not help but rage.
As Xu Zihuang dove into the water, the five beasts' eyes turned red. Stirring vast torrents, they charged toward him.
Every soul beast had strengths and weaknesses. Sea Demon Elephants excelled in defense but lacked attack and speed. In water, however, even their speed was formidable.
"Buzz—"
In less than a breath, the five spanned the bay, bellowing as they hurled their colossal bodies at Xu Zihuang.
Complex golden patterns rippled in Xu Zihuang's pupils as two purple rings rose.
Prepared, he made no move to dodge.
Clenching his right fist, he swung it like a crashing tide, colliding head-on with the nearest Sea Demon Elephant.
Water exploded around them. The impact force was immense, yet Xu Zihuang remained composed. His skin rippled like waves, perfectly dispersing the shock.
This was the true benefit of three years of tide-tempering. Not a soul skill, but the perfect union of body and soul power—akin to the unique combat techniques of the Body Sect.