Unlike Ye Guyi, Xu Zihuang's spiritual power realm and physical strength had both reached a level sufficient to bear the second soul core of yin-yang complementarity.
Condensing the second soul core was not entirely without bottlenecks for him, but it was not as difficult as imagined. In fact, condensing a yin-yang complementary second soul core might even be easier for him than it was for Elder Xuan, Du Busu, and the others to condense a same-position resonance second soul core.
This was the talent gap. In his memories from his previous life, Huo Yuhao had been limited by his innate talent, which resulted in him showing little potential even after obtaining countless heaven-defying opportunities.
Any one of those opportunities, if given to someone else, would likely have easily created a top-tier powerhouse.
Xu Zihuang slowly walked out of the quiet room and subconsciously released his spiritual power, sensing the locations of Ye Guyi, Ning Tian, and Ning Qing.
To allow his soul power cultivation to infinitely approach the bottleneck of level ninety, he had briefly gone into closed-door cultivation for a period of time. Ye Guyi, however, had been unable to break through for a long time and planned to accumulate more and deepen her foundation. Usually, she would go out with Ning Tian to take Ning Qing around the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and near Heaven Dou City.
The Sun Moon Empire had been very peaceful this past year. Moreover, with the two Limit Douluo, Elder Gu and Du Busu, stationed in the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Heaven Dou City, safety was still guaranteed.
Sure enough, Xu Zihuang located the figures of Ye Guyi, Ning Tian, and Ning Qing in the most prosperous urban area of Heaven Dou City.
Half-god level spiritual power could truly be described as covering a thousand miles with a single thought.
At this moment, an ancient and gentle voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Xu Zihuang's expression shifted slightly. With a flicker of his figure, he appeared in the waterside pavilion and tower area in front of the central castle of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. The lake formed by diverting underground spring water was far from being as vast as the Sea God Lake of Shrek Academy, but it was even clearer. The fresh breeze blowing toward him caused ripples on the clear lake surface.
Simple and elegant pavilions and towers were situated upon it, connected by wooden bridges crisscrossing in all directions.
Ning Xingxu and Elder Gu were on one of the pavilions, smiling as they watched Xu Zihuang approaching.
"Tianhuang, Grandpa Long said that your closed-door cultivation this time yielded quite a harvest. Looking at your aura, you should be only one step away from breaking through to the Title Douluo realm, right?" Ning Xingxu asked Xu Zihuang kindly.
"Grandpa Taishuo is right. My current soul power cultivation has indeed reached the peak of level eighty-nine."
Xu Zihuang nodded frankly, then changed the subject.
"However, I condensed the first soul core with the spiritual attribute very early on. To break through to Title Douluo, it means I must successfully condense the second soul core."
The relationship between Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian had long been inseparable since they already had Ning Qing. Naturally, the way Xu Zihuang addressed Elder Gu had also changed.
However, due to his special experiences and background from childhood, he was not yet accustomed to addressing Ning Xingxu the way Ning Tian did. Calling him father-in-law or Uncle Ning directly felt somewhat distant, so he often avoided addressing Ning Xingxu by name.
Ning Xingxu was perceptive and would always actively guide the topic, never making Xu Zihuang feel awkward about the form of address.
"Tianhuang, your talent is even above that of Guyi. I believe condensing the second soul core should not be difficult for you." Elder Gu laughed heartily. In his subconscious, he only thought that Xu Zihuang would condense a same-position resonance second soul core.
After all, the cultivation method for the yin-yang complementary second soul core was too bizarre, and no human soul master had ever attempted such a cultivation method. Among soul beasts, the only one with clear records of successfully cultivating the yin-yang complementary second soul core was the Beast God Di Tian, ranked first among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.
In fact, that Evil Eye Tyrant Ruler had also cultivated yin-yang complementary dual soul cores. If not for that, the Evil Eye Tyrant Ruler would not have been able to contend with the Beast God Di Tian at all.
Xu Zihuang met Elder Gu's gaze, and his expression suddenly became serious.
"Grandpa Taishuo, I intend to cultivate the yin-yang complementary second soul core."
"What?!" Upon hearing this, both Ning Xingxu and Elder Gu's expressions changed drastically, no longer able to maintain their previous composure.
As someone who had experienced it, Elder Gu deeply understood the enormous risks involved in condensing the second soul core. If it were a same-position resonance second soul core, he would still believe that Yu Tianhuang could handle it with ease. But the cultivation method for the yin-yang complementary second soul core was something human soul masters could hardly control, with risks at least dozens of times greater than that of the same-position resonance method.
Elder Gu said in a deep voice, "Tianhuang, do you know what you are saying? I think Mu En must have told you about the dangers of the yin-yang complementary second soul core cultivation method back then."
"Old Mu did indeed tell me about these things, but I am not content with that." Xu Zihuang nodded slightly.
"Moreover, I am confident that I have a certain level of assurance and have made complete preparations."
His preparation was the ten-thousand-year Lovesick Heartbreaking Red that Wang Qiu'er had picked for him. As the King of Immortal Herbs, even if he suffered severe injuries from failing to cultivate the yin-yang complementary second soul core, this Lovesick Heartbreaking Red would be enough to allow him to recover his vitality in a short time.
Elder Gu opened his mouth, still intending to say something, but was stopped by Ning Xingxu's look.
Ning Xingxu shifted his gaze back to Xu Zihuang and said seriously, "Tianhuang, what do you plan to do next?"
Xu Zihuang was first stunned, then quickly reacted, his eyes profound.
"As long as I break through to the Title Douluo realm, all the conflicts on the continent will be able to be pacified. Next, I will go to a place suitable for my closed-door cultivation to attempt breaking through to the Title Douluo realm."
"Tianhuang, since you have your own ideas, we won't say much more. We believe you will know your limits." Hearing Xu Zihuang's reply, Ning Xingxu smiled calmly.
"By the way, there is one more thing. Princess Wei Na sent someone to look for you earlier. She has been on the throne as Empress of the Heavenly Soul Empire for more than a year now. The current stability of the Heavenly Soul Empire is undeniable thanks to her ability and contributions. This is a personal letter she left for you."
As he spoke, Ning Xingxu handed a delicate, gilded letter to Xu Zihuang.
Xu Zihuang took the letter without changing his expression, though his inner emotions were somewhat subtle. Wei Na had expressed her feelings to him more than once, and the fact that this letter from Wei Na was being passed to him through Ning Xingxu gave him a strange feeling.
Xu Zihuang had no intention of deliberately hiding anything and opened the letter right in front of Ning Xingxu and Elder Gu.
Just as he had expected, the sensible Wei Na did not mention their personal relationship in the letter. She only hoped that after he finished his closed-door cultivation, he could come to the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace to discuss matters together.
Xu Zihuang raised his head and looked again at Ning Xingxu and Elder Gu.
"Wei Na wants me to go to the imperial palace to discuss important matters once I finish my closed-door cultivation."
"Tianhuang, then you should go." Ning Xingxu's smile did not fade.
"After that, bring Ning Qing and the others back with you."
"Alright."
Xu Zihuang nodded slightly to Ning Xingxu and Elder Gu, and his figure disappeared once again into the mystical golden halo.
After a long silence, Elder Gu couldn't help but sigh and say, "The young Empress of the Heavenly Soul Empire looking for Tianhuang is probably not that simple. But in the end, it's because Tianhuang is too outstanding."
"Grandpa Long, let the young people handle their own affairs." Ning Xingxu shook his head with a smile.
"Just as you said, Tianhuang's excellence is destined to make those heaven's chosen daughters flock to him. As long as Tianhuang does not let Tian'er and Qing'er down, that is enough."
"Xingxu, you really are open-minded." Elder Gu raised an eyebrow.
Ning Xingxu did not respond, only gazing meaningfully at the golden-red sun about to sink into the western horizon.
Controlling the Heavenly Soul Empire through Wei Na was not a bad strategy. It's just that...
Heaven Dou City.
Two exceptionally stunning golden-haired women walked side by side on the bustling street. The taller golden-haired woman had a cold and noble temperament. The other woman also had golden hair, but it was a lighter, pale golden-white color. She was looking at the little one in her arms with a doting expression.
The two women were precisely Ye Guyi and Ning Tian.
Ning Qing was sleeping soundly in Ning Tian's arms. Seeing this scene, Ye Guyi knowingly said to Ning Tian beside her, "It's getting late. Let's head back."
"Mm." Ning Tian replied softly.
But at that moment, they both simultaneously looked toward the direction of the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace in the center of Heaven Dou City.
Ye Guyi furrowed her delicate brows and said with a hint of complaint, "After finishing closed-door cultivation, he doesn't come to see you and Ning Qing first, but instead goes to the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace to meet that Wei Na."
"Sister Guyi, Tianhuang must have a reason for doing this. I remember that a while ago, Wei Na sent someone to deliver a letter to Tianhuang, right?" Ning Tian did not feel anything amiss. Even if the previous Wei Na had feelings for Yu Tianhuang, now that they already had a child, and Wei Na had become the Empress of the Heavenly Soul Empire, she should at least consider her dignity and influence.
Moreover, the fact that Yu Tianhuang had informed them in advance only further proved his openness and lack of guilt.
Ye Guyi had only been speaking casually and was not really blaming Xu Zihuang. Seeing Ning Tian defend him, she couldn't help but smile and tease her.
"Fine, you two are husband and wife singing in harmony, and I'm the outsider."
"Sister Guyi—"
Amid their playful banter, the two left Heaven Dou City, sat in the carriage of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and waited for Xu Zihuang's return.
The Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace had been rebuilt over the past year, and its defenses strengthened. The tall city walls were equipped with soul tool defensive positions, and there was no shortage of powerful soul masters and soul mentors stationed there. The palace gates were also guarded by orderly rows of elite soldiers.
These soldiers wore armor and held long spears, looking valiant and extraordinary.
It was unknown whether it was arranged by Wei Na, but when they saw Xu Zihuang approaching the palace from afar, someone went inside to report.
As soon as Xu Zihuang arrived at the palace gate, two maids dressed in silver long skirts quickly walked out from the imperial palace and respectfully bowed to Xu Zihuang.
"His Majesty has given instructions in advance. Please follow us."
Xu Zihuang followed the two maids in silence. He naturally knew that Wei Na's invitation to the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace was by no means as simple as discussing matters.
Compared to the Sun Moon Empire's imperial palace, the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace had more of a sense of history. Although most of the buildings inside the palace had been rebuilt, they were constructed according to the style of the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial palace from tens of thousands of years ago, the so-called retro style.
The palace occupied a vast area, almost equivalent to a small to medium-sized city. By the time Xu Zihuang was led by the two maids to a quiet palace deep within the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace, the sky had completely darkened.
Soft soul tool lights illuminated the resplendent palace brightly.
Xu Zihuang stood in the center of the palace, vaguely having some guesses in his heart.
Not long after, a series of crisp footsteps suddenly came from behind.
Xu Zihuang turned around with a sense of awareness. He saw a woman dressed in a luxurious golden palace gown appear in his line of sight. The woman appeared to be only about twenty years old, her peerlessly beautiful face shining together with the precious jewelry on her headdress. The purple-gold imperial crown on her head added a few points of dignity and solemnity.
However, the moment their eyes met, the deliberate dignity she displayed instantly vanished without a trace. Her beautiful eyes were filled only with exhaustion and fragility, making her particularly pitiable.
Wei Na lightly pursed her red lips, quickened her steps, and stepped forward to embrace Xu Zihuang's waist and back. Her voice carried a crying tone and tremor.
"Tianhuang, please help me."
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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