While Yang Xiong was refining his body in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, the outside world was in an uproar.
In a magnificent hall somewhere in the Spirit Hall, countless individuals with extremely powerful auras were present, indicating a very tense atmosphere.
On the large throne in the center sat a woman who appeared extremely noble. This person was none other than Pope Bibi Dong.
Seated below were all the elders of the Spirit Hall, while standing were the Cardinals, all of whom possessed strength at least at the Soul Douluo level or above.
A seductive man in golden armor bowed to Pope Bibi Dong and reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty the Pope, according to the latest information, we have found many corpses of Elephant Armor Sect disciples in the Sunset Forest. Due to being in the Sunset Forest, only a small amount of skeletal remains were left, and the specific cause of death cannot be determined."
Bibi Dong's expression was serious. "What about Huyan Zhen? He feigned a retreat last time, so no one should be deliberately targeting him. Furthermore, with Huyan Zhen's level 89 strength, no one below the Titled Douluo level should be able to do anything to him. If he was in the Sunset Forest, there shouldn't be a soul beast strong enough to kill Huyan Zhen."
The seductive man was none other than Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, also Bibi Dong's most loyal follower.
Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "After our investigation, whether it's Yu Yuanzhen, Sword Douluo, or Bone Douluo, they have all been within their Sects during this period and should not have attacked Huyan Zhen."
"However, the Elephant Armor Sect has been very unlucky in recent years. They were attacked by two 100,000-Year Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest previously, and now Huyan Zhen has disappeared without a trace in the Sunset Forest. It is likely he was also attacked by a soul beast."
Upon hearing this, everyone's mouths twitched. The Elephant Armor Sect was truly too unlucky. These top-tier soul beasts seemed to specifically target the Elephant Armor Sect. Last time they lost several Soul Douluos, and this time even the Sect Leader has gone missing.
Chrysanthemum Douluo continued, "Now the Elephant Armor Sect's high-level strength has been reduced by 80%, which will likely affect their support for us and may even impact their own status. With their current top-tier strength, they are simply unable to maintain their position among the Lower Four Sects."
Bibi Dong's face was gloomy. "Regardless, whether alive or dead, I want to see the person or the corpse. Elder Ju, you will personally go to the Sunset Forest to investigate. Is there anything else?"
A hint of hesitation appeared on Chrysanthemum Douluo's face, and he finally spoke with reluctance, "Reporting to Your Majesty the Pope, the development of the Lower Four Sects has been very unfavorable in recent years. The Elephant Armor Sect has suffered heavy casualties, the Black Tiger Sect, Holy Dragon Sect, and Wind Sword Sect have been subjected to suspicion and suppression by the Star Luo Empire Imperial Family, and even some medium-sized Sects that secretly pledged allegiance have also been suppressed by the Star Luo Empire."
"Based on the current situation, the strength of the Lower Four Sects has been damaged to varying degrees. I wonder if the Star Luo Imperial Family knew in advance about our purpose in recruiting the Lower Four Sects."
Bibi Dong's face flushed with anger. "What a Star Luo Emperor! I haven't even gone to find them, and yet he dares to obstruct the development of my Spirit Hall. He is simply courting death."
Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "Your Majesty, based on the current situation, the support from the Lower Four Sects will be very limited. Should we continue with our plan?"
Bibi Dong's face was filled with cold light. "Of course we must continue. If we don't remove these thorns in our side, our subsequent plans will still be affected."
"With the strength of our Spirit Hall, even without the support of the Lower Four Sects, completing the plan will be an easy matter."
...
The entire Soul Master world was in an uproar. Many people seemed to be confirming the specific situation of the Elephant Armor Sect.
Both Huyan Zhen and the Elephant Armor Sect had always acted very domineeringly and had offended many people. Now that Huyan Zhen was dead and the Elephant Armor Sect's strength was greatly diminished, many people were preparing to kick them while they were down.
...
Yang Xiong had been having a very good time in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well recently. He would either cultivate in the spring water or test his combat strength by sparring with Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi was originally a battle maniac, with only two hobbies in his life: fighting and refining medicine. He had particularly unique insights into attack, and his Soul Breaking Spear was a top-tier Tool Martial Soul, full of power.
Every time Yang Xiong fought a battle with Yang Wudi, he felt more comfortable with offensive techniques.
Originally, Yang Xiong had always practiced fist techniques and swordplay, but now he was very interested in spear techniques.
If swordplay was about agility and sharpness, spear techniques were more powerful and overbearing, more relentless, and perhaps even more powerful.
In terms of combat strength, Yang Xiong still had a certain gap compared to Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi's attacks were extremely fierce, completely the kind of reckless fighting style. Even when Yang Xiong sparred with him, he suffered losses multiple times, and even his proud defense was broken through.
As for Dugu Bo, his poison couldn't do anything to Yang Xiong, but Dugu Bo was both a power attack type and a control type. Soul Masters like Yang Xiong, who were biased towards close-range attacks, were at a great disadvantage. Every time, he was left covered in dust and even subjected to some ridicule.
Dugu Bo, that old fellow, had a strange personality and found Yang Xiong particularly annoying. Every time they had a big fight, he would always say something, and both sides would argue, somewhat like two angry children.
Recently, Yang Xiong discovered something terrifying at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well: his cultivation speed had actually slowed down, and by a lot.
Ever since absorbing the 100,000-Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone, Yang Xiong felt his strength greatly increase. Every movement seemed filled with power. This was one of the reasons Yang Xiong dared to confront Huyan Zhen head-on.
Yang Xiong's self-created Yin-Yang Meditation Method was becoming more and more perfect, and its circulation speed was getting faster and faster. It even flowed endlessly within his body, almost constantly making progress.
However, in contrast, the growth of his soul power had slowed down significantly. According to Yang Xiong's cultivation speed, it should have been no problem to advance four or five levels a year normally, especially in an environment with ice and fire power like the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, where the cultivation speed would be even faster.
But Yang Xiong felt that his soul power increase was as slow as a turtle, barely improving much in a month, completely lacking the rapid speed he had after his second awakening.
On the other hand, Yang Xiong felt that his strength seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. In terms of pure strength, he had even surpassed Dugu Bo. One must know that Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo, who could normally crush anyone below the Titled Douluo level.
This made Dugu Bo complain every time he fought with Yang Xiong, saying that Yang Xiong's body was a monster and that he had never seen such a disproportionate relationship between strength and soul power.
Moreover, Yang Xiong also discovered a special situation: the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well had a very special attraction to him, but even if Yang Xiong used all his strength to dive into the depths of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, there seemed to be a force preventing him from moving forward.
After trying countless times, Yang Xiong decided to give up. Perhaps his soul power level was not high enough to break through to the true core of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well.
After staying at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well for a full month and a half, Yang Xiong and Yang Wudi finally left. Yang Wudi especially needed to return to Cloud Mist Mountain to handle matters of the Breaking Clan.
After this period of studying his body, especially carefully reviewing various situations in the original work, Yang Xiong finally came to a conclusion.
After continuously absorbing strength-type soul rings for so many years, especially absorbing each soul ring beyond his level, and even each soul ring far exceeding his body's limit, his body should now possess the attribute of Ultimate Strength.
This was why Yang Xiong's cultivation speed had been extremely slow recently, but correspondingly, the speed of his strength increase had become faster.
After leaving the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, Yang Xiong and Yang Wudi separated. Yang Wudi would handle some matters concerning the Sect, while Yang Xiong planned to continue his training outside, especially since there were some things he needed to handle alone.
Yang Xiong first went to Heaven Dou City. Now, the so-called Soul Hunting Operation was less than a year away, and many things needed to be prepared in advance, or rather, some deployments needed to be made in advance. Otherwise, once the Soul Hunting Operation began, many things would be very tight, and there would be no room for handling them.
Upon arriving at Heaven Dou City, Yang Xiong went directly to the residence of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
When he arrived at the Crown Prince's mansion, the entire mansion was extremely heavily guarded, but it was nothing to Yang Xiong. He had been there many times with Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong and was basically familiar with the place.
Yang Xiong directly took out Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's token and was immediately invited into the Crown Prince's mansion.
Upon arriving at the reception hall, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe still looked calm and composed, as if nothing in the outside world affected him.
Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "Little brother Yang Xiong, what brings you to my Crown Prince's mansion today? I remember you haven't visited me in three years."
Yang Xiong smiled and said, "Brother Qinghe, I'm really sorry. I've been too busy lately. I just returned from training outside, and I came to the Crown Prince's mansion to see you right away, didn't I?"
Xue Qinghe said, "It seems you miss me quite a bit. You're not here because Teacher has some arrangements, are you? Otherwise, you wouldn't come to my Crown Prince's mansion alone."
Yang Xiong shook his head and said, "This has nothing to do with the Sect Leader. I mainly have some personal matters I want to discuss with you."
Xue Qinghe was a little puzzled. "That's strange. Is there anything in this world that can trouble you? We are brothers, just speak your mind!"
Yang Xiong was silent for a moment before speaking. "Brother Qinghe, I want to borrow something from you. With your status, it should be an easy matter."
Xue Qinghe said, "Just say it. Teacher has also cultivated me in many ways, and you are the person closest to Teacher. I will try my best to do whatever I can."
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate. "I heard that the Vast Sea Universe Cover of the Heaven Dou Empire is mysterious and unfathomable. Can I borrow it for a look?"
Xue Qinghe's expression suddenly changed. "You want to borrow the Vast Sea Universe Cover, the treasure of my Heaven Dou Empire? I'm afraid that won't work. The Vast Sea Universe Cover is too special and is personally kept by the Emperor. Even I, as the Crown Prince, cannot get it."
Yang Xiong smiled and said, "Brother Qinghe, you are too modest. In the Heaven Dou Empire, you are below one person and above ten thousand, and you are the dignified Crown Prince. Is there anything you cannot access?"
Xue Qinghe shook his head and said, "Little brother Yang Xiong, you are overpraising me. I am just the Crown Prince. I should be even clearer that the Crown Prince's position is very delicate. Even in front of the Emperor, I can't say much."
"Moreover, the Vast Sea Universe Cover is of great importance. If you really want to borrow it, it's best to ask my teacher to come. Given the relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Emperor should lend it."
Yang Xiong inwardly complained about this fake Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Did this guy really think of himself as the Crown Prince? He was still protecting the Heaven Dou Imperial Family like this.
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