Nan Feihuang's eyes lit up with surprise. "My mother is here?"
Hearing that his mother was on her way, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. No matter how powerful Qian Daoliu was, he wasn't family. In his heart, the safest place in the world was always beside his mother.
Qian Renxue smiled faintly. "Since Her Majesty Xuanbing is about to arrive, I can leave in peace. Feihuang, make sure to keep working hard. I have no doubt that we'll meet again."
Nan Feihuang nodded firmly. "I will. You take care too, Sister Xue."
"Enough with the sentimental farewells," Qian Daoliu interrupted with a knowing look. "You are both exceptional talents. The day will come when you stand at the peak of the continent, and then, you will naturally meet again."
His sharp gaze had long since seen through Nan Feihuang's potential. This boy wasn't just an ordinary genius—his aura, his innate spirit power, his unique physique, and his unyielding will all pointed toward an extraordinary destiny. Given his lineage, resources, and determination, there was no doubt he would one day leave his mark on history.
With those words, Qian Daoliu took Qian Renxue by the arm and leapt into the sky, ascending rapidly.
As they soared higher, Qian Renxue turned back, her golden hair flowing in the wind. She gazed at Nan Feihuang with a meaningful expression. "Goodbye, Feihuang. But next time we meet… you'll be looking at Xue Qinghe."
Nan Feihuang stood silently, watching their figures disappear into the sky.
After a moment, he retrieved the golden skull from his soul guide. It was a rare 20,000-year-old soul bone infused with sacred energy. Its value in the soul master world was astronomical.
Yet, he had no intention of absorbing it.
A soul bone of this level wasn't enough for him. Unlike external soul bones that could grow stronger over time, this one would be permanently fixed at its current strength. Absorbing it now would be a waste of potential. It was better to wait and see if it would be more useful elsewhere in the future.
Carefully storing the soul bone away, Nan Feihuang turned to face the vast forest, waiting patiently.
Just as Qian Daoliu had predicted, he didn't have to wait long.
Barely two minutes later, he spotted several familiar figures rushing toward him.
Leading them was Lan Xue.
The moment she saw him, her pace quickened, and her voice rang out. "Huang'er!!"
Nan Feihuang ran toward her, his heart swelling with warmth. "Mother! I'm here!"
In a blink, Lan Xue closed the distance, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce embrace. She lifted him off the ground as if he weighed nothing, clutching him tightly.
"Thank the heavens… you're safe," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You have no idea how worried I've been."
Nan Tianchen, who had been trailing behind, let out a long breath of relief. The past few days had been nothing short of agonizing for him and Lan Xue. Now that their son was back, safe and unharmed, the weight on their hearts finally lifted.
Nan Feihuang gently patted his mother's back, comforting her. "I'm sorry, Mother… I made you worry."
Before the reunion could go on, She Long, who had been scanning the surroundings, spoke up urgently. "Where is the young master? Nan Feihuang, wasn't she with you?"
Nan Feihuang turned to him calmly. "Relax. Before you arrived, Sister Xue's real grandfather and fifth grandfather got here first and took her back."
She Long's eyes narrowed slightly. "Her real grandfather… and fifth grandfather?"
A realization dawned on him. Could it be… the chief priest and the fifth priest of the Spirit Hall?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a voice echoed in his ears through a secret transmission.
"She Long, Xiaoxue has already been taken back by me and the chief priest. You don't need to worry. However, I have a task for you—help Nan Tianchen hunt for his eighth soul ring. Consider it a small repayment for the Ancient Thunder Kingdom."
It was Guangling Douluo's voice.
She Long's expression relaxed instantly. If it was an order from the fifth priest himself, then Qian Renxue was undoubtedly safe.
"Yes, my lord," he responded respectfully.
With the confirmation that Qian Renxue was fine, She Long turned toward Nan Tianchen and Lan Xue. "Your Majesty Xuanbing, although this journey was dangerous, fate has been kind. Everyone is safe, and the young master is unharmed. However, since this ordeal was caused by us, it is only right that we offer an apology. As compensation, I am willing to assist your husband in obtaining his eighth soul ring."
Lan Xue, who had regained her usual composure, assessed She Long's words carefully. She understood that pressing the Spirit Hall too much would do more harm than good for the Ancient Thunder Kingdom. It was wiser to accept this gesture of goodwill.
With a graceful nod, she replied, "Your Excellency is too courteous. In times of crisis, it is only natural to work together for survival. There is no need for excessive guilt. However, since you are willing to assist my husband, we humbly accept your kindness."
Nan Tianchen, standing quietly behind, let out a silent sigh of relief.
He had been worried that Lan Xue might refuse the Spirit Hall's offer out of pride. If she had pushed the matter too far, it could have caused unnecessary tension between the two sides. Given the Spirit Hall's power, offending them would be disastrous for their kingdom.
Now that Lan Xue had handled the situation with tact, She Long's expression softened, and even a trace of guilt flickered across his face.
Human nature was strange—when people were hounded over their mistakes, they often became defensive, even angry. But when met with generosity and understanding, guilt tended to deepen.
At the very least, the Spirit Hall now owed them a favor, and She Long clearly felt obligated to make amends.
With She Long's assistance, they quickly located a powerful soul beast—one that had lived for more than 50,000 years.
The battle was swift and decisive. With the combined strength of the two titled Douluos, they managed to bring the beast down perfectly, allowing Nan Tianchen to claim its soul ring.
As the golden glow of the ring settled around him, Nan Tianchen felt a surge of power coursing through his body. He had officially stepped into Rank 81, becoming a true Soul Douluo.
At that moment, he finally felt worthy of the title. After all, the word Douluo was now attached to his name.
The only disappointment was that the soul beast did not leave behind a soul bone.
Nan Feihuang couldn't help but shake his head in amusement. Fate was truly unpredictable. When he and Qian Renxue had hunted their 20,000-year-old spirit beasts, they both received rare soul bones. Yet, despite slaying a beast over 50,000 years old, Nan Tianchen only obtained a soul ring.
Luck truly varied from person to person.
With the hunt complete and his task fulfilled, She Long bid them farewell and departed.
Lan Xue and Nan Tianchen immediately prepared for their return journey to the Ancient Thunder Kingdom.
As they traveled, Lan Xue never once let go of Nan Feihuang's hand. The fear from earlier still lingered in her heart. Until they reached home safely, she refused to drop her guard for even a moment.