The weather grew colder, and the northern region of the Sun-Moon Empire was blanketed in snow. The Demon Forest there was also covered in snow.
In the dark forest, the trees had lost all their leaves. Sunlight shone through the gaps in the interwoven branches, forming dim light and shadows.
Deep within the wicked forest, inside a towering tree, sunlight passed through the bushes outside the tree trunk and into a tree hollow, illuminating the face of a handsome man sleeping within.
As the sun shone on him, the entire body of the Sleeping Beauty began to emit a golden glow, flickering on and off, with faint rays of light shining through the bushes.
Not far away, a hungry, human-faced demon spider searching for food in the snow noticed the flicker of light, roared in delight, and rushed toward the bushes.
Just as it gleefully stuck its head into the bushes, a golden-red beam of light shot out and obliterated its head. The headless corpse fell to the ground, spilling a pool of blood.
"What the hell is that? So ugly. I nearly died of fright."
Xu Mingxi stepped out from a path through the corner of the bushes, afraid that he would be stained by the blood of the human-faced demon spider.
His injuries had healed, and the only evidence that a battle had occurred was the burn-like scars covering the left side of his body, spreading up to the left side of his face, masking half of it.
Fortunately, his soul-guiding storage ring was worn on his right hand, so it remained undamaged. Xu Mingxi took out a mirror and looked at himself, sighing deeply, wondering how he ended up disfigured.
But it was better than dying—at least he survived. He took out a cloak and put it on—one to cover his face, the other to reduce his presence. He was still deep within the Evil Soul Forest.
Xu Mingxi donned his cloak and prepared to head to Haidu. He believed that his grandfather and the others would be fine. The healing medicine made from crystal blood dragon ginseng and the herb-grinding rabbit was with the Eighth Elder, which was enough for them to recover.
"Hey, isn't this...?"
Just as he was about to leave, Xu Mingxi's peripheral vision caught the shadow of the beast he had just slain. Wasn't that a thousand-year-old human-faced demon spider? So, there were still weak soul beasts deep within the Evil Soul Forest, and it seemed the soul bone had exploded.
A star-light sword appeared in his hand, which he used to pry open the demon spider's body and extract a piece of bone emitting a purple glow— the right arm bone of a 1,500-year-old human-faced demon spider.
Xu Mingxi had no intention of absorbing such a weak soul bone, so he figured it would be better to give it to Tang San—to lead him further down the spider's path and waste his soul bone slot.
If time allowed, Xu Mingxi would have stopped Tang San from obtaining the Eight Spider Lances, a powerful weapon for someone skilled in hidden weapons and one of Tang San's greatest aids in the early stages.
"I hope I wasn't unconscious for too long. Time has been ticking since we made that agreement with the Sect Master to return before Tang turns thirty-two."
Xu Mingxi murmured to himself as he leapt between the trees, heading toward Haidu.
At this time, Haidu was still as prosperous as ever. Half a year had passed since the war. Even the Lord of Haidu had loosened the search for Xu Mingxi and the four other fugitives.
When the three elders arrived in Haidu, they found the Sharktooth Mercenary Group, which had once again become famous. It was the same five people who had come with them, plus Huo Quan, their little follower.
After that, they stayed at the Sharktooth Mercenary Group headquarters, waiting for Xu Mingxi, though their hearts gradually sank as time passed.
"Great Elder, you said Mingxi would be fine, right?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Mingxi will be fine."
The Great Elder glared at the Ninth Elder for saying something inappropriate. In truth, he was also deeply worried, but he was the strongest among them and could not show weakness.
To the people of the Star Crown Sect, losing an arm was nothing and had little impact on their strength. The Great Elder was still a Level 92 Power Attack-Type Titled Douluo who could dominate the world.
"Let's wait another half year. If Mingxi doesn't return, I'll let Xu Zilong experience what it's like to be hunted by a reckless Titled Douluo."
"Alright, we'll go together."
The three elders exchanged looks, as if making a firm decision. Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice coming from outside the door.
"The three elders are really angry. Why don't you beat up Xu Zilong or involve me in it?"
The First Elder suddenly stood up and looked out the door. When he saw the familiar figure, tears soaked his clothes. After all, Heaven had not allowed him to die before his father.
"Mingxi, you're finally back."
The Great Elder immediately appeared in front of Xu Mingxi. Staring at the figure before him wearing an ordinary soul master's robe and a golden mask, he raised his only remaining right hand with a trembling motion, trying to confirm if he was dreaming.
Suddenly, he saw the scar hidden beneath Xu Mingxi's robe, covering the entire left side of his neck and extending below the mask.
"Mingxi, your face?"
Xu Mingxi smiled and removed the mask. He was already grateful to be alive. So what if he was disfigured? Perhaps he would have a chance to restore it in the future.
The Great Elder stared at Xu Mingxi's cheek, which looked like it had been burned by fire—warped and shocking. He wanted to reach out and touch it, but feared it would make Xu Mingxi feel worse.
"Grandfather, it's fine. Let's talk business first. There's not much time left before the agreed deadline."
"Alright, alright."
Putting his mask back on, Xu Mingxi pulled the Great Elder to sit down. Song Jiang, who had followed him, wisely stepped back. As a low-ranking Soul Saint, it was best not to listen to what would come next.
"Grandfather, Elders, let's not talk about the past. There are three important things now.
First, I need to obtain my ninth soul ring.
Second, we need to acquire records or images from at least an eighth-level soul guide.
Third, we must find a way to return."
After absorbing the ninth soul ring and becoming a Titled Douluo, Xu Mingxi felt he could fight Xu Zilong. With the help of the Great Elder, he might even be able to kill him.
However, Xu Zilong was the ruler of a nation and had many Soul Douluo around him. Even the Sun and Moon Royal Family might be hiding Titled Douluo. If he wanted to deal with him, not only was it uncertain whether he'd succeed—it would take a very long time, which Xu Mingxi could not afford.
At this stage, his greatest enemy was Tang San. His base was in the Douluo Continent and he already held its inheritance. What Xu Mingxi needed to do now was return as soon as possible and take the initiative.
Xu Zilong had neither a divine inheritance nor a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Level 98 was his limit. It wouldn't be too late to avenge his disfigurement ten years later.