The stars shifted, the sun and moon exchanged places. A new day had arrived.
Emerging from a night of deep meditation, Xu Tianxi stood tall beneath the morning sun. With a bright, energetic smile, he turned to Xiao Changfeng and Elder Yue.
"Master-Uncle, Elder Yue. Our journey has reached a perfect conclusion—let's head back."
"Alright."
Xiao Changfeng nodded in agreement. He gestured for Elder Yue to return to the soul tool vessel, then took Xu Tianxi up to the deck to enjoy the sea breeze.
Though he had watched over the two of them through the night, Xiao Changfeng showed no sign of fatigue. Instead, he handed Xu Tianxi a soul tool ring with a massive storage capacity.
"Tianxi, I've packed this with pills, soul tools, several gold soul cards, and a Tribute Token from our Xuanwu Commerce Guild. Take a look and let me know if anything's missing—I'll see to it."
"Our Xuanwu Guild is among the top merchant guilds on the continent, with assets even in the Sun Moon Empire. This token gives you high-level access to our resources—it should make things much easier going forward."
"You'll soon begin your training journey across the continent, and eventually travel alone into the Sun Moon Empire. Any thoughts about what's to come?"
"Not much to consider—just breaking through obstacles and slaying enemies."
As Xu Tianxi received the ring and channeled his spiritual sense into it, he couldn't help but twitch at the sheer abundance inside.
There were twenty boxes of Xuanwater Pills. Was he supposed to eat them like candy?
Then again, these pills didn't harm one's foundation—taking more wasn't a problem.
He probed deeper: a neat array of pillboxes filled his field of perception. Each was clearly labeled.
Five labeled "Divine Xuanwu Elixirs – Supreme Healing"
One marked "Soul Ascension Pill"
And… several were labeled "Cry-on-Consumption Pills"
Xu Tianxi: "…???"
Cry-on-Consumption Pills? What kind of bizarre concoction was that? He'd never even heard of something like this.
"Don't forget your backstory," Xiao Changfeng said lightly, his lips curved with mirth. "Orphaned young, full of grievance, fled home for vengeance—you're the tragic third young master of Xuanming Sect. You might not have a vendetta a mile deep, but your heart should at least be weighed down by sorrow.
When you meet people from the Sun Moon Empire, you'll inevitably need to shed a tear or two while recounting your past."
"But you can't just cry on cue. That's where these pills come in. They're a secret remedy your master found, and I refined them myself. They stimulate your soul power to increase tear production."
"They're quite reliable. Even a Titled Douluo wouldn't see through the disguise—it just looks like your soul power is unstable. They even enhance your spiritual strength a bit."
Xu Tianxi's mouth twitched, a vein pulsing on his temple.
So before he left for the Sun Moon Empire… he had to train in acting?
"Douluo's Grand Stage—where drama lives and breathes."
He wasn't here to cultivate; he was here for a performance.
What next? A sketch comedy?
Rubbing his temples in exasperation, Xu Tianxi muttered,
"Master-Uncle, your foresight is truly… unparalleled."
"You flatter me. As your elder, I must prepare you well." Xiao Changfeng clasped his hands behind his back, gazing into the wind. "The intelligence on Evil Soul Masters you wanted—I'll have it for you within half a month."
"In the meantime, familiarize yourself with your newly awakened strength, and start practicing techniques for channeling lightning-element soul power. Once you master both water and lightning, your combat prowess will leap forward again."
Xu Tianxi covered his face and chuckled to himself. This Master-Uncle of mine… truly is a hidden eccentric. Probably a real heartthrob in his younger years.
Then he remembered Xu Sanshi's shameless antics, and suddenly a suspicion stirred—could it be that Xuanming Sect was corrupted by one person at the top, causing the whole sect's style to go astray?
That person… probably, maybe, hopefully… wasn't Grandmaster Xu Xiaoyun?
One Month Later
Simulated Cultivation Environment, Moon-Watching Platform
Xu Tianxi emerged from his secluded training. Elder Yue handed him a wanted notice. He skimmed it, his brow furrowing slightly.
Star Luo Empire Adventurer Guild Mission
Objective: Seek and eliminate the "Abomination Demon Soul" assassin group, known to attack trade caravans and small soul-hunting teams around the periphery of the Mingdou Great Forest.
Intelligence Summary:
The leader of the "Abomination Demon Soul" group is suspected to be an Evil Soul Master, self-styled as the "Messenger of Abomination." In a battle six months ago, he displayed peak Soul Ancestor strength, endured the siege of a Soul King and two Soul Elders, escaped unscathed, and even counter-killed one. His defenses are abnormally powerful.
He commands six "Demon Soul Knights", their strengths ranging from high-level Soul Elders to early-stage Soul Ancestors. Their martial souls carry spiritual attributes, adept at illusions and assassinations.
The group also includes dozens of soul masters and over 200 savage butchers known for slaughter, pillaging, and ambushes. They're highly elusive and can change battlefields at will. Adventurers are advised to consider this mission with utmost caution.
Suggested Strategy:
A strike team of at least three Soul Kings should lead a swift, overwhelming assault, aiming to annihilate the assassins in one decisive blitz.
Rewards:
Submit vital evidence confirming kills at any Adventurer Guild branch to receive gold soul coin bounties.
"So this is the Adventurer Guild—hosted by the royal families of the three empires and supported by high-ranking nobles. Even Shrek's enforcer missions often originate from here…"
Xu Tianxi nodded to himself, eyes sharp.
He recalled a particular event from the original story: Emperor Xu Jiawei of Star Luo sold the Snow Empress embryo to Mingde Hall for 150 million gold soul coins, then posted a mission through the Adventurer Guild offering 100 million to steal it back—netting a profit of 50 million in the process.
The Body Sect sent two Soul Douluo to take the job. This led to Mingde Hall's first major crisis—Du Busi launched a full assault, and Huo Yuhao used the chaos to steal the prototype of Jing Hongchen's Zero Mecha, leaving the man in tears.
That was the scale of the Adventurer Guild's network—a true mercenary platform run by imperial hands.
Standing respectfully, Elder Yue introduced a nearby man in a dark-green robe with a brooding presence.
"Young Master, this is Zhisen, a support soul master assigned to you by Lord Ice Phoenix for this training mission.
He is a Level 78 control-type Battle Soul Saint, wielding the top-tier Sky Ghost Vine, a variant of the Sky Blue Vine."
"Sky Ghost Vine?" Xu Tianxi's eyes lit up. "Senior Zhisen, may I guess—your martial soul mutated from the Sky Blue Vine?"
"Young Master is truly well-versed," Zhisen replied with a respectful bow. "Indeed, my martial soul evolved from the Sky Blue Vine."
Despite being close to Soul Douluo level, this man held nothing but deference toward Xu Tianxi. It surprised him.
Did he underestimate his own status?
"Young Master need not be surprised," Zhisen said solemnly. "Years ago, Lord Ice Phoenix saved my life and guided my cultivation. My life belongs to him. Now that you are his chosen heir, my loyalty to you is absolute."
There was pain in his eyes as he spoke—clearly, a man with a past.
Xu Tianxi didn't press further. Instead, he led them both to bid farewell to Xiao Changfeng.
Hanhai City Port
Facing the vast sea, Xiao Changfeng stood with hands behind his back. As the waves rolled in, he turned, wind sweeping through his blue robes in a way that made him look effortlessly elegant.
"You're here?"
"Master-Uncle, thank you for your care these past years. I'll remember it always."
Xu Tianxi stepped forward and bowed deeply—a full ninety degrees—to express his heartfelt gratitude.
Over the past two and a half years, Xiao Changfeng had provided endless support—training resources, personal guidance, profound insights, even sparring with him while suppressing his own power.
He never acted with the arrogance of a Super Douluo, and always carried the grace of a true gentleman.
Even in handling soul bones, he gave Xu Tianxi full respect. Such a mentor was rare—even among one's own kin.
Xiao Changfeng helped him up, then gave him a strong pat on the shoulder. His gaze was deep and clear.
"Before you go, Master-Uncle has one last gift. Don't be tense—just relax."
"And remember my words:
'A good man roams far and wide. The green mountains are the same across the land.
The blue sea rolls on—may your courage never fade.'"
As he spoke, blue light danced in his eyes.
Xu Tianxi's body rose off the ground, surprised but calm. He soon felt dozens of soul power threads entering his body, activating key meridians.
A warm energy surged through him like spring water—euphoric and invigorating.
"Crack!"
The sound of a bottleneck breaking echoed in his ears.
When his feet touched ground again, Xu Tianxi was stunned.
His body had become lighter, his strength denser, and his soul power had leapt from mid-level Rank 33 to the peak of Rank 34, almost brushing the threshold of Rank 35.
Even more impressive—his foundation had not been weakened in the slightest. In fact, his soul power was even more refined than before.
Only a Super Douluo like Xiao Changfeng could wield such mystical techniques.
Xu Tianxi turned, intending to thank him—only to find the pier bustling with people, and no trace of that blue-robed figure.
"Master-Uncle… truly walks the path of the unsung hero."
With a heartfelt sigh, he turned back to Elder Yue and Zhisen, flashing them a bright smile.
"Let's go. We're heading out. I'll be counting on you both from here on."
"At your command, Young Master."
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin