After that, most of the remaining immortal herbs in the area were preserved. Yue Guan carefully harvested the Radiant Paradise Grass and placed it into a jade box.
The situation here needed to be reported to the Supreme Pontiff and the high-ranking Elders. The discovery was far too extraordinary—it would require a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse to guard this place. Naturally, Yue Guan was eager to be the one to remain here.
That was precisely why he chose to harvest the Radiant Paradise Grass. He knew full well that Qian Xunji's talent was the weakest among the Angel Lineage, and he intended to use the herb as leverage to earn his place as the guardian of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As for Bibi Dong and Gu Han's soul ring issues, they would be handled later—after Bibi Dong absorbed the soul bone they had obtained.
Gu Han's third soul ring, on the other hand, would have to be sourced from the Icebound Forest. The Extreme North was far too harsh—bitterly cold, sparsely populated with soul beasts, and exceedingly dangerous.
If he were to venture into the core region of the Extreme North, the temperatures of the Ultimate Ice there would be far beyond what Gu Han could currently endure.
Moreover, the soul beasts in that area were all gathered by the Ice and Snow Emperors in the central and outer zones. Even a Titled Douluo would have a slim chance of surviving such a venture.
Perhaps one day Gu Han might attempt to challenge the Ultimate Ice for a breakthrough—but that time had yet to come. At the very least, he would need to reach the Soul Sage level first.
Gu Han had already set his sights on his third soul ring. Deep within the Icebound Forest, atop a sheer cliff, grew an 8,000-year-old Ice Crystal Snow Lotus.
This rare lotus had taken root on the cliff for many years, untouched by human hands. It was precisely this treasure that Gu Han was now aiming for.
A snow lotus infused with the power of ice could potentially grant him a significant elemental boost.
He also wanted to take this opportunity to return to his village for a visit. After all, it was the villagers who raised him. If possible, perhaps he could ask his master for help in finding them a plot of land near Spirit City so they could relocate.
That way, he could better care for them.
As for the remaining immortal herbs—Gu Han wasn't particularly interested. To him, they no longer held much value.
Even the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, famed for enhancing spiritual strength, was now of little use to Gu Han, who had already achieved a high level of spiritual cultivation and internal restraint. It would serve Bibi Dong better. Compared to him, who already had a method for cultivating spiritual power, she needed it far more.
As for helping Dugu Bo with his poison issue, Gu Han didn't need to rely on immortal herbs.
After all, an immortal herb could only treat a single person—it couldn't solve a generational problem.
Dugu Bo's issue wasn't complex. At its core, it was simply a problem of technique: his cultivation method wasn't efficient enough to fully refine and absorb the toxins, resulting in residual buildup within his body. This was easily resolved.
All it would take was assisting him in modifying or developing a new cultivation method tailored to his condition. With the help of the Nameless Technique Manual, Gu Han was confident he could do it.
Once the four of them had finished packing, they began their journey back to Spirit City.
---
Spirit Hall – Hall of Consecration
Qian Xunji stood beneath the high dais, cold sweat beading on his forehead. In his hands were two ten-thousand-year-level spiritual bones.
Seated above him were the seven Worship Elders, led by Qian Daoliu himself.
Yes, in the days since Gu Han and Bibi Dong had left, Qian Jun and Jiang Long had broken through the bottleneck of the Martial Soul and advanced to Rank 96. They were now qualified to enter the Hall of Consecration and had been appointed as the Sixth and Seventh Worship Elders.
"I thank Father, and I thank the Worship Elders for bestowing these bones upon me. Especially the Fifth Worship, for parting with such a valuable gift."
Qian Xunji bowed slightly and carefully stored the soul bones, expressing his gratitude to the gathered elders.
"Xunji, there's no need for such formality," Qian Daoliu replied calmly. "Although these soul bones carry special significance, for the future of Spirit Hall, I believe the previous owner would not object. Let us simply hope that Dong'er does not disappoint that senior's expectations."
"Haha! A ten-thousand-year fourth ring—if she really manages that, then this soul bone will have been well worth it."
Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed. Other than Qian Daoliu, whose soul rings had evolved through divine trials, no soul master had ever succeeded in absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring as their fourth.
If this soul bone could help break that myth, then surely the late senior would rejoice in the heavens. In his own view, had it been him, he would gladly have done the same.
Guang Ling waved his hand generously. "No need to thank me. I've met your disciple, and to be honest, I quite like that kid. If you hadn't gotten to him first, I would've taken him as my own disciple. I already have a skull bone, so this one would've just gathered dust. Better to give it to that boy—after all, he's one of our own in Spirit Hall. Consider it an investment in the next generation."
"Haha… It's a great honor for Xiao Han to have earned the Fifth Worship's recognition."
Qian Xunji chuckled, a silent sigh of relief escaping in his heart. Still… when did Guang Ling meet Xiao Han?
Could it have been that day…?
He recalled the time when his father summoned him, and he'd briefly encountered Guang Ling at the doors of the Hall of Consecration. That must have been it.
Well, it wasn't a bad thing. If a Worship Elder appreciated Xiao Han, then asking for favors in the future would be far easier.
Sigh… Qian Xunji sighed inwardly. Even as the Supreme Pontiff, he often felt just how powerless he truly was...
In name, he was the head of Spirit Hall—but in truth, most of the actual power lay in the hands of the Hall of Consecration, and by extension, in the hands of his father, Qian Daoliu.
Though the Worship Elders and Elders publicly deferred to him, they all looked to Qian Daoliu for direction.
Any critical resources or internal transfers had to go through the Worship Elders—or more precisely, required his father's approval.
Still, Qian Xunji didn't dwell too much on it. He didn't crave power for its own sake. His only ambition was to earn the Angel God's favor and be granted the Divine Inheritance.
To reach Rank 99. To honor his ancestors and uphold the dignity of their bloodline.
"All right, Xunji. You've got important matters to attend to—no need to waste time chatting with us old men. Off you go."
Qian Daoliu waved him off and turned away.
"Yes, Father."
"Worship Elders, I take my leave."
Qian Xunji gave another small bow and exited the Hall of Consecration.
After he left, Qian Daoliu turned to Guang Ling.
"How is the investigation into the Star Luo Empire going?"
"Heh, those people moved fast. As soon as they sensed we were investigating, they issued a Purge Order and wiped out every evil soul master they'd secretly raised."
Guang Ling sneered coldly. Spirit Hall had long suspected that the Star Luo Empire was harboring evil soul masters, but until now, they had never caught them in the act.
Those people were slippery and ruthless. When it came time to cut their losses, they did it without hesitation.
And they were remarkably alert. Spirit Hall had tried multiple covert investigations, but somehow, their efforts were always exposed through unknown means, leading to dead ends.
This time was no different. Guang Ling had barely begun the investigation—he had even participated in person—yet by the third day, the Star Luo Empire had already caught wind of their movements and responded with a preemptive strike, using the purge to clean house.
They either killed the evil soul masters outright or forced them into exile in the Slaughter City.
"Hmph!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo snorted. "A bunch of slippery old foxes."
Qian Daoliu slowly closed his eyes.
"No matter how well they hide the truth, a paper can't wrap a fire forever. One day, they'll make a mistake—and when they do, we'll be ready."
~~~
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