N-A-A Chapter 242 Father and Son Misplaced
Chapter 242 Father and Son Misplaced
Chapter 242 Father and Son Misplaced
After returning to Qinglong City, Huo Yuhao's spirit rings dimmed, but the feeling of emptiness had largely disappeared.
To his slight surprise, after the recovery from the explosion of the rings and the interaction with the Heavenly Heart, the soul power barrier seemed to have loosened somewhat.
Based on the current situation, with a few more days of training, Huo Yuhao should be able to break through the level 55 barrier.
The rebirth after the extreme exploitation and destruction of the spirit ring actually became the opportunity for a breakthrough.
Huo Yuhao wasn't idle either; instead, he carefully sensed the recovery process of his soul skills within the soul ring.
This is a rare opportunity for him to better understand how soul skills are born in soul rings.
If we can grasp the underlying principles, we can solve the biggest drawback of Qi theory in the future—its inability to impart skills to people.
People are inherently lazy; if they can directly acquire skills through soul rings, no one will be willing to go through the trouble of cultivating their Qi.
The recovery process of a soul skill is not a simple energy replenishment, but more like re-weaving the skill imprint within the unique container of the soul ring.
Huo Yuhao cleared his mind of all distractions and focused all his attention on restoring his soul rings.
He saw that as soul power flowed into the soul ring like a trickle, the energy structure inside the soul ring slowly lit up with specks of light.
When soul power flows into a soul ring, it first activates the energy circuit of the soul ring itself.
This path is like a seed, gradually filling and perfecting the runes that form the soul skill under the nourishment of soul power.
The age of the spirit rings seems to determine the complexity and upper limit of this loop.
The process of restoring the soul ring is extremely slow, yet it is full of profound mysteries of heaven and earth.
Huo Yuhao could sense that each rune inside the spirit ring, once formed, could cause a faint resonance with the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy).
A spirit ring is like a special mold, with spirit power as the material and runes as the blueprint.
When these three elements are combined, they ultimately create a Soul Skill that can be used by Soul Masters.
From this perspective, the existence of spirit rings is closer to that of a converter.
Huo Yuhao was completely absorbed in this observation, utterly captivated.
"Spirit rings and spirit tools are surprisingly similar in function."
"Isn't the core array of a soul tool composed of complex circuits and energy nodes?"
"However, the core array of a soul tool is an inanimate object artificially inscribed, while a soul ring is a living object engraved with the laws of heaven and earth."
"The human body is itself a precisely functioning machine."
Huo Yuhao suddenly realized: "I told the Body Sect before that I wanted to achieve the unity of spiritual power and physical body."
Looking back now, it seems that this path, though taken by accident, turned out to be extremely correct.
Like the sun breaking through the clouds, Huo Yuhao felt a sudden sense of clarity.
Previous theories of Qi would lead to practitioners possessing immense energy but lacking efficient and systematic methods for releasing it.
The meridians and acupoints of the human body are just like the energy loops in the soul ring.
The power of Qi and blood, and the power of spirit, are like carving knives, used to construct and inscribe unique runes within one's own meridians and acupoints.
If this idea can be verified, it will completely open up the process of Qi theory from energy accumulation to skill release!
"Elder Hongyue and Elder Baiming have already figured out the path to a combined soul skill attack!"
"And various combat techniques are the prototypes of the human body drawing skills from heaven and earth!"
"As for the second awakening, it is the key to unlocking the divine potential of the human body!"
"The Body Sect, Soul Guidance Devices, Qi Theory—So this is the true Way of the Body!"
Huo Yuhao suddenly opened his eyes. Although his spirit rings were still dim, his eyes burned with an extremely bright light!
"Someone come here!"
"Immediately prepare the Empire's most precise soul power fluctuation detector, life characteristic scanner, and mental power detection equipment!"
"I'll go to the Body Sect now and invite Elder Hongyue and Elder Baiming here!"
Meanwhile, in Luxiang City, in the southern border of the Douling Empire.
This once formidable and majestic city, which once guarded the southern border of Douling, is now filled with the white tiger flags of the Star Luo Empire.
The city walls were covered with marks from sword and axe blows and the bombardment of soul-guided devices, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood and sulfur.
The City Lord's Mansion has now become the frontline command center of the Star Luo Empire.
In front of the huge sand table, Dai Hao, dressed in military uniform, frowned as his gaze swept over the jagged battle lines marked on the sand table.
His gaze lingered on the Iron Triangle Fortress for a long time before finally settling on Wolong Ridge, where the Star Luo Empire's army was launching a fierce attack.
If the Iron Triangle Fortress is the strongest defense line against the Heavenly Soul in Douling, then Wolong Ridge is the strongest barrier in the southern territory of Douling.
Built against the mountain, with sheer cliffs on three sides and only one narrow ramp for attack, it is extremely easy to defend and difficult to attack.
The previous Emperor of Douling was not a complete fool. Even after inviting Xingluo to take up residence, he did not dare to send Dai Hao to Wolong Pass.
The red marker representing Wolong Pass on the sand table is like a stubborn nail, firmly nailed to the path of the Xingluo army's advance.
"Marshal," Du Lei stood beside Dai Hao, "His Majesty has issued an order requiring that Wolong Pass be captured within seven days."
Long Tianming, the garrison commander of Wolong Pass, is the last remaining veteran general of the Douling Empire. He is a shrewd strategist who keeps his troops at Wolong Pass and takes advantage of the terrain and a large number of pre-laid trigger-type soul tool traps, causing great trouble for the Xingluo Empire.
Normally, Dai Haoda could have slowly devoured this formidable pass by boiling it like a frog in lukewarm water.
However, Xu Jiawei has now given him a death order, which is not only a military objective, but also a reflection of the Star Luo royal family's dissatisfaction and pressure on him for failing to make a decisive breakthrough in the Southern Territory.
Just then, a messenger rushed in, kneeling on one knee: "Marshal, there is urgent intelligence!"
"News has arrived from the eastern border of the Heavenly Soul Empire! The Xuanming Sect has been wiped out!"
"Xu Xuanming, the sect leader of the Xuanming Sect, along with the entire Xuanwu Lake, was completely wiped out by the attack of Tianhe Wuchen, led by Huo Yuhao!"
"According to the news that the Heavenly Soul Empire bestowed a title upon Huo Yuhao, in this battle—not a single titled member of the Heavenly Soul Empire participated!"
"Furthermore, the Heavenly Soul Empire bestowed all the land from Azure Dragon City to the Iron Triangle Fortress upon Huo Yuhao, granting it the title of 'Eternal Guardian of the Eastern Frontier'!"
"The information has been cross-verified from multiple sources and is absolutely accurate!"
Upon hearing this, Dai Hao's body swayed almost imperceptibly.
Huo Yuhao, leading Tianhe Wuchen—annihilated the Xuanming Sect?!
And this was all without any accounts being banned!
Doesn't this mean that Tianhe Wuchen has the strength to directly fight four titled level experts?!
After a brief silence, suppressed gasps echoed through the city lord's mansion.
The Xuanming Sect is known for its defense, and Xu Xuanming is only one step away from becoming a Super Douluo.
But how could such a sect be completely wiped out by Huo Yuhao leading a new army?!
Their first reaction was to question whether the news was true.
At the same time, they were also shocked. What great achievements had Huo Yuhao made for the Heavenly Soul Empire that allowed him to become a powerful king with real authority over a territory before the Douling was even defeated?
Aren't the Heavenly Soul Empire afraid that Huo Yuhao will rebel in the future?
It's obvious to anyone with eyes that although the Heavenly Soul Empire doesn't have a Azure Dragon Army, Tianhe Wuchen is Huo Yuhao's army.
Which of these outstanding young sect leaders of the Heavenly Soul Sect isn't their own young sect master?
The sects behind them are Huo Yuhao's source of soldiers.
No emperor in history has ever dared to form such an army, nor has any Soul Master sect ever responded to such a call.
Because the consequences of such actions would be too great, and there has never been a figure like him who could make the elite sects of an empire submit to him.
Such a legion is less an imperial army and more a private army subservient to personal charisma!
After learning that Huo Yuhao had been crowned a king and would forever guard the Eastern Frontier, no one doubted that Tianhe Wuchen's annihilation of the Xuanming Sect without the intervention of a Title Douluo was a lie.
The Heavenly Soul Emperor's charisma stunned these generals for a moment.
Before the battle against the spirits was fully quelled, when the Star Luo army was at its peak and the Sun and Moon Soul Guides were lying dormant, they dared to carve out a territory and enfeoff themselves as kings, entrusting the important eastern gateway of the empire to a young man who held such a terrifying army!
The impact of this news has surpassed the stalemate at Wolongling.
Dai Hao's gaze returned to the stubborn Wolong Ridge on the sand table.
Seven days! Emperor Xu Jiawei only gave him seven days!
The pressure hit Dai Hao like a landslide or a tsunami.
On one side is the impregnable Wolongling, with its experienced veteran commander in charge.
On one side is Tianhe Wuchen, who is at the height of his power and whose sharp edge is about to step onto the battlefield to break through the eighteen strongholds of the Western Lingdou.
The immense success of Tianhe Wuchen was like a cold mirror, reflecting Dai Hao's predicament in front of Wolong Ridge.
"Let's leave aside the matter of Tianhe Wuchen for now."
Dai Hao tried to regain his usual composure: "His Majesty's military orders are absolute; Wolong Pass must be taken within seven days!"
"Order the first and second heavy-armored soul master regiments to proceed to Wolong Pass immediately! Allocate all stored fixed-position soul-guided artillery shells to the siege force to completely blast through the ridge of Wolong Ridge, creating a gap large enough for the army to pass through!"
"The entire Third Heavy Armored Soul Master Corps rushed in the moment the breach appeared!"
"The Flying Eagle Soul Guild, equipped with long-range soul tools, spared no expense to cut off the supply line despite enemy anti-aircraft fire!"
Under Xu Jiawei's seven-day death order, only this kind of destructive halberd, regardless of cost, could tear apart Long Tianming's defensive strategy.
After making some tactical arrangements, Dai Hao slumped wearily into a chair.
Dai Luoli carefully handed Dai Hao a cup of tea: "Father."
After the deaths of Dai Yaoheng and Dai Huabin, Dai Luoli, the illegitimate son of Dai Hao and his concubine, became Dai Hao's only bloodline.
Dai Hao glanced at the timid Dai Luoli and sighed imperceptibly.
This child is too timid and has very poor talent; it's unlikely he'll achieve much in the future.
In particular, his martial soul is a malignantly mutated white tiger.
Compared to the sharp and outspoken Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin of the past, he is worlds apart.
Not to mention Huo Yuhao, the Azure Dragon King of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
At this moment, with the Star Luo Empire mired in the quagmire of Wolong Ridge, this sole bloodline is not only unable to be a help, but is more like a burden that requires distraction and care.
"If only Luo Li had even a tenth of Huo Yuhao's talent."
That young man was like a mountain standing in front of the younger generation of Douluo Continent, making everyone unable to muster the thought of resistance.
Dai Hao had a vague idea that Huo Yuhao had probably played a crucial role in Tianhe Wuchen's operation to destroy the Xuanming Sect.
He was able to chase after Ma Xiaotao, who was at the Soul Saint level, when he was still a Soul Master. Now, more than a year later, his combat power will only be more terrifying.
"Go down, Luo Li, and return to your room. Do not come out without orders."
Dai Hao's voice carried an inescapable weariness; his words contained no harshness, but rather a deep sense of powerlessness.
He waved his hand, as if to dispel the suffocating reality before him.
After Dai Luoli left, Dai Hao's thoughts drifted back to more than a decade ago for some reason.
In Dai Hao's memory, a maid named Huo Yun'er briefly appeared in his life more than ten years ago.
She was gentle and timid, like a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful woman, quickly overshadowed by the more important people and events within the Duke's mansion.
He remembered that he seemed to have given him a useless object.
Yes, it was that useless dagger that he casually named the White Tiger Dagger.
With her status and personality, staying in the manor would only lead to her being manipulated to death by the madam.
Giving her the dagger was a veiled message: leave and protect yourself.
After all, she was a gentle and beautiful woman whom Dai Hao had cherished, and he didn't want her to die like that.
"She's simple-minded; I don't know if she can understand what I mean."
"It's better for her this way. If she continues to live like this in the White Tiger Duke's mansion, the main wife won't let her off easily."
For some reason, Dai Hao's thoughts were unusually scattered: "But what if she doesn't understand, or even happens to be pregnant—"
"Forget it, why bother thinking about these useless things?"
"If Luo Li, born to a concubine, has such poor talent, it's even less likely that she, a maid, could give birth to a child with great talent."
"If her child survives, he probably won't even awaken the White Tiger Martial Soul."
In Dai Hao's mind, no matter how bad Dai Luoli's talent was, it was still the White Tiger Martial Soul.
Even if it is a malignantly mutated white tiger, it is still a white tiger, and it is expected to give birth to real white tiger offspring in the future.
Dai Hao's entire mind was once again occupied by the Wolong Ridge on the sand table.
To him, Huo Yuhao was a rising star from an enemy faction whose power was terrifying and whose background was equally terrifying.
This outstanding "other people's child" has become the Azure Dragon King of the Eastern Realm of Eternal Heavenly Soul, and in the future battle of Spirit Fighting City, he will need to do his utmost to deal with him.
The Star Luo Empire's army acted extremely quickly, and by that very night, the three most elite heavy-armored Soul Master regiments had already been mobilized.
Above the sky, the Flying Eagle Soul Master Corps' soul guidance flight formation began to take off, its shrieks being concealed to the extreme, as it attacked the East Mountain of Wolong Ridge, which had been secretly hollowed out by the keen-nosed Long Tianming after the Soul Master Competition.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Qinglong City, a petite figure timidly gazed at this once-familiar and majestic city.
The air was no longer filled with the hustle and bustle of Shrek City, but with a tense, pent-up sense of power.
Xiao Xiao never imagined that after dropping out of Shrek Academy, she would one day return to this place.
As a citizen of the Heavenly Soul Empire, she naturally knew what Azure Dragon City meant within the Heavenly Soul Empire.
This is Tianhe Wuchen's headquarters, the royal city of the most sought-after new elite in the Tianhun Dynasty.
The guards of Qinglong City had sharp, eagle-like eyes, scrutinizing everyone who came in or out.
Their gazes swept over Xiao Xiao with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.
Xiao Xiao felt uneasy under that gaze and subconsciously took a half step back, almost wanting to turn around and run away.
She craved power, she craved change.
Huo Yuhao seems to be the only person in this chaotic world who can solve her predicament.
She took a deep breath, mustered almost all her courage, and wanted to step into Azure Dragon City.
But the next moment she hesitated. Compared to the blazing sun in the sky, what was she?
Xiao Xiao's fingers gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, unsure of what to do.
Just as she was hesitating, a cry of surprise suddenly interrupted Xiao Xiao's thoughts.
"Xiao Xiao?"
Xiao Xiao looked in the direction the sound came from and saw a very familiar face.
"Cao Jinxuan?!"
Cao Jinxuan, whose martial soul was the Time-Fleeting Bell, looked at Xiao Xiao with a look of surprise.
He was wearing the standard light armor of the Azure Dragon City guards, with a blue dragon-shaped waist tag hanging from his waist. He looked dashing and heroic, completely different from his appearance when he was at Shrek Academy.
Cao Jinxuan was among the first group of students to drop out of Shrek Academy.
At that time, the Heavenly Soul Empire's war to exterminate evil souls had just begun, and its family had already keenly sensed that the Heavenly Soul Empire was going to crack down on all sects within its territory in the future.
After careful consideration, they decided to take a gamble and expel Cao Jinxuan from Shrek Academy.
The Heavenly Soul Empire is generous in its use of such families; otherwise, Cao Jinxuan would not have become a garrison commander in Azure Dragon City.
However, Cao Jinxuan's strength has not yet reached the requirements for joining Tianhe Wuchen.
Otherwise, given his long lifespan and the future development of his martial spirit, he would surely have a place among them.
"It really is you!"
Cao Jinxuan strode over: "I thought I was seeing things. What brings you to Qinglong City?"
Xiao Xiao opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know how to answer.
Cao Jinxuan noticed Xiao Xiao's predicament, so he said to the guards of Qinglong City, "Her name is Xiao Xiao. She was a student who dropped out of Shrek Academy before the implementation of the major tax policy. She was also my classmate."
The garrison did not lower their guard because of Cao Jinxuan's words, but their attitude softened considerably.
Since he dropped out before the implementation of the major tax, it means he was at least not a die-hard Shrek Academy member.
"Deputy Captain Cao," the garrison commander said to Cao Jinxuan, "you are also aware of the Heavenly Soul Empire's regulations."
"According to Shrek Academy's three-stage withdrawal policy, Xiao Xiao is in the second batch of withdrawals and needs to register before she can enter Qinglong City."
Cao Jinxuan quickly replied, "Of course I know that, and I dare not let personal matters interfere with public duty."
"Xiao Xiao, these are the rules of Qinglong City," he said, turning to Xiao Xiao. "But don't worry, we won't deliberately make things difficult for you."
"What is your purpose in coming to Azure Dragon City?"
Xiao Xiao bit her lip and finally made up her mind, saying, "I want to find the Azure Dragon King."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly putting the surrounding guards on high alert.
Cao Jinxuan's eyes widened as well: "What did you say? You want to see the Azure Dragon King?"
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Xiao Xiao's voice was barely audible: "The Azure Dragon Guard is also acceptable."
Cao Jinxuan took a deep breath and pulled Xiao Xiao aside: "Xiao Xiao, the Azure Dragon King is not only a king of a different surname in the Heavenly Soul Empire, but also the commander of Tianhe Wuchen. Even for a deputy captain like me who is guarding the city, it is as difficult as climbing to heaven to see him."
.
"If you do that, even if we let you enter Qinglong City, you'll still be under surveillance."
Xiao Xiao's eyes were slightly red.
Just then, a clear, cold voice came from not far away: "Deputy Captain Cao, why aren't you on duty? What are you doing here?"
""
Upon hearing the voice, Cao Jinxuan immediately straightened up instinctively: "Commander Ning!"
Ning Tian walked slowly, her slender figure accentuated by the Heavenly River Dustless armor she wore.
Since consuming the petals of the Qiluo Tulip and joining Tianhe Wuchen, the young sect master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School has become increasingly outstanding in terms of temperament.
Ning Tian's gaze lingered on Xiao Xiao for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Without a doubt, she recognized the girl she had met several times at Shrek Academy.
"Commander Ning," Cao Jinxuan replied, "Xiao Xiao said she wants to see the Azure Dragon King and the Azure Dragon Guard."
Ning Tian carefully scanned Xiao Xiao, then turned and walked into the city: "Follow me."
Xiao Xiao was stunned until Cao Jinxuan gently nudged her, bringing her back to her senses. She hurriedly followed Ning Tian's footsteps.
Ning Tian didn't know what Xiao Xiao's purpose was in seeking out Huo Yuhao.
However, she vaguely sensed that Xiao Xiao's Three Lives Soul-Suppressing Cauldron might greatly advance the theory of Qi.
The ding (鼎) has been known since ancient times as a vital vessel that carries the energy of heaven and earth.
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