Chapter 49: Soul Power Breakthrough—What Direction Should the Next Soul Ring Take? Zhu Zhuqing Arrives in Heaven Dou City

"Sword Wine."

Yu Xiaogang's eyes flashed with sharp brilliance.

"Since you chose this moniker, your martial soul is undoubtedly a sword.

The sword is the ruler of all weapons and ranks among the top weapon martial souls.

However, excessive rigidity leads to snapping easily. My compilation, *The Ten Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls*, discusses this matter extensively; you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a dazzling sword light tore through the night sky, stabbing directly at Yu Xiaogang's throat.

Flander and Liu Erlong's expressions changed drastically, never expecting this Sword Wine to resort to violence without a word of warning.

Liu Erlong reacted extremely quickly, flashing in front of Yu Xiaogang as a blazing flame erupted from her palm, meeting the incoming sword slash.

Flames and sword Qi collided fiercely, bursting into a ring of shockwaves.

Ultimately, the sword light was swallowed by the scorching fire.

Yet, a trace of shock flashed through Liu Erlong's eyes.

"What a sharp sword..."

Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale. He stood frozen for a long moment before gritting his teeth and saying,

"Sword Wine, for the first two soul rings, the gap between spirit masters has not yet widened!

When the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament arrives in a little over six months, you will witness even stronger genius spirit masters than yourself!

Furthermore, several of these genius spirit masters will come from Shrek!"

Li Zhexian shook his head with a sneer.

Was the man trying to hit him with the "don't bully a young man into poverty" routine?

He turned his gaze toward Dugu Yan.

"Miss Dugu, would you be so kind as to ask Senior Dugu to step in?"

"Gladly. I've found them an eyesore for a long time anyway."

Dugu Yan fished a snake-shaped bone whistle from her bosom, making a move to blow it.

The expressions of the Golden Iron Triangle transformed dramatically.

The name of Poison Douluo was legendary and terrifying to their ears.

"Let's go!"

Flander immediately activated his Avatar of the Martial Soul, transforming into a blue horned owl with a five-meter wingspan.

Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang hoisted the cot and leaped onto the owl's back.

A blue shadow flashed, and the trio vanished into the night.

Li Zhexian withdrew his gaze and asked Dugu Yan,

"I was just speaking casually. Can Miss Dugu really summon Senior Dugu?"

Dugu Yan tucked the bone whistle back into her pocket, the corners of her lips curling upward.

"I was just frightening those three."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe, Ye Lengleng, and the rest of the Royal Soaring Heaven Team could not help but laugh silently.

That night, everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest, scattering only around midnight.

It is worth mentioning that because Li Zhexian's former residence had been destroyed, everyone warmly invited him to stay temporarily at their respective estates.

The serenity of the Ye family, the profound heritage of the Dugu family, and even the Crown Prince's East Palace were all places most people could only dream of.

However, Li Zhexian declined them one by one.

Those grand mansions were filled with endless servants and strict rules.

He was accustomed to a carefree life.

Whenever the mood struck, he liked to drink and dance with his sword under the moonlight, or walk through the rain to listen to the wind.

Living in a deep, walled courtyard meant constraints at every turn.

It simply lacked comfort.

Thus, that very morning, he had sought out a secluded little courtyard in the eastern suburbs of the imperial capital and settled down.

Mm.

Li Zhexian refused to believe that there could possibly be a second Zhao Wuji in this world coming to assassinate him!

Creak—

The courtyard door pushed open gently.

Under the hazy moonlight, an exquisite courtyard came into view.

Against the wall on the right, a plum tree grew with lush foliage, its heavy, ripe fruit weighing down the branches as if a single drop of sweetness might fall at any moment.

In the opposite corner, a four-season plum was blooming quietly; true to its name, this flower knew no winter or summer, constantly releasing its fragrance.

The crisp scent of plum blossoms and the rich aroma of fruit mingled and drifted across the courtyard.

Looking at the three main rooms with their dark tiles and green bricks, Li Zhexian plucked a plum at random, tossed it into his mouth, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Not bad, exceptionally good.

Her Highness the Holy Maiden certainly handles matters thoroughly."

Perhaps because he had slept too much during those two days in the bird's nest, Li Zhexian felt entirely devoid of sleep at the moment.

After a brief wash, he changed into a loose, plain robe with the collar slightly open, and strolled leisurely into the courtyard.

Twilight enveloped the surroundings.

Even the bluestone-paved ground seemed steeped in the sweet fragrance of plums.

"Ever since I comprehended the Green Lotus Sword Song, it has always been used in bloody battles and strife. I have never once danced for the clear breeze and the bright moon.

Tonight's moonlight is simply sublime...

Time to dance with the sword, dance with the sword!"

Li Zhexian's toes lightly brushed the mottled moss on the stone steps, and his posture drifted into the center of the courtyard like floating clouds.

The Green Lotus Sword materialized silently in his palm.

In an instant!

Without any discernible movement on his part, a biting sword Qi surged like a torrential downpour, instantly enveloping the hundred-square-meter courtyard.

His sword movements flowed fluidly, his form swift and graceful as a startled swan.

At times he drew down a wisp of starlight from the nine heavens, and at times he unleashed dazzling sword beams intertwining ice and fire.

The edge of the sword pierced the air, emitting a faint, sharp hiss that startled the copper bells hanging from the eaves into a soft chime.

Sweat trickled down his cheeks, but before it could hit the ground, it was vaporized into mist by the fierce sword Qi swirling around his body.

"Exhilarating, simply exhilarating!"

The more Li Zhexian danced, the freer and happier he felt.

Amidst the fluttering shadows of the sword, the biting killing intent floating around his body was thoroughly refined and restrained, ultimately returning entirely to the three-foot-six-inch blade.

His swordsmanship grew increasingly harmonious and flawless.

"The sword is an instrument of slaughter, yet it requires constant honing.

Only by continually reviewing sword forms and techniques can one conceal killing intent within the invisible and truly grasp the sword within one's heart."

Li Zhexian swept his longsword horizontally.

The sword Qi stirred up the pink plum petals piled upon the ground.

Suddenly, a flurry of blossoms fell, resembling a dreamy shower of rouge.

Just as his sword momentum climbed to its absolute peak, a crisp sound resembling cracking ice echoed from within Li Zhexian's body.

An eruption of soul power, far more majestic than before, burst forth and rippled outward.

Everything fell naturally into place.

Soul Power—Level Thirty!

Li Zhexian withdrew his sword and stood tall, tilting his head back to take a large gulp of wine.

His eyes shone as bright as cold stars as he sat leisurely upon the stone stool beneath the plum tree.

"Level thirty...

It is time to hunt for a new soul ring."

Li Zhexian pondered the direction of his third soul ring.

Originally, he had mapped out a detailed path for his soul ring combinations.

However, since his first two soul rings were both a thousand years old, that initial plan had been completely overturned.

"My battle with Zhao Wuji...

seemed to expose my shortcoming in defense?

Yet defense...

ultimately runs counter to the ultimate path of offensive swordsmanship.

I have plenty of sword techniques, and the Green Lotus Sword Song is far from complete; perhaps I should seek a soul skill that amplifies sword might?

Ah, well, forget it. When the time comes to enter the Star Dou Great Forest, I shall see which spirit beast shares an affinity with my sword."

"Mm, it would be best to invite a friend along for the journey."

The next day, Li Zhexian arranged to meet Xue Qinghe to purchase supplies for the courtyard.

Pufferfish Douluo and Spear Douluo cast piercing gazes at Li Zhexian, letting out a startled exclamation,

"You... reached level thirty?"

Li Zhexian smiled and nodded.

Xue Qinghe's fingers brushed over a quaint sandalwood wine table before them.

Li Zhexian always loved drinking in the courtyard, and the cold stone stools and tables were chilly and hard against the bones; they needed to be replaced with something much better.

She asked softly,

"Do you have a direction in mind for your third soul ring?"

Li Zhexian laughed.

"Having a direction doesn't mean things will go as you wish.

We'll talk about it when we get to the Star Dou Great Forest."

Xue Qinghe paid for the sandalwood table and asked further,

"Do you need me to have imperial soul masters accompany you?"

"There's no need."

Li Zhexian waved a hand.

"Having outsiders along would only make me feel constrained."

"Very well."

Xue Qinghe pressed the matter no further, knowing that Li Zhexian had his own plans.

With all the purchases completed, the two walked side by side toward the eastern suburbs of the imperial city.

Yet Li Zhexian failed to notice that amidst the crowd, a travel-worn, graceful figure gazed at him with deep emotion, tears glistening faintly in her eyes...