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"But I hope our sect will be like the Blue Silver Grass—resilient and everlasting. I want our disciples to embody the spirit of the Blue Silver Grass: steadfast, unyielding, and indomitable."
Tai Tan, Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi all wore solemn expressions as they heard this. It was as if the moment had turned sacred. They bowed deeply and declared in unison:
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Wang Li waved his hand, signaling them to forgo the formalities. Then he turned to look at Dugu Yan, who had been quietly standing by his side all along, and announced:
"Allow me to formally introduce her—this is my fiancée, Dugu Yan. From this day forth, within the Blue Silver Sect, she shall enjoy the same status as I do as Sect Master. Additionally, soul masters of the Jade Phosphor lineage and the Blue Silver lineage, being descendants of ours, will hold the legal right to inherit the position of Sect Master in the future."
Dugu Yan's eyes widened with surprise—Wang Li had granted her such significant authority. She immediately reined in her casual demeanor, adjusting her posture to be far more poised and dignified.
Tai Tan, Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi bowed once more and spoke in unison:
"Greetings, Lady of the Sect!"
Dugu Yan replied calmly,
"No need for such formalities."
Once the four men straightened up, Wang Li smiled and said:
"This first sect assembly has gone quite well. From now on, if I am not present within the sect, all major and minor matters should be discussed with Dugu Yan. She possesses the combat power of a titled Douluo. Yan Yan, why don't you show them your strength?"
There was no better way to display power than summoning one's martial spirit. In the world of Douluo Dalu, soul ring count and quality were the truest indicators of a soul master's strength.
Dugu Yan did not hesitate. She stood tall, chin slightly raised. While she often appeared less prominent beside Wang Li's brilliance, her own accomplishments were such that few on the continent could rival her.
"Martial Spirit Possession!"
With a clear cry, Dugu Yan invoked her martial spirit. One soul ring after another appeared—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red. Upon closer inspection, her fifth ring, though pitch-black, held a faint streak of crimson within it.
As her fifth ring was her life-bound soul ring, it represented her strength best. Once her soul power reached rank ninety, that ring would fully evolve into a true hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
Even without considering the fifth ring, the moment her eighth ring—a vivid, blood-red ring—emerged within the hall, Tai Tan, Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi all widened their eyes in shock, their eyeballs nearly popping from their sockets.
The chilling and commanding aura radiating from Dugu Yan, along with the oppressive force of the hundred-thousand-year soul ring, filled them with awe and trepidation.
Compared to Wang Li—who had also achieved his eighth hundred-thousand-year ring at the Soul Douluo level and could even defeat the titled Douluo Tang Hao—they now fully believed that Dugu Yan, too, possessed the power of a titled Douluo. Likely, she was not just any titled Douluo, but one of exceptional strength.
With such a foundation, even though the Blue Silver Sect had only just been established, no one would dare to provoke them in the future.
Tai Tan, Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi were completely convinced. They now fully believed that this sect would offer them the peace and security they sought.
…
At the same time, Ning Fengzhi had returned to the royal palace and was reporting the day's events to Emperor Xue Ye. Upon learning that Wang Li intended to establish his own power base, create an academy, and pursue great accomplishments, the emperor, in a way, felt a sense of relief.
Two unbound titled Douluo—regardless of their influence—possessed terrifying power and deterrence. But now, with their own faction and academy, they would develop ties and responsibilities, giving them something to protect.
That gave everyone a reason to feel at ease.
Emperor Xue Ye smiled and said:
"Sect Master Ning, you've worked hard. Now, nearly half of Heaven Dou's state policies stem from your hand. You've readied our forces, eliminated internal threats, reached out to Star Luo—and now you're constantly running back and forth. Truly, your service is one of great merit."
Ning Fengzhi bowed solemnly and replied,
"Your Majesty, for sheltering the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect during our time of crisis, I am deeply grateful. I shall repay this kindness with all my strength."
Hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye's smile grew even warmer. He now felt he could safely entrust Ning Fengzhi with more responsibilities. Though Wang Li had purged the toxins from his body, lingering damage remained. The poison had harmed his organs and drained his vitality. Both his spirit and body often felt exhausted. Even with regular use of tonics, he could only find temporary relief—it was not a cure.
He then spoke:
"Qinghe has been missing for nearly a year now. I no longer harbor hope that he will return alive. Fortunately, my fourth son, Xue Beng, has proven to be of some use after careful grooming."
"At the beginning of next month, I plan to formally appoint him Crown Prince. Sect Master Ning, I expect you to attend the ceremony. The new Crown Prince will likewise need capable advisors."
Ning Fengzhi lowered his head, his eyes calm and thoughtful. In the past, the immense influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect made becoming the Imperial Tutor nothing but advantageous. But now, with the sect weakened, taking that role might instead become a burden.
Once Sword and Bone Douluo aged and passed on, and with no strong successors, the sect might completely fall under the control of the Heaven Dou royal family. After all, the sect's direct disciples were all support-type soul masters.
Nevertheless, the Heaven Dou royal court remained the safest place for them to survive. Leaving was not an option.
Thus, Ning Fengzhi responded in a clear voice:
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the invitation. I shall arrive on time."
Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi each harbored their own thoughts and calculations.
…
The continent was now gripped by the most chaotic period it had seen in decades. Of the three great sects, one had been destroyed, one gravely wounded, and the last had gone into seclusion. Within the soul master world, the Spirit Hall now ruled with absolute authority.
Sect after sect aligned with the Spirit Hall, including the Elephant Armor Sect, Holy Dragon Sect, Wind Sword Sect, and Fire Leopard Sect. They were merging with smaller factions, becoming true giants.
Any sect outside the Spirit Hall's influence was being suppressed. This included Blaze Academy, Divine Wind Academy, Tianshui Academy, and Thunderclap Academy—four of the original Five Element Academies.
Due to turmoil in their students' households, many were forced to withdraw, leaving less than half of the student bodies intact. These academies now faced constant threats and mounting pressure.
In response, the heads of Blaze, Divine Wind, and Tianshui Academies, along with the vice principal of Thunderclap Academy, gathered at Divine Wind Academy to discuss their future.
Thunderclap Academy had suffered the most—its headmaster, Yu Mingsheng, had perished in the battle at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, leaving only a vice principal to keep the academy running.
Inside Divine Wind Academy, Headmaster Feng Qinghou spoke gravely:
"We've all faced the same struggles—student loss, coercion by the Spirit Hall—and now we're at a breaking point. Our academies are on the brink of collapse. We must find a new path... or surrender ourselves to the Spirit Hall…"
(End of Chapter)