...
Time flies, like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall.
In the blink of an eye, five years have quietly passed in the rising and setting of the sun and moon at the Yin-Yang Eye of Ice and Fire.
Over the past five years, Xuanhao has led a life that is both regular and fulfilling.
He established his base in Tiandou City and used the unique environment of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to cultivate like crazy.
Aside from returning to Wuhun City every year without fail to "report to Bibi Dong," teasing his teacher, and taking the time to visit the rabbit and Tang San who were still in junior academy in Notting City, he spent almost all his time improving his strength.
Sunset Forest, the eye of ice and fire.
"boom--!!"
A muffled boom came from the depths of the valley, and then the red and blue spring water seemed to boil, surging up waves tens of meters high.
At the crest of that giant wave, a tall and slender figure stood proudly.
Fourteen-year-old Xuanhao has completely shed his former childishness.
The Golden Dragon Martial Soul granted him a growth rate far exceeding that of ordinary people.
Now, he has reached an astonishing height of two meters, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and muscle lines that are as perfect as if carved by a knife and axe, exuding an ultimate sense of powerful beauty.
"call..."
Xuan Hao slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his aura as sharp as a sword, leaving a long white trail in the air.
Level 67.
In just five years, he broke through from a level 42 Soul Master to a level 67 Soul Emperor.
If word of this speed were to get out, it would probably drive the entire Soul Master world crazy.
This was the result of him deliberately suppressing his soul power and spending a lot of time honing his physical body and mental strength.
Otherwise, with the terrifying power of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, coupled with the meticulous guidance of the two Dragon Kings, he might have already touched the threshold of Soul Saint!
At this rate, breaking through to level 70 Soul Saint and condensing a Soul Core before the start of the Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies should not be a problem.
"That's about it."
Xuan Hao leaped out of the spring and landed steadily on the rocks on the shore, casually pulling a long robe over his shoulders.
"I wonder how those girls are doing."
...
Above the valley, in front of the treehouse halfway up the mountain.
After five years of expansion, this place is no longer the simple little house it once was, but has been transformed into an exquisite villa.
In the courtyard, three girls with very different styles, yet all equally stunningly beautiful, were gathered together.
Dugu Yan wore a dark green, tight-fitting outfit that perfectly accentuated her stunning figure.
Her long purple hair was casually tied up, giving her a dashing and heroic air.
Now, her soul power has reached level 53, and she has developed the Azure Phosphorous Poison Dragon Martial Soul to its limit.
Every move she makes exudes a terrifying pressure.
Beside her stood Ye Lingling, dressed in a long black gauze dress, her temperament as aloof and elegant as a secluded orchid.
Five years ago, the girl who was aloof and withdrawn has now, under Xuan Hao's "forced socialization" and the nourishment of immortal herbs, not only has her soul power broken through to level 45, but more importantly, her originally cold personality has become much gentler.
At least when facing these "own people", she will occasionally show a faint smile on her face.
But the most eye-catching one is still the youngest girl.
Na'er.
At twelve years old, she had already blossomed into a graceful young woman.
Her long silver hair cascaded down like moonlight, her amethyst eyes remained clear and bright, and her exquisitely beautiful face already showed the beginnings of a captivating allure.
What's even more astonishing is her cultivation level—level 42!
A twelve-year-old Soul Master!
Without consuming any immortal herbs, relying solely on her own talent and the support of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well environment, her cultivation speed was simply like having a cheat code, even more exaggerated than Xuan Hao's!
Why isn't my brother coming out yet?
Na'er sat on the swing, swinging her legs listlessly, her big eyes glancing occasionally toward the valley.
What's the rush?
As Dugu Yan wiped the short blade in her hand, she teased, "When has your good brother ever gone into seclusion for ten days or half a month?
You can't sit still after only a few days?
You're such a clingy person."
"Hmph, it's none of your business!"
Na'er made a face at Dugu Yan, "I just like sticking to my brother, so what?
You try sticking to him if you dare!"
"You brat..."
Dugu Yan was taken aback. Just as she was about to retort, her expression suddenly changed, and her gaze abruptly turned towards the entrance of the valley.
"They're here!"
Before he could finish speaking, a golden light flashed.
Xuan Hao's tall figure then appeared before everyone.
"Oh, everyone's here."
Xuan Hao greeted him with a smile, his smile as bright and sunny as ever, yet with an added touch of mature charm.
"elder brother!!"
Na'er cheered and jumped off the swing, rushing into Xuan Hao's arms like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest.
"Ouch, slow down, slow down."
Xuan Hao caught her and expertly ruffled her hair. "You're such a big girl now, why are you still as reckless as when you were little?"
"No matter what! Na'er will always be her brother's little sister!"
Na'er buried her face in his chest and rubbed against him, inhaling his familiar, refreshing scent, and squinted her eyes contentedly.
"Alright, alright, stop with the sibling affection. It's making my teeth ache."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at the two of them, ruthlessly interrupting the sweet atmosphere. She crossed her arms and said with a serious expression:
"Hurry up and pack up, we need to go back to Tiandou City."
"His Highness the Crown Prince sent someone to tell you that you must come over, as he has important matters to discuss with you."
"Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School also sent an urgent letter, asking you to go to the Seven Treasures Pavilion."
"Um?"
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, released Na'er from his arms, and looked somewhat puzzled:
"What? Have these two parties made a pact? They're coming to me together?"
"I can understand Xue Qinghe contacting me; he probably has some unresolved political issues and wants my advice, or he simply wants to strengthen our relationship.
But Sect Leader Ning... what could he possibly want from me?"
"The matter concerning Sect Leader Ning is quite serious."
Dugu Yan sighed, her gaze towards Xuan Hao becoming somewhat strange:
"I heard... Ning Rongrong ran away from home."
"ha?!"
Xuan Hao was stunned for a moment, "Run away from home?
Why?
What's wrong with that little devil this time?"
"Why? How dare you ask why?"
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes and poked Xuan Hao's forehead hard with her finger:
"It's all because of you!"
"Because of me?"
Xuan Hao was completely bewildered.
"Big sister, you can eat whatever you want but you can't say whatever you want!
I've been in seclusion in this remote mountain valley for more than half a year. When did I offend that little devil?"
"It's because you went into seclusion!"
Dugu Yan said with a sense of disappointment:
"Do you know how many times Rongrong went to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy this year?"
"Every time I excitedly came to play with you, all I got in return was 'Xuanhao is in seclusion,' 'Xuanhao is not at the academy,' 'Xuanhao went to Sunset Forest'…"
"Once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, who wouldn't get anxious?"
"Just a month ago, she came to the academy to find you again, saying she had prepared a birthday present for you. But what happened?
You had just left the academy to go into seclusion here that day, and she arrived right after, only to find that you hadn't come to her.
"Who could stand being rejected like this? She thinks you're deliberately avoiding her, that you find her annoying."
"I heard that after she got back, she had a big fight with Sect Leader Ning, and let out all the grievances she had accumulated over the years.
Then she packed her bags and ran away from home overnight."
After hearing these words, Xuan Hao opened his mouth, but was speechless.
Is... can we blame him for this?
He was genuinely busy cultivating! Who knew that girl would arrive so at such an inopportune time?
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