416. Breaking Through 80

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

In just over half a month, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament finally reached its conclusion.

Qian Renjue, as the Holy Son, presided over the award ceremony.

At his side, the figure of Ling Yuan was absent; only the two elders, Chrysanthemum and Ghost, accompanied him.

Since that day, after the absurd hot-and-cold exchange, Ling Yuan had been avoiding Qian Renjue, staying immersed in the Alchemy Hall for a long time.

She claimed she was fulfilling a punishment task assigned by Bibi Dong.

To this, Qian Renjue had no objections—he even gladly accepted it.

After all, the awkwardness wasn’t hers alone to bear.

As for Ah Yin, she had hoped for another chance, but Qian Renjue didn’t allow it.

He wasn’t someone who indulged carelessly.

Ah Yin, too, feared facing his cold demeanor again and didn’t press further.

She could only nestle near Qian Renjue’s heart, waiting for the right opportunity—or letting someone else take the lead first.


---

Standing atop the stage, Qian Renjue handed the various prizes for second place to the Spirit Hall Academy team.

He dutifully extended invitations to the talented youths, then instructed the red-robed bishops to clear the grounds.

He subtly nodded toward Ning Rongrong before turning and leaving amidst the crowd’s envious gazes.

“Brother Holy Son is so handsome! Hehe.”

Standing beside Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong waved cheerfully at the departing figure.

“…”

Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly, exchanging a look with Sword Douluo.

They both had the same thought—Ning Rongrong seemed to have become a bit silly.

“Hm?”

Feeling a tug at his sleeve, Ning Fengzhi looked down at his daughter in confusion.

“Rongrong, what is it?”

Pulling on her father’s sleeve, Ning Rongrong smiled brightly.

“Daddy, Grandpa Sword, let’s not go back with Senior Brother Crown Prince and the others.”

“Not go back?”

Frowning, Ning Fengzhi ruffled Ning Rongrong’s hair helplessly.

“Rongrong, that won’t do.”

“Daddy, you’re so dumb!”

Hands on her hips, Ning Rongrong pouted angrily.

“I didn’t mean we’re not going back—I mean we’re not taking the carriage back.”

“Want the Holy Son to escort you?”

Sword Douluo crossed his arms, glancing down with a faint smile.

“Haha, that’s right, Grandpa Sword, you’re so clever!”

Ning Rongrong giggled, her praise making Sword Douluo smile wryly.

Ning Fengzhi could only shake his head helplessly.

“Alright, fine. We’ll go out first and then circle back.

It’s always better to be cautious.”

“…”


---

With the Soul Master Tournament successfully concluded, Spirit City returned to its usual calm.

However, the news brought back by the soul masters spread like wildfire, shaking the soul master world to its core.

The Holy Son of Spirit Hall had challenged all participating teams alone—and won decisively!

He hadn’t even revealed his martial spirit or spirit rings.

At just eighteen years old, his cultivation was suspected to have surpassed the Soul Saint level.

He even possessed multiple self-created soul skills, demonstrating astonishing combat prowess.

More impressively, he could mysteriously relocate dozens of people at will!

Beyond this, the hidden weapons produced by Spirit Hall left those who had once been approached by the Hall trembling in fear.

The authenticity of these reports sent shockwaves through the community.


Some of the factions that had initially rejected the Spirit Hall were now too proud to admit their mistake.

They awaited an opportunity to backtrack, looking for a graceful way to align themselves with the Spirit Hall.

While some were spineless, others were stubborn, refusing to yield until the bitter end.

Many factions, particularly those affiliated with soul master academies, considered themselves neutral and ignored the commotion outside.

After all, they were merely running soul master academies—surely there was nothing wrong with teaching?

However, regarding collaboration with Spirit Academy, some intermediate academies showed a willingness to supply talented soul masters.

This Soul Master Tournament had an unprecedented impact on the soul master world.

The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, soul tools that required no soul power—these topics kept the soul master community buzzing for months.

But that was a story for another time.


---

The commotion of the outside world seemed unrelated to Spirit City.

Qian Renjue never paid attention to the rumors, nor had he made another move.

Yet no one in the soul master world dared to forget him.

Eighteen years old and already beyond the Soul Saint level!

He was recognized as the most outstanding young soul master of his generation.

Even Bibi Dong remained passive, continuing her daily duties as the Pope


---

Half a month had passed since the Soul Master Tournament concluded.

The door of the cultivation chamber slowly opened, and Qian Renjue stepped out.

Seeing Ling Yuan and Hu Liena waiting outside, he smiled.

Ling Yuan had long moved past her earlier embarrassment.

Noticing the faint fluctuations of soul power around Qian Renjue, she exclaimed in delight,
“Your Highness, you’ve broken through to level 80?!”

“Mm, I have,” Qian Renjue nodded with a smile.

He had spent two days in secluded cultivation, absorbing the mutated hundred-thousand-year Scarlet Flame Lion’s right leg bone.

This granted him two soul bone abilities: Cross Flash Strike and Hyper Explosion.

One was an offensive skill, the other a burst-type skill.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother!”

Hu Liena’s eyes sparkled with admiration and affection as she stepped forward, carrying a large bag.

She handed it to him with a sweet voice,
“Senior Brother, here are the snacks you asked for.”

“Thank you, Nana,” Qian Renjue said as he took the bag, storing it in his system space.

Curious, Hu Liena asked,
“Senior Brother, why do you need these snacks?”

“To exchange for my eighth spirit ring,” Qian Renjue replied with a smile, playfully pinching her cute nose.

“Snacks for a spirit ring?!”

Grabbing his mischievous hand, Hu Liena looked even more puzzled.
“Where would such a thing be possible?”

“Haha, you’ll understand when I return,” Qian Renjue said, ruffling her hair without elaborating further.

The time for his meeting with the Snow Empress had arrived.

Once the sacrifice was complete and he brought her back, Hu Liena and the others would naturally find out.


---

“Your Highness, are you sure you don’t need me to accompany you?” Ling Yuan asked, concerned.

“There’s no need. Haven’t I been going out frequently this month without any trouble?” Qian Renjue replied with a smile, shaking his head.

He had already assured Bibi Dong that he would return to Spirit City within three days.

Even though she was worried, she trusted that Qian Renjue wouldn’t act recklessly.

With her and Xiao Xue at home, Qian Renjue would never take unnecessary risks.

Hearing this, Ling Yuan was momentarily stunned, then realized with some surprise that Qian Renjue had been preparing for his eighth spirit ring for quite some time.

Thinking back, she felt reassured.

Hu Liena, however, was left confused, though she recalled the Snow Lotus that Qian Renjue had brought back before.

“All right, just stay home and wait for me. Nana, make sure to focus on your cultivation,” Qian Renjue said.

With that, he transformed into his true form and disappeared from their sight.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother! Nana will do her best to catch up with you,” Hu Liena declared with determination.

But as her words fell, she lowered her head somewhat sheepishly, feeling a little unworthy of her promise.

“Pfft!”

Ling Yuan chuckled and patted Hu Liena on the head.
“Do your best, but don’t push yourself too hard. His Highness wouldn’t want you to exhaust yourself.”


---

Some factions, filled with regret, immediately expressed their willingness to submit to the Spirit Hall