Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Spinning Top, Explosive Warrior

The swamp was covered with dark green vines, as thick as arms, which entwined around the dead trees, densely packed, like a giant net.

"Azure Vine".

Tang Hao pointed to the vines and said, "A ten-thousand-year-old soul beast, wood attribute, with extremely strong vitality."

"Although it's not the ultimate life attribute, it's much stronger than the poison attribute."

"It should be suitable for your fourth spirit ring."

Tang San nodded, summoned the Clear Sky Hammer, and headed towards the swamp.

Sensing the threat, countless vines shot out from the swamp, like venomous snakes, and coiled towards Tang San.

Tang San used the Ghost Shadow Steps to weave through the vines, and with a swing of his Clear Sky Hammer, he smashed the vines that came straight at him to pieces.

But there were too many vines, one after another, endlessly.

Tang Hao stood aside without making a move.

This is Tang San's Soul Hunting, and he wants to complete it himself.

Tang San took a deep breath, put away the Clear Sky Hammer, and with a flick of his wrists, dozens of hidden weapons flew out from his sleeves, accurately hitting the nodes of the vines.

These hidden weapons alone were certainly not enough, but Tang San had coated each and every one of them with poison.

Soon, the poison took effect.

The azure vine let out a sharp hiss, its tendrils suddenly contracting, like a snake struck in a vital spot, writhing violently a few times before drooping limply.

A black spirit ring slowly rose from the vines.

Tang San walked up to the Azure Vine, sat down cross-legged, and began absorbing the spirit ring.

The body strengthened by the whale glue came into play; although the energy of the ten-thousand-year soul ring was surging, his body could withstand it completely.

As for the mental impact of a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast, Tang San, having lived two lives and possessing the Purple Demon Eye as a mental technique, was fully capable of withstanding it.

An hour later, the spirit ring was successfully absorbed, and Tang San's spirit power stabilized at level 42.

"Although this absorption was difficult, it was ultimately successful."

Tang San felt a chill run down his spine when he thought about the impact of the remnant soul of the ten-thousand-year-old soul beast. He had almost been turned into an idiot by the impact.

"Fourth Soul Skill: Azure Sky Shattering Mountain Breaker".

Tang San stood up, and his Blue Silver Grass martial soul appeared behind him.

At this moment, the Blue Silver Grass martial soul was still in the form of Blue Silver Grass, still looking ordinary, but the color of the vines was a bit darker than before, with a faint hint of cyan.

Tang San casually waved his hand, and a Blue Silver Grass vine shot out from his palm, carrying a tremendous force, and struck the withered tree next to him.

"boom--"

The dead tree snapped in two, sending splinters flying.

Tang Hao looked at the vine, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Although it's not the Blue Silver Emperor, the power of this soul skill far surpasses that of ordinary Blue Silver Grass.

"Not bad." He nodded and said, "Keep up the good work."

Tang San put away his martial spirit, glanced at the green vine in his palm, and thought to himself: If I can't awaken the Blue Silver Emperor, then I'll train the Clear Sky Hammer to its limit.

Chapter 405 Capturing Zhu Zhuqing, a Pledge of Allegiance

When they returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, it was already completely dark.

The buildings on the mountainside lit up, and the soul-guided lamps emitted a soft glow, making the entire mountain peak look like stars in the night sky.

As the evening breeze blew, the banners of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School fluttered gently in the night, making a soft rustling sound.

Sword Douluo did not return to his own residence, but went directly to Ning Fengzhi's study.

Inside the study, Ning Fengzhi was sitting at his desk, reviewing secret letters from various places.

Hearing the knock, he looked up and saw Sword Douluo push the door open and come in. He put down the letter in his hand and got up to greet him.

"Uncle Jian, you're back? Was the journey smooth?"

As Ning Fengzhi spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Sword Douluo.

Sword Douluo took the teacup, but didn't drink it. Instead, he sighed and explained, "Smoothly? We almost ended up fighting."

Ning Fengzhi frowned and quickly asked, "What happened?"

Sword Douluo recounted everything that had happened in the Star Dou Great Forest.

This includes Tang Hao's sudden appearance, his failed attempt to ambush Wang Teng, and his subsequent control of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, where he interrogated them about the secret of absorbing spirit rings beyond their level.

He spoke calmly, but Ning Fengzhi's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Tang Hao..."

Ning Fengzhi put down his teacup, tapped his fingers lightly on the table a few times, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

"How dare he! The three upper sects are all closely connected; is he trying to break off relations?"

"Tang Hao is a brainless idiot; he probably didn't think that much about it."

Sword Douluo shook his head and said, "His son, Tang San, I heard, also has twin martial souls. He's level 40 and wants to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring. He also discovered the anomaly in Wang Teng's soul ring."

"Tang Hao would do anything for his son."

Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment, then snorted coldly and said, "It's all thanks to having you come along this time."

"If it had been someone else, or if Wang Teng had gone there himself, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"Who can argue with that?"

Sword Douluo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke with a hint of relief.

"But the result was alright; no real fighting broke out."

"Although Tang Hao's methods were not honorable, he did not harm anyone and even made a promise: to help Wang Teng hunt souls once in the future, swearing an oath in Tang San's name."

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's anger subsided slightly.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and seemed to be thinking about something.

After a while, Ning Fengzhi opened his eyes and his gaze fell on Sword Douluo.

"Uncle Jian, are you aware of what happened with Xue Qinghe?"

Although Sword Douluo had gone soul hunting with Wang Teng, Ning Fengzhi still kept him informed of important news.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xin nodded and said, "I've heard about it."

"The Emperor fell into a coma on a snowy night, causing shock throughout the court and the country."

"I didn't expect His Highness the Crown Prince to act so quickly."

Ning Fengzhi stood up, walked to the window, looked at the deep night outside, and said in a low voice, "I didn't expect it to be so fast."

"I had previously expressed my support for Xue Qinghe, and I thought he wouldn't make a move for at least another year or two, but who knew..."

Ning Fengzhi didn't finish his sentence, but Sword Douluo understood what he meant.

Ning Fengzhi was actually unaware of the reason why Xue Qinghe was able to bring down Emperor Xue Ye so quickly.

It wasn't that Xue Qinghe was particularly bold; the real reason was that when the Spirit Hall was annihilating the four affiliated families, Xue Qinghe protected the Po Clan.

In order to protect his clan, Yang Wudi had no choice but to join Xue Qinghe's camp.

Yang Wudi's younger brother, Yang Wushuang, had been working under Xue Qinghe and was involved in the secret plan to slowly erode Emperor Xueye's body with a toxin.

With the addition of the alchemy master Yang Wudi, the plan progressed much faster than expected.

The toxins that would normally take one or two years to accumulate to a sufficient dose were rendered into a coma by Yang Wudi in less than a year.

What's even more terrifying is that those toxins are colorless and odorless, so ordinary doctors and healing soul masters can't detect them at all. They would just think that Emperor Xueye is old and frail and has fallen ill from overwork.

In addition, Dugu Bo's absence from Tiandou City was also an important reason for Xue Qinghe's success.

If that old poison master were still alive, given his sensitivity to toxins, he probably would have noticed something amiss long ago.

Unfortunately, Dugu Bo had been leading his clansmen in cultivation at the clan's residence for the past year, away from Tiandou City, which gave Xue Qinghe the best opportunity.

"Now, news has come from the Crown Prince's side."

Ning Fengzhi turned around, looked at Sword Douluo with a complicated expression, and said, "He wants the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to help him stabilize the political situation of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Upon hearing this, Sword Douluo frowned and asked, "A pledge of allegiance? Does this mean we're completely tied to his ship?"

"I know."

Ning Fengzhi sighed: "But we have no way out now."

"Since we have chosen to support the Crown Prince, this step was inevitable sooner or later."

"It makes no difference whether you leave early or late."

Sword Douluo was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Should we tell Wang Teng about these things?"

Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "His main focus right now is cultivation."

"Wang Teng's soul power has just broken through level 50, and he has just finished absorbing his fifth soul ring. It is the time when he needs to consolidate his strength."

"It's best not to tell him about these messy things."

"While we old folks still have the strength, let's help Rongrong and Wang Teng out of the wind and rain."

Sword Douluo did not immediately agree after hearing this.

He took another sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "Fengzhi, what you said makes sense, but I think we should still tell Wang Teng."

Ning Fengzhi glanced at Sword Douluo.

Sword Douluo explained, "It's not to get Wang Teng involved, but to let him know that the sect's affairs will one day be handed over to him and Rongrong."

"It's not a bad thing for Wang Teng and Rongrong to know something now."

"It's better than suddenly taking over when you don't know anything."

Ning Fengzhi remained silent for a long time, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

The study was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of insects coming from outside the window.