Douluo Continent: The Eternal Order of the Azure Sky.

In his mind, these four Titan Snow Demons, who were killed by him and whose race was extremely incompatible with the Ice Jade Scorpion, should have reacted extremely violently during the fusion process.

Only in this way can the power of the spirit ring be compressed and purified through the confrontation between one's own martial soul and the spirit ring's energy, thus achieving the effect of advancing the spirit ring.

But now...

What about the impact? What about the resistance of the lingering resentment of the soul beasts? What about the process of soul rings colliding with martial souls, and then being forged and purified?

No.

Nothing at all.

The surging energy flowed into my body with perfect gentleness.

Within the Sea of ​​Spirit, the expression on Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's anthropomorphic fat face was as ugly as if it had swallowed a hundred flies.

The reason for this situation is that Huo Yuhao overlooked two points.

On one hand, Huo Yuhao lacked understanding of the quality of his own martial soul. Spirit rings are for tempering and evolving a martial soul. Back then, Tang San simultaneously acquired three 90,000-year spirit rings, which was truly beyond the limits of absorption for the top-tier martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer. But the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion was different; what kind of existence was it?

It is not only an ultimate martial soul and a super martial soul, but it also retains the consciousness of the Ice Emperor, the overlord of the far north. How can the Clear Sky Hammer compare to it?

On the other hand, this Titan Snow Demon's fourth head is indeed quite special...

Huo Yuhao's guess was correct. These four Titan Snow Demons were indeed true "best buddies." They were four brothers, but during their growth, they awakened some special habits that were not tolerated by their race.

Because they were afraid of being seen as outsiders, they took advantage of the tribe's rest time to run away and seek pleasure.

Faced with the powerful pressure emanating from Hyotei, they, who had already awakened their inner "female," dared not have any intention to resist.

The four lingering soul fragments not only did not resist, but under the terrifying aura of the Ice Emperor, they shyly gave up all resistance, humbled themselves, and actively merged into Huo Yuhao's martial soul.

Without intense clashes and confrontations, without the forging and sublimation achieved through these battles, how could these spirit rings undergo a qualitative change? How could they break through their bottlenecks?

No, that's not how it works! Why is that?!

Huo Yuhao was now completely panicked.

Although he often boasted of being content, he couldn't possibly add four thousand-year soul rings to his second martial soul all at once!

Don't be fooled by Huo Yuhao's initial statement to Qian Duoduo that he intended to absorb all four spirit rings. That was just to make it easier for Qian Duoduo to accept. He originally only planned to absorb one, which was something he had discussed with Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and Ice Emperor.

The Ice Emperor's original power is domineering and unparalleled, completely different from the gentle and inclusive Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm. It cannot share its power to improve the quality of other types of soul beasts' soul rings like Heavenly Dream does.

One thousand-year spirit ring is still acceptable, but two of them would create a significant gap compared to a ten-thousand-year spirit ring.

But right now, there are four of them!

Don't come in, get out, get out of here!

Huo Yuhao screamed inwardly, trying to resist the influx of Titan Snow Demon energy, but once the soul ring fusion began, it was irreversible. Interruption would also cause the soul master to suffer extremely severe backlash.

Moreover, this involves the simultaneous fusion of four spirit rings; stopping abruptly could lead to unforeseen problems...

"Yuhao! Stay focused! Don't think about these things anymore. There's nothing unacceptable about the Titan Snow Demon Soul Ring. All things considered, it's definitely no worse than a normal ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. Now that things have come to this, let's make sure the Soul Ring can be successfully absorbed!"

Tianmeng Ice Silkworm took a deep breath and shouted sharply.

At this moment, both Bingdi, who was going crazy on the side, and Huo Yuhao, who was full of grievances and indignation, were completely immersed in their own emotions. On the contrary, Tianmeng Bingcan was the calmest.

Although it was also furious with its host who liked to do foolish things on a whim and wanted to vent its anger, Huo Yuhao's current state was clearly extremely disadvantageous to them, so they could only try to calm him down first.

Sensing the unprecedented severity in Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's tone, Huo Yuhao's heart trembled. He hurriedly began to control his somewhat disordered soul power. Upon introspection, he saw that his physique, which was improving at an astonishing speed, was gradually alleviating his anxiety.

Perhaps... just as Brother Tianmeng said, he wasn't really at a huge loss?

That was the only way he could console himself.

The energy within the body gradually converged and slowly merged with the soul power.

However, just before Huo Yuhao was about to fully immerse himself in cultivation, he vaguely felt a slight throbbing sensation, both hot and tingling, coming from deep within his bones...

outside world.

After carefully examining Huo Yuhao's gradually stabilizing condition, Qian Duoduo rubbed his hands together in amazement, finally relaxing his tense nerves. He plopped down on a high chair he had taken from his storage soul tool, observing with great interest.

"The boost to his physique from absorbing the Titan Snow Demon's Soul Ring is terrifying? It hasn't been long, and this kid's physical strength is almost at the threshold of a senior Soul Saint... Moreover, his Soul Power is increasing so smoothly and rapidly. It seems that the Soul Ring advancement method has truly succeeded?"

Qian Duoduo stroked his chin, his eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and satisfaction. "As expected of the successor chosen by Elder Mu, he truly is a young hero with astonishing courage!"

Hearing the soft, popping sounds coming from Huo Yuhao's joints, Qian Duoduo's smile grew even brighter.

He was really looking forward to seeing what a breathtaking sight the four black ten-thousand-year soul rings would be when Huo Yuhao finished absorbing them and opened his eyes!

……

Sun and Moon Empire, Mingdu, the Red Dust Family Mansion.

"elder brother!"

Xiao Hongchen leaned against the soft couch, his face pale, still surrounded by a faint smell of medicine. Hearing the familiar call full of concern and anxiety, he quickly sat up.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Meng Hongchen rushed in with slightly red eyes.

Seeing her younger sister's anxious and worried expression, Xiao Hongchen felt a warmth in her heart. She thought Meng Hongchen was worried after learning about her injuries and was about to say something to comfort her...

"Hey? Brother, how did you get hurt? Are you alright?" Meng Hongchen asked anxiously, her gaze quickly sweeping over him.

Huh? That's a question... as if you just found out I was injured. So you didn't come here for me?

Xiao Hongchen's lips twitched almost imperceptibly; the little bit of emotion in her heart instantly cooled, but she still managed to force a smile:

"It's alright. I was afraid of hurting my opponent during the sparring, so I forcibly interrupted my soul skill. As a result, I suffered some internal injuries, but I'll be fine after a few days of recuperation."

"Dream, how could you..."

"I know, I know."

Before he could finish speaking, Meng Hongchen pressed on with another question:

"Tianxu! I heard he appeared at Mingde Hall? And he even fought you? Brother, is Tianxu really back?"

Xiao Hongchen nodded and said, "Yes—".

"How is he? Where is he now? Is he injured? Has his cultivation level improved again?"

Meng Hongchen bombarded him with a barrage of questions, her beautiful eyes shining brightly, without glancing at her brother's injuries again.

Laughing at the World: "..."

He was so angry that his vision blurred slightly, his chest tightened, and he almost fainted.

But Xiao Hongchen was still sulking. He couldn't do anything about his sister. Meng Hongchen quickly found out the relevant information from him. After learning that Kong Tianxu had returned safely and made great progress in his cultivation, a bright smile as beautiful as spring flowers immediately bloomed on her face.

"Brother, get some rest. Goodbye!"

She cheerfully tossed out a perfunctory blessing, turned and ran towards the door like a gust of wind, heading straight for the main hall.

Xiao Hongchen lay alone on the couch, staring at the ceiling, feeling only loneliness and desolation in the wind and snow.

……

Mingdu, the imperial palace of the Sun and Moon Empire, and its back garden.

The wheelchair moved slowly along the wide bluestone path in the back garden. Plants of all shapes and sizes were neatly scattered throughout the garden. Every design element was ingenious: a small waterfall in the artificial hill, a cluster of royal patterns amidst blooming flowers, and towering trees.

The birdsong and fragrant flowers made the entire royal garden of the Sun Moon Empire feel like a beautiful forest.

"Master Hongchen, how is your grandson's injury? There's less than a month until the competition, and I'm really looking forward to celebrating his achievement with a banquet."

Sitting in a wheelchair, Xu Tianran closed his eyes, a thin blanket covering his legs, and exuded a faint sense of leisure.

After listening quietly to Jing Hongchen's report on Kong Tianxu, he remained silent for a moment without making any judgment. Instead, he changed the subject and spoke in a gentle and concerned tone.

Jing Hongchen felt a chill run down his spine. After years of trials and tribulations, this Crown Prince—no, he should now be called the Regent—had become so cunning that Jing Hongchen could not see through him at all.

But he remained outwardly calm: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Xiao'er's injuries are no longer a problem, and she certainly won't miss the competition."

"That's good." Xu Tianran smiled with satisfaction. "In that case, your grandson, Xiao Hongchen, will serve as the captain of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy team in this competition. The Hongchen family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, producing many talented individuals. I am very pleased."

"On behalf of Xiao'er, this old minister thanks Your Highness for your great kindness!" Jing Hongchen bowed deeply.

He seemed to want to say a few more words, but Xu Tianran smiled and waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

Jing Hongchen had no choice but to swallow her words, bow to Xu Tianran and the palace-dressed woman behind him, and then slowly retreated from the back garden.

Once Jing Hongchen's figure had completely disappeared, the gentle smile on Xu Tianran's face instantly twisted.

He slammed his fists heavily on the edge of the wheelchair, which he had already crushed, and roared:

"Wasn't that bird dead? Why is it still chirping! Tell them all to shut up!"

Before the words were finished, a blurry gray shadow seemed to sweep across the sky above the garden.

The next moment, the short, muffled thud and the flapping of wings abruptly ceased. The most melodious lark in the garden, along with the bird keeper who stood not far away with his head bowed and hands drooping, lay dead in the carefully trimmed flowerbed, blood silently spreading beneath them and staining the path.

The surroundings became completely quiet.

Chapter 264 Huo Yuhao with All Four Limbs (Part 2)

After a long while, a pair of soft hands gently landed on Xu Tianran's back, which was trembling slightly with excitement, and gently patted it.

"His Majesty's health may not hold up for much longer. The imperial physician says that His Majesty's periods of unconsciousness have been increasing in recent days, while his periods of wakefulness have been decreasing. Your Highness, perhaps... you should visit him again later?"

The one who spoke was Ju Zi, who was pushing Xu Tianran's wheelchair. Only she knew what to say at this moment to calm this sinister and ruthless man down as quickly as possible.

Sure enough, those words seemed to have a magic cure; Xu Tianran's face quickly turned cold and indifferent. He leaned back in his chair and gave a cold snort:

"He's back, he's finally back. A Soul Saint at less than twenty years old, what a brilliant talent. It's a pity that with such talent, instead of staying at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy to cultivate diligently and wait for the opportunity to serve the country, he went to mingle with those shady demons and monsters of the Holy Spirit Cult, and even... represented that evil soul master sect in battle."

"You've really gone astray, wasting all the effort your father put into cultivating you."

Orange, who was standing to the side, gently shook her head and said softly:

"Your Highness, in my humble opinion, this may reflect Elder Kong's loyalty and foresight. By having Kong Tianxu represent the Holy Spirit Cult in battle, he is essentially giving up the opportunity to accumulate reputation and influence in the orthodox Soul Master world of the Empire, and binding himself to the evil Soul Master forces. This is clearly Elder Kong showing Your Highness that he and his grandson have no intention of getting involved in the core power of the Empire, and are only willing to serve Your Highness in secret."

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianran's expression softened slightly, and a hint of understanding and satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He took Orange's hand, patted it gently in his palm, and softened his tone: "Orange, you always manage to surprise me."

He has not yet officially ascended the throne, and Kong Deming is still a force that must be won over. Regardless of Kong Tianxu's purpose in doing so, this is the only explanation.

However, some preparations can still be made.

Xu Tianran tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the wheelchair: "Please ask Mr. Zhongli to come over. Tell him I have something important to discuss with him."

"Yes." Orange curtsied and quietly withdrew.