Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

The moment Qian Renxue's spiritual power probed into the Vast Ocean Universe Cover, an unfamiliar aura suddenly surged in, jolting her consciousness back. The feeling was gentle yet resolute, like touching an unfathomable cloud, silent yet containing an unshakeable power.

Deep within that azure triangle, a faint blue light swirled and gradually coalesced into a transparent phantom. A magnificent and ancient voice, seemingly traversing endless ages, resounded leisurely in everyone's consciousness: "Millions of years have passed... I never imagined that I would still encounter the descendants of angels."

Everyone looked astonished; no one had expected to witness a deity who could speak today.

"You... could you be the Sea God?" Dugu Yan couldn't help but ask softly, her tone filled with disbelief.

The voice of the sea god, seemingly carrying the weight of time, slowly resounded: "I never imagined that, a thousand years later, someone would still remember me."

A hint of surprise flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, and she asked, "The legendary sea god... actually knows about my ancestor?"

The illusory figure remained silent for a moment, and then images of the Douluo Continent millions of years ago surfaced in everyone's minds—war raged, plagues spread, and soul beasts ravaged the land, plunging the entire continent into endless turmoil. In a daze, they seemed to see the Sea God and the Angel God walking side by side, traversing the four directions, protecting all living beings. However, in the end, their ideals diverged, and the two parted ways, each pursuing their own destiny.

Feng Yao thought to himself, "So there's such a past between the Angel God and the Sea God..."

"Little girl, in your opinion, did your ancestor do the right thing, or do you also think that I am just using benevolence and righteousness as a pretext to pursue my own selfish desires?" The sea god's voice rang out, but there was a hint of amusement in his tone.

Qian Renxue replied solemnly, “Neither our ancestor nor you are right or wrong. Even though she eventually pulled out the Holy Sword, she still brought light and hope to the continent. If not for that, the continent would not be what it is today. As our ancestor said, even though you became the Sea God, you still subdued the myriad marine races with power—actions are merely means to an end. You and our ancestor are not fundamentally different; it's just that your methods are more conservative.”

"Oh? Your ancestor once said that the sky and the sea are destined to be at odds... I never expected that her descendants would agree with my path." The sea god laughed loudly, his voice like a surging tide, echoing in the divine consciousness.

Feng Yao then spoke softly, saying, "A gentleman seeks harmony without uniformity. The sky and the ocean have never been opposing forces. Without the sky, the ocean would become stagnant water; and without the ocean, the sky would lose its ever-changing vitality. Their existence is precisely to ensure that this continent is ever-renewing and full of life."

Poseidon looked at Feng Yao, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "You're right... no wonder even the proud angels are willing to protect you."

"Guardian?" Feng Yao was slightly taken aback, while Qian Renxue beside him couldn't help but blush.

Poseidon laughed loudly: "Heh... It seems you are unaware of this. An angel's oath is not easily made. You can understand this oath as the protection of an angel, or you can see it as a deal with the devil. If the light in the heart of the oath-taker is dimmed, the backlash of the oath will be extremely severe—you should know the price of making a deal with the devil."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yao suddenly understood, and his long-standing doubts were finally resolved: why was Qian Renxue's initial reaction so obvious, but then there was no trace of it afterward?

"I see?" Feng Yao chuckled softly, turning to look at Qian Renxue.

"You...shut up." Qian Renxue blushed and whispered reproachfully.

"Boy, besides that angel girl, you are the only one among the three who can withstand the power of the vast ocean." The Sea God looked at Feng Yao, his gaze full of profound meaning.

Before Qian Renxue could even feel joy, the azure triangular object suddenly shot up with astonishing speed. Feng Yao instinctively tried to use teleportation to dodge, but was instantly suppressed by an extremely strong mental force and rendered unable to move.

"Hiss—" Feng Yao couldn't help but cry out in pain.

The tip of the Vast Ocean Universe Cover had already cut a tiny wound on his forehead.

"Xiao Feng!" Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exclaimed at the same time.

"Don't worry, this is... an opportunity for him." Qian Renxue gazed at the Vast Ocean Universe Cover pressed against Feng Yao's forehead, a hint of joy appearing in her eyes.

Blood flowed slowly, and the Vast Ocean Universe Cover spun around, gracefully adhering to the wound on Feng Yao's forehead, as if it possessed its own spirit. As more blood was injected, the originally flowing blue aura gradually turned red, as if it were dyed with life.

Qian Renxue was perfectly clear-headed—she knew all too well what it meant to gain the approval of the Sea God's relic.

"How will this generation of sea god and angel god change this continent... I am very much looking forward to it. Go to Sea God Island, I will be there waiting for you." The sea god's magnificent voice echoed once again in the four people's minds, as deep and distant as the tide.

Feng Yao felt a powerful suction force tearing at his brain and even his soul, the intense pull making it impossible for him to control his body.

Gradually, the suction became stronger and stronger, and everything around seemed to fade away, blurring the vision.

At that moment, a strange power quietly flowed into his heart and then slowly spread to his mind, transforming into a cool sensation that merged with his consciousness. Although the feeling of weakness had not yet subsided, his consciousness became exceptionally clear—he could no longer perceive the disturbances of the outside world, but he could clearly see the flow of blood in his meridians and even perceive every subtle change in his internal organs.

On the other side, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

The shimmering light of crystal flowed endlessly between the palaces and pavilions. The sect was built against the mountainside, with vermilion towers and emerald pavilions scattered among ancient pines and morning mist. The flying eaves and brackets gleamed with a faint golden light under the setting sun, resembling a fairyland.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Yue Guan and asked with concern, "Elder Ju, how is the situation?"

Yue Guan's gaze fell on Ning Rongrong, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes. He said slowly, "Sect Leader Ning, don't worry, this little girl is perfectly fine and there's nothing seriously wrong with her."

"Stop talking nonsense, what exactly is that thing?" Gu Rong interrupted impatiently, his tone clearly displeased.

Yue Guan's high-pitched voice rang out leisurely, and she even clicked her tongue deliberately: "What's the rush? Your child has really hit the jackpot. This item is called the 'Star Luo Spirit Pearl'..."

“Xingluo? Could it be related to the Xingluo Empire?” Gu Rong couldn’t help but interject again.

Yue Guan glanced at him indifferently, her voice tinged with coldness: "Will you speak, or shall I?"

Chen Xin, who had remained silent all along, gave Gu Rong a timely glance, at which point Gu Rong snorted coldly and shut his mouth.

"The 'Star Luo' here does not refer to the Star Luo Empire, but to the stars in the sky." Yue Guan looked around at everyone and said slowly, "Have you ever heard of... the Star Crown Sect?" Chen Xin replied calmly, "A hidden sect of the Star Luo Empire. Its martial soul 'Star Crown' is said to be able to draw upon the power of the stars, possessing both combat and support abilities."

Yue Guan nodded slightly and continued, "That's right. And this 'Star Luo Spirit Pearl' is a celestial plant that can continuously absorb the power of stars. It can not only greatly enhance a Soul Master's perception and control of the power of stars, but also significantly improve spiritual power. More importantly, the fruit that grows on it will merge with the Soul Master and become the core of the Soul Power within the body, greatly increasing the Soul Power reserve and recovery speed."

"Star Power? It sounds fancy, but it doesn't seem that impressive in reality. The Martial Soul hasn't evolved after all," Gu Rong said slowly, his tone somewhat dismissive.

"What do you know!" Yue Guan couldn't help but spit out upon hearing this. "The improvement a Celestial-grade Soul Master receives is lifelong! Moreover, this Spirit Pearl Fruit has already merged with her. In my opinion, as long as this little girl cultivates diligently, she is very likely to break through the innate limitations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

"Elder Ju, is this true?" Ning Fengzhi's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement.

Yue Guan nodded solemnly: "In essence, the transformation of a martial soul originates from the sublimation of the soul master himself. You have all cultivated for most of your lives, so you should be very clear about this. And the most precious thing about immortal herbs is that they can fundamentally improve a soul master's innate aptitude. Let me put it this way—according to my family's records, without exception, everyone who has absorbed immortal herbs eventually became a titled Douluo."

"Such miraculous effects?" Chen Xin couldn't help but show surprise.

"In a sense, the value of a Celestial Item is no less than that of a 100,000-year Soul Ring." Yue Guan's tone was calm, but every word was clear. "The only regret is that this girl absorbed it a little late. If she could have taken it while the Soul Master was young and her body was still growing, the benefits that the Celestial Item could bring would have been even more significant."

Chen Xin pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "Rongrong is now a Soul Emperor, with only one Soul Ring slot remaining. Feng Zhi has cultivated diligently for many years but has failed to break through the limitations of his Martial Soul. Rongrong... can she really do it?"

"I dare not make a definitive statement on that," Yue Guan paused slightly before continuing, "but the fact that she could reach the Soul Emperor level at such a young age means her innate soul power is at least level nine. Now, with the tempering of a celestial item, her foundation is no less than that of anyone with full innate soul power. If even she can't break through the shackles of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda..." He smiled slightly awkwardly at this point, his unspoken meaning already clear.

Gu Rong was about to speak when Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, his voice tinged with emotion: "Elder Ju is right. If even Rongrong can't do it, then my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will probably only ever be 'Seven Treasures'."

Yue Guan smiled slightly and comforted, "Sect Leader Ning, there is no need to worry too much. Everything in the world has its ups and downs. Even though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda only has seven rings, it is already the number one auxiliary martial soul in the world."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong laughed loudly and said, "Well done, Chrysanthemum Pass! You've finally said something sensible! This long journey to invite you wasn't a complete waste."

Yue Guan snorted and said, "I came here specifically for the immortal herbs. You said earlier that the children around Xiao Feng... all of them have consumed immortal herbs?"

Gu Rong nodded and replied, "That's what the kid did say. But judging from how fast his soul power increased and how his soul ring configuration far surpasses his peers, I reckon he's probably already enjoyed these good things."

"No, I have to go find that child and see if I can find any more. If I could get a celestial plant..." Yue Guan became more and more excited as she spoke, her tone revealing a hint of urgency.

Gu Rong was somewhat skeptical, raising an eyebrow and asking, "You're already level 95, can you level up again by eating a single blade of grass?"

"Vulgar!" Yue Guan rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. "Immortal herbs are not ordinary medicinal herbs. They should be carefully protected and appreciated. However... if I can really find the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, it might indeed help me break through to the next level."

Ning Fengzhi spoke up at the right moment, saying gently to Gu Rong, "Uncle Gu, why don't you accompany Elder Ju on this trip? It would be good for both of you to look out for each other."

The ancient banyan tree nodded in agreement.

Yue Guan turned to Ning Fengzhi and gave a slight bow: "Then thank you very much, Sect Master Ning."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Rong raised his hand and opened up space. The two of them stepped into the void side by side and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Feng Yao's consciousness slowly rose from a deep darkness, as if traversing an endless abyss. He struggled to open his eyes, and his blurry vision gradually cleared. The first thing he saw was three figures watching him with concern.

Qian Renxue sat by the bed, her golden eyes filled with worry. Seeing him wake up, she immediately asked softly, "Xiao Feng, how are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"

Dugu Yan, who was standing nearby, also rushed over and said urgently, "Xiao Feng, you suddenly fainted and your forehead was flashing blue light. It scared us to death!"

Although Ye Lingling did not speak, she had already quietly gathered a gentle healing light in her hand, ready to strike at any moment, and the worry in her eyes was clearly visible.

Feng Yao struggled to sit up, feeling a slight throbbing pain in his forehead, but his mind was clearer than ever before. He shook his head slightly and reassured himself, "Don't worry, I'm fine, it's just... it feels like I had a very long dream."

Qian Renxue breathed a sigh of relief, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against the slightly feverish mark on his forehead, and whispered, "It's the Vast Ocean Universe Cover. It has recognized you as its master."

Just then, the space inside the room rippled slightly, spreading out like waves. The next moment, two figures quietly stepped out—it was Gu Rong and Yue Guan.

Yue Guan did not immediately look at Feng Yao. His gaze first fell on Qian Renxue by the bedside. His expression turned solemn, and he took a step forward, gently touching his chest with his right hand, and bowed slightly to her, his tone filled with rare respect: "Young Master, it's been a long time."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, a complex look flashing in her eyes, but ultimately said nothing more. In terms of their origins, Elders Ju and Gui should have been closer to her; however, since they took up positions in the Papal Palace and became Bibi Dong's right-hand men, every time they met, she inevitably thought of her high and mighty mother, who was gradually drifting away from her.

Yue Guan's gaze swept over the four people one by one. He clearly sensed that they were all surrounded by a faint aura of immortality. It was a unique soul power fluctuation that originated from the spiritual objects of heaven and earth, elegant and profound.

Qian Renxue looked calmly at Yue Guan and said indifferently, "I wonder what brings Elder Ju here today?"

Upon hearing this, Yue Guan bowed slightly and then began to explain everything that had happened within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

After saying that, Yue Guan turned to Feng Yao, her voice unconsciously carrying a hint of urgency: "Feng Yao, I have come here to ask you something. Do you still have any of the immortal flowers and herbs that you gave to your companions?"

With Qian Renxue's help, Feng Yao slowly sat up straight, meeting Yue Guan's almost burning gaze, and said calmly, "Elder Yue Guan is eager for the flower, and this junior does indeed still have one here."

After saying that, he took out an exquisite brocade box from his soul tool. The moment the box appeared, Yue Guan clearly sensed the familiar aura flowing from it, and his heart skipped a beat.

...(End of chapter)