Douluo Dalu: Transforming Soul Rings into Soul Veins

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Heaven Dou City.

The Nine-Heart Begonia Clan began its relocation. Though called a "relocation," it mostly involved family members moving; after all, everything but the estate itself could be stored in spatial rings.

Inside the Imperial Palace Grand Hall, Emperor Xue Ye's brows were deeply furrowed. He cleared his throat. "Xue Xing, what do you think?"

"What do I think?" Prince Xue Xing thought, rising helplessly. "The Nine-Heart Begonia Clan leaving our Heaven Dou Empire for Spirit City is likely just them sending a message. In recent years, with Holy Son Lin Feng's ever-growing reputation, Spirit Hall has become a revered sanctuary for soul masters across the continent. His position is practically unshakable. Even enrollment in our empire's elementary soul master academies has declined."

"Chasing power and fame, or yearning for what they revere—this is unavoidable. The Nine-Heart Begonia Clan was never truly part of our Heaven Dou Empire to begin with. This is simply Spirit Hall blatantly expanding its influence, and there's little we can say about it."

Emperor Xue Ye snorted. "That Holy Son Lin Feng—is he really that formidable? It seems to me Spirit Hall has stopped even pretending to hide its ambitions. Back then, our two empires were never willing to provide funding for soul masters. It was only under their pressure that we agreed. And now they've reaped all the acclaim."

The ministers below exchanged silent glances. Without Spirit Hall, the empire truly might never have allocated resources for soul masters. Though Spirit Hall merely acted as a coordinator, its contribution was undeniable.

"Xue Qinghe" sneered inwardly. Without Spirit Hall, how would six-year-old children across the continent awaken their martial souls? You useless aristocrats only know how to indulge in comfort. Why don't I see you personally hunting down fallen soul masters?

Just then, a minister stepped forward and spoke loudly: "Your Majesty, we absolutely cannot allow the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan to leave just like that! Though not on par with the Upper Three Sects, they're still a substantial force. If smaller clans and sects follow suit and all turn to Spirit Hall, how can our empire maintain its standing?"

After all, the empire didn't even have a Titled Douluo officially on record. Could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan truly be ordered around at will? A sect or clan establishing roots in a region brings not just itself, but a network of personal connections, industry, and influence that can't be ignored. If one faction after another left like the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan, the impact on the empire would be devastating.

"So what do you propose we do?" Xue Ye massaged his temples and sighed.

Xue Qinghe replied, "Father, I believe we don't need to interfere. Spirit Hall's prestige is currently at its peak. If we step in now, even with the firmest reasoning, we're still the weaker party. Public opinion isn't on our side, and we'll only end up passive."

Xue Ye frowned: "So we're just going to let them act like this? Qinghe, have you been paying attention to Spirit Hall's development in recent years? The line between decline and dominance is very thin. We've already remained silent for quite some time."

Xue Qinghe smiled calmly. "Those who do too much good are bound by their own reputation. Spirit Hall, now at the height of its glory, is praised to the skies. That's both its strength and its weakness. From its founding, its philosophy has always been to cleanse the continent of all evil and corruption. They never had a formal mandate of authority. And now, this Holy Son Lin Feng selflessly shares his research theories with the public—it has only deepened the image of Spirit Hall as noble and virtuous."

"Bound by reputation, he can't undertake any real conquest. Should war or conflict erupt now, the backlash from the soul master world and the common folk would be far greater than in the past. The Nine-Heart Begonia Clan turning to Spirit Hall might actually serve as a test probe for other factions to gauge Spirit Hall's true intentions. In the end, the clan's true value lies only in their unique Nine-Heart Begonia line. As for the average clan members' begonia martial souls, though they are support-type healing souls, their effectiveness is not particularly remarkable. And since the clan has always been small in number, they're well-suited to be used as a scouting pawn."

Xue Ye's eyes lit up: "So according to you, Qinghe—if it turns out Spirit Hall truly harbors ambitions of conquest, what should we do then?"

"A couple of years ago, Spirit Hall officially listed Tang Hao as wanted. Although the Clear Sky Sect didn't make any statements, its current leader is Tang Hao's own brother. He's surely seething with anger by now. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect form the remaining two of the Upper Three Sects, and rumors say they're quite close. If Spirit Hall does indeed harbor the ambition of ruling the world, then they are not just our empires' enemy, but also that of the major sects."

"A common enemy forges common allies. If everyone rises against them, Spirit Hall wouldn't be able to withstand it. And as a supposed force upholding peace and order on the continent, they would surely lose the support of the masses."

"Reasonable indeed."

"The Crown Prince speaks the truth."

"Yes, yes, everything His Highness said makes sense."

Despite the long speech, Xue Qinghe's aim was simple: delay. He knew well that most of the current court was made up of hereditary nobles. They had no desire to see real conflict break out. Peaceful living was what they truly yearned for. Their fathers and grandfathers spent their lives waging wars. It was about time this generation got to enjoy themselves for a change.

Seeing the ministers all nodding in agreement, Xue Ye said nothing more and nodded toward Xue Qinghe. "In that case, let it be as the Crown Prince suggests. Let the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan go. However, we must also send agents to Spirit City to gather news on how they're doing. Let the information spread. Also, there are some matters I need to discuss with you privately later."

Xue Xing raised an eyebrow. What matters require just the two of them? Am I, a prince of the empire, not trustworthy? Or perhaps... has that old fox Xue Ye begun to suspect something? He narrowed his eyes slightly, then nodded toward Xue Qinghe. No matter. I've long secured ties with the Crown Prince and have good relations with the other royal heirs as well. Whoever ends up on the throne—it won't matter. With your feeble body, you probably won't live much longer anyway. When the time comes, I'll be a prince regent in all but name. Nothing will change. Hmph...

---

"Come to think of it, why haven't we seen the next inheritor of the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan—someone named Ye Lingling—attending our Heaven Dou Elementary Soul Master Academy? She should be around eight or nine years old by now. Why hasn't she enrolled?" After court adjourned, Xue Xing walked side by side with Xue Qinghe, voicing his doubts.

"Why not go and see for ourselves, Uncle?"

"Good idea. Since their entire clan is leaving, as hosts of Heaven Dou City, the royal family should give them a proper send-off. And it's the perfect chance to meet this future inheritor of the Nine-Heart Begonia."

Accompanied by a group of royal guards, Prince Xue Xing and Xue Qinghe arrived at the Nine-Heart Begonia residence. Ye Lingling's father greeted them with a calm expression. "Greetings, Prince Xue Xing. Greetings, Your Highness."

Seeing the unchanging look on Father Ye's face, Xue Xing said, "We heard the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan plans to relocate. Our royal family has come to bid you farewell and offer a proper send-off."

"...Hmm."

Xue Xing raised an eyebrow. That's your reaction? So cold? One might think you were still mourning your wife's death...

"Hmph." If it weren't for the fact that your wife just passed away recently and you might be in shock, I'd have already given you a few barbed remarks.

Seeing the meaning in Xue Xing's eyes, Father Ye snorted coldly in his heart. These people really believed his wife had passed away? With the immortal herbs and soul vein method given by Lin Feng, his family had long since shed the flaws of their Martial Soul inheritance. He didn't know how his wife and Ye Zixin were doing over in Spirit City—he had to go find them as soon as possible.

"If the two of you have no pressing matters, feel free to leave on your own. I've received your farewell sentiment."

Xue Qinghe smiled. "Patriarch Ye, you really do have quite the temper. Fine, fine. The relationship between your family and our Heaven Dou has always been one of mutual benefit. Now that you're leaving, we won't stop you. The Heaven Dou Empire has always been harmonious and inclusive—we'll always welcome your return. However... I've never seen the new inheritor of your Nine-Heart Begonia. Why not call her out and let me see? This prince is truly curious about the uniqueness of the Nine-Heart Begonia."

Heh— Father Ye glanced at the already distant carriage, a slight smirk curling his lips. Just as Spirit Hall had predicted.

"Lingling, come out and demonstrate your soul skill for His Highness."

A slender, graceful figure stepped out through the main gates. Ye Lingling held the Sacred Heart Begonia in hand. Her soul skill had already been activated. Her first soul skill: a wide-area healing effect. Everyone present felt as if they were bathed in a warm spring breeze, with all fatigue cleansed from their bodies.

"This...? Is this a self-created soul skill?" Xue Xing's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't seen any soul rings appear on the Martial Soul, so it could only be a self-created skill. But why didn't she have any soul rings attached yet? Could her innate soul power really be so low, even with a Martial Soul like Nine-Heart Begonia?

"Lingling, show them your soul ring."

At Ye Lingling's gentle nod, a faint purple soul ring floated around the Sacred Heart Begonia.

"A thousand-year soul ring? How is this possible?!" In the eyes of Xue Xing, the royal members, and the gathered crowd, Ye Lingling's Martial Soul clearly only had one ring. Naturally, they assumed it was her first ring.

Then Father Ye loudly declared: "It's not. That is Lingling's second soul ring. As for the missing first soul ring, it has already been absorbed into her body and transformed into a soul vein."

"Soul vein? What's that?"

"Yes, Patriarch Ye, tell us quickly—what is a soul vein?"

"I believe most of you have already begun cultivating the soul power pathway developed by Holy Son Lin Feng? The soul vein is the transformation of a soul ring into a meridian. This is a true method that reaches heaven and earth. Because of the unique nature of her Martial Soul, Lingling was fortunate enough to become the first known soul master to possess a soul vein."

"It's a bit complex, but I'll put it simply: having a soul vein grants multiple times the cultivation boost and physical nourishment compared to the old single-path method. And from now on, there's no need to summon one's Martial Soul to unleash soul skills."

"Whoa—!"

"It's really Holy Son Lin Feng's latest research?"

"Even so, how is Ye Lingling's second ring a thousand-year one? Is there another theory behind that?!"

"Soul rings can be stored inside the body?! How is that even possible?!"

The crowd erupted into chaos. The facts were right in front of them—no one could deny it. Ye Lingling's second ring was clearly a thousand-year ring, and the position where her first ring should be was completely empty.

Two Soul Douluo from Spirit Hall instantly appeared at the scene. They raised their soul power and declared: "Everyone, regarding the matter of soul veins—Spirit Hall will announce the details in a few days, please be at ease. Ye Lingling was chosen as the external spokesperson for Holy Son Lin Feng due to the life-nature aspect of her Martial Soul."

"Soul veins are a revolutionary advancement in the cultivation system of the Douluo Continent. Their wonders and mysteries go far beyond your imagination. Today, by the command of the Supreme Pontiff, we are here to deliver one message only: In Spirit City, Holy Son Lin Feng will select young soul masters whose Martial Souls meet the conditions for soul vein implantation. He will forge soul veins for them. Just like with the cultivation pathways, this is merely an early demonstration. Later, the system will be rolled out across the entire continent. Full information about the soul vein will be made public in the coming days. For now, we take our leave."

With that, the two Soul Douluo took the remaining members of the Nine-Heart Begonia family and departed for Spirit City. Beneath a Titled Douluo, Soul Douluo were still absolute powerhouses. No one dared to stop them. No one even dared to ask questions on the spot. All they could do was stir noisily, as wave after wave of discussion frenzy surged through the crowd.

Xue Xing clenched his fists, his expression cold. "Spirit Hall has truly gifted my Heaven Dou Empire with quite the present! They knew that when the Nine-Heart Begonia clan left, our royal family would be forced to make a public appearance. So they waited until now to announce this so-called soul vein. And they even put Ye Lingling forward as a living example. Look at these so-called ignorant commoners—just look how chaotic they've already become..."

Even he, who had been cultivating Lin Feng's Soul Evolution Art, understood how serious this matter was. For that youngest Holy Son of Spirit Hall, there was nothing too novel to come from him anymore—nothing he did could surprise him now. To absorb soul rings into the body and transform them into human meridians... only he could have imagined it, and only he could've made it real. And that thousand-year second ring must also be part of his latest research. Now that it had been shown publicly, the inner circles of Spirit City must've already widely adopted it. Just how powerful were their new generation of soul masters? It felt like being utterly left in the dust.

With Lin Feng on their side, Spirit Hall was experiencing one technological explosion after another, completely leaving every other power far behind. If it were him, even if he had something good to share, he'd have eaten the best part of the cake first before thinking about dividing the rest.

"Your Highness, the soul master world... is about to change forever..."

All the soul masters and citizens present looked at each other wide-eyed. Then, without any coordination, most of them rushed out. They couldn't wait to spread the news of what had happened here. The entire Heaven Dou Empire was instantly swept up in a wave of public frenzy.

"It's not just a rumor—I saw it with my own eyes. Ye Lingling used her soul skill without even summoning her Martial Soul, and the ring in her second position was clearly purple!"

"No way?! Holy Son Lin Feng really has created an even more advanced Martial Soul theory? How long until Spirit Hall announces it? I can't wait to find out more!"

"Come on, let's go ask the Spirit Hall branch right now!"

But the Spirit Hall sub-branches had long been prepared, and their doors were tightly shut. A huge banner hung over the main hall: "Soul Vein System to Be Announced in Three Days."

Everyone looked at each other in disbelief but had no choice but to put their curiosity on hold and anxiously wait for Spirit Hall's official reveal.

Crash!

Cups and tea utensils on the desk were all swept to the ground by Xue Ye, shattered into pieces.

"Lin Feng again! Just what kind of brain does he have?! How can he keep producing these earth-shattering Martial Soul theories one after another?!"