24: Chapter 24 The Storm Gradually Subsides, the Blade Mantis

"Imperial Father, after personal investigation by His Excellency Bone Douluo, it has been basically confirmed that the incident of Senior Dugu Bo's death was the work of Spirit Hall."

Xue Qinghe said with a grave tone, continuing: "During this investigation, His Excellency Bone Douluo was also unfortunately seriously injured..."

After returning to the imperial palace, Xue Qinghe immediately went to see Emperor Xue Ye to report the matter in detail.

"Spirit Hall!" Emperor Xue Ye slammed the table and stood up, furious, "What exactly do they want to do!"

"Imperial Father, please calm your anger. In this son's view, Senior Dugu Bo had an old feud with Spirit Hall in his early years, perhaps they met by chance and a conflict broke out..."

Xue Qinghe paused, his expression becoming a bit more solemn, and continued: "Currently, Spirit Hall is powerful, and it is not suitable for the Empire to have a direct conflict with them right now. This matter still needs to be considered in the long term."

Hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye's anger eased slightly. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Xue Qinghe: "Qinghe's words are reasonable... However, Spirit Hall must be guarded against."

Emperor Xue Ye rubbed his temples wearily: "Issue an order to strengthen the surveillance of Spirit Hall and simultaneously increase the guard of the imperial palace."

"This son obeys the decree."

Xue Qinghe bowed to accept the order, a trace of imperceptible cold light flashing in the depths of his eyes.

More than ten days passed... The storm regarding Dugu Bo gradually subsided.

Even knowing it was the work of Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family was helpless and could only strengthen their precautions.

After this incident, the Imperial Family became even more reliant on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

After all, among the Upper Three Sects, only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School explicitly supported the Heaven Dou Empire.

The status of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in the Heaven Dou Empire also rose accordingly.

...Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Ji Xuan rose from the spring water, clenched his fists, felt the abundant power within his body, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

After two months, he finally completely refined the medicinal power of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot Delicate.

"How do you feel?" Gold Crocodile Douluo approached and asked, his eyes filled with concern.

Behind him followed another person, who was none other than the Seventh Elder, Demon Subduing Douluo.

Not long ago, Gold Crocodile Douluo had gone out to send a message back to the Elder Hall, asking Qian Daoliu to send someone to guard this place.

Demon Subduing Douluo had arrived here yesterday.

"Junior Martial Uncle Golden Crocodile, Junior Martial Uncle Demon Subduing."

Ji Xuan greeted the two and continued: "The medicinal power of the two Immortal Plants has been completely absorbed. Now my physical fitness has increased by more than double, and my Soul Power has also improved."

Gold Crocodile Douluo nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad."

"Xiao Xuan, I heard from your Junior Martial Uncle Golden Crocodile that that... what was it, Immortal Plant... is there one suitable for this old man?"

Demon Subduing Douluo rubbed his hands together, looking at Ji Xuan expectantly.

When he learned that his second brother, Golden Crocodile, had broken through to level ninety-nine because of the Immortal Plant, he had long been envious.

"Of course, I have prepared one for every Junior Martial Uncle."

As Ji Xuan said this, he took out a dark green Immortal Plant shaped like a bamboo shoot from his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse.

There happened to be two in this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, just enough for Qian Jun and Demon Subduing to have one each.

"Junior Martial Uncle Demon Subduing, this Immortal Plant is called the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, it is very suitable for your Spirit."

Ji Xuan handed it to Demon Subduing Douluo.

"Thanks, Xiao Xuan." Demon Subduing smiled and took it.

After Ji Xuan explained the method of consumption, Demon Subduing Douluo found a place and began to refine it.

Golden Crocodile looked at Ji Xuan: "Xiao Xuan, when do you plan to go hunt for your third spirit ring?"

Ji Xuan pondered for a moment: "I ask Junior Martial Uncle to wait another half a day. I will refine one more Immortal Plant. For my third spirit ring... I plan to absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring."

"A ten-thousand-year spirit ring!" A trace of worry rose in Gold Crocodile Douluo's eyes, "Xiao Xuan, are you sure you have confidence?"

"This old man knows you have a head Spirit Bone, and your Mental Energy is not weak."

"But the Soul shock of a ten-thousand-year spirit ring is no small matter; even a Spirit King might not be able to withstand it, and you are only at your third ring..."

"Junior Martial Uncle, rest assured."

Ji Xuan took out an Immortal Plant that was entirely emerald green, with three snow-white leaves growing in the center, and the leaves were dotted with a few dew-like drops of liquid.

"This Immortal Plant is called the Looking Through Autumn Water Dew. Consuming it can significantly increase your Mental Energy."

Gold Crocodile Douluo stared at the Immortal Plant for a moment, and finally nodded: "Since that is the case... then this old man is relieved."

Ji Xuan nodded in acknowledgment, sat cross-legged, tilted the grass leaves, and a few drops of dew fell into his throat.

The next moment, the entire Immortal Plant withered rapidly and turned into dust.

Ji Xuan closed his eyes and began to refine it. He could clearly feel the continuous growth of his Mental Energy...

Half an hour later. Ji Xuan slowly opened his eyes, and golden light seemed to flow within them.

He rose and looked around. All the mature Immortal Plants in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had been picked.

When his gaze swept over the spring water, it paused for a moment. Those two Divine-Grade Spirit Bones at the bottom of the spring would have to wait until he had sufficient strength in the future to come back and retrieve them.

At this moment, Demon Subduing Douluo had already finished refining and walked over with Golden Crocodile.

"Junior Martial Uncle Demon Subduing, have you broken through?"

Demon Subduing Douluo laughed heartily: "Level ninety-seven! And this old man feels... that breaking through to level ninety-eight in the future is just around the corner."

"Congratulations, Junior Martial Uncle."

"It's all thanks to you." Demon Subduing patted Ji Xuan's shoulder firmly.

"Junior Martial Uncle, you are too kind." Ji Xuan changed the subject, "By the way, Junior Martial Uncle Golden Crocodile and I plan to leave. I will leave this place for you to guard."

"Rest assured, with me here, not even a fly will be able to fly in."

Ji Xuan then turned his gaze to Gold Crocodile Douluo: "Junior Martial Uncle, let's go."

Golden Crocodile nodded slightly, and his thick Soul Power enveloped the two, turning into a streak of golden light and disappearing from the spot...

Walking out of the poisonous miasma range. Gold Crocodile Douluo released his vast Mental Energy, covering the entire core area like a tide.

After a few breaths, he retracted his Mental Energy and looked at Ji Xuan: "Xiao Xuan, seven li to the northeast, there is an eleven-thousand-year-old Blade Mantis. How about it?"

"Blade Mantis?" Ji Xuan pondered for a moment.

This Spirit Beast excels in speed and attack, and its pair of blade arms possesses extremely strong armor-piercing capabilities.

"That will do." Ji Xuan nodded in agreement.

...Soon, the two arrived before the Blade Mantis.

This ten-thousand-year-old Blade Mantis was nearly three meters long and was covered in a layer of dark green carapace.

The most eye-catching feature was its iconic pair of blade arms.

The outer side of the blade arms was incomparably sharp, with cold light flowing, and attached with a few dark red patterns.

The inner side was covered with dense, saw-toothed barbs.

On its back, two pairs of translucent wings were folded, granting it astonishing speed during short-distance bursts and charges.

"Hiss!" The Blade Mantis sensed two human Spirit Masters suddenly appearing in its territory, and a violent light flashed in its eyes.

Its massive body instantly lowered, assuming a perfect combat stance.

Its pair of blade arms crossed in the air, and the two pairs of wings on its back vibrated continuously.

Gold Crocodile Douluo's expression remained as usual, directly releasing a terrifying pressure, and the Blade Mantis instantly collapsed to the ground.

"Xiao Xuan, go ahead." Gold Crocodile Douluo stood with his hands behind his back, his tone flat.

A ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast, to him, was no more than an ant.

Ji Xuan nodded gently, condensing his Spirit, the Sword of Order, in his hand.

The Blade Mantis's weak point was its abdomen, and Ji Xuan pierced it with one sword strike.

A moment later, the Blade Mantis lost its breath, and a pale black spirit ring slowly emerged.

Ji Xuan did not hesitate any longer, sat cross-legged, and began to guide the spirit ring.

With Gold Crocodile Douluo here to protect him, he did not need to worry about any interference and could devote himself entirely to absorbing the spirit ring.