Chapter 299: Soul Deal and Battle's End
"It's finally over."
As Xiao Sheng descended with the level 98 bone dragon, equipped with a complementary Yin-Yang dual soul core, the tide of battle decisively shifted in favor of Xiao Qiang's side. The bone dragon's top-tier defensive martial soul, enhanced by spatial abilities, combined with the overwhelming support of the Snow Emperor, Mu Qingxue's restraint over evil soul masters, and Ye Ningguang's well-timed activation of a 70% defense buff, formed an impregnable wall of strength.
Even though Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui fought with soul and spirit ablaze—burning their soul power and mental strength to their limits—Xiao Qiang's group emerged with only minor injuries. Snow Emperor, Mu Qingxue, Xiao Qiang, and Xiao Sheng sustained some damage, while Ye Ningguang was the only one critically injured, suffering backlash due to excessive support beyond his soul power threshold.
To face the two mightiest Extreme Douluo of the Holy Spirit Church and suffer no deaths was nothing short of a miracle—a victory within a calamity.
After the climactic clash, Xiao Qiang and his team landed. Without hesitation, Xiao Qiang summoned the Blade of Life Guard to heal Ye Ningguang, restoring his vitality. Then, turning to the gathered powers, he clasped his fists with sincerity.
"Thank you all for your support today. As a token of gratitude, the Soul Palace pledges to provide a 70,000-year-old soul free of charge—along with assistance during absorption at level 60—to any force that came to our aid before my sister, Xiao Lan, defeats the God-Slaying Douluo."
"Master Xiao, you are far too generous. To assist the Soul Palace is our honor," many representatives responded, barely concealing their excitement.
The gift was no small matter.
A 70,000-year soul could yield four soul rings of the same level—an invaluable prize. Ordinarily, acquiring even one such soul ring required a Titled Douluo to lead a full expedition into dangerous soul beast territories like the Star Dou Great Forest or the Demon Forest. Even then, nothing was guaranteed. The threat of encountering a 100,000-year beast was ever-present, a peril even a Titled Douluo might not escape unscathed.
To ensure safe acquisition of a 70,000-year ring, one would need someone close to Super Douluo level. In this era, a single Titled Douluo still commanded awe—royalty and powerful sects alike revered them. For a sect with just a Soul Douluo to persuade such a powerhouse would often require decades of resources.
But Xiao Qiang wasn't just offering one soul ring. The 70,000-year soul meant four 70,000-year soul rings—something beyond the reach of most Soul Douluo sects even in a lifetime. Furthermore, the Soul Palace promised absorption at the sixth ring stage, an almost unthinkable opportunity.
Typically, even an eighth ring at 70,000 years was a reward reserved for elite noble families' core members. Such soul rings signified a likely future as a Titled Douluo. A sixth soul ring at 70,000 years? That practically guaranteed ascension, barring major accidents or poor ring combinations.
In essence, a single 70,000-year soul could transform a Soul Saint family into a Titled Douluo clan within decades. No wonder even the most composed family heads couldn't hide their excitement.
After addressing the crowd, Xiao Qiang turned to Nan Shuishui.
"Senior Nan."
"Palace Master, you flatter me. In terms of cultivation and power, I hardly compare to you."
"But today, your early intervention alleviated immense pressure from the Soul Palace. Without that, our losses would have been far worse. Therefore, I would like to offer you a 100,000-year soul as a token of sincere gratitude."
Hiss—
Gasps rippled through the crowd. While they had suspected that the first to act might receive a grand reward, none had expected a 100,000-year soul.
Such a soul was no longer a stepping stone to Titled Douluo. It was an invitation to become a Super Douluo—perhaps even an Extreme Douluo. The Soul Palace already had members capable of fusing a 100,000-year soul at level 50 or 60. The qualitative difference between a 99,999-year soul ring and one of 100,000 years was staggering—an absolute turning point in one's destiny.
Nan Shuishui blinked in astonishment, only regaining her composure after a long pause. "It wasn't a desperate act. Besides, Palace Master, you saved my daughter two years ago. I was only repaying that kindness."
Xiao Qiang thought to himself, I saved your daughter back then because I dug up your ancestral treasure—the Ten Thousand Years Mysterious Ice Marrow. I couldn't very well let her die in front of me after that… but I certainly can't say that now.
He said calmly, "That was a trivial matter and cost me nothing. But this time, you risked your life. It's entirely different. Please don't refuse."
Nan Shuishui: "…" Risked my life? When I charged in, Minglei Douluo had already suppressed the battlefield. I was probably the safest one there…
She thought a moment, then spoke. "Palace Master Xiao, our Dilongmen holds a treasure suited for ice-type soul masters. If you truly insist on gifting a 100,000-year soul, please accept it in exchange. After all, I did intend to fight to the death today, and that treasure can never outweigh my daughter's life."
"Very well," Xiao Qiang smiled. He could guess she meant the underground black ice marrow—most of which he'd already consumed. Now, at least, he could obtain it under proper terms, leaving no shadows between them.
Once the exchange was confirmed, Nan Shuishui summoned Nan Qiuqiu, who consumed a few medicinal pills and broke through to level 60. With the Soul Palace's guidance, she began fusing the 100,000-year soul, using the soul's purity to cleanse the residual poison from previous drug treatments.
Watching this scene unfold, Ning Fengyun, the leader of the Jiubao Liuli Sect, could only sigh inwardly as he muttered:
"…"