The crystal-clear phoenix cry, like the first light cutting through dawn, resounded suddenly in the sky above the Body Sect, brimming with indescribable majesty and vitality.
Whether it was the young disciples in the martial arena or the elders cultivating at home, everyone stopped in that instant, looking up to find the source of the sound.
Before they could recover from the sudden phoenix cry, a laugh, washed clean of years of dullness and despair, rang out like spring thunder, spreading to every corner of the sect.
The relief, joy, and new vitality contained in this laughter moved everyone who heard it.
"This voice… it's so familiar!"
"Yes… could it be Xiaoqing?!"
"Oh my god! Xiaoqing, has she… recovered?!"
The laughter evoked dusty memories for the sect's elders—it was the heartfelt laughter of the once-proud daughter of the heavens, Xie Xiaoqing, now tinged with relief and excitement after weathering life's ups and downs.
In the next moment, a series of powerful auras awoke from all over the Body Sect, rising to the sky like awakened dragons. Figures flickered, the sound of the sky splitting rang endlessly, and many silhouettes rushed toward the secluded courtyard, filled with enthusiasm and hope.
When the first group arrived and looked inside, the scene before them took their breath away.
The previously closed door was now nothing but powder. Inside, Xie Xiaoqing sat cross-legged, her whole body enveloped in blazing, majestic soul power. Crimson light flared around her, making her figure seem almost unreal.
Her once-dull, dark hair had turned completely crimson, burning like fire without wind.
Thump… thump…
A heartbeat like a war drum echoed from her body, ringing clearly in everyone's ears. The rhythm was strange, unconsciously stirring the qi and blood of those nearby, forcing the weaker cultivators to use their soul power to calm themselves.
Buzz—
Amid the wavering light, two yellow, two purple, and two black rings—the optimal six-ring configuration—rose slowly from her feet, encircling her as if to declare her cultivation as a Soul Emperor.
Behind her, the phantom of a silver heart gradually appeared, radiating the unique compulsion of a second awakening at the silver level—a feat she had previously failed to achieve.
Yet atop the silver heart phantom were fine golden threads, thin as hair, wandering across the silver backdrop like living things, adding an indescribable mystery and nobility to her martial soul.
At once, before the crowd's astonished eyes, Xie Xiaoqing's soul power fluctuated violently. Next to her sixth black soul ring, the air warped slightly, and a pitch-black soul ring slowly condensed.
This ring did not come from any external soul beast; its aura was perfectly fused with her own bloodline and martial soul.
The Grand Elder's eyes flashed—Xiaoqing had used the nirvana force and residual medicinal effect of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to fuse her own qi, blood, and martial soul origin, condensing her own innate soul ring.
As a result, her martial soul underwent a powerful and beneficial fire-attribute mutation.
"Grand Elder, what's happening…?"
Seeing the reborn Xie Xiaoqing, those present hurriedly turned to the Grand Elder.
The elder smiled in relief at Xie Xiaoqing, now enveloped in crimson light, and succinctly explained how she had used the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's nirvana to break and rebuild herself.
Hearing this, everyone suddenly understood, and cheers erupted.
Xie Xiaoqing's recovery meant not only gaining a Soul Sage-level powerhouse for the Body Sect, but also making up for years of regret and loss in everyone's hearts.
The Third Elder carefully examined the heart phantom behind Xiaoqing, frowning slightly as he voiced his doubts.
"Senior Brother, Xiaoqing's second martial soul awakening seems different from the ordinary silver level. There's that golden thread, and the implied sense of flame is extraordinary."
The Grand Elder nodded, gazing deeply at the heart phantom wrapped in silver and gold, lost in thought.
"This isn't just a recovery. With the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, a fire-attribute immortal herb, as the catalyst for nirvana, it's highly likely her martial soul has undergone a benign mutation. That golden thread may be a symbol of potential. If she gets enough opportunities, there's a chance she could reach a gold-level third awakening in the future."
"Gold-level third awakening?!" The words stunned everyone present. No one had imagined Xie Xiaoqing would receive such fortune—even the Grand Elder himself had not achieved a third gold awakening.
"Well! This is great!" The third elder was so excited he rubbed his hands together. "If disaster doesn't claim her, she is truly blessed. Xiaoqing may climb to even greater heights!"
In this moment, the fluctuations of soul power around Xie Xiaoqing's cross-legged form gradually calmed. The newly condensed, jet-black innate soul ring stabilized completely, beating in harmony with the other six rings.
She slowly opened her eyes. Where once they were empty and lifeless, now they blazed like stars, full of confidence and vitality.
She looked at the people outside her home, finally settling her gaze on the smiling grand elder and Ye Qian, and bowed deeply.
"Grand Elder, Uncle Ye, thank you for rebuilding the sect!"
Her voice was clear and full, with none of the former despair.
The Grand Elder smiled and helped her up. "It's good you've awakened. How do you feel?"
Xie Xiaoqing smiled, clenching her fist and feeling the power surging in her body, as well as the heat and vitality emitted by her martial soul.
"Better than ever before!"
The Grand Elder was delighted, then turned to the Second and Third Elders, remembering something.
"While Patriarch Ye and I were guarding Xiaoqing, what happened outside the sect?"
The Second and Third Elders exchanged glances, their expressions grave as they replied.
"All is well within the sect, and the disciples are making good progress. However… the distant Mingya Village on the other side of the Yuntian Mountains has been restless, with spies skilled in concealment frequently appearing around our sect, sneaking and peeping."
Upon hearing this, the Grand Elder's eyes flashed with understanding and his mouth curled playfully. Not long ago, the earthshaking phenomena caused by the Sect Master's gold awakening had aroused the ambitions of many.
He sneered, "I hear the old village chief of Mingya broke through to the Douluo title, didn't he?"
The Third Elder nodded, confirming, "Yes. He's rank ninety-one, a speed assault system Douluo. His martial soul is the Dark Raven—extremely fast, skilled in concealment and attack."
"Title Douluo… heh." The Grand Elder chuckled, his tone relaxed as if something amusing had happened, then changed the subject. "How are Chen Zhen, Hong Yue, and the others doing with their closed-door training?"
The Second Elder brightened. "They're at the final stage, and judging by their breathing, should break through safely within a few days."
The Grand Elder nodded, a flash of brilliance in his eyes as he gave a direct order. "Good. Once they've found their soul rings, have them take a stroll to Mingya village."
The Second Elder was momentarily stunned, but quickly understood the Grand Elder's intent.
"Senior Brother, you mean… use Mingya village as a training ground for Chen Zhen and the others?"
The Grand Elder didn't answer directly, but his next words sent everyone's spirits soaring.
"Tell them to start cleanly. Just remember one thing—"
"On Yuntian Mountain, don't kill the old man. Drive him out. Find a place with an 'audience' and send him on his way there."
"Make sure enough people are watching."
…
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