Returning to Nottingham, Reuniting with Sisi
Three days after securing his dangerous alliance with the Douluo Hall, Chu Tianxiu stood at the edge of Spirit City, the wind tugging at his black and gold robes. Ding Jiu'an stood a respectful step behind him, a silent and imposing shadow. With a mental command, Chu Tianxiu summoned the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. The mighty beast descended from the clouds with a powerful downdraft that whipped dust into the air, its magnificent purple wings folding as it landed with a ground-shaking thud.
"Let's move," Chu Tianxiu said, his voice calm but firm. He leaped onto the lion's broad back, and Ding Jiu'an followed suit. As they ascended into the sky, Chu Tianxiu knew that the Golden Crocodile Douluo and the Four Princes of the King's Banner were already shadowing them, a hidden dagger pointed at his back, waiting for the moment Tang Hao appeared to also strike at him.
The landscape blurred beneath them as the Amethyst Winged Lion King cut through the air at incredible speed. Ding Jiu'an, his brow furrowed in thought, finally broke the silence. "My lord, there's something I really don't understand."
Chu Tianxiu, his eyes fixed on the horizon, replied without turning. "Speak your mind, Jiu'an."
"This time, the Douluo Palace has dispatched six Title Douluos. I fear that while they're nominally dealing with Tang Hao, in reality..." Ding Jiu'an let the sentence hang, the unspoken threat clear.
Chu Tianxiu finished for him, a cold smile playing on his lips. "They actually want to use this opportunity to eliminate me, right?"
"Since you know this, why did you still take the risk?" Ding Jiu'an's confusion was evident.
Chu Tianxiu's gaze hardened, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes as he looked ahead. "I've planned this for years. As long as everything goes smoothly, at least none of the Four Princes of the Royal Banner will be able to return." Seeing that Chu Tianxiu already had a plan, Ding Jiu'an nodded silently and resumed his vigilant watch.
The speed of the Amethyst Winged Lion King was truly remarkable. In just a few hours, the familiar skyline of Notting City appeared on the horizon. Looking down at the first major settlement he had visited upon arriving in the Douluo Continent, Chu Tianxiu felt a wave of nostalgia. "Revisiting an old haunt," he murmured to himself.
To avoid causing a panic among the city's inhabitants, Chu Tianxiu recalled the majestic lion king into his system space after they landed outside the city gates. He and Ding Jiu'an then proceeded on foot, blending into the flow of merchants and travelers entering the bustling city.
Their destination was the Notting City Martial Soul Branch Hall. Under Chu Tianxiu's powerful backing, Sisi had risen to become the Vice Bishop. The old Bishop Maqiu was now in poor health and largely retired, leaving Sisi to handle the day-to-day affairs of the branch hall.
Inside her office, Sisi had just finished signing a stack of documents. She stretched, her well-developed figure outlined against the light from the window. She looked at Protector Wu, whom Chu Tianxiu had sent to guard her five years ago. "Mr. Wu, when do you think Brother Tianxiu will arrive?"
Protector Wu, ever the loyal subordinate, replied, "Miss Sisi, the Lord has already sent word. He will arrive soon."
Just then, the office door swung open. "Sister Sisi, do you miss me that much?" a young, familiar voice rang out.
Chu Tianxiu walked in with Ding Jiu'an. Upon seeing him, Sisi's face lit up with excitement. "Brother Tianxiu...!" Remembering his status and the presence of Protector Wu, she caught herself and began to bow. "Greetings, Holy Son."
Before she could complete the formal gesture, Chu Tianxiu closed the distance in a flash. A strong hand encircled her slender waist, pulling her into a warm, familiar embrace that made her gasp.
Chu Tianxiu looked down at Sisi, whose cheeks were already flushing a bright pink. He turned to Protector Wu. "Protector Wu, please take Jiu'an to get some rest."
Understanding the unspoken command, Protector Wu and Ding Jiu'an bowed and quickly exited, closing the heavy oak door behind them.
Once they were alone, Chu Tianxiu sat down in Sisi's plush chair and pulled her onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. "Holy Son..." she whispered, her breath warm against his ear.
Seeing she was still using his formal title, Chu Tianxiu pinched her waist playfully. "Sister Sisi, if you keep being so distant, I'm going to get angry."
Sisi could only relent, her formal demeanor melting away. "Alright, little brother Tianxiu," she said, pouting her red lips in a mock sulk. "You haven't come to see me for years. Have you forgotten your old flame, your sister, since you've found a new love in the Martial Soul Main Hall?"
Chu Tianxiu chuckled, coaxing her like one would a child. "Alright, Sister Sisi, you know the Spirit Hall has a lot of things to do. Besides, I'm here to see you now, aren't I?"
Sisi happily leaned against his chest, drawing invisible circles on his robe with her finger, listening to his soothing words.
Suddenly, Chu Tianxiu's expression turned serious. "Sister Sisi, what's the latest news on Yu Xiaogang and his apprentice that I asked you to keep an eye on?"
Sisi thought for a moment before answering. "Yu Xiaogang's apprentice recently broke through to level 20. He and the dean of Notting Academy took him to the Spirit Beast Forest around Notting City the day before yesterday to hunt for a Spirit Ring. Mr. Wu also sent someone to accompany them. They should be back in a few days."
Satisfied with the information, Chu Tianxiu leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek. "Good work, Sister Sisi. I'll come see you again tonight. You go and attend to your duties for now."
Sisi, understanding he had important matters to attend to, reluctantly got off his lap. Chu Tianxiu also rose and headed for the door.
Upon seeing him emerge, Protector Wu and Ding Jiu'an, who had been waiting patiently outside, immediately approached. "Protector Wu," Chu Tianxiu commanded, "lead us to the Soul Hall's stronghold. I need to assess its current state."
Protector Wu nodded and led the way. Soon, the three of them had left the city and arrived at a dense, seemingly ordinary forest on the outskirts. Protector Wu walked to a massive, moss-covered rock and pressed a hidden mechanism. With a low grinding sound, the rock slid aside, revealing a dark, downward-sloping passage.
They descended deeper, the path widening until a light appeared ahead, opening into a vast, clandestine underground area.
Protector Wu gave a sharp whistle. Moments later, dozens of black-robed Soul Masters surged in from all directions, moving with disciplined silence. At their head was Jing Hongchen, whom Chu Tianxiu had sent to Notting City five years prior.
As one, the assembled force knelt on one knee, their voices echoing in the cavernous space. "Greetings, Master!"
Chu Tianxiu scanned the crowd, a nod of satisfaction on his face. He turned to Protector Wu. "Protector Wu, it seems there are quite a few more people here."
Protector Wu nodded proudly. "Master, after these five years of development, including myself and Elder Jing, the Soul Hall in Notting City now boasts one Title Douluo, one Soul Douluo, three Soul Saints, ten Soul Emperors, fifty Soul Kings, and a total of three hundred members ranging from Great Soul Masters to Soul Ancestors. Their loyalty to the Soul Hall is absolute."
Chu Tianxiu was impressed; Protector Wu had broken through to the Soul Douluo level in these five years.
Jing Hongchen stepped forward, picking up the report. "Master, the Soul Hall now possesses four Level 7 fixed-mount Soul Guidance Cannons, ten Level 6 mobile artillery turrets, and numerous Level 5 and below portable offensive Soul Guidance Devices. We have trained over one hundred and twenty Soul Masters proficient in their use, including ten Level 5 Soul Masters and twenty-six Level 4 Soul Masters. The remainder are Level 1 to 3 Soul Masters."
Chu Tianxiu looked at both men with great approval. "Elder Jing, Protector Wu, you have done exceptionally well."
After praising them, he got down to business. "Protector Wu, have all experts who have reached the Soul King level or above ambush the route Yu Xiaogang and Tang San will take on their return. Keep them hidden. No one is to reveal themselves without my direct order."
Protector Wu received the order and immediately left to gather the manpower.
Chu Tianxiu then turned to Jing Hongchen. "Elder Jing, take all the offensive Soul Tools and the Soul Masters who can operate them and position them in strategic locations for an ambush. Jiu'an, you will go with Elder Jing."
The two of them bowed. "Understood!" They too departed to carry out their tasks.
Seeing that it was getting late, Chu Tianxiu also left the stronghold and returned to the Spirit Hall branch in Notting City. After all, a certain young lady was waiting for him. Having previously spent time there, he easily found his way back to Sisi's room. He opened the door and stepped inside. It was the same familiar, softly decorated room, but Sisi wasn't there. Then he heard the sound of running water coming from the attached bathroom. A mischievous smile touched his lips as he walked toward the sound. The next moment, a gasp of surprise echoed from the bathroom.