After leaving the Heaven Dou Empire and returning to the Body Sect, Chen Yi immediately immersed himself in regular cultivation. Before heading to Heaven Dou City to handle the affairs of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, his soul power had already broken through to level 67. Upon returning to the sect, Chen Yi quickly surpassed the threshold of level 68, steadily advancing to even greater heights. Judging from his current progress and physical state, Chen Yi estimated that as long as no unforeseen setbacks occurred, he could open the doors to becoming a Soul Sage after another year of diligent cultivation.
Just as Chen Yi was adjusting his condition and preparing to challenge the level 69 bottleneck, two unexpected visitors returned and pulled him out from his deep seclusion.
…
Inside the Qi and Blood Soaring Hall, Chen Yi saw the two arrivals. His eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, but he soon regained his composure.
"I greet Elder Yue and Elder Gui."
The newcomers were Yue Guan and Gui Mei. As the inner and outer sect Elders stationed at the Spirit Hall, they were seen as vital bridges between the two great powers. Due to their duties, they rarely returned to the sect unless something urgent occurred.
"Young Sect Master, you are too courteous," Yue Guan and Gui Mei quickly bowed in return without letting down their guard. After they took their seats and tea was served, Chen Yi went straight to the point.
"Did the two Elders return together this time because of important affairs in the Spirit Hall, or does the sect have other instructions?"
A gentle smile appeared on Gui Mei's usually shadow-shrouded, stern face. Instead of answering directly, he retrieved a just-over-a-foot-square wooden box from his soul storage tool.
The box was a deep purplish-black, its tightly-grained, heavy wood surface marked with natural silvery patterns as if struck by lightning. Faint arcs of electricity danced across the patterns, imparting a powerful aura of restrained lightning and vibrant life.
"Ten-thousand-year Thunderstruck Ironwood?" Chen Yi immediately recognized the material. This supreme wood, having withstood violent lightning and imbued with pure thunder energy, was so rare that it was mostly used to seal treasures related to thunder.
"That's correct," Gui Mei explained as he set the box carefully on the table before Chen Yi. "Some time ago, the Grand Worship learned of the battle in the Heaven Dou, the sect's contribution, as well as that of the Young Sect Master and the Grand Elder. Deeply grateful, he specially instructed us to return with this gift as a token of thanks."
He gently pushed the box toward Chen Yi.
"The Grand Worship stated this was obtained by an ancestor during his travels on the continent. It was originally intended as a congratulatory gift when the Young Sect Master attained the Soul Sage realm."
"However, given the immense contributions you and the Grand Elder made in the battle above, the Grand Worship has decided to present it earlier."
"Oh?" Chen Yi raised his eyebrows, piqued. For a figure like Qian Daoliu—standing atop the continent—to go out of his way to mention this and choose this moment to express gratitude with such a gift, something extraordinary must be at play. More importantly, Qian Daoliu was clearly aware of his progress and future plans. This gift was obviously meant precisely for him.
Under the expectant gazes of Yue Guan and Gui Mei, Chen Yi reached out and pressed his right hand to the lid of the thunderstruck box. Applying a bit of force, the lid opened silently.
In an instant, an overwhelming aura—like a slumbering beast awakening or a natural disaster descending—filled the side hall.
A purplish-golden light shot from the box, illuminating Chen Yi's face. Inside was a right arm bone, entirely suffused with an extraordinary purple-gold luster. The power radiating from it was vast and mighty, carrying an oppressive presence that made even space tremble. Based on his judgment, this spirit bone had to be over seventy thousand years old.
Yet, what shocked Chen Yi the most was that as the spirit bone's aura was fully released, an involuntary tremor ran through him.
"Is this… the Thunder Hell Prison Vine?!"
A sharp glint shone in Chen Yi's eyes. A seventy-thousand-year-old Thunder Hell Prison Vine would be a unique existence, even in the annals of spirit beasts. The Spirit Hall's foundations ran deep indeed, to even possess such a legendary spirit bone.
At just the right moment, Yue Guan spoke, confirming Chen Yi's guess. "Young Sect Master, your eye is sharp. This item was discovered over three hundred years ago by the Grand Worship—deep within Meteorite Canyon."
"According to the Grand Worship's memoirs, at the time, the Thunder Hell Prison Vine realized its power was waning and its life was coming to an end. By coincidence, one of its descendants lay nearby. To preserve its bloodline, the Thunder Hell Prison Vine sacrificed itself by condensing its lifetime cultivation and essence into this right arm spirit bone, gifting a sliver of hope to its offspring."
Yue Guan continued, "After this bone was brought back to Spirit Hall, its thunder energy proved far too intense and violent. No one managed to fuse with it. Those who tried were injured or even killed. Over time, it was shelved and nearly forgotten."
"It was only after the Grand Worship realized you were an inheritor of the Thunder God's power that he recalled this extraordinary spirit bone remained in the inventory."
"The Grand Worship called this a hidden gem. In your hands, Young Sect Master, it can truly radiate brilliance and reach its full potential."
"I see." Chen Yi nodded slowly, most doubts dispelled.
Back when Chu Shanhe obtained the fourth spirit ring from the Meteorite Canyon, it was said the Grand Worship had penetrated to the forbidden core and left unscathed. Stroking the spirit bone, Chen Yi could feel the roaring lightning inside strongly resonate with his own body. A genuine smile surfaced.
Once the lid was closed, the violent aura was instantly suppressed, sealed within the ancient thunderstruck box.
"Please convey my deepest gratitude to the Grand Worship for his generous gift when you return," Chen Yi said with heartfelt seriousness as he looked at Yue Guan and Gui Mei. "This is a timely rain for me—its significance is truly remarkable."
With this superior Thunder Hell Prison Vine spirit bone, his breakthrough to level 70 should be greatly accelerated. Even more important, for Chen Yi, this spirit bone was far superior to an ordinary hundred-thousand-year version.
Having put away the bone, Chen Yi looked to Yue Guan and changed the subject. "As Elder Ju mentioned, Qian Renxue is back at Spirit Hall after completing her handover. Is her matter resolved as well?"
Judging from how he described the origin of the spirit bone, Yue Guan had already inferred that Qian Renxue must have successfully returned.
Yue Guan nodded gravely. "Indeed. Just recently, Lady Qian Renxue safely returned to Spirit City. The Grand Worship announced that she is now formally commanding the Angel Legion, and also serving as Judgement Elder of the Spirit Hall."
"However…" Yue Guan suddenly frowned, his expression turning complex. After some hesitation, he continued.
"Somehow, news reached Spirit Hall that Lady Qian Renxue severely punished Yu Xiaogang in Heaven Dou City, inflicting grievous wounds and lasting disability. Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong was furious."
He paused, tone dropping. "Apparently, the day Qian Renxue returned, Bibi Dong stopped and attacked her in front of Spirit Hall, publicly injuring her and leaving her badly hurt. Since that day, Lady Qian Renxue has stayed in the Angel Temple, never appearing in public."
Thinking back to that tense day before the Pope's Palace, and Qian Renxue's pale but stubborn face, Yue Guan could only sigh inwardly. Unloved by her mother, with frigid family ties, Qian Renxue's situation was truly sad.
Chen Yi listened silently, his expression unchanged. Lifting his slightly cooled teacup, he took a sip and finally spoke, "It seems... our Pope still harbors considerable attachment to her former lover."
Though his voice showed no obvious joy or anger, the phrase 'former lover' was unmistakably laced with contempt and irony.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei unconsciously felt a chill at the back of their necks, instinctively hunching their shoulders.
…