Chapter 194: The Flawed Knight Spirit and the Fall of Su Tong
Xiao Qiang raised her eyebrows slightly. "Can you still be considered a knight without a mount?"
"That's exactly the issue," Qian Fenglie replied bitterly. "Our martial spirit has a major flaw. The Knight of Light spirit requires a suitable warhorse to fully develop. The horse must be on par with our own cultivation to maintain optimal growth."
He continued, "In the early stages, it's manageable. There are many horse-type spirit beasts at the hundred- and thousand-year level, and we can even breed them ourselves. With such mounts, the cultivation speed of our younger generation is very high. Before reaching level 30, our speed is comparable to—or even faster than—that of top martial spirits like the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex."
"Between level 30 and 40, we can still manage. We've accumulated enough wealth over the years to raise 2,000–3,000-year-old horse spirit beasts. But beyond level 40, we hit a wall. There are simply no horse beasts strong enough to keep pace, and without those, we lose the mimicry training advantage we're accustomed to. The result? Our cultivation speed is slashed in half."
Xiao Qiang nodded thoughtfully. "So it becomes progressively harder."
"Exactly," Qian Fenglie sighed. "From level 50 to 60, we can still push through with hard work, but from 60 to 70, it becomes almost impossible without external aid. I myself am at innate level 9, and I had to rely heavily on drugs to reach my current stage. The First and Second Elders, both at innate level 8.5, barely made it through after spending decades and consuming countless resources. But I honestly don't think I'll ever reach level 83 or above."
Xiao Qiang raised a valid question. "You've mentioned horse spirit beasts only up to 3,000 years old. Have you never thought of going to the Star Dou Great Forest to find ten-thousand-year-old mounts? The Tianlong Horse, for example, can cultivate to even 100,000 years. Even if you don't aim for one that powerful, just acquiring a ten-thousand-year-old one would make a big difference."
Qian Fenglie's expression grew darker. "We did try. But the Star Dou Great Forest is not so easily navigated. High-intelligence spirit beasts like ten-thousand-year-old horses will never willingly leave the forest. Over the course of seven hundred years, our ancestors attempted multiple expeditions—each one failed. We lost three Soul Douluos and over twenty Soul Saints. The price was too high."
"And even if we caught one, taming it would be another hurdle. It's not worth the risk when we can't guarantee success. Those spirit beasts would rather die than be ridden. And our family can't afford to lose more of our elite forces."
"A mount is everything to a knight," Qian Fenglie said gravely. "It's the key to battle, and the key to cultivation speed. When mounted on a beast over a thousand years old, even a one-ring soul master from our clan can match the cultivation rate of a three-ringed master."
Xiao Qiang nodded again, impressed. "A one-ring soul master cultivating at the rate of a three-ring master… I see. Tell your people to begin packing. We're relocating to the Sun and Moon Empire. I may have a solution to your problem—and it could raise your entire family's strength by one full level."
Qian Fenglie's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious, Palace Master?"
"There's no need for me to lie. Sell off everything—land, assets, valuables—convert it all to cultivation resources. The move will be noisy, but don't worry. I brought enough soul tools to carry everyone. Even a thousand people can travel safely."
"Understood, Palace Master!" Qian Fenglie replied respectfully.
…
Meanwhile, in Qingmu City—
"Your Majesty, we have located the individuals who killed my son and grandson," reported Li Hu, the City Lord of Qingmu, bowing before a man radiating terrifying pressure—Divine Power Douluo, a Titled Douluo from Shrek Academy.
"They're in the territory of the Qianfeng Family. As per your orders, I've contacted the mayors of five major cities and seventeen counties nearby. We can immediately mobilize six Soul Douluos, thirty-seven Soul Saints, and hundreds of Soul Emperors. They won't escape."
The Divine Douluo didn't even glance at him. His gaze remained locked on a nearby cage. "Surround the Qianfeng Family. Assess their attitude. If they resist—destroy them. But bring the culprits back alive. I'll torture them myself, in public, as a lesson to anyone who dares offend Shrek. Now go. I'm in no mood for trifles."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Li Hu bowed again, then paused for a brief, forbidden glance at the cage.
Inside was a stunning woman—silver-haired, blue-eyed—with her limbs bound by a soul-guided restraining device. She radiated icy beauty and quiet defiance, but neither Li Hu nor the Divine Power Douluo looked at her with respect. Their eyes gleamed with something else—greed.
The woman was Su Tong, a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast in human form.
Su Tong had been cautious. She never ventured near Titled Douluo, and after reaching the third ring, she lived discreetly in a small town at the outskirts of Qingmu City, hoping to avoid attention.
Her martial spirit, the Ice and Snow Maiden, was too rare—too pure. In the original history, she only revealed herself after reaching the sixth ring, entering Shrek Academy unnoticed. But this time, things were different.
A Titled Douluo appeared unexpectedly—because of Xiao Qiang.
The city-wide search that followed drove Su Tong into panic. That panic gave her away. Li Hu, a mere Soul Douluo, couldn't tell she was a spirit beast. But Divine Power Douluo could. She was quickly captured and caged.
"I didn't expect such a surprise in this tiny place," the Divine Douluo chuckled. "Once I deal with the fools who defied Shrek, I'll bring you back to the academy. My reputation will soar."
He laughed loudly, eyes glowing with triumph.
"Hahaha! One move, two victories—perfect!"