Chapter 136: The Awakening Method Is the Xuanming Sect’s Inheritance Secret, the Foundation of Our Sect!

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"Who goes there?" 

Su Yu and Huo Yuhao had entered the Xuanming Sect but were stopped by a steward, who demanded to know their identities. 

"We're here to see your sect master. We have an important matter to discuss," Su Yu replied calmly. 

The steward was about to lose his temper, thinking to himself, Who do they think they are to demand an audience with the sect master so casually? 

However, Su Yu released a faint trace of his soul power. 

He deliberately restrained his soul power to the level of a Soul King. 

The steward himself was merely a Soul King. 

Even so, the steward's dismissive attitude vanished. 

Why? Because Su Yu was far younger than him. The steward, nearing forty, was a Soul King, while Su Yu, a mere teenager, had already reached the same level. The two were worlds apart. 

Su Yu's prowess, even at his age, placed him on par with the Xuanming Sect's young master and a handful of core disciples. 

No matter which force Su Yu represented, being sent directly to negotiate indicated that this matter was no trivial issue. 

Thus, the steward adjusted his attitude and led Su Yu and Huo Yuhao to the sect master's hall. 

"These two claim to have an important matter to discuss and wish to meet with the sect master," the steward announced. 

With a thread of soul power, he conveyed that Su Yu was a Soul King. 

The guards stationed outside the sect master's hall scrutinized Su Yu and Huo Yuhao carefully. 

"I believe matters of identity can be discussed once we meet your sect master," Su Yu said calmly. 

"Let them in." 

A dignified voice echoed from within the hall. 

"Go on," the guard said, gesturing for them to enter. 

Su Yu led Huo Yuhao into the hall as the massive doors closed behind them. 

"You are quite talented, young man," said a stern middle-aged man seated at the head of the hall. He put down the book in his hand and gazed at Su Yu. 

Su Yu immediately noticed the man's imposing aura—his soul power was at the level of a Soul Douluo, around eighty or so. 

That was Su Yu's first impression. 

"Such a young age, yet you've already reached the Soul Saint level," the man, Xu Yang, thought to himself, clearly shocked. 

This young Soul Saint's soul power was far denser than that of an average Soul Saint and even rivaled that of some Soul Douluo. 

Moreover, Xu Yang sensed something extraordinary about Su Yu's soul power—it contained an even stronger energy than his own. 

This was the effect of Su Yu's soul core. 

By condensing a soul core, Su Yu had compressed his previously liquid soul power into a solid state, elevating its quality to a level close to that of a Titled Douluo. 

Xu Yang had already sensed Su Yu's and Huo Yuhao's presence when they approached the hall. Su Yu, in turn, intentionally revealed a hint of his true power, which granted them passage. 

As for the risk of an ambush, Xu Yang had no concern. 

As the sect master of the Xuanming Sect and the father of Xu Sanshi, his martial soul was the awakened Xuanwu Turtle. At level 88, his defensive capabilities were on par with those of a Titled Douluo, and several of his soul skills had unique effects. A single Soul Saint was far from enough to pose a fatal threat to him. 

"Your praise is too kind, Sect Master Xu," Su Yu said, accepting the compliment with composure. 

At sixteen, Su Yu's status as a Soul Saint was indeed well-deserved. 

Xu Yang's gaze shifted to Huo Yuhao, standing at Su Yu's side. Although Huo Yuhao's soul power was far inferior to Su Yu's, he was even younger and had already reached the mid-level Soul Ancestor rank. This placed him on par with Xu Yang's long-lost prodigy son. 

Furthermore, Huo Yuhao's soul power was remarkably refined, showing no signs of enhancement through artificial means. 

Two such extraordinary talents arriving at the Xuanming Sect—what could their purpose possibly be? 

Xu Yang felt a vague premonition that this matter would have a profound impact on the entire Xuanming Sect. 

"Before I explain our origins and purpose, I hope Sect Master Xu won't mind if I make some preparations," Su Yu said calmly. 

As he spoke, a fist-sized metallic sphere appeared in Su Yu's hand. He infused it with soul power, and immediately, a barrier expanded outward, enveloping the entire hall. 

"This is an isolation barrier," Su Yu explained. 

Xu Yang narrowed his eyes at Su Yu, watching his every move. 

This young man had an unclear background, and allowing him entry was already a significant concession. Now, he had the audacity to activate an isolation barrier inside the sect master's hall without permission. 

"I am Su Yu from Sun-Moon Hall." 

"And I am Huo Yuhao, also from Sun-Moon Hall," Huo Yuhao added. 

The two of them revealed their affiliations one after the other. 

Xu Yang's expression turned from shock to anger. He shot to his feet, soul power surging as he assessed the situation. 

Sun-Moon Hall? Su Yu? 

Both names carried significant weight in his mind. 

Because Xu Sanshi had participated in the last Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Dueling Competition, the Xuanming Sect had sent people to Star Luo City to observe the tournament. 

The name Su Yu had naturally circulated within the Xuanming Sect as a result. 

Unfortunately, during that competition, the Xuanming Sect's representatives hadn't managed to meet Xu Sanshi. When they later inquired with Shrek Academy, the academy eventually yielded under repeated questioning and revealed the unfortunate incident that had occurred. 

The Xuanming Sect had invested considerable effort in searching for Xu Sanshi afterward, but their efforts yielded no results. 

As the sect master and Xu Sanshi's father, Xu Yang harbored deep resentment toward Shrek Academy for their failure. 

Yet, there was nothing he could do. 

Xu Sanshi—the so-called "Death Envoy"—had become the target of an extensive search by the Xuanming Sect. 

However, after three years, not even a single clue had surfaced. 

"Su Yu, instead of staying in the Sun Moon Empire, you've dared to venture deep into the three Douluo nations, arriving in my Douling Empire and even infiltrating my Xuanming Sect. Do you truly think we can't do anything to you?" Xu Yang's voice was cold as his Soul Douluo-level aura erupted fully. 

Su Yu, unfazed by the oppressive soul power, smiled calmly. "Sect Master Xu must be joking. Since I've come to the Xuanming Sect, I naturally have a reason for being here. If I'm not mistaken, your young master, a student of Shrek Academy, Xu Sanshi, was abducted by a so-called Death Envoy, an evil soul master, right before the Soul Dueling Competition?" 

Xu Yang's heart trembled. 

"As expected! Sun-Moon Hall is colluding with evil soul masters!" he growled through clenched teeth. 

Su Yu shook his head and replied, "Sect Master Xu, please don't malign Sun-Moon Hall. During the competition journey, my teacher happened to encounter that Death Envoy. After eliminating him, we brought your son back, which is how we learned about the incident involving Shrek Academy." 

"If you saved Sanshi, why didn't you release him?" 

"Sect Master Xu must be joking. He had been captured by an evil soul master for some time. Do you really think we'd dare release someone who might have been contaminated by an evil soul master, potentially endangering the entire continent?" Su Yu responded with a cold smirk. 

Xu Yang's face darkened. 

Although Su Yu's words carried a tone of ridicule, they were also a veiled declaration of leverage. 

The implication was clear: not only did they have Xu Sanshi in their hands, but they also held the Xuanming Sect's reputation hostage. 

The young master of the Xuanming Sect had been abducted by an evil soul master, possibly corrupted, and could turn into an evil soul master at any moment. 

And if today's negotiations failed to satisfy Su Yu, this possibility might become a certainty. Xu Sanshi could very well become an evil soul master. 

Xu Yang took a deep breath to calm himself. 

"What does Sun-Moon Hall want?" he asked coldly. 

"Sect Master Xu, you must be joking. Sun-Moon Hall doesn't intend to cause trouble. We merely seek to establish some cooperation between us. I even brought Yuhao, a direct disciple of the Sun-Moon Hall Master, as a gesture of sincerity. Is that still not enough?" Su Yu said with a calm smile. 

Xu Yang glanced at Huo Yuhao, his teeth clenching slightly as he responded, "Oh, it certainly is sincere." 

He furrowed his brow, considering the possibility of using these two as leverage to force Sun-Moon Hall into releasing his son. 

A disciple of Kong Deming, the most brilliant talent of the Sun Moon Empire, and a disciple of Jing Hongchen, another genius of extraordinary potential—these two were undoubtedly valuable bargaining chips. 

However, Xu Yang quickly dismissed the thought. The Xuanming Sect lacked the capacity for such bold moves. 

Though it was the most powerful sect in the Douling Empire, within the greater context of the continent, it could only be classified as a first-rate force—not a superpower. 

Compared to entities like the Body Sect, Sun-Moon Hall, or Shrek Academy, the gap was insurmountable. 

"Sect Master Xu, I hope you're not entertaining any unwise ideas," Su Yu remarked with a faint smile as his soul power surged outward, directly confronting Xu Yang's aura. 

Even without the amplification of battle armor, Su Yu's Soul Saint-level soul power was fully on par with Xu Yang's. While his overall energy reserve was slightly less, his soul power's quality was significantly superior. 

If Su Yu were to equip high-grade battle armor, he would completely overpower Xu Yang. With the existence of his soul core, he could even bridge the gap between himself and a typical Titled Douluo, enabling him to suppress them with his foundation. 

Xu Yang's heart trembled. 

What terrifying pressure! This intensity is almost equal to my own as an eighty-eighth-level Soul Douluo! 

A trace of apprehension appeared in Xu Yang's gaze. 

With Su Yu's strength, his confidence was justified. Even here in the Xuanming Sect's main base, where an actual Titled Douluo-level elder resided, Xu Yang couldn't guarantee they could restrain Su Yu. 

After all, Sun-Moon Hall was renowned for its exceptional soul tools. 

Su Yu's oppressive aura alone carried such weight. Based on his performance in the Soul Dueling Competition, his combat strength likely matched his soul power perfectly, and his mastery over soul tools was undoubtedly unparalleled. 

Xu Yang even suspected that Su Yu had brought a soul cannon—perhaps a ninth-level soul cannon—or possibly fixed-installation soul tool ammunition, ready for use at any moment. 

"What exactly does Sun-Moon Hall want?" Xu Yang asked in a deep voice. "Xu Sanshi is just a child. State your conditions, and we will do our best to meet them." 

Su Yu shook his head with a faint smirk. "Sect Master Xu, have you still not grasped the situation?" 

"The unification of the continent under the Sun Moon Empire is inevitable. Does the Xuanming Sect still not see that?" 

Xu Yang responded with a cold laugh, though there was a hint of sorrow in his heart. 

Of course, I see it. But what choice do we have but to resist? 

"Sect Master Xu, the Sun Moon Empire's unification of the continent is not about annihilating the people of the three Douluo nations. 

"Unification is about development. Aside from the battlefield, the Sun Moon Empire will not oppress or slaughter the citizens of cities from the former Douluo nations. 

"As for the original forces of the three nations, only those who actively resist the Sun Moon Empire will face consequences. 

"For sects like yours, the key is inheritance, is it not? Surely, Sect Master Xu, you can understand this point." 

He spoke plainly. All talk of loyalty to an empire boiled down to a matter of interests. 

"Additionally, I think you already understand whether Xu Sanshi can return and when he might return." 

"And besides," Su Yu added with a meaningful glance, "Sun-Moon Hall isn't asking the Xuanming Sect to betray the three Douluo nations. After all, losing your young master and retreating into seclusion for twenty or thirty years would be perfectly reasonable, wouldn't it?" 

Su Yu's words struck blow after blow against Xu Yang's psychological defenses. 

Especially the last remark—it was practically a direct presentation of Sun-Moon Hall's terms. 

"We don't expect you to work with us covertly, but after today, the Xuanming Sect must retreat from the world and refrain from participating in any future wars." 

As the largest sect in the Douling Empire, if the Xuanming Sect were to go into seclusion, it would significantly reduce the resistance in the Tianling Empire. 

Furthermore, the Tianling Empire itself was unstable. If Su Yu remembered correctly, the Douling Empire's political situation wasn't very secure either. The royal family was rife with internal conflict, and the various princes were always vying for power. 

Especially if the Xuanming Sect withdrew from the affairs of the Douling Empire entirely. 

Xu Yang understood these points, but if he had to be honest, this was the wisest course of action. It would be the best direction for the future of the sect. 

And it was a perfectly reasonable excuse. 

Given that the young sect master had met with an unfortunate incident, it was completely justifiable for the Xuanming Sect to cultivate a new successor in seclusion for a period. 

"Of course, the two of us have an additional purpose for coming here today," Su Yu said. 

"Speak!" Xu Yang was already pondering the possibility of seclusion for the sect when Su Yu's words pulled him back into focus. He wanted to hear what else they were asking for. 

"The method of awakening the Xuanming Turtle martial soul into the Xuanwu martial soul." 

"What did you say?!" 

Xu Yang, who had been lost in thought about the sect's future, snapped back to attention and stared at Su Yu, disbelief written on his face. 

"Do you not know? This is our sect's ultimate secret, the very foundation of our establishment!" 

Su Yu smiled. 

I understand. It's going to cost more. 

"It seems that no native of the Douluo Three Kingdoms has reached the level of a ninth-level soul engineer yet. I wonder if this technique could be exchanged for the method to awaken your martial soul?" 

The ninth-level soul engineer had long been a bottleneck for the talents of the Douluo Three Kingdoms, preventing them from advancing beyond the eighth level. 

This technique, however, was firmly in the hands of the Sun Moon Empire. 

Su Yu, however, wasn't overly concerned. 

After all, his teacher Kong Deming had already begun working on tenth-level soul tools. A mere ninth-level technique was insignificant, just a small token he could offer to the Xuanming Sect. 

Xu Tianluo had already shared the ninth-level soul tool technology with the Holy Spirit Sect, so Su Yu had nothing to worry about. 

Even if they traded the method for the Xuanwu martial soul, the Xuanming Sect couldn't easily spread that technique. 

In fact, even if the Xuanming Sect did publicize it, the technological development of soul tools in the Douluo Three Kingdoms would be far too slow to pose any real threat to the Sun Moon Empire. 

If Shrek were to obtain a lot of Sun-Moon Hall's technology, and then acquire this ninth-level soul tool technique, perhaps they could achieve some progress before the outbreak of war. After all, there was no shortage of geniuses in the world, and even without Xuan Ziwen, someone else could emerge. 

But Shrek had not been able to obtain Sun-Moon Hall's technology. 

The mere ability to craft ninth-level soul tools would raise the ceiling for soul engineers, but it would not allow for further innovation or development. 

The foundational knowledge was simply not complete. 

To take it even further, even if a prodigy in the Douluo Three Kingdoms were to perfect the ninth-level soul tool theory, they still couldn't catch up to Sun-Moon Hall. 

Have you heard of fusion-style soul tool technology? 

Also, you probably haven't heard of the battle armor system, have you? 

For the Xuanming Sect, the value of the ninth-level soul tool technique was entirely different. 

If the Xuanming Sect agreed to Su Yu's earlier proposal and went into seclusion, they wouldn't need to worry about the Sun Moon Empire. They could focus on cultivating their own ninth-level soul engineers and profit immensely. 

Using the period of seclusion to train their soul engineers, and then re-emerging, the Xuanming Sect would have lost nothing and gained significant development. 

When the Sun Moon Empire completed its unification and no longer imposed technological blockades, the Xuanming Sect would be able to catch up, equipped with their own ninth-level soul engineers and access to Sun Moon technologies. 

Of course, all of this depended on whether the Xuanming Sect would accept the proposal to go into seclusion. 

(End of chapter)