Chapter 117: The Silver Moon Legacy
"Does anyone know? Your teacher?" Tian Meng asked curiously as Xiao Qiang mentioned someone might know the location of the evil soul masters.
"He probably does," Xiao Qiang replied slowly. "But if he tries to investigate in detail, it will likely alert the higher-ups in the Holy Spirit Church. Angel Martial Souls are taboo in the current Sun Moon Empire. Although I'm not particularly afraid of those high-ranking evil soul masters, it's not worth offending them right now. So, I'm not considering him."
With the Snow Queen's protection, Xiao Qiang could escape even if he ventured into the Evil Demon Forest to find the Holy Spirit Church. However, since his goal was only to break through to the sixtieth rank, there was no need to take such risks.
"Forget it then," Tian Meng said lightly. "As long as you're sure about your decision. Now, about the advanced application of space power—let me take a look."
After handing Tian Meng the research notes on the advanced application of space power, Xiao Qiang made his way to the archives of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy.
Originally, he planned to look up Nana's records. Based on the timeline, she should have already enrolled at the Academy, so a quick search through the database should suffice.
However, just as he arrived at the archives, his soul guide communicator rang—it was Jing Hongchen, summoning him to his office.
Xiao Qiang entered the office and was surprised to find another old man sitting beside Jing Hongchen.
"What's the matter, Teacher?" Xiao Qiang asked, before glancing curiously at the unfamiliar elder. "Teacher… who is this?"
Seeing Jing Hongchen acting somewhat reserved in the presence of the old man, Xiao Qiang had already begun to guess the man's identity.
"This is Master Kong, the true pillar of the Sun Moon Empire… and also your master," Jing Hongchen introduced respectfully.
Xiao Qiang stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Junior Xiao Qiang greets Master Kong."
Master Kong gave him a once-over, nodded in approval, and gestured for him to sit. "Extreme Ice Martial Soul, soul power at level 56 at the age of 15, and no traces of artificial enhancement in your body. Coupled with your talent in soul tools, even I wasn't this gifted in my youth."
Jing Hongchen's eyes widened at that statement.
He had known Xiao Qiang had reached level 50 and obtained his fifth soul ring, but six levels of improvement at once? And with a martial soul like Extreme Ice, known for its highly condensed soul power?
It was unheard of. Wasn't it said that cultivation for ultimate martial souls was incredibly slow? Yet Xiao Qiang's pace had surpassed even his grandson's, and that boy had been on drugs for years.
"Master, you flatter me. It was just a stroke of luck," Xiao Qiang responded modestly.
"No need to be humble," Master Kong said with a gentle smile. "Your talent is real. You have twin martial souls—both ultimate martial souls and top-tier original ones. I never imagined our Sun Moon Empire would one day produce a genius of your caliber."
He then explained, "For ultimate martial souls, soul power begins condensing significantly after rank 30. This leads to high concentration, so there are no real bottlenecks during cultivation. However, the downside is that cultivation becomes extremely slow. Yet, this doesn't seem to apply to you. Not even Shrek Academy has seen someone with both fast cultivation and high soul power concentration like this."
"I was lucky," Xiao Qiang repeated, "and the teacher's guidance helped a lot. I also encountered a few fortuitous opportunities."
Master Kong nodded approvingly. "High talent and good fortune. Very good."
After secretly scanning Xiao Qiang with a soul guide, Master Kong grew even more satisfied. His age, talent, and strength—combined with the fact that he was born in the Sun Moon Empire—meant that Xiao Qiang was almost certainly the future pillar of their nation.
Master Kong then took out two items. "These are for you. This token represents me. With it, you can directly mobilize the army and the ninth-level soul engineers of the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Worship Hall."
Then, his hand lingered reluctantly on the second item—a soul guide.
Jing Hongchen's eyes widened the moment he saw it. "Teacher… is that the Silver Moon God Light Shield?! You don't have to give that away! Besides, Xiao Qiang probably can't use it yet!"
Unlike Jing Hongchen's Red Dust Blessing, the Silver Moon God Light Shield was the only soul guide that Kong Deming had personally developed after reaching the age of 100. It was both offensive and defensive and considered one of the top soul guides in the entire Sun Moon Empire.
"I've made a few modifications," Kong Deming explained. "Now, even lower-level soul masters can use it like a high-grade soul guide. Alternatively, once it's charged with moonlight or my soul power, it functions as a ninth-level fixed-installation soul guide."
"Grandmaster… this is too valuable," Xiao Qiang said with some hesitation.
He couldn't yet see the full capabilities of this ninth-level soul guide, but judging from Kong Deming's title—Silver Moon—and the nature of the device, Xiao Qiang could confidently say this was the prototype of a tenth-level soul guide.
With Jing Hongchen's shocked reaction, he didn't need to guess anymore—it was a certainty.
Kong Deming smiled. "Yes, it's precious. If I wanted to make another, it would take me several months, maybe even a year. But giving it to you is worth it."
"Not just because you're the greatest genius in the history of the Sun Moon Empire… but also because you brought Zhang Lexuan back."
The mention of Zhang Lexuan made Xiao Qiang pause. A thought occurred to him.
"Grandmaster, your martial soul and Zhang Lexuan's are both moon-based. Could it be…?"
Kong Deming nodded slightly. "Both the Sun Martial Soul and the Moon Martial Soul are direct bloodlines of the Sun Moon Imperial Family. They didn't originate from the three great empires of the Douluo Continent. Those with these martial souls all descend from our Sun Moon Empire."
He continued with a far-off look in his eyes. "Thirty-seven years ago, my most gifted granddaughter fell in love with a minor noble from the Heavenly Soul Empire. As vassals of the imperial family, we couldn't accept their union. But in the end, she defied her family and eloped with that man—his surname was Zhang."
"Though I remain the number one figure in the Sun Moon Empire, there's been no one in my family capable of taking up the mantle… until now. And then you brought Zhang Lexuan back."
He turned to Jing Hongchen. "Little Mirror, do you think this child is worthy of my Silver Moon God Light Shield?"
Jing Hongchen bent down without hesitation. "He is more than worthy."
Xiao Qiang: "…"
He barely managed to hold back a laugh.