Chapter 158: The Hidden Tide of Movement
Xiao Hongchen couldn't understand what had happened to his sister. When did her relationship with Xiao Qiang develop to this extent?
They hadn't had much contact over the past year.
His hunch was correct. Ever since Xiao Qiang left, there had been almost no intersection between him and Meng Hongchen. The turning point occurred during the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament a year ago.
During that tournament, Meng Hongchen had been battling Dai Yueheng. Just as she was about to be overwhelmed by the devastating White Tiger Destruction Kill—a powerful soul skill unleashed by the 65th-level White Tiger Soul Emperor from the Assault System—Xiao Qiang's calm and steady voice echoed in her ears.
A moment later, she was pulled behind him, and Xiao Qiang's golden silhouette appeared in front of her, shielding her from the deadly blow.
Not only did he protect her, but he went on to defeat Dai Yueheng head-on. From that moment on, Xiao Qiang's figure—resolute, calm, and unwavering—was etched deeply into Meng Hongchen's heart. It was as if, with him around, even the sky couldn't fall.
That event had shaken her. After returning to the Sun Moon Empire, she had even contemplated confessing her feelings. But just as she was mustering the courage, Xiao Qiang vanished—gone for nearly a year, only returning a few days ago.
After spending a year apart, Meng Hongchen had no intention of letting her brother, Xiao Hongchen, act as a third wheel now.
Once Xiao Qiang explained things to him and handed over the items, Xiao Hongchen realized he no longer had a place here.
"Xiao Qiang, do you have anything else to do?" Meng Hongchen asked after pushing her brother out. She walked toward Xiao Qiang, her tone a mix of interest and shyness.
"There is something," Xiao Qiang said. "I'm looking for books on hammer techniques. Do you happen to know where I might find some, Senior Sister Meng?"
"You're interested in hammer techniques? That's pretty uncommon. Most people don't study them. But I've heard that Bupo Douluo, since he needs to test the defensive power of his Bupo Shield, has befriended quite a few powerful assault-type soul masters and soul engineers. He might have some books related to hammer techniques."
"Bupo Douluo? Got it. Thank you, Senior Sister Meng."
Xiao Qiang bowed slightly and turned to leave the Hongchen family courtyard, leaving Meng Hongchen behind. She stomped her foot in frustration, watching him walk away.
"Stupid Xiao Qiang! Am I not better than some hammer?!"
…
In the spiritual sea, Tian Meng voiced her confusion. "You've trained in swordsmanship all this time. Why would you need hammer techniques now? Your martial soul isn't even a hammer."
"My martial soul may not be a hammer," Xiao Qiang replied calmly, "but it can become one."
"And why the sudden interest?"
"You'll understand when the exchange students from Shrek arrive—and when some people start targeting Mingde Hall."
"Huh?"
…
In a small village on the border between the Sun Moon Empire and the Tianhun Empire, two unusual figures arrived.
One had an unusually large head, the other a massive right arm. Despite their strange appearances, none of the villagers paid them any attention. Clearly, this wasn't their first visit.
The pair made their way directly to the village chief's house. Upon seeing them, the old chief gave a slight bow and respectfully said, "My lords, the sect master is waiting downstairs."
He moved aside a pile of straw and opened a hidden cellar. The two men descended into the dark, passed through a concealed door beneath some stored potatoes, and entered a narrow passage. Though it was cramped at first, the corridor widened as they moved deeper—eventually opening up into a large underground chamber some 20 meters below ground.
Inside stood the leader of the Body Sect—Du Bu Si.
"You're back, Lang Ya, Yu Tao. What news have you brought?" he asked.
Lang Ya, the one with the large head and a brain spirit martial soul, stepped forward. "Sect Master, we have excellent news. We've found the exact location of the soul beast embryo. More importantly, we've confirmed that Xiao Qiang has reappeared at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy."
"Xiao Qiang?" Du Bu Si furrowed his brows, thinking back. It didn't take long for the name to register.
During the All-Continent Tournament, Xiao Qiang's martial soul might have fooled others, but not the Body Sect—experts in body martial souls. The only reason they hadn't acted then was because Jing Hongchen had personally led the team, accompanied by Bupo Douluo and possibly other Rank 9 soul engineers. With only Lang Ya and Yu Tao in the area, there was little they could do.
By the time the information reached him, the tournament was over. Xiao Qiang and the rest had returned to the Sun Moon Empire, and it was too late to pursue them.
The Sun Moon Empire had deployed large numbers of soul engineer troops along the borders. Though the Body Sect wasn't afraid of their army, charging into enemy territory to pick a fight would've been unwise.
Xiao Qiang had to be put on hold—until now.
"Yes… it's time we brought that child back to the Body Sect," Du Bu Si muttered. "Lang Ya, I'll assign him to you during the soul beast embryo mission—"
Mid-sentence, he suddenly paused, his brows furrowed deeper.
"What is it, Sect Master?" Lang Ya asked, confused by the sudden change in tone.
Du Bu Si didn't answer immediately. After a few moments of thought, he turned his gaze toward Lang Ya and Yu Tao. "You said that Xiao Qiang defeated a Six-Ring Soul Emperor while only at the Five-Ring Soul King level? And this was before his second martial soul awakened?"
"Yes, Sect Master. We saw it ourselves. The soul emperor he defeated was none other than the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke, Dai Yueheng. After that battle, Dai Yueheng lost the will to fight. Word is he's still bedridden in the capital of the Xingluo Empire."
Du Bu Si nodded slightly, his tone cautious.
"Lang Ya, focus on the original task. As for Xiao Qiang… Tian Ye!"
"I'm here, Sect Master," came a deep voice.
A middle-aged man stepped out from the shadows, his aura far surpassing that of Lang Ya. It was the Soul Douluo, Tian Ye.
"Tian Ye, I'm assigning Xiao Qiang to you. Bring him back to the Body Sect. No mistakes allowed."
"Yes, Sect Master," Tian Ye responded firmly.
Lang Ya, however, was puzzled. "Sect Master, is that really necessary? Xiao Qiang may be talented, but he's only sixteen. Even if he defeated a Six-Ring Soul Emperor last year, at most, he's now a Seven-Ring Soul Sage. Either Yu Tao or I should be enough. Isn't it overkill to send Brother Tian Ye?"
"Hmph, what do you know?" Du Bu Si snapped. "He has a body martial soul—and twin martial souls on top of that. I want certainty, not adequacy. What if his strength surged over the past year and he's now nearing Soul Douluo level? Don't forget—he hasn't even fully awakened his body martial soul yet. And no one understands the potential of that power better than us."
Lang Ya and Yu Tao were silenced.
Du Bu Si's eyes gleamed with a cold light.
"This time, there will be no room for mistakes."