Chapter 165: The Calm Before the Bombs
"You wait… um!"
Before Ling Luochen and Ning Tian could react, Xiao Qiang had already used his "memory erasure method" on them.
In an instant, both girls fell into a deep sleep—peaceful and innocent, like babies drifting into a blissful nap.
"You're quick. But do you really think just knocking them out will erase their memories?" Meng Hongchen asked, raising an eyebrow. Her memory, notably, was left untouched.
"Don't worry. I'm confident in the results."
Of course, the so-called "physical memory erasure method" was just a cover. Xiao Qiang knew a brick couldn't precisely erase someone's memories, no matter how well-aimed. But through a fusion of mental interference and psychological suggestion, he could indeed manipulate specific memory retention—selectively dulling what he didn't want them to recall.
After Ling Luochen and Ning Tian woke up, Xiao Qiang casually made up a story to brush off their confusion. With a few convincing words, he led them away—ending the incident neatly and quietly.
...…
A Secret Room Beneath Mingde Hall
After checking in on Xiao Qiang's progress, Jing Hongchen made his way alone to the sealed chamber below.
In the middle of the dimly lit room stood a sturdy rectangular metal column about 1.5 meters high. Atop it rested a wooden tray inlaid with various gemstones that shimmered faintly under the light.
Suspended above the tray was a small swirling mass of white mist—its motion fluid yet tense, condensed and unyielding despite its struggle. It pulsed as if attempting to escape, occasionally clashing against a golden light shield that extended from the tray, locking it in place.
Jing Hongchen gazed at it in silence for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Stop struggling. It's pointless. No one will hear your screams, not even if you cry out your soul."
His eyes reflected a glint of triumph as he looked upon the soul beast embryo—the ultimate treasure he'd obtained for Xiao Hongchen.
This was no ordinary item. Jing Hongchen had spent a fortune acquiring this 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo from the Xingguang Auction House, intending to preserve it for when Xiao Hongchen reached Rank 90. At that point, the embryo would serve as a perfect soul ring, soul bone, and potentially even a second martial soul—catalyzing a transformation in his grandson's power.
He could feel the resistance coming from within the embryo, its rage and defiance palpable.
Jing Hongchen chuckled. "I know exactly what the Xingluo Empire's auction house was trying to pull. Selling this embryo to me was meant to stir trouble, make me second-guess myself, and draw attention to the Conferred God Platform—luring powerful enemies to attack Mingde Hall."
"But so what?" he asked rhetorically, his smile widening. "Let them come. If anything, this is a great stress test for my Hall's defenses. My students and instructors have grown complacent. A little pressure is healthy."
What the enemies didn't know was that Mingde Hall's defenses were unlike any other. Situated a hundred meters underground, reinforced by more than a dozen level-nine defensive soul guides, it could withstand even the fury of a Super Douluo. Jing Hongchen was supremely confident: unless at least three of the continent's Five National Protectors launched a combined attack, no force could possibly break through.
"In the end," he continued, "their plan backfired. They underestimated the value of what they sold. You're not just a 100,000-year embryo, are you?"
The air flow quivered more violently.
"You're at least 199,999 years old. You transformed into an embryo because you couldn't survive the next heavenly tribulation."
His smile twisted into a sneer. "They thought they outwitted me. But I've gained the most. A 100,000-year soul ring and bone can elevate someone to Rank 95 Super Douluo. So what about one nearly 200,000 years old?"
Jing Hongchen's eyes gleamed with ambition. "With your strength, plus the possibility of a second martial soul… my Hongchen family will soon have two unparalleled geniuses—Xiao Qiang and Xiao Hongchen."
"All thanks to those idiots in Xingluo… and you."
The embryo surged wildly in protest, clashing against the golden shield with renewed fury. But the light held firm, steady and unwavering.
"Relax. You still have a decade or so to 'enjoy' yourself before my grandson is ready," he added coldly.
As if in resignation, the swirling mist gradually settled, the struggle fading into eerie stillness.
...…
"Teacher, don't you think Mingde Hall's defenses are a bit too… relaxed?" Xiao Qiang asked half a year later. He had been observing for a while and couldn't shake the sense of unease. "If a real fight breaks out, I'm afraid something serious might happen."
Jing Hongchen burst out laughing.
"You still don't understand the true strength of level-nine soul tools," he said with confidence. "Mingde Hall has over twenty ninth-level defensive soul guides. Whether it's Shrek or the Body Sect, neither can break through our defenses."
He raised a brow as if daring Xiao Qiang to refute him. "My Hall can produce twenty defensive soul tools comparable to Title Douluo. Can they bring twenty Title Douluos who are capable of breaking through those defenses?"
"Even if you searched every corner of the Douluo Continent, you wouldn't find twenty such experts."
"In both quality and quantity, our defense reigns supreme. There's no reason to worry."
Xiao Qiang simply nodded. "As long as you have it under control."
He had done what he came to do: deliver a reminder. He didn't expect to persuade Jing Hongchen to enhance defenses—just to plant a seed of caution.
He already had plans in motion. With his own influence, the losses the Body Sect would suffer wouldn't be too severe. In fact, this coming conflict could serve as a wake-up call for Jing Hongchen. After all, Xiao Qiang needed leverage to bring up a more sensitive issue later: the stockpile of bombs buried beneath the academy.
Those very bombs were the true cause behind the eventual fall of the Hongchen family.
Just as Jing Hongchen basked in his confidence, certain his fortress was unassailable—
BOOM!
An earth-shaking explosion echoed from the depths of the underground research lab within Mingde Hall.
A voice roared from the shadows.
"Haotian Sect is here! Anyone who wants to live—get out of the way!"