After talking with Gui Qi for a bit, Xiang Shaoyun found out that the stronger a ghostrune was, the faster the ghostrune would be able to breed. For example, a ghostrune queen could give birth to about a dozen ghostrunes per day, whereas a ghostrune empress could give birth to over 100 ghostrunes per day. After one month, a large number of new ghostrunes could be created.
But doing so would also exhaust some of the bloodline strength of the female ghostrunes and would slow their advancement. In short, the ghostrune was an extremely peculiar race that was incredibly odd compared to other races.
Since their current focus was strength, they would have to first reduce their numbers to increase their strength. Breeding was never something they were worried about. As for the nether soul energy within the Nether Soul Domain, it would grow along with Xiang Shaoyun.
In fact, the only reason Gui Qi had become an Emperor was because he had benefited from Xiang Shaoyun's breakthrough into the Skysoar Realm. His Nether Soul Domain had expanded, and the nether soul energy had become thicker, further increasing the speed at which the ghostrunes could grow.
Xiang Shaoyun even started wondering if the ghostrunes had a unique relationship with the Imperial Nether Clan. Otherwise, why would the ghostrunes be akin to fish back in water in the Nether Soul Domain, living such a good life? In fact, he no longer needed to worry about finding a place to keep them. He had enough space in his Nether Soul Domain for all of them now.
"With your current soul power, how strong is your attack?" Xiang Shaoyun asked. Ghostrune kings were able to launch direct attacks at anyone's soul. What about a ghostrune emperor?
Gui Qi laughed sinisterly and said, "I can instantly kill any life forms with a soul and consume their soul to grow myself. Of course, that is on the basis that my target is not too strong. On top of that, I can also take control of weaker souls and make them do whatever I want."
"I see." Xiang Shaoyun's eyes lit up. "With your current living environment, how many more Emperors will appear among you?"
"Soon, we will have at least 5 Emperors and 300 Kings. If the nether soul energy grows in both quantity and density, we can even breakthrough alongside you," said Gui Qi.
"Good. I don't care how you do it, but grow as quickly as you can. I will be needing your assistance in the future," said Xiang Shaoyun in excitement.
The changes of the ghostrunes had filled Xiang Shaoyun with hope that he could one day take back all he had lost. Soul attacks were extremely hard to guard against, and most regular people would have no means of defending against them.
Because of that, if the ghostrunes continued to grow, they would become a force to be reckoned with. In the past, he had always been aiming to retake what was once his through sheer stubbornness, using that as a source of motivation to keep himself working hard. In truth, he never had much confidence in succeeding.
Although he had constantly bragged that he was a super genius, he had no confidence he could reach the Sovereign Realm or beyond in 10 years. Taking everything back was definitely easier said than done.
But now, things were different. With an army of ghostrunes, his confidence had been boosted, and he now had the assistance of the likes of Devouring Ghost and Du Xuanhao. Everything was progressing smoothly, and taking back what was his no longer seemed so impossible.
After talking a bit more about the ghostrunes, Xiang Shaoyun sent Gui Qi back into the Nether Soul Domain.
"Looks like I need to think of a way to expand the Nether Soul Domain," Xiang Shaoyun decided.
From his conversation with Gui Qi, he was now clear that the growth of his Nether Soul Domain would be the equivalent of the growth of the ghostrunes. Thus, there was a need for him to take it seriously.
By the time Xiang Shaoyun ended his cultivation session, the Dong Clan people were returning in triumph. Dong Qinggu, Dong Zhongyuan, Dong Zhuoyue, and the other Dong Clan Emperors convened a meeting between the higher ups. Xiang Shaoyun, Devouring Ghost, and Du Xuanhao were also invited to the meeting.
In the meeting hall, Xiang Shaoyun was welcomed with the highest honors they could accord him. This welcoming ceremony was completely different from their previous welcoming ceremony. This time, the people from the Dong Clan were no longer gloomy. Rather, they were smiling with joy.
Dong Qinggu was the first to speak, "On behalf of the Dong Clan, I would like to thank Young Master Xiang and the two friends for your assistance. Our Dong Clan would not have survived this crisis otherwise."
He then bowed before Xiang Shaoyun. The other Dong Clan members also bowed without delay. The people gathered in this room were basically all Emperors, people of the most esteemed stature in the Five Denseforest Cities. Here they were, all bowing to a third-stage King like Xiang Shaoyun. If someone else saw this scene, they would mistake it for a declaration of allegiance. It was definitely shocking.
Xiang Shaoyun was overwhelmed, and he quickly said, "There is no need for this, everyone. How can I accept such honor?"
Dong Qinggu stood straight up and took out a storage ring before saying, "Young Master Xiang, this is a little gift from the Dong Clan to show our gratitude. Please accept it."
Xiang Shaoyun hesitated slightly before accepting the ring. He said, "This kid shall accept it, then."
"Haha, you deserve it, Young Master Xiang. I hereby declare that Young Master Xiang will forever be the honored guest of the Dong Clan. In the future, any Dong Clan member seeing you will have to accord you the greatest of honors," said Dong Qinggu.
The other Dong Clan people voiced their agreement, making it clear they would comply. After Xiang Shaoyun sat down, Devouring Ghost and Du Xuanhao remained standing behind him. The Dong Clan people noticed that detail and their opinion of Xiang Shaoyun grew even more.
At this time, Dong Zhongyuan signaled Dong Zhuoyue with his eyes. Dong Zhuoyue understood what he was getting at and immediately smiled at Xiang Shaoyun. "Young Master Xiang, we know that you have only helped us because of Little Wan. Now that our clan has survived this crisis safely, if you are willing, I'll be making the decision to betroth Little Wan to you. What do you think?"
The moment he said that, all the Dong Clan people focused on Xiang Shaoyun, their eyes filled with hope and expectation as they waited for his answer.
Xiang Shaoyun blanked out slightly before frowning. "Dong Clan leader, I think you have misunderstood something. We are only friends. I helped her out of my free will and have never expected anything in return. I appreciate the offer, but I don't think it will be necessary."
"Little Wan does like you a lot. I am certain of that. Is our Little Wan not good enough for you, Young Master Xiang?" Dong Zhuoyue asked.
Dong Zhuoyue was afraid that Xiang Shaoyun would think he was forcing the marriage, so he had to explain himself.
With a firm tone, Xiang Shaoyun answered, "It's not that she is not good enough for me, but I have always seen her as a good friend and have never thought about anything else. In any case, I have a mission to accomplish. If you betroth Little Wan to me, it might bring destruction to your clan in the future. Therefore, do not mention this again. Since the Dong Clan's crisis is over, I will also be taking my leave. Goodbye."
The Dong Clan people were instantly stunned.