"I did it!"
As soon as he sensed the crystal-clear, egg-sized Soul Core condensed in his dantian, Ye Yu opened his eyes, his handsome face beaming with excitement.
He couldn't help but look to the sky and burst into laughter—so overwhelmed that his eyes welled up.
It had been nearly six years since he graduated from Nuoding Academy at age eleven, strapped a basket to his back, and ventured into the mountains alone—risking his life to search for the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin, and her right leg bone.
And now, at last, he had gained the power to truly protect himself in this world.
Having successfully condensed a Soul Core, Ye Yu had achieved the equivalent of a Titled Douluo's soul power—while still only being at the Soul King stage.
And his physical body, having undergone enhancements from the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, the Ice and Fire Body Tempering, and the Thunder Tempering, had likewise reached the level of a Titled Douluo.
It was true that he still had only five soul rings—adding a sixth would still only give him six soul skills.
That meant he was still three skills short of a full-fledged Titled Douluo, including the vital Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul True Body.
But his martial soul had undergone three evolutions—transforming from ordinary Blue Silver Grass into the Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree—and he had chosen the optimal path: layering plant-type, life-attributed spirit rings.
On top of that, he possessed powerful soul bones, external soul bones, and several self-created soul skills.
So Ye Yu was absolutely confident:
His current strength would not be inferior to any Titled Douluo—rings or no rings.
Having finished absorbing the medicinal power of the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, and successfully formed his Soul Core—Ye Yu had officially broken through to Rank 60.
It was time to come out of seclusion.
This time, Ye Yu did not activate his self-created soul skills Thunder Magnetic Armor or Thunder Burst Step, nor did he use the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone's flight skill.
Instead, he simply activated the power of the Soul Core.
After forming the Soul Core through extreme compression, Ye Yu realized that it emitted an invisible energy field—one that could repel gravity and enable flight.
With the Soul Core's energy field activated, Ye Yu donned a black robe and soared into the sky.
Then he layered on Thunder Magnetic Armor, Thunder Burst Step, and the Blue Silver Emperor's flight skill—electromagnetically propelling himself forward.
What followed was pure speed.
In only ten minutes, Ye Yu flew from the depths of the Sunset Forest all the way back to Heaven Dou City.
"Xiaoyu, you're out of seclusion?"
At the Dugu Estate, Dugu Bo was surprised to see Ye Yu return so soon.
"Weren't you still compressing your soul power, working on that Soul Core technique?"
"Did you succeed?"
"Of course."
Ye Yu smiled calmly, and in front of Dugu Bo, activated the Soul Core's energy field and rose into the air.
"I've already formed the Soul Core. My soul power and physical strength are now at Titled Douluo level."
"You could say I'm basically a Titled Douluo without nine soul rings."
"Good! Excellent!"
Dugu Bo laughed heartily, delighted.
After all, Ye Yu was still just a Soul King.
And yet he had already reached the physical and soul power level of a Titled Douluo.
If this was what he was like now... what would he be like when he actually reached the Titled Douluo stage?
Dugu Bo couldn't even begin to imagine.
"Ye Yu, what level are you now?"
"Sixtieth rank."
"Then let's head to the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan."
"We'll ask Patriarch Ye and Brother Ling if they know of any suitable plant-type soul beasts for your next ring."
At the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan's estate.
Dugu Bo brought Ye Yu directly to the residence of Ye Lingling's family.
"Patriarch Ye, Brother Ling!"
"Ye Yu has broken through to Rank 60. Do you have any powerful plant-type soul beasts available? The higher the age, the better!"
"What? Ye Yu's reached Rank 60?"
Both Ye Zilan and Ling Zhantian were filled with joy and excitement at the news.
"And that's not all," Dugu Bo said proudly, stroking his white beard.
"He's also succeeded in forming a Soul Core!"
"Right now, Ye Yu possesses Titled Douluo-level soul power and physical strength—even though he's still a Soul King."
"Soon he'll be a Soul Emperor as well!"
"A Soul Emperor with Titled Douluo-level soul power and physique?"
Ling Zhantian murmured to himself, eyes lighting up with anticipation.
He suddenly turned to Ye Yu with a hearty laugh:
"Ye Yu! Since you've already formed a Soul Core and gained that kind of strength…"
"How about a rematch?"
"Gladly!"
Ye Yu grinned, full of fighting spirit.
Previously, when sparring with Ling Zhantian to hone his spear and close-quarters skills, he had been unable to force out Ling Zhantian's Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul True Body.
This time, he wanted to see if his new power could not only draw out Ling Zhantian's full strength—but maybe even defeat him!
The Ye Estate.
In a spacious courtyard, the two stood several meters apart.
Ye Zilan and Dugu Bo stood to the side, ready to spectate.
"Xiaoyu, ready?"
Ling Zhantian grinned and summoned his martial soul—the Bloodthirsty Warblade, a jagged, serrated weapon covered in blood-red patterns and a blackened blade.
Eight soul rings—two yellow, two purple, four black—rose beneath his feet.
(Concept Art: Bloodthirsty Warblade)
On Ye Yu's side, he activated the external soul bone: Thunderhowl Hell Prison Spear, drawing it from his spine—a rather... unconventional sight.
The long, dark-purple spear shimmered with crackling lightning.
"Ready!"
Ye Yu stabbed the two-meter spear into the ground, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Very well!"
Ling Zhantian laughed thunderously and charged forward, slamming a foot into the ground and rushing like a storm.
"First Soul Skill: Bloodthirsty Demon Edge!"
"Second Soul Skill: Bloodblade Raging Slash!"
A massive, crimson blade wave tore across the field, the sheer force flattening the surrounding weeds in the courtyard.
Ye Yu reacted swiftly—activating both Thunder Magnetic Armor and Thunder Burst Step, his spiritual power directing twin currents of soul power through his body.
One created a powerful magnetic repulsion field, lessening his weight to that of a feather. The other armored his body like a force shield.
Then, with a twist of polarity, he launched himself like a bolt of lightning.
In a blur of sparks, Ye Yu zipped to Ling Zhantian's flank.
With a flash of silver-blue light, his Thunderhowl Hell Prison Spear pierced through the air—his signature Soulpiercer Spear Technique unleashed.
Dozens of afterimages blurred the spear's motion.
Each thrust infused with destructive force, each strike like a dragon's roar.