Sweeping Through, Recognition

"Lin Yao, Star Sword Martial Soul, Level Seventeen Attack Type Battle Soul Master. Make your move. Let's see whether a Soul Elder like you can give me even a little pressure."

Lin Yao stood still with the Star Sword in hand. Though no pale-purple Soul Ring circled his body, his upright bearing, like a pine standing firm, was even more imposing than Yan Jun across from him—a Three-Ring Soul Elder whose pupils had suddenly contracted, whose mind trembled violently as he stared fixedly at Lin Yao's Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

The silvery blade of the Star Sword shimmered with fine glints beneath the sunlight. Its tassel swayed lightly, stirring a breeze that brushed across Lin Yao's bangs.

"A Level Seventeen Soul Master... How could you possess a Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"

Yan Jun's voice carried undisguised disbelief. His Adam's apple bobbed twice before he managed to ask the question.

When he had broken through to Soul Elder, he had nearly exhausted himself just to absorb that Thousand-Year Soul Ring, and he had almost failed.

Of course, he had ultimately won that gamble.

If not for the obsession with growing stronger buried in his bones, he would have chosen a nine-hundred-year Soul Ring for safety, like the other fairly talented people his age.

The risk of absorbing such a Soul Ring was enough to make most people shrink back.

Moreover, the leap from a Hundred-Year Soul Ring to a Thousand-Year Soul Ring was no small one. Nearly half the Soul Masters on the continent never had the chance to absorb one in their entire lives.

Yet this boy before him had absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his First Ring. It was simply monstrous, enough to overturn all common sense.

"Talent, hard work, and a little luck. That's enough."

Lin Yao's tone was calm and unruffled, as if he were stating something utterly ordinary.

The moment those words came out, everyone present twitched at the corners of their mouths, a deep sense of helplessness rising in their hearts.

They all knew that Lin Yao, this prominent figure of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, had set off a few days ago to obtain a Soul Ring.

Originally, everyone had guessed that he would at most absorb an optimal Soul Ring of around four hundred years, perhaps raising his Soul Power to Level Thirteen.

Who could have imagined that in just a few days, he would not only return with a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, but his Soul Power would also soar to Level Seventeen, leaving him only one step away from becoming a Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster.

Such talent could no longer be described as merely outstanding. It was downright terrifying.

Yan Jun considered his own talent far from weak and was certain he could break through to Soul Ancestor before the age of twenty.

After that, he could continue advancing, and perhaps even have a chance to touch the threshold of Soul Saint in middle age.

Even within a great sect like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he counted as one of the more notable geniuses.

Yet compared with Lin Yao, who was about the same age as Ning Rongrong, he suddenly seemed so ordinary.

For the first time, he even felt the suffocating sensation of being left far behind.

"Your talent is indeed terrifyingly strong, but that is not enough for a First Ring Soul Master like you to challenge a Soul Elder across two realms."

Yan Jun was trapped in a difficult position. Fine sweat beaded at his temples. He truly had underestimated this genius earlier, but there was no turning back now.

If he retreated, he would not only offend Lin Yao, but might also provoke Young Miss Ning Rongrong beside him.

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I'll complete the task first."

"Iron Armored Bear, Martial Soul Possession! First Soul Skill, Iron Mountain Lean!"

With his decision made, Yan Jun suddenly shouted.

His body swelled by half a foot, dark yellow fur emerged across his skin, and thick layers of keratin covered his arms, making him look as though he wore a suit of iron armor.

The instant his First Soul Skill activated, an earthy-yellow shield condensed from his Martial Soul and tightly enveloped his body. Fine streams of light even flickered across its surface.

Protected by the shield, he stomped hard against the ground. Several thin cracks spread across the earth as he shot toward Lin Yao like a cannonball, carrying a howling gale. Clearly, he intended to use the skill's force of impact to injure his opponent while remaining unharmed behind his shield.

A First Soul Skill that combined rapid approach, defense, and a special attack like this was already among the best of its rank.

"Not bad indeed."

The corner of Lin Yao's lips lifted slightly as his wrist turned, drawing a bright silver arc with the Star Sword.

The angle was so tricky that it seemed to anticipate every one of Yan Jun's movements, striking precisely along the line between his left shoulder and neck just as his old momentum faded and his new force had yet to form.

With a crisp clang, Yan Jun felt a deft force surge into him, making his blood and Ki churn. His seemingly unstoppable charge immediately stalled.

This was the instinct Lin Yao had developed through his recent harsh training in basic swordsmanship under Sword Douluo.

With each day of swinging his sword, he had gradually become increasingly familiar with his Star Sword through countless slashes, and his grasp of timing had long surpassed that of Soul Masters his age.

This level might still be insufficient against stronger opponents, but against a Soul Elder like Yan Jun, whose combat experience was limited, whose Soul Ring development was simplistic, and who relied on overwhelming force, it was more than enough.

The instant Yan Jun's rhythm was disrupted, Lin Yao did not hesitate. The Star Sword slashed forward, clean and decisive, sword wind carrying specks of starlight straight toward Yan Jun's face.

"This guy... He's actually holding the upper hand against a Soul Elder? Even with a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, that's a difference of two realms!"

Ning Rongrong stared in stunned disbelief, her long lashes trembling slightly.

She had never seen anyone her age possess such strength and bearing. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind:

With this kind of talent and strength, if he were usually gentler and willing to make me happy, it wouldn't be bad to have him as an older brother...

But as soon as the thought arose, she forcibly suppressed it. Her little brows furrowed.

No, no. This bad Yao is full of schemes. I can't let his superficial act fool me. I have to hold firm!

"As expected, you're formidable. Looks like I'll have to go all out! Third Soul Skill, Fierce Bear Transformation!"

Seeing his probing First Soul Skill easily neutralized and even finding himself suppressed instead, Yan Jun's face immediately darkened.

He had no intention of losing to a First Ring Soul Master before everyone's eyes. That would be the greatest humiliation.

He no longer held back. The Thousand-Year Soul Ring behind him, radiating deep light, suddenly lit up, and pale-purple halos spread outward like ripples across water.

This was his trump card, an enhancement Soul Skill from the Thousand-Year Soul Ring he had absorbed upon reaching Soul Elder. Its effects were terrifying.

Yan Jun's muscles bulged at a visible rate, his height increased by another foot, the dark yellow fur hardened like steel needles, and his eyes turned blood-red as his Aura surged.

His strength increased by forty percent, while his speed and defense each rose by twenty-five percent. This was the foundation of his dominance among those of the same rank.

But Lin Yao had no intention of dragging things out. As his wrist turned, the Thousand-Year Soul Ring on the Star Sword abruptly lit up.

A dark violet glow intertwined with the starlight on the blade, forming a hazy mist of light.

"Ink Star Sword Shadow."

He softly spoke the name of his Soul Skill. Within the mist, the sword blade split into three afterimages that tore through the air with sharp whistles, instantly piercing Yan Jun's iron-armored shield.

"Pfft!"

Yan Jun suffered a heavy blow, spitting out a breath of turbid air as he staggered back several steps. The shield around his body shattered inch by inch.

His Martial Soul Possession also dispersed, and his face was filled with disbelief.

Before the strength granted by his Soul Ring could fade, Lin Yao blurred forward. The Star Sword unleashed several consecutive moves, its sword light streaming like silk as it swept the Two-Ring Soul Masters who had previously been stopped by Yan Jun and were now preparing to step forward, sending them all crashing to the ground.

Ning Rongrong only saw a flash of light and shadow before those Soul Masters clutched their chests and fell. In an instant, every helper she had brought had been defeated.

"How is that possible? How could you defeat people whose Soul Power is so much greater than yours so easily? Even Yan Jun, who has the strength of a Soul Elder, couldn't withstand more than a few of your moves?!"

Ning Rongrong's face was full of disbelief.

Even now, she had yet to recover from the shock of how swiftly the situation had changed.

In only a moment, their side had gone from having an overwhelming advantage to being completely wiped out.

Even if Lin Yao possessed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, he was clearly only a Soul Master. This should have been impossible.

A Soul Elder—even if he stood still—should not be someone a Soul Master could easily defeat, right? This...

"You..."

At that moment, Ning Rongrong noticed Lin Yao's "kind" gaze resting on her. Her heart trembled, and she instinctively took a small step back.

But after another thought, she felt that such behavior was far too unbefitting of her proud young miss identity. She immediately stepped forward several paces instead, raised her little face, glared fiercely at Lin Yao as he approached, and snapped in a delicate voice:

"Lin Yao, you big bully, what are you trying to do? Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you defeated Yan Jun, a Soul Elder. In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I've never been afraid of anyone."

Looking at Ning Rongrong in this state, Lin Yao found her truly adorable. He secretly found it amusing, but his expression remained unchanged as he continued walking straight toward her.

"Y-you..."

Facing Lin Yao from so close, looking like a big bad wolf, Ning Rongrong could no longer maintain her composure. Her eyes reddened slightly.

She looked heartbreakingly pitiable.

Lin Yao had just defeated everyone present with a single strike, and his talent already surpassed hers. He was outstanding in every way, and it suddenly placed tremendous pressure on Ning Rongrong.

Her earlier words had merely been an attempt to bolster her courage. Only those who were afraid would insist that they were not.

In this situation, she could no longer put on her former proud airs. For the first time, a sense of unease beyond her control rose from the depths of her heart.

Although Ning Rongrong was usually mischievous and willful, she was still only a little over six years old.

When the identity of Big Sister of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could no longer give her a sense of security, her psychological defenses were ultimately fragile.

In her panic, she did not even think of the best of the thirty-six stratagems—running away first. She simply stood rooted to the spot.

"You silly girl, how could I hurt you?"

Seeing Ning Rongrong standing there in a daze, Lin Yao raised his hand and gently rubbed her little head. With her eyes slightly red and filled with confusion and surprise, he smiled warmly.

"This time, I won. You should call me Brother now."

That gentle smile was like a soft breeze brushing past her heart, warming it.

The tension in Ning Rongrong's tender little face gradually eased, and a trace of absentmindedness unconsciously flashed through her eyes.

"What? I thought you were going to..."

Feeling Lin Yao's hand gently brush through her hair, Ning Rongrong's cheeks instantly flushed. Though he was the same age as her, he carried a steady air that felt like an elder brother from her own family, and her words became stammering.

"You silly girl, why do you think so much? You always think I'm going to do something to you."

Lin Yao caught the implication in her words. She had clearly thought he intended to bully her, and he could not help but chuckle.

"Did you forget? I said I wanted to be your older brother. Caring for you and looking after you is what I should do. Why would I bully you?"

He paused, then added:

"Of course, if you misbehave again, it would also be perfectly reasonable for me, as your older brother, to discipline you a little."

If it had been someone else their age in this situation, they might really have done something to bully her.

But Lin Yao had been an adult who had experienced the ways of the world in his previous life. He had even been a self-proclaimed online king who could argue against five people at once. Why would he bully a little girl?

"That's because you looked all expressionless and fierce just now!"

Hearing that, and certain Lin Yao would not bully her, Ning Rongrong immediately perked up and retorted.

However, she did not resist Lin Yao's gentle stroking of her hair, because she could genuinely feel his concern and the warmth of an elder brother from him.

Ever since her mother passed away, she had only felt that kind of warmth from her father.

Even Sword Grandfather and Bone Grandfather were somewhat lacking when it came to expressing such emotions. After all, they were far too much older than her.

What they felt for her was more of an indulgent affection.

"Rongrong, I figured out your temperament long ago."

As Lin Yao spoke, the hand that had been stroking her hair moved down slightly and gently pinched Ning Rongrong's adorable, delicate little cheek, pale as jade.

His fingertips felt its soft, smooth fullness, carrying a faint coolness that made it difficult to let go.

Lin Yao could not help pinching it again.

At that moment, Ning Rongrong's face, already pale as jade, took on a faint blush from his gentle pinch.

It was hard to tell whether a child's skin was simply too delicate or whether she was truly embarrassed.

"If I hadn't acted that way, would you have listened seriously to what I had to say? In the end, you probably would have treated my words as idle talk and brushed them aside, just like you did with Uncle Ning."

"You..."

Hearing that, whether because of Lin Yao's words or his intimate gesture, Ning Rongrong instantly flushed bright red, as though blood might drip from her face.

Seeing Ning Rongrong look as though she were about to turn into a steaming anime girl, Lin Yao could not keep teasing her. Somewhat reluctantly, he withdrew his hand.

When Ning Rongrong felt Lin Yao's hand leave her cheek, she sighed in relief, yet her little heart still pounded wildly.

She secretly berated herself. Why had she been so foolish just now? She had neither spoken up to refuse nor raised her hand to knock his away.

Why? It was such a strange feeling. Her heart was pounding as though some nameless emotion were taking shape within it.

Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Yao before her, then raised her eyes toward the bright moon in the sky. A thin layer of mist seemed to veil her eyes, and they gradually became hazy.

Under the brilliant moonlight, her mother's somewhat blurry smiling face seemed reflected upon the moon itself, smiling gently at her.

It was as though she were softly saying, My little Rongrong now has a strong older brother to care for and protect her too.