Overlord Body, Wood-Fire Sword Qi

The next morning, dawn pierced through the upturned eaves of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's towering halls, scattering golden light over the Battle Soul Arena at the heart of the sect, which covered several acres.

The edges of the bluestone-paved arena were carved with intricate Soul Power Amplification patterns.

Though weathered by time, faint Soul Power fluctuations still lingered within those patterns, glimmering indistinctly beneath the morning light.

Lin Yao stood tall at the center of the Battle Soul Arena in a Moon-White Training Suit. His dark jade-colored hair was tied behind his head with a simple Wooden Hairpin, exposing his smooth forehead.

At his side, Sword Douluo Chen Xin wore a Silver-White Robe that trailed across the ground, its hem embroidered with dark golden sword patterns. As he moved slightly, those patterns seemed to come alive, faintly radiating a sharp aura.

The Seven Kill Sword in Chen Xin's hand rested diagonally against the ground. Its blade reflected the morning light so fiercely that it stung the eyes. A barely perceptible Soul Power aura swirled around him, making the air nearby seem to solidify.

In the spectator stands, Ning Fengzhi sat at the head position.

He wore an extravagant Sapphire Blue Robe, its cuffs embroidered with the Sect Emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He casually played with a string of warm Jade Beads, his calm gaze resting on the Battle Soul Arena, though a trace of anticipation lay hidden in his eyes.

Ning Rongrong sat beside him in a pink gauze dress, her hands clutching her skirt tightly. Her delicate brows were faintly furrowed, and her eyes followed Lin Yao's figure without wavering. Her cheeks had flushed lightly from nervousness.

Beside her, Bone Douluo Gu Rong also held his breath and focused, his gaze fixed on the two people in the arena. Clearly, he was deeply curious about this special "spar."

The reason for this sparring match went back to Lin Yao successfully absorbing a five-thousand-year Soul Ring yesterday.

As Lin Yao's master, Chen Xin knew full well how rare it was to absorb a Soul Ring beyond one's level and beyond its proper age limit. He wanted to personally measure Lin Yao's current strength through an actual exchange.

With his realm as a Super Douluo, he could accurately sense the flow of Lin Yao's Soul Power and the might of his Soul Skills, allowing Lin Yao to clearly understand where he stood among Soul Masters.

More importantly, Chen Xin was extremely curious about Lin Yao's five-thousand-year Second Soul Skill.

Although Lin Yao had absorbed the Soul Ring remarkably smoothly, it was still comparable to the optimal Soul Ring age limit for a Soul Ancestor.

Just how much power could Lin Yao, a Soul Grandmaster, bring out from it? Chen Xin was filled with anticipation.

Of course, there was also a reason Lin Yao himself wanted to test his strength the very next day.

Yesterday, he had seen the worry written all over Ning Rongrong and the others' faces, and he had remembered it.

Now, Lin Yao wanted to show those concerned about him through actual combat that he was not only fine, but that his strength had greatly increased. They no longer needed to worry over him.

Especially Ning Rongrong. He had long regarded this lively, adorable little girl as someone worth protecting, and he only wanted her to see his strongest side.

"Master, are you ready? I'm going to make my move."

Lin Yao turned slightly and cupped his hands toward Chen Xin.

A faint pale-green glow flickered at his fingertips, a sign that the Wood Attribute Soul Power within his body had begun to circulate. His eyes shone brightly as he stared intently at Chen Xin, filled with fighting spirit.

Hearing this, Chen Xin smiled faintly. Anticipation flashed through his eyes, and the Seven Kill Sword trembled lightly, emitting a soft sword hum.

"Yao, come! Let me see exactly how powerful this Soul Ring you absorbed beyond your level and age limit is. Let me also see how it differs from the Second Soul Skills of the finest Martial Soul geniuses at the same level."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an imposing authority, as though it pierced the air and reached Lin Yao's ears with perfect clarity.

"Alright!"

Lin Yao answered, and two purple rings abruptly lit up beneath his feet.

With the two stacked together, the deep violet became so rich it was nearly black, standing out brilliantly against the bluestone floor.

The first and second Soul Rings reflected one another, their Soul Power fluctuations spreading like ripples through water and causing waves to rise in the surrounding air.

"After fusing with the Molten Demon Bear's Soul Ring, my sword gained the Fire Attribute. This move is the Second Soul Skill born from fusing the wood and fire attributes. Wood's power serves as kindling, allowing fire's power to burn wildly."

Lin Yao spoke in a deep voice, excitement faintly coloring his tone. He mobilized all the Soul Power in his body, and two terrifying fluctuations of Soul Power erupted from within him in an instant.

Green Wood Attribute Soul Power and red Fire Attribute Soul Power intertwined like two nimble ribbons of light, circling around his body.

As the dual-attribute Soul Power erupted, Lin Yao's aura surged sharply.

A pale golden glow spread over his body, a sign that the control-immune Overlord Body state had activated.

The Star Sword in his hand trembled faintly, and a layer of Red-Green Interwoven Sword Qi rapidly coated its blade.

The Sword Qi was sharp and carried scorching heat, causing the surrounding air to grow dry and hot.

Wherever the Sword Qi passed, tiny stones on the ground instantly turned to ash. Moss lodged within the cracks of the bluestone rapidly withered, and even the leaves of several potted plants near the distant spectator stands began to yellow and curl.

Not only was this Sword Qi astonishingly powerful, it was absurdly fast, slashing toward Chen Xin like lightning.

Sensing the power within the Sword Qi, surprise flashed through Chen Xin's eyes.

He had already expected much from Lin Yao's Soul Skill, but only upon experiencing it himself did he realize that reality far surpassed his expectations. It seemed he had still underestimated this disciple.

That Sword Qi actually carried an ultimate sharpness, as though it could sever every enemy before it.

Chen Xin did not delay. He quickly extended a palm and circulated his Soul Power. A pale-blue Soul Power barrier instantly formed, protecting him within it.

Bang!

The Sword Qi slammed violently into the Soul Power barrier with a thunderous explosion. The barrier shook intensely, ripples spreading across its surface.

Yet before long, fine cracks slowly appeared across the barrier, spreading outward like a spiderweb.

"What? I used nearly thirty levels of Soul Power, and I still can't block Yao's attack?"

A look of astonishment flashed through Chen Xin's eyes, and stormy waves rose in his heart.

He was a Title Douluo. The quality of his Soul Power was far beyond that of an ordinary Soul Elder.

Given his realm, the thirty levels of Soul Power he released were enough to rival a Soul King, yet they still could not withstand Lin Yao's strike.

"If thirty levels aren't enough, then thirty-five. Forty!"

Fighting spirit ignited in Chen Xin's eyes as he continued increasing his Soul Power output. The pale-blue barrier instantly became much thicker.

Only when his Soul Power output reached forty levels was the Red-Green Interwoven Sword Qi finally fully blocked, slowly dissipating into the air.

"Haha! Old sword bastard, it looks like you old fool only have the advantage of Soul Power. If you were at the same level, Yao would've beaten you flat long ago!"

In the spectator stands, Bone Douluo Gu Rong could not help roaring with laughter, his face full of mischievous delight.

This was the amusement between him and Chen Xin as old friends of many years. He never missed a chance to mock the other.

Chen Xin gave a helpless smile but did not refute him. He merely lowered his head and looked at his palm in silence.

There was a trace of melancholy in his heart. He had established himself on the continent through strength and possessed a formidable reputation, yet now he felt as though new talents truly rose with every generation.

As though he had truly grown old.

But more than that, he felt gratified. Being able to take in such a uniquely gifted disciple was truly a blessing.

"Alright, alright. You've all seen Brother Yao's Soul Skill. That's enough! It looks like Brother Yao is perfectly fine now, so we should go have fun!"

At that moment, Ning Rongrong, who had witnessed Lin Yao's dazzling display, abruptly leaped up from her seat. She quickly ran to the edge of the Battle Soul Arena, grabbed Lin Yao's arm, and said sweetly.

Her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes brimmed with joy. All her previous nervousness had long vanished without a trace.

"Brother Yao, come play with Rongrong! Otherwise, you'll be returning to the academy soon. I heard the Auction House in the city has gotten lots of fun new things lately. Will you go with me?"

Ning Rongrong gently shook Lin Yao's arm, her tone filled with coquettish pleading and her eyes full of dependence.

Seeing the little girl's dependent expression, Lin Yao's heart warmed. Smiling, he stroked her head and said softly,

"Alright, let's go. Until I return to the academy, I'll stay with you."

After saying that, he turned and cupped his hands toward Ning Fengzhi and the others with a smile. "Uncle Ning, Master, Elder Gu, I'll take my leave first."

Only after Lin Yao and Ning Rongrong disappeared through the entrance to the Battle Soul Arena did Ning Fengzhi slowly rise and walk to the center of the arena, his gaze falling upon the ground.

There, on the once-intact bluestone floor, remained a patch of scorched black marks and a crack half a finger deep.

The edge of the crack carried a burnt smell, clearly caused by the Sword Qi from earlier.

"The attack power is terrifying, practically comparable to that of a Soul King. And he possesses both wood and fire attributes. I have never seen such a powerful Sword Martial Soul that can also flexibly stack the Five Elements Power."

Ning Fengzhi crouched down and lightly brushed his fingers over the crack in the ground. His eyes were filled with amazement, and his tone carried disbelief.

He paused before continuing.

"Also, I am an amplification-type Support Type Soul Master, so I can clearly sense the control-immunity state hidden within Yao's Soul Skill.

None of us used control skills just now, so that ability was never revealed. This shows that his potential is far from limited to this."

"Yes! Such an exceptional Soul Ring skill truly lives up to the effects of absorbing beyond his level.

With such growth potential, any enemy who encountered a peerless genius like this would face a nightmare! Luckily, Yao belongs to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Bone Douluo Gu Rong also stepped forward. Looking at the marks on the ground, he could not help sighing.

His words were full of relief, but they also concealed a trace of envy. Why did such an outstanding successor have to become Chen Xin's disciple?

Thinking of how his Bone Dragon Martial Soul, with its powerful spatial attribute, had no successor, Gu Rong felt even more melancholy. The more he looked at Chen Xin, the more envious he became.

Why did he not have such good fortune?

Just then, Chen Xin suddenly asked,

"Old Bone, when you use forty levels of Soul Power, can an ordinary Soul Emperor hurt you?"

His tone was calm but carried a trace of seriousness, causing Gu Rong to pause.

Gu Rong frowned, shook his head, and said quietly,

"Of course not! Although I am one level below you, I have also entered the realm of Super Douluos.

With the degree of refinement in Soul Power at my level, even if I only use Soul Power equivalent to that of a forty-level Soul Ancestor, it is still far beyond that of an ordinary Soul Emperor.

Unless it is a Sixth Soul Skill focused on ultimate attack power, it simply cannot break through my defenses."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xin suddenly spread open his palm.

Two thin wounds could be seen on his fair palm. A faint red-green glow lingered around them as the wood and fire attribute Soul Power continued eroding his skin.

Only after Chen Xin circulated the Sword Qi within his body did he completely expel the two attribute Soul Powers, and the signs of corrosion around the wounds slowly disappeared.

"You were injured? How is that possible?"

Gu Rong's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. He had clearly watched Chen Xin block Lin Yao's attack. How had he still been injured?

"Not only was I injured, my Soul Power was also eroded by those two attributes."

Chen Xin withdrew his hand, yet his eyes were full of delight.

"I suspect Lin Yao's Sword Qi not only inherited the Molten Demon Bear's fire attribute power, but also inherited the endlessly growing wood attribute power of the Dark Jade Bamboo.

Wood fuels fire. These are only the first two forms of the Five Elements Power. If the five elements unite in the future, then among Soul Kings throughout history, perhaps no one will be Yao's match."

He paused, then continued.

"This Second Soul Skill is even more astonishing than I imagined. It not only possesses immense destructive power, but also has a continuous corrosive effect.

If it were used against a Soul Master of the same level, their Soul Power circulation would likely be thrown into chaos instantly, leaving them utterly unable to resist."

"Fengzhi, we were all mistaken before."

Chen Xin turned to Ning Fengzhi, his tone carrying emotion.

"Lin Yao's Martial Soul is not at its strongest in attack power. Its true greatest strength is its tyranny.

Not only his Sword Martial Soul. His Body Martial Soul is likely the same."

"Tyranny? Yes! Tyranny!"

Chen Xin's words awakened Ning Fengzhi. As an expert in Soul Master theory, he instantly understood.

"Yao's Martial Soul is so tyrannical that it almost ignores the rules. When Soul Masters absorb Soul Rings, no auxiliary Soul Skill can interfere.

Yet his Body Martial Soul can strengthen his physical constitution while completely ignoring that rule, allowing it to assist him in absorbing Soul Rings beyond his level and age limit."

He pointed to the lingering Sword Qi marks on the ground and continued,

"And this Star Sword can both annihilate all things and nurture all things.

The Five Elements Power is inherently the power that gives birth to all things, yet this Martial Soul can control such contradictory powers at once. It is truly rare."

"The power of all things... There is actually such a Martial Soul."

Gu Rong could not help swallowing as an image of Lin Yao after fully maturing surfaced in his mind.

Once he reached the level of a Title Douluo, a single sword strike could destroy heaven and earth while also allowing all things to be reborn. With such terrifying strength, even Title Douluos of the same level would likely find it difficult to withstand him.

"When geniuses of the same generation encounter such a 'monster,' who knows whether it will be fortune or tragedy."

Ning Fengzhi raised his head and looked toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's main hall. The sect's plaque hung there, glowing golden beneath the morning light.

Confidence shone in his eyes as he spoke with high spirits.

"Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect, and other powers—within ten years at the soonest, or twenty at the latest—an invincible existence will surely stand above their heads.

This may be an existence even more dazzling and terrifying than the one invincible in the sky and the one invincible on the ground.

And our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can rise along with this momentum, reaching heights never seen before!"

Sunlight fell over him, making his Sapphire Blue Robe gleam with noble radiance.

At that moment, Ning Fengzhi's eyes were full of anticipation for the sect's future.

With a genius like Lin Yao aiding them, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would surely leave a bold and brilliant mark upon the history of Douluo Continent.