Soul Power Liquefaction, Ground Splitting Tiger, Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring

Douluo World.

Heaven Dou Empire, deep within Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Inside the quiet dormitory, the carved pearwood bed was covered with a soft Cloud Pattern brocade cushion. The window lattice was half open, and a faint fragrance of grass and wood lingered in the air.

It was the scent of spiritual herbs unique to the academy's back mountain, mingled with the warm aroma of wooden furniture, making the entire room exceptionally tranquil.

Lin Yao sat cross-legged, his back straight as a green pine standing against the wind.

His eyes were lightly closed, his brow slightly relaxed. A faint golden halo of Soul Power lingered around him, while his breathing was deep and steady. Every inhalation and exhalation seemed to resonate subtly with the energy between heaven and earth.

Suddenly, his eyelashes trembled. The calm eyes that had been shut flew open, a gleam flashing through them like a meteor tearing across the night before vanishing in an instant.

Immediately afterward, a vast spiritual force spread out like an invisible tide, sweeping over the books on the desk and the potted plants by the window.

It even passed through the walls and briefly covered half the courtyard before rapidly withdrawing, as though it had never appeared.

The instant the spiritual fluctuation dissipated, Lin Yao's Level 29 Soul Power abruptly began to boil.

His Soul Power had originally been like a clear stream, but now it was as though countless tributaries had merged into it.

Power from different worlds flowed into it like tiny streams, surging through his Meridians along the unique circulation path of the Nine Yin Manual.

This path was not the "spiraling heavenly circuit" commonly used by Soul Masters on Douluo Continent. Instead, it carried a rhythm where softness and ferocity intertwined.

Wherever his Soul Power passed, the walls of his Meridians glowed faintly, quietly widening as though soaked in warm water.

Nourished by the combined effects of multiple powers, this Soul Power, far surpassing that of Soul Masters at the same rank, surged toward his dantian like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

Within his dantian, Soul Power rolled and condensed. From its initial gaseous state, it gradually contracted and settled, finally transforming into a round, translucent droplet of liquid.

The droplet was roughly the size of a thumb and hovered at the center of his dantian, radiating a gentle yet weighty aura.

Every slight tremor it made caused the surrounding Soul Power to resonate with it.

This was the realm of Soul Power Liquefaction, something only genius Soul Kings had a chance of reaching in the Soul Master system.

Ordinary Soul Masters had to endure until Level 70, becoming Soul Saints and awakening their Martial Soul Avatars, before the Soul Power in their dantians would gradually liquefy.

Yet Lin Yao had only just broken through Level 30 and had already condensed liquid Soul Power. Such progress was enough to shake the entire Soul Master world of Douluo Continent.

Lin Yao slowly closed his eyes, his spiritual force sinking into his body like a searchlight and clearly "seeing" that droplet of liquid Soul Power.

Compared to his previous gaseous Soul Power, the aura of this liquid Soul Power was more than ten times stronger. It was as though a trickling stream had transformed into a surging river.

Feeling this immense power, the corners of Lin Yao's lips lifted unconsciously, and an irrepressible joy flashed through his eyes.

Having taken this step, even without relying on trump cards such as his External Soul Bone or spiritual force advantage, he now had the confidence to challenge opponents above his rank with Soul Power alone.

In a horizontal comparison, Lin Yao was only seven this year, a full five years ahead of Tang San from the original work, who had broken through Level 30 at the age of twelve.

Such a gap could no longer be described merely as "pulling ahead."

Yet from a vertical perspective, compared to Huo Yuhao ten thousand years later, and the terrifying geniuses twenty thousand years later who had the support of Soul Cores and the Soul Spirit System without the restraints of the God Realm—

His current achievements had only barely caught up to the "starting line."

A seven-year-old Soul Elder was certainly astonishing, but twenty thousand years later, even Title Douluo below the age of twenty had appeared.

They had even overturned the tradition of the Continental Soul Master Tournament that had endured for tens of thousands of years.

That level of prestige was unprecedented in the Douluo World.

Right, among the new companions, there's one from a parallel world in the era of Absolute Duo, and that 'pure and spotless' existence is watching in secret. I need to be cautious beyond caution.

As his thoughts shifted, Lin Yao recalled the first Asura God.

That one was undoubtedly stronger than the later successor who had abandoned his Martial Soul. His own situation now might not be much better than that brother's.

With those thoughts, the complacency that had risen moments ago quietly faded, replaced by calm composure.

He began silently sorting through his condition, identifying weaknesses and filling in gaps, striving to ensure that every step he took was solid.

Early the next morning, when dawn had only begun to break, the door to Lin Yao's room was hurriedly pushed open.

A figure dressed in a Moon-White Brocade Robe strode quickly through the courtyard, his robes fluttering as a sharp sword aura followed in his wake.

It was Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

After learning that Lin Yao had broken through, he had rushed over from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect overnight. His face held a trace of urgency, along with hidden anticipation.

Upon entering Lin Yao's chamber, Chen Xin wasted no time on pleasantries. His piercing gaze fell upon Lin Yao.

His Soul Power quietly extended outward, enveloping the boy like a fine net as he carefully examined the changes within him.

When he sensed the liquid Soul Power hovering within Lin Yao's dantian, Chen Xin's pupils contracted slightly before slowly relaxing again. A trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes.

This liquefied Soul Power was pure and stable. Clearly, Lin Yao had not taken any shortcuts that forced growth, nor had he displayed the shortsightedness of sacrificing his future for a temporary increase in power.

Chen Xin withdrew his Soul Power and looked down at the small Lin Yao before him, unable to stop himself from sighing inwardly.

At such a young age, he had already become a Soul Elder. Back when Chen Xin was the same age, he had only just obtained a hundred-year Soul Ring and had been pleased with himself for a long time.

Combined with the age of the Soul Rings Lin Yao had absorbed, his powerful body, and spiritual force far beyond his Soul Power rank, Chen Xin made a rough calculation in his mind.

This child's third Soul Ring had to be at least eight thousand years old. It might even reach ten thousand years.

"Yao, could it be that you are a sage born with knowledge, or the reincarnation of some mysterious existence?"

Chen Xin looked at Lin Yao with a complicated expression. There was appreciation in his gaze, but also a trace of curiosity.

But he did not press further, and Lin Yao did not explain.

A tacit understanding that required no words had long formed between master and disciple. Regarding the "secrets" behind their growing strength, both understood without saying anything.

As for why no one came to investigate Lin Yao's abnormalities?

First, the name "Sword Douluo Chen Xin" itself was the strongest deterrent.

Second, a certain Little Angel had been quietly helping in the shadows, blocking many prying eyes.

Now, Worship Hall remained still, while Bibi Dong was trapped within the Rakshasa God inheritance and unable to free herself.

On the surface of Douluo Continent, no one could bypass Chen Xin, who was about to break through to Level 97, and make a move against Lin Yao.

Lin Yao had calculated this precisely, which was why he dared to display his strength without concealment and rapidly absorb Soul Rings to improve himself.

What he wanted was to reach a realm where he needed no protection, where everything he did would be accepted by the world. That was true growth.

After making some simple preparations, Lin Yao followed Chen Xin out of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and headed toward Sunset Forest.

At this time, Sunset Forest had yet to experience the collision with Sun Moon Continent. It remained a Soul Beast gathering ground second only to Star Dou Great Forest on Douluo Continent.

Ancient trees towered through the forest, their branches and leaves intertwined. Sunlight struggled through layer upon layer of canopy, casting mottled shadows across the ground.

The air was filled with the damp scent of earth, mixed with the fragrance of flowers and grass and the distinctive smell of Soul Beasts.

Occasional beast roars sounded in the distance, adding a touch of savagery and danger to the forest.

"Sunset Forest is not far from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I used to come here often to hunt Soul Beasts, so I know the large and small Soul Beast territories like the back of my hand."

Chen Xin walked ahead with steady steps. His sword aura was faintly restrained, yet the low-level Soul Beasts lurking nearby still did not dare approach.

"There are very few Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts here, but there is no shortage of high-aged mid- and high-level Soul Beasts. It is very suitable for you to obtain your third Soul Ring."

Lin Yao followed beside him, his eyes sweeping over the surroundings while his spiritual force quietly spread out, sensing the auras of nearby Soul Beasts.

He noticed that Chen Xin's current state was vastly different from that in the original work.

This Sword Douluo's essence, energy, and spirit were like a peerless sword on the verge of leaving its sheath—sometimes dazzlingly sharp, sometimes as deep and restrained as an abyss, as though constantly alternating between "sharpness" and "returning to simplicity."

Clearly, Chen Xin had already touched the threshold between Level 96 and Level 97. Though his rank had not yet advanced, his overall strength had grown considerably.

Master, is it because of my appearance, or because of those martial arts concepts from other worlds?

Lin Yao's heart stirred, but he did not ask.

He knew that for Super Douluo above Level 95, every rank was an impassable chasm and also an opportunity for transformation.

Chen Xin's progress was both a matter of fortune and the result of his own arduous cultivation.

"Yao, what attribute Soul Beast do you want to find? Roughly what age?"

Chen Xin stopped and turned to Lin Yao. His tone was gentle, but it carried a trace of solemnity.

The third Soul Ring had an immense effect on a Soul Master, especially a genius like Lin Yao. There could be no carelessness.

"I'll trouble you, Master. I want an Earth Attribute Soul Beast, around nine thousand to eighteen thousand years old."

Lin Yao spoke softly.

"Of course, if there is a particularly suitable Earth Attribute Soul Beast, then even if its age is slightly lower, it would still be more valuable than an ordinary ten-thousand-year Soul Ring.

"Conversely, if it is only an ordinary Earth Attribute Soul Beast, then a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring would naturally be better.

"After all, once a Soul Ring is released, the pressure brought by its age alone can weaken an opponent's will to fight by half. That is the most direct battle law of the Douluo World."

Chen Xin paused slightly upon hearing this, his brows knitting together.

"Are you sure you want such a high age? The limit for an ordinary Soul Master's third Soul Ring is only seventeen hundred years. Even your minimum is seven thousand years higher than everyone else's, while the maximum is sixteen thousand years higher.

"Your second Soul Ring was only five thousand years old, and now you are directly attempting a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. You will suffer an intense spiritual impact. The risk is not small."

"Rest assured, Master. I am completely confident."

Lin Yao met Chen Xin's worried gaze. His voice was calm, yet filled with confidence.

"When my second Soul Ring surpassed five thousand years, I gained an External Soul Bone. My spiritual force had already undergone one transformation then, and now it is enough to rival that of a Spirit System Soul King, perhaps even a Soul Emperor.

"Combined with the constant cleansing of Star Power and the tempering of wood and fire power, my physical strength has few rivals even among Soul Elders.

"I can withstand this ten-thousand-year Soul Ring."

Seeing Lin Yao's resolute gaze and sensing the confidence in his words, Chen Xin fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding. A trace of approval flashed through his eyes.

"Good. Since you are confident, your master will support you. You have had your own ideas since childhood, and every step you take has been extremely solid. I believe in you."

He turned and headed toward the western side of Sunset Forest.

"In a valley to the west, there is an Earth Attribute Soul Beast that suits you very well.

"But that place is somewhat special. The Earth Attribute energy is extremely violent, and its gravity far exceeds that of other areas. The Soul Beasts inside are more ferocious than those of the same age elsewhere.

"Absorbing its Soul Ring will be no easier than absorbing that of a ten-thousand-year Molten Demon Bear. For you, it will be both an opportunity and a trial."

The two headed west. About half an hour later, the terrain ahead gradually became steeper.

The once dense forest slowly thinned, replaced by jagged rocks. These stones were dark brown throughout, their surfaces covered in fine cracks, while faint yellow earthen energy flowed over them.

The Earth Attribute energy in the air grew denser and denser, even condensing into tiny visible specks of light that floated all around them.

More unusually, the gravity here was clearly several times stronger than outside.

Lin Yao could feel his steps becoming slightly heavier, as though an invisible boulder weighed upon him.

He instinctively circulated his Soul Power, only to discover that he did not need to deliberately activate it. The strength of his body alone was enough to resist this gravity, giving him even more confidence.

"This is the valley I mentioned."

Chen Xin stood at the entrance and swept his gaze over the surroundings.

"Look, even an ordinary Soul Emperor would find walking here difficult without using Soul Power.

"Yet you can walk as though on level ground. It seems your physique is even stronger than I imagined. With that, I have even more confidence in your ability to absorb a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring."

Lin Yao smiled, anticipation in his voice. "Master, stop praising me. Let's go in. Where is the Soul Beast that suits me?"

To him, becoming a Soul Elder was the first major threshold in the Soul Master system of Douluo Continent.

Breaking through with a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring would undoubtedly bring a complete transformation in his strength. He could hardly suppress the anticipation in his heart.

"What are you in such a hurry for?"

Chen Xin laughed heartily, amusement in his eyes.

"The environment here has not changed much. It seems no one has come to hunt Soul Beasts recently. That fellow should still be here."

As he spoke, he leaped into the air, bringing Lin Yao down onto a towering boulder.

Then, Chen Xin summoned his Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul.

The long sword was silver-white throughout, its blade engraved with fine patterns and radiating a sharp sword aura.

He did not release too much Soul Power. He merely spread out a fluctuation carrying obvious provocation, like tossing a stone into a still lake.

The instant the Soul Power fluctuation spread, an earth-shaking tiger roar sounded from the distance.

The roar was filled with tyranny and majesty, as though declaring ownership over its territory.

Satisfaction flashed through Chen Xin's eyes as he quickly restrained his own Soul Power.

He knew very well that even a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast would feel fear before the aura of a Title Douluo. Only by withdrawing his Aura could he make it reveal itself voluntarily.

Lin Yao fixed his gaze on the direction of the roar, his spiritual force intensely focused. Soon, a massive figure emerged from behind a pile of boulders deep within the valley—it was a tiger over five meters long and nearly three meters tall at the shoulder. Its entire body was covered in thick yellow fur, interwoven with dense Earth Attribute energy that flowed like brilliant golden clouds. It possessed both an air of nobility and a heavy, oppressive weight. The "King" character on its forehead had been condensed by Earth Attribute energy into nearly tangible markings, radiating a terrifying aura.

"Master, this is..." Lin Yao looked at the fierce tiger, surprise flashing through his eyes. The halo of Earth Attribute energy wrapped around its body alone showed how extraordinary it was.

"A Ground Splitting Tiger, a high-quality ten-thousand-year Earth Attribute Soul Beast. It is born with powerful control over Elemental Power of earth and a gravity talent." Chen Xin explained in a low voice, his eyes locked on the Ground Splitting Tiger. "If it were a Hundred-Thousand-Year Ground Splitting Tiger King, it would not be far inferior to the Titan Giant Ape of Star Dou Great Forest. Look at the width of its Earth Attribute halo. It should have only recently entered the ten-thousand-year level, around fifteen thousand years old. It is just right for you."

As he spoke, Chen Xin was already prepared to make his move. The Ground Splitting Tiger had clearly sensed the provocative Soul Power fluctuation from before. As the ruler of this area, it possessed the pride inherent in a Soul Beast's bloodline. Though it vaguely sensed that something was wrong, it was unwilling to retreat. Step by step, it approached the two atop the boulder, its yellow eyes filled with vigilance and ferocity.

"Good, now!" A cold light flashed through Chen Xin's eyes as he shouted, "Fourth Soul Skill, Overlapping Sword Shadows!"

As his words fell, the Seven Kill Sword swung sharply, instantly forming a massive vortex of sword qi around the blade. The vortex was like a rotating silver barrier, filled with sharp sword qi and powerful binding force. It instantly enveloped the area around the Ground Splitting Tiger, cutting off any possibility of escape. This was Chen Xin's fourth Soul Skill. Though it was only a thousand-year Soul Skill, in the hands of a Level 96 Title Douluo, its power had long surpassed what ordinary Soul Masters could imagine.

The Ground Splitting Tiger was startled by the sudden sword qi vortex, panic flashing through its eyes. It could clearly sense the fatal threat emanating from the vortex and instinctively tried to retreat, only to find its body tightly bound by sword qi. Immediately afterward, the Earth Attribute halo around it abruptly expanded. Yellow energy surged out like a tide as it attempted to break free of the sword qi vortex—this power far surpassed that of Soul Beasts of the same age and was clearly its ultimate trump card.

Unfortunately, its moment of hesitation had already cost it the best chance to counterattack. The sword qi vortex was like an iron wall, firmly suppressing the Earth Attribute energy. No matter how the Ground Splitting Tiger struggled, it could not shake it in the slightest. Soon, the vortex began to contract. Its sharp sword qi continuously battered the Ground Splitting Tiger's mental defenses, causing its eyes to gradually become unfocused and its movements to slow. Clearly, it had been dazed by the sword qi.

"Yao, make your move." Chen Xin withdrew the Seven Kill Sword and turned toward Lin Yao. His tone was calm, yet encouraging.

"Yes, Master." Lin Yao answered, then leaped down from the boulder and landed before the Ground Splitting Tiger. He clenched his hands, and his Star Sword Martial Soul instantly appeared. Its blade was as deep as the night sky, dotted with silver light and radiating the aura of Star Power. Lin Yao did not hesitate. The dual-attribute wood and fire Soul Power within him surged madly into the Star Sword, causing a cyan-gold radiance to flare across the blade. He aimed at the Ground Splitting Tiger's vital point and thrust fiercely forward, the sword piercing directly through its heart.

The Ground Splitting Tiger let out a miserable howl. Its huge body crashed to the ground, twitched a few times, and then fell silent. Immediately afterward, a black Soul Ring slowly rose from its body and hovered in midair—it was a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. Faint golden patterns lingered over the black ring, which radiated a vast, heavy aura of energy.

Lin Yao stood where he was, staring at the ten-thousand-year Soul Ring without moving for a long time. Seeing this, Chen Xin leaped down from the boulder and walked to his side. In a gentle voice, he asked, "Yao, are you having doubts? If you think the risk is too great, we can find a nine-thousand-year Earth Attribute Soul Beast as a temporary measure. Once you break through to Soul Ancestor, you can absorb a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. You would still be a Heavenly Pride who stands above the continent."

Hearing this, Lin Yao turned and smiled at Chen Xin, his gaze as resolute as ever. "Rest assured, Master. I am not hesitating. I am simply happy that I am about to absorb a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. At such a crucial moment, I will not retreat."

After saying that, he no longer hesitated. He sat cross-legged beside the Ground Splitting Tiger's corpse, closed his eyes, extended his hands, and began guiding the ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. The black Soul Ring slowly descended and enveloped Lin Yao. Vast Earth Attribute energy surged into his body like a tide as the fusion of his third Soul Ring began.

Chen Xin stood to the side, his eyes fixed on Lin Yao. His Soul Power quietly spread out around him, forming an invisible barrier that enveloped the area—he would guard Lin Yao and prevent any accident from occurring. Looking at the boy's resolute profile, a smile unconsciously appeared on Chen Xin's lips.

"Yao, you possess all the necessary conditions. As long as you hold firm to your heart, you will succeed. A Soul Elder with a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring—you are about to create another continental record."

Sunlight shone through the gaps in the valley and fell upon Lin Yao, stretching his shadow long.

The Earth Attribute energy around them remained violent, and the gravity had not weakened.

But Lin Yao's aura grew increasingly steady, his Soul Power gradually intertwining with the energy of the ten-thousand-year Soul Ring.