King of Earth

"Pure?" Li Tianlan did not quite understand what Xiao Yan meant.

"That's right. There are many soul beasts with fire-element abilities, but for your Martial Soul, the purer, the better. The stronger the fire element itself, the better."

After saying that, Xiao Yan pointed at the Blazing Tiger on the ground. "Take this Blazing Tiger, for example. It has the fire attribute, but is its fire element really that powerful?"

Li Tianlan answered without hesitation, "Not very."

"Exactly." Xiao Yan said, "Among the 108 Heavenly Flames, the flame carried by this Blazing Tiger probably cannot even be ranked. Even Bone Spirit Cold Flame is only ranked fifty-second. How could this little tiger possibly make the list?"

After hearing Xiao Yan's explanation, Li Tianlan finally understood completely and continued deeper into the forest in search of his first Soul Ring.

Li Tianlan searched for a long time, yet there was still no sign of a suitable first Soul Ring.

During that time, he encountered quite a few soul beasts of suitable age, but their attributes did not match his, so he could only keep looking.

Late at night, Li Tianlan leaned against the branch of a large tree. He opened his eyes and gazed at the beautiful starry sky, lost in thought.

At that moment, Xiao Yan, within the Sea of Consciousness, looked at the absent-minded Li Tianlan and asked, "Tianlan, what are you thinking about?"

"I wonder how Xiao Wu is doing now. Has she been studying properly at Nuoding Academy?"

"Ah, Tianlan, I think you can rest assured about that. I get the feeling that girl likes you quite a lot."

Li Tianlan suddenly asked, "Teacher, what were your companions like in that world?"

"Me?" Xiao Yan said, sounding somewhat nostalgic.

In his mind, the gentle, elegant figure appeared without warning, along with that alluring and fiery figure.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to speak, an aura suddenly erupted nearby—scorching and violent.

Li Tianlan and Xiao Yan immediately tensed up. Li Tianlan jumped down to the ground and remained on guard. "Teacher, can you sense what that aura is? Where is it coming from?"

Xiao Yan spoke quickly. "Tianlan, a hundred meters ahead of you. An aura is rapidly approaching, and it's very strong."

Li Tianlan instantly grew tense, keeping his eyes fixed ahead. As the bushes before him slowly parted, a gigantic scorpion emerged. Its entire body was snow-white, and every joint exuded a powerful killing intent.

A tail formed from nine segments of tailbone was raised high in the air. At its end was a fiery-red hook, and the aura it gave off filled Li Tianlan with terror.

Xiao Yan hurriedly said, "Tianlan, based on what I know about this world, that is a King of Earth that's over thirteen hundred years old! These things are usually pack creatures. Why is there only one here?"

Li Tianlan focused with utmost concentration, warily watching the King of Earth. "Teacher, what do you think about using it as my first Soul Ring?"

Xiao Yan was astonished. "What? You little brat—most people would be so scared their legs wouldn't even hold them up, yet you're actually thinking of making it your Soul Ring."

"Of course. It's just that its age is a little too high, isn't it?" Xiao Yan said mysteriously, "Don't worry, it'll be fine. Your body can endure it. With Bone Spirit Cold Flame, are you really afraid you won't be able to withstand its Soul Ring?"

"Really?"

"Of course. With your current abilities, it's impossible for you to defeat it normally. You must use Bone Spirit Cold Flame. Remember! Heavenly Flames are king. Before fire-attribute soul beasts, you are the king. You have an innate suppressive advantage over them."

"Alright!"

After the two quickly finished discussing their plan, the King of Earth remained where it was ahead of them, its scorpion-like tail swaying constantly as though waiting for the right opportunity.

Then, the King of Earth suddenly lunged forward with savage force, attempting to kill Li Tianlan in a single strike. But how could that possibly happen?

"Lightning Flash!"

Li Tianlan used his technique to dodge at high speed, his figure brushing past the King of Earth's body. He swiftly circulated the Soul Power throughout his body and unleashed Eight Level Collapse.

He also followed Xiao Yan's advice and infused Eight Level Collapse with Bone Spirit Cold Flame, driving a punch into the King of Earth's side.

There was a loud bang.

The King of Earth's enormous body was actually sent flying by the punch of this six-year-old child. Although the spot struck by his fist did not burst open, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame attached to it rapidly spread across the King of Earth's body, burning it in agony and making its entire body tremble.

Seeing the King of Earth's miserable state, Li Tianlan was stunned. "Teacher, so I'm actually this strong!"

"Get lost! It's because you have Bone Spirit Cold Flame! Any fire-attribute soul beast will be suppressed by it. Heavenly Flames are king—this is an eternal truth!"

Li Tianlan remained vigilant, keeping watch over every movement the King of Earth made.

Xiao Yan said, "You don't need to worry about it now. Just keep an eye on it; there's no need to attack again. With the Heavenly Flame clinging to its body, it won't be able to endure it. But King of Earth creatures are usually pack animals, so you should finish it quickly to avoid further trouble."

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Li Tianlan unleashed another Eight Level Collapse infused with Bone Spirit Cold Flame, striking the King of Earth directly on the head. At once, sharp screams and the sound of its skull shattering reached his ears.

Li Tianlan did not remain beside it. Instead, he rapidly retreated, avoiding any trap the King of Earth might set before its death.

"Tianlan, it seems your awareness is quite good now. You know how to protect yourself."

Only after the King of Earth before him stopped moving and lay there stiffly did Li Tianlan dare approach. He placed his palm on its head and withdrew the Heavenly Flame he had released earlier.

If the fire continued burning, this King of Earth would probably turn to ash. He was still hoping to obtain a Soul Bone or something.

Unfortunately, after searching for a while, Li Tianlan did not find the precious item known as a Soul Bone. "Why isn't there a Soul Bone?"

Within the Sea of Consciousness, Xiao Yan said disdainfully, "Do you think Soul Bones are cabbages? What kind of Soul Bone could a Thousand Year Soul Beast possibly drop?"

Li Tianlan immediately scratched the back of his head awkwardly and smiled faintly.

Afterward, Li Tianlan quietly waited for the purple radiance emanating from the King of Earth's body to gather into a purple Soul Ring in midair.

"Teacher, are you sure I can absorb this Thousand Year Soul Ring?" Li Tianlan asked doubtfully.

"Of course. Would I harm you? Even if there is danger, it won't be much."

"Not much danger? Teacher, you're not trying to trick me, are you?" Li Tianlan said warily.

"Of course not. I'm telling the truth. Although you're only six years old and this is just your first Soul Ring, after being tempered by the Heavenly Flames, your physical condition is no longer something an ordinary person can compare to."