A Partner? A Quasi-Soul Elder

Qin Tian sat cross-legged in the wooden tub and began cultivating his Soul Power by circulating his meditation technique.

That afternoon's combat training had taught him a great deal. The fighting techniques and methods were a huge challenge for someone who had never experienced real combat.

The seven Worship Hall enshrinees were all top-level powerhouses, rich in combat experience. By learning from them, Qin Tian was making rapid progress.

Of course, the combat training had also put him through quite a bit. His entire body was bruised and swollen.

The enshrinees' advice was straightforward: if he wanted to hit others, he first had to learn how to take a hit.

As he soaked in the medicinal bath, a cool sensation washed over him, leaving him feeling refreshed in both body and mind.

After a night passed, Qin Tian opened his eyes and glanced at the sky outside. He got dressed and left his room.

Ling Yuan was already waiting for him outside.

Qin Tian looked at Ling Yuan and greeted her with a smile and a nod.

There was no helping it. She was his guardian, so he naturally had to get along well with her.

When he arrived at the Worship Hall, he greeted Qian Daoliu and the others as he had the day before, then left right away.

In the morning, he had theory lessons and practiced controlling his Soul Power. In the afternoon, he trained in combat. At night, he meditated to cultivate his Soul Power.

In this way, half a month passed before he knew it, and every day was packed.

That day, Qin Tian came to the Martial Arts Arena for combat training. Seeing six unfamiliar figures there, he furrowed his brow slightly.

This was his private training ground, yet there were six people here today. Could they be the descendants of some of the enshrinees?

As Qin Tian wondered, Golden Crocodile Douluo spotted him and immediately waved him over with a smile.

"Xiao Tian, let me introduce you to a few companions. From now on, you'll all study together."

Qin Tian listened to Golden Crocodile Douluo, glanced at the six, then looked back at him and waited for the introductions.

"You little rascals can introduce yourselves. Don't tell me you expect this old man to do it for you?"

At Golden Crocodile Douluo's words, one of the six immediately spoke up.

"My name is Tian Yao. I'm eight years old. My Martial Soul is the Golden Crocodile Dragon, and I'm a Level 25 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

"My surname is Qian, and my given name is Han. I'm eight years old. My Martial Soul is the Azure Luan, and I'm a Level 24 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

"My name is Xiong Sheng. I'm seven years old. My Martial Soul is the Golden Flame Mad Lion, and I'm a Level 23 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

"My name is Guang Yu. I'm seven years old. My Martial Soul is the Extreme Ice God Bow, and I'm a Level 24 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

"I'm Qian Chengfeng. I'm seven years old. My Martial Soul is the Coiling Dragon Staff, and I'm a Level 25 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

"I'm Qian Chengyun. I'm seven years old. My Martial Soul is also the Coiling Dragon Staff, and I'm a Level 25 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

After hearing their introductions, Qin Tian understood. These six were the descendants of Golden Crocodile Douluo, Azure Luan Douluo, Mighty Lion Douluo, and the others.

Their Martial Souls alone made it clear. The Golden Crocodile Dragon must have evolved from the Golden Crocodile. It seemed the six enshrinees had all given Immortal Herbs to the younger members of their families they valued most.

"My surname is Qin, and my given name is Tian. I'm six years old. My Martial Soul is the Holy Light Tiger King, and I'm a Level 27 Soul Grandmaster."

Once everyone had introduced themselves, Golden Crocodile Douluo looked over their faces one by one and spoke solemnly.

"From now on, you'll study, train, and grow together. You'll be a team, and I hope you'll keep each other in check and improve together. If any of you slack off in your cultivation, don't blame this old man for showing no mercy."

The seven answered in unison, their voices solemn.

Golden Crocodile Douluo was satisfied and immediately began the afternoon's combat training.

The outcome of a Level 98 Peak Douluo fighting seven Soul Grandmasters was obvious. In mere moments, all seven had been defeated.

Golden Crocodile Douluo wasn't pleased with their performance—or rather, aside from Qin Tian, he was very dissatisfied with the other six. Their combat abilities were a complete mess. Still, when he considered their ages, he couldn't help feeling helpless.

There was no helping it. The seven were too young. Tian Yao was the oldest, and he was only eight.

Golden Crocodile Douluo decided he would talk with Qian Daoliu and the others when he got back and have them intensify the children's combat training.

That night, after dinner, Qin Tian sat cross-legged in the wooden tub, soaking in the medicinal bath as he meditated to improve his Soul Power.

Time passed, and before anyone knew it, half a year had gone by.

That day, Qin Tian felt the Soul Power within him and smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"Level 30. I did it—I'm a quasi-Soul Elder. Now I just need to get a suitable Soul Ring, and I'll be a true Soul Elder."

Qin Tian immediately went outside. Ling Yuan Douluo looked at him and smiled too.

After more than half a year together, the two had formed a deep bond.

"Brother Tian!"

"Brother Tian!"

Qin Tian met up with his six companions, and they headed for the Worship Hall together.

As soon as he entered the Worship Hall, Qin Tian shouted excitedly.

"Teacher! Teacher! I'm Level 30! Hurry and take me to get a Soul Ring!"

Qian Daoliu, Golden Crocodile Douluo, and the others looked at Qin Tian, their eyes full of helplessness.

They had already gotten used to his behavior.

"Tian'er, what are you thinking for your third Soul Ring?"

At Qian Daoliu's question, Qin Tian fell into thought instead of answering right away.

Tian Yao and the others exchanged glances and began discussing it.

"Brother Tian's Level 30 now. How many years do you think his third Soul Ring will be?"

"His second Soul Ring is already 9,500 years old. I think his third should be at least a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."

"But don't Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings cause a mental shock? How old is Brother Tian? Can he withstand it?"

The six discussed in hushed voices. Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others remained calm, because they all knew how powerful Qin Tian's spiritual strength was.

Qin Tian might only be a quasi-Soul Elder, but his spiritual strength was no weakling. It was comparable to that of a high-ranked Soul King.

With the spiritual strength of a high-ranked Soul King, withstanding the mental shock of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring would be a piece of cake.

"Teacher, my first and second Soul Rings both give me enhancement skills. For my third, I want an offensive skill. As for the age, anything under 20,000 years will do."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly. He wasn't worried about whether Qin Tian could withstand the mental shock of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

He had tested Qin Tian before. His spiritual strength was already comparable to that of a Soul King, which was more than enough to handle the mental shock from a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

"Second Elder, take Xiao Tian to the Star Dou Great Forest and find him a suitable third Soul Ring."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded slightly, showing no objection.

Qin Tian's potential was plain to see. He was the future of Spirit Hall, so they couldn't let anything happen to him.

"Second Grandfather, sorry to trouble you with this trip."

Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed heartily at Qin Tian's words.

"It's no trouble. We're only making a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest. What's there to trouble me about? I'm looking forward to seeing what your third Soul Ring will be."

Golden Crocodile Douluo rose to his feet, his towering frame imposing.

Qin Tian followed Golden Crocodile Douluo outside the Worship Hall. Ling Yuan Douluo saw him and immediately bowed in greeting. Then she summoned her Martial Soul, the Blazing Spirit Kite, and took Qin Tian onto its back.

Golden Crocodile Douluo rose into the air and headed for the Star Dou Great Forest at great speed.

Ling Yuan Douluo immediately followed. Qin Tian gazed into the distance, thinking about his third Soul Ring.