Partner? Quasi-Soul Master.

Qin Tian sat cross-legged inside a wooden barrel, circulating his meditation technique to begin cultivating his soul power.

He had gained a great deal from the afternoon's sparring; for someone who had never engaged in real combat, the fighting techniques and styles were a significant challenge.

The seven titled experts in the Worship Hall were all top-tier powerhouses, and as Qin Tian learned from them, his progress was remarkably swift.

Of course, he had suffered quite a bit during the live combat training, with his entire body covered in red welts and bruises.

Regarding this, the experts' words were blunt: if you want to be able to strike others, you must first learn how to take a beating.

As his body soaked in the medicinal bath, a cooling sensation washed over him, leaving his mind and body feeling refreshed.

After a night passed, Qin Tian opened his eyes, glanced at the sky outside, and after dressing neatly, walked out of his room.

The moment he stepped out, Ling Yuan was already waiting for him.

Qin Tian looked at Ling Yuan and nodded with a smile to greet her.

There was no helping it; she was his guardian, so it was only natural to get along well with her.

Upon arriving at the Worship Hall, he greeted Qian Daoliu and the others one by one just as he had yesterday, then left directly.

The morning was for theory classes and soul power control, the afternoon for live combat training, and the night for meditation to cultivate soul power.

In this manner, half a month passed by in the blink of an eye, with every day spent feeling very fulfilling.

On this day, Qin Tian arrived at the Martial Arts Arena to prepare for combat training, but frowned slightly when he saw six additional figures in the arena.

This arena was reserved for his exclusive use, yet today there were six extra people; could these six be the descendants of the various experts?

As Qin Tian pondered this, Golden Crocodile Douluo saw him arrive and immediately called him over with a smile.

"Xiao Tian, let me introduce you to some companions. You will all be studying together from now on."

Hearing Golden Crocodile Douluo's words, Qin Tian swept his gaze over the six, then looked back at Golden Crocodile Douluo, waiting for his introduction.

"You little ones, introduce yourselves. Don't tell me you need an old man to introduce you?"

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

"My name is Tian Yao, 8 years old this year, martial soul Golden Crocodile Dragon, level 25 assault-type Soul Grand Master."

"My surname is Qian, given name Han, 8 years old this year, martial soul Qingluan, level 24 assault-type Soul Grand Master."

"My name is Xiong Sheng, 7 years old this year, martial soul Golden Flame Mad Lion, level 23 assault-type Soul Grand Master."

"My name is Guang Yu, 7 years old this year, martial soul Extreme Ice God Bow, level 24 assault-type Soul Grand Master."

"I am Qian Chengfeng, 7 years old this year, martial soul Coiling Dragon Staff, level 25 assault-type Soul Grand Master."

"I am Qian Chengyun, 7 years old this year, and my martial soul is also the Coiling Dragon Staff, level 25 assault-type Soul Grand Master."

Listening to the six introduce themselves, Qin Tian understood; these six were the descendants of Golden Crocodile Douluo, Qingluan Douluo, Mighty Lion Douluo, and the others.

If nothing else, one could tell just by their martial souls—the Golden Crocodile Dragon was likely an evolution of the Golden Crocodile—and it was clear that the six Grand Pontiffs had used immortal herbs on the descendants they valued.

"My surname is Qin, given name Tian, 6 years old this year, martial soul Sacred Light Tiger King, level 27 Soul Grand Master."

Seeing that everyone had introduced themselves, Golden Crocodile Douluo swept his gaze across their faces one by one and spoke in a deep voice.

"From now on, you will study together, train together, and grow together. In the future, you will be a team. I hope you can push one another and grow together. If anyone dares to slack off in their training, don't blame me for being heartless."

Hearing Golden Crocodile Douluo's words, the seven of them responded in deep, solemn voices.

Golden Crocodile Douluo was very satisfied with this and immediately began the afternoon's live combat training.

A level 98 Peak Douluo fighting against seven Soul Grand Masters—the outcome was predictable. It took only a moment for the seven of them to be defeated.

Golden Crocodile Douluo was not satisfied with the performance of the seven; or rather, apart from Qin Tian's performance, he was very dissatisfied with the other six. Their practical combat skills were a mess, but thinking of their ages, he felt a sense of helplessness.

There was no way around it; the seven were simply too young. The oldest was Tian Yao, but he was only eight years old.

Golden Crocodile Douluo decided that after returning, he would discuss with Qian Daoliu and the others about intensifying their combat training.

At night, after eating dinner, Qin Tian sat cross-legged in his wooden barrel, soaking in the medicinal bath while meditating to increase his soul power.

Time drifted by, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Qin Tian sensed the soul power within his body, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as a smile appeared on his face.

"Level 30, it's done. I'm a quasi-Soul Elder. Now, I just need to obtain a suitable soul ring, and I will be a true Soul Elder."

Qin Tian immediately went outside, and Ling Yuan Douluo looked at him, a smile also appearing on her face.

Over the more than half a year they had spent together, the two had developed a deep bond.

"Brother Tian!"

"Brother Tian!"

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

As soon as he entered the Worship Hall, Qin Tian began to shout.

"Teacher, Teacher, I've reached level 30! Hurry and take me to get my soul ring."

Qian Daoliu, Golden Crocodile Douluo, and the others listened to Qin Tian's words, looking at him with eyes full of helplessness.

Regarding Qin Tian's behavior, they had long since grown accustomed to it.

"Tian'er, do you have any thoughts regarding your third soul ring?"

Qin Tian listened to Qian Daoliu's inquiry, but he fell into deep thought instead of answering immediately.

Tian Yao and the others exchanged glances and had already begun to discuss the matter.

"Brother Tian is at level 30. How many years do you think his third soul ring will be?"

"Brother Tian's second soul ring was already 9,500 years old. I think his third will be at least a 10,000-year soul ring."

"That's not right. Don't 10,000-year soul rings have a mental shock? How old is Brother Tian? Can he withstand that mental shock?"

The six of them whispered among themselves, while Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others appeared very calm, simply because they all knew just how strong Qin Tian's mental power was.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Qin Tian was currently a quasi-Soul Elder; his mental power was not weak at all, comparable to that of a high-level Soul King.

With the mental power of a high-level Soul King, dealing with the mental shock of a 10,000-year soul ring would be a walk in the park.

"Teacher, my first and second soul rings are both augmentation soul skills. I intend for my third soul ring to be an attack soul skill. As for the age, anything under 20,000 years is fine."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly upon hearing Qin Tian's words. As for whether Qin Tian could withstand the mental shock of a 10,000-year soul ring, he was not worried.

This was because he had tested it before; Qin Tian's mental power was already comparable to a Soul King's. Such powerful mental strength was more than enough to handle the mental shock of a 10,000-year soul ring.

"Second Elder, accompany Xiao Tian on a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain a suitable third soul ring for him."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded slightly at Qian Daoliu's words, indicating he had no objections.

Qin Tian's potential was clear for all to see; he was the future of Martial Soul Hall, so nothing must be allowed to happen to him.

"Second Grandfather, sorry for the trouble of having you accompany me on this trip."

Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed heartily upon hearing Qin Tian's words.

"It's no trouble at all. It's just a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest; there's no need to talk about trouble. I, for one, am very much looking forward to seeing your third soul ring."

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood up, his tall frame exuding a sense of immense pressure.

Qin Tian followed Golden Crocodile Douluo outside the Worship Hall. Upon seeing Golden Crocodile Douluo, Ling Yuan Douluo bowed in salute immediately, then summoned her martial soul, the Blazing Spirit Kite, and took Qin Tian onto its back.

Golden Crocodile Douluo soared into the air, heading toward the Star Dou Great Forest with incredible speed.

Ling Yuan Douluo followed immediately. Qin Tian gazed into the distance, his mind occupied with thoughts regarding his third soul ring.