Time passed in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, a year had gone by.
In the inner reaches of Lost Trace Canyon, Qin Tian, Tian Yao, Qian Han, Xiong Sheng, and the others sat on the ground, panting heavily. Not far away lay the enormous corpse of a Soul Beast.
"Brother Tian, that Golden Centipede Poison Dragon was far too vicious!"
"Brother Tian, it took us a full three days to hunt that thing down."
Listening to Tian Yao and the others, Qin Tian glanced at the Golden Centipede Poison Dragon's corpse and smiled.
"The Golden Centipede Poison Dragon is a Sub-Dragon Soul Beast, and it's more than twenty-five thousand years old. It has formidable strength and defense, and it's also venomous."
"Our ability to hunt it proves just how strong we are."
High above, Mighty Lion Douluo and Light Feather Douluo looked down at them. They exchanged a glance, both drawing in a sharp breath.
"They really are a bunch of little monsters. Seven Soul Elders hunted a Golden Centipede Poison Dragon that was more than twenty-five thousand years old."
"That Golden Centipede Poison Dragon is as strong as an ordinary Soul Beast that's more than forty thousand years old. Even a Soul Emperor would have to avoid it."
The two of them were astonished that Qin Tian's team of seven had managed to hunt such a powerful Soul Beast.
"All right, Fourth Brother. Big Brother sent word yesterday that their training can end."
Mighty Lion Douluo nodded slightly and headed down toward them.
Qin Tian had been cultivating when he sensed someone approaching. He immediately activated Martial Soul Possession.
"Stay alert! We have intruders!"
At his words, Tian Yao, Qian Han, and the others sprang to their feet, activated Martial Soul Possession, and braced themselves.
"Ha ha ha!"
"Little Tian, not bad. You're all very alert!"
Hearing the laughter, Qin Tian lifted his gaze toward the sky. When he saw who had arrived, his expression relaxed.
"Fourth Grandfather, Fifth Grandfather, what brings you here?"
Tian Yao, Qian Han, Xiong Sheng, and the others dispelled their Martial Soul Possession and stepped forward to greet them.
Mighty Lion Douluo and Light Feather Douluo looked at the seven with smiles.
"You entered Lost Trace Canyon for training a year ago. I've come to take you back."
Qin Tian's expression remained calm as he replied evenly, "Fourth Grandfather, do you mean our training is over?"
Mighty Lion Douluo and Light Feather Douluo nodded.
"Big Brother is very pleased with your performance. Over the past year, you haven't disappointed us old fellows."
Thinking back on the past year, Qin Tian was filled with emotion.
The seven of them had been through a lot. They'd faced life-threatening dangers, and fortunately, they were strong enough to survive. Otherwise, they would have died there and become food for the Soul Beasts.
They had fought Soul Beasts, battled Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, and skirted the edge of death. They had endured much and grown tremendously.
When they first entered Lost Trace Canyon, Qin Tian had been a thirty-sixth-level Soul Elder. Now, he was a fortieth-level Quasi-Soul Ancestor, only one Soul Ring away from becoming a Soul Ancestor.
When Tian Yao entered Lost Trace Canyon, he had been a thirty-fourth-level Soul Elder. Now, he was a thirty-eighth-level Soul Elder.
Over the past year, Qian Han, Xiong Sheng, Guang Yu, Qian Chengfeng, Qian Chengyun, and the others had each gained four or five levels of Soul Power.
Xiong Sheng had the lowest Soul Power among the seven, but even he had reached level thirty-seven.
Mighty Lion Douluo and Light Feather Douluo led Qin Tian and the others out of Lost Trace Canyon. With the two of them protecting the group, they encountered no dangers along the way.
Their auras spread outward, and the Soul Beasts scattered in every direction.
At the entrance to Lost Trace Canyon, Qin Tian didn't hurry to board the carriage. Instead, he turned to face the canyon, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Brother Tian, let's go."
At the call, Qin Tian's lips curved upward in a faint smile.
Once inside the carriage, Qin Tian narrowed his eyes and began to doze, conserving his energy and spirit.
Half a day passed. Qin Tian stepped down from the carriage and looked at the familiar palace before him, overcome by emotion.
"I'm back!"
He murmured softly, then headed toward the palace.
Tian Yao and the others followed behind Qin Tian as they made their way to the Worship Hall.
When Qin Tian entered the Worship Hall and saw that familiar figure, his eyes grew red.
"Xue-jie."
That familiar figure was none other than Qian Renxue.
Qin Tian was completely surprised. He hadn't expected Qian Renxue to be there.
Qian Renxue looked at Qin Tian, her eyes warm as a smile spread across her face.
"Little Tian, you must have suffered a lot this past year. Let Xue-jie get a good look at you."
As she spoke, Qian Renxue hurried over to him and looked him up and down.
Nearby, Qian Daoliu couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others were already used to this. They simply looked away from the two and turned their attention to their own younger generations.
As they looked at their juniors and felt the auras around them, smiles tugged at everyone's lips. Their eyes were filled with approval.
"Good, good. You've changed a lot in just one year."
Hearing their words, Tian Yao and the others smiled happily.
Earning their elders' approval was the greatest praise they could receive.
"Ahem!"
"Xiao Xue, Little Tian just got back from Lost Trace Canyon. Grandfather has something to discuss with him."
Hearing her grandfather Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue blushed. She shot him an unhappy look, then stood beside Qin Tian without saying a word.
"Teacher, I'm back."
Qin Tian bowed to Qian Daoliu, his expression respectful.
They had faced many dangers over the past year. Without the guidance of Qian Daoliu and the others, they would never have survived.
Qian Daoliu looked Qin Tian over, sensing his aura, and nodded with satisfaction.
"I've been watching your performance this past year. You haven't disappointed me."
"Only those who endure trials of life and death and are tempered in blood can become true experts."
"All of you have excellent talent, but that is precisely why you must undergo even greater trials."
"Jade must be carved to become useful. With your talents, becoming Titled Douluos won't be a problem, but if you want to go further, you'll have to endure more."
"Now that your training in Lost Trace Canyon is over, you'll have half a year to rest. After that, your next training will begin. I hope you'll keep up your efforts and not disappoint us."
Hearing Qian Daoliu, Qin Tian glanced at Tian Yao and the others and answered firmly.
"Yes, Teacher."
Qian Daoliu smiled with satisfaction.
"All right. Xue'er rarely gets to come back, so spend the next few days with her. In a few days, I'll have your Second Grandfather take you to find a suitable fourth Soul Ring."
At his words, Qin Tian looked at Qian Renxue, then bowed to Qian Daoliu and the others.
"Teacher, I'll take my leave first."
After speaking, Qin Tian took Qian Renxue by the hand and led her outside. Seeing this, Tian Yao and the others didn't linger either. They bade farewell to the seven Elders before leaving.
After a year of trials, the hardships of life and death, and days spent constantly on edge, all they needed now was a good night's sleep to ease their exhaustion.
Before you continue