Four Years to Forge a Sword! Purple Second Ring? That's Standard for Monsters!

The passage of time in Soul Land is like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall.

In the blink of an eye, four years have passed.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Advanced Mimicry Training Area.

The morning sun spilled over the shimmering surface of the lake, and amidst the swirling mist, the figure of a young boy stood shirtless, enduring the impact of the waterfall.

He looked to be about ten years old, but his height had already shot up to nearly 1.6 meters, his posture as upright as a pine tree. Years of magic tempering and physical conditioning had given his muscles an incredibly fluid and graceful definition; every muscle seemed to contain explosive power, glowing with a healthy, bronze-like luster under the sun.

His once-childish face was now sharply defined, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, his signature heterochromatic pupils as deep as the sea. A cynical smile still hung at the corners of his mouth, but compared to four years ago, he possessed an added layer of composure and dominance.

Yu Tianyu, ten years old, level 29 Power Attack System Great Spirit Master.

"Hoo..."

Yu Tianyu opened his eyes abruptly, leaped up from beneath the waterfall, and landed steadily on the rocks by the shore. Following his movement, the water droplets on his body were instantly evaporated by his body heat, rising in a cloud of white mist.

"Brother Yu! Your clothes!"

A crisp, melodious voice came from the shore.

Two young girls wearing tight-fitting combat suits were standing there.

The girl on the left had a tall, hot figure. Although she was only ten, her development was astonishing; the tight dark green leather suit outlined an S-shaped curve that was already beginning to take form. A head of long, dark green hair was draped casually over her shoulders, and those narrow, long eyes revealed a wild, bewitching charm.

Dugu Yan, ten years old, level 27 Control System Great Spirit Master.

The girl on the right was dressed in black, her temperament as cold as snow, with a black veil covering her face (this was her habit; she only took it off in front of Yu Tianyu). She stood there quietly, holding Yu Tianyu's coat in her hands. Although her gaze was cold, it turned as gentle as water when it fell upon the boy.

Ye Lingling, ten years old, level 26 Support System Great Spirit Master.

"Thanks, Lingling."

Yu Tianyu took the coat and draped it over his shoulders, casually pinching Ye Lingling's cheek as he did so. "Four years later, and your skin is still this smooth."

"Stop it." Ye Lingling's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't dodge, merely glaring at him with feigned annoyance.

"Hey! I brought you a towel too, why didn't you pinch me?" Dugu Yan pouted in dissatisfaction, stepping forward to hug Yu Tianyu's arm and rubbing against him with her already developing chest. "You're biased!"

"Alright, alright, I'll pinch you, I'll pinch you."

Yu Tianyu smiled helplessly and reached out to flick Dugu Yan's nose. "That's because your skin is thicker than Lingling's."

"Your skin is the one that's thick!" Dugu Yan opened her mouth as if to bite him.

Over the past four years, the three of them had been almost inseparable.

With Yu Tianyu's help (regularly devouring toxins), Dugu Yan had not only shaken off the backlash of the Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison, but her cultivation speed had also advanced by leaps and bounds. Under the tutelage of Yu Tianyu's "violent healer" philosophy, Ye Lingling had learned to kill with flower petals, and her personality had become much more cheerful.

The current "Dragon Snake Begonia" trio was no longer the novice team from the primary division, but the "Monster Trio" recognized by the entire Heaven Dou Royal Academy (including the intermediate division).

"Alright, enough fooling around."

Yu Tianyu straightened his collar, his gaze becoming sharp. "Today is the selection match for the Imperial Fighting Team reserve. I heard that not only the academy's top brass, but also people from the Heaven Dou Imperial family and Spirit Hall will be here to watch."

"Pang Hu has already grabbed seats at the Spirit Arena, let's go."

"Mm." The two girls nodded, their eyes instantly turning fierce.

These past four years, following Yu Tianyu, they hadn't just been busy with romance.

The main Spirit Arena of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was packed to capacity today.

The Imperial Fighting Team represented the highest combat power and the face of the Heaven Dou Empire. The selection, held every five years, was a grand event for the imperial capital.

Although Yu Tianyu and his friends were only ten and should logically still be in the primary division or just entering the intermediate division, their strength had long since exceeded the standard, so they were specially approved to participate in this selection.

In the VIP area.

The three committee members sat in the center, their expressions solemn.

To their left sat a refined young man wearing golden python robes; it was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Four years had passed, and his temperament had become even more composed, his eyes so deep they were impossible to read.

To the right sat a bishop in red robes, Salas, the Platinum Bishop from Spirit Hall.

"Your Highness, I heard that a child named Yu Tianyu is highly regarded by you in this selection?" Salas asked, squinting his eyes with a smile that didn't reach his face.

"Junior Brother Yu Tianyu is exceptionally gifted and is indeed a rare talent for the Empire," Xue Qinghe replied with a smile, his words airtight. "However, whether he can enter the Imperial Fighting Team depends on his performance today."

"Hmph, an abandoned son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect..." Salas snorted coldly. "I'd like to see what kind of ability he has."

Below the stage, in the rest area.

Pang Hu (now a sturdy, chubby boy, a level 17 Spirit Master) came running over, covered in sweat. "Brother Yu! I found out! Our biggest opponent this time is the 'Golden Lion' team!"

"The leader is a lackey recently taken in by the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng. His name is Luo En, his spirit is the Blazing Lion, and he's a level 29 Great Spirit Master! Plus, they are all children of nobles, well-equipped, and I heard they took some kind of secret medicine to artificially inflate their spirit power!"

"Blazing Lion?"

Yu Tianyu scoffed disdainfully. "Playing with fire in front of me? That's like a birthday boy hanging himself—tired of living."

"Level 29..." A green glint flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes. "Perfect, I'll use them to test my new spirit skill."

"Let's go, time to take the stage."

"Next match! 'Dragon Snake Begonia' team, versus, 'Golden Lion' team!"

Following the host's loud announcement, the two teams walked onto the massive spirit fighting arena.

Opposite them, seven youths clad in golden armor stood in a row, looking arrogant and conceited. The leader, Luo En, was burly with a head of golden hair, his eyes filled with jealousy as he looked at Yu Tianyu and the others.

"Yu Tianyu! Don't think you can be arrogant just because you have a little fame in the academy!"

Luo En pointed at Yu Tianyu and shouted, "Today, I will let you know that the heritage of a noble is not something an abandoned child like you can compare to! Brothers, activate your spirits!"

"Roar--!"

Seven rays of light ignited. All of them possessed the optimal spirit ring configuration of two yellow rings. Luo En, in particular, had a Blazing Lion phantom behind him that was incredibly solid, radiating a scorching heat.

Looking at Yu Tianyu's side, there were only three people.

Furthermore, they did not release their spirits immediately.

"Heritage?"

Yu Tianyu stood with his arms crossed in front of the two girls, looking at the flashy noble young masters opposite him as if he were watching a group of circus monkeys.

"Since you all like talking about heritage so much, I'll teach you a lesson."

"Yanyan, Lingling, there is no need for you to move."

Yu Tianyu said indifferently, "To deal with trash like this, I alone am enough."

"Arrogant!" Luo En was furious. "Get him! Tear him apart!"

The seven noble disciples charged forward simultaneously, their various spirit skills flashing as they rained down upon Yu Tianyu.

Facing this seemingly ferocious attack, Yu Tianyu did not even move his feet.

He simply raised his right foot slowly, and then—

He slammed it down heavily!

"Boom!"

A loud noise erupted.

It was not a simple stomp.

As his sole hit the ground, a terrifying crimson shockwave centered on him instantly exploded outward!

That was not a spirit power shock, but—Dragon Roar!

Over the past four years, Yu Tianyu had devoured countless spirit beasts possessing dragon bloodlines in the Sunset Forest, and he had even frequently absorbed the poison of Dugu Bo (the poison of a Title Douluo is also energy). The dragon aura within his body had long since reached a shocking level.

"Roar--!!!"

A dragon roar that seemed to come from the ancient past exploded deep within everyone's souls.

Those noble disciples who had charged halfway were struck in the chest as if by an invisible giant hammer.

"Pfft--!"

All seven of them spat out a mouthful of blood at the same time. Their spirit possession states were instantly shattered, and they were sent flying backward like kites with broken strings, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Spirit suppression!

Absolute bloodline suppression!

Luo En, whose spirit was the Blazing Lion, screamed and clutched his head, rolling on the ground. In front of a true dragon, a lion didn't even have the qualifications to lift its head!

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence.

One kick?

He didn't even activate his spirit; just the aura generated by a single stomp had instantly defeated seven Great Spirit Masters of the same level?

In the VIP box, Salas stood up abruptly, his eyes full of shock: "This is... Dragon Roar? Even the direct descendants of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect couldn't possibly possess such pure Dragon Roar!"

Golden light flickered in Xue Qinghe's eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened: "As expected of him. He could devour lightning four years ago, and now... he is even more unfathomable."

"Bas... bastard..."

Luo En struggled to crawl up, his eyes bloodshot. He was unwilling to accept this! He was a noble! He was a genius in whom the Fourth Prince had placed high hopes! How could he lose to an abandoned child?

"I don't accept this! You must have used some kind of evil magic!"

Luo En pulled a blood-red pill from his robes and swallowed it.

Boom!

His spirit power surged instantly, his skin turned bright red, and he forcibly broke through to the thirtieth level!

"I'm going to kill you! Third Spirit Skill (Pseudo): Lion Earth-Splitting Claw!"

Burning his life force, Luo En transformed into a crazed flaming lion, charging toward Yu Tianyu with the momentum of mutual destruction.

"Stubborn and foolish."

Yu Tianyu shook his head. The playfulness in his eyes vanished, replaced by cold indifference.

"Since you want to see my spirit, I will let you die with clarity."

"Come out."

"Dragon Slayer Magic!"

Hum--!

The air suddenly distorted.

Yu Tianyu's hands were instantly covered in a layer of dark red dragon scales, and his pupils transformed into vertical slits.

Following that, two halos slowly rose from beneath his feet.

The first was deep yellow, nearing purple (650 years). The second...

When that deep, noble, and terrifyingly aura-radiating purple light flared, the entire Great Spirit Arena instantly erupted!

"Purple?!" "A thousand-year Spirit Ring?!" "The second Spirit Ring is already a thousand-year one?! How is this possible! Doesn't Grandmaster's theory state the limit for a second Spirit Ring is 764 years?!"

Even the three committee members couldn't sit still, their eyes wide with shock.

In the history of Soul Land, a second Spirit Ring being a thousand-year one was unheard of!

"It is the limit for mortals."

Yu Tianyu watched Luo En charging toward him, his voice as cold as a blade.

"But for a Dragon Slayer, a thousand years is merely the starting point."

He had obtained this thousand-year Spirit Ring when he was nine years old, deep within the Sunset Forest, by grinding an Explosive Flame Tyrant Dragon (a Sub-Dragon species) to death.

To absorb this Spirit Ring, he had soaked in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for three full days and nights, nearly exploding to death.

But the rewards were equally immense.

"Second Spirit Skill..."

Yu Tianyu's right arm pulled back violently, and the purple thousand-year Spirit Ring shone brilliantly.

A massive amount of flame erupted from his elbow, creating propulsion, while a spiral flame shaped like a drill condensed upon his fist.

"Fire Dragon's--"

"Sword Horn!!!"

Yu Tianyu's figure moved like lightning, vanishing from his spot in an instant.

The next second.

"Boom--!!!"

He transformed into a flaming meteor, piercing directly through Luo En's offensive.

There was no suspense.

Luo En's so-called desperate strike was like paper in the face of a thousand-year Spirit Skill.

Yu Tianyu's flaming figure passed through Luo En's body and landed steadily on the edge of the arena.

And behind him.

Luo En remained in his charging posture, frozen in place.

Two seconds later.

"Bang!"

The armor on his body shattered, and he collapsed to the ground, his chest charred black, having fallen completely unconscious.

One strike, a sure kill.

"The winner... Dragon Snake Begonia team!"

The host's voice was trembling.

Cheers like a tsunami drowned out the entire Great Spirit Arena.

Yu Tianyu did not revel in this glory; instead, he turned and walked toward his two teammates.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were already accustomed to his strength, but looking at the young man's not-so-broad yet incredibly reliable back, ripples still stirred in their hearts.

"How was it? Was I cool just now?"

Yu Tianyu dispersed his Martial Soul, returning to that sunny youth, and raised an eyebrow at the two girls.

"Hmph, passable, I suppose." Although Dugu Yan was stubborn, she still stepped forward, taking out a handkerchief to wipe away the non-existent sweat on his forehead. "But can you not show off so much next time? Once that thousand-year Spirit Ring appeared, I bet the entire continent will be eyeing you now."

"Let them eye me."

Yu Tianyu shrugged indifferently, then reached out with extreme naturalness to wrap his arms around their waists, whispering:

"As long as I am here, no one will be able to touch you."

"And besides..."

Yu Tianyu suddenly looked at Ye Lingling.

"Lingling, I have something I want to give you."

Under the gaze of tens of thousands of people in the arena, Yu Tianyu took an exquisite jade box from his spirit tool.

Opening the box, a strange fragrance instantly permeated the air.

It was a crystal-clear flower, appearing as if it had been carved from pink crystal—the Tulip of Romance (Immortal Herb).

This was something he had found among the "weeds" at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. Although it wasn't as extreme as the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, for an auxiliary-type spirit master, especially one with a plant-type spirit, it was a divine treasure that captured the essence of heaven and earth.

"This is..." Ye Lingling looked at the flower, and the Nine Heart Begonia spirit within her body trembled uncontrollably, emitting a cry of longing.

"A gift for your tenth birthday, even if it's a few days late."

Yu Tianyu said softly, "Eat it. It will allow your Nine Heart Begonia to... evolve."

"Evolve?!" Ye Lingling covered her mouth in shock.

The Nine Heart Begonia was already a top-tier auxiliary spirit. If it were to evolve further... what would it become?

"Trust me." Yu Tianyu pressed the jade box into her hands. "I promised you that I would make the Begonia flowers bloom across the entire continent. This is just the first step."

Ye Lingling looked at the immortal herb in her hand, then at the young man before her who had time and again created miracles.

Tears fell uncontrollably.

On this stage under the gaze of the masses, in this moment of glory, the first thing he thought of was to give her a gift.

"Thank you..."

Ye Lingling choked back a sob, suddenly stood on her tiptoes, and in front of the entire audience, the crown prince, the committee members, and countless nobles, she planted a heavy kiss on Yu Tianyu's lips.

"Whoa--!!!"

The entire arena erupted in an uproar.

Dugu Yan stood to the side, stomping her feet: "You sly Ye Lingling! How dare you jump the gun! I want in too!"

With that, she refused to be outdone, pounced forward, and gave Yu Tianyu's other cheek a fierce kiss.

"Crack."

In the VIP box, the teacup in Xue Qinghe's hand was crushed into powder.

She watched the young man below, surrounded by beauties and basking in the limelight, a complex emotion flashing in the depths of her eyes.

Was it jealousy? Admiration? Or... a certain desire to conquer?

"Yu Tianyu..."

Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, steadying her mood.

"It seems I must re-evaluate your value."

"A thousand-year second spirit ring... the secrets you carry are truly becoming more and more fascinating."

That night, at the victory banquet.

Pang Hu drank until he was dead drunk and had to be carried back to the dormitory by the waitstaff.

Yu Tianyu strolled along the academy lake with the two girls.

The night breeze blew gently, dispersing the heat of the day.

"Tianyu, have we really joined the Imperial Fighting Team?" Dugu Yan leaned on his shoulder, still feeling as if it were unreal.

"Of course. And we're going straight into the first team."

Yu Tianyu looked at the reflection on the lake's surface. "However, this is just the beginning. The real challenges lie ahead."

"Are you talking about... the Elite Tournament of Advanced Spirit Master Academies?" Ye Lingling asked softly.

"Exactly. That tournament is five years away. By then, we won't just be facing opponents from the Heaven Dou Empire, but also the Star Luo Empire, and... Spirit Hall."

At the mention of Spirit Hall, a cold glint flashed in Yu Tianyu's eyes.

Since he had transmigrated into this world and awakened his Dragon Slayer Magic, his goal was not merely to find a corner to settle in.

Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu, Tang San...

These names would eventually become stepping stones on his path to the pinnacle.

"No matter who we face, we will be by your side."

The two girls said in unison, gripping his hands tightly.

A sense of heroic spirit surged in Yu Tianyu's heart.

With a Begonia in his left hand, a venomous snake in his right, and his own body transforming into a dragon.

The future of this Soul Land was destined to belong to him.

"Alright, let's not talk about such heavy topics."

Yu Tianyu suddenly gave a wicked grin and looked at the two girls. "Since we've joined the Imperial Fighting Team, shouldn't we celebrate? Tonight... at my dormitory? I've learned a new 'massage technique' that is guaranteed to double your cultivation speed."

"Pah! Pervert!" "In your dreams!"

The two girls ran off with blushing faces, leaving behind a trail of silvery laughter.

Yu Tianyu watched their retreating figures, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

Four years.

He had spent four years laying the most solid foundation possible.

And the days to come would be the era where the "Dragon King" truly took flight.