Level 48, Blazing Sun Aurora Break! Meng Yiran's Admiration, Meng Shu's Shock: A Top-Tier Divine Beast Martial Soul?

Time passed, second by second.

The crimson hue covering Huang Yan's body gradually faded, and his violent aura slowly settled.

"Hum—"

His fourth ring finally stabilized, slowly pulsing up and down around him.

Huang Yan abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance crossing them.

"Level 41... level 44... level 46..."

"Level 48!"

Huang Yan clenched his fists, feeling the power brimming with an aura of destruction.

"Absorbing a seventy-thousand-year Spirit Ring at level 40, I jumped eight levels and reached level 48 outright.

Some of that was also thanks to the medicinal power of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.

Still, the energy of this Blazing Sun Fire Phoenix didn't disappoint me."

Huang Yan slowly rose to his feet and looked toward a steep, hundred-meter-tall rocky mountain in the distance.

"Perfect. I'll use you to test the power of this seventy-thousand-year Spirit Ring."

Huang Yan's lips curled slightly. The profound black Spirit Ring beneath his feet suddenly blazed with light.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Blazing Sun Aurora Break!"

With a piercing phoenix cry that seemed to rend metal and stone, Huang Yan joined the fingers of his right hand like a sword and swung them sharply forward.

A dark-red pillar of fire, as thick as a water vat and condensed to the utmost, erupted in an instant.

Like a divine spear of flame tearing through space, it surged forth with an aura that could destroy all things and slammed into the rocky mountain.

"Rumble—!"

A deafening explosion rang through the forest.

No stones flew through the air, and the earth did not shake.

Under the extreme heat and terrifying penetrative force, the entire hundred-meter-tall mountain was instantly melted and vaporized!

All that remained was a massive, charred crater, so deep its bottom could not be seen, with dark-red magma still flowing along its edges.

A wave of scorching wind howled past, making Huang Yan's clothes snap.

Looking at the appalling destruction before him, Huang Yan withdrew his hand with satisfaction, undisguised approval flashing in his eyes.

"As expected of an explosive Soul Skill from a seventy-thousand-year Spirit Ring."

Huang Yan watched the magma crater still giving off white smoke and chuckled to himself.

"Unmatched penetration combined with extreme heat.

Even an ordinary Soul Saint who activated their Martial Soul Avatar and took this head-on would be reduced to ashes in an instant.

Good. I'm very satisfied with this power."

He dismissed his Martial Soul and turned toward the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

He had only just stepped out of the forest when Huang Yan came to a halt.

The three people approaching him caught him by surprise.

An old man leaning on a Dragon-Head Cane, a silver-haired old woman, and a pretty young woman holding a Serpent Cane.

They were the Peerless Dragon and Serpent couple, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang, along with their granddaughter, Meng Yiran.

"What a coincidence."

Huang Yan walked straight up and blocked their path.

Meng Shu furrowed his brow and looked Huang Yan up and down before asking in a low voice,

"Young man, is there something you need from our family?"

Huang Yan remained calm and got straight to the point.

"I was planning to find Dugu Bo anyway. Since I've run into you here, we might as well go together."

"Find Poison Douluo?"

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with uncertainty.

"Why do you want to go with us to find Poison Douluo?"

Huang Yan glanced at them indifferently, his tone casual.

"My great-grandfather previously asked Dugu Bo to serve as my protector.

Last time, my great-grandfather mentioned that Dugu Bo was hoping to start a sect with you, the Peerless Dragon and Serpent couple.

Since you're involved too, there's no need to waste time. Just take me to Dugu Bo."

At his words, all three of them drew in a sharp breath.

A mighty Titled Douluo serving as someone's protector?!

Just how terrifying was this young man's great-grandfather?

The uncertainty on Meng Shu's face instantly turned to deep reverence.

Daring not to show the slightest neglect, he hurriedly bowed and spoke respectfully.

"So you're the one Poison Douluo Senior is protecting!

I'm Meng Shu. This old man was discourteous just now. I hope you'll forgive me, young master!"

Meng Shu paused, then continued.

"Young master, you're quite right.

Some time ago, Poison Douluo Senior did indeed discuss founding a sect with my wife and me, and we've already agreed to join."

"By my reckoning, Poison Douluo Senior should be staying in Heaven Dou City right now.

Since you're going to see him as well, why don't we travel together? This old man can show you the way!"

Huang Yan gave a slight nod, his expression still calm.

"Fine. Let's go."

Meng Yiran stole glances at Huang Yan from the side.

Looking at his handsome, stern features and the effortless, commanding presence he carried with every movement, Meng Yiran found herself staring, momentarily entranced.

Her heart beat a little faster, and an unconscious blush rose to her pretty face.

Chao Tianxiang noticed her granddaughter's reaction and immediately began to form a plan.

Leaning on her Serpent Cane, Chao Tianxiang walked forward with a beaming smile and cautiously asked in a kindly tone,

"Young master, you certainly have an extraordinary bearing and a fine appearance.

For Poison Douluo Senior himself to serve as your protector, you must have a talent that comes once in a million."

Chao Tianxiang paused, a shrewd glint in her eyes as she asked with a chuckle,

"May I ask how old you are?

What is your Martial Soul?

And what level has your Soul Power reached?"

Huang Yan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He had always disliked this sort of probing into his background, but since they were treating him with sufficient respect, he still gave a slight nod.

"My name is Huang Yan.

As for my Martial Soul and Soul Power..."

Huang Yan said no more and slowly raised his right hand.

With a clear, ringing phoenix cry,

brilliant golden-red light suddenly burst from his body.

A sacred and majestic phantom of a Bright Phoenix appeared behind him, spreading its wings.

Although Huang Yan deliberately held back and revealed none of his Spirit Rings,

the formidable Soul Power fluctuations of a level-48 Soul Ancestor swept out without restraint.

Feeling that scorching, sacred, and terrifying pressure, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang paled and couldn't help taking a step back.

"This... is this a Phoenix Martial Soul?!"

Meng Shu stared at the golden-red phoenix phantom, his voice trembling.

"Not only does it possess the ultimate fire attribute, it also carries such pure light energy...

A top-tier divine beast Martial Soul with both light and fire attributes!"

Chao Tianxiang was also aghast. Her hand trembled slightly around her Serpent Cane as she murmured to herself,

"This is unbelievable...

In terms of Martial Soul quality and that overwhelming aura, even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, hailed as the greatest Beast Martial Soul under heaven,

would likely pale in comparison!"

Beside them, Meng Yiran was so shaken by that sacred, domineering presence that she couldn't speak.

Her beautiful eyes shone with wonder, and an unmistakable hint of admiration appeared in the way she looked at Huang Yan.

Meng Shu took a deep breath, forcing down the turmoil in his heart. Feeling the strength of Huang Yan's Soul Power, he asked in a trembling voice,

"Young master Huang Yan, this Soul Power of yours... could you already have reached the high-level Soul Ancestor realm?!"

Huang Yan casually dismissed his Martial Soul and calmly uttered four words.

"Level forty-eight."