Star Dou Great Forest, Lake of Life.
The process of absorbing the Soul Ring was much calmer than Qian Anci had expected.
With Gu Yuena personally standing guard, the remnant will of the Dark Scale Flood Dragon couldn't stir up the slightest trouble.
It was gently suppressed by silver light, transformed into the purest soul energy, and absorbed into the Scythe of Death.
Qian Anci felt only a warm current flowing through his body, utterly unlike the intense pain he'd endured when absorbing his First Soul Ring.
So this is the Silver Dragon King's power.
He marveled inwardly.
"Don't let your mind wander."
Castorice's voice rang in his mind, gentle but tinged with solemnity.
"This Soul Ring contains the Flood Dragon's innate ability. Study it carefully."
Qian Anci steadied his mind and sank his consciousness into that gray-white Underworld Wasteland.
On the Scythe of Death, a second black Soul Ring slowly took shape.
On the inside of that Soul Ring, a second Soul Ring for the Shadow of Pollux quietly condensed as well.
Castorice's voice held a hint of satisfaction. "Ring of Dragon Abyss."
"Using the Dark Scale Flood Dragon's essence as a guide, it gathers the darkness of the abyss.
This ring grants your attacks 'Abyssal Erosion.' Anyone struck will have their Soul Power continuously corroded by dark elements, and their wounds will be extremely difficult to heal."
"And Pollux's second Soul Skill..." She paused. "Dark Scale Mountain Breaker."
"The darkness of the abyss is its foundation.
Wherever the attack passes, light fades, and all things sink into ruin."
Qian Anci slowly opened his eyes.
A glimmer of shadowy light flickered deep in his gaze and disappeared.
"Thank you, Senior."
He rose and bowed respectfully.
Gu Yuena looked at him and nodded in satisfaction.
"There's no need to be so formal."
Her voice softened.
"Though you come from beyond the Star Realm, the blood flowing through your veins is still that of the Dragon Clan. Just call me big sister."
Qian Anci's heart stirred.
He knew Gu Yuena was trying to draw closer to him.
"Yes, big sister."
He obediently called her that.
Gu Yuena's lips curved slightly upward.
A faint smile appeared on her cool, exquisite face.
Over the next few days, Qian Anci stayed at the Lake of Life.
This forbidden land of Soul Beasts had now become his private training ground.
Gu Yuena seemed to have truly taken him for a young Dragon Clan member who had drifted into another world. With each passing day, she treated him more gently.
As he trained, she would sit quietly by the lakeshore, her long silver hair spread across the grass, her gaze resting on him with tender warmth.
While he practiced, she would lift a hand and use silver light to smooth the flow of his meridians.
When he practiced his Soul Skills, she would softly point out his flaws.
One night, Qian Anci even woke to find Gu Yuena seated beside him, her slender fingers gently brushing the stray hair from his forehead.
Her silver eyes brimmed with tenderness and pity.
"Big sister?"
He called out sleepily.
Gu Yuena's fingers paused for a moment before she calmly drew her hand back.
"Go to sleep."
Her voice was as soft as a breeze. "You still have training tomorrow."
Qian Anci closed his eyes, but a tangle of emotions stirred within him.
He knew Gu Yuena was kind to him because she thought he was one of her kind.
But he also knew all too well that, in the end, he was human.
Her tenderness rested on a lie.
"Anci, you don't need to blame yourself."
Castorice's voice rang deep within his soul, carrying a note of comfort. "You're only protecting yourself."
"Besides, her kindness toward you might not be entirely based on a misunderstanding."
Qian Anci sighed inwardly and let the matter go.
On the morning of the third day.
Qian Anci was by the lakeshore, practicing his second Soul Skill.
He held the Scythe of Death as the second Soul Ring glowed with a shadowy light.
"Second Soul Skill, Dark Scale Breath-Severing Slash."
The scythe blade swept through the air, and a pitch-black slash tore across the lake.
Where it passed, the water turned ink-black. A gloomy aura spread, sending even the fish at the bottom fleeing in every direction.
"Not bad."
Gu Yuena's voice came from behind him.
Wearing a silver dress, she walked barefoot across the grass and came to stand beside Qian Anci.
"The Abyssal Erosion in this slash is enough to corrode an opponent's Soul Power completely in a short time.
If it strikes a vital spot..."
She paused. "Even a Titled Douluo would find it troublesome."
Qian Anci put away his martial soul and turned to face her.
"Big sister, you seem to be in a good mood today?"
Gu Yuena's lips curved slightly. "You're quite perceptive."
She gazed into the distance, a knowing glint passing through her silver eyes.
"Di Tian just sent word. Something interesting has happened outside the Star Dou Great Forest."
Qian Anci's heart stirred. "What happened?"
"Your grandfather."
Gu Yuena's voice was calm. "Qian Daoliu is gathering every Titled Douluo in Spirit Hall, preparing to force his way into the Star Dou Great Forest."
Qian Anci's expression shifted.
He knew Qian Daoliu was looking for him.
Di Tian had taken him away right in front of the two enshrined elders. Once word reached Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu was bound to do everything in his power to rescue him.
"He really does care about you."
Gu Yuena said softly, "He knows the Star Dou Great Forest is perilous, yet he still gathered every bit of strength without hesitation."
Qian Anci fell silent for a moment.
"Big sister, are you going to fight him?"
Gu Yuena looked at him, a complicated smile flickering in her silver eyes.
"Would you like me to fight him?"
Qian Anci shook his head.
Gu Yuena sighed softly. "Don't worry. I won't hurt him."
"After all, he's your grandfather."
She turned toward the lake. "Di Tian has already gone to deliver a message."
He'll tell Qian Daoliu that you and Di Tian are fated to meet, and that Di Tian wants you to stay in the forest for a few days. He won't harm you at all.
He'll tell him not to worry and to wait outside.
Qian Anci froze.
He hadn't expected Gu Yuena to have Di Tian use such an explanation.
It concealed her existence while giving Qian Daoliu a reasonable answer.
"What is it?"
Gu Yuena looked back at him, a faint smile on her lips. "Can't bear to leave?"
Qian Anci lowered his head without answering.
Gu Yuena walked up to him and gently ruffled his hair.
The gesture had become much more familiar than it had been a few days ago.
"Anci, remember what you promised me."
Her voice was gentle, yet carried a hint of solemnity. "When you return to the human world, train hard and take good care of yourself."
"When you've grown up and grown strong..."
"Your big sister will be waiting here for you."
Qian Anci lifted his head and met her silver gaze.
At that moment, he couldn't tell whether Gu Yuena treated him so kindly because she mistook him for the reincarnation of a Dragon Clan member from beyond the Star Realm.
Or whether, after enduring such a long and lonely existence, she had truly come to see him as a younger brother she could entrust her feelings to.
"I will."
He spoke softly.
Gu Yuena smiled faintly.
Her smile was like the surface of the Lake of Life, gentle and clear.
Meanwhile, outside the Star Dou Great Forest.
Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in gray robes.
Behind him stood six Titled Douluo in a line, their Soul Power surging, their presence shaking heaven and earth.
The entire forest trembled.
A black figure slowly appeared in the air.
Di Tian stood with his hands behind his back, his golden dragon eyes sweeping indifferently across the people before him.
"Qian Daoliu."
His voice was quiet, yet everyone present heard it clearly.
Qian Daoliu's gaze sharpened. "Di Tian."
Di Tian looked at him, his expression calm.
"Your grandson and I are fated to meet. I'd like him to stay in the forest for a few days, and teach him a thing or two."
Qian Daoliu furrowed his brow. "What did you say?"
"I said," Di Tian repeated, his voice still indifferent, "that child and I are fated to meet. I won't harm him. In three days, I'll return him safe and sound."
"If you believe me, wait here."
"If you don't, then by all means, step into the forest and see what happens."
He paused, a cold gleam flashing in his golden dragon eyes. "You'll bear the consequences yourself."
Qian Daoliu stared at Di Tian, trying to read something in those dragon eyes.
But Di Tian's expression was so calm that he seemed to be stating a simple fact.
"Anci is truly unharmed?"
Qian Daoliu's voice was hoarse.
"If I wanted to kill him, why would I have taken him away?"
Di Tian replied coolly. "I could have taken his life on the spot."
Qian Daoliu fell silent.
He knew Di Tian was telling the truth.
With Di Tian's strength, if he truly wanted to kill Qian Anci, there would have been no need to go to the trouble of taking him away.
"Fine."
Qian Daoliu drew a deep breath and slowly withdrew his Soul Power. "I'll trust you this once."
"In three days, I want to see Anci without a single scratch."
"Otherwise..."
He lifted his head, killing intent blazing in his eyes. "Even if it costs me my life, I'll make the Star Dou Great Forest run red with blood."
Di Tian gave no reply.
His figure vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a cool, indifferent voice.
"Wait here. Three days from now."
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