Lin Ciyan lay on the Golden Tree Hammock, his mind sinking into his body.
He carefully felt the warm pulse coming from his right arm.
That was where the Right Arm Soul Bone, the Source of Dawn, was.
This growth-type Soul Bone, obtained from Mu En, was even more valuable than an ordinary hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone.
That was because it had come from the rare Soul Beast, the Dawn Pegasus, which had long since vanished from the continent.
Legend had it that this Soul Beast was born from the world's first ray of dawn.
It was graceful in form and pure in power, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.
The Source of Dawn had inherited these pure qualities of light and life.
It also possessed the incredible power to evolve as its host grew.
At that moment, Lin Ciyan could clearly sense it.
Nourished day and night by his incomparably pure Holy Radiance Qilin Soul Power, this Soul Bone had long since surpassed its original hundred-year limit.
Not long after he obtained his Second Soul Ring, it had crossed the thousand-year threshold.
Now, the vast energy and spirituality it contained—
By his estimate, it was at least on par with a Soul Bone of around seven thousand years!
"Tsk, tsk. Once I absorb my third Soul Ring and my Soul Power takes another leap in quality and quantity..."
Lin Ciyan rubbed his right arm, a lazy, smug smile curling his lips.
"This Right Arm Soul Bone might just advance straight to ten thousand years."
A three-ring Soul Elder with a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone...
That build, ten thousand years ago—
Back when the Soul Master system was still relatively "primitive," it would've scared the wits out of a whole crowd of so-called geniuses.
"Alas, what can I do? I'm following the 'Way of Relaxed Cultivation,' after all." He sighed with mock humility.
"My Soul Power just had to become this pure, and my Soul Bone just had to keep upgrading. I can't even stop them."
[ Ding! The host has performed a high-level humblebrag from the heart, deeply embodying the core tenet of "slacking off makes you stronger." Slacking Value +99! ]
Inside the Sea God Pavilion.
Mu En looked at Lin Ciyan, full of energy, and Bei Bei, brimming with fighting spirit. A trace of relief flashed through his cloudy old eyes, but it was accompanied by a fatigue that would not lift and the heavy burden of years.
He knew his own body.
Like a candle guttering in the wind, it seemed stable, but every time he used great power, he hastened the extinguishing of that final light.
But for this disciple, who bore his last hopes, the cost was worth it.
"Ci Yan, Bei Bei, are you ready?" Mu En's voice was still calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority.
"Ready, Mystic Ancestor/Teacher!" Bei Bei and Lin Ciyan answered at the same time. One voice rang out with conviction; the other was tinged with the drowsy laziness of someone who had not quite woken up.
Mu En gave a slight nod and said no more.
He simply swept his withered hand through the air.
The next moment, Lin Ciyan felt the space around them ripple like water. The scenery before his eyes twisted and blurred in an instant.
It didn't feel like moving at high speed so much as...
The entire world had been forcibly folded by an invisible giant hand, and they had crossed a vast distance in a single step.
Just basic stuff, no need to make a fuss. The spatial power of a Limit Douluo—if you know, you know.
After only a few breaths, his feet touched solid ground.
The peaceful Sea God Pavilion had given way to a vibrant primeval forest.
The rich aura of life mingled with the faint pressure of Soul Beasts.
"Holy crap..." Even though Lin Ciyan had been prepared, he couldn't help cursing inwardly.
"This isn't traveling. This is 'Mu En's express delivery, guaranteed arrival'—one-tap teleportation, shipping not included... Wait, I guess the user really doesn't pay."
That spatial leap had saved them at least three days of travel. He was officially jealous.
Bei Bei was just as shocked, looking at Mu En with admiration.
Mu En offered no explanation, merely saying, "Follow me."
He did not even release any particularly terrifying aura. He simply walked through the forest at an unhurried pace, like an ordinary old man.
Yet wherever he went, the Soul Beasts lurking in the shadows, radiating ferocity, all fell silent with fear. It was as though they had encountered their natural enemy; they didn't dare so much as breathe.
A Limit Douluo's absolute domain needed no display. It made itself known all the same.
Mu En's spiritual power spread silently like an invisible tide, covering an enormous area.
A moment later, he looked at Bei Bei. "Three li to the southeast. There's a Purple Lightning Thunder Leopard, around twelve thousand years old."
Before he had even finished speaking, Mu En vanished from the spot.
Lin Ciyan and Bei Bei hurried after him.
When they arrived, they saw Mu En standing quietly to one side. The Purple Lightning Thunder Leopard, its nimble body wrapped in violet lightning, was already unconscious on the ground, without a single visible wound.
He took it down in a second? Just like that?
Lin Ciyan's pupils narrowed.
Was this the absolute might of a Level 99 Limit Douluo?
"Bei Bei, begin," Mu En said, looking at him with encouragement.
Bei Bei nodded firmly and sat down cross-legged, excitedly drawing in the deep black Soul Ring.
Though the Great Dream Traveling the Heavens had tempered his spiritual power to a level far beyond others of the same rank, could the spiritual shock of a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring really be taken lightly?
Bei Bei's body trembled violently. The veins on his forehead bulged, and pain flashed across his face from time to time. Clearly, he was enduring an immense mental assault.
Watching from the side, Lin Ciyan winced. "It hurts just looking at him... My Sleep Cultivation Method is much more comfortable."
The process was grueling, but Bei Bei had an exceptionally solid foundation and a sufficiently strong will.
About an hour later, he suddenly opened his eyes, which gleamed brightly.
The Soul Power fluctuations around him surged, and his rank shot up to thirty-three.
"Mystic Ancestor! Brother Lin! I did it!" Bei Bei sprang to his feet, thrilled.
"My third Soul Skill is Thunder Fury! It greatly boosts my strength, attack power, and lightning attribute for a short time—a comprehensive enhancement!"
He felt power surging through his whole body, as if he could punch straight through a mountain wall.
He looked at Lin Ciyan, fighting spirit blazing in his eyes once more. "Brother Lin, I feel terrifyingly strong right now!"
Lin Ciyan yawned and gave him a perfunctory thumbs-up. "Yeah, yeah, amazing, amazing. I'll spar with you next time."
Oh no. The kid thought he was strong again. Did he think I was his practice dummy now?
Mu En smiled too and nodded. "Very good. Since Bei Bei has obtained his Soul Ring..."
"Next, it's time to find Ci Yan his target—the Golden Hawksbill Turtle."
The three continued through the forest, with Mu En leading the search for traces of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle.
This Soul Beast was famed for its powerful defenses and auspicious symbolism, but it was exceedingly rare.
As they searched, Mu En also took the opportunity to teach them. "The Golden Hawksbill Turtle is the king among hawksbill turtle Soul Beasts, with an ancient bloodline."
"Its shell carries a trace of the bloodline of the ancient divine beast, the Black Tortoise."
"Its defense ranks at the top among Soul Beasts of the same level. It can even withstand attacks from opponents several major ranks above it."
"They are gentle by nature and dislike fighting. Their lifespans are extraordinarily long."
"Therefore, their Soul Rings can provide not only powerful defensive Soul Skills, but may also grant the host a long life and a sturdier foundation."
"That should complement your Way of Relaxed Cultivation rather well, Ci Yan."
Just then, Mu En stopped. His gaze settled on a distant stretch of marshland shimmering with a faint golden light.
"Found it." A look of relief crossed his aged face.
"This aura... There's no mistaking it. It's a ten-thousand-year Golden Hawksbill Turtle, between twenty and thirty thousand years old!"
Following Mu En's directions, the three approached without a sound.
They parted the layers of enormous ferns, and the sight before them made Lin Ciyan and Bei Bei hold their breath.
In the middle of a marsh speckled with golden moss stood a huge "rock," as if cast from gold.
It basked in sunlight filtering through the forest canopy, reflecting a soft, dignified glow.
Looking closer, it was no rock at all. It was an enormous Golden Hawksbill Turtle!
Its shell was covered in mysterious, ancient patterns, as if they recorded the vicissitudes of time.
It slowly moved its head, its eyes warm and peaceful. The Soul Power rolling off it was as heavy as a mountain, carrying a reassuring presence.
A moving golden fortress, a living mascot of longevity and good fortune!
Lin Ciyan's eyes lit up at once.