Fang Lin seemed to think of something, and a glint of eager anticipation flashed in his eyes.
His gaze burned as he looked at Han Tianyi, his tone tinged with impatience. "Teacher, let me test how my Soul Skills work!"
"All right."
Han Tianyi nodded and didn't refuse.
The next moment, a vast and terrifying spiritual power surged forth. Like an invisible tide, it spread in every direction, enveloping everything around them.
A spiritual barrier formed in an instant, completely isolating this space from the outside world.
Fang Lin drew a deep breath. Soul Power began surging through his body, and the fighting spirit in his eyes rose with it. "Teacher, you'd better be careful."
"I've got everything covered. Give it your best shot."
Han Tianyi clasped his hands behind his back, his expression composed. His robes fluttered despite the lack of wind, and his entire bearing radiated unhurried calm.
"Golden Dragon King, Martial Soul Possession!"
Fang Lin shouted. Dark golden dragon scales instantly covered his body, and his pupils turned into cold, golden slits.
His arms transformed into Golden Dragon Claws, his fingers becoming razor-sharp dragon talons that gleamed with a cold light, as if they could tear through anything.
First Soul Skill: "Golden Dragon Body!"
Golden light blazed from Fang Lin, and he became like a golden war god, his aura surging.
He stomped down, shooting forward like an arrow loosed from its string, and punched straight at Han Tianyi.
The air along the path of his fist let out a piercing boom, like thunder.
Han Tianyi remained calm and raised a hand to block.
The moment fist and palm collided, a mighty force surged from Fang Lin's knuckles, making Han Tianyi's arm tremble slightly.
"Not bad."
He spoke in approval, his expression still composed, though a touch of seriousness entered his eyes.
"Teacher, I'm not done yet."
Fang Lin's lips curled up, and the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even brighter.
A surging force welled up from within him, like a great river rushing onward, ceaseless and unstoppable.
"Golden Dragon Domain!"
"Five Spirits Domain!"
The next moment, the two domains unfurled at once, overlapping layer upon layer as they enveloped Han Tianyi.
Within the domains, golden light spread like an ocean, while the power of the five elements flowed without end.
Metal, wood, water, fire, and earth intertwined, transforming into an immense pressure that made the heart tremble.
"...?"
Han Tianyi paused, a hint of bewilderment appearing on his face.
"Power of Metal Spirit!"
Fang Lin raised his right hand and clenched it in midair.
Hum!
The metal element between heaven and earth gathered frantically, condensing in his palm in the blink of an eye into a golden spear that gleamed with a chill.
Golden light flowed along it, and its tip gleamed with razor-sharp brilliance.
Fang Lin gripped the spear in one hand and gave it a sudden shake. His aura climbed even higher.
The spearpoint aimed straight at Han Tianyi, and the weapon shot forth like a dragon, tearing through the air!
"Brat, are you trying to kill your teacher?"
Han Tianyi's mouth twitched slightly as he spoke in exasperation, though a hint of helplessness colored his voice.
The next moment, a spiritual power far more terrifying than before erupted with a roar.
An invisible spiritual barrier formed instantly, firmly stopping the golden spear in midair.
"Heh heh."
Fang Lin dispelled the Power of Metal Spirit, and the golden spear broke apart into specks of light that vanished into the air.
A sly smile appeared on his face. "Teacher, you were the one who told me to go all out."
"..."
Han Tianyi was left speechless.
He fell silent for a moment, looking at the purple Soul Ring slowly revolving at Fang Lin's feet, then at the seemingly innocent boy. A tangle of emotions stirred in his heart.
A One-Ring Soul Master usually had only one Soul Skill.
But this brat Fang Lin? Four Soul Skills with a single ring. Four!
And two of them were domain-type Soul Skills, one boosted all his attributes, and another let him control the elements...
How was this anything like a normal One-Ring Soul Master? He was practically cheating.
Han Tianyi drew a deep breath and said slowly, "From now on, don't ask this old man to test your Soul Skills."
His voice was calm, but the meaning of I don't want you beating me down again practically spilled from his words.
"Okay, Teacher."
Fang Lin nodded, looking perfectly well-behaved.
Han Tianyi looked at his harmless expression. The corner of his mouth twitched twice, but in the end he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
Never mind. His disciple was talented. That reflected well on him as a teacher, didn't it?
"By the way."
Han Tianyi abruptly changed tack, his expression turning serious again. "I can tell that your Golden Dragon Domain and Five Spirits Domain are domain-type Soul Skills."
"But that last ability you used, Power of Metal Spirit—what exactly does it do?"
"Power of Metal Spirit is just the metal element," Fang Lin answered matter-of-factly, seemingly puzzled as to why his teacher would ask.
"The metal element..."
Han Tianyi repeated the words under his breath. A glimmer of understanding appeared in his eyes as he seemed to think of something.
Elemental control.
This wasn't an ability that came with ordinary Martial Soul Possession. It was direct control over the elements of heaven and earth.
Even among the powerful Titled Douluo, this kind of ability was uncommon.
And Fang Lin was only at the first ring.
"All right, I understand."
Han Tianyi nodded and asked no more.
He waved a hand. "Go get some rest. In a few days, I'll take you to the Spirit Ascension Platform for some practice."
"Mm."
Fang Lin answered.
"Take this."
Han Tianyi casually tossed him an ancient-looking storage ring. It traced an arc through the air and landed securely in Fang Lin's hand.
The ring was pitch-black, with faint patterns of light flowing across its surface. It felt cool in his hand, smooth and warm as jade.
Fang Lin could even sense the faint spatial fluctuations coming from within it.
Clearly, this storage ring was of no ordinary quality.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Fang Lin clasped the ring tightly, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
"Someone, show my disciple to his quarters."
Han Tianyi picked up his Soul Guidance Communicator and gave the order calmly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried unquestionable authority.
"Yes."
The voice of a Spirit Pagoda staff member came from the other end.
Before long, a soft knock sounded at the office door.
"Elder Han."
A Spirit Pagoda staff member opened the door and entered, bowing respectfully.
Han Tianyi nodded slightly and said in an even tone, "Show him the way."
"Yes. Young Master, please follow me."
The Spirit Pagoda staff member stepped aside and gestured for him to proceed.
"Teacher, I'll be going now."
With that, Fang Lin followed the staff member out.
Han Tianyi stood by the window with his hands behind his back, gazing quietly at the distant horizon.
The afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the glass, gilding him in a layer of pale gold.
He murmured softly, "Such a deep foundation with only one ring... dual domains, elemental control..."
"This boy's future is limitless."
In the corridor, Fang Lin followed the Spirit Pagoda staff member into the elevator.
As the doors slowly closed, the staff member pressed a floor button, and the elevator began a smooth descent.
"Ding!"
A clear chime sounded. They had arrived at the seventieth floor.
The elevator doors slowly opened.
The instant Fang Lin stepped out, his pupils widened slightly.
How could this be just one floor inside a tower? It was practically an entire villa.
The whole floor was incredibly spacious, with a vaulted ceiling more than ten meters high that opened up the view.
Instead of an ordinary ceiling, a huge sheet of crystal was set overhead. Soft light poured down from it, illuminating the entire space.
Soul Guidance Lamps that emitted a warm yellow glow were set into the walls.
Their light was warm but not glaring. It mingled with the light from the crystal ceiling, creating an atmosphere both luxurious and serene.
At a glance, the main living room occupied the center of the floor.
Several corridors extended from either side of the main living room, leading to all kinds of rooms.
Fang Lin took a quick look and saw at least a dozen doors.
"Young Master, this floor belongs to Illusion Brain Douluo."
Seeing his reaction, the Spirit Pagoda staff member offered an explanation, a hint of reverence in his voice.
"A whole floor?"
Fang Lin stared in astonishment, unable to process it for a moment.
He had thought his teacher would arrange a single room for him. He hadn't expected an entire floor.
Fang Lin looked around the spacious hall, then at the long corridor and its countless doors. His mind went blank for a moment.
"Yes, but this seventieth floor now belongs to you."
The Spirit Pagoda staff member spoke with a trace of envy.
Anyone in the Spirit Pagoda with an entire floor to himself was at least a high-ranking member.
Ordinary members of the Spirit Pagoda were lucky to get a single room.
"Me?"
Fang Lin pointed at himself, momentarily dazed.
"Yes."
The Spirit Pagoda staff member nodded firmly. "Illusion Brain Douluo has given this entire floor to you."
"When he instructed me to arrange your quarters just now, he specifically told me so."
Hearing this, warmth welled up in Fang Lin's heart.
The Spirit Pagoda staff member briefly explained the layout of the floor and what its various facilities were for, then took his leave.
Fang Lin stood alone in the spacious main hall and drew a deep breath.
A faint, fresh fragrance lingered in the air, coming from some kind of spirit wood. It soothed his mind.
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked outside.
The Spirit Pagoda stood in the most prosperous part of Shrek's inner city.
From the seventieth floor, the entire city lay before him, its sights unobstructed.
Buildings arranged in orderly clusters, streets crisscrossing one another, and the city walls faintly visible in the distance...
Everything was bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, gilded in warm orange-red.