The One-Year Deadline! Level-Thirty Soul Elder!

Time flew by like a white colt flashing past a gap, and before he knew it, a year had passed.

On the training grounds behind the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, golden light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire heavens like a small sun.

Within the light, Zhao Tian sat cross-legged, his body suspended in midair. Behind him, the phantom of a Radiant Phoenix spread its wings, sacred and majestic.

Two yellow soul rings slowly revolved around his body, while a third soul ring was taking shape.

Yes, today, he had broken through to Level 30.

After a year of arduous cultivation, advancing from Level 25 to Level 30, Zhao Tian's cultivation speed could only be described as terrifying.

In just one year, he had broken through to the sixth level of the Radiant Divine Canon. The Four Cultivation Systems had advanced together, and whether it was Soul Power, his physical body, his soul, or his soul skills, all had reached a new height.

The light slowly faded, and Zhao Tian opened his eyes. A flash of golden radiance vanished from them.

Feeling the surging Soul Power within his body, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Level-Thirty Soul Elder.

At last, he had entered the ranks of Soul Elders.

He was one step closer to becoming a Title Douluo.

"Zhao Tian! You succeeded?!"

Ning Rongrong's voice came from afar, followed by a series of hurried footsteps.

A year had passed, and Ning Rongrong had grown quite a bit taller. At seven years old, she had shed some of her baby fat, and her delicate little face had become even more refined. There were already hints of the peerless beauty she would one day become between her brows and eyes.

Her Soul Power had also reached Level 24, leaving her just one step away from Level 25.

"Mhm, I succeeded."

Zhao Tian rose to his feet and patted the dust from his clothes.

Ning Rongrong ran up to him and looked him over several times. Only after confirming that he was uninjured did she finally sigh in relief.

"You scared Rongrong to death! That light was so bright just now. Rongrong thought something had happened to you!"

"It was only my Soul Power leaking out when I broke through. I'm fine."

Zhao Tian reached out and rubbed her head.

Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes and enjoyed it for a while. Then she grabbed Zhao Tian's arm and said with a grin, "Then we have to celebrate properly tonight! Rongrong will have the kitchen make your favorite dishes!"

"Okay."

Zhao Tian smiled and nodded.

Over the past year, it was not only Zhao Tian's Soul Power Level that had changed.

His fame had also spread across the entire continent.

After winning the championship in Spirit City, Zhao Tian's talent for poetry began to reveal itself continuously.

After returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he would occasionally write some poems. Some were inspired by the scenery before him, while others came from sudden flashes of insight.

After Ning Fengzhi deliberately spread these poems, each one caused a tremendous sensation.

After "Where This Heart Finds Peace Is My State," he went on to write famous lines such as "Though the four seas contain friends, the horizon is like a neighbor," "Alone in a foreign land, a stranger am I; on every festive day, I miss my kin twice as much," and "The day will come when I ride the wind and break the waves, hanging my cloud-white sail to cross the vast sea."

Every poem was a classic, and every one left countless people marveling.

By now, Zhao Tian's poetry had become the hottest topic among the continent's literary circles.

Whether they were nobles and officials or commoners, whether they were soul masters or ordinary people, anyone who had read his poetry could not help praising him: This child was a peerless genius of the age.

There were even many people who specially traveled to the gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect just to catch a distant glimpse of the legendary "Poet Immortal Youth."

Some fanatical followers would even stand guard outside the gates, waiting several days in a row.

At first, Zhao Tian found it somewhat uncomfortable, but after a while, he got used to it.

On this day, news of Zhao Tian breaking through to Level 30 soon spread throughout the entire sect.

Ning Fengzhi specially hosted a banquet to celebrate, and Chen Xin and Gu Rong also attended together, which was rare.

At the banquet, Ning Fengzhi looked at Zhao Tian, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Tian'er, when you first came to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a year ago, you were only a child who had just awakened his martial soul."

"Now, you have already become a Soul Elder."

"This growth rate is much faster than I expected."

Zhao Tian bowed slightly. "It is all thanks to Teacher and the nurturing of the two Guardian Elders."

"Enough with that."

Chen Xin rarely spoke in jest.

"Your own talent and hard work are what matter. We merely showed you the way."

Gu Rong also nodded. "A Level-Thirty Soul Elder. Not bad."

"How do you plan to choose your third soul ring?"

Zhao Tian thought for a moment before saying, "This disciple still wants to continue searching for a Light Attribute Soul Beast with a Phoenix Bloodline."

"This time, I want to challenge one with a higher age. At least a thousand years."

"A thousand years..."

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment.

"A thousand-year Phoenix Bloodline soul beast is indeed difficult to find, but it is not completely impossible."

"Leave this matter to Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu. They are more familiar with the distribution of soul beasts across the continent than you are."

Chen Xin nodded. "No problem. I will find a suitable target for you as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Zhao Tian bowed.

After the banquet ended, Zhao Tian returned to his room and sat cross-legged on the bed.

He did not rush to cultivate. Instead, he picked up a thick book from his desk and began flipping through it.

It contained some poetry drafts he had casually recorded over the past year. Some had already circulated outside, while others had never been shown to anyone.

Over the past year, the memories of his previous life had been stirred more and more frequently.

Whenever he saw a certain scene, experienced an event, or felt a particular emotion, corresponding lines of poetry would involuntarily surface in his mind.

He recorded those lines, occasionally selecting some suitable ones for Ning Fengzhi to spread.

The response grew better and more enthusiastic each time.

By now, Zhao Tian's "fans" across the continent could be found in every trade and profession.

Some noble young ladies embroidered his poems onto handkerchiefs and carried them close to their bodies. Some refined scholars compiled his poems into collections and passed them around. Some taverns and teahouses even specially hired people to recite his poetry to attract customers.

A seven-year-old child had conquered half the continent through poetry.

A year ago, no one would have believed such a thing.

But now, it had truly happened.

The title "Poet Immortal Youth" had completely become Zhao Tian's synonym in literary circles.

"Zhao Tian, are you still awake?"

Ning Rongrong's voice came from outside the door.

Zhao Tian put down the book and opened the door.

Ning Rongrong stood at the entrance holding a bowl of steaming soup. When she saw Zhao Tian come out, she smiled.

"Rongrong was worried that you would be too tired from cultivating today, so she had the kitchen make a bowl of Calming Soup. Drink it before you go to bed."

Zhao Tian took the bowl, warmth welling up in his heart.

Over the past year, Ning Rongrong had taken meticulous care of him.

From her initial spoiled and willful nature to her current gentleness and thoughtfulness, Zhao Tian had witnessed all her changes.

"Thank you, Rongrong."

"You're welcome! Hurry up and drink it, then get some rest!"

Ning Rongrong urged him.

Zhao Tian lowered his head and took a sip of the warm soup. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a corner of a handkerchief protruding from Ning Rongrong's sleeve, with faint writing visible on it.

"What is that?"

Zhao Tian asked casually.

Ning Rongrong froze. Her face immediately flushed, and she hurriedly hid her sleeve behind her back.

"N-Nothing... It's just an ordinary handkerchief!"

"Oh?"

Looking at her guilty expression, Zhao Tian had already guessed most of the truth.

That handkerchief probably has one of my poems embroidered on it.

This girl doesn't say it aloud, but she treasures my poems in her heart.

Zhao Tian did not expose her. He merely smiled.

"All right, then. Rongrong, get some rest early."

"Mhm, mhm! Good night!"

As if granted a reprieve, Ning Rongrong turned and hurried back to her own courtyard.

Watching her flustered retreating figure, Zhao Tian could not help shaking his head. Then he carried the bowl of soup back into his room.

The night breeze brushed gently past, and the moonlight flowed like water.

He stood before the window, gazing at the rolling mountain ranges in the distance, his heart utterly calm.

This world was slowly changing because of him.

And he, too, was steadily climbing toward an even higher peak.