Rapid Growth! The Road to Soul Ancestor!

Time flowed onward like a stream, quietly and without a sound.

After returning from the Extreme North, Zhao Tian did not slacken in the slightest after breaking through to Rank 30.

On the contrary, he cultivated even more desperately.

With his unremitting efforts, the Radiant Divine Canon broke through layer after layer at an astonishing speed, and the Four Cultivation Systems also became increasingly complete.

Soul power, body, soul, and soul skills promoted one another, forming a virtuous cycle that kept his cultivation speed at an exceptionally high level.

Ning Fengzhi saw all this. He was both gratified and worried, and reminded Zhao Tian several times to rest, but Zhao Tian always agreed verbally before turning around and throwing himself back into cultivation.

All kinds of resources from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were also being devoted to Zhao Tian with full force: Soul Power Pills, Body Refining Spirit Liquid, Spiritual Power Nourishing Potions...

As long as something helped with cultivation, Ning Fengzhi never held back.

With the added blessing of Zhao Tian's own fortune, he encountered opportunities from time to time, making his cultivation path smooth sailing.

Half a year later, Zhao Tian broke through to Rank 35.

Nine months later, he broke through to Rank 37.

A year later, he successfully broke through to Rank 40!

A Rank 40 Soul Ancestor!

A Soul Ancestor at the age of eight—this achievement was enough to be recorded in the annals of history throughout the entire Douluo Continent.

On the day Zhao Tian broke through, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect boiled over once again.

Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong, the three Title Douluo, gathered at the cultivation grounds and personally witnessed the entire process of Zhao Tian's breakthrough.

Golden light shot into the sky. Three soul rings revolved around his body, while a fourth soul ring was taking shape.

Although he had not yet hunted a soul beast, he had already crossed the threshold of Rank 40.

"Eight years old... a Soul Ancestor..."

Ning Fengzhi stood in the distance, looking at Zhao Tian, whose entire body was shrouded in golden light, his voice carrying a hint of emotion.

"This child's growth is much faster than I expected."

Chen Xin nodded. "His foundation is extremely solid, without the slightest hint of instability."

"This is related to his cultivation technique. The Four Cultivation Systems advance together and promote one another."

"Ordinary soul masters often encounter bottlenecks when they reach the later stages of cultivation, but on his path, his bottlenecks will be smaller than those of others."

Gu Rong surprisingly did not argue. He merely looked toward Zhao Tian, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

The light receded, and Zhao Tian opened his eyes, slowly exhaling a breath of foul air.

Rank 40, Soul Ancestor!

In just one year, he had broken through from Rank 30 to Rank 40. Even he himself was somewhat surprised by this speed.

But feeling the surging soul power within his body, he knew that all of this was real.

Rank 40...

Zhao Tian clenched his fists, feeling power flow through his veins, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

His next task was to hunt his fourth soul ring.

With his experience from obtaining the four-thousand-year Aurora Phoenix Sparrow as his third soul ring, he planned to challenge a higher age this time.

At least five thousand years.

While Zhao Tian was advancing rapidly, Ning Rongrong had not stopped either.

Zhao Tian's success gave her tremendous motivation.

She did not want to be left too far behind by Zhao Tian, much less become a burden who could only hide behind him.

Every morning, she practiced body refinement without fail.

She cultivated soul power in the morning, practiced the Distraction Control Method in the afternoon, and reviewed the day's progress and shortcomings at night.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resources were likewise being devoted to her. In addition, Zhao Tian would teach her some cultivation methods from the Radiant Divine Canon that were suitable for auxiliary soul masters, so her rate of progress also far surpassed that of her peers.

In the same month that Zhao Tian broke through to Rank 40, Ning Rongrong also successfully broke through to Rank 30.

A Rank 30 Soul Elder!

Although a seven-year-old Soul Elder was not as astonishing as Zhao Tian's eight-year-old Soul Ancestor, among auxiliary soul masters, it was already an unprecedented achievement.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda had innate Rank 9 soul power, a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear as its first soul ring (one hundred percent Power Amplification), and a Wind Spirit Fox as its second soul ring (Speed Amplification). Combined with Ning Rongrong's own talent and hard work, her growth trajectory was likewise nothing short of legendary.

On the day of her breakthrough, Ning Rongrong excitedly ran to Zhao Tian's courtyard and jumped straight onto his back.

"Zhao Tian! Zhao Tian! Rongrong is Rank 30 too! Rongrong is a Soul Elder now too!"

Zhao Tian bent slightly under her weight, then laughed as he set her down from his back.

"Not bad. You've made tremendous progress."

"Of course! Rongrong hasn't been slacking off!"

Ning Rongrong proudly raised her little face, then tugged at Zhao Tian's sleeve.

"Rongrong is going to hunt her third soul ring! Will you come with Rongrong?"

Zhao Tian thought for a moment, then nodded. "All right, I'll go with you."

"We'll set out once Teacher confirms the target."

"That's wonderful!"

Ning Rongrong cheered, then jumped onto Zhao Tian again, hanging around his neck like a koala.

Zhao Tian helplessly held her and shook his head.

This girl completely lost herself whenever she was happy.

However, seeing how happy she was, Zhao Tian's mood improved as well.

That evening, Ning Fengzhi summoned Zhao Tian and Ning Rongrong to the study.

"Tian'er, Rongrong, both of you have already broken through to a new level. Next, the most important thing is to hunt new soul rings."

Ning Fengzhi looked at the two children before him, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"For Tian'er's fourth soul ring, I've already asked Uncle Jian to gather information. The current target is a soul beast with the Radiant Attribute and Phoenix Bloodline, between five thousand and eight thousand years old."

"As for Rongrong's third soul ring, Uncle Gu has found some clues as well. It's an auxiliary soul beast capable of enhancing defense."

Zhao Tian and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance, and both saw anticipation in the other's eyes.

"Once Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu confirm the information, we'll set out."

Ning Fengzhi rose and walked over to the two of them.

"For now, continue maintaining your cultivation state and do not slacken."

"Especially you, Rongrong. You just broke through to Rank 30, so stabilize your soul power first. Don't rush to hunt for a soul ring."

Ning Rongrong obediently nodded. "Rongrong understands."

Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Zhao Tian.

"Tian'er, you too. Although you've reached Rank 40, you can't be careless with your fourth soul ring. You must choose the one most suitable for you."

Zhao Tian nodded. "This disciple understands."

After leaving the study, the two walked side by side along the path back to the rear courtyard.

The night was as calm as water, and the starlight was bright.

"Zhao Tian."

Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think... we'll always be like this in the future?"

Zhao Tian's footsteps paused slightly, and he turned to look at her.

"Always like this? What do you mean?"

"I mean... you cultivate, and Rongrong cultivates too. You hunt soul rings, and Rongrong hunts soul rings too..."

"You grow stronger, and Rongrong grows stronger too..."

"Then we stand together at the highest place."

Ning Rongrong raised her head. Moonlight spilled across her little face, reflecting the seriousness in her eyes.

Zhao Tian looked at her, fell silent for a moment, and then smiled.

"We will."

"We will."

Ning Rongrong revealed a broad smile and took Zhao Tian's hand.

"Then it's a promise!"

"Mm, it's a promise."

The two continued walking forward, the moonlight stretching their shadows long, long into the distance.

In this world filled with danger and opportunity, they were each other's firmest support.

And the legend that belonged to them had only just begun.