Breaking Through to Rank Twenty

In the days that followed, Zhao Ming's life settled into a regular yet fulfilling rhythm.

Every morning, before dawn had broken, he rose and practiced the Nine-Breath Qi Absorption in the courtyard, drawing in the pure qi of heaven and earth to temper his body and meridians.

Though it was the only breathing method among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Divine Arts and extraordinarily difficult to begin, once one had mastered the basics, its effects could only be described as heaven-defying.

With every complete cycle of nine breaths, Zhao Ming could clearly feel the pure qi of heaven and earth flowing into his limbs and bones like tiny streams, washing away the impurities and turbid qi within him.

Nourished by the pure qi, his meridians grew tougher and broader by the day. Tempered by it, his bones became denser and heavier. Infused with it, his muscles became tighter and more powerful.

This transformation, like shedding one's mortal shell and being reborn, was slow but never ceased.

Moreover, the Nine-Breath Qi Absorption cultivated both life and soul. It could not only raise soul power and spiritual power, but also gradually evolve one's martial souls.

With each breathing session, only around thirty percent of its effect went toward increasing his soul power and spiritual power. The remaining energy drawn from heaven and earth was poured into the Steel Whip and the Treasure-Dropping Coin.

The Steel Whip was slowly evolving, while the Treasure-Dropping Coin gradually formed an ever-closer connection with Zhao Ming through the constant breathing practice.

Every morning, Snake Spear Douluo arrived at the side courtyard on time to teach Zhao Ming.

His lessons covered every aspect of a soul master's cultivation: the circulation and application of soul power, the types and habits of soul beasts, methods for judging soul ring age and absorbing them, as well as offensive and defensive strategies and adaptability in real combat.

Snake Spear Douluo's teaching style remained concise and straightforward, never wasting words.

If Zhao Ming showed even the slightest lapse in attention or let his mind wander, those blade-sharp eyes would sweep over him. He never scolded him, but that silent pressure was more uncomfortable than any reprimand.

Yet Zhao Ming had never disappointed Snake Spear Douluo.

He listened with complete focus, practiced with meticulous care, and asked directly whenever he encountered something he did not understand. He never pretended to understand what he did not.

His seriousness and diligence made even the usually stern Snake Spear Douluo praise him to Qian Renxue in private several times.

In the afternoons, Zhao Ming cultivated his soul power and practiced the Shangqing Sword Technique: Introductory Chapter.

The techniques Zhao Gongming had imprinted deep within Zhao Ming's soul could transform the whip into a sword, use a whip in place of a steel whip, or even be incorporated into fists and kicks.

Every afternoon, Zhao Ming repeatedly practiced those techniques in the courtyard.

As he practiced them more and more, the moves imprinted deep in his soul gradually began to resonate with his body. His movements became increasingly smooth and natural, while his whip techniques began to carry a faint yet fierce killing intent.

At night, Zhao Ming took out the books he had borrowed from the Crown Prince's Palace library and read by lamplight.

He read not only texts related to soul master cultivation, but also books on the history, geography, politics, customs, and many other aspects of Douluo Continent.

Zhao Ming knew very well that the enemies he would face in the future would not merely be fallen soul masters, but the predetermined fate of this world itself.

He needed to understand everything about this world in order to make the right judgments and choices amid the coming storms.

Qian Renxue occasionally came to the side courtyard in the evening to check on Zhao Ming's cultivation progress, and sometimes she sat down to chat with him.

She discovered that talking with this child was a very comfortable experience. Though Zhao Ming was only six years old, his manner and speech were far more mature than those of his peers.

He did not act loud and excitable like other children, nor did he deliberately flatter her. He merely sat there quietly, looking at her with those clear, bright black eyes and listening attentively whenever she spoke. He would occasionally add a word or two, yet he always got straight to the point. Qian Renxue greatly enjoyed talking with Zhao Ming.

Time flew by like a white colt passing through a crack.

Before he knew it, a year quietly slipped away amid Zhao Ming's daily cultivation and studies.

Over that year, Zhao Ming underwent a transformation that could only be called complete rebirth.

He had shot up considerably in height. Though he was only a little over seven years old, he was already as tall as an ordinary ten-year-old child.

Years of cultivation had made him stand as straight as a pine tree. Though he was still too young to be called burly or robust, the smooth, firm lines of muscle beneath his robes already gave off a subtle sense of coiled strength waiting to erupt.

His features had also matured greatly compared to a year ago: sword-like brows, starry eyes, a straight nose, and well-defined lips.

Of course, his greatest change was still his soul power cultivation.

A year ago, after Zhao Ming absorbed his first soul ring, his soul power had surged directly to the peak of Rank Fourteen, only one step away from Rank Fifteen.

Over the past year, he had cultivated the Nine-Breath Qi Absorption day and night. Although only around thirty percent of its effects went toward improving his soul power and spiritual power, the growth of his soul power had still been remarkably fast.

Combined with the careful guidance of a Titled Douluo-level expert like Snake Spear Douluo, as well as the assistance of heavenly treasures sent by Xue Ye the Great and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, his soul power rose at a rapid pace.

Just three days earlier, during his usual cultivation, Zhao Ming had finally sensed the invisible barrier standing at the threshold of Rank Twenty.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately mobilized all the soul power in his body. Using the Nine-Breath Qi Absorption as a guide, he broke through that barrier in one decisive push.

At that moment, the soul power within him surged like floodwaters bursting through a collapsed dam, racing wildly through his meridians for nine full cycles before gradually calming down.

When he opened his eyes, he felt an unprecedented sense of power filling every inch of muscle and every meridian in his body.

Rank Twenty. He had finally reached it.

That meant he could add his second soul ring.

When the news reached Qian Renxue, the "Crown Prince" of the Heaven Dou Empire was reviewing memorials in her study.

She set down the vermilion brush in her hand, and an undisguised look of approval flashed through her purple eyes.

In one year, he had gone from Rank Fourteen to Rank Twenty, truly cultivating six full ranks of soul power. For a child barely over seven years old, such cultivation speed was already enough to leave the vast majority of soul masters far behind.

"Uncle Snake Spear." Qian Renxue set down the memorial and raised her eyes toward She Long, who stood waiting at the side. Her voice was clear and composed. "Since Xiao Ming has reached Rank Twenty, there is no time to lose. Tomorrow, take him to Sunset Forest to hunt for his second soul ring."

She Long clasped his fists. "Yes, Young Master."

Qian Renxue gave a slight nod, then continued, "I have already discussed the choice of his second soul ring with Xiao Ming.

His Steel Whip martial soul follows the path of overwhelming skill with strength. His first soul ring, 'Vajra Body,' is a soul skill that enhances defense and strength. His second soul ring should preferably make up for his weakness in speed.

No matter how strong one is, it is useless if one cannot hit the enemy. While the cumbersome nature of blunt weapon martial souls is difficult to change, it should still be possible to improve his speed somewhat through a soul ring.

That is why I suggested that he seek a soul skill that enhances agility or speed. As for the specific choice, you can decide according to the actual circumstances once you arrive at Sunset Forest."

"Rest assured, Young Master. This old man knows what to do," She Long said solemnly.

Qian Renxue nodded and said nothing more, merely returning her gaze to the memorials.

Yet before She Long left the study, he vaguely caught sight of the slight upward curve of his young master's lips. Though faint, it carried heartfelt relief and satisfaction.

The next morning, before dawn had broken, a plain blue-canopied carriage quietly left the side gate of the Crown Prince's Palace.

Driving the carriage was a tall, lean old man with graying hair and beard. He wore a dark gray coarse-cloth outfit and a broad bamboo hat to shield himself from the sun. At first glance, he looked like any ordinary old coachman found on the streets.

Naturally, this "old coachman" was Snake Spear Douluo, She Long.