Sky-Sealing Domain of the Sky-Piercing Spear!

Sword Douluo's heart skipped a beat. With no time to think, he could only raise a hand and take the spear head-on.

"Clang—!"

A deafening clash of metal rang through the sky.

Sword Douluo caught the tip of the Sky-Piercing Spear with one hand, his body utterly unmoving. As a level ninety-six super Douluo, although Lin Ming's strike had been astounding, it was still far from enough to injure him.

Yet the hand gripping the spear tip trembled slightly.

Not from fear, but excitement.

"Good lad!" Sword Douluo released the spear tip, his eyes full of praise. "The power of that strike has already reached the level of a three-ring Soul Elder! You're only level nineteen, yet you can unleash an attack comparable to a Soul Elder's. Such talent is something this old man has seen only once in his life!"

Lin Ming withdrew his spear and stood still, a fine sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. That strike had nearly drained all his soul power. His body felt utterly empty, and even his legs had gone weak.

Still, he forced a smile. "You flatter me, Master."

"I'm not flattering you. I'm telling the truth." Sword Douluo walked up to him, his expression serious.

"Your Sky-Piercing Spear possesses an overwhelmingly tyrannical attack power. Its edge is fully exposed, and few weapons in the world can compare to it. Moreover, it comes with a Sky-Sealing Domain. Though its range is small for now, as your strength improves, this domain will grow ever stronger. By then, even a Titled Douluo before you won't be able to fly or escape with ease."

He paused before sighing. "The Clear Sky Hammer has always claimed to be the world's number one offensive tool martial soul, but in my view, your Sky-Piercing Spear is probably a cut above even the Clear Sky Hammer."

Lin Ming laughed inwardly.

Of course. This was that man's martial soul from twenty thousand years in the future. With the Sky-Piercing Spear in hand, he suppressed an entire era by himself. Even gods had to avoid his edge. The Clear Sky Hammer was hardly worth mentioning.

Moreover, the Sky-Piercing Spear still had room to evolve. As far as he knew, its next form was called the Heaven-Piercing Divine Spear, and its power was several times greater than it was now. If it could evolve to that level, it would be truly invincible.

"Since your talent is so exceptional, your training from now on will have to become even more rigorous." Sword Douluo stroked his beard, revealing a meaningful smile. "This old man has a unique training method that will surely benefit you greatly."

Seeing Sword Douluo's smile, Lin Ming inexplicably had a bad feeling.

The facts proved that his premonition had been correct.

Over the next three hours, Lin Ming underwent the most painful training of his life.

Sword Douluo's training method was simple and brutal—actual combat. He suppressed his cultivation and fought Lin Ming using only the strength and speed of a three-ring Soul Elder, but even so, Lin Ming was beaten so badly that he had no chance to fight back.

"Too slow! Your reactions are too slow!"

"Be decisive when you strike! Hesitation means defeat!"

"Use your waist! Don't rely only on your arms! Your entire body needs to move in coordination!"

"Again! If you can't force me back three steps today, don't even think about eating!"

Across the training ground, Sword Douluo's shouts rose and fell alongside Lin Ming's repeated falls and struggles back to his feet.

By the time the training ended, Lin Ming lay sprawled on the ground, without even the strength to move a finger. Every muscle in his body screamed in pain, and his bones felt as though they had fallen apart. Even breathing hurt.

"That's enough for today." Sword Douluo clapped his hands, looking completely relaxed. "We'll continue tomorrow."

Lin Ming lay there, on the verge of tears.

Just then, a pink figure came running over.

"Lin Ming! Are you alright?" Ning Rongrong crouched beside him. Seeing him covered in wounds and sweat, her eyes reddened with heartache. She turned and glared angrily at Sword Douluo. "Grandpa Sword! You went too far! Look what you did to Lin Ming!"

Sword Douluo spread his hands innocently. "Training always comes with injuries, doesn't it?"

"I don't care! You're just too mean!" Ning Rongrong snorted indignantly. "I'm not talking to you for three whole days!"

Sword Douluo's expression collapsed, as if his heart had shattered.

He had worked so hard to teach Lin Ming, only to be resented by his own precious granddaughter in the end. What kind of situation was this?

Seeing Sword Douluo's aggrieved expression, Lin Ming could not help laughing. The motion tugged at his wounds, and he immediately grimaced in pain.

"Don't laugh!" Ning Rongrong supported him anxiously. "Come on, I'll take you back and put medicine on your wounds."

Over the next two days, Lin Ming endured Sword Douluo's hellish training while enjoying Ning Rongrong's meticulous care.

Though he was exhausted like a dog every day, seeing Ning Rongrong bustling about for him still filled his heart with sweetness.

On the morning of the third day, Lin Ming had just returned from the training ground when he saw the courtyard piled high with boxes of all sizes.

"What is this..." Lin Ming opened one of the boxes. Inside were palm-sized chunks of gray, dull-looking gelatinous material.

"Whale Glue!" A middle-aged man who looked like a steward hurried over and bowed. "Young Master Lin, this is the first batch of Whale Glue the Sect Master ordered delivered: three thousand jin in total. Among it are two pieces of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue, both extremely rare. More will be delivered later."

Lin Ming's eyes lit up.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was indeed efficient. Only three days had passed, and they had already delivered the Whale Glue.

He picked up a piece of Whale Glue and examined it carefully. It truly looked extremely old.

"Lin Ming, are these things really useful?" Ning Rongrong leaned closer, curiously eyeing the disgusting gelatinous material.

"Of course they are." Lin Ming smiled. "And they're far more useful than you can imagine."

He had already made his plans. Before breaking through level twenty, he would absorb as much energy from the Whale Glue as possible and build a solid foundation. Though Whale Glue had limited effects on increasing soul ring age, small gains added up, and it would still be beneficial.

Besides, Ning Rongrong needed it too.

"Rongrong, what level are you now?"

"Level twenty-six. Why?"

"Then you aren't far from level thirty." Lin Ming looked at her. "You should eat some too. The effects might not be as good as the first time, but it will still help increase the age of your soul rings."

Ning Rongrong nodded obediently. "Alright, I'll listen to you!"

Looking at the mountain of Whale Glue before him, then at the sweet and adorable Ning Rongrong beside him, Lin Ming's heart swelled with ambition.

This was the beginning of his road to becoming strong.

Half a month was neither particularly long nor particularly short, but to Lin Ming, those fifteen days had been the most comfortable days since his transmigration.

Every morning, Sword Douluo arrived at his door on time, dragged him to the back mountain, and put him through hellish training. Though he was beaten black and blue every time, Lin Ming could clearly feel his strength improving at a rapid pace.

His use of the Sky-Piercing Spear became more and more natural, and the power of his first soul skill, Shatter the Sky, continued to grow. He could now easily pierce through granite three meters thick.

Every evening, when he dragged his exhausted body back to the courtyard, Ning Rongrong would always be waiting at the entrance.

"You're back?" Ning Rongrong greeted him with a smile, holding a steaming towel in her hands. "Hurry and wipe your face. I had someone prepare hot water, so go take a bath and relax."

Lin Ming took the towel, wiping the sweat and dust from his face, before Ning Rongrong pushed him into the bathroom.

When he came out after bathing, the table was already laden with a sumptuous dinner.

Braised soul pork, steamed phoenix-tail fish, chicken soup stewed with lingzhi... Ning Rongrong had personally supervised the kitchen for every dish. The ingredients were carefully selected, and each dish had perfect color, aroma, and flavor.

"Come on, open your mouth." Ning Rongrong picked up a piece of braised pork and brought it to Lin Ming's lips.