Twelve Years Old, Leaving Spirit City

At twelve, Yuan Yu's Soul Power stabilized at level fifty-five.

All Five God-given Spirit Rings had fully stabilized.

The Water Pattern, Flame Pattern, Thunder Pattern, Wind Pattern, and Rock Pattern were clearly visible on his Sun Wheel Blade.

The Rosy Cloud Pattern, Light Pattern, Darkness Pattern, and Space Pattern remained dormant.

But everyone knew they would awaken sooner or later.

At Spirit Hall Academy, Yuan Yu had become a monster in the truest sense.

Not a monster from rumors.

A monster who stood on the Training Ground every day and left his peers speechless after fighting him.

Yan fought him when they were both twelve.

They fought seriously.

Yan unleashed the full power of his Flame Lord.

Yuan Yu used only the Flame Pattern and Rock Pattern.

In the end, one Unquenchable Fire forced Yan back, and Serpent Rock: Twin Poles left both his fists numb.

Yan lost.

But he accepted the loss.

Sitting at the edge of the platform, he said only, "Again next time."

Yuan Yu held out a hand.

"Anytime."

Hu Liena watched them and laughed. "Are you two children?"

Xie Yue said, "Yes, but it works."

The Golden Generation had progressed quickly over the years.

Because Yuan Yu was too strong.

If they did not keep chasing him, he would leave them far behind.

Bibi Dong saw it clearly.

So did Qian Daoliu.

Yuan Yu was not someone who stole their spotlight.

He was more like a blade that honed everyone around him to a sharper edge.

That day, in the Worship Hall's council chamber,

Yuan Yu sat in a corner, holding a bowl of soup.

Things were different from six years ago.

This time, no one treated him as just a child.

Qian Daoliu asked, "You want to go out into the world?"

Yuan Yu nodded.

"I do."

Bibi Dong was there too.

She looked at Yuan Yu.

"Where?"

"Suotuo City first."

"Why?"

Yuan Yu thought for a moment.

"A few names keep appearing in my dreams."

"Tang San, Xiao Wu, Shrek."

"I want to go and see for myself."

The hall fell silent.

Bibi Dong's eyes shifted slightly.

She disliked premonitions she could not explain.

But the Ten Thousand Manifestations Nine Trials were not a path he could complete by staying in Spirit City.

Azure Luan spoke. "After the Thunder, Wind, and Rock trials, his progress slowed."

Ling Yuan said, "His cultivation hasn't slowed. This place just isn't big enough for him."

Yuan Yu looked at her.

Ling Yuan snapped, "What are you looking at? I'm not wrong."

Qian Daoliu was silent for a moment.

"You may go."

Yuan Yu's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"But Azure Luan and Ling Yuan will follow you discreetly."

Yuan Yu's smile faltered.

"Discreetly?"

Ling Yuan gave a cold laugh.

"Would you rather I drag you back in plain sight?"

"Discreetly sounds great."

Bibi Dong said, "No indiscriminate killing."

Yuan Yu nodded.

"I won't kill innocents."

"Don't reveal the details of the Ten Thousand Manifestations Nine Trials."

"I'll only mention the God-given Spirit Rings, not the Elemental God System."

"And don't get drunk and botch things."

Yuan Yu fell silent for a moment.

Bibi Dong raised her eyes.

"Hmm?"

"I'll try."

"Don't just try."

"Then I'll work hard at it."

Ling Yuan folded her arms.

"He'll definitely sneak drinks."

Yuan Yu muttered, "Sister Ling Yuan, you could show a little faith in me."

"You stole wine when you were three. You stole wine when you were four. You even stole wine on the day you awakened at five."

"Growing up takes time."

"You're twelve already."

Yuan Yu shut his mouth.

Bibi Dong looked at him and suddenly said, "You can leave, and you don't need to hide who you are."

Yuan Yu looked up.

"I really don't?"

"Once you leave Spirit City, people will find out sooner or later."

Bibi Dong's voice was steady.

"Rather than sneak around, let them know Spirit Hall has a twelve-year-old Soul King."

Qian Daoliu nodded.

"But you cannot speak of the Divine Trials in detail."

Yuan Yu smiled.

"I understand."

Chrysanthemum Douluo said from the side, "And don't drink too much and start telling people you're undertaking the Ten Thousand Manifestations Nine Trials."

Yuan Yu looked at him.

"Grandpa Chrysanthemum, I actually handle my drink pretty well."

Ghost Douluo said quietly, "I don't believe that."

Yuan Yu fell silent.

These elders never gave him an inch.

At the end of the meeting, Qian Daoliu handed him a Worship Hall token.

The token was small and gold-white, with only the character "Worship" engraved on it.

"If you encounter a Spirit Hall branch, you may call on its people."

Bibi Dong had Chrysanthemum Douluo bring over a Papal Hall Token as well.

"If you run into trouble, don't feel you have to put up with it."

The two tokens rested in Yuan Yu's hands.

They were heavy.

And not just because of what they were made of.

Yuan Yu gripped them and, for once, made no wisecrack.

"I know."

"When I leave, I won't disgrace Spirit Hall."

Ling Yuan said coldly, "Staying out of trouble would be enough."

Yuan Yu smiled.

"That might be difficult."

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"You may cause trouble."

Yuan Yu froze.

Bibi Dong continued, "But only trouble you can handle—and know when to stop."

Yuan Yu stood and bowed solemnly.

"I'll remember."

After the meeting, Qian Renxue waited for him at the end of the corridor.

She had rarely returned to Spirit City over the years.

But every time she did, she checked Yuan Yu for new injuries.

This time, she looked at him in silence for a long while.

"You're really leaving?"

Yuan Yu nodded.

"Yeah."

"The world outside isn't as nice as you think."

"I know."

"Some people will deceive you. Some will fear you. Others will want to kill you."

"They're welcome to try."

Qian Renxue frowned.

Yuan Yu smiled.

"Sister Xue, I'm not going out there to get myself killed."

He raised a hand, and Five God-given Spirit Rings flashed into view before vanishing.

"I'm strong."

He said it plainly.

No pretense.

No hiding it.

Qian Renxue looked at him, then suddenly smiled.

"Yes. Very strong."

Now it was Yuan Yu's turn to be surprised.

Qian Renxue handed him a small porcelain bottle.

"To stop bleeding."

Then she gave him a Golden Leaf talisman.

"To send messages."

Finally, she hung the Black Jade Wine Gourd back at his waist.

"Drink less."

Yuan Yu looked down at the gourd.

"Sister Xue, you're not confiscating it?"

"Would that do any good?"

"Not much."

Qian Renxue glared at him.

Yuan Yu immediately grinned.

"I'll come back."

Qian Renxue did not answer.

She only reached out and straightened his collar.

"Don't become someone you're not."

Yuan Yu nodded.

"Don't worry."

"I'll only get stronger."

That night, Yuan Yu did not sneak away.

He walked out through the main gate of the Worship Hall.

White clothes, a Sun Wheel Blade, a Black Jade Wine Gourd.

Behind him glowed the lights of Spirit City.

Ahead lay a continent he had yet to explore.

Ling Yuan stood on the eaves, watching him go.

"He really has grown up."

Azure Luan said, "Mm."

Ling Yuan added, "Still asking for a beating, though."

Azure Luan said evenly, "That hasn't changed."

In the distance, Yuan Yu seemed to hear them. He turned and waved.

Then he faced forward and headed toward Suotuo City.

The gates of Spirit City slowly closed behind him.

Yuan Yu did not look back again.

He was afraid that if he did, he would see too many people.

Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong, all the elders of the Worship Hall.

If he saw them, he would not want to leave.

So he kept walking.

The road lay beneath his feet.

Wine hung at his waist.

His blade rested across his back.

The Five God-given Spirit Rings lay quiet and steady within him.

This time, he was not sneaking away.

Spirit City was letting him go out and see the world.

The lights on the city walls burned all night.

No one called it a farewell.

But he knew they were all there.