A flood dragon rises from the depths-once wind and clouds gather, it becomes a true dragon!

Midsummer sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, scattering dappled fragments of gold across the forest.

Towering trees stood everywhere in the Star Dou Great Forest.

They had traveled through the woods for roughly six hours.

Along the way, they had slaughtered several soul beasts foolish enough to attack them.

At last, Tang Yin and his companions found their target.

Ahead lay a lush stretch of woodland. Though verdant and flourishing, it held an eerie hint of deathly silence.

The trees brimming with life were gone. In their place stood a forest of thick, winding aerial roots, crisscrossing like giant pythons coiled across the land, a sight that struck fear into the heart.

Through the thick aerial roots, they could even see rotting remnants of dead trees and the carcasses of animals.

This was unmistakably a Strangling Banyan's hunting ground.

"Wait here and don't wander off. Your father will be right back."

With that, Tang Hao leaped into the Strangling Banyan's territory.

Tang Yin and Tang San Niang hid among the bushes.

Moments later, the python-like aerial roots ahead began writhing, launching a strangling assault on the intruder.

Nine soul rings wreathed Tang Hao, making him look like a heavenly god.

With each swing of the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand, aerial roots snapped and fell away.

The three-thousand-year-old Strangling Banyan fought desperately, but it could not withstand Tang Hao's might and was beaten back again and again.

The aerial roots it had accumulated over thousands of years were destroyed in an instant.

Only its bare main trunk remained, standing all alone. Where could it give voice to its sorrow?

"Yin, bring your sister over."

Tang Hao spoke calmly, without so much as a breath of exertion.

Old General Lian Po could still eat his fill.

He pried apart the immensely thick main aerial root, revealing a brownish-black sphere encased within-the Strangling Banyan Heart.

"Yin, remember this: you can only absorb the soul ring of a soul beast you killed with your own hands."

"Now, you finish it off."

Tang Yin nodded, and a black Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his left palm.

A mighty, crushing blow thundered down.

Emerald-green sap splattered everywhere.

A moment later, a pale-purple soul ring slowly took shape.

The soul ring of a Strangling Banyan over three thousand years old was his!

"You can do it, Brother!" Tang San Niang released her brother's arm.

Tang Hao's expression was solemn as well, and he spoke in a low voice.

"You're cleverer than your father, so I won't say any more. From here on, everything is in your hands."

A martial soul's age determined the amplification of one's soul skills and the upper limit of one's soul power.

One step ahead meant staying ahead at every step. The deeper one's foundations, the stronger one would become upon ascending to godhood.

Such was the principle by which the strong grew ever stronger and the weak ever weaker.

What harm was there in taking a little risk?

"Without enduring cold that chills the bones, how could one savor the plum blossom's fragrance?"

Tang Yin had complete confidence in his current physique and his control over soul power, not to mention the support of his martial soul meridians.

He immediately sat cross-legged and began absorbing the soul ring.

The pale-purple soul ring slowly revolved, pouring down soul power like starlight.

In an instant, the immense soul power stretched the meridians throughout his body to bursting, bringing unbearable pain.

Tang Yin's sharp brows furrowed slightly. This strange energy raced wildly through him like an unbridled horse.

His azure spirit veins swelled until they nearly ruptured. Purplish-black veins bulged grotesquely, with beads of blood beginning to seep through.

"Ah!"

Tang San Niang gave a soft cry, then hurriedly covered her mouth, afraid of disturbing her brother.

Beside her, Tang Hao's already taut heart leaped into his throat. His fists clenched, his nails digging deep into his palms without him even noticing.

Even an ordinary genius could absorb, at most, a soul ring four or five hundred years old.

Yet Tang Yin had chosen to absorb a three-thousand-year-old soul ring outright.

Such boldness was without precedent!

If he crossed this hurdle, he would become a dragon in one leap!

If he failed, his body would suffer devastating injuries.

Even with the double safeguard of his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and martial soul meridians, which allowed his meridians to repair themselves, he would still lose several years.

With a soft tearing sound, several spirit veins ruptured, and blood instantly stained his clothes red.

The agony pierced his heart like needle points, and veins stood out across Tang Yin's forehead.

He gritted his teeth, roaring inwardly.

I refuse...

To be a pawn, toyed with by the gods.

The destinies of Tang San, Huo Yuhao, and the other fated protagonists flashed before his eyes, one after another.

Parted from those you love, forced to face those you hate, hatred that endures!

All these joys and sorrows, reunions and partings, loves and grudges that form the underlying colors of the Douluo Continent-I will shatter them.

Fuck fate!

My life is mine to decide!

Hmph! Be-suppressed!!!

The Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated madly. His martial soul meridians blazed with azure light, and a surge of vitality bearing the Blue Silver Emperor's aura erupted from within.

His damaged meridians healed instantly, only to be stretched until they tore again, over and over.

Tang San Niang's eyes reddened as she watched bright blood soak her brother's clothes.

An intense emotion surged through her heart.

Instinctively, she summoned her Blue Silver Emperor martial soul, desperate to do something.

She poured the internal energy of the Mysterious Heaven Skill into her Blue Silver Emperor martial soul with all her might.

Tang San Niang pleaded urgently in her heart, Please, do something. No matter what, help my brother.

As though sensing her wishes, the surrounding blue silver grass swayed its leaves in response. Countless streams of azure vitality gathered like ribbons.

The incredible sight moved even Tang Hao.

As Tang Yin struggled to tame the energy raging inside him, he suddenly felt a surge of vitality flowing into his body.

This new strength became the final weight that tipped the scales.

The grueling struggle immediately became much easier.

Before he knew it, he had completely absorbed the soul ring.

During the process, his soul power climbed steadily as well, breaking straight through to rank fifteen!

Tang Yin opened his eyes. His pale face could not conceal his joy.

"Thank goodness, Brother..."

A smile blossomed on Tang San Niang's deathly pale little face.

Her eyelids drooped, and she passed out on the spot.

"Little Sister!!!"

Alarmed, Tang Yin swept his sister into his arms. Only after checking her pulse did he discover that her soul power was completely exhausted.

How could he fail to understand? That surge of vitality had surely come from his sister forcibly overdrawing her soul power.

Her devotion immediately filled Tang Yin's heart with warmth.

His eyes brimmed with tender concern.

"She's fine. She merely used too much soul power. A few days' rest will see her recovered."

Tang Hao waved a dismissive hand, staring at Tang Yin with excitement written all over his face.

It was as though he were looking at a treasure beyond compare.

He had truly succeeded!

This unprecedented talent belonged to the Clear Sky Sect!

At that moment, Tang Hao longed to throw back his head and howl at the heavens, venting all the anguish bottled up in his heart over the years.

"Let's head out and rest first. We can go soul hunting for my sister in a few days."

Tang Yin lifted Tang San Niang into his arms and turned to leave.

Taking the risk of absorbing this first soul ring had brought him tremendous rewards.

The resilience, strength, and regenerative ability of his martial soul meridians had increased severalfold.

He had also gained the ability to absorb, store, and shape energy. In a single instant, countless insights flashed through Tang Yin's mind: limitless power accumulation, limitless endurance, and limitless creativity in developing martial arts.

His immensely solid foundations multiplied his confidence.

Tang Yin lowered his gaze to his sister in his arms, his eyes filled with affection.

In this life, your brother will keep you safe.