Seven-Colored Splendor

Half a month slipped quietly by.

Ever since he had formally begun learning the Soul Breaking Spear Technique, Yang Chang'an had appeared at the training grounds before dawn each day, honing basic thrusts, flicks, chops, and sweeps over and over under Yang Wushuang's exacting guidance.

At noon came his meditation time, as unshakable as thunder. He sat cross-legged on the cushion in his room, guiding the soul power within him according to the Breaking Clan Meditation Method.

Late at night, the tub of medicinal bath that Yang Wushuang personally prepared, infused with all manner of rare herbs, became his daily "required lesson."

It was a rhythm that bordered on ascetic training, monotonous and dull. Yet for Yang Chang'an, who harbored the dream of becoming a powerful warrior, that fullness brought him immense peace of mind.

He could clearly feel his body growing stronger at a rate visible to the naked eye, while his soul power grew ever more abundant through its daily accumulation.

Yang Chang'an sat upright on his bed, eyes closed, performing his daily meditation. His soul power flowed slowly along its prescribed route.

Suddenly-

"Hum!"

A faint but distinct rumble sounded deep within his dantian.

After half a month of relentless assaults, the bottleneck at level ten finally shattered.

The invisible shackles broke completely. The soul power that had been surging through his meridians flowed unhindered at last, completing a full circuit through his body.

A more concentrated strength welled up from every limb and bone.

Yang Chang'an slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing through them. He clenched his fists, feeling the power surging within him, and the corners of his mouth lifted despite himself.

"Finally... level ten!"

Indeed, Yang Chang'an had now broken through to level ten. All he lacked was a soul ring to become a true soul master.

He immediately rolled off the bed. Without even stopping to straighten his training clothes, he excitedly pushed open the door and ran straight toward Yang Wushuang's room deep within the residence.

Yang Wushuang's room ordinarily served as both his living quarters and his alchemy room.

At that moment, a faint, fresh herbal fragrance filled the room. Yang Wushuang sat at a wooden table covered in bottles and jars, holding a yellowed medicinal recipe. His brows were slightly furrowed, as though he were pondering something.

"Thud, thud, thud-"

Hurried footsteps approached, interrupting his thoughts. Yang Wushuang raised his head and looked toward the doorway. When he saw the joy on Yang Chang'an's face, his familiar smile appeared.

"What is it?" He set down the pill recipe, his tone teasing.

"I only just finished putting you through your paces at the training grounds. You've barely rested-what could be so urgent?"

Yet when his gaze swept over Yang Chang'an, his words stopped abruptly. The smile froze on his face, then gave way to delighted surprise.

The soul power fluctuations surrounding Yang Chang'an were still far from powerful, but their concentration was entirely different from before. That aura appeared only after breaking through the level-ten bottleneck.

Yang Wushuang sprang to his feet. "You've broken through to level ten?!"

"Yes!" Yang Chang'an nodded emphatically, his small face radiant with a brilliant smile, and pumped his fist.

"I broke through the bottleneck while meditating in my room just now. I'm level ten!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Those three successive cries of "good" revealed Yang Wushuang's excitement. He strode forward and gently rested a hand on Yang Chang'an's shoulder. As he felt that vigorous vitality, even the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.

Once the excitement passed, Yang Wushuang gradually regained his composure and began planning for Yang Chang'an. He withdrew his hand, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced a few steps around the room before saying thoughtfully:

"Level ten means you can absorb your first soul ring."

"The major shops in Spirit City do sell hundred-year soul beasts year-round." At this, Yang Wushuang frowned, dissatisfaction entering his voice.

"But I made a point of checking not long ago. Most of those soul beasts are mediocre specimens, unworthy of your Soul Breaking Spear."

At that thought, Yang Wushuang stopped pacing and fixed Yang Chang'an with an intent gaze.

"To find the soul ring best suited to the Soul Breaking Spear, we'll ultimately have to hunt it ourselves in the Two Empires' Soul Beast Forests, or in the Star Dou Great Forest."

By this point, Yang Wushuang had made his decision. He looked down at Yang Chang'an and instructed him solemnly:

"But there's no need to rush the soul ring hunt. We'll discuss it in a few days. For now, devote all your energy to the Soul Breaking Spear Technique. Make sure you master the basic moves until they flow together seamlessly."

"Yes, Grandpa." Yang Chang'an nodded obediently.

Yang Chang'an nodded at his words. Continuing to cultivate without a soul ring would still increase his soul power, but it meant twice the effort for half the result. Unless faced with circumstances beyond their control, virtually no soul master would do so.

As for Yang Wushuang's "in a few days," Yang Chang'an already had his suspicions.

Their Yang Family was not a direct vassal of Spirit Hall. Rather, because of what had happened back then, they had been allowed to settle in Spirit City under special circumstances.

Over the years, whenever members of either the Yang Family or the Niu Family, who also lived in the city, went out to hunt soul rings, they had to report to Spirit Hall in advance and obtain permission before leaving.

Yang Chang'an understood the reason perfectly well. It was likely all inseparable from the Breaking Clan's forbidden poison, Seven-Colored Splendor.

Qian Renxue had "died young" five years earlier, and two years ago, he had also heard news of the sudden deaths of the Heaven Dou Empire's second and third princes, one after the other.

That meant Qian Renxue had already been infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family under the guise of Xue Qinghe for at least two years.

According to the original story's timeline, Qian Renxue should already have begun poisoning Xue Ye, the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, with the Seven-Colored Splendor refined by Yang Wushuang, paving the way for her eventual theft of the empire.

Spirit Hall likely restricted the freedom of Yang Wushuang and his family precisely because it feared losing control over him, lest he obstruct Qian Renxue's path to seizing the empire.

Having worked this out, Yang Chang'an said no more. He bowed to Yang Wushuang, then turned and left the room, ready to return to honing his spear technique.

Inside the room, Yang Wushuang watched his grandson leave, the smile slowly fading from his face. He stood there in silence for a long time before turning toward a wall on the inner side of the room.

He reached out and gently pressed an inconspicuous spot on the wall. With a soft click, a hidden compartment quietly opened.

A palm-sized White Jade Bottle rested inside.

The jade was smooth and lustrous, its surface carved with intricate patterns and its mouth tightly sealed with wax.

Yang Wushuang picked up the White Jade Bottle and gently rubbed it in his palm. Through the cool jade walls, he seemed to sense the terrifying poison within, and a complicated look entered his eyes.

A moment later, he drew a deep breath and carefully tucked the bottle into his robes. Hesitating no longer, he turned and headed outside.

As soon as he stepped out of the room, he came face-to-face with a figure approaching in blue-green robes.

"Second Brother?"

Yang Xue stopped and looked at Yang Wushuang, curiosity filling her eyes. Ever since losing heart five years ago, her second brother had spent his days behind closed doors, absorbed in studying alchemy and poison arts. Even now that he was teaching Chang'an, he rarely left the residence. Seeing him like this today was unusual indeed.

"Where are you going?" Yang Xue asked.

Seeing that it was her, Yang Wushuang forced a faint smile and said calmly, "Chang'an broke through. Level ten."

"What?! Chang'an broke through?!" Yang Xue froze for a moment, then a delighted smile blossomed across her face.

But that joy lasted only an instant before realization struck. Her gaze settled on Yang Wushuang, and her expression gradually grew grave.

"So, you're going to..."

She did not say the name Seven-Colored Splendor aloud, but they both understood. It was the Breaking Clan's forbidden poison, and its preparation was so complex that even Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang needed help from the clan's core members. Over the years, she and Yang Quji had spent no small amount of effort on it as well.

"I'll go with you." Yang Xue blurted it out almost immediately, a trace of urgency in her voice.

"No need." Yang Wushuang shook his head gently. Naturally, he understood Yang Xue's worries. He waved a hand, his tone carrying a hint of self-mockery.

"Don't underestimate Spirit Hall. They likely already know about Chang'an."

He looked at Yang Xue, his gaze deep. "Don't worry. I'm still useful to Spirit Hall. Besides, Chang'an only had innate level-nine soul power. Even if he had innate full soul power, what would that amount to in Spirit Hall's eyes?"

By the end, Yang Wushuang's voice was filled with boundless emotion.

Because of Seven-Colored Splendor, he had dealt with the Worship Hall regularly over the years. He knew better than anyone just how terrifying Spirit Hall, perched high above them, truly was.

A Titled Douluo? In the eyes of ordinary soul masters, one was already an insurmountable mountain. But before Spirit Hall's unfathomable reserves of strength, a so-called Titled Douluo was merely a slightly larger ant.

Yang Xue opened her mouth, wanting to say something more. But as she looked at Yang Wushuang's calm expression, she ultimately swallowed her words.

Yang Wushuang said no more. He gave Yang Xue a slight nod, then strode toward the residence's main gate.