[The killing intent in the Seventh Elder's eyes was set. He no longer hesitated.]
[Seeing how deep your reserves ran, he was even more shocked. He held nothing back, his spear growing ever more vicious, every strike aimed straight at a vital point.]
[He stepped forward, and a layer of purplish-black flames suddenly rose over his jet-black spear. Beneath his feet, the Seventh Soul Ring abruptly lit up-]
[Seventh Soul Skill-Tool Soul True Body!]
[Purplish-black flames surged up from the spearhead, engulfing the shaft in an instant before finally wrapping around his entire body.]
[His aura climbed steadily within the flames. The presence of the Soul Breaking Spear condensed until it was almost tangible, like an invisible giant spear thrusting straight into the heavens, its edge fully bared, its killing intent soaring into the sky.]
[At the edge of the training ground, the watching disciples all paled and involuntarily backed away.]
[The pressure of the Tool Soul True Body bore down like a toppling mountain. Several disciples with lower cultivation could not even stand steadily and staggered, grabbing the weapon racks beside them.]
["You can be proud of forcing this old man to use his Tool Soul True Body!" The Seventh Elder's voice was cold and hard as iron. "But today, you must stay!"]
[Before his words had faded, the Sixth Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up as well-]
[Sixth Soul Skill-Shatter!]
[The white radiance at the spearhead abruptly condensed into a chilling star that made hearts tremble. Empowered by the Tool Soul True Body, Shatter raised the Soul Breaking Spear's attack power to its utmost limit.]
[This thrust carried no dazzling vortex of Soul Power, no overwhelming pressure of a mighty aura-only the purest, most concentrated destructive force. Wherever the spearhead passed, the air tore like cloth, leaving a white streak that lingered for a long time.]
[Your expression grew grave.]
[The Breaking Clan's Soul Skills had always been simple and direct, each Soul Skill corresponding to only one ability. Yet it was precisely this absolute purity that gave them attack power far beyond others of the same level.]
[With the Tool Soul True Body layered over Shatter, this thrust not only possessed an unmatched edge but also generated a strange pulling force-]
[Any attack of yours that entered its range would be involuntarily drawn toward that chilling star.]
[There was no evading it. You could only meet it head-on.]
[You drew a deep breath, your eyes calmer than ever before.]
[All six Soul Rings beneath your feet flashed together. Soul Power surged through your meridians like raging waves as the Zhou Tian Star Dou Art circulated to its limit. The acupoints throughout your body simultaneously absorbed Heaven and Earth Soul Power, channeling it through your meridians into every limb and bone.]
["Myriad Forms Dragon Scale Armor, activate!"]
[Blue-gold motes appeared out of thin air, like fireflies on a summer night, drifting into every part of your body.]
[In an instant, a suit of armor interwoven with pale blue and deep black covered your entire body.]
[Vines unfurled and curled like wings at the shoulders, a blue-gold crystal core was embedded in the center of the breastplate, and the waist armor tapered in patterns like leaf veins. The entire suit followed the contours of your body, its sharp lines harboring the supple curves unique to vegetation. Fine scales spread in overlapping layers along the vine-like veins, while specks of silver light flickered and flowed through the gaps between plates, lending its solidity an imposing majesty.]
[You beckoned with your left hand and called softly, "Come!"]
[Your Second Soul Skill, Essence Devouring Absorption, activated silently. The surrounding vegetation withered at a visible speed, its immense vitality turning into fine streams that flowed into the spear. Silver stars occasionally flashed within its ink-black edge.]
[You tightened your grip on the spear and met him head-on with all the strength granted by the Myriad Forms Dragon Scale Armor-]
["You're courting death!" the Seventh Elder roared. Moving like lightning, he thrust the Soul Breaking Spear straight at your chest.]
[Boom-!]
[The two spears collided. There was no clear metallic clang, only a muffled explosion, like a giant boulder plunging into a deep pool.]
[You were already prepared.]
[The instant the spearheads met, the vines on the Myriad Forms Dragon Scale Armor writhed like living creatures, dispersing that supremely concentrated edge layer by layer and directing it throughout your body. The blue-gold core in your breastplate abruptly lit up. Starlight raced wildly through the gaps between scales, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, dispersing the destructive force into every limb and bone.]
[But Shatter's penetrating power was too overbearing. Even after those layers of force dispersal, thirty percent of its edge pierced the armor and drove straight into your chest.]
[You grunted. Your feet plowed two deep furrows through the bluestone ground as you retreated more than a dozen steps, each step leaving a web of cracks.]
[Scales curled back across the armor's surface, vines snapped, and its blue-gold radiance flickered unevenly. Blood seeped from a shallow cut across your chest, staining the front of your clothes red.]
[Deathly silence fell over the sidelines. Some sucked in cold breaths; others unconsciously clenched their spear shafts until their knuckles whitened. The younger disciples opened their mouths but ultimately dared not make a sound.]
[The Seventh Elder was hardly unscathed either.]
[Your spear force clung like a festering sore to the bone. The instant the shafts met, three layers of force stacked upon one another-]
[The first was shattered by his Soul Breaking Spear. The second surged back up his shaft. The third actually penetrated again just as his old strength was spent and his new strength had yet to arise.]
[His spear hand went slightly numb. He retreated three steps, the bluestone beneath his feet cracking inch by inch. The white radiance at his spearhead dimmed by more than half, and the purplish-black flames flickered unsteadily.]
["Again!" Furious, the Seventh Elder changed his spear stance once more, about to forcibly suppress the rebounding force and launch a second strike.]
[You drew a deep breath and circulated Essence Devouring Absorption again, drawing the scattered Soul Power in the air into your body to settle the churning blood and energy in your chest and abdomen.]
[Vines writhed over the damaged portions of the Myriad Forms Dragon Scale Armor, repairing them at a visible speed.]
[You held your spear across your body. Its shaft trembled slightly before pointing steadily at the Seventh Elder again. The blood at the corner of your mouth had yet to dry, but your eyes grew brighter still, like cold stars drawn from their sheaths.]
[Just as both your auras reached their peaks and you were about to clash again-]
["Stop!"]
[A deep, resonant voice came from outside the grounds. Its tone was calm, yet it rolled like muffled thunder across the earth, clearly overpowering the roar of Soul Power within the arena.]
[Everyone looked toward the voice and saw a burly old man striding into the training ground.]
[The newcomer was in his fifties, powerfully built, his resolute face seeming carved by knives and axes, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's. His dark teal robe stirred without wind. A silver-white spear emblem embroidered on his chest gleamed coldly in the sunlight.]
[-Yang Wudi, chief of the Breaking Clan.]
[As though granted a great pardon, everyone bowed in greeting.]
[The Seventh Elder's purplish-black flames froze in midair, and the killing intent in his eyes flickered uncertainly. The other elders who had come with him exchanged glances, each seeing solemnity in the others' eyes.]
[Yang Wudi first looked at the Seventh Elder and said evenly, "Enough."]
[The Seventh Elder's spear faltered, and the purplish-black flames slowly subsided. His grip tightened, but in the end he lowered the spearhead and bowed his head, answering in a muffled voice, "Yes, Clan Chief."]
[Yang Wudi nodded before turning to you. His gaze lingered on your battered armor, moved to the healing cut across your chest, and finally returned to your eyes.]
["To take a strike from the Soul Breaking True Body head-on as a Soul Emperor and remain standing," he began slowly, his voice deep and resonant, "boy, you're the first."]
[You dismissed the Myriad Forms Dragon Scale Armor, and the Blue Silver Dragon-Devouring Spear likewise dissolved into motes of light. Raising your eyes to meet his scrutiny, you cupped your fist in salute. Your breathing was slightly ragged, but your back remained perfectly straight. "Junior Su Yi greets Clan Chief Yang."]
[Yang Wudi stopped three paces in front of you and looked you up and down. His gaze fell on your palm, where stardust still lingered after the Blue Silver Dragon-Devouring Spear had dissipated.]
[His brows drew together slightly. He withdrew his gaze from your palm, remained silent for a moment, and only then asked gravely, "Who taught you your spear technique?"]
["No one taught me," you answered truthfully. "I merely watched from outside the village for a hundred days and figured it out myself."]
["Figured it out yourself?" Yang Wudi's gaze abruptly sharpened, shock flashing in his eyes. "You learned the Soul Breaking Spear Technique to this level through your own comprehension alone?"]
[You nodded slightly without saying more.]
[After a moment's silence, he spoke again, his voice somewhat lower than before. "Su Yi, our Breaking Clan cherishes talent. Your gift for the spear is unlike any I have seen in my life."]
[He stepped forward, his gaze blazing, and continued, "If you're willing to join our Breaking Clan, I'll personally take you as my disciple and teach you the true legacy of the Soul Breaking Spear Technique. What do you say?"]
[At these words, the training ground fell utterly silent before a subdued commotion broke out. Countless eyes fixed on you, some envious, others jealous, burning with the desire to take your place.]
[Somewhat surprised, you remained silent for a moment before cupping your fist. "I appreciate your kindness, Senior. But I'm accustomed to coming and going alone and have no intention of joining any sect or clan."]
[Hearing this, Yang Wudi frowned, his expression abruptly darkening.]
["Boy," his voice grew colder, "you'd better think this through."]
["The Soul Breaking Spear Technique is our clan's closely guarded secret. Since you stole it, if you refuse to join our clan, this old man... can only keep you here."]
[You cupped your hands in salute again and said evenly, "Please judge this fairly, Senior. I have never stolen your clan's secret manuals."]
[After a pause, you continued, "Three months ago, I came bearing generous gifts and earnestly requested your clan's guidance, only to be turned away outside the village. With no way through your doors, I could only watch from afar outside the village and seek understanding on my own."]
["All spear techniques under heaven may change in countless ways, but never depart from their root. What I grasped was the principle of the spear, not its moves."]
["If even that is a crime..." You raised your eyes again to look at Yang Wudi and smiled faintly, your smile open and unashamed. "Then I truly have nothing left to say."]
[At your words, Yang Wudi's expression tightened, his face shifting uncertainly.]
[He stared at you for a while, his gaze scraping across your face like a blade. Only after a long time did he continue, "But in the end, you did learn our clan's spear technique."]
[At these words, the atmosphere abruptly became a drawn bow and bared blade.]
[The night wind swept across the training ground, lifting several dead leaves that spiraled down between the two of you as you stood poised to clash.]
[You knew there could no longer be an amicable end to today's affair.]
[You sighed and cupped your fist in another salute. "In that case, Senior, I shall take my leave."]
[Before your words had faded, your Sixth Soul Skill, Evil God Forbidden Zone, abruptly spread out!]
[Everyone felt their vision go black, losing sight of everything. A cold, evil pressure surged in from all directions, like plunging into an icy cavern, charging straight into their Sea of Consciousness.]
[The sidelines instantly descended into chaos. Disciples with insufficient cultivation stiffened, their pupils losing focus, as though their souls had been pulled from their bodies. Several Soul Emperor instructors barely managed to keep their minds clear, yet even they could only stand rigidly in place.]
[Seizing the instant when everyone was dazed, you leaped up and formed wings with Myriad Forms Mimicry. With a fierce beat, you rose several zhang into the air, tracing an arc as you rode the night wind and sped out of the village!]
[Yang Wudi was, after all, an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo. The dark erosion of Evil God Forbidden Zone trapped him for only an instant before he broke through its suppression with his formidable spiritual power, his hawk-like eyes locking onto your figure again.]
["After him!" he roared, abruptly raising his spear and pursuing you.]
[He shot forward like an arrow loosed from its bow. With every step, a web of cracks exploded across the bluestone ground.]
[Though he had not conjured wings out of thin air, a Soul Douluo's explosive power carried him more than ten zhang with a single stride. The Soul Breaking Spear trailed a cold streak of light, like a meteor chasing the moon, cleaving through the heavy darkness.]
[In mere moments, he had closed to within three zhang behind you. He thrust his spear, its wind howling as it tore through the darkness straight toward the center of your back!]
[Without turning your head, you circulated Soul Power through your palm-]
[Self-Created Soul Skill-Blue Silver Dragon-Devouring Spear.]
[A blue-gold spear instantly condensed in your hand, and you turned to block with a thrust.]
[Clang!]
[The two spears collided, their piercing metallic clash exploding through the night as sparks scattered like drifting fireflies.]
[A tremendous force traveled through the shaft, numbing the web of your hand and nearly robbing both arms of sensation.]
[You rode that immense rebound to rise higher again. In midair, you sent Blue Silver Grass vines shooting out to wrap around the branches of ancient trees in the dense forest. Swinging ten zhang at a time, like a nimble ape passing through the woods, you vanished into the depths of the forest sea in an instant.]
["Well done, boy!" Seeing you use his force to escape, Yang Wudi involuntarily paused, a trace of genuine admiration flashing in his eyes.]
[Holding his spear in one hand, he stood atop an ancient tree's branch, the night wind stirring his dark teal robe. Gazing in the direction you had disappeared, he did not pursue further. He drove the spear shaft against the trunk, sinking it three inches into the wood and shaking down a rustling shower of leaves.]
[Moments later, several elders arrived together with their followers.]
[Breathing slightly hard, the Seventh Elder looked around and asked, "Clan Chief, where's that boy?"]
["Gone," Yang Wudi said evenly.]
[The Seventh Elder followed his gaze. The night was deep, the forest surged like a sea, and not a trace of anyone remained.]
["Gone? Which way did he flee?"]
[Yang Wudi waved a hand, still gazing toward the far end of the forest sea, and said evenly, "There's no need to pursue."]
["But that boy stole our clan's spear technique. Are we just letting him off?" Unwilling to accept it, the Seventh Elder pointed his spearhead in the direction you had left. "If he becomes our clan's enemy in the future..."]
[Yang Wudi gave him a mild glance, his voice steady. "He wasn't wrong. He watched from outside the village and grasped the principles of the spear, not its moves. That doesn't count as stealing."]
["Or are you saying..." Yang Wudi looked around at everyone, his gaze sweeping over faces filled with anger or confusion. "You can stop everyone under heaven from watching you practice? Or will you never use your spears in front of outsiders again?"]
[The Seventh Elder was momentarily speechless. He opened his mouth, unsure how to refute him. The surrounding disciples also exchanged looks, their hands loosening and tightening around their spears.]
[Yang Wudi no longer looked at them.]
[He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction you had gone. His eyes were deep as a pool, as though piercing through layer upon layer of forest to rest on a certain young man hurrying through the night.]
[Only after a long while did he speak evenly. His voice was not loud, yet it carried unquestionable weight. "With a prodigy like that, keeping him would be best. If we can't... letting him go today is better than gaining a mortal enemy in the future."]
[He paused, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly in a rare hint of a smile. His voice carried a barely perceptible note of anticipation. "Besides, I also hope there can be a few more people under heaven who truly understand the spear."]
Before you continue