In the Battle Through the Heavens World, the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix was the ancestor of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix. It possessed pure Huang Clan blood and belonged to an ancient species that existed only in legends. In bloodline and talent, the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix rivaled the Ancient Void Dragon, but it had not been as fortunate. After long ages, it had ultimately vanished into the river of history, disappearing from the Dou Qi Continent.
The Ancient Void Dragons stood at the head of the Three Great Magical Beast Families of the Central Plains, possessing talent that looked down upon all rivals. Masters of spatial abilities, they were every opponent's nightmare; their ability to travel through the void was practically a cheat. Their clansmen were few, yet no faction dared offend them. Such was the deterrent power of the Ancient Void Dragons. As one of the few surviving ancient races, however, they had always kept a low profile, so much so that many people on the Dou Qi Continent did not know they existed.
The Dragon Phoenix was unquestionably the ceiling for all Soul Beasts on the entire Dou Qi Continent. It evolved from an Ancient Void Dragon or an Ancient Heavenly Phoenix after absorbing a Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, its bloodline and talent far surpassing both. Throughout the long history of the Dou Qi Continent, only six magical beasts had evolved into Dragon Phoenixes. Zi Yan was the sixth, which showed just how difficult it was.
Yu Tianling could only pin his hopes on there being immortal herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Spring that could achieve Martial Soul Fusion.
Spirit City, Papal Hall.
A cold, imposing voice rang out.
"Gui Mei, I heard a genius with Innate Full Soul Power and a top-tier Beast Martial Soul has appeared in Fasinuo Province of the Heaven Dou Empire, and he is willing to join Spirit Hall. Go and bring him here."
"Yes."
Upon receiving the Supreme Pontiff's order, Gui Mei hurried without stopping toward Yu Tianling's location.
"Yu Xuanyu's son? I imagine you must be filled with hatred for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as well!"
Bibi Dong looked at the intelligence her subordinates had gathered. When those familiar words appeared within it, she seemed to see that high-spirited young man from ten years ago.
"Hmph! Elder Hall, Upper Three Sects! One day, I will wipe you all out completely!"
Flames filled with hatred blazed in her heart, but a moment later, everything returned to calm.
Inside the Soul Hunting Forest.
This was the Soul Beast forest nearest Swift Village.
On the second day after awakening his Martial Soul, Yu Tianling arrived here with Lin Qingze, intending to absorb his First Soul Ring.
"Xiao Ling, the most suitable age for a First Soul Ring is no more than four hundred and twenty-three years. Do you have a Soul Beast in mind?"
"Grandpa, my Ancient Void Dragon Martial Soul has strengthened my physique considerably. I think I can try a seven- or eight-hundred-year-old one for my First Martial Soul."
Hearing his grandson's words, Lin Qingze stopped walking and looked at Yu Tianling, who wore a fitted outfit. Seeing the confidence filling his eyes, he opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing more, only asking, "Are you sure there won't be a problem? That's well beyond the age limit. If..."
"Grandpa, don't worry. There definitely won't be a problem. I have confidence in myself. My current physique can definitely support absorbing a seven- or eight-hundred-year Soul Ring. That way, I can absorb a thousand-year one for my Second Soul Ring."
Yu Tianling answered with absolute certainty.
"All right! Then do you have a Soul Beast in mind?"
Seeing how confident his grandson was, Lin Qingze no longer insisted on the matter. After all, a top-tier Beast Martial Soul could indeed produce such an effect, allowing someone to absorb a First Soul Ring beyond the age limit.
"After Martial Soul Possession, my defense and strength both increase greatly, so I plan to use my First Soul Ring to enhance my speed."
"And my Martial Soul isn't restricted to absorbing Soul Rings from lesser dragon Soul Beasts, so there are plenty of choices. A Dazzling Cat or a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent would both work."
Yu Tianling had already given his First Soul Ring careful thought, ultimately settling on two powerful Soul Beasts. Presumably, the Soul Skills they provided would be quite good as well.
After hearing his grandson's analysis, Lin Qingze nodded in understanding, then activated his Martial Soul Avatar, the Scarlet Fire Swallow, and carried Yu Tianling low through the air in search of a suitable target.
"Xiao Ling, it seems we're in luck. We've found your Soul Ring! That Dazzling Cat ahead is just the right age!"
Lin Qingze had not expected things to progress so quickly either. Normally, coming here to hunt for Soul Rings required three to five days, or even a month.
Hearing his grandfather's words, Yu Tianling looked toward the Dazzling Cat in the tree. It had two stripes on its back, both fairly dark. It was indeed a seven-hundred-and-eighty-year-old Soul Beast, and he hurriedly asked his grandfather to act.
"Grandpa, let's take this one!"
"All right!"
Lin Qingze set his grandson down and immediately unleashed his First Soul Skill.
"First Soul Skill, Swallow Flying Feathers!"
Flaming swift feathers shot toward the Dazzling Cat in the tree at tremendous speed, knocking it straight to the ground. Too badly wounded to rise, it could only bare its teeth at the Soul Master who had suddenly attacked it.
"Xiao Ling, hurry and kill it. Stab it in the neck or heart."
Lin Qingze withdrew his Martial Soul and called to Yu Tianling, who was already prepared beside him.
Yu Tianling nodded and activated Martial Soul Possession. With a light push of his foot, he charged forward, the sword in his hand thrusting straight into its heart.
As the Dazzling Cat died, a deep yellow ring began to condense from its body, floating quietly above its remains.
Come on. Let my era begin with you, my First Soul Ring!
Yu Tianling sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, using his Soul Power to guide the Dazzling Cat's Soul Ring. The Soul Ring slowly moved above his head. Martial Soul Possession activated automatically, and the Soul Ring slipped over his body.
In an instant, Yu Tianling's brows furrowed sharply, but a moment later, he grew accustomed to the impact of the Soul Power. The absorption went very smoothly, and with a shattering sound, the Soul Ring's absorption was complete.
Yu Tianling abruptly opened his eyes and leaped to his feet. A deep yellow Soul Ring appeared beneath them.
He stretched his muscles and joints where he stood, then clenched his fist, feeling that his strength had increased considerably as well.
"Well? What is your First Soul Skill?"
Seeing his grandson finish absorbing the Soul Ring with ease, Lin Qingze came to his side.
"The Dazzling Cat did give me a speed-enhancing skill, and it also boosts my attack power. I named it Spatial Assault. It increases my speed and attack by about thirty percent for a short time."
"First Soul Skill, Spatial Assault!"
Yu Tianling instantly completed Martial Soul Possession. His First Soul Ring suddenly lit up, and his body vanished. When he reappeared, he was already behind a tree as thick as one person could encircle with their arms.
Boom...
The tree crashed to the ground.
"Mm, it really is a good skill. It strengthens both your attack and speed. Once your Soul Power rises in the future, the increase will be even more substantial."
Lin Qingze nodded, clearly very satisfied with his grandson's First Soul Skill.
"According to the information your father left behind, it's best not to add Soul Rings to the Second Martial Soul of Twin Martial Souls at first. Now that you've obtained a suitable Soul Ring, let's go. We can still make it back for dinner."
"All right, Grandpa."
On the return journey, Lin Qingze intended to train his grandson's combat ability, so the two chose to walk out. Yu Tianling swept through every Soul Beast that blocked their path along the way.
What Yu Tianling had not expected, however, was that he was heading in precisely the same direction as Yu Xiaogang.
Just as Yu Tianling was still watching his surroundings with complete concentration, guarding against surprise attacks from Soul Beasts, Lin Qingze suddenly stopped and turned to him. "Hmm? There seems to be fighting up ahead."