Fang Yang slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile flickering in his gaze. He felt the surging soul power coursing through his body—and couldn't help but grin.
"I… succeeded!"
At this very moment, he had shattered the Level 10 bottleneck and officially become a true One-Ring Soul Master.
Even more astonishing—his soul power had jumped straight to Level 15!
He leapt off the bed, raised his right hand, and with a mere thought, the dimly lit room suddenly brightened.
A purple soul ring rose gently from beneath his feet, floating upward before circling his body in rhythmic pulses.
This was the hallmark of a Soul Master—the soul ring. And this purple ring signified a thousand-year soul spirit.
On the Douluo Continent, the grade of a soul spirit directly reflected a Soul Master's potential:
- White for ten years
- Yellow for a hundred
- Purple for a thousand
- Black for ten thousand
- and the legendary Red—reserved only for hundred-thousand-year soul spirits.
Long ago, before soul spirits existed, soul rings alone defined a Soul Master's identity and strength. Now, soul rings and soul spirits worked hand-in-hand, elevating both status and power.
"Time to test my first soul skill…"
Fang Yang opened his palm. A deep golden-yellow flame erupted instantly.
At its core, the fire condensed—slowly shaping into a closed lotus bud, its petals etched with molten, lava-like veins. The heat was so intense it warped the air around it, as if space itself trembled.
This was his first soul skill, granted by the Crimsonflame Tiger King: "Fire Lotus Explosion!"
Compress supreme flame into a lotus form—upon contact with a target, it detonates in a 5-meter radius, inflicting explosive damage and lingering burns.
Staring at the Heavenly Flame in his hand, Fang Yang's mind wandered to a legendary figure—the peerless expert who once dominated the continent with Heavenly Flames.
My current flame is still far from that level… he mused. But if I devour a few more Heavenly Flames, perhaps I can surpass even him…
Though truthfully, he had no idea what realm that figure had reached by now.
Still, a faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips.
"Interesting… Art is an explosion."
Moments later, with precise mental control, he willed the fire lotus to gently dissipate.
After all—this was his bedroom. If he accidentally triggered the explosion, his mother Lin Ximeng would yank his ears off without hesitation.
Pushing open the door, he stepped into the living room, greeted by the rich aroma of dinner.
Na'er was already seated at the table, and when she saw him, her amethyst eyes lit up with quiet joy.
"Yang'er! Come eat— we've been waiting for you," Lin Ximeng called warmly.
Fang Yang hurried over, his stomach growling at the sight of the lavish spread. He grabbed his bowl and chopsticks and began eating alongside Na'er.
After dinner, the family gathered on the plush sofa under soft lamplight, watching an entertaining program on the soul-guided television.
"By the way, Yang'er," Lin Ximeng asked gently, "what's your first soul skill? With a thousand-year soul spirit, it must be impressive."
Na'er turned as well, her violet eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"My first soul skill is called Fire Lotus Explosion," Fang Yang explained with a proud smile. "It compresses Ultime Fire/Flame into a lotus. When it touches a target—it explodes within a 5-meter radius, with burning aftereffects."
As he spoke, a dazzling purple soul ring rose from his feet, pulsing with energy.
He opened his palm—and the deep yellow flame burst forth once more.
Again, it coalesced into a half-open fire lotus, molten patterns glowing on its petals, heat distorting the very air.
This soul skill—Fire Lotus Explosion—was a simplified version of the legendary "Buddha's Wrath Fire Lotus," the signature technique of the Flame Emperor.
As for the original? Its destructive power needed no explanation—the Hall of Souls had "tried it and loved it."
Hall of Souls: "Finger lickin' good!"
When Na'er saw the skill manifest, her eyes widened slightly—a ripple of surprise stirring deep within her.
So… this is that terrifying flame…?
Lin Ximeng watched the dancing fire lotus in her son's hand, her expression a mix of pride and worry. "Yang'er, your soul skill is powerful… but Mom's concerned…"
"Don't worry, Mom!" Fang Yang dismissed the flame, letting it dissolve into harmless embers. "At my current strength, no one my age can even come close to me in a fight."
…Well, except Tang Wulin, he added silently. He's the protagonist, after all. Unless I find a way to extract the Golden Dragon King's divine core from his body…
"You silly boy," Lin Ximeng sighed, shaking her head. "I'm not worried you'll lose—I'm afraid you'll hurt your classmates without thinking."
"I promise, Mom," Fang Yang said earnestly, "I'll keep a low profile at school. I won't use this soul skill unless absolutely necessary."
"I hope so," she murmured, though her eyes still held lingering concern.
Meanwhile, Fang Yang's thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
The idea of seizing Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King bloodline had taken root—and now refused to leave his mind.
Sorry, fellow cultivator Tang Wulin… but I must achieve Godhood first—then help others along later.
Still, he weighed the risks: Na'er is still with me. Acting against Tang Wulin now would be too dangerous.
After all, Na'er carried the Silver Dragon King's divine essence. If she were affected…
And let's not forget—the current Plane Lords were none other than Tang Hao and Ah Yin, the Life Core.
He dared not gamble. As the saying went: "Fear not the ten thousand possibilities—but dread the one that does."
"Better wait until Na'er is gone… then find the right moment to strike," he resolved inwardly.
As for the divine artifact—Poseidon's Trident and its threat?
Fang Yang's lips curled into a cold smirk.
With the Heavenly Flame Orb—a supreme treasure in his possession—he held no fear of it.
Who does Tang San think he is, anyway? Just a stray divine consciousness. One grab—and I'd refine him into nothing!
Of course… if Tang San ever truly returned from the drifting Divine Realm—that would be a different story entirely.
But then—Fang Yang recalled the moment at the Spirit Pagoda, when his 101-point Spirit Connection Realm reading was revealed.
Right after Su Tao spoke, he'd sensed a fleeting killing intent from Na'er—not directed at him… but at Su Tao.
In that instant, everything became clear.
And yet… deep down, Fang Yang was still lying to himself, refusing to accept that Na'er had long since regained her memories.
He chose to pretend the innocent, carefree Na'er was still by his side.
'Ah, it's too early to dwell on this,' he thought, shaking his head. 'For now… one step at a time.'
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