Inside the crystal cavern, there was no light source—only the dim glimmer of various gemstones. A tall and a short figure stood in front of a cracked, multicolored crystal.
Looking at the dying soul beast before her, Ning Rongrong placed one hand on her waist and held up her Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda with the other as she spoke to Yu Tianming.
"Tianming-ge, watch this move from your Rongrong."
In the next moment, her three soul rings lit up simultaneously, and three rays of different colors merged into her body. Strength, agility, defense—her basic physical attributes instantly multiplied several times, and a powerful aura naturally radiated from her.
With a flick of her wrist, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda floated lightly onto the crystal soul beast. In an instant, the already cracked crystal shattered into countless fragments, and among the scattered shards, a purple soul ring slowly condensed.
"Not bad. Though Rongrong is a support-type soul master, this move of hers exuded a domineering aura. Quite the flair of a battle-type master," Yu Tianming praised, waving his hand to instantly sweep away the shattered crystal. Beneath the soul ring, a smooth, radiant crystal cushion rose from the jagged ground.
Ning Rongrong beamed with joy and said nothing more. She gently lifted the hem of her dress, sat down cross-legged on the cushion, and began to absorb the soul ring.
Half an hour later, she slowly opened her eyes. A multicolored glow flashed in her gaze, and the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda in front of her shone with renewed brilliance.
"Nine treasures turn out glazed light, nine treasures have names: strength, speed, defense, spirit."
After releasing the tower's four soul skills twice in a row, she looked nervously at Yu Tianming.
"Tianming-ge, how are my attributes now? Do I finally have some means of self-protection?"
Yu Tianming rested his chin in his hand and carefully examined the slightly tense girl.
Although the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda could hold two more soul rings than the Seven Treasures one and thus gain an additional 20% amplification at later stages, the calculation method remained the same: (number of rings × 10 + 10)%. With four soul rings, Ning Rongrong could now provide a 50% enhancement.
After absorbing the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, her pagoda hadn't advanced in total percentage—but it had gained the ability to apply a fixed attribute bonus in addition to percentage boosts. For an average battle-type soul master of the same level, this fixed bonus could offer a 50% improvement, though someone like Dai Mubai might only benefit by 20%.
Raising his brow, Yu Tianming gave her a meaningful look.
"Rongrong, your fixed amplification strength is tied to your level. At your current fortieth level, you can add half the stats of a same-level soul master to yourself. Once you reach the Titled Douluo stage, you could match a peer one-to-one. And with percentage boosts layered on top…"
"Doesn't that mean that once I become a Titled Douluo, I can amplify myself to the level of a power-type Douluo without any attack skills? And if I stack a percentage boost, I'll have more than double the attributes of a regular one?" Ning Rongrong excitedly interrupted, cheering with delight.
Yu Tianming nodded slightly but cautioned, "Don't get ahead of yourself. Take Dai Mubai as an example. His high-level spirit grants him nearly twice the stats of an average soul master. Stacking two boost skills increases his strength by about 200%, meaning he reaches 400% of a typical peer's power. Even if you stack your full abilities on yourself, you'd still fall short of someone like him."
Hearing that, Ning Rongrong's excitement immediately waned, and she looked down in disappointment.
Yu Tianming reached over to ruffle her hair and gently comforted her. "Don't be discouraged. If you can obtain soul bones with powerful attributes, you won't lose to a strong-attack soul master like Dai Mubai."
Her eyes lit up again, and standing atop the crystal cushion, she lifted her pagoda and said with renewed confidence, "I, Ning Rongrong, also want to become a great battle soul master!"
Amused by her adorableness, Yu Tianming chuckled. With a wave of his hand, the two disappeared from the cavern.
By now, it was near midnight across the Douluo Continent.
The Blue Tyrant Academy team was seated together around a tea fire. When they saw Ning Rongrong and Yu Tianming suddenly reappear, they were briefly stunned before quickly noticing the fourth soul ring beneath her and the ethereal aura she now exuded.
"Rongrong, you're already at level forty? Your Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda feels so different now. It used to be regal and luxurious—now it feels divine and otherworldly," Zhu Zhuqing exclaimed in awe, her eyes full of envy.
Tang San, sitting in a corner, twitched his nose and thought to himself, 'There's a unique fragrance in the air too. Could she have reforged her body with heavenly treasures?'
Yu Tianming said nothing. After patting Ning Rongrong on the shoulder, he quietly left the carriage and made his way to the front of the convoy.
Watching her beloved walk away, Ning Rongrong's gaze was dreamy. Meanwhile, Oscar sat quietly in the corner, a faint sense of loss rising in his heart. 'I'm just an ordinary support soul master. No strength, no background… only someone like Yu Tianming could be worthy of Rongrong.'
…
Late at night, on a deserted official road, fierce winds howled from the surrounding mountains. The Heaven Dou Empire's convoy had lit dozens of campfires, forming a bright line across the dark night.
Yu Tianming walked past the Blue Tyrant carriage and silently arrived at the crown prince's coach. Moments later, Qian Renxue—disguised in royal robes—hurried out and dove into his arms.
She rose on tiptoe to peck his cheek, then slowly traced her finger across his chest.
"Calling me out this late… Tell me, what's this about?"
Yu Tianming, stroking her cheek, thought of the immortal herb stored in his space and smiled.
"The prince of Heaven Dou once promised me a treasure in the secret chamber, but all I got was wine. Now, I have a treasure of my own to share. I wonder if you'd be interested?"
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes. "Let me see what treasure you've brought, dear Tianming." Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Just as Yu Tianming was about to speak, a chilling aura burst from a nearby slope. He sighed.
"They're making their move now, huh? Xue'er, we'll have to deal with the ambush first. Radiant Sun—!"
His fifth soul ring shone, and a burning orb appeared in his hand, floating upward and expanding rapidly. In seconds, a blazing 'sun' hung over the convoy, banishing the darkness.
Before his words even finished, a cry came from the rear of the convoy.
"Alert! Enemies incoming!"
Massive boulders suddenly rained from both hills, crashing through trees like paper. The convoy fell into chaos as soul masters scrambled to respond—some rushing to block, others fleeing the path.
Yu Tianming's foot lit up with earthen yellow energy. Using the Earth Element Control of his Mountain Dragon King soul bone, he caused the boulders to sink instantly into the ground—no one was harmed.
But the worst was yet to come.
From behind the rocks surged a thousand black-clad bandits, all emanating strong soul power. Among them were at least thirty soul masters above rank fifty.
Fifty—a soul king. With a ten-thousand-year ring.
In all of Douluo, there were perhaps fewer than five thousand such people. For a group of mere bandits to appear this organized, with so many powerful soul masters, was unheard of.
Before they could charge, Yu Tianming unleashed two soul skills: the Forbidden Magic Wave from the Sea Dragon and the Slowing Domain from the Sky Azure Bull Python.
The enemy's soul power froze; their speed plummeted—they might as well have been crawling.
"Hmph, impressive." A soft, sinister voice rang out, and a white-robed, masked man appeared above the convoy.
"You can stop them—but can you stop me?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"A Titled Douluo?!"
But while others panicked, a sneaky figure crept away.
"Damn it, a Titled Douluo ambush… Xiao Wu, why wouldn't you leave with me? But don't worry. Once I become a Titled Douluo, I'll avenge you."
Just then, a cold sigh echoed through the air.
"Since I've come, none shall leave. Ninth Soul Skill—Fallen Chrysanthemum, Scattered Wounds, Flowers Fall and Souls Sever!"
The Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, shattered his Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum into countless petal-blades that spun like sickles. Forming a golden tornado, the petals shrank inward over the convoy.
Seeing this, Tang San turned back, activating Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps to rush toward the team.
But how could a mere Soul Ancestor avoid a Titled Douluo's ninth skill?
Petals reached him almost instantly. Though they looked delicate, each petal was as sharp as fine steel.
A fist-sized burst of blood exploded behind Tang San, scattering into a red mist.
Only then did Yu Tianming act, using his external soul bone's ability—Wind-Drawn Rainbow Veil.
Countless translucent threads of rainbow-colored light filled the sky, spanning tens of miles.
To those like Qian Renxue and Ning Rongrong, it felt like a dreamscape, ethereal and gentle. But for Yue Guan, it was torture—steel wires piercing his body, his nerves shredded by invisible blades.
Even the petals froze midair. Forced to cancel his martial soul, the Chrysanthemum Douluo let out a stifled grunt.
Tang San, narrowly saved, gasped and poured all his healing powder onto his back.
"'Fallen Chrysanthemum, Scattered Wounds, Flowers Fall and Souls Sever'... What a vicious technique. I'll remember this one."
The Tang Sect's medicine worked instantly. Bloodflow ceased, though a strange odor began to waft out.
He stood up, trembling, glancing at the missing fist-sized patch on the seat of his pants and the torn flesh beneath.
'If this can't heal properly, I might never control my bowels again…'
As Tang San brooded, a sweating Yue Guan finally screamed in desperation.
"Old Ghost, what are you waiting for?! Use that move! Can't you see I'm about to collapse?!"
(End of Chapter)
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