Under the pressure of the Sea God's Light, spirit power circulated faster than normal cultivation without conscious control. Now with Yu Tianming's full effort, the flow speed multiplied severalfold.
When his spirit power reached its peak velocity, it surged like a raging river through his meridians, causing faint stinging pains. With the breakthrough sensation intensifying and Tang San's emergence just three years away, Yu Tianming ignored the discomfort and pushed harder.
After fifteen minutes, a violent spirit power fluctuation erupted. Golden mist rose around Yu Tianming, enveloping him completely. Within the haze, he sat cross-legged, eyes slightly closed as the congested, sluggish feeling in his meridians vanished instantly. His spirit power circulation accelerated abruptly.
In that breakthrough moment, agony transformed into euphoria - a sublime sensation as if floating among clouds. Only when the bliss faded did Yu Tianming realize he'd advanced from level 59 to 60, needing just a suitable spirit ring to officially become a Soul Emperor.
Morning sunlight refracted through the golden mist around him, creating an ethereal halo. Below, Dugu Yan and the Zhu-Zhi sisters sensed the energy fluctuation and looked up from the first step where they cultivated. They saw Yu Tianming seated serenely on the 40th step, the rising sun behind his head gilding his skin, resembling an enlightened Buddha. The three women stared transfixed, momentarily speechless.
When Yu Tianming opened his eyes, he found them gazing at him in awe. Before he could share his breakthrough, their expressions shifted to reverence as they noticed the crimson figure materializing behind him - High Priest Bo Saixi.
Though Yu Tianming's spiritual perception couldn't match Tang San's, his second spirit ability "Electromagnetic Sense" granted detection range surpassing most Titled Douluos with pinpoint precision at close distances. Yet Bo Saixi had appeared undetected - whether through Limit Douluo prowess or divine power remained unclear. The realization that she could kill him anytime without warning extinguished his joy, leaving only awe for divine might and hunger for strength.
Rising slowly, he bowed. "Greetings High Priest."
Bo Saixi's serene smile mirrored calm seas. "Breaking through to Soul Emperor at fourteen - no one in history has cultivated faster." Her gaze drifted toward the horizon. "At this rate I may soon fulfill my duty..."
Yu Tianming's attention locked onto the golden orb in her hand - flawless crystal containing swirling golden mist identical to the Sea God's Light. Undoubtedly this was the legendary Divine Bestowed Spirit Ring.
'Tang San obtained a 100,000-year ring after three months post-step 80' he calculated. 'My base strength matches step 80 without spirit manifestation. Dragonization triples my physique. I could potentially get a 100,000-year sixth ring too. But when Tang San absorbed his, his body shattered and required divine intervention to survive followed by 100 days recovery.'
Better to take the Sea Dragon now and reserve the divine ring for level 70. This ensured 1) Avoiding unnecessary risks 2) Both sixth and seventh rings from dragon-type spirits 3) A perfectly tailored ring for his Spirit Avatar. Three benefits with one move.
To prevent Bo Saixi from forcing the ring on him like she did with Ma Hongjun and Tang San, Yu Tianming spoke first despite revealing his knowledge. "High Priest I already have a sixth ring in mind. Could you grant me the divine ring at level 70 instead?"
Bo Saixi's eyes snapped back, puzzled. "No one on this island told you about divine rings. How do you know of them?"
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's ancient records mention them" Yu Tianming lied smoothly. "Seeing the Sea God's Light within your orb I ventured a guess."
After a thoughtful pause, she explained to the astonished women. "Indeed this grants a spirit ring matching your needs and maximum bearable age. Saving it for your Spirit Avatar is wise. I'll withhold it until your 70th level."
"Thank you High Priest."
"But without this where will you get your sixth ring? You can't proceed with level 60 spirit power."
Yu Tianming scratched his head sheepishly. "When I first arrived I noticed an 80,000-year Sea Dragon beside Sea Dragon Douluo. It would suit me perfectly."
Bo Saixi stared blankly - even after a century this request shocked her. That Sea Dragon raised Sea Dragon Douluo since childhood. Asking for it as a spirit ring equated to saying "I want your mother."
"Impossible" she refused flatly. "That Sea Dragon is his family."
Yu Tianming raised his hand skyward. "I swear upon my spirit if the Sea Dragon becomes my sixth ring I will resurrect it after attaining godhood."
After consideration Bo Saixi conceded. "I'll accompany you to ask him but no promises." Grabbing his arm space distorted as they teleported instantly to the Sea Dragon Sacred Pillar.
Sea Dragon Douluo sensing their arrival knelt immediately. "High Priest"
Bo Saixi explained Yu Tianming's proposition and oath. Sea Dragon Douluo's face darkened but he controlled his temper. "She's my closest kin. Even defying Sea God I won't abandon her."
Yu Tianming stepped forward. "Not all spirit beasts reach 100,000 years naturally. Even those that do face deadly tribulations. Resurrection would grant her a second life." His words held genuine conviction.
The massive Sea Dragon itself emerged from the waters resting its truck-sized head near Yu Tianming while emitting soft whimpers. Sea Dragon Douluo stroked its scales sorrowfully. "She's crippled - her hindquarters paralyzed since youth. Without my care she'd have died long ago. At her age she'll never reach 100,000 years..."
Now Yu Tianming noticed - only its front claws gripped the pillar while its tail hung limp in the water moving stiffly without an 80,000-year beast's majesty.
"If we proceed" Yu Tianming advised "preserve her soul intact within the spirit bone. I don't need the bone itself."
He reserved all bone slots for a full 100,000-year set.
Bo Saixi interjected. "Without soul infusion you'll bear the full spirit power impact. Though not 100,000-year level her accumulated power rivals one."
Yu Tianming nodded. "My physique surpasses many Titled Douluos. The impact won't trouble me." When Xiao Wu sacrificed to Tang San she burned her life force and fragmented her soul to accommodate his weaker body. With his current strength he wouldn't force such measures.
Sea Dragon Douluro interrupted their discussion. "No need to wait. She's ready now." As he stepped back with Bo Saixi the Sea Dragon's forehead scale began glowing darkly.
When the black light expanded everything within its radius froze - even the salty sea winds stilled. At the epicenter the Sea Dragon's form started transforming...
(End of Chapter)
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