Yu Tianming held her in his arms, grinning playfully. "Yanyan, you seem to be getting ahead of yourself."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan simply blushed and lay across his chest without replying.
Perhaps she was feeling embarrassed about her earlier boast, or maybe it was just the intimacy of being in Yu Tianming's embrace that made her shy.
Not far away, Dugu Bo shook his head with a mix of joy and melancholy, sighing softly, "This girl Yan Yan really does like Tianming."
Yu Yuanzhen chuckled and added, "With how outstanding Tianming is, what boy could compare to him? And what girl wouldn't like him?"
But unlike what Yu Yuanzhen said, Dugu Yan's affection wasn't solely due to Yu Tianming's strength or charm. At six years old, Dugu Yan had interacted with very few people. Her heart was still pure, and Yu Tianming was the first peer she had truly connected with.
Many years from now, perhaps Dugu Yan would look back and be grateful that the first time she left home, she met Yu Tianming—an encounter blessed by her elders and the right choice all along.
After the teasing and laughter, everyone returned to the Sea Dragon Shuttle and resumed their journey.
Yu Yuanzhen unfurled a weathered map and said, "Decades ago, I came here to hunt my sixth soul ring. At that time, I killed a twenty-thousand-year-old soul beast and left behind several cubs that were just under ten thousand years old. One of them has particularly rare bloodlines and would be a perfect fit for Tianming's fourth soul ring."
Because the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon lineage could only absorb dragon-type soul beasts—such as the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent—the options were limited. Thus, when hunting, they would only kill the beast they needed, record the location and the skill obtained, and return years later to let their juniors hunt the rest.
Although this approach still reduced the population of dragon-type soul beasts, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect did not hunt recklessly. Compared to other soul masters, their method better protected the species.
Yu Yuanzhen added after a moment's thought, "Since the fourth ring should be under 5000 years and the fifth around 12,000, their age ranges don't overlap. And since these beasts live in the open sea, I doubt they've been hunted after all this time."
Yu Tianming smiled. "If any of them happen to have grown past ten thousand years, I won't be able to absorb them."
He had considered doing what Tang San did—absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring early—but Tang San had the support of Xuan Tian Gong and Purple Demon Eye, and even then, had only barely succeeded thanks to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
There's an old saying: A noble child should not sit beneath a crumbling roof.
Although Yu Tianming's body was stronger than Tang San's, he didn't have the mental amplification of Purple Demon Eye. There was no need to take such a risk for an extra thousand years.
Nor was there any need to draw attention with a rare black fourth ring.
Hearing this, Dugu Bo cautiously asked, "May I ask, what soul skill did Sect Master obtain from that sixth ring?"
Soul skills were a soul master's private matter and not usually shared, but since they were now one family and this related to Tianming's soul skill selection, Dugu Bo set aside that concern.
Yu Yuanzhen didn't mind and laughed, "My sixth soul skill is called Sky-Shattering Dragon Roar. It emits a powerful, explosive dragon cry—a wide-range sound wave attack that also deals spiritual damage. The soul beast had an excellent bloodline, so Tianming might get an even stronger skill."
"In the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, this type of soul beast is called the Screaming Dragon. Because its roar can kill enemies within several kilometers, some of us refer to it as the Screaming Reaper. Elder Dugu, I'm sure you understand how terrifying this skill is."
Hearing how powerful the area-of-effect was, Dugu Yan grew worried. "If I'm near Brother Tianming, won't the Screaming Reaper hurt us too?"
Yu Yuanzhen gave a relaxed smile. "Once we find the beast, Elder Dugu will protect you two. I'll just disable its jaw and bring it to Tianming. Simple as that."
Hearing this solution, Dugu Yan finally relaxed and nodded.
At that moment, one might wonder: if Flender were here, would he feel ashamed seeing how carefully soul rings were obtained?
If the Shrek students who died hunting soul rings heard this, would they regret ever joining Shrek?
Yu Yuanzhen's Sea Dragon Shuttle was like a mobile sea-faring RV—equipped with everything they needed. But after days in its cramped space, even comfort turned into irritation.
After a few more days at sea, just when everyone was growing gloomy, a cluster of towering rock formations appeared on the horizon.
These jagged rocks stood like ancient pillars in the vast ocean, proudly defying the crashing waves.
The setting sun cast golden-red light over the sea, painting the rocks in a mysterious and breathtaking hue.
The uneven rocks, bathed in the sunset, looked like the ruins of a giant's castle—solemn and majestic. After days at sea, the group was enchanted by the sight, and silence filled the cabin.
Yu Yuanzhen's voice finally broke the silence. "Elder Dugu, protect them. I'll head over and bring back the Screaming Dragon."
With that, he left the cabin and flew alone toward the stone pillars.
Once Yu Yuanzhen departed, only Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianming remained in the cabin. In the warm glow of sunset, Dugu Yan slowly leaned her body onto Yu Tianming's shoulder.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo grumbled, "Yan Yan used to love snuggling in Grandpa's arms. Now she likes this little monster and won't even look at me."
Yu Tianming couldn't help thinking of Tang San. He had taken Tang San's place at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and was now being called a "little monster" by Dugu Bo—just like Tang San once was. It felt like he had stepped into Tang San's very destiny.
Yu Tianming chuckled, "Why does Senior Dugu call me a little monster?"
Dugu Bo replied with envy, "Back then, the youngest Titled Douluo was Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Clan—he made it at forty-four. But you're only ten and already at level forty. At this rate, you'll become a Titled Douluo in your thirties."
"Not to mention, your combat strength is outrageous, and you've got the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon transformation ability. Who'll be able to match you in a few decades? Calling you a little monster fits perfectly."
Hearing this, Yu Tianming said, "I, Yu Tianming, have always acted with integrity. Being called a 'little monster' makes it sound like I'm some shady villain. That's not a good look for your future grandson-in-law."
Dugu Bo nodded thoughtfully. "That's fair."
As the three continued chatting, Yu Yuanzhen returned, flying through the golden sunset, holding the body of the Screaming Dragon.
According to Yu Xiaogang's theory, the limit for a fourth soul ring was 5000 years.
Since ten-thousand-year soul rings had mental shock effects, the protagonist's fourth soul ring would be near that upper limit.
Spoiler for readers: in Chapter 106, the soul ring's age will be upgraded.
(End of Chapter)
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