The Fire God is on the same level as the Sea God—a first-rank deity. In the original story, Ma Hongjun failed to inherit the Fire God's legacy, which led him to settle for the second-tier pinnacle deity, the Phoenix God.
"Fire God? Young Master, do you know the location of that deity's inheritance?" The sorrow in Ah Zhu's eyes instantly vanished as she looked at Yu Tianming with a burning gaze.
Yu Tianming patted her shoulder. "Don't get your hopes too high. Unlike the Sea God, the Fire God doesn't have a known place of inheritance. But as long as you reach the rank of Titled Douluo before turning 30, the Fire God will bestow the inheritance."
Her once-bright eyes dimmed again. "I'm almost 22, and my soul power is only at level 69. I only have about eight years left. How can I possibly become a Titled Douluo in that time?"
Level 69 at 22 years old—Ah Zhu's cultivation speed already surpassed the entire continent and even greatly exceeded Tang Hao's back in his day. But for divine inheritance, this still wasn't enough. Otherwise, even Tang Chen wouldn't have ended up in the Slaughter City.
Yu Tianming had already thought of a way to help her.
He pulled out the inner core of the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Serpent. Though it had been soaked in seawater in the aquatic world, its energy remained intact—so powerful that it could burn a normal person just by touching it.
He handed it to Ah Zhu and solemnly instructed, "This is the inner core of the king of serpents, the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Serpent. Though your martial soul has shed its serpent form, you're still highly compatible with this spirit beast. Make this your seventh spirit ring."
"Oh? This inner core can be used directly as a spirit ring, like a God-bestowed ring? But the seventh ring is so important. Why not choose a God-bestowed one instead of this inner core?" Ah Zhu asked, confused, staring at the fiery red bead in her hand.
"While God-bestowed rings give the most suitable abilities, the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Serpent is a prehistoric anomaly. Its inner core could trigger a second evolution of your martial soul."
Ah Zhu shook her head. "I appreciate your efforts, Young Master, but an evolution won't speed up my cultivation that much. Becoming a god still feels out of reach."
Yu Tianming tugged lightly on her earlobe and teased, "I know how hard it is to reach Titled Douluo in eight years. This is just the first step. Once you become a Soul Sage, I have other ways to boost your power."
Ah Zhu had never heard Yu Tianming make empty promises before.
She took the core with a renewed smile. "I'll train hard to become a Titled Douluo and earn the Fire God's inheritance."
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A few months later, after resting in Hanhai City, Yu Tianming arrived at Soto City's grand Soul Battle Arena with Ah Zhu and Ah Zi.
Soul Battles were the most traditional and beloved form of entertainment on the Douluo Continent.
The Soul Battle Arena was like a Roman Colosseum, functioning as an elite entertainment club. The rich came for luxury; the commoners bought cheap bundled tickets to watch soul masters fight in the lobby.
By now, night had fallen, and the highlight of the evening—a 7v7 team match—was about to start. Soto Arena was at its liveliest, with throngs of people gathering from all directions.
Yu Tianming and the two girls were already seated in a high-class VIP suite, waiting quietly for the match to begin.
In the central arena, spotlights focused on the Soul Battle platform. The stands were darkened, and a poised, elegant host in a white gown held a conical sound amplifier as she professionally introduced the teams.
"Tonight's matchup features the Royal Battle Team and the Shrek Team. Though they're only at the Soul Elder level, both teams hold the Silver Battle Soul badge. If I had to name them, I'd call them geniuses. I won't waste more words—please welcome the teams!"
Two doors opened silently at the sides of the stage. Both teams entered, walking toward the center of the platform.
Without Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, the Royal Battle Team now had a new Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan member and a control-type soul master with a Willow Tree martial soul—seemingly powerful and at Soul Elder level.
On the opposite side, the Shrek Seven Devils, trained rigorously by Yu Xiaogang for months, wore matching black combat outfits and moss-green half masks, stepping forward in unison.
The moment both teams stepped onstage, Dai Mubai of the White Tiger martial soul locked eyes with the Blue Lightning soul master of the Royal Team.
Their gazes clashed, and the whole arena seemed to echo with the roars of tigers and dragons.
"All Soul Masters participating in the team match, please be prepared. You have one minute to summon your martial souls. You may attack once I announce the start. Victory is determined by surrender, full knockouts, or being thrown off the platform."
Floating above, the host flapped her white dove wings and announced sweetly.
Her voice was pleasant to the VIP audience, but for the fighters, it signaled the beginning of battle.
On the central platform, fourteen people released their soul power at once. Fourteen waves of intense battle spirit surged skyward.
Without a defense-type fighter, Dai Mubai took point for Shrek. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing flanked him slightly behind, forming a triangle to guard the backline.
Tang San, the control-type, stood just behind them, ready to assist. Ma Hongjun (ranged attack), Ning Rongrong, and Oscar (support) held the rear.
The Royal Battle Team's formation differed completely.
The Shi brothers with Black Tortoise martial souls stood up front. As they summoned their spirits, dark yellow tortoise shells formed on their backs.
Behind them stood the Blue Lightning clan member. His powerful martial soul fired up the crowd the moment it activated.
Yu Tianming, watching from the VIP room, looked puzzled.
Noticing, Ah Zhu explained softly, "Because Yu Tianxin's soul power is too high, the clan sent a substitute for lower-tier matches."
Yu Tianming nodded. "I haven't seen this one before, but he seems quite strong."
"He's a Soul Elder at level 35. At 22, he qualifies for the Soul Master Tournament in two years." Ah Zhu, well-informed about clan matters, added.
This match between Shrek and the Royal Team was shaping up to be fascinating.
The Royal control master had a Ghost Vine martial soul—plant-type, just like Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. Positioned at the center, sharp purple vines spread from his feet, covering half the platform.
Purple ghost vines and black-red Blue Silver Grass—two similar yet distinct martial souls—occupied opposite halves of the stage.
The Royal Team had the edge in soul power. The Shrek Seven looked grim under their masks. Only Tang San's eyes gleamed with bloodlust and hunger.
Once the host signaled the start, the two teams clashed instantly.
Dai Mubai roared and, cloaked in golden light from his White Tiger shield, charged first.
A colored glow shone—Ning Rongrong's 30% strength and speed boost empowered him, making his momentum overwhelming.
The Shi brothers didn't flinch. Their soul rings lit up, earthen light pulsing, and they stepped forward to block him head-on.
Just before Dai Mubai struck, the Shi brothers retracted their heads and limbs into their shells—their bodies becoming flawless shields. The White Tiger's claw strike sparked off their shells, ringing out across the arena.
At that moment, a blue figure darted in. A muscular dragon arm gleamed under the arena lights. Before the fighter even arrived, blue lightning claws formed midair, striking at Dai Mubai's exposed chest.
But a gentle pull from Tang San's Blue Silver Grass yanked Dai Mubai away just in time.
The Thunder Dragon Claw, the Blue Lightning clan's signature first skill, missed its mark and distorted the air with heat as it passed.
The two clashed again.
With Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile boost, Dai Mubai's tiger claws even overpowered the Blue Lightning Dragon's.
On the field, the Blue Silver Grass and Ghost Vines rapidly spread, clashing at mid-stage.
The vines tangled together into a chaotic green sea, sharp spines bristling—like countless small blades carpeting the arena.
Ghost Vines were terrifying. Their spines delivered neurotoxins that dissolved enemies into pulp, feeding the vine. They scattered parasitic seeds to drain soul power and eventually burst from within the host to grow anew.
Blue Silver Grass was known as the weakest martial soul. But Tang San's was enhanced with royal blood, and after absorbing three poisonous soul rings, it too grew spines—perhaps more terrifying than the ghost vines.
With his Purple Demon Eye and Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon techniques, Tang San commanded the Blue Silver Grass with unmatched precision, overwhelming the enemy.
The vines spread toward the Royal Team's side.
"Shrek Academy has already won. There's no need to watch further." Yu Tianming sighed at the VIP suite window and turned away.
Ah Zhu and Ah Zi exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
There were twelve high-tier VIP rooms in the arena, circling the platform for a perfect aerial view.
After the Royal Team took the field, Yu Tianming had scanned the arena and discovered Yu Tianxin was here—but with power too high for Soul Elder-level battles.
With his maids, Yu Tianming exited Room 9 and walked the arc-shaped corridor to Room 3, where Yu Tianxin was seated.
As the tide of battle turned in Shrek's favor, a maid announced visitors from the Blue Lightning clan. Yu Tianxin reluctantly let them in—only to light up upon seeing Yu Tianming after three years.
"Tianming! What brings you here?" he asked, smiling.
"I came just to see you," Yu Tianming replied warmly, stepping up and pressing him gently back into the couch before taking a seat.
Yu Tianming, now a god-ranked Titled Douluo, instantly sensed Yu Tianxin's power—level 58. This was extraordinary. Even innate-genius Hu Liena only reached Soul King by 20. With the Nine-grade Dragon Ginseng and a path like the Shrek Seven, Yu Tianxin neared Soul Emperor before 20.
Qin Ming was hailed as the continent's second-youngest Soul Emperor—and he'd only reached that in his 30s. Yu Tianxin's talent was staggering.
But seeing Ah Zhu and Ah Zi by Yu Tianming's side, he sighed. "My biggest regret this year was not going with you to Sea God Island. Ah Zhu has already surpassed me. And your strength—I can't even guess."
Yu Tianming smiled faintly, skipping the comment. Instead, he asked, "That Royal Academy control-type soul master with the Ghost Vine martial soul—what's his background? His face looks familiar, but I can't place it."
(End of Chapter)
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