Qian Ye immediately activated his pride form.His body remained unchanged, but his eyes blazed crimson, glowing like burning coals. That blood-red light wrapped his face in an unearthly aura, equal parts regal and sinister.
Qian Daoliu's eyes widened. "Could this be one of the abilities of Xiao Ye's martial soul?" he muttered.
Qian Ye's crimson gaze locked with the Dark Blood Demon Eagle. For an instant, their wills collided—then the eagle's mind went blank.Its eyes dulled. Its body froze.
Under the Eye of Control, the thousand-year beast's will shattered like glass.
"Down," Qian Ye whispered.
The great bird convulsed in mid-air and slammed into a nearby boulder.Boom!Stone exploded outward; dust and feathers scattered.
Without emotion, Qian Ye murmured, "Greed Form."
A dark vortex swirled open beside him—an ethereal doorway to the King's Treasury.He reached into the void and drew out a weapon: a black spear etched with intricate runes that pulsed like veins of molten shadow. Its tip shimmered with killing intent.
Power coursed through him the moment his hand closed around it.
The eagle stirred, eyes regaining focus just in time to witness the nightmare standing before it—six wings unfurled, armor glinting red-black, spear gleaming with malice.
Fear radiated from the beast. Even a thousand-year soul creature trembled before that aura. Its instincts screamed: Death.
A cold smile curved Qian Ye's lips as he leveled the spear.
The Dark Blood Demon Eagle dropped from the air and crouched low, wings trembling, eyes wide with primal terror.
"Pathetic," Qian Ye murmured. Strength without discipline is nothing but noise.
He thrust the spear forward.
Pfft.
Blood sprayed across the stones. The eagle shrieked once—a broken, fading cry—before collapsing. Crimson poured from its throat, soaking the earth in a spreading pool of warmth and silence.
Qian Daoliu landed lightly beside him, eyes full of shock. "Little Ye… are these all your abilities?"
Qian Ye withdrew the spear and nodded. "Yes. My martial soul grants many forms. You've seen only a few. Some remain… incomplete."
Qian Daoliu exhaled slowly. "I saw your power against those bandits as well—that must have been an enhancement form. These two are different entirely. Your martial soul is extraordinary."
Qian Ye gave a faint nod, saying nothing more.There was no point in revealing the truth of the Seven Sins Angels—not even to his father.
Moments later, the corpse of the Dark Blood Demon Eagle shimmered, releasing a deep violet ring of light that floated above it.
Qian Ye stared at it, determination burning in his eyes. "Father, I want this soul ring."
Qian Daoliu frowned. "Think carefully, Little Ye. No one in history has absorbed a thousand-year ring as their first."
"My spirit has a form with regenerative power," Qian Ye replied firmly. "I can survive it. I must try."
Qian Daoliu hesitated, then nodded slowly. "You've trained since childhood. Your body is strong, your mind unshakable—and I am here. Try it. If you succeed, you'll make history."
"I will," Qian Ye said.
He released his martial soul again and invoked, "Gluttony Form."
Instantly, his body expanded, muscles surging, his silhouette towering like a demon born of hunger.A wave of insatiable desire swept through him—raw, primal need to consume everything.
He tore open his pack and devoured the remaining rations, swallowing each bite whole.Still, the hunger raged within him.
Even through that storm of craving, his mind remained sharp. Hunger is control inverted. I will own it, not be ruled by it.
He approached the hovering violet ring and sat cross-legged.
The spirit ring descended, wrapping him in an otherworldly glow.Purple light flared like falling stars, painting the entire valley in hues of dusk and flame.
With a deep breath, Qian Ye drew the ring's power into himself.
The moment it entered his body, agony erupted.It was as though his veins were molten iron, his bones crushed from within.
He clenched his teeth, sweat streaming down his face.
Pain is proof of progress.
The ring's energy tore through him, wild and violent, clawing at his organs, threatening to shatter his body from the inside.
Blood spilled from his lips, yet his eyes stayed open, locked on the swirling light.
If the soul ring wishes to devour me… then I will devour it first.
His breathing grew ragged, but he did not scream. He forced his will outward, forcing the ring's energy into submission.
Slowly, the chaos began to settle. The purple glow dimmed, condensing into a single point of light in his chest.
Minutes passed—long, grueling, endless.
Then—silence.
The light faded. The hunger ebbed.
Qian Ye's body shimmered with faint purple light; behind him, the image of six black wings unfurled once more, haloed by a single, pulsing violet ring.
Qian Daoliu stood frozen in awe. "A… thousand-year ring. On your first awakening."
Qian Ye exhaled, his voice low and calm. "It's done."
He rose to his feet, the power thrumming beneath his skin like a second heartbeat.