Early the next morning, mist clung to the courtyards of Spirit Hall.When Qian Ye stepped outside, an old man was already waiting for him.
He wore a yellow-brown robe, his frame straight despite his age. Wrinkles carved deep lines into his face, but his eyes shone with fierce vitality — two sparks of molten gold beneath heavy lids. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Uncle Golden Crocodile!" Qian Ye greeted respectfully.
The old man was none other than Golden Crocodile Douluo — the eldest of the seven elders, older even than Qian Daoliu himself. The Second Elder of the Spirit Hall's Elder Hall, and second only to Qian Daoliu in strength.A level 98 Power Attack–type Douluo — a living legend who once stood as the pinnacle of his generation.
Golden Crocodile Douluo chuckled. "Little Ye, I'll be your instructor today."
"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Golden Crocodile," Qian Ye said with a bow.
"Follow me," the elder replied simply.
They walked through a long corridor until they reached a vast, echoing hall — Golden Crocodile Douluo's personal training chamber.As Qian Ye stepped inside, his eyes widened.
Hundreds of massive black boulders were arranged in rows, each more than three meters tall, their smooth surfaces radiating faint energy fluctuations. Iron balls, blocks, and sand lay neatly piled along one wall; wooden stakes and weapon racks lined the other. Several powerful soul masters stood in silent attendance.
When Golden Crocodile Douluo entered, every one of them bowed deeply."Greetings, Second Elder!"
"Rise," he said calmly, raising a single hand.
The group straightened. Golden Crocodile Douluo turned to Qian Ye."Little Ye, my training for you focuses on one thing — raw strength. I'll teach you how to draw out the full potential of your soul power."
Qian Ye nodded. "Yes, Uncle."
The elder's gaze softened with approval. "Tell me — do you know what a self-created soul skill is?"
"I know a little," Qian Ye replied. "It's a soul skill not granted by a ring — one formed purely through the manipulation of soul power."
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded. "Exactly. Many underestimate it. They believe power lies in their rings — in the skills given to them by others. But soul rings are merely conduits. Soul power itself is your true foundation."
He raised a calloused hand. "At our level, we are no longer bound by the limits of soul skills. True mastery is when you can shape your power as freely as breathing — turn pure energy into destruction."
His eyes gleamed. "And that's what I'll teach you today — control."
He led Qian Ye to one of the colossal black stones."Your task," he said, "is simple. Shatter this boulder using only your soul power — no soul skills."
Qian Ye stared at the stone, stunned. It was over three meters tall and easily weighed several tons. Even with a skill, it would take tremendous effort. Without one…
"You try first," Golden Crocodile Douluo said mildly.
Qian Ye nodded and inhaled deeply. Soul power surged through him; light flickered across his fist as he thrust it forward.
Bang!
The blow struck like a cannon blast. Ripples spread across the surface of the boulder — then stopped. The rock remained intact. The recoil forced Qian Ye backward, his feet sliding across the floor.
Golden Crocodile Douluo smiled faintly. "Brute force won't break it. You must learn to condense your soul power into a single point. Precision, not volume, is what breaks stone."
He raised a finger."Like this."
Space itself seemed to twist before him. A spark — small, white-hot — flared at his fingertip, then struck the boulder.
Boom.Light flashed. The solid rock burst apart in an instant, reduced to dust and fragments that scattered across the hall.
Qian Ye's eyes widened. He felt the echo of the strike in the air — no wasted movement, no flare of energy. It was control made manifest.
Golden Crocodile Douluo chuckled. "Controlling soul power isn't easy. But nothing worth having is. Practice."
Without hesitation, Qian Ye moved to the next boulder. He steadied his breath, gathered his soul power, and struck.
Bang.No effect.
Again.
Bang.Still nothing.
He didn't stop.
Again and again, the hall filled with the dull thud of his fists meeting stone.The surface of the boulder remained unmarred, but Qian Ye's knuckles split open. Blood slicked his hands, dripping down his wrists — and still he did not pause.
Pain sharpens the edge, he thought coldly. Each strike teaches me something the last did not.
The others in the hall watched in uneasy silence. They'd seen countless prodigies train here, but none so relentless — none so utterly unmoved by pain.
Hour after hour passed. His body trembled, his arms screamed, yet his strikes only grew more precise, more focused. The hall echoed with the rhythm of his blows — steady, mechanical, merciless.
When dusk fell, Golden Crocodile Douluo finally approached him with a smile."Enough for today, Little Ye. Control isn't learned in a single day. Even your father, Qian Daoliu, needed three full days at your level before he succeeded."
His words had barely finished echoing when—
BOOM.
The air exploded. The boulder before Qian Ye shattered like glass, fragments scattering across the floor.
For a long moment, no one moved. Every soul master in the hall stared at the young boy standing amid the dust, his fists bloodied, his eyes cold and focused.
Silence fell — heavy and absolute.