Tang Yin had been feeling a growing sense of urgency. He needed to break through as soon as possible—Slaughter City awaited, and so did Hu Liena.
But more importantly, Xiao Wu was out there. Every day brought him closer to their long-awaited reunion… and he needed to be ready.
Tang yin had deliberately avoided visiting and hunting soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest—not because he lacked the desire, but because the core area was infested with terrifying great beasts comparable to Super douluo.
Among them was Di Tian, a soul beast as powerful as a god. Tang Yin knew he wasn't strong enough to face such an opponent yet, and the risk of being hunted himself was far too great.
The sacrifice of a soul beast would surely attract their attention, and Tang Yin didn't want to gamble away his life just yet. He planned to be confident enough—once he became a titled Douluo—to take such risks.
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to the woman sleeping soundly beside him.
A faint smile touched his lips as he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on Tang Yuehua's forehead. Yuehua's eyelashes fluttered as she stirred, waking slowly with the warmth still lingering on her skin.
She had been glowing with quiet happiness lately. The shadows of her self-doubt due to her lack of cultivation talent had begun to fade.
"I'll be leaving for a while," he said softly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Just a week or so. I'll come back to you soon, alright?" He coaxed her lovingly.
Yuehua frowned, not wanting to let him go, even for a short time. But she still pulled him close and whispered, "Be safe out there… Tianyu. Mua~"
She still called him by his alias. Somehow, it sounded more intimate when she said it. It seemed she wasn't quite comfortable using his real name—her heart had fallen for Tianyu.
Soon, Tang Yin returned to Tang Sect and wasted no time sealing himself right away in seclusion. He had broken through to level 59 two months ago, and now—he could feel it—he was right at the edge.
From his storage ring, he retrieved a jade box.
As the lid lifted, golden rays of light burst out, illuminating the room with an ethereal glow.
Inside lay a heavenly treasure—the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Its long, elegant stamen rose gracefully above the petals, glowing with a faint yet sacred luster.
Tang Yin didn't hesitate. He chewed the petals slowly, allowing the rich medicinal essence to melt on his tongue and flood his body. Then he sat cross-legged, circulating his Soul power, directing the flow of the medicinal energy.
With a sharp crack—like breaking glass—he shattered his bottleneck—Level 60.
And still climbing.
His level quietly rose by two ranks, though the full breakthrough would only be confirmed once he obtained his next spirit ring. Still, Tang Yin was ecstatic—he was just one step away from becoming a Soul Emperor.
After two hours of focused cultivation, Tang yin finally finished absorbing the immortal herb.
And then—pain.
His entire body convulsed. Golden cracks spread across his skin like molten fissures.
Tang Yin gritted his teeth. A scream nearly tore from his throat. It felt like his bones were being reshaped. His flesh unknit and reknit again—
He clenched his fists, enduring the pain. His healing factor kicked in just in time, keeping him from blacking out.
At the height of the pain, it abruptly faded—washed away by a wave of bliss. A warm current coursed through his bones, muscles, and Skin, illuminating him in dazzling gold.
When Tang Yin opened his eyes, his Body Spirit radiated a brilliant golden light. He was certain his Wuhun had undergone its second awakening—a Golden-level Awakening.
He could feel it clearly now—his mutant energy absorption ability had reached a new level, just one step shy of evolving into Alpha-Class. Even more significant, this awakening had awakened a new innate ability: Energy Assimilation.
Tang yin deduced that this unique ability had stemmed directly from his energy absorption and conversion ability. With it, he could now assimilate incoming energy—such as the soul power from enemy attacks—and permanently refine it into his own reserves instantly.
But he wasn't reckless. Randomly absorbing chaotic or hostile energy could destabilize his cultivation and ruin his foundation, possibly jeopardizing his future path to godhood.
Still, Tang Yin was ecstatic. The Golden-level awakening of his Body Spirit alone was more than enough cause for celebration. Another top-notch martial soul in his arsenal.
Compared to that, seemingly passive gifts like Du Busi's poison immunity from Douluo Dalu II felt underwhelming. He had no complaints.
Tang Yin promptly returned from seclusion after four hours. He stretched his muscular body that had been enhanced due to body spirit evolution and went to the main hall.
He then informed all his lovers to gather around, announcing that he was going to obtain a soul ring for himself. Soon enough, the girls were waiting to say their goodbyes.
"Okay, I'll be back in a week this time. Don't be so dramatic, you lot," Tang yin said, noticing Rongrong's pout and teary eyes.
One by one, the girls hugged him tightly before parting ways. As Tang Yin's figure disappeared into the distance, they stood in silence, their gazes fixed on his retreating back.
A silent fire ignited within all of them. Without needing to speak, they shared same thought—they had to catch up to Tang yin.
One after another, they turned and headed into seclusion, their hearts set on cultivating harder than ever before. Even Rongrong the laziest among them was thoroughly motivated.
Tang Yin had been wrestling with how to fulfill his promise to Blue Silver King for quite some time. At last, with no time to waste, he set out for the Sunset Forest, heading straight for a beast he had marked during a previous visit.
Before long, he found exactly what he was looking for—a pair of Nine Heart Begonia.
This beast was nestled deep within a canyon. Hidden from ordinary senses, their presence was betrayed only by the subtle fluctuations Tang Yin picked up through his telepathy.
But he wasn't here for himself. These beasts were ideal for Ye Lingling, whose martial soul matched theirs perfectly.
Since she only needed one, Tang Yin moved without hesitation. His figure shimmered with golden light as he struck the first begonia with a powerful punch. As expected, the weak plant couldn't mount a defense—its only strength lay in healing.
However, it didn't die instantly. The wounded petals pulsed with life as the beast activated its natural recovery ability. It was so resilient that, up until the moment of its death, it recovered from almost any injury.
Frowning slightly, Tang Yin shifted tactics.
He uprooted the flower entirely, severing it from the nourishment of the earth. Weakened and vulnerable, the beast couldn't resist the second blow. With a final golden strike, the Nine Heart Begonia was reduced to silence—
Its spirit dissipated as a pure black soul ring slowly hovered above the remains. Tang Yin was amazed by the plant's resilience as he absorbed the soul power.
Without delay, he resumed his journey toward the Blue Silver Forest—driven by purpose, and bound by the promise to save them.
Three days later—
Tang Yin returned to the forest where the Blue Silver Grass settled. As he stepped into the familiar grove, The old Blue Silver King sensed him at once, his spirit stirring with joy—fully recovered from their last encounter.
Moments later, the Blue Silver King manifested before him, his aged spiritual form glowing with reverence. Bowing deeply, the old spirit greeted, "Emperor, you've graced us with your return! I have news to share with you."
The old spirit's voice brimmed with excitement as he explained, "When you became the Blue Silver Emperor and shared your essence with us, a remarkable transformation occurred. All the blue silver grass in our settlement has now awakened a new trait—Devouring."
Tang Yin was briefly stunned as he thought inwardly. So… the essence I returned actually triggered an evolution? It's likely because my soul rings are all devour-type—and naturally compatible with Blue Silver Grass.
He explained to the old man who was escatic. "My own devouring trait is quite powerful, and the Blue Silver Emperor essence must've played a key role. Huh… that's unexpected."
Tang yin smiled as he spoke "Well I came here with a proposal. Tang Hao— your previous empress's lover...." He began recounting his life story to the old man who listened wearing an incredulous expression.
"So... You will probably face his wrath after finding out I am the new Emperor. I have a way for you to transform into a hundred-thousand year beast. How? Do you wish to transform into a human and cultivate?"
The old man shook his head with solemnity.
"King it's not that I don't wish to, but my talent simply isn't enough to walk the path of god due to my poor talent. And if I become human, I'll likely be hunted down by everyone and bring trouble for you."
"It's no trouble old king." Tang yin retorted.
The spirit looked up at Tang Yin with a resolve. "Let me offer myself. Allow me to become your soul ring. If doing so strengthens your path to godhood, I know you'll be able to protect our entire clan far better than I ever could. That way… my sacrifice will truly be worth it."
"I can become a god. That much is inevitable—even without your sacrifice. I possess more than one spirit," Tang Yin said calmly, though his heart was stirred by the unwavering loyalty of the old one. The Blue Silver King's devotion only deepened his resolve to save him.
Then, an idea struck him.
"Ah! How could I forget?" Tang Yin's eyes lit up. "Old King, I have a way for you to stay alive—even after the sacrifice. Your spirit can reside within my Spiritual Sea."
The old tree spirit was ecstatic. Who would choose death, given the chance to live on? Gratitude filled his ancient eyes as he bowed slightly. "My King... please proceed with the method you spoke of. I entrust myself to you."
Tang Yin immediately channeled the soul power he had previously absorbed from the Begonia and transferred it to the old king. The Blue Silver King, nourished by the immense energy, began to glow. His thin bark turned supple and vibrant, and he grew taller, prouder—renewed.
But the heavens were not blind.
Dark clouds gathered above, and thunder rumbled across the sky. A tribulation loomed, sensing the shift in fate. The Blue Silver King now faced a critical choice—take the final step toward human form or remain a soul beast.
He chose neither. Instead, without hesitation, he offered himself up to his Emperor Tang yin.
A brilliant golden light engulfed the Blue Silver Forest as the old king sacrificed himself. The forest slowly faded into glowing energy, which came together and formed a bright red soul ring. The old king's ghostly spirit floated above it, calm and quiet.
Tang Yin raised his hand, his mind serene. "Welcome home," he whispered, as the old king's spirit descended into his Spiritual Sea. The soul ring, shining with deep red brilliance, hovered around his Blue Silver Emperor.
Inside Tang Yin's Spiritual Sea—a moderately large realm of pure spiritual power—the old spirit opened his eyes, stunned.
"My King... your spiritual sea is really strong." the old king murmured with reverence. "You truly possess a talent that surpasses your predecessors."
"You've only seen the tip of the iceberg, my friend. In time, you'll witness my true power—enough to shake the entire continent."
Tang Yin smiled faintly as he began absorbing the soul ring. In less than ten minutes, the process was complete. His cultivation surged as the true essence of Blue Silver king flowed seamlessly through him.
Tang Yin reflected inwardly, taking note of his progress. "At level sixty-seven, I've reached Soul Emperor, and despite the sudden flood of soul power, my foundation holds firm."
Almost immediately, he sensed changes within—his healing factor had begun evolving into Alpha-class. The Energy Absorption and Conversion had also advanced alongside.
Unfortunately, his telepathy and telekinesis couldn't evolve since he had no way to awaken his Spirit Brain. Still, Tang Yin was confident he could awaken it on his own.
As his Blue Silver Domain unfolded, it evolved into Blue Silver Emperor's Devouring Domain.
This new transformation stemmed from the Blue Silver King's devouring trait, now fused with Tang Yin's own devouring attribute. His control over it had grown more precise.
The domain could continuously devour the soul power of enemies within its reach, and Not only that, he could transfer the devoured soul power to his allies, supplementing their strength in battle.
The sacrifice of the Blue Silver King had done more than elevate his strength—it had refined his very bloodline. His martial soul shimmered with a newfound brilliance, the essence of the royalty becoming even more concentrated.
Tang yin could feel it nearing Ultimate Devour, just as his Ultimate Life attribute had. With the right soul ring for his next breakthrough, his devouring attribute was certain to evolve.
Tang Yin felt the knowledge of the soul ring flood into his mind. "Two soul skills," he muttered. Well let's see—
"Anchor of Extinction—forms a Blue Silver Emperor Spear that devours vitality. Piercing the enemies cause muscle decay, disrupt soul power, and block healing. If it were to strikes a vital organ, the damage is nearly permanent unless treated by a divine healer. Brutal."
He paused, then nodded. "The second—Purifying Sap Flow. A cleansing aura that removes all debuffs, even divine ones, from me and my allies. And it lasts for thirty minutes. Not bad at all."
Tang Yin was amazed by the soul skills granted by the hundred-thousand-year-old soul ring—they were powerful beyond his expectations. Just then, he noticed something glowing with vibrant life where the Blue Silver King had once stood.
His eyes widened, and his lips trembled in disbelief. It was a heart-shaped external soul bone, radiating pure vitality. Not just any soul bone—it held the potential to evolve into a god-level artifact.
"My luck today is completely off the charts..." he muttered, half-laughing, half in awe.
While Tang Yin laughed in the mortal world, the Asura God in the divine realm was far from amused.
"Tang San... it seems I've overestimated this one," he muttered coldly. "Still, if he begins absorbing powerful soul rings for the Clear Sky Hammer, he might yet prove to be a viable candidate... hmm."
Just then, he sensed a sudden shift in the mortal realm—signs of tribulation stirring in the skies.
"Hmph, it doesn't matter how much you beasts cultivate," he sneered. "You'll never become gods." With a dismissive chuckle, he turned away, paying the disturbance no further mind.