With the Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree Martial Soul now sentient and capable of independent cultivation, it was like Ye Yu had unlocked a cheat code.
It was equivalent to enjoying a double cultivation buff.
In the Slaughter City, through his External Spirit Bone – Demon Willow Fluff, Ye Yu devoured the Fallen Spirit Masters he killed in deathmatches, converting their Spirit Power and life force into his own.
That alone had pushed his cultivation directly from Rank 81 to Rank 85.
Then, in the Hell Road, by having both the Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree Martial Soul and the Demon Willow Fluff devour the blood river's essence and feed it back to him, Ye Yu's cultivation leapt again—from Rank 85 to Rank 88.
After returning to the Dugu Residence, Ye Yu continued cultivating diligently on his own while still relying on the overpowered boost from his Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree Martial Soul.
What's more, Ye Yu had previously planted "seeds" of the Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree across the entire continent.
Though these "seeds" were planted before the Martial Soul had learned the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and thus didn't inherit its memory or intelligence…
Over time, the saplings gradually developed a rudimentary consciousness.
Once they transitioned from pure instinct to primitive intelligence, they began cultivating Spirit Power on their own.
Because these tree saplings were connected to the same origin as Ye Yu's Martial Soul, the Spirit Power they cultivated could be directly absorbed by him.
Although only a small portion of the saplings had developed enough intelligence to begin active cultivation so far…
It was still enough for Ye Yu's cultivation to break through Rank 90 and reach the threshold of Titled Douluo!
As for his Ninth Spirit Ring, Ye Yu had long since decided.
He would absorb the ring of a rare life-and-metal attribute plant-type Spirit Beast: the Golden Tree, which he had previously found in the Star Dou Great Forest and transplanted into his Blue Silver Domain.
His Eighth Spirit Ring's abilities, Advent of a World of Flowering Trees and True Thousand Hands, had already elevated his combat power significantly.
Yet even though his Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree Martial Soul had undergone multiple evolutions and absorbed the bloodlines of numerous powerful Spirit Beasts, it still fell short of the sheer durability and strength of true metals.
But if his Ninth Spirit Ring came from the Golden Tree, it would almost certainly grant a metallic transformation ability.
That would greatly enhance the control capabilities of his Martial Soul and boost the power of many of his Spirit Abilities — especially the self-created ones.
Especially the Second Ability of His Eighth Ring: True Thousand Hands!
To develop True Thousand Hands further — specifically, to maximize the power behind the simultaneous punches from over a thousand arms — Ye Yu had a bold idea.
He wanted all those arms to activate his self-created Spirit Abilities, such as Thunderburst Step or Thunder-Magnetic Body, to generate an electromagnetic field.
This would allow him to use electromagnetic propulsion to amplify the force of the punches.
However, electromagnetic fields only affect metallic objects.
So he needed the Golden Tree's ring to grant a metallic transformation ability — allowing the Blue Silver Thousand-Hand Buddha summoned by True Thousand Hands to be fully metal, thus conductive.
With this, all thousand fists could harness electromagnetic force, striking with thunderous power…
Capable of shattering mountains in a single coordinated attack!
Even Spirit Abilities that negated physical damage would struggle to resist such overwhelming might.
Yet, because the Golden Tree had not yet reached 100,000 years of cultivation, Ye Yu decided to implant his External Spirit Bone – Demon Willow Fluff into it first, accelerating its Spirit Power feedback.
It didn't take long for the Golden Tree to break through to the 100,000-year level.
Still, even after that, within the Blue Silver Domain, Ye Yu didn't hesitate.
He summoned his Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree Martial Soul and unleashed his Seventh Spirit Ability: True Form of the Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree.
In an instant, the Martial Soul transformed into a towering, sky-piercing tree, with countless branches and roots twisting together to form massive Blue Silver Wood Dragons.
They coiled and tore into the Golden Tree.
Despite the Golden Tree's 100,000-year cultivation, Ye Yu subdued it effortlessly.
Then, drawing his Thunderous Hell Prison Spear, he pierced directly through the Golden Tree's core.
The brilliant golden trunk, branches, and leaves instantly dulled, withering rapidly. The leaves fluttered down in a rain of decay.
Streams of crimson light seeped out from the dying tree's body, coalescing above it into a nascent scarlet Spirit Ring.
At the same time, a glowing golden mass burst forth from the tree's body and landed on the ground.
It was a brilliant golden left arm bone, shimmering like jade.
"A 100,000-year Golden Tree Left Arm Bone?"
Ye Yu's eyes lit up as he picked up the bone and stored it inside his Jade Dragon Bracelet.
Then, he quietly waited for the 100,000-year Spirit Ring to fully condense.
Soon, the ring stabilized.
Ye Yu sat cross-legged beside it, eyes shut, circulating his Inner Core Method.
The 100,000-year Spirit Ring of the Golden Tree was drawn in…
And settled onto his Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree Martial Soul.
Instantly, a vast surge of Spirit Power poured into his body, coursing through his limbs and bones, merging into his Spirit Power reserves.
Thanks to his superior physique, Ye Yu quickly absorbed and refined all of it.
Feeling his breakthrough, he exhaled slowly and opened his eyes.
Nine Spirit Rings now encircled his body — a dazzling sight.
On his handsome face, a satisfied smile appeared.
"I've finally broken through!"
"Di Tian… just you wait. I'm coming for you!"
Thinking of Di Tian in the Star Dou Great Forest, Ye Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he clenched his fists across his chest.
Now that he had absorbed his Ninth Spirit Ring and stepped into the ranks of Titled Douluo, his strength had skyrocketed once again.
Moreover, the age of his Eighth Spirit Ring had reached over 900,000 years.
Combined with the True Dragon Nine Crowns Soul Bone technique, which could extend a ring's age by 100,000 years…
Even though the artifact was still damaged and couldn't push a ring beyond the 100,000-year threshold…
It still boosted his Eighth Ring to 999,999 years — more than enough to crush Di Tian!
As long as he didn't kill Di Tian outright…
Then Gu Yuena, the Silver Dragon King, likely wouldn't interfere.
But this operation wasn't just about revenge.
Ye Yu's true objective was to seize the Skydream Iceworm from Di Tian and the other top-tier Spirit Beasts!
If he could get the Skydream Iceworm…
He might gain a second Martial Soul.
Now that he was a Titled Douluo and could no longer absorb new Spirit Rings on his current Martial Soul…
Becoming a Twin Martial Soul holder was his only path forward.
It would allow him to continue absorbing Spirit Rings — boosting his physical limits and unlocking new Spirit Abilities to keep growing even stronger!
After absorbing the 100,000-year Spirit Ring from the Golden Tree…
Ye Yu didn't waste any time and fused the 100,000-year Golden Tree Left Arm Bone as well.