New Horizons
A profound, satisfying warmth permeated Yao Xuan's entire being, as if every cell hummed with a newly tuned frequency. He examined his updated status panel, not with arrogance, but with the calm appraisal of a strategist inventorying his assets. The numbers were impressive, but more tangible was the sensation thrumming within him—the deep, resonant well of soul power that had not just expanded but deepened in quality, and the vibrant, dragon-forged vitality that fortified his flesh and bone.
The leap from Soul Master to Great Soul Master was transformative. His soul power reserves had swelled to one and a half times their previous volume, and its purity had undergone a similar refinement. In practical terms, his total available energy had effectively doubled. His mental strength, tempered in the crucible of the breakthrough, had made a significant leap, settling at 237 points—a solid position within the mid Spirit Connection Realm. Physically, without any increase in his bloodline percentage, the further awakening of his martial soul had pushed his base strength to a formidable four thousand kilograms. His endurance and recovery felt limitless, a bottomless well of stamina.
And then, there was the system's bounty: 1,000 Golden Evolution Points, a windfall that could push his bloodline past the 15% threshold and ignite the second cycle of qi and blood. The expansion of his spatial storage to fifty cubic meters was a practical boon, widening his logistical capabilities.
"Accept," Yao Xuan confirmed without hesitation.
A new, elegantly scripted interface unfolded before his mind's eye.
[Main Quest: Ascent to Soul Venerable]
Objective: Advance from Great Soul Master to Soul Venerable (Level 31).
Time Limit: 3 Years.
Failure Penalty: None (Quest rewards forfeited upon expiry).
Rewards: 10,000 Golden Evolution Points. System Abilities: Extraordinary Meditation, Enhanced System Intelligence.
Special Advisory: The Ancestral Dragon Martial Soul and Bloodline are a synergistic whole. To ensure a flawless foundation for future growth, it is strongly recommended to elevate your Ancestral Dragon Bloodline to 20% and unlock its second-stage abilities before attempting the Level 30 breakthrough. Neglecting this may impose developmental constraints.
'Three years to Soul Venerable, and 20% bloodline concentration,' Yao Xuan mused, his analytical mind immediately assessing the trajectory. 'A substantial challenge, but not insurmountable. The establishment of Class Zero will provide superior resources. The path is clear—relentless cultivation and constant combat refinement.'
Shaking off thoughts of the distant future, he focused on the immediate gains. 'First, let's examine the new system abilities.'
He directed his consciousness inward, towards the shimmering nodes representing his newly unlocked powers.
"A system shop function," Yao Xuan concluded. "Activate."
In the vast space of his consciousness, streams of mysterious energy coalesced, weaving together into an intricate, three-dimensional rune that resembled an alchemist's workbench or a star chart. It settled, humming with latent potential.
With a thought, Yao Xuan accessed it. A golden list materialized, a catalog of wonders that would drive the entire Douluo Continent to madness. He saw entries for items whose names were legends: Super Artifacts, World Origin Fragments, True Deity Elixirs. His gaze lingered on the cost—astronomical numbers of Golden Evolution Points, figures in the hundreds of millions or billions. A wry smile touched his lips. 'A glimpse of a mountain peak I cannot yet climb.'
Scrolling down to more attainable tiers—Millennium Spirit Herbs, Spirit-Forged Metals, Thousand-Year Soul Spirits—the costs became tangible, ranging from several hundred to a few thousand points. While theoretically affordable, a cold cost-benefit analysis immediately dismissed the idea. Golden Evolution Points were a currency of limitless potential, far too precious to spend on commodities that could, with time and effort, be acquired through conventional means. 'This ability is a vault for the future,' he decided, 'not a convenience for the present.' He withdrew from the interface, his initial flicker of avarice replaced by disciplined perspective.
Next, he turned to the second ability.
This was different. This was immediately, profoundly useful.
"Activate," Yao Xuan commanded.
This time, the energy formed a complex, geometric lattice that pulsed with a soft blue light—a model of infinite combinatorial possibilities. It integrated seamlessly with his consciousness.
An idea, thrilling and immediate, sparked in his mind. 'A training tool. Not just for me. For the team.' The upcoming Promotion Tournament demanded flawless coordination. While Wu Zhangkong's pressure was invaluable, it was also punishing and carried real risk of injury. This… this was a sandbox for perfection.
He could simulate Wu Zhangkong's icy swordsmanship. He could simulate Gu Yue's elemental barrage to practice defense. He could run scenario after scenario with Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, building their默契 to an instinctual level. And for himself, he could push against the simulated limits of his own abilities, testing the bounds of his new soul skill—Ancestral Dragon Overlord Body—without consequence.
A new mission, vast in scope, now lay before him. But alongside it, he now possessed new, powerful tools to pave the way. The 1,005 Golden Evolution Points beckoned. The path to 15% bloodline, and then to 20%, was now a concrete investment rather than an abstract goal.
He stood up in the quiet cultivation chamber. The Soul-Calming Incense had burned to ash, its purpose fulfilled. He felt… complete. Solid. As if his form had been carved from something more enduring than flesh.
Exiting the chamber, he made his way back through the quiet halls of the Association. His mind was already constructing the first simulation—a recreation of the advanced training arena, with a phantom Wu Zhangkong as the opponent. He would run it tonight, refining his control over his newly expanded power.
As he stepped out into the late afternoon light of East Sea City, his communicator buzzed. A message from Tang Wulin, about meeting for dinner. And another, simpler one, from a number he had only recently added.
Gu Yue: Congratulations on your breakthrough. I felt the disturbance in the elemental energy. Will you be at training tomorrow?
He looked at the message, a faint, genuine smile softening his usually analytical expression. The connection was there, a silent thread of mutual recognition and unspoken challenge. He typed a reply, his fingers sure.
Yao Xuan: Thank you. Yes, I will. The Promotion Tournament is in two weeks. We should use the time well.
Her response was almost immediate.
Gu Yue: We will.
Putting the communicator away, Yao Xuan walked towards the academy, the weight of his new rank a comfortable mantle on his shoulders. He was a Great Soul Master now. The games were over. The real ascent had begun, and he was not climbing alone. The simulated battles awaited, his team relied on him, and a silver-eyed dragon in human form walked a parallel path, her gaze ever-turned in his direction. The future was a forge, and he was ready to be hammered into something sharper, harder, and truer.