The morning sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the white buildings of Spirit City. Marco, holding the Qianjun Token, passed through layers of guards and arrived at the area where the Elder Hall was located. The architecture here was ancient and solemn, with palpable fluctuations of Soul Power permeating the air.
Guided by a Soul Saint-level guard, Marco entered the main hall. The hall was vast and lofty, with a massive statue of the Angel God standing at its center. Two elderly men stood quietly before the statue—they were Qianjun Douluo and Xiangmo Douluo.
"I am Marco, a junior, sent by my father Li Zhaoyan to pay my respects to you two elders," Marco said respectfully, bowing as he presented the token and a sealed letter.
Qianjun Douluo took the letter, and as his eyes scanned the contents, a flicker of nostalgia passed through them. In the letter, Li Zhaoyan referred to himself as a junior, extending sincere greetings to the two elders and mentioning the guidance he had received from them in the past. Only at the end did he explain that the bearer of the letter was his son, Marco, aged twelve, with a mutated top-tier Beast Martial Soul—the Azure Flame Phoenix—and the cultivation level of a Soul Ancestor. He earnestly requested that they, in light of their past relationship, provide guidance to his son.
Xiangmo Douluo leaned in to read the letter, and when he saw the words "twelve years old, Soul Ancestor cultivation," he couldn't help but inhale sharply. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing astonishment in each other's eyes.
"Zhaoyan's son..." Qianjun Douluo's tone was filled with emotion. "That kid who was stuck at the Soul Emperor realm for ten years back then—his son is already so grown up now."
Xiangmo Douluo also smiled. "I remember when we guided him back then, he was just a young lad. Who would have thought his son would possess such talent?"
Qianjun Douluo's sharp gaze fell upon Marco. "Release your Martial Soul and Spirit Rings for us to see."
With a thought from Marco, azure flames surged upward, filling the hall with a noble and scorching aura. Four Spirit Rings rose from his feet—yellow, yellow, purple, and black!
The moment the profound black ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring appeared, the pupils of the two elders contracted abruptly.
"A ten-thousand-year fourth Spirit Ring?" Xiangmo Douluo couldn't conceal his shock. "Child, how did you achieve this?"
Marco replied calmly, "Honored elders, my Martial Soul, the Azure Flame Phoenix, possesses extremely strong vitality and recovery abilities. Since childhood, my father has tempered my body with secret medicinal baths, and before absorbing the Spirit Ring, he had me take a family secret medicine."
"Secret medicine?" Qianjun Douluo pressed.
"It is a gelatin extracted from the brain of a ten-thousand-year whale-type Soul Beast," Marco explained. "My father obtained it by chance during his early travels and discovered that it has the effects of strengthening meridians and stabilizing the spirit."
Qianjun Douluo nodded slightly, then changed the subject. "But the most dangerous aspect of a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring is the soul shock. How did you withstand it?"
The runes in Marco's Double Pupils lit up, emitting a peculiar spiritual fluctuation. "I was fortunate to obtain an External Spirit Bone that fused with my eyes, greatly enhancing my spiritual power."
"An External Spirit Bone!" the two elders exclaimed in unison. Qianjun Douluo stepped forward quickly, carefully examining Marco's Double Pupils, his eyes filled with admiration. "Incredible fortune! External Spirit Bones are rare and hard to come by, and one that fuses with the eyes is one in a million!"
Xiangmo Douluo also nodded repeatedly. "Such an opportunity is truly rare."
After a moment of contemplation, Qianjun Douluo said to Marco, "Child, use your full strength to attack me. Let me see your capabilities. Remember, hold nothing back."
Marco's gaze sharpened, knowing this was his chance to showcase his abilities. He took a deep breath, azure flames swirling around him as his four Spirit Rings blazed with light.
"Fourth Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Engulfment!" Marco shouted in a low voice, the pitch-black Spirit Ring glowing intensely. The cyan flames first condensed inward before erupting outward, boosting all his attributes by 100%. Instantly activating "Shave" under his feet, his figure appeared like a phantom beside Qianjun Douluo.
"Tempest Kick: Azure Flame Consecutive Slashes!" Several vacuum slashes entwined with azure flames roared forth, aiming straight for Qianjun Douluo's vital points. This strike was exceptionally fast, its power far surpassing that of an ordinary Soul Ancestor.
A flicker of surprise passed through Qianjun Douluo's eyes, but he didn't move. His Soul Power naturally circulated around him, forming an invisible barrier that blocked all the slashes. However, the azure flames on the slashes adhered to the barrier, burning with a sizzling sound.
"Quite interesting," Qianjun Douluo remarked approvingly. He could sense that these azure flames not only possessed extreme heat but also carried continuous burning and Soul Power Ignition properties.
Marco's assault didn't cease. Using "Moonwalk" to step into the air, he launched an attack from above. Covering his right fist with Armament Haki and combining it with the burning effect of the azure flames, he threw a heavy punch at the barrier. The fist wind howled, slightly distorting the space around it.
Qianjun Douluo finally moved. Raising his right hand, he lightly pointed a finger forward. The collision between his fingertip and Marco's fist produced a dull thud. Marco was forced to slide back several steps, but Qianjun Douluo nodded slightly. "Not bad strength."
At that moment, golden light blazed in Marco's Double Pupils as he instantly activated "Double Pupil Divine Light!" A condensed mental shock shot straight into Qianjun Douluo's consciousness. This sudden attack, even for a Titled Douluo, caused a momentary pause.
Though the mental shock couldn't cause substantial harm to Qianjun Douluo, he still showed astonishment. "Such refined spiritual power! The External Spirit Bone is truly extraordinary!"
The test continued. Marco perfectly integrated the characteristics of the Azure Flame Phoenix, Six Styles, Haki, and Spirit Abilities, his attacks flowing like tidal waves. At times, he used "Shave" for close-quarters assaults, while other times he employed "Moonwalk" for aerial maneuvers. His fusion of Armament Haki and azure flames grew increasingly seamless.
Qianjun Douluo continued to handle him with one hand, but the admiration in his eyes deepened. He could feel that this young man's combat awareness far exceeded his peers, with impeccable timing and seamless transition between moves.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Marco's offensive intensity increased rather than diminished. He combined "Tempest Kick" with azure flames to create new attack methods and integrated Observation Haki with his Double Pupil Eye for more precise predictive abilities. Though his Soul Power consumption was massive, the regenerative ability of the Azure Flame Phoenix allowed him to sustain the battle.
"Excellent!" Qianjun Douluo finally spoke in praise. "Cease your attacks."
Marco withdrew his stance, breathing slightly heavily. Though the battle had only lasted the duration of an incense stick, facing the pressure of a Titled Douluo required his complete effort, resulting in significant exhaustion.
Qianjun Douluo and Xiangmo Douluo exchanged glances, both seeing shock and admiration in each other's eyes.
"Solid foundation, condensed Soul Power, outstanding combat awareness," Qianjun Douluo evaluated. "Especially the utilization of that External Spirit Bone and spiritual power—it far surpasses others of the same level."
Xiangmo Douluo added, "What's even more remarkable is his ability to continuously adjust and improve during battle. This capacity for growth is what's truly formidable."
Qianjun Douluo pondered for a moment before saying to Marco, "Child, we have assessed your capabilities. Please rest in the side hall for now. After Xiangmo and I discuss matters, we will arrange your training."
Marco bowed respectfully. "Understood. Thank you, esteemed seniors."
Guided by an attendant, Marco left the main hall to rest in the side chamber. He knew this trial was merely the beginning—the true cultivation was yet to come.
Qianjun Douluo and Xiangmo Douluo remained in the main hall, their expressions grave.
"This child possesses extraordinary talent, and more importantly, a steady temperament," Qianjun Douluo remarked. "Zhaoyan has sent us a remarkable youngster."
Xiangmo Douluo nodded. "Indeed. To have such strength at twelve years old—his future potential is limitless. How should we structure his training?"
After a moment of contemplation, Qianjun Douluo responded, "This matter carries significant weight. We must report to the High Priest for final decisions."
The two moved toward the rear hall, preparing to meet the existence standing at the pinnacle of the Soul Master World.
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