After hearing the cold, crisp voice of the System echo in his mind, a trace of heat flickered through Liu Yuan's eyes, which had been calm as still water just moments ago.
"So the reward has arrived?"
Liu Yuan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the excitement surging in his heart. His consciousness immediately sank into the System space to inspect the detailed information of the god-bestowed spirit ring.
[Primal Kyogre God-Bestowed Spirit Ring (Fourth)]
[Age: 110,000 Years]
"An 110,000-year spirit ring?" Liu Yuan muttered softly.
He knew very well that once a spirit ring crossed the 100,000-year threshold, every additional 10,000 years represented a qualitative leap in both energy content and Law fragments.
An age of 110,000 years meant that this spirit ring had already far surpassed ordinary red spirit rings and stepped into an even higher tier.
"Not bad. Very good."
Liu Yuan felt thoroughly satisfied.
Without hesitation, he issued a command directly through his consciousness.
"System, begin absorption immediately."
The moment the command was given, the faintly blue-glowing energy sphere within the System space shattered, transforming into countless crystalline strands that surged into Liu Yuan's limbs and bones.
Thanks to having already condensed a Soul Core and undergone multiple god-bestowed enhancements, Liu Yuan's physical constitution was now extremely formidable. Although the absorption process was accompanied by violent energy shocks, it failed to cause any real danger.
Under the infusion of ocean-like spirit power, Liu Yuan could clearly feel the Soul Core within him spinning faster and faster, while his spirit power grew increasingly condensed through repeated compression and refinement.
When the final trace of energy was fully digested, Liu Yuan's spirit power surged past its previous bottleneck in one decisive leap.
Rank 76.
With his spirit power reaching Rank 76 and supported by a Soul Core, Liu Yuan's raw spirit power alone was now not far inferior to that of an average Titled Douluo.
He clenched his fists, feeling the explosive strength coursing through his body, and let out a long breath, feeling refreshed down to his very bones.
Soon after, his gaze shifted to the newly unlocked skill information displayed on the System panel.
At present, his Primal Kyogre Spirit already possessed three powerful abilities:
Ice Beam — balancing control and damage.
Water Bubble — boasting an extremely wide range of effect.
Calm Mind — capable of comprehensively enhancing his attributes.
These three abilities formed the backbone of his combat system. Naturally, Liu Yuan was eager to see what kind of surprise the fourth spirit ability would bring.
[Primal Kyogre Fourth Spirit Ability: Hyper Beam]
[Attribute: Normal / Origin Energy]
[Power: 150]
[Description: By highly condensing the Origin Energy within the body, unleash a devastating beam of destructive light at the enemy. This attack possesses extreme penetration and destructive force. However, after use, the body will enter a brief period of stiffness, requiring the Soul Core to reorganize energy.]
After reading the description clearly, Liu Yuan's eyes lit up.
"Hyper Beam… so it really is this."
"Although it comes with a stiffness drawback, a power rating of 150 already exceeds the upper limit of most offensive spirit abilities. At a critical moment, this is a true one-hit-kill trump card."
He closed the System interface, his expression returning to its usual calm indifference.
Soon after, amid the deafening cheers of countless spectators, Liu Yuan led Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Wang Qiuer, and the other team members—trophy in hand—out of the competition grounds at an unhurried pace.
That night, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy hosted a small victory banquet.
The celebration itself was simple. Liu Yuan shared a brief toast with the team, drank a few glasses of wine, and offered some words of encouragement before excusing himself early, citing physical exhaustion, and returning to the Duke's Mansion.
It wasn't that he disliked celebration or lively gatherings.
Rather, he knew all too well that this so-called championship battle was merely a trivial prelude.
What truly mattered was the great upheaval about to erupt after the Soul Master Tournament concluded—the long-suppressed conflicts between factions finally exploding into open confrontation.
The Three Great Empires, the Sun Moon Empire, and even the Holy Spirit Cult would all be dragged into this colossal struggle.
Xu Tianran's ambition.
Xuan Zi's madness.
Poison Undying's greed.
These elements had already converged into an enormous powder keg.
This was no time for relaxation.
After returning to the Duke's Mansion, Liu Yuan did not sleep.
He pushed open the window and stood quietly on the terrace.
With perception enhanced by Rank 76 spirit power and a Soul Core, he continuously monitored spirit power fluctuations both inside and outside Mingdu City from the shadows.
He was waiting.
Waiting for those self-righteous chess players to finally step onto the board.
Time passed.
The next day arrived.
The Soul Master Tournament officially came to an end. Academy teams from various factions began departing Mingdu City one after another, having received their rewards and certifications.
To avoid suspicion, most teams traveled together along their original routes.
Until late that night.
When most of Mingdu City's lights had gone out, and the final batch of openly departing ordinary Spirit Masters had vanished beyond the distant horizon, the figures who were supposedly already gone finally prepared to act.
Xuan Zi.
Poison Undying.
And Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire.
In the northwestern outskirts beyond Mingdu City, within a dense forest of jagged stone formations—
Xuan Zi's usually slovenly appearance was gone. His expression was solemn as he stood atop a massive boulder, no wine gourd in hand, his gaze locked firmly on the distant city walls of Mingdu.
Beside him, Poison Undying's enormous frame was wrapped in a jade-green glow.
Hidden in the shadows behind them were Body Sect experts and a group of Titled Douluo secretly dispatched by the Star Luo Empire's royal family.
"I've already figured out the patrol routes of the Soul Engineer forces," Poison Undying said hoarsely, a ruthless gleam flashing in his eyes.
"As long as we charge in now and destroy their core warehouse, the backbone of the Sun Moon Empire will be snapped in half."
Princess Xu Jiujiu stood nearby, her face slightly pale, but her gaze unwavering.
She understood very clearly—if the Star Luo Empire failed to cripple the Sun Moon Empire this time, what awaited them in the future would be nothing less than national annihilation.
Xuan Zi let out a cold snort, killing intent flooding his eyes as he stared toward Mingdu.
"Blowing up the warehouse isn't enough. That Liu Yuan must die as well. His potential is terrifying. If we let him grow for a few more years, he'll become an uncontrollable disaster."
"So, no matter what, we must eliminate him."
"And tonight is the best chance we'll ever get."
Poison Undying nodded slowly. "Agreed."
Xuan Zi spoke again, his voice cold and decisive.
"Then it's settled."
"First, have the Star Luo Empire's Titled Douluo disguise themselves as Evil Soul Masters and enter the city to slaughter civilians."
"Once part of Mingdu's garrison is lured away, we split into three groups."
"I'll go kill Liu Yuan."
"Poison Undying, you lead the Body Sect to assassinate the Sun Moon Emperor."
"And the Star Luo Titled Douluo will be responsible for blowing up Mingdu's armory."
As his words fell, the night itself seemed to grow heavier—
as if the final fuse had already been lit.
-------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapter
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic