Back in her room, Shui Bing'er sat on her bed, biting her lip to hold back tears. She was strong, but facing Xue Beng's stalking and surveillance, she was powerless. All she could do was train harder, hoping to one day control her own destiny.
Meanwhile, back at the palace, Xue Beng told Emperor Xue Ye he wanted to marry Shui Bing'er and asked him to propose on his behalf.
Xue Ye didn't hesitate—Shui Bing'er had a Soul Douluo-level mother, a noble status, and great talent, making her a worthy match for the prince.
With the emperor's approval, Xue Beng returned to the Eastern Palace and sent people to spread news of his upcoming marriage to Shui Bing'er everywhere.
Shui Bing'er was not like Tianlin or Ning Rongrong. In this situation, she wouldn't dare confront the royal family. No matter how unwilling, to save face for the crown, she would have no choice but to marry.
Xue Beng was pleased, but his timing was off. Just as he was making preparations, someone who had always opposed him completed a crucial step.
At noon the next day, centering on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the sky—originally clear—suddenly became overcast and it began to rain lightly.
No one thought much of it—a short rainstorm was nothing unusual. But it lasted less than a minute before the sun shone even brighter.
Then a gentle breeze blew, clouds gathered again, thunder rumbled.
On the ground, plants seemed to spring to life, growing rapidly.
Five different elemental phenomena alternated repeatedly—a true spectacle.
In Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Huo Wu looked at the sky in confusion. "What's going on? I've never seen weather like this. What's happening?"
"Is someone breaking through?" Feng Xiaotian's eyes widened. It was said that when a soul master broke through to Title Douluo level, their power would trigger some phenomena.
When Thunder Eagle Douluo Yin Yang broke through, there was thunder. When Ning Fengzhi broke through, a nine-colored light shot into the sky. When Sword Douluo broke through, sword energy split the heavens.
But those only lasted an instant. Now, the phenomena had gone on for over ten minutes and kept changing.
"This seems to be spreading from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," Shui Bing'er guessed.
At her words, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Xue Wu, and the others all thought of the same name.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, Dugu Bo, and Yin Yang walked out of the main hall. Ning Fengzhi said, "Heh, such phenomena—clearly the manifestation of the five elements: water, fire, wind, thunder, and earth. Looks like Xiao Tian succeeded."
Gu Rong nodded. "Yes, gentle rain, warm sun, soft wind, thunder, and the earth's nurturing power—only his martial soul could cause this."
"Soul arises from the heart. This little monster's temperament didn't change even after training in the Slaughter City. If it were someone violent, the phenomena would be storms, blazing sun, hurricanes, thunder, and earthquakes," Dugu Bo laughed.
When he broke through, his poison turned a ten-mile radius into wasteland.
…
"Xiao Tian, you did it! Level 90!" In the secret chamber, the Skydream Iceworm cheered. After two and a half years, with extreme attributes and the Holy Spirit Domain, Tianlin achieved what most Soul Douluo couldn't in twenty years—reached level 90, just a soul ring short of Title Douluo.
"Yes, finally! Skydream, Xiao Bai, once I get my ninth ring, there's nowhere I can't go!" Tianlin was confident, sure he could match even veteran Super Douluo.
"Brat, you finally made it!" In the God Realm, the Asura God looked down with pride. He could see his chance to pass on his godhood and gain freedom was near.
"Then, this is your reward for completing the Fifth Trial!"
He threw a golden god-bestowed soul ring down.
Right then, Tianlin heard the Asura God's voice:[ "Fifth Trial complete. Reward: 15% Asura affinity, now at 55%. Also, a god-bestowed soul ring."]
["Sixth Trial: Changes are happening in the world, especially in Slaughter City. You are granted the Eye of Judgment—see the sins of men. Go to Slaughter City, find the truth, and purge all evil."]
"The sixth trial comes right after the fifth. Looks like Asura God is in a hurry. But he's being generous—Eye of Judgment is interesting. I won't worry about killing innocents by mistake. And the god-bestowed—wait, a god-bestowed soul ring!" Tianlin just realized how generous the god was being.
The year limit of a god-bestowed ring depended on the absorber's body and soul strength. With Tianlin's current state, at least half a million years should be possible.
A golden soul ring appeared before him. Tianlin took it. "So this is a god-bestowed ring? It really does contain divine power—and a lot of it."
"Strange, isn't a god-bestowed ring only supposed to have a tiny bit of divine power? But this ring's power seems way above that," Skydream wondered.
"Whatever. Anyway, Xiao Tian, absorb it! Push yourself to at least 800,000 years. Now that you're level 90, your million-year soul ring and bone are fully unlocked. Your body and spirit are the best in the world."
Tianlin had underestimated himself with 500,000 years—Skydream wanted 800,000.
But that was fine; Tianlin loved a challenge.
He sat cross-legged and began absorbing the ring. Instantly, the golden ring turned red and wrapped around his magic sword, with five golden lines on it.
This god-bestowed ring started at 500,000 years. Now, it depended how far Tianlin could push it.