Winter chilled and summer warmed; spring and autumn cycled. Amid the soul masters' dedicated cultivation and the continent's undercurrents, time flowed quietly by.
Far from human habitation, beyond a valley brimming with vitality yet somewhat eerie, three figures quietly appeared.
Unlike the surrounding desolate mountains, this valley exuded a fragrant abundance of grass and trees. The entire valley, as far as the eye could see, was covered with blue and silver grasses, emanating a weak but persistent breath of life. Almost every stone was wrapped in lush green, transforming the valley into a tranquil blue sea.
At the lead stood a slender, upright figure, like a poised spear—newly titled Douluo Yang Wushuang. He crossed his arms over his chest, sharp eyes fixed indifferently on the thick blue-silver grass concealing the entrance, as if peering through layers of obstacles to the target deep within the valley.
He tilted his head slightly and spoke to the elegant elder beside him.
"Old Ye, before you attempt your bottleneck breakthrough, the Great Elder gave special instructions: a powerful soul beast slumbers deep within this valley. According to his spiritual probe, it has lived about 80,000 years, with a gentle attribute and majestic vitality, matching your Nine-Heart Begonia's martial soul. It's like it was meant to be your ninth soul ring."
The elder, Ye Cien, had been in seclusion for years, but with the help of immortal herbs, soul cores, and soul bones, had just broken through the bottleneck to level 90.
At this moment, he gazed at the strange blue-silver valley, feeling the surging power of his ninetieth-level soul force. After so many years of cultivation, he couldn't help but show excitement and expectation in his eyes.
The Nine-Heart Begonia bloodline was about to welcome its first "Titled Douluo"!
Standing opposite, the burly Niu Gao grinned and joked:
"Haha! Old Ye, once you safely absorb this soul ring, you'll be the only titled Douluo on the continent with the Nine-Heart Begonia. When brothers come for healing in the future, don't forget who you know!"
His words were a joke, but also full of sincerity. As a comrade, a titled Douluo with the Nine-Heart Begonia's legendary healing was of immense significance. For Niu Gao, the main defense, it was like holding an extra medal against death.
Ye Cien breathed in the valley's vitality, suppressed the ripples in his heart, and gave a sincere smile, waving his hand.
"How can I forget, Brother Niu? Without the sect's support and you two guarding me today, I could never have achieved this blessing. I won't forget it."
Yang Wushuang smiled, patting Ye Cien on the shoulder.
"Brother, no need for formalities. The time is now. Let's go inside."
The three stepped without hesitation into the mysterious valley known as the "Blue Silver Forest."
Once inside, the sight was even more astonishing. The blue-silver grass was so dense it was hard to find a place to step, and countless faintly glowing ancient plants filled the air.
The deeper they went, the richer the blue-silver grass became, and the purer the life energy in the air.
With his deep knowledge of plants and poisons, Yang Wushuang marveled at the gathering blue-silver grass.
"The world is vast and full of wonders. To find such a treasure land with a sight like this is rare indeed."
After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, as they delved deeper, a mysterious, ancient voice echoed at the spiritual level throughout the forest, radiating strong vigilance and rejection.
"Humans, you are not welcome here. Leave!"
The source of the voice was unclear, as if it came from every blade of blue-silver grass. But the trio had anticipated this and didn't stop.
Their goal was precisely the owner of this voice!
Soon, they broke through the blue-silver grass barrier and reached the deepest part of the valley.
What they saw froze them in place.
It was not a nest, but an unimaginably huge plant, its whole body crystalline blue, its trunk as thick as a centuries-old tree, over ten meters tall, with countless vine-like branches and leaves draping down like a crown, exuding a gentle yet powerful vitality and faint majesty.
This was no ordinary blue-silver grass, but the Blue Silver Tree—the king of the blue-silver grass. The Blue Silver King.
Seeing the humans ignore its warning and approach, a blurry, ancient face appeared on the massive trunk in light and shadow, its spiritual presence tinged with anger.
"Humans! Why have you trespassed in my domain?"
Yang Wushuang didn't stop, raising his right hand into the void as a Soul Breaking Spear appeared in his grip. At the same time, two yellow, two purple, and five black soul rings swirled beneath his feet—nine in total—the power of a titled Douluo surging forth, crushing the blue-silver grass nearby.
His eyes were cold as he looked straight at the Blue Silver King and spat out four words:
"I want your life."
Before he finished speaking, his seventh soul ring suddenly burst with pitch-black light!
"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial True Body Soul Breaking Spear!"
In a flash, Yang Wushuang's figure fused with the spear in his hand, the ultimate intent of the spear soaring to the sky. His entire being became a streak of black light, tearing through the universe as he charged straight at the Blue Silver King's massive trunk.
At the same time, Niu Gao roared, his own nine soul rings shining, with the final black soul ring glowing especially bright. His body was instantly covered with a giant rhinoceros phantom, shining with a metallic luster, forming the sturdiest fortress as he protected Ye Cien.
Facing the sudden assault of two titled Douluo, the Blue Silver King knew today was a disaster. But as king of the forest, could it simply sit and await death?
It roared silently, the entire valley's blue-silver grass trembling. In the next moment, thick, dark blue vines shot out from all directions, whipping through the air toward the spear-form Yang Wushuang.
Yet, before the true body of the Soul Breaking Spear, the Blue Silver King's attacks appeared weak and powerless—wherever the black spear light passed, the vines shattered like rotten wood.
Those attempting to flank and attack Ye Cien were also effortlessly crushed by Niu Gao's mountain-like defense.
After exchanging blows for a while, Yang Wushuang sensed the Blue Silver King's immense but waning vitality, a trace of impatience in his eyes. Suddenly, he swept his spear, scattering the encroaching vines. Then, his eighth soul ring emitted a dazzling black radiance.
"Eighth Soul Skill: Gathering the Heavens for a Single Strike!"
The Soul Breaking Spear absorbed all nearby light and energy, then thrust forth, instantly piercing all obstacles and nailing the Blue Silver King's massive spine core.
Buzz—!
A muffled roar and violent explosion of energy followed, the ancient face on the trunk instantly fading. The huge body trembled, its once-vital aura rapidly deflating—the blue radiance growing dim.
"Old Ye!"
Niu Gao shouted urgently.
Ye Cien understood, and under the protection of Niu Gao's soul power, rushed to the dying Blue Silver King, drew his prepared long sword, and stabbed directly into its core.
The Blue Silver King shuddered. The old face vanished completely.
Just before its life force dissipated, like a candle flickering in the wind, a faint, lingering spiritual sigh, full of endless attachment and regret, entered their consciousness.
"Emperor... this old king... can't protect you anymore... home..."
In that moment, it was as if they could see the gentle, mighty blue figure that once ruled this forest. If the emperor were still here, would humans dare invade so ruthlessly and destroy this peace?
Sadly, there is no "if" in this world.
As the Blue Silver King's vitality faded, the entire forest seemed to sense it. Billions of blue-silver grasses throughout the valley trembled slightly, their leaves drooping as if silently weeping and bidding their king farewell.
Above the Blue Silver King's massive body, a deep sapphire-black soul ring slowly rose, emanating magnificent life energy and the aura of eighty thousand years of cultivation.
Ye Cien didn't dare delay, sitting cross-legged and unleashing all his soul power. The brilliant Nine-Heart Begonia martial soul bloomed in his palm, radiating soft pink and white light as he began drawing in the soul ring.
Yang Wushuang and Niu Gao stood guard at his left and right like guardian deities, vigilantly watching the surroundings.
Throughout the valley, only the silent mourning of the blue-silver grass and the faint hum of soul ring energy merging echoed.
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