Deep within Liu Yuan's Sea of Consciousness, as the Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo completely turned to ashes, the System's ethereal yet majestic notification rang out as expected.
Liu Yuan's originally calm heart rippled once more, a trace of heat flashing deep within his eyes.
"The reward… is it finally being issued?" he murmured inwardly.
"What kind of skill will it be this time?"
[Ding! Detected that the Host has completed a high-difficulty mission. Adapting a god-bestowed spirit ring for Primal Kyogre…]
[Congratulations to the Host! Obtained Primal Kyogre's exclusive god-bestowed spirit ring—Age: Seventy thousand years!]
[The Host's spirit power Rank has been boosted by the god-bestowed spirit ring's feedback, rising to Rank 64!]
Buzz—!
A spirit ring as deep and heavy as the ocean's abyss, yet rimmed with translucent blue light, slowly condensed within Liu Yuan's spiritual world.
In that instant, Liu Yuan felt the rivers of spirit power inside his body expand dramatically. The refreshing clarity of breaking through a bottleneck made him release a long breath.
Rank 64!
Another massive leap forward.
At his current pace, Liu Yuan's growth could only be described as terrifying.
But what he anticipated even more was the next notification.
[Primal Kyogre has obtained an exclusive Spirit Ability—Calm Mind!]
[Effect Introduction: By focusing the mind and stabilizing the spirit, greatly increases one's own Special Attack and Special Defense. This enhancement can be stacked multiple times. While using this Spirit Ability, resistance to mental-type interference is also increased!]
"An enhancement-type ability?" The light in Liu Yuan's eyes instantly brightened, a satisfied smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"Calm Mind… exactly what I needed."
He knew very well that Primal Kyogre's primary offensive methods were all special-attribute attacks.
With Calm Mind stacked on top of the Water Bubble Ability, Kyogre's already terrifying Water-type techniques would rise to an even more absurd level.
Even more importantly, the increase in Special Defense meant that Primal Kyogre—already known for its overwhelming durability—would become nearly unshakable on the defensive side.
"Not bad. Primal Kyogre just became even stronger."
Liu Yuan did not linger on the System interface.
Rewards were important, but there were matters that needed immediate attention.
He gradually withdrew the faint aura he had released and turned his gaze toward Tang Ya, who was crouched in the shadows of the ruins nearby.
At this moment, Tang Ya was staring blankly at her own hands, where black Qi intertwined with the mutated Blue Silver Grass. Although the madness in her eyes had faded somewhat, the deep sense of self-loathing and despair still clung tightly to her.
She felt like a piece of white silk dragged through filth—forever stained, never to return to the sunlight.
Without hesitation, Liu Yuan stepped forward.
Under Tang Ya's startled gaze, he bent down and directly reached out.
Those warm, steady hands grasped her cold wrist, which was tainted with lingering evil energy.
"Alright, stop sulking here. Let's go," Liu Yuan said, pulling her up with a firm tug, his tone as casual as if he were inviting a friend for a walk.
Tang Ya stumbled to her feet, her body stiff, eyes filled with confusion.
"Go…? Go where…?"
Her mind was blank.
The Tang Clan's old site was in ruins. Her enemies were dead, but she herself had become an Evil Soul Master—someone despised and hunted by the world.
In this vast continent, was there really a place left for a "monster" like her?
Liu Yuan brushed the dust from her shoulder and spoke matter-of-factly, "To the Sun Moon Royal Academy, of course. Didn't we agree back then that you'd go there for further studies when you had time? What—are you, the great Tang Sect Master, planning to go back on your word?"
"But…" Tang Ya's eyes instantly reddened.
She suddenly shook off Liu Yuan's hand and staggered back two steps, pointing at the grotesque Dark Blue Silver Grass on her body as she cried out.
"Look at me! Look at what I've become! I'm an Evil Soul Master! I fell to hatred, lost control, and killed so many people!"
"I'm an enemy of the world! Shrek won't let me go, and righteous Spirit Masters will hunt me endlessly. If I go there, I'll only bring you trouble!"
She didn't want to drag Liu Yuan down with her.
If nothing else, she wanted to preserve that final, pure memory of him in her heart.
But Liu Yuan didn't get angry.
He stepped forward again and this time placed both hands firmly on Tang Ya's shoulders, his voice steady and unyielding.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
He paused, staring straight into her bloodshot eyes.
"You were blinded by hatred and pushed by that rat. The corruption hasn't gone too far yet—there's still time to fix everything."
"Really… can I really still be saved?" Tang Ya asked, her voice trembling.
"Enough stalling. Come on, let's go."
Faced with Liu Yuan's calm confidence—an expression that seemed to say everything is under control—the dead silence in Tang Ya's heart stirred.
Like a drowning person clutching the last piece of driftwood, she stood there for a long time before finally lowering her head.
"…Alright. I believe you."
---
Several days later.
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
When Liu Yuan returned with Tang Ya—her figure hidden beneath a black robe, aura unstable—it did not cause much of a stir.
After letting the Snow Empress return on her own, Liu Yuan led Tang Ya straight to the Dean's office behind the academy's teaching complex.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in."
Inside, Jing Hongchen was reviewing documents. When he looked up and saw Liu Yuan, a broad smile immediately spread across his previously stern face.
"Oh, Xiao Yuan, you're finally back! You were gone for so long—I was genuinely worried."
He set down his pen, about to exchange pleasantries, when his gaze shifted past Liu Yuan and landed on the black-robed figure behind him.
As a Rank 93 control-type Titled Douluo, Jing Hongchen's senses were razor-sharp.
The instant he detected the faint yet unmistakable trace of evil Qi, the smile on his face vanished.
"Liu Yuan… this is?" Jing Hongchen stood up, a serious glint flashing in his eyes.
It wasn't fear—just confusion. He hadn't expected Liu Yuan to bring an Evil Soul Master here.
Liu Yuan didn't waste words. He spoke directly.
"Dean, I need your help."
He stepped aside, revealing Tang Ya.
"She's a friend of mine. Due to certain circumstances, she was targeted by scum from the Holy Spirit Cult, causing her Spirit to undergo a malignant mutation."
"I want you to help find a way to expel the evil spirit power from her body and treat her condition."
"We're very close, and I also want her to join the Sun Moon Royal Academy in the future."
"So please—no matter what—it's imperative that you help her."