Douluo Continent: The Real World

"Uh…" Liu Erlong's barrage of words interrupted Yu Tianyan's thoughts. This time, he indeed had been a bit too arrogant.

As for not allowing himself to absorb spirit rings beyond the age limit, he guessed that even Liu Erlong herself didn't believe that, given that his first spirit ring was already 500 years old.

His second soul ring was 1,050 years.

If he truly intended to absorb a third soul ring with the theoretical limit of 1,760 years, Liu Erlong might be the first to stop him, warning him not to waste his talent. This so-called third soul ring limit was merely Yu Xiaogang's restrictive theory. While Yu Xiaogang's summary of soul ring age limits was reasonable, Yu Tianyan knew there was more to it.

Soul masters aren't all the same.

Ordinary soul masters, excellent, elite, genius, monster, chosen by destiny, godly inheritors…there will always be a few who break his limitations theory for various reasons. Most soul masters are bound by these guidelines, while others can only dream of surpassing them.

There are countless soul masters who absorb one soul ring every ten years, three rings at a hundred years, four rings at a thousand years; some even wait until reaching the Soul Emperor realm to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring. However, this usually marks the end of their soul master careers. Every soul ring is vital. Incompatible attributes or insufficient years can impact a soul master's entire future.

That's why Liu Erlong has always been so hesitant about his becoming an extreme soul master.

"Uh, what are you standing there for? Show me your second soul skill!" Liu Erlong said impatiently, thinking to herself, I can't let Xiaoyan bring up that soul bone fusion idea again.

Yet, she was curious about Yu Tianyan's second soul skill. Absorbing a soul ring from the same kind of beast could produce similar soul skills.

Seeing Liu Erlong's expression, Yu Tianyan thought to himself, It's going to be a long road convincing her to try the soul bone fusion skills.

He took a few steps back, clenched his fists, and with a flash of purple light, his soul ring lit up. The already powerful lightning around him darkened from blue-purple to a strange violet, mixed with a faint blue glow sparking off the ground.

"[Second Soul Skill: Lightning Enhancement]"

Soul Skill Effect: Increases the power of lightning attribute attacks by 30% for 30 minutes.

"Sister, my second soul skill boosts lightning power by 30% for half an hour. And since my first soul ring came from a Hundred-Year-Old Dragon Horned Rhino, under the effect of the Dragon Horned Rhino King Soul Ring, the amplification effect of my first soul skill has increased to 30%."

The Dragon Horned Rhino is a soul beast that grants enhancement skills. None of the soul masters who absorbed its soul rings gained attack or defense skills. Its fierce appearance often misleads soul masters into choosing it, but this beast only offers amplification skills.

The difference between the Millennium Dragon Horned Rhino King and a regular Dragon Horned Rhino isn't just size. Upon evolving into the Dragon Horned Rhino King, its Thunder Dragon blood strengthens, greatly enhancing its thunder attributes. While the hundred-year Dragon Horn Rhino's body is blue-white with purple scales on its back, the Dragon Horn Rhino King is purple with purple-black scales on its back.

Yu Tianyan was pleasantly surprised by the evolution of his first soul ring, which now granted a 30% increase rather than 20%. That 10% boost may seem small, but in real battles, it can make a crucial difference.

"It's impressive. Even an auxiliary soul master might struggle to achieve this level of enhancement," Liu Erlong said in astonishment. She couldn't deny this soul skill's value—it strengthened both attack power and the first soul ring, an undeniable advantage. This was the first time she'd seen anything like it.

"Sister, don't be surprised. There's more," Yu Tianyan said, a slight smile on his face.

The yellow first soul ring lit up.

"[First Soul Skill: Thunder]"

All attributes increased by 30% for 30 minutes.

Both soul rings activated, and the sudden release of soul power made his body tremble slightly. The lightning, already intense, surged with new power, turning into purple bolts that magnified his attack strength once more.

"Sister, because my soul skills come from the same type of beast, they can be used together," Yu Tianyan explained, surrounded by purple lightning that made him seem like a god of thunder, radiating an invisible sense of intimidation.

Despite being a Soul Douluo, Liu Erlong recognized the strain at a glance. "It's a double amplification ability. The lightning power has increased significantly, but it'll be a huge burden on your body."

As the thunder vanished, Yu Tianyan put away his martial spirit and nodded. "Yes, if I release both skills simultaneously, I can only maintain it for about 10 minutes with my current physique."

Although both soul skills last for 30 minutes, combining them means his body can only handle it for 10 minutes. Any longer, and his soul power would spiral out of control, harming his internal organs.

"That's more than enough. Once you reach adulthood and use your special flame to strengthen your body, these soul skills will benefit you for life," Liu Erlong reassured him.

Yu Tianyan nodded, understanding that this skill aligned perfectly with his aspirations as an extreme soul master. Smiling, he said, "Sister, it's not just any flame—it's the Fallen Heart Flame. Since my soul skill is this incredible, I'll continue as an extreme soul master."

"Don't even think about it. If you reach level 30 and get another amplification skill, you'll be pinned down by soul masters of your level." Liu Erlong didn't care whether it was a strange flame or the Fallen Heart Flame—she'd never heard of either.

For her, this was a love-hate dynamic that often made it hard for her to keep her head up around Yu Tianyan.

Yu Tianyan felt helpless, but he knew only time would tell if he could match soul masters of his level. He spread his Thunder Fire Wings. "Hehe, Sister, you can't stop me," he teased, before soaring into the sky toward Tiandou City.

Since Liu Erlong wouldn't try soul bone fusion with him, there was no point in staying. She jumped up, unfurling her own lightning and fire wings, and chased him, leaving a faint echo in the air. "Xiaoyan, your third soul ring had better not be another amplification skill…"

Since acquiring the Thunder Fire Wing soul bone, Liu Erlong preferred not to use her Red Dragon form for travel. The extreme speed of the Sky Overlord was unmatched.

The two flew rapidly and soon approached Tiandou City.

Once close, they retracted their Thunder Fire Wings before walking into the city. Flying over Tiandou City was forbidden, seen as a provocation to the Tiandou Empire. But this rule didn't apply to Titled Douluo-level powerhouses.

It's no small feat for a Titled Douluo to fly discreetly over the city, and even if discovered, there's little the Tiandou Empire could do to them. Every Titled Douluo is an incredibly important force with significant influence.

For this reason, Yu Tianyan was determined to elevate Liu Erlong to Titled Douluo level at all costs, so she could protect herself before the future conflict.

(End of this chapter)