Back in the familiar surroundings of the Spirit Hall, Song Qing resumed his rigorous training regimen. The week under Bibi Dong's personal tutelage had been incredibly beneficial, and he felt a significant improvement in his control over both his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit and his soul power. He diligently practiced the techniques she had taught him, his movements becoming more fluid, his control more precise.
'I need to get stronger, faster,' he thought, pushing himself through another set of Abyssal Shadow Dashes, the shadowy afterimages flickering around the training hall. 'The future holds many challenges, and I need to be prepared for them.'
Yet, amidst his training, his thoughts often drifted towards the events he knew were unfolding in the world. He remembered the timeline from the novel, the fateful meeting between Tang San and Xiao Wu in Nuoding City, the beginning of their intertwined destinies.
'Should I interfere?' he pondered one afternoon during a break in his training. The idea of going to Nuoding City, meeting the protagonist and the spirit beast in human form, and perhaps even eliminating Tang San or disrupting his relationship with Xiao Wu crossed his mind. It was a tempting thought, a direct way to potentially alter the future.
However, as quickly as the thought arose, a strange sense of unease settled within him. It was a feeling that stemmed from a deep, almost instinctual understanding granted by his Primordial Life Tree Spirit.
'If I try to kill Tang San… something will happen,' he thought, a peculiar certainty filling his mind. It wasn't a logical deduction based on his memories; it was a knowing, a profound conviction that resonated deep within his very soul. 'The world… it will somehow protect him. Maybe even make him stronger.'
He furrowed his brow in confusion. 'How does my spirit know this?' he wondered. The Primordial Life Tree Spirit was a spirit of life, of growth, of understanding the natural world. How could it grant him such specific insight into the fate of another individual, especially one who was destined to become a god?
'Could it be because my spirit is… the first ruler of this world?' he mused, recalling the ancient legends and the whispers of his spirit's true origins. Or was it something else? Was there some higher power, some entity at play, using his own spirit to subtly guide him away from a direct confrontation with Tang San?
The thought was unsettling. It suggested a level of complexity and interconnectedness in this world that went far beyond what he had initially understood. The idea that his own spirit might be subtly preventing him from taking a certain action, even one he considered strategically advantageous, was both intriguing and frustrating.
He let out a sigh, the weight of this realization settling upon him. 'Whatever the reason, I can't risk it,' he decided. Going to Nuoding City and directly confronting Tang San felt like walking into an invisible trap, one that could potentially backfire spectacularly. His own life was too precious to gamble on such an uncertain outcome.
'Subtlety is the key,' he resolved. 'Instead of direct confrontation, I need to focus on subtly changing the events, nudging the flow of destiny in a direction that benefits me and the Spirit Hall.'
His thoughts then turned to the future, to the powerful forces that would shape the continent. He knew the importance of allies, of building a network of support that could help him achieve his goals. One of the most influential factions in the land was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, one of the three great upper clans, renowned for their wealth, their influence, and their powerful support-type spirit.
'The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan… they could be invaluable allies,' he thought, envisioning the strategic advantage of having such a powerful clan on the Spirit Hall's side. He knew that in the original timeline, they eventually aligned themselves with the Heaven Dou Empire, becoming staunch supporters of Tang San. He needed to find a way to change that.
He considered the possibility of interacting with Ning Rongrong, the clan's princess and a key figure in their future. 'But it would be challenging at this stage,' he realized. Ning Rongrong was still young, and more importantly, she was constantly under the watchful eyes of her two formidable grandfather figures – Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo, both Super Douluo of immense power.
'Trying to directly approach her now would likely attract unwanted attention from those two powerhouses,' he reasoned. He wasn't yet strong enough to deal with the scrutiny of two Super Douluo. Any misstep could alert them to his unique abilities and his connection to the Spirit Hall, potentially jeopardizing his long-term plans.
'For now,' he concluded, a sense of patient determination settling within him, 'I will have to wait for a better opportunity. Perhaps later, when I am stronger and the circumstances are more favorable, I can find a way to interact with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and sway their allegiance.'
He knew that patience was a virtue, especially in the long game he was playing. He would continue to cultivate his power, hone his skills, and observe the unfolding events, waiting for the right moment to make his move.
~~
Three months passed in a blink for Song Qing. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his training, the insights gained from Bibi Dong's personal tutelage proving invaluable. He delved deeper into the intricacies of his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit, his understanding of its power and potential growing with each passing day. His soul power steadily climbed, and he finally broke through the bottleneck, reaching the coveted Level 30.
'Finally,' he thought, a sense of satisfaction washing over him as he felt the surge of energy within his core. 'Level 30. Time for my third soul ring.'
The Spirit Hall was abuzz with the news of Bibi Dong's absence. She had embarked on her trial to become the Rakshasa God, a perilous endeavor that had left a palpable tension in the air. In her stead, Grand Elder Qian Daoliu was overseeing the affairs of the Spirit Hall.
When Song Qing informed the higher-ups of his breakthrough, it was Grand Elder Qian Daoliu who assigned two of the Spirit Hall's most formidable protectors to accompany him: the enigmatic Contra-Douluo duo, Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Gui Mei, the Ghost Douluo.
The two Super Douluo appeared before Song Qing, their auras radiating an immense pressure that made the air in the room feel heavy. Yue Guan, with his flamboyant attire and delicate features, regarded the young boy with a curious gaze. Gui Mei, cloaked in shadows and exuding an eerie stillness, remained silent, his presence almost a part of the darkness itself.
"So, little one," Yue Guan said, his voice surprisingly high-pitched, "you've reached Level 30, have you? The Pope will be pleased when she returns."
"Yes, honored seniors," Song Qing replied respectfully, maintaining his composure despite the overwhelming pressure. "I am ready to acquire my third soul ring."
"And what age of spirit beast are you seeking for this momentous occasion?" Yue Guan asked, a playful smile on his lips.
"More than five thousand years," Song Qing stated firmly, his youthful face serious.
A stunned silence descended upon the room. Yue Guan's smile vanished, replaced by an expression of utter disbelief. Even Gui Mei's shadowy form seemed to flicker slightly in surprise.
"More than five thousand years?" Yue Guan repeated, his voice laced with incredulity. "Little brat, are you jesting with this old man? For a third soul ring? That's… unheard of!"
'He must be joking,' Yue Guan thought, exchanging a bewildered glance with Gui Mei. Even for prodigies, a third soul ring of that caliber was considered incredibly risky. Most Spirit Masters at Level 30 would opt for something in the range of one to two thousand years.
Gui Mei finally spoke, his voice a low, chilling whisper. "Are you certain of this, young master?"
"Yes, honored seniors," Song Qing replied, his gaze unwavering. He couldn't explain his reasons, not fully, but he knew his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit could handle it.
Yue Guan stroked his chin, his expression thoughtful despite his initial shock. "Well, a five-thousand-year spirit beast is hardly a challenge for the two of us. If that's truly your desire…" He shrugged. "We shall accompany you to the Great Star Dou Forest."
The trio set off towards the Great Star Dou Forest, the most renowned spirit beast gathering place on the continent. Yue Guan and Gui Mei moved with incredible speed, carrying Song Qing effortlessly between them. They didn't need to venture too deep into the forest to find spirit beasts of that age.
As they traversed the dense woods, Song Qing discreetly extended the sensing range of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit. The forest teemed with life, and his mind was flooded with the auras of countless spirit beasts. He was indeed shocked by the sheer power of some of the creatures he sensed lurking in the deeper regions. Some radiated an energy so immense, so primal, that he was certain even his teacher, Bibi Dong, might face a formidable challenge against them.
'Those auras… they're terrifying,' he thought, a shiver running down his spine despite himself. He quickly reduced his sensing range, not wanting to inadvertently alert such powerful beings to their presence. He focused his search on finding a beast suitable for his third soul ring: one with draconic bloodline, between five thousand and fifty-five hundred years old, and possessing potent attack abilities.
After a while, amidst the cacophony of spirit beast auras, Song Qing detected a distinct signature. It was powerful, undeniably draconic in nature, and its age fell within his desired range. 'There!' he thought, his mental senses pinpointing the location.
He couldn't reveal his sensing abilities to the two Super Douluo, so he had to resort to more… childlike methods. He tugged on Yue Guan's sleeve, his eyes wide and innocent. "Honored senior, I think I heard a really cool roar that way!" he exclaimed, pointing in the direction of the Silver-Winged Earth Dragon. "It sounded like… like a really big dragon!"
Yue Guan chuckled, finding the boy's enthusiasm amusing. "A dragon, you say? In this outer region? Highly unlikely, little one. But very well, we can take a look." He exchanged a knowing glance with Gui Mei, who simply nodded. They were more than capable of handling anything this part of the forest could throw at them.
They followed Song Qing's direction, the boy occasionally pointing and exclaiming about imaginary roars and rustling in the bushes, his act surprisingly convincing for his age. Soon enough, they arrived at a secluded ravine.
"There it is!" Song Qing exclaimed, pointing towards a massive, earth-toned dragon with powerful, silver-tipped wings perched on a rocky outcrop. The air around it crackled with earthy energy. This was the Silver-Winged Earth Dragon, a formidable beast of approximately fifty-three hundred years.
Yue Guan's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Well, I'll be… a genuine draconic beast! And of a decent age too." He looked at Song Qing with a newfound respect. Perhaps the boy's instincts were sharper than they had anticipated.
The two Super Douluo moved swiftly, their combined pressure instantly subduing the Silver-Winged Earth Dragon before it could even fully react. The battle was over in mere moments.
"Alright, little one," Yue Guan said, gesturing towards the now immobilized dragon. "Your prize awaits."
Song Qing nodded, his focus entirely on the purple spirit ring that materialized above the fallen beast. He sat down cross-legged and began the absorption process. It took a significant amount of time, the energy from a beast of that age potent and overwhelming, but Song Qing's determination and his spirit's resilience allowed him to persevere.
Finally, he opened his eyes, a third deep purple spirit ring now circling his body. He could feel the immense power coursing through him.
"My third soul skill," he announced, a draconic aura briefly flaring around him, "is Abyssal Draconic Claw!" He could now manifest a massive claw of pure abyssal energy, capable of tearing through even the toughest defenses.
"And the second ability?" Yue Guan prompted, intrigued.
"It is called 'Dragon's Might'," Song Qing replied, a hint of draconic dominance in his voice. "It allows me to unleash a focused burst of draconic pressure, capable of stunning or even incapacitating weaker opponents."
But that wasn't all. As he absorbed his third soul ring, Song Qing felt a surge of energy unlocking dormant abilities within his first two rings.
"My first soul ring has gained 'Abyssal Dragon Wings'," he announced, feeling shadowy, scaled wings briefly sprout from his back before receding. This new skill would allow him to take to the skies with draconic speed and agility.
"And my second soul ring now has 'Shadow Concealment'," he added, a wave of shadow energy briefly enveloping him, making him virtually undetectable to both sight and spiritual senses.
Finally, as the Silver-Winged Earth Dragon dissipated completely, a unique bone materialized on the ground before Song Qing. It was a pair of intricately structured wings, shimmering with a faint silver light and possessing a draconic texture.
"An external spirit bone!" Yue Guan exclaimed in surprise. "And it seems to be a growth-type!"
Song Qing reached out and touched the wings. A wave of information flowed into his mind. "Its name is… the Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings," he announced, a look of satisfaction on his face. He had gained more than just a powerful third soul ring; his strength had increased exponentially in a single day.