A crowd had already begun to gather around the arena, drawn by the prospect of a spar between a student of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and a mysterious young boy accompanied by two individuals who exuded an aura of immense power. The air crackled with anticipation as Yu Tianheng stepped into the center of the training grounds, his bearing confident and his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon insignia gleaming on his chest.
"My name is Yu Tianheng," he announced, his voice carrying clearly across the arena. "I am fourteen years old, my Martial Spirit is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and my current Soul Power is Level 22." His words drew murmurs of respect and admiration from the onlookers. Level 22 at fourteen was indeed a testament to his talent and the resources of his clan.
Now it was Song Qing's turn. He stepped forward, his small figure seemingly unfazed by the attention of the crowd or the imposing presence of Yu Tianheng. He looked up at the older boy, a playful glint in his eyes. "My name is Song Qing," he stated, his voice surprisingly clear and carrying an undeniable air of confidence. "I am eight years old, my Martial Spirit is the Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor, and my current Soul Power is Level 44."
A collective gasp swept through the arena. The murmurs of anticipation turned into a stunned silence, followed by an eruption of bewildered chatter. Level 44? At eight years old? It was an unbelievable number, a figure that defied all known logic and understanding of Spirit Master cultivation. Even Yu Tianheng's confident expression froze, his eyes widening in utter shock.
'Level 44?' he thought, his mind reeling. 'Did I hear that correctly? Eight years old? That's… that's impossible!' He stared at Song Qing, trying to discern any hint of deception, but the boy's confident stance and the casual way he had announced his soul power left him utterly flabbergasted.
His gaze then fell upon the soul rings that slowly materialized around Song Qing's small body. Three of them pulsed with a deep purple light, indicating spirit beasts of over a thousand years, and the fourth shone with the profound darkness of a ten-thousand-year beast. The sight sent another wave of shock through the crowd. A ten-thousand-year soul ring on an eight-year-old? It shattered all conventional wisdom about the limits a young Spirit Master could handle.
'Three purple… one black…' Yu Tianheng's mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. 'How is this even possible? The pressure… the strain on his body…' He felt a sudden wave of doubt wash over him. Could he, with his Level 22 soul power, even stand a chance against such a prodigy?
Song Qing noticed the hesitation in Yu Tianheng's eyes, the subtle shift in his posture that betrayed his growing unease. A mischievous grin spread across his face. "What's wrong, Heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" he taunted, his voice carrying a playful yet sharp edge. "Is that all the courage the inheritor of the world's strongest Martial Spirit possesses? Are you already backing down from a mere child?"
Yu Tianheng's face flushed with anger. The taunt, delivered with such childish audacity, struck a nerve. He was a proud member of one of the Upper Three Sects, and he wouldn't be seen as backing down from a spar, especially not against someone so much younger, despite the unbelievable soul power difference. "Don't be ridiculous!" he retorted, his voice regaining some of its earlier confidence, though a hint of uncertainty still lingered. "I never back down from a challenge!"
With a nod from one of the academy instructors who had stepped forward to oversee the spar, the duel began. Yu Tianheng didn't hesitate. His body crackled with blue lightning as his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Spirit materialized, a majestic azure dragon coiling around him, its powerful aura filling the arena. Two yellow soul rings appeared beneath his feet, indicating his two spirit skills.
'He's fast,' Song Qing thought, observing Yu Tianheng's movements. 'And that lightning… it feels quite potent.' But there was no fear in his eyes, only a growing excitement. He channeled his own soul power, and the shadowy figure of the Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor materialized behind him, its dark, imposing form casting a long shadow across the arena. Four soul rings, the three purple and one black, pulsed with dark energy.
Instead of launching a direct attack, Song Qing simply stood his ground, a playful smirk on his face. He wanted to test Yu Tianheng, to see the extent of his abilities, and perhaps more importantly, to enjoy toying with him a little.
Yu Tianheng roared, and the blue lightning around him intensified. His first soul ring flared, and he launched himself forward with incredible speed, his body enveloped in crackling electricity. It was the signature speed-enhancing skill of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Song Qing casually sidestepped the attack, moving with an agility that belied his small size. Yu Tianheng, surprised by his opponent's ease in dodging, quickly turned, his second soul ring now glowing. Twin streams of lightning erupted from the dragon's claws, lashing out towards Song Qing.
'Shadow Dominion,' Song Qing thought, and his second soul ring pulsed. A wave of darkness erupted around him, engulfing a significant portion of the arena. Within the shadowy field, Song Qing's senses sharpened, while Yu Tianheng felt a slight disorientation and a suppression of his lightning's intensity.
Song Qing moved like a phantom within the darkness, appearing behind Yu Tianheng before the older boy could react. He didn't even use his Abyssal Draconic Claw. Instead, he simply tapped Yu Tianheng on the back with a light, playful gesture.
"Boo," Song Qing whispered, his voice echoing eerily in the Shadow Dominion.
Yu Tianheng stumbled forward, his face a mask of shock and frustration. He couldn't even touch his opponent! The speed and agility of this eight-year-old were simply unbelievable.
The onlookers were equally stunned. They could barely follow Song Qing's movements within the Shadow Dominion. It was like watching a ghost dance around a bewildered warrior.
Song Qing then deactivated his Shadow Dominion, the darkness receding to reveal Yu Tianheng panting slightly, his confidence visibly shaken. "Is that all you've got, Heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" Song Qing asked, his tone light and teasing. "I haven't even broken a sweat yet."
Anger flared in Yu Tianheng's eyes. He wouldn't be humiliated by a child. He roared again, his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon becoming even more vibrant. He unleashed a barrage of lightning strikes, aiming for every possible angle, but Song Qing simply weaved through the attacks with effortless grace, sometimes even stopping to feign being hit, only to dissolve into a shadowy afterimage.
'He's toying with me!' Yu Tianheng realized, his frustration mounting. The realization that he was being deliberately played with by someone so much younger was infuriating.
Song Qing then decided to take the offensive, though still in a playful manner. He activated his first soul ring, Abyssal Shadow Dash, and blurred across the arena, appearing in front of Yu Tianheng in the blink of an eye. Before the older boy could react, Song Qing flicked his forehead with his finger.
The seemingly harmless flick sent a jolt of surprisingly potent soul power through Yu Tianheng, causing him to stumble backward, his nose slightly red. The crowd erupted in laughter at the comical sight.
"Ouch! That tickled!" Song Qing said with a mock innocent smile, though his eyes held a hint of mischief.
Yu Tianheng gritted his teeth, his pride wounded. He knew he was outmatched, but he wouldn't give up. He channeled all his soul power into one final, desperate attack, unleashing a powerful Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Roar, a concentrated blast of pure lightning energy.
Song Qing simply activated his third soul ring, and the massive Abyssal Draconic Claw materialized above him. Instead of attacking, however, he used it as a shield, the shadowy claw effortlessly absorbing the lightning roar, the energy dissipating harmlessly into the dark abyss.
The spar continued in this manner for several more minutes, with Song Qing effortlessly dodging, weaving, and occasionally landing playful but surprisingly potent blows on Yu Tianheng. He used his Shadow Dash to appear and disappear, his Shadow Dominion to disorient, and his Abyssal Draconic Claw as both offense and defense, all while maintaining a lighthearted and teasing demeanor. Yu Tianheng, despite his best efforts, couldn't land a single hit. He was left panting, bruised, and utterly defeated, his pride in tatters.
Finally, with a dramatic sigh, Song Qing stopped his playful assault. "Well, that was… mildly entertaining," he said, a hint of feigned boredom in his voice. He deactivated his Martial Spirit, the shadowy dragon dissipating into the air. "Perhaps you'll be stronger next time, Heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan." He offered a small, polite bow, his expression radiating an innocent charm that belied the utter dominance he had just displayed. The crowd, initially shocked, then amused, now simply stared in awe at the incredible talent of the Spirit Hall's Holy Son.
~~
As Song Qing stepped down from the arena, a small smile of satisfaction playing on his lips, he was immediately greeted by Dugu Yan and her group of friends. The atmosphere was noticeably different now. The playful coddling from before had vanished, replaced by a mixture of awe and a slight apprehension. All except for Ye Lingling, who still maintained a polite smile, though even her eyes held a newfound respect.
Dugu Yan, however, seemed genuinely thrilled. She rushed forward and gave Song Qing another hug. "Little Qing! You were amazing! You've gotten so much stronger since I last saw you! That Yu Tianheng didn't stand a chance!" Her green eyes sparkled with admiration.
Ye Lingling approached him gracefully. "Holy Son," she said respectfully, her voice soft and melodious, "your power is truly extraordinary. That was an incredible display." The other girls murmured their agreement, keeping a slightly more respectful distance than before.
Song Qing chuckled, enjoying their reactions. "It was just a friendly spar, Senior Sister Yan," he said, turning to Dugu Yan with a warm smile. "Now, how about that tour of the academy you promised? I'm eager to see what else this place has to offer."
From their concealed positions high above the arena, nestled amongst the dense foliage of an ancient tree, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were practically rolling with silent laughter.
'Did you see the look on that brat's face?' Yue Guan's thoughts echoed in Gui Mei's mind, filled with amusement.
'Priceless!' Gui Mei responded mentally, a ghostly chuckle rumbling within him. 'The Holy Son really knows how to put on a show. And humiliate that little dragon from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Consider some of my old grudges settled!'
'Mine too,' Yue Guan agreed, a rare smile gracing his usually stoic features. 'They always did think they were so high and mighty. Serves him right to be taught a lesson by our little monster.' They both felt a surge of protective affection for Song Qing. He was not only incredibly talented but also genuinely entertaining.
As the group, now with Song Qing at the center, began to explore the vast academy grounds, little did they know that their presence had already been noted by a powerful individual. Hours later, just as the afternoon sun began to dip towards the horizon, a formidable aura descended upon the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Dugu Bo, the infamous Poison Douluo, had arrived.
Word of Song Qing's presence and his spar had reached him quickly through his extensive network within Heaven Dou City. His initial reaction was one of surprise, quickly followed by a surge of concern for his granddaughter. But as he approached the area where Song Qing was last seen, his sharp senses picked up two familiar, and unwelcome, presences.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei.
Dugu Bo's brow furrowed deeply. The sight of the two Spirit Hall Super Douluo sent a wave of suspicion and unease through him. 'What are they doing here?' he thought, his emerald green eyes narrowing. 'Are they here to cause trouble? To harm Yan'er? Or even my son?' Old grudges resurfaced, memories of past encounters with the Spirit Hall fueling his distrust.
He spotted Song Qing surrounded by Dugu Yan and her friends, the two Super Douluo subtly positioned nearby, their presence radiating an almost palpable sense of power. Before Dugu Bo could approach them, however, an unexpected confrontation began to brew. Yue Guan, his keen senses having picked up Dugu Bo's approaching aura, stepped forward, a flash of annoyance in his usually placid eyes.
'That old poison freak,' Yue Guan thought, a hint of his old rivalry flaring up. He remembered their past encounters, specifically the time before Dugu Bo had reached the Titled Douluo rank when Yue Guan had soundly defeated him, forcing a humiliating retreat. The sight of Dugu Bo always grated on his nerves.
But before Yue Guan could utter a word or make a move, Song Qing's voice, clear and authoritative, cut through the tense atmosphere. "Yue Guan, Elder Gui Mei, stand down."
The two Super Douluo froze, their eyes widening in surprise. They turned to look at the young Holy Son, who was now standing between them and a scowling Dugu Bo.
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan exclaimed, hurrying towards her grandfather, a mix of surprise and relief on her face.
Song Qing turned to Dugu Bo, a respectful smile on his face. "Senior Dugu Bo, it's good to see you again." He then turned back to the two Super Douluo, his expression firm. "Senior Dugu Bo is a friend and an ally of mine. I respect him greatly. If either of you dares to attack him, I will personally request Teacher to punish you severely."
Those words hung heavy in the air. The casual mention of Bibi Dong's potential wrath, delivered with such unwavering confidence by the Holy Son, had an immediate and dramatic effect on the two Super Douluo. Their faces paled visibly.
In an almost comical display of fear and obedience, both Yue Guan and Gui Mei immediately dropped to one knee, their proud heads bowed low. "Holy Son, please forgive us!" Yue Guan exclaimed, his voice trembling slightly.
"We had no intention of causing any offense!" Gui Mei added hastily, his ghostly form flickering nervously. "We were merely ensuring your safety!"
They even turned their pleading gazes towards Dugu Bo. "Senior Dugu Bo, please forgive our rudeness! We were unaware of your relationship with the Holy Son!" It was a sight that few in the Spirit Hall, let alone the outside world, would ever believe – two formidable Super Douluo kneeling and begging for forgiveness from a child and their former rival.
Song Qing himself was utterly shocked and confused by their reaction. 'What in the world…?' he thought, his mind racing. He had no idea about the secret, bone-chilling warning Bibi Dong had given them. He simply wanted to prevent an unnecessary conflict.
He quickly stepped forward, his face flustered. "Please, Elder Yue Guan, Elder Gui Mei, there's no need for this! Senior Dugu Bo is a friend. It was a misunderstanding. Please, get up. We don't want to cause a scene." He was acutely aware of the potential damage to the Spirit Hall's reputation if two of their most powerful figures were seen kneeling in such a manner, especially to someone like Dugu Bo. "Please," he repeated, his voice pleading, "just… just remain hidden for now, alright?"