Chapter 154: Departure

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Yu Yuanzhen gazed at Wang Li, a young man even younger than his own grandson, yet possessing soul power so formidable that even he had to take notice. 

A thought crossed his mind: 

"He hasn't just absorbed spirit rings beyond his years—he must also have soul bones, and not just one. That would explain his terrifying cultivation speed and overwhelming base attributes. Truly, he is blessed with unparalleled talent, something that inspires both admiration and envy." 

Without hesitation, Yu Yuanzhen activated his martial soul. Like Wang Li, he bore the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, but his transformation was absolute—his head, torso, claws, legs, and even wings fully assumed draconic form. Nine soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and five black—coiled and rotated around him. 

"ROAR!" 

A thunderous roar shook the heavens and earth. Though he had just one more soul ring than Yu Luomian, his power had increased more than tenfold. 

Wang Li swiftly retreated, putting distance between them. He had once endured beatings under Dugu Bo's hands, but taking hits was entirely different from engaging in real combat. 

"Ink Jade Divine Bamboo Spear!" 

A torrent of Ink Jade Divine Bamboo Spears shot forth. However, with a single flap of his wings, Yu Yuanzhen soared high into the sky. He didn't even need to activate a soul skill—his body crackled with lightning, flickering unpredictably. The sheer force of the electricity shattered every spear before they could even come close. 

A Titled Douluo was on an entirely different level compared to those beneath that rank. 

Then, Yu Yuanzhen unleashed a soul skill: 

"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!" 

Powered by his immense rank-95 soul force, his right arm instantly gathered a torrent of lightning. With just a flick of his hand, a massive dragon claw, spanning dozens of meters, shot forth. 

Countless Blue Silver Grass in its path disintegrated into ashes, leaving a vast, barren expanse. 

Wang Li was momentarily startled. 

"Yu Yuanzhen, a rank-95 Titled Douluo, with nine soul rings and three soul bones… The terrifying enhancements from those alone explain his overwhelming power." 

"The gap between us is enormous. My ten-thousand-year soul skills won't be enough to bridge it. Maybe if I use my hundred-thousand-year soul skill—my sixth soul skill—I could injure him. If I activate my seventh soul skill first and then use the sixth, I might even seriously wound him." 

"But this is just a sparring match. There's no need to go that far. I'm here to gain experience, not to fight to the death." 

With that decision made, Wang Li continued using only his first, third, and fourth soul skills, along with his Ink Jade Divine Bamboo Spear and agile footwork, to engage in a battle of attrition with Yu Yuanzhen. 

Yu Yuanzhen tore through the Blue Silver Grass at an alarming speed, cycling from his first to his sixth soul skill. His sheer destructive force made clearing the battlefield seem as effortless as cutting grass. Yet Wang Li wasn't slow either—he rapidly replenished the vegetation by drawing vast amounts of soul power from his soul core, continually impeding Yu Yuanzhen's advance. 

For the first time since condensing his soul core, Wang Li found himself at a disadvantage in a soul power contest. A true Titled Douluo's burst power and recovery speed were indeed formidable. 

As his soul power dwindled past the halfway mark, Wang Li glanced at the ten thousand experience points he had gained. Seeing that his goal was met, he chose to concede. There was no point in dragging the battle out any further. 

Hearing Wang Li admit defeat, Yu Yuanzhen let out a sigh of relief. Too troublesome. Even after exhausting his soul skills up to the sixth, he still hadn't been able to break through the Blue Silver Forest. 

If this dragged on, he would have no choice but to activate his seventh soul skill—his Martial Soul Avatar. But doing so in this situation would have been a disgrace. 

With a voice like rolling thunder, Yu Yuanzhen declared, "Impressive. Poison Douluo has truly nurtured an outstanding successor. Once you break through rank 70 and obtain your Martial Soul Avatar, your strength will soar even further. At that point, you will stand shoulder to shoulder with Titled Douluo." 

Wang Li's lips curled into a subtle smile. 

He already possessed his Martial Soul Avatar. If he activated it, along with his domain to accelerate recovery, he might not be able to kill Yu Yuanzhen—but at the same time, Yu Yuanzhen would have no chance of killing him either. 

Upon seeing the ten thousand experience points he had gained, Wang Li couldn't help but voice his thoughts. 

"Many thanks, Your Excellency. This battle has been incredibly enlightening for me. The next time I have the opportunity, I will certainly return for another match." 

Yu Yuanzhen's mind went blank for a moment, then exploded with a single thought—he needed to get Wang Li out of here as soon as possible. If that kid came back a few more times, his dignity as a senior might not survive. 

But Wang Li was serious. No battle he had fought against a Soul Douluo had given him as much experience as this one with Yu Yuanzhen. 

At that moment, as Wang Li withdrew his soul power, the Blue Silver Grass covering the plaza rapidly shrank away, revealing a battlefield riddled with craters and scars from the fierce combat. 

Yu Yuanzhen descended to the ground, where the members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan quickly gathered around him. Yu Luomian, still fuming, spoke up indignantly. 

"Big Brother, why didn't you use your Martial Soul Avatar? With absolute strength, you could have taught that brat a lesson!" 

Yu Yuanzhen frowned and gave Yu Luomian a sharp look. 

"Second Brother, do you still care about my dignity? About the reputation of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Don't ever say something like that again." 

Meanwhile, on the other side, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan approached to check on Wang Li's condition. 

Wang Li reassured them, "I'm fine. I just exhausted a lot of soul power. There's still a significant gap between me and a Titled Douluo." 

Dugu Bo nodded and said in a calm tone, "As long as you understand that. If Yu Yuanzhen had intended to kill you, he would have used his Martial Soul Avatar and his ninth soul skill. That level of power is beyond your imagination." 

At that moment, Yu Yuanzhen turned toward Dugu Bo and said, "I've done what you asked." 

Dugu Bo nodded in acknowledgment, then transmitted a message directly into Yu Yuanzhen's mind. 

"At our level, it's no longer just about accumulating soul power. It was only through a fortunate opportunity that I was able to gain deeper insights." 

"You need to think carefully—what is it that makes your Martial Soul truly powerful? Only by understanding that can you find your own path to breaking through." 

Yu Yuanzhen's eyes widened as a vague realization began to take shape in his mind. However, the exact path to his breakthrough still remained elusive. 

Even so, he solemnly said, "Thank you. I owe you a favor. If I break through, I will be sure to repay you generously." 

Dugu Bo accepted his gratitude without hesitation. To some, the insight he had shared was priceless; to others, it was worthless. But a favor from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Thunder Douluo was certainly valuable. 

With everything settled, Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Wang Li took their leave. Yu Yuanzhen made no move to stop them. 

---

 On the Journey Back 

As they traveled, Wang Li's eyes suddenly burned with determination. 

"Grandfather, you were right. When a Titled Douluo uses their Martial Soul Avatar alongside their ninth soul skill, the power is truly terrifying." 

"But in truth, I also have a Martial Soul Avatar. I've been keeping it hidden, fearing it would draw too much envy." 

"Perhaps it's time I find the right moment to officially declare myself a Soul Sage. With my Martial Soul Avatar, I am confident I can stand against a Titled Douluo." 

Hearing this, Dugu Bo looked at Wang Li with a complex expression, his voice carrying a trace of disbelief. 

"Even without using your Martial Soul Avatar, you already possess the strength of a Soul Douluo. If you do activate it, you should be able to fight against any Titled Douluo below rank 95. Truly absurd… If I hadn't watched you grow up before my very eyes, I wouldn't believe such a genius could exist on this continent." 

(End of Chapter)