The celebration of Grandpa's breakthrough to Titled Douluo was nothing short of joyous. Uncle Xin and I couldn't stop smiling, our hearts brimming with pride and excitement. Grandpa's declaration as Poison Dragon Douluo felt like a turning point for our family. That night, we sat around a fire, savoring the moment and reflecting on the journey that had brought us here.
"I never imagined I'd see this day," Uncle Xin said, raising his cup of tea. "Father, you've paved the way for our family's rise."
Grandpa chuckled, his usual stern demeanor softened by his newfound confidence. "It wasn't just me. Bei's guidance and that miraculous herb made this possible, not to mention Bei's weird saber. Our family is destined for greatness."
I felt a warm surge of pride but remained quiet, letting my elders bask in their shared triumph. This was a moment for all of us.
As the night deepened, we began discussing our next steps. Grandpa was eager to hunt a soul beast for Uncle Xin's sixth ring and my fifth.
"We start tomorrow," Grandpa declared, his voice firm. "With the strength of a Titled Douluo, finding the right soul beasts will be much easier."
The excitement was palpable, and we all went to bed that night with high spirits, ready for the adventure ahead.
The next morning, we set off into the forest, the air crisp and filled with the sounds of nature. Grandpa led the way, his aura radiating calm authority. Uncle Xin walked beside him, and I trailed slightly behind, my mind buzzing with anticipation.
Uncle Xin didn't have a specific soul beast in mind. He wanted to let fate guide him to the right match. I, on the other hand, had a clear goal: a Demon Spider that had reached 50,000 years of age. At that level, they were considered "Emperor" soul beasts, a challenge worthy of my abilities.
Our search proved to be more challenging than expected. Days turned into weeks, and while we encountered numerous powerful beasts, none fit our specific needs. During this time, we made camp in various parts of the forest, sparing and training to hone our skills.
One evening, after weeks of searching, Uncle Xin and I decided to spar one more time. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the clearing we had chosen. Grandpa watched from a nearby rock, his sharp eyes observing every move.
Uncle Xin stepped forward, his martial soul—a Jade Phosphor Serpent—manifesting with a hiss. His spirit rings appeared in a dazzling display of two yellow, two purple, and one black.
"Ready, Bei?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
I nodded, summoning my martial soul. The Eight Spider Lances extended from my back, their metallic sheen catching the last rays of sunlight. My spirit rings, two purple, and two black, appeared around me.
"Let's see how much you've improved, Uncle," I said, my tone teasing but my focus sharp.
We launched at each other simultaneously. Uncle Xin's movements were fluid and precise, his serpent martial soul enhancing his agility and poison attacks. I countered with the speed and power of my lances, weaving through his strikes with calculated precision.
Despite his higher rank, I found myself dominating the spar. My Eight Spider Lances had evolved significantly, their power and versatility far surpassing what they once were. I refrained from using my second martial soul, it was a weapon reserved for true battles, not practice.
As we fought, I couldn't help but reflect on my journey. At just six years old, I was sparring on equal footing with someone ten ranks higher than me. It was a testament to my growth, but it also served as a reminder of the weight I carried. My strength was not just mine; it was meant to protect my family, and I had to use it wisely.
Uncle Xin lunged at me with a venomous strike, his serpent martial soul coiling around him like a shield. I countered with a sweep of my lances, deflecting his attack and forcing him to retreat.
"You're holding back," he said, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"So are you," I replied, smirking. "But that's what practice is for."
We continued our spar, the clearing echoing with the clash of our attacks. Grandpa occasionally chimed in with advice, his voice steady and authoritative.
"Xin, focus on your positioning. Bei, don't overextend."
The spar lasted for hours, neither of us willing to concede. When we finally called it a draw, we were both drenched in sweat, our breaths coming in heavy gasps. Grandpa handed us water, his expression one of approval.
"Good work, both of you," he said. "But remember, the true test lies ahead. You'll need every ounce of strength for the soul beasts we seek."
That night, as we sat around the campfire, Grandpa shared more insights into using poison effectively. His wisdom was invaluable, and both Uncle Xin and I listened intently, eager to absorb every lesson.
Just as we were about to retire for the night, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught our attention. The forest grew eerily silent, and a chilling presence seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
"Something's watching us," Grandpa said, his voice low and alert.
We immediately got to our feet, our senses on high alert. The presence was elusive, blending seamlessly with the darkness. Whatever it was, it was powerful—and it had been observing us for some time.
"Prepare yourselves," Grandpa commanded. "This won't be an ordinary encounter."
We stood together, ready to face whatever was hiding in the shadows.