Half a month passed quietly by.
Ever since officially beginning his training in the Soul Breaking Spear Technique that day, Yang Chang’an’s life had settled into a strict routine.
Before dawn broke each morning, he would already be standing in the training grounds under Yang Wushuang’s harsh guidance, practicing the spear’s fundamental techniques over and over again—thrusting, lifting, chopping, sweeping.
At noon, without fail, came meditation practice.
Sitting cross-legged on the cushion in his room, he guided the Spirit Power within his body according to the Breaking Clan’s meditation method.
And late at night, the medicinal bath personally prepared by Yang Wushuang—filled with all kinds of precious herbs—became his daily “required lesson.” It was a rhythm close to ascetic cultivation, dull and repetitive.
But to Yang Chang’an, who carried the dream of becoming strong deep in his heart, this sense of fulfillment brought him incomparable peace of mind.
He could clearly feel his body growing stronger at a visible rate, while his Spirit Power became increasingly abundant through day after day of accumulation.
Yang Chang’an sat upright on his bed with his eyes tightly closed, carrying out his daily meditation.
Spirit Power flowed slowly through his body along its established pathways.
Suddenly— Buzz!
A faint yet clear hum sounded from deep within his dantian.
After half a month of constant effort, the bottleneck at Level 10 finally shattered.
The invisible shackles were completely broken apart.
The Spirit Power surging through his meridians instantly became smooth and unobstructed, completing a full circulation through his body.
A more condensed power surged forth from every part of him.
Yang Chang’an slowly opened his eyes.
A sharp gleam flashed through them as he suddenly clenched his fist, feeling the strength flowing inside his body.
The corners of his lips could not help but rise.
“Finally… Level 10!” That’s right.
Yang Chang’an had now broken through to Level 10.
With only one Spirit Ring remaining, he could officially become a true Spirit Master.
Without hesitation, Yang Chang’an flipped off the bed.
He did not even have time to straighten his training clothes before excitedly pushing open the door and running straight toward Yang Wushuang’s room deep within the residence.
Yang Wushuang’s room served not only as his living quarters, but also as his pill chamber.
At this moment, the room was filled with the faint fragrance of medicinal herbs.
Yang Wushuang sat before a wooden table covered in bottles and jars, holding a yellowed prescription in his hand, brows slightly furrowed as though deep in thought.
Knock knock knock— Rapid footsteps approached from afar, interrupting his train of thought.
Yang Wushuang raised his head and looked toward the doorway.
When he saw the delighted expression on Yang Chang’an’s face, a familiar smile immediately appeared on his own.
“What is it?” He set down the prescription in his hand, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
“I just finished drilling you at the training grounds.
How long has it even been?
What urgent matter could you possibly have now?” However, the moment his gaze swept across Yang Chang’an’s body, his words abruptly stopped.
The smile on his face instantly froze, replaced by astonishment and joy.
The Spirit Power fluctuations surrounding Yang Chang’an were still not particularly strong, but they possessed a level of refinement completely different from before.
That was unmistakably the aura of someone who had broken through the Level 10 bottleneck.
Yang Wushuang abruptly stood up in surprise.
“You broke through to Level 10?!” “Mm!” Yang Chang’an nodded heavily, his small face filled with a brilliant smile as he waved his fist excitedly.
“I broke through the bottleneck while meditating in my room just now.
I’m Level 10 already!” “Good!
Good!
Good!” Three consecutive words of praise fully expressed Yang Wushuang’s excitement.
He quickly stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Yang Chang’an’s shoulder, sensing the vigorous vitality within him.
Even the wrinkles on his face seemed to relax.
After the excitement settled, Yang Wushuang gradually regained his composure and began planning for Yang Chang’an’s future.
He withdrew his hand behind his back and paced slowly around the room for a few steps before speaking thoughtfully.
“Level 10 means you can absorb your first Spirit Ring now.” “The various shops in Spirit City do sell hundred-year spirit beasts year-round.” At this point, Yang Wushuang frowned slightly, his tone carrying a trace of dissatisfaction.
“However, I specifically went to take a look not long ago.
Most of those spirit beasts are mediocre stock—they’re not worthy of your Soul-Breaking Spear.” With that thought, Yang Wushuang stopped walking and fixed his burning gaze on Yang Chang’an.
“If we want to find the most suitable Spirit Ring for the Soul-Breaking Spear, we’ll ultimately have to personally hunt one in the spirit beast forests of the two great empires… or within the Star Dou Forest.” Having said that, Yang Wushuang had already made his decision.
He lowered his head to look at Yang Chang’an and instructed solemnly: “However, there’s no rush to hunt your Spirit Ring yet.
We’ll wait a few days first.
During these next few days, focus all your energy on the Soul Breaking Spear Technique.
You must completely master the fundamental techniques.” “Yes, Grandpa.” Yang Chang’an obediently nodded.
Hearing this, Yang Chang’an understood as well.
Although continuing cultivation without obtaining a Spirit Ring would still increase Spirit Power, the efficiency would be extremely poor.
Unless there were unavoidable circumstances, almost no Spirit Master would choose to do that.
As for the “few days” Yang Wushuang mentioned, Yang Chang’an already had his own guesses.
Their Yang family was not a direct subordinate of Spirit Hall, but rather had been specially permitted to settle within Spirit City because of past events.
Over the years, whenever the Yang family—or the Niu family living in the city as well—needed to leave the city to hunt Spirit Rings, they had to report it to Spirit Hall in advance and obtain permission before departing.
Yang Chang’an understood the reason perfectly well.
Everything was most likely connected to the Breaking Clan’s forbidden poison—”Gorgeous Seven Colors.” As a transmigrator who had read the original novel, he understood the hidden currents behind all of this better than anyone else.
Qian Renxue had supposedly “died young” five years ago, while Yang Chang’an had also heard two years ago that the second and third princes of the Heaven Dou Empire had both died suddenly one after another.
That meant Qian Renxue had already disguised herself as Xue Qinghe and infiltrated the Heaven Dou imperial family for at least two years.
According to the original timeline, the current Qian Renxue should have already begun using the “Gorgeous Seven Colors” poison refined by Yang Wushuang to slowly poison Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, paving the way for her future usurpation of the throne.
The reason Spirit Hall restricted the freedom of Yang Wushuang and his family was likely because they feared him slipping out of their control and interfering with Qian Renxue’s plans.
After understanding this point, Yang Chang’an said nothing further.
He respectfully bowed to Yang Wushuang before turning around and leaving the room, preparing to continue polishing his spear techniques.
Inside the room, Yang Wushuang watched his grandson’s departing figure as the smile on his face slowly faded away.
He stood there silently for a long while before finally turning toward a wall deeper within the room.
Reaching out, he lightly pressed a hidden spot on the wall.
With a soft click, a concealed compartment quietly opened.
Inside the compartment sat a palm-sized white jade bottle.
The jade bottle was warm and smooth in texture, its surface engraved with intricate patterns, while the mouth of the bottle had been tightly sealed with wax.
Yang Wushuang picked up the white jade bottle and gently rubbed it in his palm.
Through the icy jade walls, he seemed able to feel the terrifying poison contained within, and a complicated look surfaced in his eyes.
A moment later, he took a deep breath and carefully stored the jade bottle inside his robes.
Without further hesitation, he turned and walked toward the door.
The moment he stepped outside, he nearly bumped into a figure dressed in green approaching from the opposite direction.
“Second Brother?” Yang Xue stopped in her tracks and looked at Yang Wushuang with curiosity in her eyes.
Ever since becoming disheartened five years ago, this second brother of hers had remained secluded year-round, devoting himself to the study of alchemy and poison arts.
Even now, despite teaching Chang’an, he rarely left the residence.
Seeing him like this today was quite unusual.
“Where are you going?” Yang Xue asked.
Seeing that it was her, Yang Wushuang forced out a faint smile and calmly replied, “Chang’an broke through.
Level 10.” “What?!
Chang’an broke through?!” Yang Xue froze for a moment before joy instantly blossomed across her face.
But the happiness only lasted for an instant before she reacted, her gaze landing on Yang Wushuang as her expression gradually turned serious.
“So, you’re going to…” She did not say the words “Gorgeous Seven Colors” aloud, but both of them understood perfectly.
That was the Breaking Clan’s forbidden poison.
Its refining process was so complicated that even Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang required the assistance of the clan’s core members.
Over the years, she and Yang Quji had also spent no small amount of effort because of this matter.
“I’ll go with you,” Yang Xue blurted out almost immediately, urgency filling her voice.
“No need.” Yang Wushuang gently shook his head.
Naturally, he understood her concerns.
He waved his hand, his tone carrying a trace of self-mockery.
“Don’t underestimate Spirit Hall.
They’ve most likely already learned about Chang’an’s situation.” He looked at Yang Xue with deep eyes.
“Don’t worry.
I’m still useful to Spirit Hall.
Besides, Chang’an only has innate Level 9 Spirit Power.
Even if he had full innate Spirit Power, what would that amount to in Spirit Hall’s eyes?” By the end, Yang Wushuang’s voice was filled with endless emotion.
Over the years, because of “Gorgeous Seven Colors,” he had frequently dealt with the Worship Hall.
More than anyone else, he understood just how terrifying that lofty Spirit Hall truly was.
Titled Douluo?
To ordinary Spirit Masters, they were already insurmountable mountains.
But before Spirit Hall’s unfathomable foundation, so-called Titled Douluo were merely slightly larger ants.
Yang Xue opened her mouth as if wanting to say something more, but upon seeing Yang Wushuang’s calm expression, she ultimately swallowed the words back down.
Yang Wushuang said nothing further.
He merely gave Yang Xue a slight nod before striding toward the residence gates.