As soon as Yu Tianming sat down, he could feel the massive stone beneath him was already charged with power from being constantly struck by Heavenly Lightning. The entire mountain had become a massive battery, its ore veins linked in a continuous circuit.
When he cultivated, he faintly connected with the electricity flowing through the mountain. If he were an ordinary Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon soul master of just over level ten, even with maximum lightning resistance, he would soon become numb all over.
But Ghidorah had a natural talent for absorbing lightning to strengthen itself—this environment was perfect for him.
With the mimicry field boosting him as well, Yu Tianming estimated his cultivation speed had increased by at least fifteen percent.
Tiny golden sparks occasionally flickered over his body, yet he was completely unaffected by the thunder-iron ore veins. Watching this, Yu Yuanzhen mused silently, 'It seems the Three-Headed Dragon King surpasses the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. This truly is the pinnacle of lightning-type martial souls.'
Extreme martial souls were rare on the Douluo Continent. They required more soul power to advance, but each possessed far greater strength than an ordinary martial soul—like Ma Hongjun's evolved Fire Phoenix.
Yu Yuanzhen had already suspected a change in Yu Tianming's lightning attribute when he first saw the bright gold rather than the usual blue of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. But only now did he confirm that Yu Tianming's martial soul was an extreme lightning type. Otherwise, with his current level, he wouldn't have been able to endure the constant paralysis and would have slowed his cultivation instead.
In cultivation, time slipped away unnoticed.
Two and a half years passed quietly.
Atop the Thunder-Iron Mountain, on the Thunder-Iron Platform, a fluctuation surged within Yu Tianming's body. It felt as though he'd broken through a bottleneck. Opening his eyes, he turned to Yu Yuanzhen.
"Great-grandfather, my soul power has reached level twenty."
Now eight and a half years old, Yu Tianming had reached level twenty—roughly a full level ahead of Tang San at the same age.
Other than Tang San's advantage with Xuantian Technique, there wasn't much room for a large early-game gap in cultivation speed.
Just as in the original story—when Tang San reached level twenty-nine, Zhu Zhuqing, who had only seven innate soul power, was already at level twenty-seven. Their cultivation speed was nearly the same.
But Yu Tianming's real advantage wasn't speed. It was that he was five years older than Tang San and would develop earlier, giving him a head start in competing for resources.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded. "I've been raising your second soul ring beast for a year already, waiting for you to reach level twenty."
Two years ago, Yu Tianming had combed through the clan's archives and selected his second soul ring: the Thunder Mouse—a soul beast with a trace of dragon bloodline.
Centuries ago, the ancestors of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan had chosen it, but since the soul ring didn't directly boost combat power, it was eventually abandoned.
Later, because of its incredibly cute appearance, nobles captured them in large numbers. The wild population plummeted, and in captivity, excessive inbreeding caused serious bloodline degradation. The clan had spent a full year acquiring a suitable Thunder Mouse for Yu Tianming.
"I promised Tianxin I'd have a match with him first," Yu Tianming said. "Besides, it's already late. Let's get the soul ring tomorrow."
After bidding farewell to Yu Yuanzhen, he ran down the mountain to find Yu Tianxin.
On a training ground within the clan, the level twenty Yu Tianming was sparring with the level sixteen Yu Tianxin.
Normally, a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's first soul skill was Thunder Dragon Claw—suitable for both long-range and close combat and came with a paralysis effect.
But under Yu Tianming's suggestion, Yu Yuanzhen decided only average-talent clansmen should pick Thunder Dragon Claw. Geniuses with potential to become Soul Douluo were offered an alternative: Armor-Breaking Thunder Dragon Claw.
This skill ignored thirty percent of lightning resistance, increased strength by fifty percent, and doubled the power in both arms.
Though it lacked direct offensive power early on, the later-stage amplification combined with dragon transformation made it far more formidable.
Originally, the skill would emit chaotic lightning from the arms. But after endless training, Yu Tianxin tamed the lightning. Now, when he activated the skill, the energy flowed like water around his hands and forearms—reducing soul power consumption and increasing agility.
While it couldn't compare to his future self-created skill, 'Winds Gather, Rain Falls, Clouds Obscure the Sun—Dragon Soars in the Skies, Yu Clan Thunder Rolls,' it was still a solid improvement.
On the training ground, Yu Tianxin shouted, "Armor-Breaking Thunder Dragon Claw!" His hands turned deep blue as he charged at Yu Tianming.
Yu Tianming didn't dodge with speed, nor did he take to the air to attack from a distance. Instead, he faced him head-on, using the clash to hone his combat instincts.
Though Yu Tianxin's skill-boosted strength surpassed his own, Yu Tianming's attack speed was much faster. With his martial soul attached, he had a dragon's head and wings to assist in the fight, quickly overwhelming Yu Tianxin on multiple fronts.
Still, the lightning on Yu Tianxin's arms inflicted some damage thanks to his soul skill. And in close quarters, his raw power made it an even fight.
As the two battled fiercely, Yu Tianheng watched from a short distance away.
Half a year ago, Yu Tianheng had undergone his martial soul awakening. With innate soul power of 8.7, he surpassed Yu Tianxin.
Now six and a half, he had just obtained his first soul ring and was already a level twelve soul master. Though two years younger than Yu Tianxin, the gap in soul power was only four levels. Given his superior talent, that gap would only shrink over time—he was destined to surpass Yu Tianxin.
In a few decades, once they all reached advanced stages, the difference in power might mirror that of their grandfathers: Yu Yuanzhen, a top-tier Titled Douluo, and Yu Luomian, stuck at Soul Sage level for years.
Yu Tianheng's talent wasn't as high as Yu Yuanzhen's, while Yu Tianxin surpassed Yu Luomian. The likely outcome—one Titled Douluo and one Soul Douluo.
These two grandfather-grandson pairs seemed to mirror each other, a living testament to Douluo Continent's emphasis on talent.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and golden light filled the sky, the two fighters remained locked in a stalemate.
'No matter how hard I try, can I really not match up to superior talent?' Yu Tianxin felt discouraged. He knew Yu Tianming was about to obtain his second soul ring, and Yu Tianheng was closing in on him.
The gap in talent felt like a chasm. No matter how hard he tried, progress was minimal.
Yu Tianming offered the only comfort he could think of from his past life.
"If you work hard, you'll see results. If you don't, you'll never succeed."
He thought quietly, 'Once I absorb my second soul ring and get the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, I won't let the brothers who were fed by the same mother fall into obscurity.'
Though disheartened, Yu Tianxin didn't give up. He turned to Yu Tianheng, who had been watching.
"Tianheng, let's spar. I want to see how well you've grasped your soul skill."
As the direct heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan, Yu Tianheng had long been entrusted with the hopes of the sect. Under the guidance of many elders, he had grown calm and composed. He stepped forward and cupped his fists.
"As you wish."
Yu Tianming had no interest in watching their match. He already knew the outcome—Yu Tianxin, with his level advantage, would win.
Besides, Ah Zhu and Ah Zhi had already finished preparing dinner, and Yu Tianming was starving. He just wanted to eat.
When he got home, the table was covered with over a dozen dishes. Ah Zhu and Ah Zhi were waiting for him. Seeing the scene, warmth filled Yu Tianming's heart. He sat down and smiled at them.
"Sit and eat with me."
They followed his words and took their seats. But today, the usually silent Ah Zhu spoke up.
"Young Master, I've reached level twenty. What soul ring should I choose?"
Yu Tianming was stunned. That strong? With less than level four innate soul power, she had nearly reached Shrek Academy's threshold before the age of thirteen.
He replied, "After I absorb my second soul ring tomorrow, I'll personally help you get yours."
Ah Zhu smiled. "I'll follow your lead, Young Master."
(End of Chapter)
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