Dai Huabin's pupils shrank rapidly. Under the impact, even the Aura he had condensed became slightly disordered, and his mind went blank: "A thousand-year... Second spirit ring?!"
Over the past two years, Caelus had enjoyed the highest level of resource allocation from the royal family, and Xu Jiujiu's investment in him was truly relentless.
Not only top-tier meditation methods and theoretical knowledge, but Xu Jiujiu had also sought out several pieces of rare treasures like whale glue, which could strengthen the foundation, temper the physique, and enhance physical fitness.
Although the age of the materials wasn't top-notch, for a Soul Master in his age group, it was already a Heaven-Defying Opportunity.
Coupled with the potential of his Regent of Time Martial Soul and his extraordinary diligence and hard work, he finally possessed the capital to challenge a thousand-year soul ring for his Second spirit ring.
Nebula Douluo Man Yi, who had led him on the soul hunt at the time, was shocked for a long time when she personally witnessed him successfully absorbing the thousand-year soul ring. Even with her Titled Douluo mindset, she repeatedly sighed, marveling at how formidable the younger generation was.
At this moment, this purple spirit ring, which defied common sense, quietly floated beneath Caelus's feet, radiating an undeniable powerful Aura.
Immediately afterward, illuminated by that deep purple light, Caelus's Second Spirit Skill was fiercely activated for the first time in front of everyone.
There was no earth-shattering momentum, nor were there dazzling light effects.
Only Caelus's figure became incredibly ethereal in that instant.
It was as if he was no longer in the "present moment," but had developed a subtle deviation from the current flow of time.
Second Spirit Skill, The Me Beyond.
Dai Huabin's punch, which had been full of determination and condensed all his strength, actually... passed right through.
His fist passed through Caelus's ethereal chest without any obstruction, as if there was nothing there but a patch of empty air.
The immense force had nowhere to land, causing Dai Huabin to stumble forward. All his Aura and strength instantly dissipated, and the expression on his face turned from ferocious to stunned disbelief.
"This... impossible?!"
Just as Dai Huabin lost focus and left himself wide open due to the missed attack, Caelus's ethereal figure solidified once more.
He delivered a simple, direct hand chop, accurately striking the back of Dai Huabin's neck.
Before the shock in Dai Huabin's eyes could fade, he felt his vision go dark, grunted, and collapsed softly onto the ground, losing consciousness.
The battle ended.
Inside and outside the arena, there was first a dead silence, followed by an explosion of even more intense discussion.
"A thousand-year Second spirit ring, and what kind of Spirit Ability was that? Completely untouchable."
"What kind of monster is Caelus..."
"Now Dai Huabin definitely can't complain about losing..."
Everyone's gaze focused on Caelus, especially the two spirit rings—one yellow and one purple—that were slowly receding beneath his feet, yet still stung the eyes.
This unconventional spirit ring configuration, paired with the mysterious and unpredictable Second Spirit Skill that seemed to guarantee invincibility, instantly made Caelus's image incredibly lofty and enigmatic in everyone's hearts.
Caelus calmly withdrew his hand, nodding slightly toward Zhu Lu, who rushed forward, and the healing teacher who had arrived upon hearing the news. Without offering any further explanation, he turned and left, accompanied by Lan Susu and the others, who were equally excited and starry-eyed, ignoring the gazes filled with shock, awe, worship, and scrutiny.
After leaving the training ground, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo finally recovered from their shock. Their large eyes were practically sparkling, and they grabbed Caelus's arms, one on each side, chattering their adoration:
"Elder Brother Caelus, your Second Spirit Skill is too amazing! How did you do that?"
"Yeah, yeah, even Dai Huabin's powerful attacks couldn't hit you."
"It's fine if I tell you. My Second Spirit Skill is called The Me Beyond. Its effect is to cause a slight deviation between my own time phase and the main time flow, putting me in a state where I cannot be directly locked onto or attacked."
Caelus smiled. He was going to use the Spirit Ability eventually, so telling Lan Susu and the others was fine.
He spoke casually, but to the others, his words sounded like a clap of thunder.
Unable to be locked onto or attacked?
Didn't this mean that most physical and energy attacks were ineffective against him? This Spirit Ability... was practically unsolvable.
Xu Yun snapped out of her shock, her face excited. Standing on her tiptoes, she vigorously patted Caelus's shoulder:
"Awesome, Caelus! That move was too cool. Let's see who dares to provoke you now."
Caelus smiled helplessly and briefly explained:
"It's not that exaggerated. The consumption is huge, and I can't attack while it's active. It's more of a life-saving ability or a way to create a counterattack Opportunity during critical moments."
Even so, in the eyes of Lan Susu and the others, this was still a nearly unsolvable and powerful Spirit Ability, and their admiration for Caelus was even more obvious.
A few days later, one afternoon around dismissal time, Xu Jiujiu's signature royal carriage once again stopped outside the Star Luo Royal Junior Soul Master Academy.
This time, she personally walked into the Academy and went straight to the outside of Caelus's classroom.
At this moment, Caelus was surrounded by Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, discussing a small Soul Power control technique, while Xu Yun stood nearby, hands on her hips, mimicking a teacher as she instructed her little follower, Dai Luoli, in basic physical training.
"Caelus." Xu Jiujiu's clear and pleasant voice rang out at the doorway.
The group turned their heads simultaneously, seeing Xu Jiujiu standing there with a smile.
Two years had passed, and she had shed some of her youthful naivety, becoming even more devastatingly beautiful.
A light purple uniform skirt outlined her graceful figure, making her look elegant and noble yet still lively.
Just by standing there, she naturally seemed to exude a faint, elegant fragrance that refreshed the mind, like a secluded orchid in a vacant valley.
"Elder Sister Jiu Jiu."
Caelus was slightly surprised but immediately stood up. After two years of interaction, his way of addressing Xu Jiujiu had become much more intimate.
Meanwhile, Xu Yun, upon seeing her aunt, immediately shrank her neck like a mouse seeing a cat. Her previous bossy Aura vanished completely.
She feared nothing under heaven, except being lectured by her aunt Xu Jiujiu. That feeling made her scalp prickle more than facing her Imperial Father Xu Jiawei.
"Au— Aunt, why are you here?"
Xu Yun mumbled softly.
Xu Jiujiu glanced at her, said nothing more, and spoke gently to Caelus: "Come out with me for a moment, I have something to discuss with you."
Caelus nodded, signaled to Lan Susu and the others, and then left with Xu Jiujiu.
Watching Caelus leave side-by-side with her powerful aunt, and noting the inexplicable familiarity and tacit understanding between the two, a thought suddenly popped into Xu Yun's head that startled even herself—
'This guy Caelus... surely he won't... become my uncle in the future?!'
This idea exploded in her mind like a thunderclap, causing her eyes to widen instantly.
The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. Her aunt's attention to Caelus was extraordinary: personally picking him up and dropping him off, gifting him a manor, providing massive resources, and now even coming to the Academy herself to find him.
Furthermore, although Caelus was young, his temperament and talent could not be measured by ordinary standards.