"It's actually a Rare Candy?"
When the System's cold, mechanical voice announced the reward, Liu Yuan's eyes lit up like stars in the night.
Rare Candy.
As a transmigrator, he knew exactly what this item meant.
In the Pokémon world, it was a divine item capable of raising a Pokémon's level instantly—no conditions, no effort required.
Simple. Crude. Absolute.
But here… this was the Douluo Continent.
Liu Yuan's heartbeat quickened as a bold, almost insane idea ignited in his mind like wildfire.
The cultivation system here was completely different.
In the early stages—from Spirit Scholar to Soul Elder—the progression was relatively smooth. With enough talent, resources, and proper spirit rings, advancement wasn't too difficult.
But after that?
Everything changed.
Once a Spirit Master reached Spirit King or Spirit Emperor, every rank became a massive hurdle.
And beyond Rank 90… the difficulty skyrocketed.
From Rank 90 to 91 could take years.
From 91 to 95? A gulf countless Titled Douluo never crossed in their entire lives.
And Rank 95 onward—the realm of Super Douluo—was even more terrifying. Each level required an astronomical accumulation of power and comprehension.
Especially the step from Rank 98 to Rank 99.
That single step had trapped countless peak experts.
How long had Gluttonous Douluo Xuan Zi been stuck at Rank 98?
Even he probably didn't remember anymore.
The same was true for Body Sect Master Du Bisi.
Across the entire continent, how many could truly stand at Rank 99—the absolute peak?
That one rank was the ultimate qualitative leap.
And now…
What if he saved this Rare Candy until Rank 98?
Then—
Break through instantly to Rank 99!
The moment that thought formed, it struck his mind like thunder, sending waves crashing through his heart.
This wasn't just valuable.
It was a ticket to becoming a Limit Douluo.
"The Black Gold Horned Bull Beast… I must find it."
Liu Yuan clenched his fists, his resolve hardening completely.
Without hesitation, he suppressed his excitement and threw himself into the search.
---
With Extreme Speed integrated into his movement, he became a flickering afterimage, darting through the eerie Sunset Forest with astonishing efficiency.
But time passed quickly.
Two and a half days… gone.
Despite searching tirelessly and even killing several Spirit Beasts along the way, he still hadn't found his target.
"Damn… is this thing really that rare?"
Leaning against a twisted metallic tree, Liu Yuan frowned slightly, his breathing steady but tinged with fatigue.
Even with his physique, such intense searching was exhausting.
He quickly realized the problem.
The Black Gold Horned Bull Beast wasn't just rare—it was nearly extinct in this region.
Its horns were premium materials for soul tools, especially in the Sun Moon Empire. Years of hunting had driven its population to the brink.
"No wonder it's so hard to find…"
He exhaled slowly.
But there was no time to waste.
Only half a day remained.
Taking a deep breath, Liu Yuan adjusted his mindset and pushed deeper into the forest.
---
Then—
Crack.
A faint sound echoed from a nearby thicket.
Liu Yuan froze instantly.
His gaze sharpened.
On the other side of the bushes, a massive Spirit Beast stood quietly, gnawing on a metallic plant.
Its body resembled a bull, muscles bulging with power.
But the most striking feature—
Its horns.
Jet black, half a meter long, with dark golden glints shimmering under the light.
Black Gold Horned Bull Beast.
Finally.
Liu Yuan's eyes burned with focus.
Judging by its height—nearly two meters—it had clearly surpassed ten thousand years of cultivation.
Then he noticed something else.
Wounds.
Circular scars along its flank and hind legs.
Burn marks.
"...Bullet wounds."
Someone had already fought it.
And failed.
"Doesn't matter."
Liu Yuan stepped forward without hesitation.
The Bull Beast immediately reacted.
"Moo—!"
Its eyes turned blood-red as it stomped the ground, cracking the earth beneath it.
Then—
It charged.
Like a runaway war chariot, its massive body thundered forward, horns aimed straight at Liu Yuan's chest.
The pressure was immense.
But Liu Yuan didn't move.
Not until the very last instant.
"Martial Soul Possession."
"Extreme Speed."
No explosion.
No dramatic surge.
Just—
A blur.
His figure vanished.
A streak of emerald light flashed past the beast's side.
Time seemed to slow.
The Bull Beast continued charging, confusion flashing in its eyes.
Behind it—
Liu Yuan reappeared, standing calmly, retracting his fingers.
Silence.
Then—
Pfft.
A thin line appeared across the beast's neck.
Blood followed.
"Moo…"
Its body collapsed with a heavy crash.
Dead.
Instantly.
---
[Ding! Mission complete!]
[Reward: Rare Candy ×1]
A radiant candy appeared in Liu Yuan's hand, glowing with a seven-colored sheen.
[Effect: Increase spirit power by one rank, ignoring bottlenecks.]
[Suggestion: Use at Rank 98 to reach Rank 99.]
"Just as I thought…"
He smiled.
Carefully, he stored it away like a priceless treasure.
This was his future.
---
Just as he turned to leave—
Rustle.
Cloth fluttered in the wind.
Liu Yuan's eyes narrowed as he turned sharply.
Two figures stepped out from the grass.
A boy and a girl.
Around fourteen or fifteen years old.
The boy was handsome, the girl delicate and pretty.
They shared similar features—siblings.
Both wore elegant silver-white uniforms embroidered with a golden sun-and-moon emblem.
Their aura carried unmistakable pride and nobility.
Their eyes weren't on Liu Yuan—
But on the corpse behind him.
Shock.
Disappointment.
And a hint of frustration.
"Oh no! Xiao! This is all your fault!" the girl complained, stamping her foot. "You hesitated too long! Now someone else has taken the Black Gold Horned Bull Beast!"