Time flies like an arrow, and sixteen years have passed in the blink of an eye!
Sixteen years! For the long history of the entire Douluo Continent, it is just a blink of an eye, but for some people, it is their entire life.
Star Dou Great Forest, core circle!
In a vast valley, a handsome young man with blond hair and blue eyes stood facing a burly man.
The young man stood tall and straight, his blond hair flying wildly in the wind, his blue eyes shining with determination and fearlessness.
He gripped the long spear in his hand, the spear gleaming with a cold light.
The man's massive body stood like a mountain, his thick limbs full of explosive power, his sharp claws gleaming coldly.
Several people, both men and women, surrounded the two, all possessing extraordinary bearing.
With the sound of a flute, the battle erupted instantly.
The young man moved with lightning speed, launching the first attack.
He wielded his spear, creating a flurry of spear shadows as he thrust towards the man.
The man roared, swinging his massive bear paw to meet the sword's shadow; the sound of clashing metal echoed through the valley.
The young man nimbly dodged and weaved, avoiding the man's fierce attacks while simultaneously seizing opportunities to unleash sharp spear strikes.
The bear king was equally relentless, each of its attacks carrying a devastating force.
The two fought fiercely, exchanging blows that sent dust and sand flying through the valley.
The young man's clothes were soaked with sweat, but his gaze grew increasingly resolute, and his spear swung with even greater speed.
After a fierce exchange, the young man's spear technique became increasingly refined, and the man's attacks gradually lost their threat.
Finally, the burly man stopped attacking.
Looking at the boy, his eyes revealed admiration, he loudly proclaimed, "Boy, you're strong enough to graduate!"
"Thank you, Uncle Bear!"
The boy smiled joyfully upon hearing this.
He sheathed his spear and bowed deeply to Xiong Jun, expressing his gratitude for the training.
The boy was none other than Qian Renshang, and the burly man was Xiong Jun, a ferocious beast with over 400,000 years of cultivation, the Dark Golden Terror Claw Bear.
"I, Old Bear, have nothing left to teach you.
So many years have passed… and you've already learned everything I've taught you,"
Xiong Jun sighed, looking at Qian Renshang.
A man with fiery red hair and a carefree demeanor beside him also spoke with a hint of resentment.
"Qian Renshang's talent is terrifying. I had nothing left to teach him three years ago."
"Me too… I completely learned everything I taught him a year ago,"
the somewhat gloomy-faced man said calmly. He was the Demon King.
"He's also learned the essence of life's affinity..."
said Bi Ji, a stunningly beautiful woman in a green dress, with Zi Ji echoing beside her.
"I've taught this child all the knowledge I possess... and he can even apply it to other situations.
I'm truly impressed."
Finally, a tall, imposing man spoke up.
"Boy... you've completely passed the test."
His name was Di Tian, the Beast God Di Tian!
Sixteen years had passed, but time seemed to have left no trace on him; he remained as aloof as ever.
"It's all thanks to the excellent teaching of all the uncles and aunts... I just like to be an early bird,"
the boy said modestly, patting him.
Di Tian looked at the boy's humble demeanor with a touch of cold rebelliousness.
If this child was a slow bird, then there were no intelligent people in the world.
He sized up Qian Renshang.
Sixteen years had passed,
and the once naive yet stubborn child had grown up to be 22 years old.
However, due to the prolonged blood-slicing and self-sacrifice he had performed to save someone, his body had suffered immense damage.
His face was still exquisite, his blond hair still shone brightly, and his blue eyes were still clear and captivating, but his figure appeared extremely thin.
What should have been a tall and imposing physique now resembled that of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy.
His skin had lost its healthy luster, appearing slightly pale.
His once broad shoulders now seemed somewhat narrow.
While the contours of his face still retained their former handsomeness, they now showed signs of weariness and fragility.
His eyes still held the fearlessness and determination of his youth, but also a depth and sorrow born of experience.
Yet, even so, an indomitable light still shone in his gaze, as if telling of his inner strength and perseverance.
"Don't keep staring at me like that… Uncle Di Tian, I'm getting shy."
Finally, Qian Renshang, unable to bear Di Tian's gaze any longer, scratched his head awkwardly, revealing some of the childishness characteristic of a young man.
"You little rascal… remember to smile more!
Why don't you smile as much as you used to now that you're older?
I remember you were always laughing like an idiot back then,"
Di Tian teased.
"A smile..."
Qian Renshang took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly dimming.
"But...she hasn't woken up yet, for nineteen years. How can I smile!"
Hearing this, all the Beast Kings froze.
They naturally knew who Qian Renshang was referring to.
It was their Soul Beast Lord, the Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena!
That's right, sixteen years had passed, and Gu Yuena still hadn't woken up.
Although her life wasn't in danger, no one could say for sure when she would awaken.
Qian Renshang's sorrowful eyes looked down at his feet, obscuring his face.
After bidding farewell to Di Tian and the others, he went directly to Gu Yuena's room.
He pushed open the door and entered!
A faint fragrance filled the room.
A silver-haired girl lay quietly on the bed, her silky silver hair casually scattered across the pillow like a silver veil.
Her eyes were half-closed, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she were having a sweet dream.
Her delicate face and fair skin were exceptionally captivating in the soft light, like a sleeping beauty, making one want to gently wake her.
Qian Renshang's footsteps were light, afraid of disturbing this peaceful beauty.
He slowly approached the bedside, his gaze filled with tenderness and affection, quietly gazing at the sleeping Gu Yuena.
"Sister Nana… I've come to see you again."
…
On the other side, after Qian Renshang left, Di Tian and the others looked serious.
"Biji... what's the current situation of our Lord?"
"Because Qian Renshang has been feeding the Lord his blood for over a decade, his condition has actually stabilized completely.
He shouldn't need Qian Renshang's blood anymore,"
Biji said softly, her face grave.
"However, I can't determine the exact time he'll wake up... it depends on the Lord's own efforts."
"And what changes will occur after he wakes up... I don't know either."
As their shared master of soul beasts, the Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena was undoubtedly of utmost concern to them.
(End of Chapter)
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