The phoenix, a being comparable to purebred dragons, is naturally at the top of all flying soul beasts.
At this moment, Shui Lingguang's Ice Phoenix had already evolved into a true and pure divine beast—an Ice Phoenix. In terms of martial soul rank, it was no less than a pureblood true dragon. It could be said that Shui Lingguang, whose martial soul evolved into a pure Ice Phoenix, had essentially ascended to the heavens in a single step.
A resounding phoenix cry, accompanied by an aura of majesty and nobility, filled the hall. The extreme cold surged within, as the evolved Ice Phoenix recklessly unleashed its pressure. Shui Lingguang's usually calm aura began to shift dramatically.
Level 97.
Peak of Level 97.
Level 98.
Peak of Level 98.
In just two short minutes, Shui Lingguang's soul power had climbed straight from Level 97 to the peak of Level 98—and it even showed signs of continuing to rise.
Time passed slowly, yet Shui Lingguang's aura remained firmly at Level 98. The door to becoming an Ultimate Douluo was far more challenging to push open than anyone imagined.
After over ten more minutes, her aura began to settle and finally stabilized at the peak of Level 98.
The Ice Phoenix spread its wings and soared, its six black and three red soul rings glowing with brilliance. Its immense pressure, carrying the icy chill of ultimate frost, swept across the hall.
Su Yu held Snow Empress tightly, shielding her from the pressure, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Shui Lingguang's aura exuded strength and nobility, combined with an overwhelming grandeur that was pure and majestic.
Although both were at the peak of Level 98, Shui Lingguang's soul power was far more stable than Yan Shaozhe's. After all, Shui Lingguang's increase in power stemmed from the evolution of her martial soul, which naturally elevated her soul power.
This kind of power not only avoided weakening her foundation but even strengthened her inner potential. It was entirely incomparable to Yan Shaozhe's method of gaining power through external energy transfer.
Among all the ways to increase soul power, energy transfer was considered the most crude and forceful method—a shortcut that often came at the expense of stability. Soul power gained this way was invariably unstable. Even if fully refined, it could never compare to power cultivated through one's efforts.
By comparison, using rare heavenly treasures to enhance one's power was a more reliable approach, as long as it wasn't overindulged. These treasures, unless consumed excessively, generally had minimal negative effects.
Of course, immortal herbs were an exception. Not only did they lack negative effects, but they also strengthened one's foundation and vitality. This was precisely why they were called immortal herbs.
Shui Lingguang's beautiful eyes opened slightly, and her aura, which had surged throughout the hall, receded as quickly as it had come. In an instant, the previously overwhelming pressure vanished entirely.
Even with Su Yu's spiritual power, he could only perceive that Shui Lingguang's state was now as calm as a still mirror, without the slightest ripple.
To achieve this level of control immediately after such a breakthrough was truly extraordinary.
"Spiritual Domain Realm," Su Yu murmured.
"What did you say?" Snow Empress asked, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at him.
"It's nothing," Su Yu responded with a faint smile, though his eyes gleamed with thought.
It seemed that Shui Lingguang's consumption of the Rebirth Ice Lotus Seed had done far more than just evolve her martial soul, enhance her soul power, and strengthen her physical body. Her spiritual power had also broken through during the evolution, reaching the Spiritual Domain Realm. Without this, she couldn't possibly exhibit such exceptional control.
This was extraordinary.
With spiritual power at the Spiritual Domain Realm, Shui Lingguang's eventual breakthrough to Ultimate Douluo was inevitable—it was only a matter of time.
It was worth noting that the Spiritual Domain Realm was a hallmark of Ultimate Douluo-level spiritual power. Among those below the Ultimate rank, Su Yu had only ever encountered two individuals who had reached this realm: Mu Wu and now Shui Lingguang.
Even Du Busi with all his power had only reached the peak of the Spirit Abyss Realm in terms of spiritual strength, which was comparable to Su Yu's current level.
While this difference seemed small, it was an incredibly difficult gap to overcome.
Frankly speaking, Shui Lingguang was now practically invincible among those below Ultimate Douluo.
With peak Level 98 cultivation, a six-black, three-red soul ring configuration, at least three pieces of 100,000-year-old soul bones, a pure divine beast martial soul—the Ice Phoenix—and mastery of ultimate ice, her strength was unparalleled.
Other than Mu Wu, Su Yu couldn't imagine any other Level 98 peak Douluo defeating Shui Lingguang.
The terror of a Level 98 Super Douluo with an ultimate martial soul was beyond ordinary imagination.
While Du Busi was strong, even he would have to retreat in the face of Shui Lingguang, who was at the same level. As for Yan Shaozhe, he wasn't even worth mentioning—he wasn't qualified to be compared to the others.
The only potential threat was Xuan Zi, who had stabilized his Dark Nether Taotie martial soul.
To be fair, Xuan Zi had truly become something extraordinary after his corruption. The Dark Nether Taotie martial soul was exceptionally powerful and only slightly weaker than Mu Wu's Ice River Baxia martial soul.
If Xuan Zi could maintain stability with his corrupted martial soul, he would be a significant threat. However, Xuan Zi's current status was unknown—dead, or taken by the Holy Spirit Cult—it was still a mystery.
Su Yu shook his head, brushing aside these scattered thoughts. Looking at Shui Lingguang, who had already retracted her aura and risen gracefully, a faint smile curled on his lips.
Shui Lingguang was his person. The stronger she became, the happier he felt.
At the moment, Shui Lingguang was still immersed in the changes within her body. This transformation was nothing short of a rebirth for her.
Shui Lingguang had always been strong, but her strength had its limits.
Among the nine guardians, both Mu Wu and Xiao Qiancheng had been stronger than her.
The rankings of the nine guardians had never been arbitrary—they had always been based on strength.
Lu Yuan, at the peak of Level 97, could hold his own against Level 98 Super Douluo. This was something the former Shui Lingguang couldn't achieve.
Xiao Qiancheng, an older Super Douluo with a peak Level 97 soul power, had also surpassed Shui Lingguang in skill and experience.
But now, Shui Lingguang has achieved transcendence. Even Lu Yuan would be no match for her anymore.
The ultimate Ice Phoenix was no joke. Its martial soul rank even surpassed the Titan Snow Demon.
This astonishing transformation left even Shui Lingguang herself in disbelief.
"Thank you, Young Master," Shui Lingguang said, kneeling respectfully before Su Yu, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration and reverence.
Without Su Yu's gift, she could never have achieved such a breakthrough.
"Your improvement is also a blessing for the Ice God Temple. Serve the temple well in the future. Stand up," Su Yu said, helping her up.
"Shui Lingguang is willing to give her life for the Young Master," she replied solemnly, her tone filled with determination.
Su Yu sighed, patting her delicate shoulder softly.
He turned and walked back to Snow Empress' side. Glancing around the hall and then at the sky outside, Su Yu noted that a new day had begun.
"Lingguang, familiarize yourself with your newfound power and prepare for your breakthrough to Ultimate Douluo. I will take my leave."
With a meaningful glance at Snow Empress, Su Yu quickly departed. It had been three days since his last examination and training—he couldn't delay any longer.
With Su Yu and Snow Empress gone, only Mu Wu, Shui Lingguang, and Bing Qing remained in the hall.
"Lingguang, congratulations," Bing Qing said, her charming face unable to hide her envy.
As a guardian, she understood better than anyone just how precious the Rebirth Ice Lotus Seed was.
The most sacred treasure of the Ice God Palace was the Rebirth Ice Lotus. Its sole purpose was to produce its seeds, which were so rare that only four had been collected over tens of thousands of years.
Shui Lingguang had been fortunate enough to receive one. How could Bing Qing not be envious? If she had consumed the seed, she too could have reached Level 98.
Her envy was undeniable.
"Lingguang, such envy is misplaced," Mu Wu remarked with a chuckle. "This is what Lingguang deserved. After all, her lineage has sacrificed so much. The Young Master is simply compensating her."
Bing Qing smiled slyly and quipped, "If the Young Master truly wanted to compensate Lingguang, he should just marry her. Everyone knows who Lingguang has been saving herself for, after all."
Shui Lingguang's delicate face turned slightly red as she shyly said, "Bingqing, don't talk nonsense."
"How is it nonsense, Lingguang? Don't you have feelings for the young master?"
"If you don't, then I won't hold back. After all, I think the young master isn't bad at all," Bingqing said with a mischievous smile.
"No way!" Shui Lingguang instinctively replied.
As soon as she said it, she noticed Bingqing's teasing gaze and her face turned even redder.
"Alright, Bingqing, stop teasing Lingguang. You know she's thin-skinned, yet you still mess with her," Mu Wu intervened.
"Also, matters concerning the young master shouldn't be discussed behind his back. Helping Lingguang is fine, but you can't impose your thoughts on the young master."
"Debts and feelings are two completely different things, and the young master isn't someone who can be easily manipulated. Do you understand?" Mu Wu warned.
He understood Su Yu better than anyone. Su Yu was someone with strong opinions and decisive actions. Trying to pressure him with public opinion was impossible.
For the ones he liked, Su Yu could be endlessly gentle. But for those he felt nothing for, his indifference and ruthlessness were chilling.
Was Ma Xiaotao not beautiful enough? Was her figure not good enough? Even Shrek Academy had tried hard to match them. Ma Xiaotao herself had taken the initiative, even resorting to seduction.
And yet, what was the result?
When Su Yu made his move, he didn't hesitate in the slightest.
To Su Yu, as long as someone wasn't genuinely and wholeheartedly in love with him without any ulterior motives, he would never take her seriously.
Mu Wu didn't want any inappropriate actions from others to make Su Yu develop negative feelings toward Shui Lingguang. That wouldn't benefit her at all.
He hoped instead that Su Yu could see Lingguang's sincerity, her persistence, and her efforts. That would be far more reliable than any underhanded tricks.
"Understood, big brother," Bingqing said, seeing the seriousness in Mu Wu's expression. She stopped teasing and nodded solemnly.
Shui Lingguang's cheeks were still flushed, but she also nodded gently.
"As long as you understand. Don't do anything foolish. The young master is kind to his people, but only if they don't do things that truly offend him."
"As for Lingguang, I believe the young master already sees her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given her the Rebirth Life Ice Lotus Seed, nor would he have waited three days for her here."
"Other than a few main wives, I've never seen the young master protect another woman during cultivation. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Understood."
"Got it." Bingqing nodded, and Shui Lingguang's beautiful eyes lit up.
"That's all I have to say. Just keep it in mind."
"Lingguang, focus on adapting to your strength. The young master will need your help in the future," Mu Wu reminded her once more before turning and leaving.
Shui Lingguang glanced at Bingqing, then followed Mu Wu out of the hall.
Bingqing's eyes sparkled, and a faint smile played on her lips.
...
Two months quickly passed.
Su Yu was now 15 years old.
On the Ice God's Stairway, Su Yu was sitting on the 700th step, cultivating.
The higher he climbed, the more difficult it became.
In two months, Su Yu had managed to raise his cultivation location to the 700th step. His current limit was the 750th step, leaving more than 200 steps to reach the 999th step.
It didn't seem like much, but Su Yu knew that the last 200 steps would be incredibly hard to overcome.
By the time he reached the 700th step, the pain was already unimaginable for ordinary people.
If the 600th step felt like tearing muscles, then the 700th step was like skinning and breaking bones.
Su Yu had once experienced the pain of bone replacement when absorbing the Ice Emperor's spirit ring and bone. But that was just his left arm. Now, his entire body had to endure such pain constantly.
The agony of being skinned and boned was beyond words.
To make matters worse, the higher he climbed, the greater the pressure.
Not only did he have to endure the pain, but he also had to withstand the immense, omnipresent pressure. This kind of life was simply inhuman.
Yet, while Su Yu could be lazy at times, his desire to grow stronger was extremely intense.
The pain was excruciating, but his physical body and spiritual power were significantly improving. His soul power was also becoming increasingly pure.
Feeling the tangible benefits made the suffering worth it.
Su Yu's personality was somewhat extreme, with a ruthless streak—not only toward others but also toward himself.
As long as it wouldn't kill him, he was willing to push himself to the limit.
A man afraid of a little pain? Ridiculous. The pain was nothing but child's play.
One morning, Su Yu was cultivating on the Ice God's Stairway.
The pressure wrapped around him like an ocean's depths, and the formless pain swept through his entire body. His forehead and back were drenched in sweat.
Suddenly, a beam of ice-blue light shot into the stairway, and a figure in an ice-blue palace dress appeared beside him.
Her ethereal and pure aura, along with her cold yet stunningly beautiful face, revealed her identity—it was Shui Lingguang.
"Lingguang, why are you here?" Su Yu opened his eyes, looking at her with curiosity.
"Young master, someone from the outside world has come to see you," Shui Lingguang said softly, bowing slightly.
"Who?" Su Yu asked.
"It's the Martial Soul Department Dean from Shrek Academy who visited last time. He claims to be the Sea God's Pavilion Master and requests to meet you. Second Brother is stopping him outside," Shui Lingguang replied.
"Yan Shaozhe?" Su Yu raised an eyebrow. "What's that old man doing coming to our Ice God Hall again? Does he think I'm as idle as he is?"
"Tell him I won't see him!"
Shui Lingguang nodded seriously. "Then I'll inform him to leave with Zhang Lexuan and Ling Luochen."
"Wait, who did you say?"
"He also brought Zhang Lexuan and Ling Luochen," Shui Lingguang answered.
"Oh?" Su Yu's expression changed slightly. "He brought them along?"
"Yes," Shui Lingguang said, confused. "Young master, is there a problem?"
"No problem. I just think it's not easy for them to come this far. I'll see them."
Su Yu cleared his throat.
"Understood. I'll go summon them," Shui Lingguang said, preparing to leave.
But before she could, a flash of light appeared, and Mu Wu's figure materialized on the Ice God's Stairway.
"Young master, someone else has arrived…"