Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

The deafening laughter and declaration still echoed in the scorching air. Every word of "Good! Good! Good! Xia! I... am back!!!" was like molten lava, crashing into Lin Xia's heart and creating towering waves.

Five years!

Five whole years!

Countless days and nights, he had imagined this scene by the roaring furnace of the Blacksmith Association, in front of the cold mecha skeleton in the "Earth Core Furnace" workshop, and in the bustling city life of Gengjin City.

I've fantasized about my teacher returning in triumph amidst raging flames, and I've imagined that familiar figure, imbued with the scent of rust and embers, reappearing before my eyes.

He had imagined countless scenarios of their reunion—excitement, choked sobs, a toast, or a long, heart-to-heart talk… But when this moment truly arrived, when the figure on the high tower, reshaped by the golden flames of rebirth, like a fire god descending to earth yet carrying an unforgettable sense of familiarity, clearly came into view, Lin Xia realized that all his preconceived notions had collapsed.

A surge of scalding, uncontrollable emotion instantly breached the dam of reason, rushing straight to his eyes.

"teacher!!!"

A hoarse cry, a mixture of endless longing, ecstasy, grievance, and the relief of finally being lifted from a heavy burden, burst forth from Lin Xia's throat.

He was no longer the composed and confident young leader in front of the blacksmiths' association; now, he was more like a child who had finally found his loved ones.

Like an arrow released from a bow, or a moth drawn to a flame, he ignored the terrifyingly high temperature emanating from the towering building, enough to incinerate metal, and the instinctive awe brought by the oppressive aura. He transformed into a blurry gray shadow, rushing towards the figure suspended above the divine flame furnace with resolute determination.

Lou Gao watched the figure rushing towards him. The majesty in his burning crimson-gold eyes receded like the tide, leaving only pure, almost overflowing emotion and compassion.

He did not retract his outstretched arms, but instead opened them even wider to welcome his disciples, whom he regarded as his own children.

boom!
Lin Xia crashed heavily into Lou Gao's embrace, her arms tightly gripping her teacher's waist, which was now as solid as iron yet felt incredibly familiar.

The force was so great that it seemed to crush all the worries, waiting, and self-blame of the past five years into this embrace.

Lou Gao was jolted slightly by the impact, and then his arms, burning with fiery gold, tightly embraced Lin Xia. His large, fan-like hands patted Lin Xia's back forcefully, making a dull but powerful sound, as if to confirm that this was not a dream.

"Good lad! Good lad! You've grown taller and stronger! Let your teacher take a good look at you!"

Lou Gao's voice was still loud, but it carried a hint of barely perceptible sob, and his eyes, which were like a sea of ​​lava, also shone with a gentle light.

He could feel the vibrant life force and unwavering strength emanating from the young body in his arms, which filled him with immense joy.

He carefully examined Lin Xia's raised face—a face that had shed its childishness, with sharp features, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and was beginning to show a heroic bearing.

Time and experience have etched a composure and fortitude far beyond his years on his face, but at this moment, tears flowed uncontrollably from his deep, bright eyes like beads from a broken string, streaming down his young cheeks and dripping onto Lou Gao's chest, which shimmered with a dark golden luster and burned like a brand, instantly evaporating into barely perceptible white steam.

"What are you crying for! You're a real man! Your teacher is perfectly fine, isn't he? In fact, he's had a great stroke of luck!"

Lou Gao deliberately put on a stern face, but he couldn't hide the heartache and relief in his eyes. His rough fingers clumsily tried to wipe away the tears on Lin Xia's face.

Lin Xia just shook her head, unable to speak, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.

Five years of concern, the heavy responsibility of the association, plans for the future, and constant worry about the safety of the teachers... all the pent-up emotions found an outlet at this moment.

Like a true child, he buried his head in his teacher's strong shoulder, letting tears soak the sacred red-gold hair. Lou Gao felt a surge of warmth and was filled with emotion.

This child, though so outstanding and radiant, was still that same sincere boy in his presence. He gently patted Lin Xia's back, savoring this warmth that was five years overdue.

However, in this tender embrace, Lou Gao's perception, honed to its extreme by the Phoenix Divine Fire and as precise as the most sophisticated soul-guided probe, naturally and without hindrance penetrated Lin Xia's subconsciously restrained aura barrier and came into contact with the surging soul power within him.

boom!
Lou Gao's expression of emotion and compassion froze instantly!

His pupils, which were burning with golden divine fire, suddenly shrank to needles!
It was as if we had witnessed something even more incredible and defied common sense than the phoenix's rebirth itself!

"Wha...what?!"

Lou Gao's arm suddenly stiffened, and his action of patting Lin Xia's back stopped in mid-air.

An invisible, profound shock from the depths of his soul caused even the Nirvana Golden Flame flowing around him to sway violently, as if a boulder had been thrown into a calm lava lake!
He lowered his head in disbelief, his gaze like a tangible probe piercing through Lin Xia's body, firmly "nailing" onto the soul core that flowed ceaselessly, was profound and refined, and exuded a powerful life force and pure star power!
The strength of this soul power... its purity... its vast and unfathomable depth...

Soul King!

And he's... a peak Soul King?!

It seems he's only one step away from becoming a Soul Emperor?!

Lou Gao's mind went blank, as if he had been hit hard by an invisible hammer!

He shoved Lin Xia away a step, grabbed her shoulders tightly with both hands, and stared wide-eyed with extreme horror, bewilderment and a sense of absurdity that his worldview had been forcibly torn apart!
"Xia...Xia?! Your soul power?!"

Lou Gao's voice had completely changed; it was no longer the loud and cheerful one before, but rather a sharp, unbelievable hoarseness.

"A Soul... Soul King?! A peak Soul King?!"

He stared intently at Lin Xia's excessively young face, her tear-streaked cheeks still wet with tears, his voice trembling violently with extreme shock:

"You...how old are you this year?! Twelve years old?! A twelve-year-old...Soul King?!!"

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with extremely shocking questions.

He even subconsciously raised his hand and used his fingers, which were comparable to divine gold, to calculate the time, confirming that he had not lost track of time because of the divine test.

Twelve years old!
There has never been such a record in the history of mainland China!

Even the legendary reincarnations of gods have never been heard of making such astonishing progress in their mortal stage!
The cultivation of soul power becomes increasingly difficult in the later stages. The transition from Great Soul Master to Soul Venerable is a hurdle, and the transition from Soul Sect Master to Soul King is an insurmountable barrier that many people cannot overcome in their entire lives!
Countless exceptionally talented individuals are rare enough to reach the Soul Master level before the age of twenty, and are revered as peerless geniuses!
His disciple, Lin Xia, is twelve years old!

Not only did he break through to the Soul King level, but he also reached the pinnacle!
This can no longer be described simply as "extraordinary talent"!

This is simply breaking the ironclad rule of Soul Masters that has existed in the Douluo Continent since ancient times!

It's revolutionary! It's a miracle among miracles! (End of Chapter)