I’ve already become a titled Douluo, and only now the system arrives?

"Don't worry, when have you ever seen me do something I'm not sure about?"

Seeing everyone looking worried, Qin Xiao slightly smiled.

Is it just over a thousand steps?

He still had confidence.

Of course, this confidence was not blind, but based on his own strength.

He had undergone more than ten years of Thunder Body Tempering, and now, his soul power had reached level ninety-four.

Indeed, after nearly a year of healing, the final moment was rewarding.

His mysterious martial soul, after being well-fed and quenched, released a large amount of pure energy. Qin Xiao absorbed these energies, and his cultivation received a significant boost.

If he were to face Yu Yuanzhen again, Qin Xiao believed he would not be as embarrassed as he was the last time.

"Then be careful. If it really doesn't work out, you can always come back. There's still a year left until the next assessment period."

Ning Rongrong still looked very worried.

Qin Xiao shook his head with a smile.

Beside him, Zhu Zhuqing softly said, "Rongrong, step aside. I believe His Highness will definitely complete the assessment safely."

With that, she placed her hands on Ning Rongrong's shoulders and moved her aside by two steps.

Qin Xiao walked through the crowd and with a leap, arrived on the island, landing in front of the first step.

He looked up.

Wow, you really can't see the top.

"Look, Qin Xiao has reached the steps, it seems there are no surprises. His second assessment is also to climb the steps and feel the pressure brought by the light of the Sea God."

Outside the small island, in another direction, seven figures in black robes peeked out from the shadows.

"Sea Horse, keep your voice down. This kid has the cultivation of a titled Douluo. He hasn't officially stepped on the steps yet. If you're too loud, he can still hear our conversation."

Another person whispered.

"Understood, boss."

Sea Horse Douluo responded without turning his head.

Without a doubt, these people were the seven great pillar guardians of the Sea God Island.

Seeing Qin Xiao and the others heading this way, they guessed that Qin Xiao was likely attempting the second assessment. Out of curiosity, they all followed, and it turned out to be true.

"Boss, Qin Xiao has started, wow, he's moving fast. Two steps at a time, isn't that a bit arrogant?"

Suddenly, Sea Horse Douluo pointed ahead, unable to restrain his exclamation.

But no one responded to him.

Because the other pillar guardians by his side were also staring wide-eyed at Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao walked faster and faster, eventually starting to run.

His steps changed from two steps at a time to four or five, and later, it was hard for everyone to see exactly how many steps he took in one go.

It was as if he was unstoppable.

Twenty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred.

In just a dozen breaths, Qin Xiao had already climbed the first hundred steps.

Everyone: "."

Whether it was Zhu Zhuqing and the others, or the many titled Douluo level pillar guardians watching in secret, everyone was speechless.

"Your Highness, are you seriously completing the assessment? A hundred steps, just like that?"

Dugu Yan couldn't help but complain.

It took her several months to climb one hundred and eight steps, a process that was excruciatingly difficult, but for Qin Xiao?

She felt that Qin Xiao was not taking this so-called test seriously at all, or rather, so far, this test seemed no challenge to him.

"This kid is truly defying the heavens."

"It's really no use comparing with others. I remember it took me five months to break through."

"You did it in five months? That's pretty fast. It took me eight months."

"I'm sorry, I've embarrassed everyone. It took me nine and a half months, and I was about to give up, but then I had an unexpectedly good condition and luckily passed."

"Don't talk about him, it seems even the Grand Priest didn't achieve this back then?"

The many pillar guardians continued to marvel.

"Gentlemen, think about it, what was your cultivation back then? He's a titled Douluo. If you were to walk this path now, would you be inferior to him?"

Sea Horse Douluo felt he was a rare voice of reason.

However, the next words from Sea Dragon Douluo were like a bucket of cold water poured over Sea Horse Douluo's head.

Sure, here's the modified version:

"Sea Dragon, your words seem reasonable at first glance, but upon closer examination, they feel somewhat like a forced argument," Sea Horse Douluo said with a frown.

"What's the problem with that, boss?"

As the leader of the Seven Pillar Guardians, Sea Dragon Douluo held Sea Horse Douluo in high regard.

"Back when we came here to challenge, wasn't everyone around their teens? But who among us had the cultivation of a Titled Douluo at that age?"

"Ah, that..." Sea Horse Douluo was stumped, recalling how at eighteen or nineteen, he was only at the Soul King level.
"What 'ah'? Sea Horse, it's not hard to acknowledge when someone is outstanding, is it?" Sea Dragon Douluo asked sternly.

Sea Horse Douluo felt at a loss for words. "No, it's not hard. Qin Xiao is truly formidable."

Sea Dragon Douluo nodded. "It's good that you realize this."

As they refocused on Qin Xiao, Sea Dragon Douluo and Sea Horse Douluo were taken aback. "He's already reached the three hundredth step? This kid is really fast."

But when Qin Xiao reached the four hundredth step, it was clear that his pace had slowed down, returning to two steps at a time.

After reaching the six hundredth step, he was taking one step at a time, but he still seemed to be walking on flat ground.

Finally.

After reaching the seven hundredth step, Qin Xiao stopped.

"Is it over?" Sea Horse Douluo muttered. "If so, this time Lord Sea God has been absolutely fair."

The seven hundredth step should not be underestimated—it was Sea Horse Douluo's limit.

He was an established Titled Douluo, and although Qin Xiao was also a Titled Douluo, he was much younger. Believing Qin Xiao to be on par with him was already a high compliment.

"He's indeed very impressive; given time, this young man will certainly achieve great things."

Sea Dragon Douluo also slightly nodded.

He agreed with Sea Horse Douluo's sentiment.

However, how could Qin Xiao stop there?

After taking a deep breath, he took another step, firmly planting his foot on the seven hundred and first step and stood steadily.

The golden halo in the sky above the island suddenly brightened.

Without saying a word, it was clear to everyone that the pressure on Qin Xiao had increased significantly.

"Damn, how strong is this kid?"

Sea Horse Douluo inhaled sharply.

He, with his level ninety-two cultivation, couldn't reach the seven hundred and first step.

That seemingly ordinary step was actually a world apart.

At least, he couldn't stand firm on it.

"It seems we still underestimated this kid."

"Sea Horse, I don't know how strong he is, but I'm sure he's stronger than you. And by a good margin," Sea Dragon Douluo remarked solemnly.

Sea Horse Douluo: "Thanks for that reminder."

"It's really different; an ordinary Titled Douluo would likely find it difficult to stand here."

Qin Xiao felt some pressure, but not much.

Thinking about the rest of the path, Qin Xiao slightly furrowed his brow.

He realized that reaching the one thousand and first step would not be easy.

But no matter how difficult the road ahead, Qin Xiao would still forge ahead boldly.

Seven hundred fifty, seven hundred eighty, eight hundred...

Before long, Qin Xiao stopped again.

In the distance.

The expressions on the faces of the many pillar guardians became lively. 

Qin Xiao standing here had already surpassed most of them.

Among them, aside from Sea Dragon Douluo, no one had reached this point.

"If Qin Xiao takes another step forward, he'll reach the same level as the boss."

Sea Horse Douluo didn't realize his voice was hoarse.

"Yeah, I never thought this kid was so exceptional."

"I'm more and more curious about what level his cultivation is, how he trained."

"Maybe this is his limit?"

The crowd speculated continuously.

"No, his limit is definitely not just this."

"He might even surpass me."

Sea Dragon Douluo declared.

"Boss, you think so highly of this kid? You're already a level ninety-five Titled Douluo, could he really be on par with you?"

"Are you not overestimating him?"

"No, I'm not overestimating this kid."

"Don't you all realize something important?"

Sea Dragon Douluo looked around at his companions with a scrutinizing gaze. "He is a soul master but has never used any soul skills, nor has he shown any soul rings. Think back to when you completed the trial of the Light of the Sea God; what kind of effort did you use?"

"I used all my soul skills to help resist the pressure. Even now, to reach the seven hundredth step, I'd have to give it my all."

"Doesn't that mean, if he makes another push, he might even surpass the boss?"

When Sea Horse Douluo said this, everyone was stunned.

They hadn't realized Qin Xiao was that powerful.

Boom!
Qin Xiao took another step, and the island seemed to tremble.

The golden halo became even more brilliant.

A stronger oppressive force descended.

Qin Xiao's body sank slightly, then he straightened up.

"Hmph, just this."

He grunted and strode forward.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Soon, Qin Xiao had reached the eight hundred and fiftieth step.

"Wow, this kid is really something else?"

"Not using a single soul skill, not even showing soul rings, and he managed to reach the eight hundred and fifty steps?"

"What level of power does he have? Could he already be a level ninety-five or above Super Douluo?"

The Seven Pillar Guardians' eyelids twitched as they watched, their hearts pounding.

Such a young person possessing a cultivation far surpassing theirs was truly astonishing.

After a long while.

Sea Dragon Douluo's eyes reddened with excitement. "Now I'm even more curious about where Qin Xiao's limit is, and what kind of test the Sea God has in store for him."

"Boss, you don't think the Sea God would let him reach the end of the path, do you?" Sea Horse Douluo asked, somewhat apprehensively.

"Is that even possible?"

"On the entire Sea God Island, no, to be precise, throughout history, only the Grand Priest has managed to reach the one thousand and first step. Do you really think Qin Xiao can match the Grand Priest?"

Sea Dragon Douluo shook his head, believing it to be impossible.

There has to be a limit to absurdity, right?

"Look, it's happening! Qin Xiao has finally summoned his soul rings."

"Wait, something's off. His first soul ring is a hundred thousand year one?"

"A hundred thousand year first soul ring? What kind of freak is this!"

The Pillar Guardians were astounded.

They could hardly believe such an outrageous thing was possible by human standards. At least, it shouldn't be.

At that moment.

All nine of Qin Xiao's soul rings appeared.

Everyone was speechless.

Although there was no second hundred-thousand-year soul ring, the ages of the soul rings below the fifth were all extraordinary.

Upon the appearance of Qin Xiao's soul rings, the ninth one immediately lit up.

Boom.

A thunderous roar echoed across the sky of Sea God Island.

A purple lightning bolt broke through the island's barrier and struck Qin Xiao.

Such a scene again sent shivers down the spines of the Seven Pillar Guardians; such terrifying thunder, could it really not kill him?
They knew in their hearts that under such a strike, they would be severely injured if not killed.

As it turned out, their worries were unnecessary.

In the blink of an eye, the purple lightning dispersed, and Qin Xiao, clad in Thunder Emperor Armor, reappeared before everyone.

At this moment, he appeared so majestic, the cold light in his eyes chilling. Even a Titled Douluo like Sea Horse Douluo dared not meet his gaze.

Their hearts were no longer calm. So, this was the true power of Qin Xiao.

As his cultivation had improved, the boost from the Thunder Emperor Armor had also increased significantly. By now, his cultivation was at least on par with a level ninety-seven Titled Douluo.

As for his true combat ability.

Qin Xiao estimated that without going all out, a level ninety-eight Titled Douluo would definitely not be his match.

If he did go all out, it was uncertain whether he could defeat a level ninety-nine.

"One more year, at most."

"When I successfully lead Shrek to win the championship in the Continental Soul Master Competition, complete the system's task, and receive the reward, my cultivation will surge again."

"By then, even a level ninety-nine Titled Douluo will have to bow before me."

Thinking thus, Qin Xiao's heart was filled with light.

After taking several deep breaths, he calmed his emotions.

He knew thinking too far ahead was still somewhat premature; completing the current assessment was the most crucial thing.

The next moment, he took another step forward.

The steps that had previously pressured him now felt utterly effortless.

In fact, he even walked forward with his hands behind his back.

Before long.

He was already standing on the nine hundredth step.

"Wow, Qin Xiao really looks too cool like this, love it, totally love it."

From a distance, Ning Rongrong watched Qin Xiao's silhouette, practically drooling.

"Rongrong, I suggest you wipe your drool first. No matter how much you adore His Highness, he won't love you back if you can't even take care of yourself," Dugu Yan said, very speechlessly.

On another note.

The Pillar Guardians in the bushes were completely stunned.

They could never have dreamed that Qin Xiao would make it this far.

But could he go any further?

Sea Dragon Douluo speculated, "He's actually used his ninth soul skill, proving he's gone all out. The ease is just for show."

"Just one more step, and the pressure will double. A Titled Douluo below level ninety-eight simply can't withstand it. Qin Xiao is likely to stop here."

(End of Chapter)