"Teacher…" Chen Yi's voice trembled, barely contained, its soft echo spanning the vast, starry expanse.
His eyes focused upon a figure deep in the fading mist of his mind: a stately presence clad in purple-gold armor, forged as if through endless lightning. The armor's lines were both smooth and fierce, flickering with electric arcs.
Just by standing there, the figure radiated an aura naturally contending against heaven and earth itself—majestic, and unmistakably familiar. It was none other than Thunder God.
Thunder God turned slowly, descending in front of Chen Yi. A gentle smile softened his face; it banished all majesty and left behind only pure satisfaction.
"Xiao Yi," Thunder God's deep voice sounded like distant thunder. "For you to see this image means you have broken through to the seventh rank."
"I am truly happy."
Initially stunned, Chen Yi was swiftly overcome by inexpressible waves of sorrow from his heart, drowning any joy from the breakthrough in an instant.
For what appeared before him was not Thunder God's lingering soul or consciousness, but merely a pre-programmed legacy image, activated only when certain conditions were met. The real Thunder God had left a seed of divinity before vanishing entirely, long ago.
Sensing Chen Yi's pain, the vision of Thunder God softened his smile even more, his voice gaining warmth and gentle wisdom as he offered comfort.
"Child, there is no need for grief. Every step was my choice."
"You making it this far is the greatest comfort for your teacher."
"Teacher..." Gazing at that gentle smile, a mix of sadness and gratitude welled up inside Chen Yi. He understood the vision carried his teacher's final intentions and the most important arrangements he'd made.
"All right, child," the projected image of Thunder God waved his hand, casually, even as his eyes went serious.
"I suppose you're very curious why I didn't immediately start you on the Nine Trials of the Thunder God, but brought you here first?"
Regaining composure, Chen Yi nodded seriously. He was indeed puzzled—for the previous promise was that upon reaching rank seventy, the inheritance trials would formally begin.
"Child, you must remember that at the seventh rank, the Nine Trials of the Thunder God truly begin. Across the universe, the gods' trials are always the fastest and most effective way to increase power, with no exceptions."
"But for true inheritors of a godly rank, the key reward from the trials isn't just an increase in power—but the enhancement of divine affinity."
"Divine affinity?" Chen Yi's mind flashed with understanding, nodding to show he grasped it. Whether from doctrine or records in the Spirit Hall, the outcome was certain: passing divine trials always improved both comprehension and one's fit for the corresponding godhood.
"With your special history, you already have a basic understanding of divine affinity, so I won't explain more," Thunder God continued.
"When a divine inheritor undertakes the god's trial, it is fundamentally an ongoing and thorough communion and attunement with the laws and will of the godly rank."
The deeper the affinity, the better the inheritor can harmonize with their god position. After inheriting, they will master every aspect of its authority and power faster, shorten the adjustment period, and might even reach the god's full power right at inheritance.
"That's why divine bloodlines value accumulating affinity so highly."
"I see." Chen Yi nodded. This, too, matched everything he'd learned—explaining why in the Soul Land world, divine affinity was valued even over ring ages or level advancements as a reward in the trials.
"But—" Thunder God suddenly shifted the topic, his tone growing obviously proud, "that's the normal path for regular heirs."
"You don't need that."
"Don't need it?" Chen Yi was taken aback, his face clouding with doubt. This was a universal rule—how could he become the single exception?
Thunder God's projected image smiled even wider, openly proud. "You are simply different," he said, then explained.
"Because long ago, during the Storm of Time, when your bloodline protected us, the position of Thunder God had already merged and resonated with your origin at the deepest possible level."
"At that moment, even the Thunder God's position itself ascended, breaking through to the domain of a God King. Throughout that process, the fusion with you reached the absolute peak—affinity perfect!"
"This kind of unity only occurred between the first gods and their god positions at the dawn of time. Even after countless generations, no amount of divine trials can reach this height."
"Therefore, for you, there's no concept of increasing affinity with Thunder God—it's already at the maximum. Not only is there no need to enhance it—you can't."
Thunder God's words brought a blend of dry humor and unrestrained pride.
Shocked, Chen Yi finally understood what his teacher meant by "it isn't necessary." He realized this wasn't skipping a step, but rather that he had already reached a level of perfection unattainable by any trial.
Yet he sensed there must be deeper reasons for being brought here.
Sure enough, Thunder God's image grew solemn again, his words echoing within Chen Yi's mind.
"The real reason I brought you here is for your seventh spirit ring."
Chen Yi's demeanor became serious. The seventh spirit ring carries unique meaning for every spirit master—it is the key to attaining the truest form of one's martial spirit and marks a qualitative leap in power.
If Thunder God deliberately left a back-up plan, it must be for a vital reason.
Thunder God's image stood with hands clasped behind his back, staring at Chen Yi with a thunderbolt-sharp gaze. "The seventh spirit ring marks a sweeping turning point for any human spirit master."
"The extent of your future combat potential will depend directly on the quality, properties, and bloodline connection of your seventh spirit ring."
"That's why I will not have you use the spirit ring of any spirit beast, nor do I recommend breakthrough through a conventional god-given ring."
He paused, his gaze piercing through time and space to meet Chen Yi's eyes, and pronounced every word clearly:
"What I want you to do is awaken the power of your bloodline—draw upon its essence, and condense your own unique, innate spirit ring!"
"Bloodline?" Chen Yi's eyes narrowed, heart pounding. His lineage originated from the legendary Thunder God. For years he had tried to unravel its mysteries or forcibly activate it, but no matter how hard he tried, the bloodline always slept deeply within, never stirring. If he hadn't possessed a talent for lightning so far beyond commoners, he might have even doubted the ancestors truly existed.
Thunder God's image seemed to sense these doubts and spoke in a low voice. "Your bloodline comes from an existence so mighty even I cannot comprehend it—an apex Thunder God."
"My guess is, to truly awaken and control that bloodline, you'd have to reach the God King realm, or perhaps even higher. Anything less would never do."
A shudder ran down Chen Yi's spine. The God King realm...another world entirely.
"So, I have left you a compromise," Thunder God's image continued. "I cannot awaken your true bloodline, but when I ascended, I created a special connection and, drawing upon my understanding of the laws of thunder, prepared a unique trigger."
"When you reach the seventh rank, when your soul and body achieve a harmonious balance, you can use this catalyst to force out the faintest trace of aura from your bloodline's origin."
"Even that tiny trace will suffice—a 'core' that, once linked with the laws of this universe, will allow you to condense a unique, innate spirit ring, unmatched and belonging only to you."
Thunder God's visage shone brightly, his tone spilling over with anticipation. "The power and potential of a spirit ring born this way will far exceed that of any soul beast's or god-bestowed spirit ring."
"This suits you perfectly, and will maximize your martial spirit's true form, fully connecting your inheritance as Thunder God and your future godhood."
Unstoppable excitement welled up in Chen Yi's eyes. Even the faintest, most peripheral trace of Thunder God blood far surpassed the essence of any soul beast in the universe.
With such a seventh ring, when completed, his martial soul would become utterly formidable. He could not begin to imagine what that moment would look like!
But one thing was certain: at that time, he would undergo a leap in power, a transformation of unprecedented scope and quality.
Seeing Chen Yi's growing excitement, Thunder God's image couldn't help but smile. "Don't think too much, child. This is but the tiniest part of your bloodline. Compared with the true origin of the Thunder God sleeping within you, it is like a single drop in the great sea. Compared to the power of the Thunder God, it is nothing."
Yet it would be more than enough to lay unshakable, glorious foundations for his present and all his future.
After these words, Thunder God's smile faded back to seriousness. "Come, child, are you ready?"
Taking a deep breath to steady his excitement and awe, Chen Yi bowed deeply and solemnly to the image of his teacher.
"Your disciple thanks you, teacher, for this gift!"
He knew Thunder God was not his bloodline's true master, but to leave behind such an emergency plan and expend such effort, just so that the faintest bit of that energy could be awakened—what effort and hardship must have gone into this?
"Good!" Thunder God's smile grew even brighter, as if he truly witnessed Chen Yi's poised and resolute response. "Then...let us begin!"