The tremor came at dawn.
A low, rolling growl that vibrated through the earth, rattling windows in the dormitories and sending birds exploding from the trees in panicked flocks. The students stumbled out of bed, half-dressed, spirit power flaring instinctively.
In the central courtyard, Grandmaster and Flender were already waiting, faces grim. Jin Mori stood beside them, staff in hand, jade eyes fixed toward the east—toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
"What was that?" Dai Mubai demanded, White Tiger spirit flickering around him.
Grandmaster's voice was tight. "A beast tide warning. Something powerful has left the core region and is moving toward the perimeter."
Flender swallowed. "The army garrisons near Suotuo will respond, but if it reaches the outskirts…"
Mori spoke for the first time, calm but carrying absolute authority.
"It's coming here."
All eyes turned to him.
"How do you know?" Tang San asked, Purple Demon Eyes already scanning the horizon.
"Because it's looking for me."
Silence fell.
Ning Rongrong, standing at the edge of the group in her night robe over training clothes, felt ice slide down her spine. She met Mori's gaze. He offered the faintest shake of his head—not your burden.
Grandmaster recovered first. "Teacher Jin… what exactly did you encounter in the forest?"
Mori considered how much to reveal.
"A guardian," he said finally. "Older than most civilizations on this continent. It sensed my arrival months ago. I avoided direct confrontation then, out of respect for the balance. But now… it seeks answers."
Flender paled. "You mean the Titan Giant Ape? Or the Sky Blue Bull Python? No—something stronger?"
Mori's expression remained serene. "Stronger."
The second tremor hit—closer, heavier. Dust sifted from the academy roof.
Grandmaster made the decision instantly. "Evacuate the village. Students—prepare for defense. Teacher Jin… we follow your lead."
Mori nodded.
Within minutes, the academy mobilized. Villagers were roused and directed toward Suotuo City's walls. The Seven Devils armed themselves—masks unnecessary now, spirits ready.
Rongrong found Mori at the gate, facing the forest road alone.
"You knew this might happen," she said quietly, falling into step beside him.
"I hoped it wouldn't," he admitted. "But power draws power. I tried to suppress it enough…"
She took his hand, fingers intertwining firmly.
"Then we face it together."
He looked down at her—small, determined, pagoda already summoned and glowing.
A soft exhale escaped him, equal parts pride and fear.
"Stay with the others," he said. "Support them. If it comes to the worst… run."
Rongrong's grip tightened. "I'm not leaving you."
Before he could argue, the third tremor struck.
Trees on the horizon bent as if in hurricane winds. A shadow loomed—massive, silhouetted against the rising sun.
The guardian had arrived.
It stepped into view slowly, deliberately.
Over fifty meters tall, body like living obsidian and ancient bark fused together. Arms thick as millennium trees, fists capable of shattering mountains. Eyes glowing emerald—deep, intelligent, ancient. Its martial soul aura was not rings, but raw domain pressure that warped space around it.
The Earth Titan Emperor—one of the three supreme rulers of the Star Dou core, a 500,000-year super spirit beast whose name was legend even among Titled Douluo.
The ground cracked beneath its weight as it stopped a kilometer from the academy gate.
Its voice rumbled like continental plates shifting.
"Outsider. You carry the scent of another world. Power beyond this heaven's law. Explain."
Every student felt the pressure—knees buckling, spirit power stuttering. Even Grandmaster and Flender dropped to one knee.
Only Mori remained standing easily.
He stepped forward, staff tapping the ground once. A subtle wave of his own suppressed aura rippled out, shielding the academy.
"I am a traveler," Mori called, voice carrying clearly. "I entered your domain seeking growth, not conquest. I harmed no balance. I took only what beasts offered in fair challenge."
The Titan Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"Your restraint was noted. But your true strength leaks even now. It disturbs the forest. Beasts grow restless. If you remain, war will follow."
Mori inclined his head. "Then I will leave—after ensuring those under my protection are safe."
Rongrong stepped forward beside him, pagoda blazing.
"He's not going anywhere alone," she declared, voice trembling but firm. "He belongs here—with us."
The massive eyes shifted to her, curiosity flickering.
"A human child dares speak?"
Mori placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "She speaks truth."
The Titan considered.
Then, surprisingly, it lowered one massive hand—palm up, near the ground.
"Prove your intent, outsider. Face my strength without destroying the land. If you can withstand three blows without unleashing your sealed power… I will grant passage and peace."
Mori's expression grew solemn.
He understood: this was not mere challenge. It was a test of control—the very restraint he had chosen.
He turned to the students.
"Stay back. No matter what happens."
Tang San nodded, already organizing the others into defensive formation.
Rongrong's hand tightened on his sleeve one last time.
"Come back to me," she whispered.
Mori brushed his fingers across her cheek. "I will."
Then he walked forward, staff resting on his shoulder, until he stood before the Titan's lowered palm.
The first blow came.
A fist larger than a house descended—not at full speed, but with weight that compressed air into visible shockwaves.
Mori raised his staff horizontally.
Impact.
The ground cratered in a perfect circle hundreds of meters wide. Shockwaves flattened trees for kilometers. Yet the academy buildings—shielded by a faint golden barrier Mori had woven earlier—stood untouched.
Mori slid back only ten meters, boots carving furrows in stone.
The Titan's eyes showed faint approval.
Second blow—horizontal sweep, arm like a falling mountain range.
Mori spun his staff, meeting it head-on. Renewal Taekwondo force redirection guided the momentum upward. The arm passed overhead, displacing clouds.
He remained unmoved.
The students watched in awed silence.
Rongrong's pagoda glowed, ready—but unnecessary.
Third blow.
The Titan gathered power visibly—domain compressing, earth rising in spikes. This was no restrained strike.
It brought both fists down like twin meteors.
Mori's expression grew focused.
For the first time, a single red soul ring flickered into existence around him—the first of his three 100,000-year rings.
He tapped his staff once on the ground.
"Extend."
Ruyi Jingu Bang grew—ten meters, fifty, a hundred—until it pierced the sky like a golden pillar.
He held it vertically, meeting the descending fists.
BOOM.
The impact created a crater a kilometer across. Winds howled. Dust obscured everything.
When it cleared…
Mori stood at the center, staff planted firmly, arms steady.
Not a single structure beyond the crater had been harmed.
The Titan Emperor slowly straightened, massive form casting shadow over the devastated landscape.
For a long moment, silence reigned.
Then the ancient voice rumbled—not in anger, but respect.
"You pass, outsider. Your control is true. Remain if you wish. The forest will not challenge you again."
The Titan turned, each step shaking the earth less now, and retreated toward the deep forest.
Peace returned—broken only by birdsong and wind.
Mori shrank his staff, turning back toward the academy.
The students rushed forward.
Rongrong reached him first, throwing her arms around him without hesitation.
He held her close, relief and something deeper flooding through him.
The others surrounded them—questions, awe, gratitude.
Grandmaster bowed deeply. "Teacher Jin… the continent owes you a debt."
Mori shook his head. "I protected what is mine."
Later, as cleanup began and news spread (the army arriving too late, finding only the crater and tales of a young Titled Douluo facing a super beast), Mori and Rongrong walked the crater's edge alone.
"You used your true power," she said quietly.
"Only a fraction," he replied. "And only to protect."
She stopped, turning to face him fully.
"I was terrified," she admitted. "Not of the beast. Of losing you before… before I could say it properly."
Mori waited.
"I love you," she said, voice steady despite flushed cheeks. "Not the teacher. Not the Titled Douluo. You. Jin Mori."
He cupped her face gently, eyes shining.
"I have crossed worlds," he whispered. "Fought gods. Transcended time itself. But nothing has ever felt as profound as loving you, Ning Rongrong."
They kissed—deeper this time, no hesitation, the vast crater and recovering forest bearing silent witness.
When they parted, foreheads touching, he added softly:
"And I will stay. As long as you'll have me."
She smiled through tears.
"Forever, then."
Far away, in the true realm, the Supreme God Maitreya opened his eyes fully for the first time in months.
A genuine, peaceful smile spread across divine features.
"Well done," he murmured to his avatar. "You've found something I never knew to look for."
The echo had become a song.
And in Soul Land, a new era quietly dawned—one where monsters walked beside a restrained god, and love proved stronger than any titan's roar.