Thank you to our new Patron: SrArgus!
------------------------------------------------------
After Yang Xiong and Lin Gong left, a terrifying aura erupted from the original location. Clearly, two Title Douluo-level powerhouses were locked in battle. Within moments, an area spanning hundreds of meters had been obliterated, and terrifying soul skills occasionally radiated outward.
Lin Gong stared at the distant battle, his eyes filled with hatred but also tinged with helplessness.
Yang Xiong asked, "Teacher Lin Gong, was the person who attacked you back then Chrysanthemum Douluo?"
A bitter smile appeared on Lin Gong's face. "You're right to laugh at me, kid. The one who wanted to seize this soul bone of mine was indeed Chrysanthemum Douluo. If I hadn't fled into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, I'd be long dead."
Yang Xiong seemed to recall something. "Teacher Lin, I remember you once said you traveled with Dragon Duke. With your combined strength, could you not have handled Chrysanthemum Douluo?"
Lin Gong shook his head. "Back then, Meng Shu and I weren't as strong as we are now. It was precisely because of this head soul bone that Chrysanthemum Douluo targeted me. We were originally traveling in a group of three, but one of us was killed by Chrysanthemum Douluo, and both Meng Shu and I were gravely injured. After that incident, Meng Shu and I stopped associating altogether."
Yang Xiong quickly interjected, "Teacher, it's not your fault. If Dragon Duke has any grievances, he should direct them at Chrysanthemum Douluo."
A look of helplessness crossed Lin Gong's face. "Chrysanthemum Douluo isn't just powerful; he has the terrifying Spirit Hall backing him. No one dares to provoke him lightly. That person sacrificed himself to save me, so it's understandable that Meng Shu harbors resentment toward me."
"If I hadn't spent all these years within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Chrysanthemum Douluo would have struck me down long ago. Though unpredictable and eccentric, he didn't attack me just now—perhaps due to his wariness of Dugu Bo. Otherwise, we'd be in serious trouble."
Yang Xiong seemed to think of something. "Teacher Lin, haven't you thought about revenge all these years? Chrysanthemum Douluo isn't invincible."
Lin Gong sighed deeply. "Revenge is easier said than done. No matter how hard I train, my early limitations hold me back. Over the years, my spirit power hasn't advanced a single step. I fear I'll never be able to take my revenge in this lifetime."
Yang Xiong gazed at the distant battle, curiosity rising within him. Without Tang San's hidden weapons, would Dugu Bo be killed by Chrysanthemum Douluo? After all, there was still a significant gap between their spirit power levels.
"Teacher Lin, over the years, you've been studying martial souls and educating others within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Could it be that you're hoping to find an apprentice to help you exact revenge someday?"
Lin Gong chuckled bitterly. "I did entertain such thoughts in the past, but I've long since let go of those grudges. This feud dates back over twenty years—it's unnecessary to drag young people into it."
At this moment, Lin Gong suddenly grew serious. "Xiao Xiong, I know you're ambitious, talented, and driven. But you must remember one thing: unless it's absolutely critical, never reveal your trump cards. My tragedy stemmed from possessing a valuable treasure. You're still too weak now—don't let youthful arrogance cloud your judgment."
Yang Xiong nodded solemnly. "Teacher Lin, rest assured. I won't leak any of my secrets."
After exchanging a few more words, the two quickly departed. A battle between Title Douluo-level experts wasn't something outsiders could casually witness—carelessness could cost them their lives.
Yang Xiong had initially considered doing something but was swiftly whisked away by Lin Gong.
Based on Yang Xiong's estimation, Dugu Bo's chances in this battle were slim. Even if he survived, he would undoubtedly suffer severe injuries.
As for his own pair of Explosive Dragon Claws, they needed to fully fuse with his body. The best way to achieve this was by using the Ice-Fire Twin Eyed Spring's waters. Perhaps the spring's ice and fire energies could help fully integrate the soul bones, allowing him to use them without worry.
Upon hastily returning to his dormitory, Yang Xiong began reviewing the fruits of his recent hunt in the Sunset Forest.
After absorbing the 4,300-year-old Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon's soul ring, his spirit power had reached the peak of Level 32. Reaching Level 33 wouldn't be far off.
Additionally, Yang Xiong had gained an excellent soul skill: Tyrant Dragon's Wrath.
When activated, his muscles bulged, dragon patterns spread across his body, and he transformed as though possessed by the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon. His attack, defense, and overall strength doubled, with attacks gaining armor-piercing properties. The effect lasted for one hour.
Yang Xiong was extremely satisfied with this soul skill. It was an exceptional enhancement-type ability. With it, he felt confident challenging top-tier Soul Masters. If he used all his trump cards, he might even stand a chance against a Soul King.
Moreover, after surpassing the usual limits to absorb this soul ring, Yang Xiong felt that many of his meridians had been unblocked. Though complete meridian flow remained elusive, his cultivation seemed to have entered a new stage. The Yin-Yang Meditation Technique also became more refined.
In his right hand, Yang Xiong held a deep blue ball—the Rasengan. At this moment, he multitasked, summoning his martial soul and soul rings, and began channeling energy from his third soul ring into the Rasengan. Gradually, the deep blue Rasengan began to change, golden streaks emerging within. As more energy flowed in, the once-blue sphere slowly turned golden.
Yang Xiong had carefully considered absorbing the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon's soul ring. Although it granted an enhancement-type soul skill, the armor-piercing property clearly reflected the dragon's metallic attribute.
Through years of diligent practice, Yang Xiong's divided mind control had nearly reached the sixth level, Six Aperture Wishful Heart. His control over soul rings and spirit power had become increasingly precise.
When the Rasengan turned golden, Yang Xiong sensed a sharp cutting aura emanating from it. Its power had significantly increased compared to its earlier deep blue state.
Now multitasking further, Yang Xiong began channeling energy from his second soul ring into the Rasengan. The golden sphere unexpectedly took on a hint of green.
To his surprise, the fusion of these two different energies caused a powerful repulsion force. Within minutes, the Rasengan's energy consumption skyrocketed, and it began to destabilize.
However, instead of being disheartened, Yang Xiong grew excited. His hypothesis was correct: when multiple types of energy were infused into the Rasengan, it triggered an explosive effect, akin to the Buddha's Wrath Lotus from a legendary work of his previous life.
(T/N: Xiao Yan's move from BTTH)
At his current level of spirit and mental energy control, Yang Xiong couldn't yet fuse multiple energies together. But he believed this advanced version of the Rasengan held immense potential. As his spirit power grew and he mastered more energy types, the Rasengan would become truly terrifying.
---
At this moment, Yang Xiong felt a subtle change in his body. While the effects of absorbing the first two soul rings hadn't been particularly noticeable, absorbing the third soul ring made his internal organs feel stronger.
Yang Xiong wasn't sure exactly how his first soul ring's spatial attribute had enhanced him, but the boosts from his second and third soul rings were evident. Notably, after absorbing the third soul ring, the two attributes in his body showed no signs of conflict—a major advantage of his body-based martial soul, which allowed compatibility with various soul rings and energy types.
Wood-attribute energy corresponded to the liver. The liver's growth, upward movement, and harmonizing characteristics aligned perfectly with the wood-attribute energy's growth and expansion traits.
Metal-attribute energy corresponded to the lungs. The lungs' purging, descending, contracting, and cleansing qualities matched the metal-attribute energy's purging and contracting traits.
After absorbing these two soul rings, these bodily regions seemed significantly strengthened. Especially after absorbing the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon's soul ring, Yang Xiong felt his killing intent had grown stronger. Even his breathing carried a faint trace of lethal energy.
Compared to the Tai Chi's inclusiveness of all phenomena, the five elements seemed to follow principles of mutual generation and restraint, hinting at deeper rules.
Yang Xiong grew increasingly confident in his cultivation plan. If he absorbed soul rings corresponding to the five elemental energies—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—not only would the Rasengan's power multiply, but his five internal organs would become extraordinarily robust. He might even develop an energy transcending the Douluo world.
---
Early the next morning, Yang Xiong continued practicing the Purple Extreme Demon Eye with Ning Rongrong. Previously, as a Soul Grandmaster, progress had been slow. But now, as a Soul Elder, he noticed a purple energy seeping into his eyes as the horizon brightened. He had finally begun to truly grasp the basics of the Purple Extreme Demon Eye.
Though Yang Xiong had lagged behind Ning Rongrong in cultivating the eye technique, he immediately sensed a significant improvement in his vision during his first practice session. He could see farther, more clearly, and even perceive targets from multiple angles.
Yang Xiong was ecstatic. It seemed he had entered the first stage of the Purple Extreme Demon Eye: Survey, the true entry point into the technique.
Compared to ordinary martial souls, full-body-based martial souls offered a distinct advantage. Each time he absorbed a soul ring, the soul power not only improved his body but also enhanced his brain and eyes, which were integral parts of his physical form.
During this process, his mental strength and vision also saw improvements. In a sense, Yang Xiong could be considered a spirit-type soul master, potentially capable of mastering the path of spiritual arts. Unfortunately, he lacked interest in that direction.
Yang Xiong aimed to reach the pinnacle of every aspect of soul mastery through soul power and soul rings—body, spirit, blood, and physique. He couldn't afford any weaknesses.
"Rongrong, I've reached the Survey stage of the Purple Extreme Demon Eye."
Ning Rongrong, standing beside him, planted a kiss on his cheek. "Little Bear, good job! That's your reward."
Yang Xiong laughed. "This reward seems a bit small. I think you should reward me a few more times."
Ning Rongrong scoffed playfully. "Look at you, acting so greedy. I entered the Survey stage much earlier than you. In another year or so, I might even reach the Detailed stage. You're lagging behind me, so you need to keep working harder."
Yang Xiong grinned. "Rongrong, yesterday I went to the Sunset Forest. I've absorbed my third soul ring, and my spirit power has reached Level 32."
Ning Rongrong's previously sweet expression turned sour. "You little bear! Absorbing your third soul ring boosted you by two whole levels? So you've already surpassed me. That means your spirit power is only one level below Xiao Wu's and even higher than mine!"
Yang Xiong chuckled. "It's the result of my hard training. How else can I protect you?"
Ning Rongrong's expression softened slightly. "No way. I need to train harder. I can't let you surpass me. I must reach Level 32 as soon as possible."
Yang Xiong patted Ning Rongrong's head, inwardly amused. His cultivation speed was accelerating rapidly, making it nearly impossible for her to catch up. Besides, he had no plans to share the immortal herbs anytime soon. Given the crowded environment of Tian Dou Imperial Academy, revealing them could invite trouble.
By now, it had been over four months since entering Tian Dou Imperial Academy. Thanks to the abundant resources, simulated environments, and various spirit beast meats, the members of Shrek Academy had made significant progress. Among them, Tang San had advanced the most, reaching the peak of Level 34 and nearing Level 35.
Dai Mubai was at Level 39 but remained unable to break through to Level 40.
Oscar had also reached Level 32, though his progress as a food-type soul master was relatively slower.
Ning Rongrong was at Level 31, having just advanced after absorbing a soul ring.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun were both at Level 29, while Qin Shuang had recently reached Level 28.
In terms of age, Yang Xiong, Ning Rongrong, and Tang San were now thirteen years old.
Yang Xiong felt the gap between himself and Tang San narrowing. Initially, upon entering the academy, they were four levels apart; now, the difference was only two levels.
However, on this day, as Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong went to train, an unexpected figure appeared alongside Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and the others.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow