Li Chang'an's approach to condensing his soul core this time was surprisingly simple.
Though forming two soul cores within a single location in the body was extremely dangerous—since they were inherently difficult to harmonize—Li Chang'an had long since developed a plan.
Yin and Yang, Taiji—mutual generation and counterbalance.
This time, his method was inspired by the principles of Taiji from his past life. When he condensed his first soul core with Bibi Dong's assistance, it had leaned toward Yin. But this time, he was doing it entirely on his own, harnessing pure Yang energy.
As Bibi Dong felt the mysterious and profound aura radiating from Li Chang'an, she was momentarily stunned. His presence had become inexplicably refined—there was something different about him.
When the two soul cores manifested, they didn't seem to be in conflict at all. Instead, they exuded a natural harmony, as if they were always meant to fuse together. Yet at the same time, their energies were clearly distinct—each soul core retained its own character.
Bibi Dong had never seen such an aura before. It felt beyond nature itself—calm, detached, and transcendent.
Even the aura of the Rakshasa God paled in comparison. What Li Chang'an now exuded wasn't just strength—it was an essence that had transcended the boundaries of life.
And then Bibi Dong realized—Li Chang'an had changed.
He was still that same young man, unchanged in appearance. But his demeanor had lost its old roguish edge. Instead, it radiated a profound and serene aura.
It was as if every movement he made carried a kind of will, or even the presence of the Dao itself. He seemed no longer part of the mortal world.
"Dong'er, why are you looking at me like that?" Li Chang'an asked, now finished with his soul core condensation. Bibi Dong had already changed back into her Pope's robes and was standing by the bed.
"It's nothing. How do you feel now?" Bibi Dong shook her head. She couldn't find the words to describe what she was sensing from him.
"How do I feel…" Li Chang'an suddenly smiled. He slowly opened his hand and made a simple rotating motion.
To Bibi Dong's astonishment, the dress hanging on her rack gently floated up and drifted into Li Chang'an's hand—light as a feather.
If that was all, Bibi Dong wouldn't have been so surprised. She could manipulate objects with soul power just as easily. But what shocked her was that there hadn't been the slightest fluctuation of soul energy from Li Chang'an's body.
In other words—he hadn't used soul power at all.
"Chang'an, what did you just use?" Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes were filled with wonder. It was as if her disciple had inadvertently created an entirely new form of energy.
"Dong'er, I call it my Will," Li Chang'an replied as he stepped off the bed.
And then, something even stranger happened.
With a single step, he seemed to cross space itself—appearing nearly two meters away in the blink of an eye.
This was the insight Li Chang'an had gained after condensing his second soul core—the Will of Yin and Yang Taiji.
This "Will" was subtle. It could manifest in everyday things like food, clothing, shelter, and movement, yet its impact was profound. He now felt completely in sync with the world—no longer resisted by heaven and earth.
Even more astonishing, his soul power, already abundant, could now fully recover within one minute.
Terrifying beyond belief.
"Will, huh? Well, your 'Will'... is certainly interesting." Bibi Dong chuckled lightly. "Alright, gather your things and go. I've got work to do."
She patted his head affectionately and turned to leave.
But before she could take a step, Li Chang'an pulled her into his arms again.
"Chang'an, stop—don't mess around! I just got dressed," Bibi Dong protested.
Wearing her full Pope's regalia, she looked far more majestic than she had the night before. Her tone was commanding, but Li Chang'an didn't care about any of that.
"Smooch."
Ten minutes later, Bibi Dong stepped out of the room, having hastily tidied her slightly rumpled robes. She shot Li Chang'an a glare before leaving, while he stayed behind, grinning like a fool.
"This brat is getting more and more unruly," she muttered to herself. "I am his teacher, after all. And come to think of it… he didn't even need my protection to condense the second soul core…"
Bibi Dong suddenly stopped in her tracks.
'Wait a minute… Did he trick me last night?!'
Meanwhile, Li Chang'an—completely unaware that Bibi Dong was mentally "smacking his butt"—finished getting ready, carefully making sure he left no trace behind. Then he exited the Pope's Hall.
Through the window, of course.
Next, he planned to head to the academy. It had been a while since he saw his shy Mu Xi… and that fox.
But just as he was about to leave—
"Holy Son, the Grand Elder requests your presence!"
'Grand Elder? Qian Daoliu?'
Why was he being summoned? Though Li Chang'an held the title of Holy Son, he had never actually met Qian Daoliu—the legendary Title Douluo and pillar of the Spirit Hall.
Still, Qian Daoliu had always supported his reform plans. After all, those initiatives had only passed because both the Pope and Qian Daoliu had approved them together.
The person who had come to summon him was also an elder, so Li Chang'an didn't question the authenticity. He simply nodded and followed.
---
The Douluo Hall sat atop the divine mountain of the Spirit Hall—its very location declaring its supremacy. Compared to the Pope's Hall, the Douluo Hall was smaller, but its significance was far greater.
It was a sacred place—a temple honoring all Title Douluo who had earned their titles.
There were no extravagant decorations inside. The entire hall was built from ancient stone, simple and solemn. But if you looked closely, a faint golden glow shimmered across the surfaces. If you reached out to touch it, you'd feel a strange energy flowing beneath your fingers.
Apart from the main entrance, three of the interior walls were covered in square golden plaques. Each plaque was roughly a meter tall and etched with just three or four large characters.
When viewed from afar, the golden plaques on all three walls numbered in the hundreds.
Each one represented a Title Douluo who had been granted their title within these sacred halls since the Douluo Hall's founding.
And it was here—amidst these plaques and sacred stones—that Qian Daoliu had summoned Li Chang'an.
Led by the elder, Li Chang'an entered the hall with utmost reverence. This was his first time stepping into the legendary Douluo Hall.
At its center stood a colossal golden statue—ten meters tall, with three pairs of radiant wings extending from its back. The figure held a massive golden sword, pointed skyward. Around the blade, faint golden flames swirled mysteriously.
There was a similar statue in the Elder Hall of the Spirit Hall, but this one was clearly different.
The difference?
The soul.
The Elder Hall's statue was equally large and majestic, but it lacked this one's overwhelming presence.
This statue radiated the power of an ultimate being.
Even the hundreds of Title Douluo plaques around it seemed to lie dormant under its oppressive aura—as if humbled by its existence.
This place was the pinnacle of spirit master glory.
To enter the Douluo Hall was a lifelong honor—because only those who had become Title Douluo could be granted access. And only when receiving their titles would spirit masters be allowed to step inside.
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T/N:
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