As the last trickle of energy settled within his dantian, Yao Xuan rose from his meditative posture. A silvery light flickered in the depths of his consciousness, followed by the crisp, concise system prompts. A look of profound satisfaction dawned on his face.
'Excellent. The gap between a foundational technique and a creation-level one is indeed a chasm.' His analysis was cool and clinical, even as excitement thrummed beneath his calm exterior. The efficiency of the Creation Soul Forging Technique was staggering in every metric.
In terms of raw soul power accumulation, the progress was monumental. Reaching Level 12, a process that would have taken three months or more with the "Five Hearts Towards Heaven" technique, was now projected to take barely a month. But the true value lay not in speed, but in quality. The soul power the new technique granted him was compressed, dense, and incredibly pure, some of it already liquefying—a state most soul masters wouldn't achieve until the Soul Venerable realm. This unparalleled purity meant his every action, every skill, would be backed by a force far exceeding his nominal level.
Furthermore, the tempering effect on his mental power was over five times more effective. This was a crucial, often overlooked advantage. Strong mental power was the bedrock for controlling high-level soul skills, subduing powerful soul spirits, and, in the distant future, manipulating battle armor. With this technique, his mental strength would grow steadily without needing dedicated training, a passive bonus that compounded his advantages.
Finally, the rate of accumulating ordinary Evolution Points had skyrocketed. From a trickle of one Golden Evolution Point per month, he could now generate one every four days. This was a game-changer for his most critical task: enhancing his Ancestral Dragon Bloodline.
A glance at the clock showed it was nearly 11:50 AM. The analytical gleam in his eyes softened, replaced by a gentle anticipation. 'Na'er will be finishing school.'
After informing Lin Ximeng of his successful breakthrough, he set off for Red Mountain Academy. His strides were effortless, his Soul Master-level physique making the short journey feel like a casual stroll. He took his usual spot beneath her teaching building, a quiet sentinel amidst the bustling students.
Soon, a flash of silver cut through the crowd. "Brother Yao Xuan!"
Na'er emerged, her usual cool demeanor towards the world entirely absent. She hurried straight to him, not stopping until she was safely within his personal space. She didn't immediately take his hand, however. Instead, she leaned close, her small form pressing against his chest, and inhaled softly. A look of deep, instinctual comfort washed over her features, her large amethyst eyes fluttering closed for a moment.
"Brother Yao Xuan," she murmured, looking up at him with utter seriousness. "You smell even better than before."
Yao Xuan's heart warmed. Her connection to his dragon's essence was deepening alongside his bloodline. He reached out and gently stroked her silken hair. "Really? I'm glad you like it, Na'er." A note of pride entered his calm voice. "And I have news. I successfully advanced to a Soul Master today."
A genuine, radiant smile blossomed on Na'er's face, carving two delicate dimples on her cheeks. It was a sight reserved for him alone. "A Soul Master? Congratulations, Brother Yao Xuan! I knew you could do it!"
"Thank you, Na'er," he said, his voice soft. He finally took her small, soft hand in his, the gesture familiar and comforting. "Now, let's go home. Mom is preparing a feast to celebrate."
As they walked, hand-in-hand, Na'er's curiosity bubbled over. "Brother Yao Xuan, what does it feel like to be a Soul Master?"
"It doesn't feel too different on the surface," he explained patiently. "I could always manipulate soul power. But now, the amount I can control is greater, and..." He raised his free hand, willing his soul power to manifest. A shimmering, heart-shaped mote of pure energy danced in the air between them before gently dissipating, making Na'er's eyes sparkle with delight. "...I can now use a soul skill."
"What is your soul skill?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"My soul skill is a powerful tearing attack," he replied, choosing his words with care to avoid any connection to draconic legends that might stir her sealed memories. "Its power is enough to shred a thin steel plate. But because it's so destructive, I won't demonstrate it here for you." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Its only purpose is to ensure I can always protect you."
Na'er nodded, her trust in him absolute. She didn't need a demonstration. The steady, powerful presence of his hand around hers and the now-richer, more comforting scent of his bloodline were proof enough of his growing strength and his unwavering promise.