There was no need for Dugu Bo to test the fourth soul skill.
As a domain-type spiritual soul skill, "Twisted Mist" could shroud vision, distort the five senses, weaken spiritual perception, and lower spiritual resistance. However, because Zhao Liuyun's own spiritual power level was still relatively low, this kind of slow-acting soul skill would have no effect on a Title Douluo-level spirit. Even if Dugu Bo actively suppressed his spiritual reactions, his essence remained that of a Title Douluo.
Zhao Liuyun was brought back to the Dugu Manor. He knew in his heart that it had been a year and a half since he left Canghui Academy, and his return had already been delayed by more than half a month; it was time to go back.
He needed to learn new methods of utilizing spiritual power, learn ahead of time about the soul beast that originally should have belonged to his sixth soul ring, and most importantly—obtain the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone.
After several considerations, Zhao Liuyun set his action window for the time when Tang San would head to Shrek Academy to register. That was the only time Tang Hao would explicitly reveal himself. Nuoding City and Suoto City were far apart; Tang Hao's old injuries were severe, and he would not risk his life to rush back within a single day.
Zhao Liuyun specifically asked Dugu Bo for the "Wishful Hundred-Treasure Purse," which could house living creatures, so that he could take Ah Yin away.
Returning to the Ye residence, Zhao Liuyun sat in quiet meditation, carefully organizing the harvest from this soul hunt.
The soul ring went without saying. His external soul bone, the "Demonic Dragon Silver Pupil," had grown significantly; with silver light flowing through it, it had reached over 6,000 years.
[Soul Bone: 6,511-year External Soul Bone—Demonic Dragon Silver Pupil]
[Soul Power: Level 43 (290/35,800)]
His soul power had just broken through to Level 43. It could be said that the vast energy contained within the ten-thousand-year soul ring had not been wasted.
[Physique: 61]
Before absorbing the soul ring, his physique was at the peak of Level 57. This was the result of Zhao Liuyun using his self-created body-refining secret technique over the past six months, combined with the two cleared Eight Extraordinary Meridians to accelerate the refinement of the remaining medicinal power of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum
Plant-type soul rings have "Life" as a basic attribute and mostly possess rich life energy. The Mist Thorn was no exception; being a ten-thousand-year soul beast, it was even more beneficial to the physical body than the 9,000-year Dread Dragon Wolf. This caused Zhao Liuyun's physique to grow by 4 points, reaching the level of a Soul Emperor.
[Soul: 69]
Soul growth was slightly lower; six months of practicing the Purple Demon Eye had only increased it by 1 point. Spiritual power at the Soul Emperor level grew much slower than before. However, since it was a spiritual-type soul beast, it perhaps stimulated some of the medicinal power of the "Lustrous Autumn Dew" that had been hidden in the sea of spirit. This absorption increased his soul by another 4 points, bringing it to 69. As long as he continued to cultivate the Purple Demon Eye, breaking through to Soul Saint-level spiritual power was just around the corner.
After clearing up the gains one by one, Zhao Liuyun did not delay further. He closed his eyes and entered directly into meditation. It was time to test his talent growth.
Three hours later, he opened his eyes and silently calculated based on his status panel. Concentrated meditation had earned him 288 [Soul Master] profession experience points. That was 96 points per hour. If the 100% bonus from [Focus Lv2] was removed, it would be 48 points.
The boost from the Mysterious Heaven Skill had increased again, with the cultivation method providing 4 points. However, the two cleared meridians still provided 8 points; it seemed he would only see another surge once all eight meridians were cleared.
His basic talent had grown the most, leaping directly from 20 points to 36 points. Zhao Liuyun guessed there were two reasons.
First was the qualitative change in soul power. Looking inward, he could see the misty soul power flowing through his meridians under the catalysis of the ten-thousand-year soul ring. With the qualitative change happening early, it could turn into liquid before the seventh ring. If he encountered a suitable one at the seventh ring and could win, Zhao Liuyun wondered if he could try for a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?
Second was that he had refined more of the immortal herb's medicinal power, leading to a small increase in talent.
If he maintained full concentration, he could gain 96 experience points per hour. Meditating for a whole night would accumulate 480 points, totaling about 175,200 points a year. Looking at meditation alone, his cultivation speed had dropped from 5 levels a year as a Soul Elder to 4 levels. However, once he absorbed the hundred-thousand-year soul bone and underwent a complete transformation, his talent would naturally grow again.
Considering that the transformation from a hundred-thousand-year soul bone could fully integrate at least the medicinal power of the Ice and Fire immortal herbs, his future growth was truly worth looking forward to.
Soon, the time for departure arrived. It was only a short separation, so it did not brew too many sorrowful emotions. Dugu Bo had already said his piece when they returned from the hunt. The Title Douluo was free-spirited; he merely urged Zhao Liuyun to remember to use his name if he encountered trouble outside.
Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng, remembering his past kindness in detoxifying them, held a special banquet to see him off.
Zhao Liuyun had thought Ye Lingling would be the most reluctant. But this departure was for cultivation, not a final farewell. Although Ye Lingling's eyes were slightly red, she did not cry or cling to him; she continued to cultivate in silence, her expression firm.
To Zhao Liuyun's surprise, the one who showed the most attachment was Qian Renxue.
"Is virtuous brother returning to Canghui Academy so soon?" Xue Qinghe's voice carried a heavy sense of reluctance. Gazing at the handsome and composed figure nearby, he temporarily forgot his previous intention to probe Zhao Liuyun's cultivation progress.
Even though the two Title Douluos hidden in the Crown Prince's manor had reported that Zhao Liuyun's true soul power was already at Level 43, Qian Renxue did not want to create a rift between them because of it. She had long been intoxicated by the soul-warming fragrance of the Moon Gloom Begonia. With her heart washed by a clear spring and her spirit feeling light—fitting for the path of Angels and Holy Light—Qian Renxue felt that her cultivation speed each night had become much brisker.
Hearing this, Zhao Liuyun could only smile bitterly. "I should have left a year ago; I've already delayed for a year. If I delay any longer, it will be hard to explain to Teacher Shi Nian."
Xue Qinghe sighed. Their relationship was finally harmonized; how could he let a moment of impulse create a grudge? After a light sigh, a warm smile returned to his face. He asked gently, "I see that your bearing is heroic and your aura is even better than before. Have you broken through to become a Soul Ancestor?"
His calculations suggested it would be around this time.
Seeing that Qian Renxue had not asked for a long time, Zhao Liuyun had intended to guide the conversation. Hearing this now, he replied, "I won't hide it from Brother Xue; I have indeed been promoted to Soul Ancestor. Furthermore, I absorbed a ten-thousand-year soul ring beyond my level, jumping straight to Level 43."
Absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring beyond his level!
Following the shock of learning Zhao Liuyun became a Soul Ancestor at twelve, Qian Renxue was once again stunned. Her heart surged with waves: This cultivation speed is almost catching up to mine...
In a daze, she could almost see the image of Zhao Liuyun standing at the summit of the Soul Master Competition as a Soul King.
"How could a Level 40 body withstand a ten-thousand-year soul ring?" Xue Qinghe asked softly, more like he was asking himself. The goodwill generated by the floral fragrance meant he wasn't obsessed with the answer.
"You don't have to tell me." Xue Qinghe raised his hand, stopping the explanation that was about to come from Zhao Liuyun. Instead, he spoke with a concerned tone, "I only want to say that a twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor with a ten-thousand-year fourth ring is far too dazzling in this world. Virtuous brother Liuyun, the tree that stands taller than the forest will be destroyed by the wind!"
Zhao Liuyun didn't care much and smiled indifferently. "It's no matter. In the Heaven Dou Empire, my teacher's reputation is enough to protect me. I simply ate an immortal herb."
"An immortal herb?" Xue Qinghe's eyes flickered, instantly thinking of Ghost Douluo Yue Guan, who had been searching everywhere for such herbs.
A look of sentimental gratitude appeared on Zhao Liuyun's face. "Yes. The martial soul of Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan—the immortal herb, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Its effect is: once consumed, the qi reaches the four limbs and the blood flows through the eight meridians, allowing one to cultivate a Diamond Unbreakable Body. It is suitable for those whose soul power is neutral, vast, and domineering. That is an exaggerated way of saying it, but it greatly enhanced my physique, giving me the capital to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring beyond my level. Before, saying I would become a Title Douluo was just the arrogant words of my youth; now, it has quite a bit of solid foundation."
Xue Qinghe's eyes flashed with suspicion. "Would such 'pulling up seedlings to help them grow' not lead to—"
"There are no hidden dangers. This is an opportunity, a gift from the world," Zhao Liuyun shook his head. "Unfortunately, immortal herbs are even rarer than hundred-thousand-year soul bones. The Sky-Reaching Chrysanthemum was not a perfect match for me."
Then, Zhao Liuyun's tone suddenly turned serious. "Brother Xue, besides my teacher, Lingling, and Uncle Ye, I have only told you."
Having received so many precious classic texts from the Spirit Hall, he had to give some feedback. Zhao Liuyun's gaze focused slightly, and he lowered his voice. "News will leak eventually, but Brother Xue, please keep the secret for me for the time being."
His released spiritual power used the [Hypnosis] method to gently transmit a sense of trust.
As an "outsider," Qian Renxue read this trust from Zhao Liuyun's expression and words. Her original, weak intention to report this information completely vanished. The corners of her lips curled up imperceptibly. She thought to herself that catering to someone's interests was indeed the fastest way to close the distance.
"Thank you for your trust, virtuous brother. I know the gravity of the situation," she responded seriously.
In her heart, she had already made a decision: I can write a letter to ask Grandpa, but I'll skip Pope Bibi Dong.
This sliver of trust was precious, intertwining with the goodwill growing in her heart. Qian Renxue's gaze toward Zhao Liuyun became increasingly firm—
This is my man! How could I allow others to touch him in the slightest?
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