Chapter 187: Condensing the Soul Core
After Yang Potian and his companions left, they made their way back to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, having spent a month and a half on the journey, including the time taken to absorb soul rings and search for soul beasts.
Upon their return, the newly acquired soul bone was not immediately given to Yang Tianyue. She was already at the peak of level 58 and would soon reach level 60 on her own. Giving her the soul bone prematurely might create a dependency; without twin martial souls like Yang Potian, advancing would become more challenging for her at the Titled Douluo level.
Yang Potian took some time alone to process his gains from this trip. The rewards were significant: two powerful 100,000-year soul rings and two 100,000-year soul bones. Among these, the soul ring and soul bone from the Golden Behemoth were top-tier treasures, even within the realm of 100,000-year artifacts.
Eighth Soul Skill 1: Golden Behemoth Slash – When Yang Potian swings his Broken Soul Spear with this skill, it releases a powerful slashing wave capable of slicing through anything, bypassing all defenses. This attack resembles the Golden Behemoth's claw strike from their battle.
Eighth Soul Skill 2: Earth Behemoth Smash – This skill allows him to summon a colossal version of the Broken Soul Spear. Enhanced in both weight and power, it crushes all in its path with gravity lock, pinning anything in its line of attack.
These two abilities capture the essence of the Golden Behemoth's attributes: one focuses on its immense golden energy, while the other emphasizes raw physical power. With these skills, Yang Potian felt confident that he could face a high-ranking Douluo, such as the Douluos Qianjun or Jiangmo, without fear of defeat.
His Broken Soul Spear, now weighing a staggering 12,000 jin, had also transformed in appearance. The silver hue had deepened into a golden sheen, mimicking the metal properties of the Golden Behemoth. This spear was close to the pinnacle of metal affinity, Extreme Gold.
Following this intensive period, Yang Zhentian decided to stay at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for his own cultivation. Their battle with the Golden Behemoth had inspired him, giving him insight into the bottleneck of level 96.
Yang Potian himself had now reached level 84, thanks to the 100,000-year soul bone of the Spatial Bone Dragon and the Golden Behemoth's soul ring. With a 14-level increase within just a few months, he realized he needed time to fully integrate these power boosts. He had intended to study soul core formation when he became a Soul Sage, but circumstances had kept him on the move. Now, with some quiet time, he could finally delve into soul core research.
Typically, one would need Titled Douluo-level spiritual power to condense a soul core, yet, due to his innate martial spirit, spiritual enhancement, and his prior consumption of the Moonlit Tear Dew, Yang Potian's spiritual power was already comparable to that of a level 95 soul master.
Initially, Yang Potian had planned to use the Starry Soul Orb to assist with his first soul core, but with his current abilities, the orb's utility had lessened. Having access to Dugu Bo's poison core for study further expedited his preparations.
After a month of study, Yang Potian was finally ready to condense his first soul core.
On the morning of his attempt, the family gathered: his father, younger sister, and other elders stood by, ready to observe or assist if necessary.
Looking at the four, Yang Potian took a deep breath, "I'm about to start. Watch closely, so our clan can learn from this process."
The four nodded solemnly, especially his father Yang Zhentian and his sister, Yang Tianyue, who activated their own head soul bones to focus their spiritual energy.
Yang Potian calmed his mind and summoned his Broken Soul Spear into his right hand—not its physical form, but rather the spear's very essence. The Broken Soul Spear hovered in his hand, a miniature, ethereal version that contained the weapon's core being.
Slowly, the soul power within his right hand began to spin in a pattern similar to Dugu Bo's poison core.
As the spear's essence spun, it gradually transformed into a small golden sphere, rotating at high speed. This was where all his soul power would converge, yet it demanded immense mental focus to control.
As the rotation accelerated, Yang Potian felt his spiritual and soul power deplete quickly, with his spiritual energy dropping by nearly 80%.
As he poured the last of his soul power into the golden core, it began to rotate independently, drawing soul energy from the surrounding air like a vortex. The four bystanders watched closely, prepared to intervene should his body show signs of stress.
The most crucial phase was yet to come: integrating the soul core within his body so it would operate as a natural part of him.
This step required an intimate understanding of his martial soul. As many Titled Douluo had noted, a martial soul was a living, sentient force. Only with complete harmony between body, martial soul, and soul core could the core function seamlessly within him.
Using his remaining spiritual strength, Yang Potian guided the core inward. This was the most perilous moment; without sufficient understanding of his martial soul, the soul core would resist, creating a force powerful enough to tear him apart.
As Yang Potian finally integrated the soul core into his body, he felt a slight crackling sensation, as if his body was fracturing. However, he held his focus, pushing through the last phase. Once he completed the integration, he fell into a deep sleep.
When Yang Potian awoke, a full day had passed. He was wracked with a splitting headache from the mental strain, yet his body, with its powerful regenerative abilities, had fully recovered. Upon examining his internal state, he noticed that his consciousness remained in its usual state—a silver giant wielding the Broken Soul Spear. Yet, in his dantian, a golden soul core had formed. This soul core had a faint connection to his body, autonomously spinning and drawing in soul power from the air, significantly increasing both his cultivation and recovery speed.
His companions breathed a collective sigh of relief at his successful integration.
Yang Wushuang, his second grandfather, observed the soul core intently, a concerned look on his face. "Potian, how are you feeling now? This method of soul core creation is promising, but it's extremely dangerous. It would be treacherous for others to replicate."
Yang Potian nodded. "While I managed to form the soul core, there were several issues in the process. I'll organize my notes to make it clearer for you all. There are three crucial points to keep in mind:
"First, the mental strength required is immense, needing at least the level of a Titled Douluo, ideally a high-level one.
"Second, you need a deep understanding of your martial soul, such that it harmonizes with your body to reduce any potential rejection.
"Finally, a solid physical foundation is essential. For those attempting it in the future, it's best if someone like myself, Tianyue, or Lingling is present to offer assistance, along with a Titled Douluo of at least level 95."
Yang Potian smiled. "The soul core offers immense benefits, especially for Titled Douluos. Before that rank, a soul master's energy remains gaseous. At the Titled Douluo level, it turns liquid. But at level 95, it begins to solidify, which makes advancing beyond it incredibly difficult."
Yang Zhentian, Potian's father, nodded. "Indeed. There's a saying: 'All below Titled Douluo are ants.' The soul power depth of a Titled Douluo is unmatched. Since reaching level 95, my cultivation speed has slowed considerably."
"That's one reason each level after Titled Douluo is so difficult," Potian replied. "Many soul masters remain stuck under level 95 for life."
In the days that followed, the group worked on refining the process for forming a soul core. After careful discussion, they concluded on an optimal method.
Eager to advance, Yang Zhentian proceeded to condense his own soul core. The process went relatively smoothly. With his peak level of 95 and his 80,000-year head soul bone, his spiritual power was at its peak among his peers. Upon completion, he broke through his bottleneck, reaching level 96. With his soul core spinning steadily in his dantian, he couldn't help but smile in satisfaction, finally glimpsing the path to level 97.
As for Yang Wushuang and Niu Jinfeng, they succeeded in condensing their soul cores with the support of Yang Potian and Yang Tianyue. Both processes were fraught with risk, with their bodies nearing collapse multiple times. Potian and Tianyue's Blue Silver Emperor soul skills and soul bone abilities were crucial in stabilizing them.
With their soul cores secured, Yang Potian decided to take some time away. Since reaching Soul Douluo, his cultivation rate had slowed noticeably. Even with intense training, he estimated an increase of only two levels per year. Feeling it might be more beneficial to explore the world of Douluo, he resolved to journey outward and gain new experiences.
His father approved. "Potian, you should explore the various cities and immerse yourself in their sights. Tianyue's trip to Sea God Island is still nine months away. The three of us can escort her for her next soul ring."
His sister, Yang Tianyue, encouraged him confidently, "Don't worry, Brother! I'll train hard. Besides, with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, I'll be safe even in the Star Dou Forest."
With her mastery of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud's four skills, Tianyue's safety was ensured.
After considering his family's support, Yang Potian set off alone, ready to experience the wider world.
(End of Chapter)
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