Favorability Soars; Protector Liu's Strongest Dou Technique!

Yang Shan's "Sincere Ultimate Skill"—Creating Making a Friend Out of Nothing! Current Ultimate Skill Composition:

Extraterrestrial Ghoul Lightning - Strange Speed! Three Thousand Thunder Movement!

Tyrant Blade - Seven Kills!

Within those 1.5 seconds, Yang Shan's actual speed soared to nearly 8,000 points!

Protector Liu sensed an aura fluctuation that was completely different from Ling Quan's appearing beside him.

This aura appeared too abruptly.

It was as if Dou Zun expert had appeared directly from a spatial rift! Just as Protector Liu was trying to figure out how to describe it, he felt his thoughts suddenly slow down, slower and slower, until he stopped thinking altogether.

[Ding! Player has defeated Protector Liu (purple; upgraded to One-Star Dou Zong). The kill contribution rate is 5%. Calculating the Level-Surpassing Bonus, the player gains 150,000 experience points.]

Yang Shan stood before Protector Liu's headless corpse, looked up to the sky and roared, "Brother! I have avenged you!"

Ling Quan was flying in mid-air, kept twitching at the corner of his mouth.

He was preparing to demonstrate the newly learned third move of the "Emperor Seal," the "Overturning Earth Seal," to Xiao Xun'er.

It would be fitting for Protector Liu to die from this move! But Yang Shan's appearance caught Ling Quan off guard.

Firstly, Ling Quan truly hadn't anticipated this.

Secondly, Yang Shan's speed was simply too fast. In that instant, Ling Quan didn't even have time to react before Protector Liu had already fallen to the ground! "This commander was actually robbed of his prize by a mere Dou Wang? Ha!"

In front of Xiao Xun'er, Ling Quan naturally couldn't show the anger in his heart.

So he simply pointed his palm, which had already gathered his Dou Qi, at Yang Shan on the ground.

This move, the Overturning Earth Seal, is meant to annihilate Yang Shan's soul.

Those who steal Ling Quan's prey deserve this fate!

At the crucial moment, Xiao Xun'er spoke up:

"Ling Quan, stop!"

Ling Quan: "Xun'er, this boy..."

Xiao Xun'er didn't explain anything, but Ling Ying, who was standing to the side, said:

"That kid is one of the young lady's juniors. He provided the information, and the young lady agreed to let him take revenge on his enemies."

Xiao Xun'er said at the right time:

"I almost forgot about that. It's thanks to Elder Ling for reminding me, otherwise I would have broken my promise."

Xiao Xun'er focused on her "credibility" throughout her speech, which prevented Ling Quan from having too many doubts.

But Ling Quan was naturally very unhappy! However, he dared not disobey Xiao Xun'er and could only respectfully say:

"Since he's Miss Xun'er's junior, then let it go. But this person dared to harm Miss Xun'er; let me seal his soul and bring him back."

"No need. Since I promised my junior, I must keep my promise!"

Xiao Xun'er rarely praised him, saying, "Ling Quan, you did a good job. You did not disappoint the clan's training and expectations."

Upon hearing Xiao Xun'er's praise, Ling Quan almost had a brain orgasm! Back in the Ancient Realm, Xiao Xun'er rarely praised her peers!

What Protector Liu? It's not important!

With Xiao Xun'er's words, Ling Quan would even be willing to condescend to be Yang Shan's henchman for a month! Xiao Xun'er: "Ling Quan!"

Ling Quan: "Your subordinate is here!"

Xiao Xun'er: "That person's soul hasn't been destroyed, so there might be a chance he can escape. Let's hand him over to my junior."

Now, Ling Quan no longer cares about Protector Liu.

He's so happy he's about to have an epileptic seizure.

Whatever Xiao Xun'er says goes! After Ling Quan agreed, he immediately landed in front of Yang Shan.

Ling Quan glanced at Yang Shan, and his gaze conveyed only two words—

Contempt.

Ling Quan took out a Jade Bottle from his Storage Ring, looked at Protector Liu's headless corpse, and sneered:

"The people of the Soul Hall do indeed have some skill in the art of soul manipulation. Unfortunately, having encountered me, your fate was already sealed!"

Ling Quan stomped his foot, and a semi-transparent figure floated out from the headless corpse.

In the game, the soul's form resembles white mist, always appearing somewhat illusory.

The more powerful a soul is, the closer its form is to that of a physical entity.

It's obvious that Protector Liu's soul isn't much stronger than Yang Shan's; it's only at the Spirit Realm Middle Stage.

After all, the vast majority of the souls collected by the Soul Hall personnel have to be handed over, leaving them with a pitifully small share.

The Soul Hall only needs to ensure that the Soul Strength of its protectors can suppress opponents of the same level. (Except for Alchemist) Any more would be a waste! Protector Liu, now only a soul, cried out in terror:

"Let me go! I didn't do anything. Why would I be foolish enough to offend the Ancient Clan?"

Ling Quan said calmly, "I don't need to believe your words. Besides, even if what you say is true, if Miss wants you dead, you have to die!"

Ling Quan gave Protector Liu no more chance to speak, and used his powerful Dou Qi to envelop Protector Liu's soul.

Protector Liu gradually shrank to the size of a palm and was put into Jade Bottle by Ling Quan.

After sealing the bottle, Ling Quan casually tossed Jade Bottle into Yang Shan: "This is Miss's promise. You can decide how to handle it."

Finally, Ling Quan couldn't resist a sarcastic remark. "I never thought that an ant like you could actually get a promise from Miss. Ha."

Ling Quan felt there was no need to talk to ants anymore and flew back into the sky.

"Miss Xun'er, everything has been taken care of."

Xiao Xun'er suppressed the urge to look at Yang Shan and said calmly, "It's getting late, let's go."

Ling Quan: "Yes!"

Yang Shan withdrew his gaze only after Xiao Xun'er's figure had completely disappeared from sight.

Images of his time with Xiao Xun'er in the Black-Corner Region and Jia Nan Academy kept flashing through his mind.

Who could have imagined that their connection would begin with just a token? Perhaps, obtaining half of the Ghoul Lord Token back then destined them to meet like this.

"Goodbye, senior, Central Plains."

Yang Shan put Protector Liu's belongings, along with the Jade Bottle containing Protector Liu's soul, into his Storage Ring.

Even if Ling Quan didn't make a move, Yang Shan could still capture Protector Liu's soul.

Dou Qi can also affect the soul. Protector Liu's soul, at the Spirit Realm Middle Stage, has a combat strength roughly equivalent to an ordinary Dou Ling.

Yang Shan himself possessed the Spirit Realm Early Stage Soul Strength, so Protector Liu had no chance of escaping.

Thousand Speck City is not a place to linger.

Yang Shan activated his Dou Qi Transformation Wings and disappeared into the sky. He then took out the Jade Bottle and examined it carefully.

After confirming that Ling Quan had not left any mark on the Jade Bottle, Yang Shan changed back into Cheng E's attire.

They rode at breakneck speed back to Mad Lion City.

Luo Xie remained in front of the counter, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Upon seeing Yang Shan return, Luo Xie put down the secret manual:

"Hey, Little Brother E, you're back pretty fast. Where's the master?"

Yang Shan: "He's dead."

Luo Xie didn't react for a moment and blurted out, "Oh, dead? Good thing he's dead."

Then, Luo Xie's face instantly contorted in terror. "What did you say?"

Yang Shan: "Brother Luo Xie, don't just stand there, come with me to find that Hun Dan."

"Go find Hun Dan Young Master? You?"

Luo Xie, having survived in the Black-Corner Region for so many years, surely understands the meaning behind Yang Shan's words. With Protector Liu gone, that Hun Dan is freed from his shackles.

Luo Xie swallowed hard. "You Little Brother E, so you've already sided with that Hun Dan Young Master?"

"Seek refuge?"

Yang Shan shook his head:

"Cooperate."

Protector Liu, a powerful Dou Zong, is dead.

Yang Shan, a young man from the Black-Corner Region, is discussing cooperation with the Young Master of the Soul Clan?

Both of these events were relentlessly challenging Luo Xie's understanding.

Yang Shan urged, "Brother Luo Xie, don't be shocked yet. Come with me. You promoted me back in the Bloodshed Hall. Now it's my turn to repay your kindness!"

Luo Xie didn't know how to answer for a moment, so he could only follow Yang Shan into the courtyard.

At this moment, three women dressed in thin clothes were running around the courtyard, laughing.

Hun Dan, on the other hand, was like a useless person who had been ruined by wine and women and had lost all his spirit.

He blindfolded himself with silk, stretched out his hands, and laughed lewdly, "Let's see who I catch. This Young Master will make her jump while she takes off her clothes, hahahahaha."

"Young Master! Young Master, come here!"

"Young Master, I'm here!"

Yang Shan said calmly, "Hun Dan, stop acting."

Upon hearing this, the Hun Dan was stunned on the spot.

Luo Xie waved his hand. "Get out of here!"

The three maids were so frightened that they quickly ran back to their room.

The Hun Dan ripped off the silk, his eyes gleaming with almost manic excitement. "You really did it?"

Yang Shan took out Jade Bottle from his Storage Ring, opened the lid, and tapped the mouth of the bottle with his finger.

A sound immediately came from the bottle opening:

"I really didn't! Let me explain! Let me explain!"

Yang Shan couldn't let Protector Liu say too much, otherwise it would be bad if his original identity was exposed.

The sound and the soul fluctuations matched perfectly!

That Hun Dan has been suppressing his feelings for too long.

But when he was certain that Protector Liu was only a remnant soul, and that he had finally temporarily escaped the control of the Hun Xian, the Hun Dan acted quite rationally.

The Hun Dan took out a secret manual from his Storage Ring and handed it to Yang Shan:

"From this moment on, you are my most trusted ally!"

If that Hun Dan were to laugh wildly or even vent his anger indiscriminately at this moment, Yang Shan would find it perfectly reasonable.

But since Hun Dan could remain so calm, Yang Shan had to think even more highly of Hun Dan.

Having good talent only means you can cultivate quickly, but in the Dou Qi Continent, having good talent alone is not enough to reach the top.

The better Hun Dan's character, the more likely one is to gain a foothold in the Soul Hall in the future.

Only then can Yang Shan's interests be protected!

Therefore, Yang Shan's answer was naturally not some vague phrase like "mutual assistance" or "cooperation," but rather:

"You become the Young Master, and I'll become the Heavenly Venerable!"

At this moment, Hun Dan finally breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground without a care, like a lump of mud. "Let me indulge myself for one last day. Starting tomorrow, I will do everything in my power to seize the position of Young Master from Hun Xian!"

Yang Shan: "Whatever. Anyway, I've done my job. If you break your promise, I'll consider it a lie from my good friend. In any case, I'm confident I can thrive in the Soul Hall even without you."

Luo Xie, who was listening from the side, was completely numb.

What's wrong?

The "natives" of the Black-Corner Region are cooperating with the Soul Clan's Young Master, but the former is actually in charge? Yang Shan's words reminded Hun Dan of the "heartfelt words" Yang Shan had spoken to him back then.

That "good friend" who had the same experience as him. (Details - Chapter 248) Hun Dan's voice was a little hoarse:

"Aside from my parents, I've never trusted anyone in my life. Cheng E, this time, I'm going to gamble! If I lose, I'll accept it!"

Yang Shan yawned:

"Don't make it sound so nice. Besides me, who else can you trust these days?"

That Hun Dan burst into loud laughter:

"You're right! That's why I have to believe you!"

[Ding! Player, please note that you have fulfilled your promise to Hun Dan Hun Dan. Your words and actions have greatly intimidated him. Hun Dan's favorability towards you has increased by 50, current favorability: 73! Congratulations on advancing your relationship with Hun Dan to: Best Friends!]

Games are indeed simpler than reality.

Whether the Hun Dan is sincere or not, his goodwill rating will clearly reflect it.

Yang Shan finally felt relieved.

There is no rule that players can "Sealed Heart Locked Love" when they reach 70 points of affection with NPCs of the same sex.

Although Hun Dan is the Young Master of the Soul Clan, he is only a "illegitimate child" and not a character from the original work, so his favorability is relatively easier to increase.

Even so, Yang Shan still managed to accomplish what seemed like an impossible task, finally getting Hun Dan to be honest with him.

Yang Shan: "Wait a minute before you indulge yourself. I need your help with a small matter."

Hun Dan, he did a somersault.

He felt much lighter:

"If you need any help, just say the word!"

Yang Shan: "I have some things to attend to and need to go into seclusion. Tell Brother Luo Xie about the current situation and our plan. Brother Luo Xie treated me well at the Bloodshed Hall. He is trustworthy and worth cultivating!"

Luo Xie was deeply moved:

"Little Brother E"

Yang Shan looked at Luo Xie and grinned. "Brother Luo Xie, you helped me so much back then, wasn't it all so that I could help you out when I became successful? Although I haven't become successful yet, I can still help you out a little!"

[Ding! Player, please note that your words and actions have greatly shocked Luo Xie. Luo Xie's favorability towards you has increased by 10 points, current favorability: 68! Your relationship with Luo Xie has advanced to: confidant.]

[Ding! Player, please note that your words and actions have led Hun Dan to believe you are extremely loyal and affectionate. Hun Dan's favorability +1, current favorability: 74!]

Perhaps because he had spent too much time with the important characters in the original work, he was still a little unaccustomed to the sudden increase in his favorability towards them.

Think about Ya Fei. She's one of the NPCs in the original story whose favorability is relatively easy to raise. It took Yang Shan four versions to get her to 70 points! As for Xiao Xun'er, every time her favorability increased by more than 1 point, it made Yang Shan smile for a long time! But no matter what, Yang Shan's original plan to enter the Black-Corner Region has now been more than accomplished.

He not only gained the position of Soul Palace Soul Envoy, but also formed an alliance with a promising young Young Master of the Soul Clan.

Protector Liu Yang Shan should have been placed into the Protector Liu Soul Envoy Token and refined into Pure Soul Energy after some time.

However, the Soul Clan has many methods for utilizing the soul.

Many fantasy novels describe how powerful individuals integrate their Soul Imprint into special jade tablets.

If one dies and one's spiritual practice ceases, the jade tablet will also shatter.

Yang Shan couldn't guarantee that the Young Master of the Hun Xian Sect didn't have similar methods.

If Young Master Hun Xian finds out that Protector Liu is dead, he will definitely try other ways to restrain Hun Dan.

Therefore, Protector Liu cannot die!

Yang Shan summarized the gains from this trip.

First, there's the soul cultivation method that Hun Dan gave him: the "Soul Gathering Art".

Type: Soul Cultivation Method

Effect: When absorbing Pure Soul Energy, you can consume Spirit Stone and use techniques to nourish the soul energy, so that the actual absorption effect of Pure Soul Energy is 120% of the base value.

Spirit Stone Consumption: For every 1 point of Pure Soul Energy, 20 Spirit Stone are consumed, and an additional 0.2 points of Pure Soul Energy can be produced.

Introduction: The Soul Clan's chief Alchemist, "Hun Xuzi," created a soul cultivation method for Pure Soul Energy, which was passed down to all branches of the Soul Clan and was only available for cultivation by the high-ranking members of each branch.

Yang Shan never expected that this soul cultivation method was actually created by "Hun Xuzi"! This Hun Xuzi is the true number one Alchemist of the Soul Clan, and his own strength has already reached the Seven Star Dou Sheng!

His alchemy skills are far superior to those of Venerable Yao Chen! Venerable Yao is considered Peak Eighth-Tier Alchemist.

Hun Xuzi is a legendary "Ninth- Alchemist" in the truest sense! His status in the Soul Clan is much higher than that of Hun Miesheng, the Soul Hall Master! The good stuff produced by Dou Sheng is indeed extraordinary.

Directly use Spirit Stone to forcibly increase the absorption of Pure Soul Energy!

But when he saw the ratio of Spirit Stone to Pure Soul Energy, Yang Shan Shanren was stunned!

This is equivalent to exchanging 20 Spirit Stone for 0.2 points of Pure Soul Energy.

One point of Pure Soul Energy requires 100 Spirit Stone.

To progress from the Spirit Realm Early Stage to the Spirit Realm Middle Stage, 300,000 points of Pure Soul Energy are required. If converted according to this ratio, that would be 30 million Spirit Stone? Moreover, the limit is 20% of the Pure Soul Energy.

Yang Shan unconsciously covered his forehead and couldn't help but curse:

"Damn it! Everything costs money!"

Both "The Lingering Spirit Hundred Howls" and "The Lightning Arc Absolute Barrier" require Spirit Stone.

Now another technique, "The Soul Gathering Art," has arrived.

That's alright, though. He won't need the "Soul Gathering Art" for the time being, since the Soul Accumulation Pearl in his hand doesn't have a single bit of Pure Soul Energy right now!

I'll refine a whole batch of medicines then, aiming to become a sixth-grade Alchemist while also making a fortune in Spirit Stone.

Aside from the "Soul Gathering Art," the drop of Protector Liu is also of utmost importance!

Protector Liu's seal is (purple; rising).

Therefore, the best items that drop are basically all Purple Word Seal.

Yang Shan had already undergone the examination.

There are two copies of the Mystic Rank Advanced Dou Skills with Purple Word Seal.

The strength is quite good, but for Yang Shan, it can no longer bring about a significant improvement.

In addition, there is another secret manual that is quite outstanding!

[Cloud Piercing Flicking Finger]

Rank: Earth Tier Low Grade (Purple)

Type: Finger Dou Technique; Comprehension Requirement: 20 points.

Qualification requirements: 25 points of Thunder Spirit Root, and Dou Qi Intensity exceeding 200 points.

Flicking Finger - Mobilizes a small amount of Dou Qi to instantly release a Finger Strength.

Standard Time Acceleration: 0.2 seconds

Dou Qi Consumption: 10 points.

Dou Technique damage: Character's attack power × 1.5 + Dou Qi Intensity × 2 Maximum attack range: 100 + Dou Qi Intensity ÷ 3 Cloud Piercing - Consumes a large amount of Dou Qi, condensing it into Thunder Qi through mysterious means.

Standard Time Acceleration: 12 seconds.

Dou Qi Consumption: 1200 points.

Dou Technique damage: Character's attack power × 5 + Dou Qi Intensity × 10.

Special - When used in the clouds, "Cloud Piercing" is increased by an additional 50% in power.

Cultivation method: Use Spirit Stone in combination with the power of thunder to temper the index and middle fingers, so that the fingers can condense Finger Strength at the fastest speed!

Introduction: "Cloud Piercing Flicking Finger" is a unique Dou Technique that utilizes Lightning Attribute Dou Qi to its highest level. It uses the finger to control the energy, possessing both the ability to instantly Finger Strength with the finger and the skill to store energy for Lei Hong. With the right environment, the Dou Technique's power can be greatly enhanced.

Yang Shan had long discovered that Protector Liu's forte was finger techniques! Now it seemed that Protector Liu was using the "Flicking Finger" technique from the "Cloud Piercing Flicking Finger" manual! Coincidentally, Yang Shan was currently lacking a ranged attack method that could be used instantly.

The burst damage of "Cloud Piercing" is also quite considerable. Although the amplification is not as good as Su Yitang's "Wind Zenith Sound", the release time of "Wind Zenith Sound" is much longer than that of "Cloud Piercing Flicking Finger".

Moreover, the power of "Cloud Piercing Flicking Finger" can be increased by an additional 50% if used in specific environments!

This burst of attack has completely overwhelmed "Tyrant Blade - Seven Kills"!

Yang Shan Shanxin's long-standing weakness in Dou Technique has finally been addressed!

Thank you, Protector Liu, for sending the "Cloud Piercing Flicking Finger" manual! However, Yang Shan almost went crazy looking at the description in the "Cultivation Method" section. "Spirit Stone! More Spirit Stone! Are there any Dou Technique that don't require Spirit Stone to cultivate?"