Su Wen: Too Slow, I Want to Be Faster (Please Bookmark!!!)

In the midst of battle, Su Wen naturally grasped the technique of integrating Book Pages into his fists.

"Is this what it feels like when a Beast Martial Soul possesses you?" Trying again and feeling the increase in his physical strength after the Book Pages merged into him, Su Wen could not help but sigh.

There was a reason Beast Martial Soul masters far surpassed Tool Martial Soul masters in physical strength.

"Just as the Soul Fusion Method was inspired by having a Tool Martial Soul's Martial Soul Avatar merge with the soul master, what I'm doing is essentially Tool Martial Soul possession."

Or rather, Su Wen had already embarked upon the path of cultivating the Soul Fusion Method.

"My Fusion Degree with my Martial Soul must be very high. That's why I can do this."

This new discovery regarding his First Soul Skill gave Su Wen many ideas.

If Book Pages could merge into his teammates, perhaps they could strengthen them—a proper support soul skill. If Book Pages could merge into wind blades and flames and strengthen them as well, that would be like gaining an extra layer of enhancement out of thin air.

After all, when Su Wen used his Martial Soul to draw upon Heaven and Earth Origin Qi to cast flames and wind blades, the Martial Soul itself already benefited from the First Soul Skill's enhancement. If those wind blades and flames cast through the Martial Soul could then use tangible Book Pages as their foundation and receive another enhancement, that would be a double enhancement.

One soul skill, strengthening something twice.

After jotting down his ideas, Su Wen continued sorting through what he had gained from the two battles during the day.

Only then did Su Wen's life of study at Heaven Dou Royal Academy truly fall into a proper rhythm.

He studied the control of two elements under Xiao Zhan, sparred under Qin Ming's guidance, and summarized the day's gains at night.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Su Wen's daily life was fulfilling, and his gains were immense. His exploration of the wind and fire elements also deepened day by day.

Yet he was not satisfied.

"My soul power cultivation is too slow."

Half a month had passed. Including the time he had previously spent at the Martial Soul Holy Hall and the seven days before joining the team, nearly a month had gone by.

Over that month, his soul power had taken a major step closer to level twenty-four, but it was still not enough to satisfy him.

"It has already been two months since I broke through level twenty-three. Based on how it feels now, even at the fastest, it will still take another month to break through level twenty-four."

One level every three months meant only four levels in a year.

And that was only at his current level. As his Soul Power Level continued to rise, it might take four or five months to advance a single level. Later on, it might even take a whole year to advance one level.

That was the norm for soul masters on Douluo Continent. Take Salas at level eighty-seven, for instance—he had been stuck at that level for several years.

There were even Titled Douluo who had been stuck at level ninety-one for over a decade.

Thus, Su Wen's situation was perfectly normal.

Moreover, his speed was not slow. Advancing four levels a year at the Soul Grandmaster stage meant that he would definitely become a Soul Elder within two years. A thirteen-year-old Soul Elder would be an exceptionally monstrous talent even on Douluo Continent.

"My soul power cultivation is still not fast enough."

Not fast enough!

I want progress I can see with my own eyes!

"I have to speed up the development of my Second Soul Skill. Dense Heaven and Earth Origin Qi can accelerate soul power cultivation, yet I still haven't benefited from this soul skill at all."

Using his Second Soul Skill to draw upon Heaven and Earth Origin Qi and increase the concentration of origin qi around himself was indeed possible. However, using the Second Soul Skill also consumed soul power. No matter how hard Su Wen tried to control it, some of the refined origin qi would inevitably be used to restore soul power rather than break through his soul power limit.

Overall, it was even less cost-effective.

"I have to find the crux of the problem."

It was Heaven's Law and Earth's Right that using a soul skill consumed soul power. Su Wen could find no fault in that. What he could try to solve was the latter part.

"Most of the origin qi I refine is used to replenish the consumption from my soul skill. If I can find out why this happens and prevent that portion of origin qi from restoring my soul power, using it instead to expand my soul power limit, then I can increase my cultivation speed through it."

Su Wen reviewed everything he had learned and pondered the underlying principles.

"Xiao Wen, even though you're a substitute member, you can't miss out on the experience of the Great Soul Arena."

After training for half a month, Qin Ming was finally ready to have Su Wen try the Great Soul Arena.

"With your strength, you're guaranteed to win at the Soul Grandmaster stage. I'll set some restrictions for you. Without using any means of flight and fighting solely with Flame Fist, you must earn a Gold Soul Badge within a year."

Without Ye Lingling's support, Su Wen's Flame Fist dropped an entire tier in power.

During this period, Qin Ming had also briefly learned from Xiao Zhan about the direction in which Flame Fist could be improved: continuously adapting to flames erupting within the body and gradually increasing one's resistance.

That was why he had set such a requirement for Su Wen.

Yu Feng stood beside Su Wen and explained the significance of the Gold Soul Badge to him.

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Qin Ming, the team's seven official members, and Su Wen left the academy together and arrived at the Great Soul Arena in Heaven Dou City.

"Heaven Dou City has the most soul masters and the greatest concentration of geniuses in the entire Heaven Dou Empire. Many Sects are also based here. Whether they are academies or Sects, they often use the Great Soul Arena to temper talented students. Therefore, a Gold Soul Badge earned at Heaven Dou City's Great Soul Arena carries far more weight than one earned in other cities."

Upon arriving at the Great Soul Arena, Su Wen was stunned.

Before he even entered, the scale of the Great Soul Arena had already shocked him.

As far as the eye could see, nearly the entire plaza belonged to the Great Soul Arena. Every building within sight was part of it.

Once inside, Qin Ming led Su Wen to register.

"Scholar Who Can Fight."

Qin Ming's mouth twitched as he looked at the ID on Su Wen's badge.

What the hell kind of ID was that?

Sure, his martial soul was a Book Martial Soul, but his path was that of a Battle Soul Master, okay?

Qin Ming still had no idea that Su Wen was actually a scholar. Although Su Wen had never hidden it, such inner refinement was usually impossible to notice unless someone deliberately showed it off. Especially since Su Wen used Flame Fist to unleash Rage-style combat techniques in front of Qin Ming every day, utterly smashing any trace of a scholar's refined temperament.

"Forget it. Whatever name you pick is your personal business." Qin Ming waved a hand. "Today is your first match. It should end quickly."

The Great Soul Arena's matchmaking system also went from weak to strong. As one's winning streak increased or their Soul Fight badge rose in rank, the level of their matched opponents would also increase.

"Alright, your opponent has been matched as well: Battle Axe."

Looking at the information on the large screen, Qin Ming sent Su Wen off to prepare.

The first match was also a test of a newcomer's quality, so it would not be easy. Among opponents of the same rank, Battle Axe was considered one of the stronger ones. Qin Ming had said Su Wen would finish quickly only because Su Wen himself was beyond the standard for his level.

"Xiao Wen, do your best later." Yu Feng and the others greeted Su Wen, then each headed for their own Arena Platforms to prepare.

Su Wen put on his mask and arrived at Arena Platform Seven.

Ten minutes later.

"Scholar Who Can Fight versus Battle Axe. Both contestants, please take your positions."