Theoretical Knowledge

Morning light streamed through Spirit Hall's lofty dome, scattering flecks of light across the floor of the theory classroom. Yang Jun sat by the window, his fingertips unconsciously brushing the Ice Soul Heart. Blue Crystal light flowed between his fingers, making his blue eyes appear even clearer. Bibi Dong sat beside him, a trace of weariness in her Violet Eyes. The Soul Crystal of the Eight Spider Lances at her waist gave off a faint purple glow, as though she had only just recovered from the battle at the Abyssal Core.

At the front of the classroom stood a white-haired old man—Zhao Mingyuan, Spirit Hall's theory instructor. He wore a dark gray robe, with a badge engraved with the words "Martial Soul Theory" pinned to his chest. In his hands was a Soul Guidance Book streaked with Golden Patterns. Its pages turned on their own with a soft rustling sound, displaying words and illustrations concerning the Abyssal Tide.

"Students," Zhao Mingyuan said in a deep, powerful voice, "today's lesson is on the origin and sealing of the Abyssal Tide." With a wave of his hand, the words within the Soul Guidance Book transformed into a curtain of light hovering in the center of the classroom. Images emerged across it: the core of the Abyssal Mother Nest, Soul Beasts corrupted by the abyss, and the scene of Yang Zhen sealing the Abyssal Tide all those years ago.

A focused look flashed through Yang Jun's blue eyes. As he watched Yang Zhen in the projection, he recalled Lin Yuan from the Abyssal Core in Chapter Nine—Yang Zhen's disciple, who had been consumed by Abyssal Erosion and become an Abyssal Lord. His fingertips trembled faintly, and the Ice Soul Heart shone brighter.

Noticing Yang Jun's emotions, Bibi Dong gently took his hand. A faint purple glow spread from her fingertips into his palm. "Yang Jun, are you all right?"

Yang Jun came back to himself and gave her a faint smile. "I'm fine. I just remembered a few things."

Zhao Mingyuan's gaze swept across the classroom before finally settling on Yang Jun and Bibi Dong. "Yang Jun, Bibi Dong, you recently took part in the mission to seal the Abyssal Tide, correct?"

The other students in the classroom all turned to look at Yang Jun and Bibi Dong. Some gazes were envious, while others held a trace of jealousy. Lin Hao, a student seated behind Yang Jun and another of Yang Zhen's disciples, stared at the Ice Soul Heart in Yang Jun's hand, a complicated expression flashing through his eyes.

Yang Jun nodded. "Yes, Teacher Zhao."

Zhao Mingyuan smiled approvingly. "Very good. Your experience happens to validate what we are discussing today." He waved a hand, and the images in the light screen shifted to the origins of the Self-Condensing Soul Ring. "A Self-Condensing Soul Ring is a special Soul Ring formed when Evil Soul Masters absorb Evil Soul Master Soul Rings and condense them themselves. Its power is formidable, but it is easily affected by Abyssal Erosion, causing unstable Soul Power fluctuations. Yang Jun, your Ice Soul Heart possesses purifying abilities. Bibi Dong, your Silk Soul Crystal can imbue Earth Vein Power. How did you resolve the problem of the Self-Condensing Soul Ring?"

The students all pricked up their ears, eagerly awaiting Yang Jun and Bibi Dong's answer. Bibi Dong rose to her feet, determination in her Violet Eyes. "We found the Earth Vein Spring in the Star Dou Forest Forbidden Ground and used Earth Vein Power to purify the Self-Condensing Soul Ring. The purified Self-Condensing Soul Ring can be imbued with Earth Vein Power. It can not only restrain enemies, but also purify their Soul Power."

Zhao Mingyuan nodded. "Very good. Purifying a Self-Condensing Soul Ring requires the combination of powerful purification abilities and Earth Vein Power. You did well." He looked at Yang Jun. "Yang Jun, how did your Ice Soul Heart function?"

Yang Jun stood up, a trace of gentleness in his blue eyes. "The Ice Soul Heart can guide Earth Vein Power, merging it with the purified Self-Condensing Soul Ring to form an even stronger purifying force."

The classroom erupted with exclamations. Lin Hao stared at Yang Jun, jealousy flashing in his eyes. "Yang Jun, Yang Zhen left you that Ice Soul Heart, didn't he? Did he like you more?"

Yang Jun's gaze passed over Lin Hao, his blue eyes calm. "Lin Hao, Yang Zhen did leave the Ice Soul Heart to me, but he cared deeply for every one of his disciples. Lin Yuan was corrupted by the abyss back then, and Yang Zhen sacrificed himself to seal the Abyssal Tide. We should remember his sacrifice instead of being jealous of one another."

Lin Hao's face turned bright red. He clenched his fists but said nothing more. The other students looked at him with clear displeasure.

Zhao Mingyuan waved a hand, stopping the commotion in the classroom. "All right, students. Let us continue with the lesson." He looked at Yang Jun and Bibi Dong. "Your experience tells us that theoretical knowledge and practical experience complement each other. Only by mastering theory can one make better use of practical experience."

Spirit Hall Library

After the theory lesson, Yang Jun and Bibi Dong went to Spirit Hall's library. The library was an enormous building, its outer walls carved with ancient Runes and suffused with a faint scent of ink. Upon entering, they saw rows upon rows of towering bookshelves filled with Soul Guidance Books and ancient tomes. Students read intently between the shelves, some taking notes. The entire library was steeped in an academic atmosphere.

Yang Jun walked to a bookshelf and took out a Soul Guidance Book titled "Theory and Practice of Martial Souls." The cover was engraved with the words "Written by Yang Zhen." His fingertips gently brushed across it as he recalled Yang Zhen teaching him to read. A trace of sorrow flashed through his blue eyes, and the Ice Soul Heart dimmed.

Bibi Dong walked over and gently took his hand. "Yang Jun, are you thinking about Yang Zhen?"

Yang Jun nodded. "Yes. I always feel that Yang Zhen still had many things he never told me."

Gentleness filled Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. "Perhaps we can find the answers in the library."

The two walked deeper into the library and came before a bookshelf engraved with the words "Yang Zhen's Notes." Several yellowed notebooks rested there, their covers bearing Yang Zhen's handwriting. Yang Jun picked one up and opened it. Inside were Yang Zhen's research notes from years ago: "The origin of the Ice Soul Heart: the Ice Soul Heart is a crystallization of the continent's Earth Vein Power and possesses the ability to purify the abyss. However, its power must be combined with Earth Vein Power to reach its fullest potential."

"Bibi Dong, look here!" Yang Jun said excitedly, pointing at the notebook. "The Ice Soul Heart is a crystallization of Earth Vein Power! Our purifying ability is actually an extension of Earth Vein Power!"

Surprise flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. "That's right! So if we can command more Earth Vein Power, we can unleash even stronger purification abilities!"

Just then, footsteps sounded from the library entrance. Yang Jun and Bibi Dong turned to see Lin Hao standing there, a Soul Guidance Book in his hands and panic in his eyes.

"Lin Hao?" Yang Jun frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Lin Hao walked over and placed the Soul Guidance Book on the table. "I... I came to look for information about the Abyssal Tide. Yang Jun, I overheard what you said. The Ice Soul Heart is a crystallization of Earth Vein Power, right?"

Yang Jun nodded. "Yes. Why?"

An anxious look appeared on Lin Hao's face. "I found an Abyssal Rune in the library basement just now! That Rune is absorbing Earth Vein Power!"

Yang Jun and Bibi Dong exchanged a glance. Solemnity flashed in both his blue eyes and her Violet Eyes. Yang Jun gripped the Ice Soul Heart. "Lin Hao, take us there!"

Spirit Hall Library Basement

Lin Hao led Yang Jun and Bibi Dong into the library basement. The air below was extremely damp. Several soul-guiding lamps hung on the walls, their dim light stretching the shadows long across the room. At the center of the basement stood a stone platform carved with Abyssal Runes. The Runes glowed black as they absorbed the surrounding Earth Vein Power.

"That's the Rune!" Lin Hao pointed at the stone platform. "I was passing through here just now when I saw it absorbing Earth Vein Power!"

Yang Jun walked to the platform and pressed the Ice Soul Heart against the Rune. Blue Crystal light spread along its markings. He could feel that the abyssal aura within the Rune was incredibly dense, and it was merging with Earth Vein Power.

"This Rune was left behind by the remnants of the Abyssal Tide!" Vigilance flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. "They want to use Earth Vein Power to restore the Abyssal Tide's strength!"

Just then, a low laugh echoed from the basement entrance. A man in a black robe stepped inside. He wore a black mask engraved with Abyssal Runes, and red light glimmered in his eyes.

"You finally came." The man's voice was cold and sinister. "I am Morgon, leader of the abyssal remnants. Did you think sealing the core of the Abyssal Mother Nest would resolve the Abyssal Tide completely?"

Determination flashed in Yang Jun's blue eyes as he clenched the Ice Soul Heart. "Morgon, your abyssal remnants have no chance of turning this around!"

Morgon sneered. With a sweep of his black robe, a black vortex surged forth and swallowed Yang Jun and Bibi Dong. The black mist within the vortex corroded their Soul Power. Yang Jun's Blue Crystal light gradually dimmed, while Bibi Dong's faint purple glow also weakened.

"Yang Jun!" Bibi Dong cried anxiously. She gripped Yang Jun's hand and poured her Soul Power into his body. The faint purple glow merged with the Blue Crystal light, forming a blazing pillar of radiance that temporarily scattered the black mist within the vortex.

Determination flashed through Yang Jun's blue eyes. He pressed the Ice Soul Heart against Bibi Dong's Silk Soul Crystal, and Blue Crystal light flowed along it, spreading throughout her body. A blazing violet light erupted from Bibi Dong's Silk Soul Crystal. Pale purple spider silk coiled around Morgon's black robe, and Earth Vein Power surged through the threads into it. The black mist on the robe was instantly purified. The robe shattered into black fragments and vanished into the vortex.

"That's impossible!" Fear entered Morgon's voice. He staggered back several steps, staring at Yang Jun and Bibi Dong. "You... how can you possess Earth Vein Power?"

Gentleness filled Yang Jun's blue eyes as he held Bibi Dong's hand. "Because we protect the foundation of this continent. Earth Vein Power is the life of this continent, and our power exists to protect life."

Determination shone in Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She swung her spider silk, wrapping pale purple threads around Morgon's mask. Earth Vein Power surged through the silk and into the mask. Morgon let out a pained howl. The mask fell to the ground, revealing a familiar face—it was Lin Hao's father, a Spirit Hall disciple who had been corrupted by the abyss years ago.

"Uncle Lin?" Lin Hao's voice trembled as he stared at Morgon's face. "You... how are you here?"

Morgon's face turned pale. He looked at Lin Hao, guilt in his eyes. "Hao'er, I'm sorry... I was corrupted by the abyss back then and became the leader of the abyssal remnants. I did not want you to be hurt, so I hid the truth."

Sorrow appeared on Lin Hao's face. He walked to Morgon's side and took his hand. "Uncle Lin, you have already been freed."

At that moment, the Abyssal Runes on the basement stone platform gradually vanished, and Earth Vein Power returned to calm. Joy flashed through Yang Jun's blue eyes as he held Bibi Dong's hand. "Bibi Dong, we solved another problem!"

A smile flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes as she leaned against Yang Jun's shoulder. "Yes, we did it together."