First Steps in Soul Tools, Discussion of Body Refinement

With the inner formation completed, the atmosphere within the academy eased considerably, yet that taut string had not truly relaxed. Qin Mo knew well that absolute defense did not exist. Only by constantly increasing their own strength could they handle every change in circumstance.

His gaze began to turn toward another unique power system of Douluo Continent—Soul Tools.

Inside the Dean's Office, the light screen before Qin Mo displayed several simple Soul Tool structural diagrams. They were basic blueprints included with the gift list sent by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, along with analysis diagrams of several low-grade Soul Tool specimens purchased from the Starlight Auction House.

"Using Soul Power as the core drive, converting energy through specific metals and rune arrays to achieve functions such as attack, defense, support, and storage..." Qin Mo ran a finger across the light screen, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "The concept is sound, but unfortunately, Soul Tool technology in this world seems to have suffered a severe break in continuity. Most of what is passed down today was excavated and restored from ancient ruins. They know how it works, but not why. Development has been extremely slow, and its power is limited."

In his view, these Soul Tools had low energy efficiency, crude rune structures, and backward materials science. Take the most common Soul Tool rays, for example: most of their energy was wasted as heat and scattering, and their power was not even comparable to a Soul Master's Third Soul Skill of the same rank. The spatial stability of storage Soul Tools was also poor; once the space grew slightly larger, it could easily collapse.

"But their convenience and functionality are indeed remarkable. If they could be improved by combining the Myriad Manifestations Sect's formation knowledge, materials science, and my modern concepts..." Countless ideas instantly surfaced in Qin Mo's mind: high-energy Soul Tool fusion arrays, ultra-long-range Soul Tool communications, space stabilization and expansion technology, even... Soul Tool mechs?

This was undoubtedly a direction with immense potential. It could not only greatly increase the academy's overall strength and foundation, but also create enormous value.

"It seems the plan to establish a Soul Tool Research Center must be moved up." Qin Mo pondered. "I need to find talents sensitive to runes and energy structures, and gather more ancient Soul Tool relics and information."

He temporarily set the plan aside in his heart, listing it as a key focus of the academy's medium- and long-term development.

Another urgent path to greater strength was—body refinement.

The strength of Soul Masters depended overwhelmingly on Martial Souls and Soul Skills, while the development of the body itself was far from sufficient. Once their Soul Power was depleted, or they encountered a Soul Banishment Domain, their fragility would be laid bare. Yet the body was the ultimate vessel for all power. A powerful physique meant greater Soul Power reserves, faster Soul Power recovery, greater endurance, and a better ability to withstand the impact of Soul Rings!

This was especially true for himself. Though the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda Martial Soul was extraordinary, it also placed an immense burden on his body. Absorbing Soul Rings of greater age in the future and sealing more powerful Soul Beasts would both require a sufficiently formidable physique to support them.

"Body refinement..." Qin Mo contemplated. Most body-refinement methods in this world were crude and painful, inefficient, and prone to leaving hidden injuries. He needed a systematic, efficient body-refinement method that could unlock potential to the fullest extent possible.

That required extensive experimentation and data.

His first thought was of the new students. Their bodies had not fully matured yet, and their strong adaptability made them the best subjects for testing a body-refinement method. But there were risks involved, so he had to proceed cautiously.

After pondering for a long time, Qin Mo made his decision.

The next day, he summoned Huo Yun to the Dean's Office once again.

"Your Third Soul Skill, Rock Domain, focuses on control and defense, but it does not noticeably increase your own strength." Qin Mo went straight to the point. "Do you want your body to become as indestructible as rock as well? To retain powerful combat ability even after your Soul Power is exhausted?"

A sharp gleam flashed through Huo Yun's eyes. "What guidance does the dean have? This student is willing to try!" He knew his own weakness well. As a Control Type Soul Master, his body was indeed his shortcoming.

"Very good." Qin Mo took out a scroll he had prepared long ago, densely covered in writing. "This contains the first three levels of the Basic Body Refinement Art that I have initially devised. It includes a medicinal bath formula, a breathing method, and a set of movements for tempering the body. Take it. Starting today, after your cultivation ends each night, train for an additional two hours. Record in detail your daily physical changes, strength gains, level of fatigue, and any discomfort. Remember, do not rush for results. If anything abnormal occurs, stop immediately and report to me."

Huo Yun solemnly accepted the scroll as though he were receiving a sacred mission. "This student will not fail the dean's trust!"

He knew he had become the dean's guinea pig for testing a new cultivation system, but rather than being a burden, it was an immense trust and opportunity!

"Keep this matter confidential for now. Do not spread it outside," Qin Mo instructed.

"Yes!"

After Huo Yun left, Qin Mo separately summoned Shi Lei, whose Iron Arm Ape Martial Soul excelled in strength, and another new student named Niu Hang, whose Martial Soul was the Armored Rhinoceros and who was likewise known for defense and strength. He taught them slightly adjusted versions of the first three levels of the Basic Body Refinement Art and likewise required them to record data.

He wanted to verify the technique's universality and effectiveness through people with different Martial Souls and constitutions.

After settling the matter of body refinement, Qin Mo thought of Dugu Bo. The three-day deadline had arrived. It was time to give him his first formal treatment.

He went to the temporary residence the academy had specially prepared for Dugu Bo—a quiet, secluded guesthouse with its own small courtyard.

Dugu Bo had already been waiting there. When he saw Qin Mo, he immediately rose to his feet, his expression complicated. Over the past three days, he had taken the Clear Origin Root Solidifying Pill. Sure enough, the pain at midnight and noon had greatly diminished, increasing his confidence in Qin Mo. Yet he felt even more unease.

"Mr. Dugu, please sit and relax your mind." Qin Mo gestured for him to sit, then reached out and placed a finger on his wrist pulse.

A thread of pure, gentle Soul Power, mixed with the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda's unique probing power, slowly entered Dugu Bo's body.

Qin Mo's brows furrowed slightly. Dugu Bo's condition was even worse than what he had sensed through Spiritual Power before. The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison had deeply entwined itself with nearly all of his Meridians, bones, blood, and even Soul Power. Around his head Soul Bone and Dantian in particular, the poison had nearly condensed into substance, constantly eroding his vitality. Had his cultivation not been so profound, he would have long since died from the poison.

"The poison has entered your marrow and invaded your soul. Ordinary pills can only ease it; they cannot eradicate it." Qin Mo withdrew his finger and spoke gravely. "It must be guided out with external force and dissolved internally through medicine, step by step. Today, I will first clear some of your blocked Meridians and relieve the pressure on your Dantian."

He had Dugu Bo remove his upper garments, revealing a lean body that nonetheless contained terrifying power. Beneath his skin, dark green poisonous vapors could faintly be seen slithering like tiny snakes, a truly horrifying sight.

Qin Mo took out nine special needles as thin as ox hairs, each glimmering with silver light. These were Origin Magnetic Needles, forged by the Master Craftsman Workshop from Star Steel mixed with various energy-conducting metals. They were specially designed to guide energy.

His hands moved like lightning, so fast that only afterimages could be seen. The nine needles precisely pierced nine major acupoints on Dugu Bo's back!

As the needles entered his body, Dugu Bo shuddered violently. He felt nine streams of icy air, carrying a strange suction force, bore into his body and begin tugging at the accumulated poison within him.

"Circulate your cultivation method, guide your Soul Power, follow the needles' intent, and strike through the checkpoints!" Qin Mo shouted. At the same time, his hands hovered over the needles as the purifying power of the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda slowly flowed in, carefully wrapping around and separating the poison entangled with Dugu Bo's Soul Power.

The process was excruciating, like scraping poison from bone! The veins on Dugu Bo's forehead bulged, and cold sweat streamed down his face, yet he clenched his teeth and endured.

Two hours later.

Qin Mo withdrew the needles. The tails of all nine silver needles had turned an eerie dark green.

Pfft! Dugu Bo suddenly spat out a mouthful of dark, foul-smelling congealed blood. Yet immediately afterward, his entire body felt lighter, as though a thousand-pound burden had been lifted. Even the circulation of Soul Power in his Dantian had become much smoother!

"How do you feel?" Qin Mo asked.

"Much... much better!" Dugu Bo's voice held a trace of excitement and weakness. "Thank you, Dean!"

"Today was only an initial clearing. Some free poison has been expelled. The deeper poison must be dissolved slowly. This is a new prescription; take it on time. In seven days, we will conduct the next clearing." Qin Mo wrote down the prescription and handed it to him.

Dugu Bo accepted the prescription and looked at the calm-faced youth before him, his heart filled with emotion. For the first time, he sincerely bowed. "This old man... thanks the Dean!"

He knew that this time, he had truly made the right gamble!