Opening the Can, Obtaining Pills? The Entire Team Powers Up

Chapter 34

The morning mist over Heaven Dou City had yet to disperse when a faint medicinal fragrance already filled the courtyard of the Shrek dormitory. Seven glowing Glazed Jade Tokens were arranged on the stone table in a seven-star formation. Every member of the Cauldron Sword Team sat in a circle, their eyes fixed tightly on the half-human-height golden clay can in Lin Che's hands—this was the [Epic Can] unlocked by their ten consecutive preliminary victories. Dragon patterns flowed across its surface in the morning light, and even the air seemed stained with a sacred halo.

"Captain, are you sure we should open it now? Shouldn't we wait a little longer?" Ma Hongjun rubbed his hands together, his phoenix wings unconsciously spreading halfway as flames danced at their tips. "What if it gives us some treasure that requires special conditions to use, and we aren't prepared?"

Lin Che brushed his fingertips over the can's surface, clearly sensing the pure Soul Power surging within. A vague prompt had already appeared on the system panel: [The Epic Can contains a group enhancement item. It requires the Soul Resonance of all members to unlock.] He looked at the others and placed the clay can at the center of the seven-star formation. "I studied it last night. The can needs all seven of us to inject Soul Power in sync to open completely. This is a good chance to test our teamwork."

Tang San immediately understood. Blue Silver Grass spread across the stone table, its blades gently wrapping around everyone's wrists. "I'll use Blue Silver Grass to channel our Soul Power and ensure synchronization. Rongrong, get your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda ready to amplify us. If there's an energy shock when we open it, we'll be able to respond faster."

Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda instantly rose three feet tall, and the halo of its first layer, "Strength Amplification," enveloped the clay can. "Don't worry, the amplification is ready at any time!" Jiang Zhu laid the Seven-Colored Sacred Staff across her knees as well, its green and gold patterns glowing faintly—she had already sensed that the energy inside the can was gentle and non-aggressive, but she still prepared herself to heal.

Lin Che took a deep breath and was the first to inject Soul Power into the clay can. Pale golden Soul Power flowed from his fingertips into the dragon patterns. The first dragon pattern on the can suddenly lit up, releasing a deep hum. Immediately afterward, the Soul Power of Dai Mubai, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Jiang Zhu flowed in one after another. Seven streams of Soul Power with different attributes intertwined into a net within the seven-star formation. The dragon patterns on the can lit up one after another until the entire clay can was shrouded in dazzling golden light.

Boom!

The golden light suddenly erupted, but instead of the anticipated energy shock, it turned into golden powder that filled the sky, gathering in midair into seven pills the size of longans. The pills were entirely golden, their surfaces carved with fine cloud patterns. Their medicinal aroma carried a faint dragon's breath, and the moment they appeared, the air in the courtyard seemed to grow thick—these were the "Soul Power Amplification Pills" mentioned by the system prompt.

[Item Obtained: Soul Power Amplification Pill ×7 (Epic)]

[Item Effect: Raises Soul Power by 1–3 levels according to a Soul Master's aptitude. No side effects. Requires Half an Hour of refinement after consumption.]

[Special Prompt: The higher the aptitude, the more levels gained. Holders of Dual Martial Souls / mutated Martial Souls may trigger additional effects.]

"These are Soul Power Amplification Pills?" Oscar reached out to take one, only to be bounced back by the pill's golden light. "Damn, they're more domineering than my sausages!" Dai Mubai stared at the pills, his eyes full of delight. "I've been stuck at level 36 for nearly a month. If I can rise two levels, I can try breaking through to Soul Ancestor!"

Lin Che distributed the pills one by one. When his fingertips touched a pill, another prompt appeared on the system panel: [Detected that the host possesses Dual Martial Souls. Consumption can additionally increase Martial Soul Compatibility by 5%.] He gave the largest pill to himself, then distributed the remaining six according to everyone's aptitude—Tang San and Dai Mubai received slightly larger ones, Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong received the next largest, while Oscar and Jiang Zhu's were somewhat smaller.

"Start refining them. Jiang Zhu and I will stand guard." Lin Che was the first to sit down cross-legged and place the pill in his mouth. The pill melted upon entering, turning into a warm current that slid down his throat into his dantian. There was not the slightest burning sensation. Instead, like spring rain nourishing the earth, it gently seeped through every inch of his body. He could clearly feel the Soul Power barrier in his dantian soaking in warm water. The once-solid barrier began to develop fine cracks.

After taking his pill, Tang San immediately circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill. The warm current merged with the skill's internal energy and rapidly coursed through his meridians. Purple Demon Eyes lit with a faint violet glow in his eyes—he could see the Soul Power inside his body boiling like water, madly striking the level 32 barrier. His Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul quietly appeared behind him. The patterns on its blades became clearer, showing faint signs of evolution.

Dai Mubai's reaction was the most intense. The moment the pill entered his stomach, his White Tiger Martial Soul automatically possessed him. His white fur stood on end, and the golden light on his tiger claws surged. He let out a muffled grunt as the Soul Power in his body became like floodwaters breaking through a dam. The level 36 barrier was instantly blasted open, and his Soul Power soared all the way to level 37. Yet it did not stop, continuing to charge toward level 38.

"Hongjun, control your Phoenix Fire!" Lin Che suddenly called out. Ma Hongjun was immersed in the exhilaration of his rising Soul Power, and his phoenix flames spread out of control, nearly igniting the dry grass in the courtyard. Ma Hongjun jolted awake and hurriedly reined in the flames, only to discover with delight that his Soul Power had already broken through from level 33 to level 34 and was steadily advancing toward level 35.

Oscar and Ning Rongrong's refinement processes were comparatively steady. Oscar's Soul Power slowly rose from level 30. The pill's energy not only strengthened his Soul Power but also noticeably increased the speed at which he made sausages—his Recovery Sausage, which had originally taken ten breaths to make, now required only seven. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda grew another half inch taller, its amplification effect increasing by 5%, while the glazed radiance on the tower became even more brilliant.

The most pleasant surprise was Jiang Zhu. Her Soul Power had already been stuck at the peak of level 29. The pill's energy acted like a catalyst, instantly breaking through the barrier and allowing her to directly advance to level 30, Soul Elder. Even more unexpectedly, her Seven-Colored Sacred Staff suddenly erupted with dazzling green light. An additional Golden Pattern appeared on the gem at the staff's tip, and a system prompt rang out in Lin Che's mind: [Detected that Jiang Zhu's Martial Soul has undergone a secondary mutation due to the pill's energy. Poison and Heal Dual Ability effectiveness increased by 10%.]

Half an Hour later, everyone gradually finished their cultivation. Lin Che slowly opened his eyes. The Soul Power in his body flowed like a surging river, nearly twice as abundant as before—his Soul Power had steadily risen from level 35 to level 37. The compatibility of his Dual Martial Souls had indeed increased by 5%. The Azure Water Sword trembled lightly in his palm, while the azure glow of the Sword-Tassel Glazed Bead was noticeably deeper than before.

"I broke through to level 38!" Dai Mubai excitedly waved his tiger claws, his Soul Power Fluctuation far stronger than before. "Even if I run into Yu Tianxin again now, I can take his Thunderous Might head-on!"

Tang San smiled as well. His Soul Power had stabilized at level 34, and both the resilience and devouring ability of his Blue Silver Grass had improved considerably. "My Purple Demon Eyes have become stronger too. I can see Soul Power Trajectories more clearly than before."

Ma Hongjun patted his chest, condensing phoenix flames into a small ball in his palm. "Level 35! From now on, the range of my Phoenix Meteor Shower can double!" Oscar pulled out his sausage maker and quickly produced a sausage glowing with golden light. "Level 32! My sausages have improved too—the recovery speed is thirty percent faster than before!"

Ning Rongrong raised the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, its light flowing around its body. "Level 33! Now I can release three amplifications at once without my Soul Power becoming unstable!" Jiang Zhu waved the Seven-Colored Sacred Staff, and its green and gold patterns intertwined into a net of light. "Level 31! My Poison and Heal Dual Ability can now neutralize fourth-rank toxins, and my healing range has expanded too!"

Lin Che looked at everyone's changes, his heart filled with satisfaction. He raised his hand and summoned the Azure Water Sword, pouring Soul Power into it. "Let's test the new Wind Scar Slash." Azure Sword Qi whistled out and slashed toward the Old Locust Tree in the courtyard. In the instant the Sword Qi passed through, the patterns on the bark were clearly visible, and the cut was much smoother than before—a system prompt sounded at the right moment: [Wind Scar Slash armor-piercing effect increased to 15%. Sword force circulation speed increased by 20%.]

"Let's test Cauldron Suppression too." Lin Che put away the Azure Water Sword. The Universe Cauldron floated above his palm, and the instant Soul Power flowed into it, the cauldron expanded to a height of ten feet. A pale golden Soul Power field spread outward, its coverage reaching exactly fifty feet—twenty feet farther than before. The density of the Soul Power field was also more even, increasing its defensive effect by 15%.

"That's incredible!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed. "With Cauldron Suppression as it is now, even a Soul Ancestor's large-scale soul skill might not be able to break it!" Tang San nodded in agreement. "With Wind Scar Slash's armor-piercing effect and Cauldron Suppression's broad defense, our offensive and defensive system is much more complete."

Just as everyone excitedly discussed their new abilities, Lin Che suddenly frowned and swept his gaze toward the shadows outside the courtyard wall. A familiar Soul Power Fluctuation flashed by—Hu Liena's aura. Without drawing attention, he gave Tang San a look. Tang San immediately understood. The roots of Blue Silver Grass quietly extended beyond the courtyard wall, but they only captured a trace of lingering Soul Power.

"Spirit Hall is still watching us," Lin Che said in a low voice. "They must have noticed the increase in our Soul Power. Their preparations for the elimination rounds will be more thorough."

Dai Mubai's expression immediately turned serious. "What's there to fear? We're stronger now. Even if they set up a Soul Erosion Array, we can break it!" Ma Hongjun chimed in, "That's right! My Phoenix Fire can now burn through a Soul Douluo's defenses. This is the perfect chance to let Spirit Hall taste our strength!"

Lin Che shook his head. "We can't be careless. Spirit Hall's foundation far exceeds our imagination. Since we've improved, they'll definitely have ways to deal with it." He looked at the others. "For the next three days, we need to quickly adjust to our new Soul Power levels. In particular, my Wind Scar Slash and Cauldron Suppression need to be readjusted to work with all of you."

Over the next three days, the Cauldron Sword Team entered intense coordination training. Lin Che's Wind Scar Slash, combined with Dai Mubai's White Tiger Light Splitting Wave, could easily shatter thick boulders. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass paired with Lin Che's Cauldron Suppression to form an airtight Defense Net. Under Ning Rongrong's amplification, Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Meteor Shower expanded to a range of one hundred feet, with its burning effect increased by 20%. Oscar's new sausages could provide recovery and poison resistance at the same time, while Jiang Zhu's Poison and Heal Dual Ability could heal the entire team within three breaths.

During breaks in training, Lin Che specifically tested the Azure Water Sword's new abilities. When sparring with Dai Mubai, the 15% armor-piercing effect of Wind Scar Slash easily tore open Dai Mubai's White Tiger Body Protection. Had Dai Mubai not dodged in time, he likely would have been injured. When sparring with Tang San, his Cauldron Suppression easily blocked Tang San's Blue Silver Cage and even reflected 15% of the Soul Power back, forcing Tang San to withdraw his move early.

Late that night, at the Spirit Hall branch, Hu Liena knelt before Salas and reported the Cauldron Sword Team's changes with a pale face. "Reporting to the bishop, every member of the Cauldron Sword Team has increased their Soul Power. Lin Che's Wind Scar Slash armor-piercing effect has risen to 15%, and Cauldron Suppression's range has expanded to fifty feet. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass has grown stronger too. The Soul Erosion Array we previously set up may..."

Salas slammed his palm onto the table, crushing the crystal ball in his hand. "A bunch of useless trash! You can't even handle a tiny Cauldron Sword Team!" He took a deep breath, a sinister glint flashing through his eyes. "Deliver my order. Have Ghost Douluo take action personally and set up the 'Netherworld Soul Devouring Array' around the outskirts of the elimination-round arena. I refuse to believe they can break two arrays at once!"

Hu Liena bowed and withdrew, but a trace of unease rose in her heart. She recalled the Cauldron Sword Team's training that day. The coordination and strength among those seven people were far beyond those of an ordinary academy team. Lin Che's Dual Martial Souls in particular seemed capable of creating miracles at crucial moments.

On the morning of the fourth day, the Cauldron Sword Team packed their gear and prepared to head to the elimination-round arena. Seeing everyone in high spirits, Lin Che's heart was full of confidence. He raised his hand and summoned the Azure Water Sword. The azure light of the Sword-Tassel Glazed Bead sparkled beneath the sunlight, while the Universe Cauldron spun above his palm, emitting a faint golden glow.

"Let's go," Lin Che said firmly. "Let Spirit Hall see the true strength of the Cauldron Sword Team!"

The seven figures gradually disappeared into the morning light as they headed toward the elimination-round arena. They did not know that an even greater crisis awaited them ahead, but they knew even more clearly that as long as the seven of them stood united, there was no obstacle they could not overcome.

Above Heaven Dou City behind them, dark clouds quietly gathered. Spirit Hall's shadow had already enveloped the elimination-round arena. A battle that would determine life and death was about to begin.