Nature Transformation, Five Academies Shaken

Yu Yuanchen, using the alias "Yu Chen," settled into his role as a practical combat instructor at Thunder Academy. He did not become lax or arrogant simply because his strength far surpassed that of an ordinary Soul Emperor. Instead, he was exceptionally diligent and responsible. His teaching methods were completely different from those of traditional instructors who merely followed textbooks and emphasized only Soul Skill power and casting speed.

He placed greater emphasis on guiding students to "understand" their own Soul Power and Soul Skills.

"Releasing Thunder Dragon Claw does not simply mean pouring Soul Power into it. Try to sense the speed and density of Soul Power flowing through your meridians. Think about how to make slight adjustments to give the Dragon Claw greater piercing power or a wider range."

"When facing a defensive opponent, will you bombard them directly with your lightning spheres? Or will you try to find the weak points in their defenses? Or use successive low-powered lightning spheres to disrupt them and break their rhythm?"

He encouraged the students to make all manner of seemingly "unorthodox" attempts. He even personally entered the field, suppressing his Cultivation Level to spar with them and teaching them in actual combat how to use their Soul Skills more flexibly and efficiently. This fresh and highly effective teaching method quickly earned the students' respect and affection, and the name "Instructor Yu Chen" rapidly spread among Thunder Academy's lower- and middle-level students.

During his teaching, Yu Yuanchen also came into contact with students of every sort. Though Thunder Academy mainly focused on orthodox, vigorous lightning, the continent was vast, and there were always students with mutated Martial Souls or special constitutions. He encountered one student whose Martial Soul was the Shadow Thunder Leopard. Its lightning attribute leaned toward softness, concealment, powerful paralysis, and mental interference, completely unlike the berserk nature of orthodox lightning. There was also a student whose Martial Soul was the Lava Thunder Lizard. Its lightning actually carried a trace of searing flame energy, and its destructive effects were more inclined toward sustained burning and explosions.

These special cases were like lightning streaking through the darkness, giving Yu Yuanchen tremendous inspiration. He carefully observed and recorded the subtle differences in how these students circulated their Soul Power, analyzing the similarities and differences between the nature of their Soul Power and orthodox lightning.

"Lightning is not limited to destruction and violence. The Shadow Thunder Leopard's soft concealment and the Lava Thunder Bird's blazing explosiveness both prove that there are different 'nature' tendencies within the Lightning Attribute itself." The concept in Yu Yuanchen's mind grew ever clearer. "Then, since the Lightning Attribute can differentiate internally, does that mean a single attribute can, through acquired guidance, study, and imitation, simulate or even master certain 'natures' or 'characteristics' of other attributes?"

This thought took root and sprouted in his heart like a seed. After nearly a month of observation, teaching, and accumulating his own insights, he felt the time was ripe.

That day, he solemnly submitted a research report titled <Preliminary Concepts and Research Proposal on Soul Power Attribute Nature Transformation> to Thunder Academy's upper management, including Headmaster Lei Dongtian and several senior research Elders at the Soul Douluo and Soul Sage levels.

At the beginning of the report, he threw out a shocking proposition:

"The Soul Master World has always drawn clear distinctions between attributes. Lightning-attribute Soul Masters study lightning's violence and penetration, while water-attribute Soul Masters pursue water's gentleness and variability. It seems that an attribute is born with predetermined power characteristics. But are the powers of attributes truly so clearly divided and impossible to cross?"

He cited examples such as the Shadow Thunder Leopard and Lava Thunder Bird within the academy, pointing out that nature differentiation already existed within the Lightning Attribute. He then put forward the core theory:

"I believe that so-called attributes are more like a fundamental 'tendency' or 'label' of energy, rather than fixed shackles. Soul Power itself possesses immense plasticity. Through acquired learning, imitation, and deep control, Soul Masters may well be able to guide their own Soul Power to simulate certain 'Nature Transformations' of other attributes within a certain range."

He gave examples. "For instance, the Lightning Attribute generally possesses violence, penetration, and paralysis, while the Water Attribute generally possesses gentleness, fluidity, and infiltration. But that does not mean lightning-attribute Soul Power cannot, through special circulation methods and mental guidance, simulate water-like qualities of 'gentleness and nourishment,' perhaps for healing or nurturing the meridians. Conversely, could water-attribute Soul Power simulate lightning's 'penetration' or 'paralysis'? Could fire-attribute energy simulate earth's 'heaviness'? Could wind-attribute energy simulate fire's 'violence'?"

In the report, he elaborated in detail on the concept of "Nature Transformation," distinguishing between "attribute essence" and "nature manifestation." He also laid out preliminary possible research directions, including but not limited to detailed observation and documentation of the Soul Power characteristics of Soul Masters with different attributes, experimental methods for guiding one's own Soul Power to simulate different natures, and the Soul Skill innovations and applications that Nature Transformation might bring. The logic was rigorous and the structure clear. Though many ideas remained bold hypotheses, the foresight and pioneering nature it displayed were astonishing!

This report caused an enormous uproar among Thunder Academy's upper management!

When they first read it, several Elders thought it was sheer fantasy and scoffed at it. But as they read further, especially Yu Yuanchen's examples from within the academy and his rigorous logical deductions, the contempt on their faces gradually gave way to shock and contemplation.

Headmaster Lei Dongtian read it three times in succession, then suddenly slammed his palm onto the table. A frightening brilliance burst from his eyes. "Genius! No, this is the thinking of a mad genius! If this project achieves anything, it will overturn the existing limits of Soul Master combat and even cultivation!"

An Elder at the Soul Douluo level who specialized in Soul Power theory trembled, his beard quivering as he muttered, "The barriers between attributes... could they truly be broken? If one could master multiple Nature Transformations, even if only through simulation, how terrifyingly would a Soul Master's adaptability and combat power improve?"

After intense discussion, the academy's upper management unanimously concluded that the Soul Power Attribute Nature Transformation project proposed by Instructor Yu Chen held epoch-making significance! Its concepts were not castles in the air. They had real cases to support them, were logically consistent, and deserved the investment of resources for in-depth research!

However, another problem soon arose. Thunder Academy's accumulated texts and experience were almost entirely focused on developing the various characteristics of the Lightning Attribute itself. It possessed extremely little material on the fundamental natures of other attributes. To verify and advance this project, they had to obtain detailed information on the four attributes of wind, fire, water, and earth, especially core knowledge regarding their Soul Power characteristics, circulation patterns, and nature manifestations.

"Thunder Academy alone cannot support such a vast project," Lei Dongtian said gravely. "This project concerns the future of the Soul Master World. It is not the private affair of a single academy. I propose that we invite Godwind, Blazing Fire, Skywater, and Boulder Academies to participate in this research together! The project's proposer and leader—Instructor Yu Chen—will serve as the overall person in charge!"

This decision sparked another round of debate. It was unprecedented to have such a young and inexperienced "Soul King" instructor lead a project of such importance, one involving cooperation among the Five Academies. But Lei Dongtian overrode all objections. "This project originated from Yu Chen's ideas. No one understands its core concepts better than him. And judging from his teaching, his thinking is meticulous and he is skilled at guiding others. He can certainly handle it!"

In the end, Thunder Academy sent formal letters to the other four elemental academies, attaching a summarized version of Yu Yuanchen's research report.

As expected, this official letter caused an even greater storm in Elemental City than it had within Thunder Academy!

When the upper management of Godwind Academy, Blazing Fire Academy, and Skywater Academy first heard of it, their reactions were exactly like those of Thunder Academy's Elders: from doubt, to shock, to unprecedented attention. They keenly realized just how profound an impact this project would have on the entire Soul Master World—especially academies like theirs that specialized in a single attribute—if it achieved a breakthrough!

Boulder Academy, whose position was delicate, experienced even fiercer internal division after receiving the letter. The Conservative Faction led by the old headmaster believed that participating in such pioneering research might elevate the academy's prestige, strengthen its ability to remain independent, and resist annexation by the Elephant Armored Sect. Meanwhile, some of those infiltrated by the Elephant Armored Sect secretly obstructed it, claiming this was a Thunder Academy plot intended to steal each academy's Core Secrets.

However, with Thunder Academy actively mediating and the other three academies clearly expressing their support and willingness to participate, Boulder Academy's old headmaster ultimately withstood the pressure and decided to join the collaboration.

After several rounds of tense negotiations, the Five Academies finally reached an agreement: they would establish the Elemental Nature Transformation Joint Research Group. Each academy would provide materials related to its own attribute's Nature Transformations that did not involve its most closely guarded teachings, along with some outstanding students and instructors to serve as research subjects and participants. The research would be conducted at Thunder Academy, with the project's proposer, Instructor "Yu Chen," serving as the research group's leader and taking full responsibility for determining the research direction and advancing the specific work!

When the news spread, all of Elemental City was in an uproar. An obscure young instructor from Thunder Academy had suddenly become a central figure capable of influencing the Five Academies?

Yu Yuanchen—Yu Chen—stood before the window of his new office at Thunder Academy, which also served as the joint research group's temporary headquarters. Looking out at the bustling sights of Elemental City, a barely noticeable curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

The plan was proceeding smoothly according to his design. By drawing upon the strength of the Five Academies, he could gather detailed materials on the four major attributes of wind, fire, water, and earth. Using those as a foundation, he could deduce and simulate the corresponding Nature Transformations, aiding him in his plan for Viscera Quenching. This would be more than a hundred times faster than exploring on his own.

A transformation that would sweep through Elemental City and perhaps influence the future direction of Soul Master development quietly began in the hands of this young "group leader," who had concealed his true identity and purpose. And his path of tempering his five viscera and seeking the true essence of lightning had finally found its greatest support.