Po Jun and "Cheng Ying"

Po Jun and "Cheng Ying"

Liu Yanyang stared at the Variant Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, considering how to make the most of it.

"Old Monster, do you have any poison that can make a Soul Beast suffer intense, prolonged pain and torment?"

Yang Wudi took a small bottle from his Storage Soul Tool and handed it to Liu Yanyang, asking doubtfully, "What do you need that for?"

Taking the bottle and holding it in his palm, Liu Yanyang finally spoke.

"I'm gambling!"

As he spoke, he walked over to the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear and poured both the antidote to "Dream Illusion" and the liquid from the bottle straight into its mouth.

After a long while, the Variant Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear opened its eyes and began rolling, thrashing, and roaring wildly across the ground.

A quarter of an hour later, its movements gradually weakened. Liu Yanyang summoned the Dragon Roar Spear and approached it. The Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear looked at the human before it.

Its eyes burst with hatred as it let out low growls. Liu Yanyang raised his spear and thrust straight ahead, piercing through its eye in a single strike as blood sprayed out.

A dazzling purple ring emerged above the corpse. Liu Yanyang sat cross-legged and drew in the Soul Ring, its energy surging madly into his body.

Feeling a faint swelling pain in his meridians, he thought, As expected of a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's Soul Ring. It's truly overbearing. I hope my gamble pays off.

Time continued to pass. The absorption of the Soul Ring neared its end, but he still felt nothing. Liu Yanyang opened his eyes.

He sat quietly on the ground, feeling somewhat frustrated. Was my luck really that bad?

Seeing Liu Yanyang looking dejected, Yang Wudi asked doubtfully, "What's wrong?"

"Sigh, I was gambling on whether I could obtain an External Soul Bone—Dark Gold Dreadclaws!"

"By tormenting the Soul Beast and increasing its resentment toward the Soul Master, you can raise the chances of obtaining a Soul Bone. I thought a super Soul Beast like this was too rare an opportunity to pass up, so I wanted to try. But it failed."

Liu Yanyang sighed.

"There's such a method? Though it does go somewhat against the natural order," Yang Wudi said.

Liu Yanyang nodded in agreement, then rose to his feet. Forget it. If I gain it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate.

"My Soul Power has reached Rank 22. My second soul skill—Po Jun—coats the spear blade in golden light, grants 60% armor penetration, and increases my strength and defense by 200%."

Yang Wudi smiled. "Another enhancement-type soul skill. Looks like the little monster's luck is quite good. More importantly, it has 60% armor penetration. In the future, when facing defense-type Soul Masters, you'll probably take them down one spear thrust at a time."

Liu Yanyang took out a small knife, cut off the bear's two paws, and placed them into his Storage Soul Tool.

Afterward, the two left the scene. Once they exited the Star Dou Great Forest, they boarded a carriage and rushed back without stopping.

Two days later, the travel-worn pair returned to the residence. After simply eating roasted bear paws, they each returned to their rooms to rest.

The next day, as the rising sun climbed into the sky, Liu Yanyang slowly woke up. At last, he could have a proper day of rest.

Getting out of bed, Liu Yanyang took "Cheng Ying" from his Storage Soul Tool and put it on his finger.

He then summoned his Martial Soul, the Dragon Roar Spear. One yellow and one purple Soul Ring flickered beneath his feet.

He infused it with Soul Power and activated "Cheng Ying" on his finger. With a thought, the colors of his Soul Rings seemed to be affected by something, gradually turning into two yellow rings.

"It really is miraculous!"

Liu Yanyang was somewhat astonished. "Cheng Ying" was a type of Soul Tool, but one capable of changing the color of Soul Rings was truly rare.

Douluo Continent seemed to have no inheritance of Soul Tools. Only the other continent—Sun Moon Continent—possessed such a legacy.

If he had the chance in the future, he could sail there and take a look.

Remembering that it could also conceal one's aura and form, he immediately put on his shoes and headed straight for Yang Wudi's courtyard.

At that moment, Yang Wudi was reading and drinking tea in the courtyard.

He did not notice in the slightest that someone had entered his courtyard. Liu Yanyang silently arrived before him.

Seeing Yang Wudi in such a peaceful and comfortable state, he suddenly felt like playing a prank.

Catching him off guard, he snatched the book from Yang Wudi's hands.

Seeing the book fly into the air after slipping from his grasp, Yang Wudi looked puzzled.

"It's me, Old Yang!" Liu Yanyang dispelled his concealment and stood before Yang Wudi.

"You brat, where did you pop out from?" Yang Wudi asked in surprise. His senses had detected no one entering or leaving his courtyard.

Liu Yanyang smiled and raised his left hand, revealing "Cheng Ying" on his finger.

He immediately explained it to Yang Wudi and even summoned his Martial Soul, displaying the Soul Rings whose colors had already changed.

"It really is miraculous. Where did you get this thing?" Yang Wudi asked curiously.

"My parents left it for me." Liu Yanyang's mood sank, and sorrow appeared on his face.

But recalling his mother's words, he immediately pulled himself together. His gaze turned resolute. He could not betray his mother's instructions.

Seeing this, Yang Wudi said nothing more.

"You brat, in a few days, I'll be going to Star Luo City to trade medicinal herbs."

"You'll come with me. You've practiced the basic spear technique for a year now. Whether you're a mule or a horse, you have to be taken out for a run. The Great Soul Arena is a good place to test yourself," Yang Wudi said sternly.

Liu Yanyang nodded in agreement. He also wanted to see what the Great Soul Arena was like, and at the same time, test just how strong he had become.

Three days later...

A carriage slowly entered Star Luo City. Inside, Yang Wudi and Liu Yanyang were talking.

"The Great Soul Arena is almost here. How much real combat experience you can accumulate over the next month will depend on you," Yang Wudi said calmly.

"Don't worry, Old Yang. I have confidence in myself," Liu Yanyang replied unhurriedly.

Yang Wudi said nothing more. He had witnessed Liu Yanyang's progress and strength with his own eyes.

The carriage stopped. After getting out, Liu Yanyang headed alone toward the Great Soul Arena.

What came into view was a building nearly a hundred meters tall, grand and imposing. Beneath the setting sun, it appeared exceptionally solemn.

After checking the time, he saw that the Great Soul Arena would not open for another hour. With nothing else to do, he decided to wander around nearby.

He entered a shop and browsed casually, spotting all kinds of masks displayed in the cabinet ahead.

Liu Yanyang felt that hiding his identity was still necessary.

Influenced by Cheng Ying, he now always wore black robes, so he picked out a white mask from the pile.

After putting it on, the stark contrast was immediately apparent. He paid for it at once and left the shop.

Seeing that the Great Soul Arena had already opened, Liu Yanyang followed the crowd inside.

Registering for Soul Fighting here was very simple. One only needed to fill out a form containing their name, age, birthplace, and Martial Soul to receive an initial Iron Soul Fighting Badge. Of course, registration also required each person to pay ten gold coins as a registration fee.

At the same time, they had to undergo a Soul Power test to determine their Soul Power Level.

"Hello, I'd like to register for Soul Fighting," Liu Yanyang said calmly.

In less than a minute, his registration was complete. The efficiency was unbelievably fast; the staff were clearly professionals.

Liu Yanyang was currently holding the Iron Soul Fighting Badge he had just registered for.

In the name field were three words—White Mask.

He headed toward one of the Soul Fighting arenas, found an empty corner, and sat down. Closing his eyes to rest, he quietly awaited his turn.