Douluo: So You're the One Called the Theory Master? Part 9

However, just as he was about to block the attack, Bone Douluo stopped him first.

He could only watch helplessly as the Flame Python struck Ning Yishan head-on.

A small explosion erupted on the arena, leaving a shallow crater where Ning Yishan stood.

"I won."

Wang Ran was ecstatic, clearly believing he had won. But his expression soon froze.

Ning Yishan, whom he had assumed had lost the ability to fight, still stood tall. Blue flames swirled around him as he stared unblinkingly at Wang Ran.

It was obvious that using Soul Skills in succession and taking the attack head-on had drained a great deal of Ning Yishan's Soul Power. Many parts of his body had also been burned.

But he had not fallen.

"What is going on with him?"

Second Elder looked at Gu Rong, somewhat surprised.

"You should ask that brat."

Gu Rong remained expressionless as he looked at Ning Qinghe.

"What was that just now?"

"A Self-Created Soul Skill?"

Even Ning Fengzhi was somewhat surprised.

He had seen the situation on the arena clearly enough.

When Ning Yishan had been bound, he had not stopped struggling. A kick from him could unleash blade-like slashes of sword energy, not only breaking Dance of the Swarming Snakes.

Just now, he had erupted with Soul Power and slashed out a fiery blade, barely blocking the Flame Python. He had taken the remaining shockwave head-on.

"Qinghe, don't you have anything to say?"

Great Elder also looked toward Ning Qinghe.

"Ha."

"It's only a little research."

Hearing those repeated questions, Ning Qinghe did not play dumb.

He smiled and looked up at the others.

"You could say it's a Soul Skill developed by the Research Institute. Rankyaku, one of the Research Institute's Six Powers."

"It isn't difficult to learn once the body is strong enough. With Soul Power enhancement, it becomes even faster."

"Their Soul Power is low, and they have few Soul Skills. This is meant to make up for their lack of abilities as much as possible."

Ning Qinghe did not hide anything.

He had developed it by combining fragments of memories from his previous life.

What should have been a certain pirate world's Navy Six Powers had now become the Research Institute's Six Powers.

He had merely proposed the concept, yet they had been developed one after another over the past two years.

"Six Powers? There are five more moves like that?"

Upon hearing this, even Chen Xin, who had remained very calm, could not stay composed.

"More or less, but not every student can use them. Take Yi Shan, for example. He only knows four. Most students specialize in only one or two."

"It all depends on their talent."

Ning Qinghe nodded calmly.

That calmness made people want to give him a beating. He was showing off a little too much.

Developing one or two useful ordinary Soul Skills would already be impressive. If six similar techniques appeared, other factions would turn green with envy.

While they spoke, a tremendous change occurred on the arena.

"Third Soul Skill, Fire Python Guard."

After breaking free of Dance of the Swarming Snakes, Ning Yishan moved at high speed and reached Wang Ran's side in the blink of an eye.

Even though Wang Ran defended with all his strength, the tremendous force still knocked him out of fighting condition.

Ning Yishan's fighting style was not flashy. Zhiyan increased his fire resistance and added fire-attribute enhancement to his attacks. Beyond that, it was simply blow after blow landing solidly on flesh. Under Ning Yishan's heavy fists, Wang Ran fell first.

Ning Yishan was not much better off either. Even with Zhiyan and Soul Power protecting him, large portions of his body had been severely burned. In an ordinary world, such injuries would be enough to ruin the rest of someone's life.

Even in this world, he needed treatment from a healing-type Soul Master, and his Soul Power and stamina had nearly been exhausted.

This battle could be considered a mutual defeat.

It had also tested Ning Yishan's limits.

As soon as the battle ended, the researchers rushed onto the arena, along with healing-type Soul Masters to treat both of them.

"Was that rapid movement technique he used just now also a Soul Skill?"

"A Soul Skill that increases explosive power. Not bad at all."

From the viewing stands, Chen Xin voiced what he had observed afterward.

Ning Fengzhi and the others also looked toward Ning Qinghe expectantly.

Many Self-Created Soul Skills were not suitable for others to use.

But Ning Qinghe's clearly could be.

"Besides Rankyaku, what Yi Shan used just now was Soru."

"As you saw, it uses explosive force and rebound force to create high-speed movement, allowing him to instantly burst forward and reach Wang Ran's side."

"It places extremely strict requirements on physical strength and control. Even he can only barely use it right now."

The powerful figures beside him were curious, and Ning Qinghe did not hide the information.

He had come here to share these things in the first place. Otherwise, he would not have used them here.

Without even waiting for them to ask, he explained the other four techniques as well.

"Besides Rankyaku and Soru, there are also Tekkai, Shigan, Geppo, and Kami-e."

"Tekkai and Shigan are techniques for controlling the muscles, increasing attack and defense. The difference is that, at present, every student who uses Tekkai is unable to move."

"Geppo is an advanced form of Soru, a technique that uses explosive force and rebound force to leap into the air."

"Kami-e is the most difficult technique. It involves sensing changes in the surrounding air and following the enemy's attack like paper to evade it."

"Also, all of these abilities can be enhanced with Soul Power..."

"Take Rankyaku, for example. The fiery slash Yi Shan unleashed could take on all kinds of variations when combined with other Soul Skills, while also reducing the difficulty of training."

Ning Qinghe explained the Six Powers developed by the Research Institute.

Though many of them were only simplified versions.

For example, the Kami-e used by the academy students was terrible. Against somewhat stronger attacks or abilities with a larger area of effect, using it would be suicidal.

Its cost-effectiveness was not particularly high.

"..."

Watching Ning Qinghe speak so casually, Ning Fengzhi and the others almost wanted to crack open his head and take a look.

Such Soul Skills were naturally extremely suitable for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Even auxiliary-type Soul Masters could gain considerable combat power from them.

"Good, good, good. Having Qinghe is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's fortune."

Great Elder nodded repeatedly, seeming to turn back into the little old man who had once valued Ning Qinghe so highly.

He had always thought highly of Ning Qinghe, believing that Ning Qinghe could lead the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to its peak.

But when Ning Qinghe's martial soul awakened, he had felt that Ning Qinghe was finished.

Now, Ning Qinghe had given him new hope.

Seeing the old fellow who had previously come looking for trouble acknowledge his youngest son so readily, Ning Fengzhi felt much the same.

Now, he was also looking forward to seeing just how many years Ning Qinghe's first Soul Ring would be.

"Good lad, even if your cultivation is a little slower, don't neglect your Soul Power."

"When the time comes, no matter what Soul Beast you want, this old man will personally catch it for you."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong still valued strength more than anything else.

They were also eager to see what would happen if Ning Qinghe truly obtained a three-thousand-year first Soul Ring as he had envisioned.

"I'll do my best."

Naturally, Ning Qinghe would not neglect his own strength.

Displaying the Research Institute's work was also meant to make them keep investing.