Luo Can walked briskly and soon arrived at a simple Wooden House deep in the bamboo forest.
This bamboo forest is located in the most remote corner of the Fate Defying Valley, with a quiet and secluded environment, which is why Ji Juechen took a liking to it at first sight.
He didn't have any requirements for his living environment. As long as he could quietly comprehend the Dao of Sword without being disturbed, that was enough for him. Because of this, his place was quite a distance away from the residences of Luo Can, Qian Renxue, and Ju Zi, as well as the courtyards of the disciples.
The door to the Wooden House was open, but there was no one inside. Luo Can spread his spiritual power and scanned the area, instantly sensing Ji Juechen's aura in the center of the bamboo forest not far away.
In a clearing deep within the bamboo forest, Ji Juechen sat cross-legged on a smooth Bluestone, his eyes slightly closed, the Judgment Sword resting horizontally on his lap, seemingly engaged in ordinary meditation and cultivation.
Yet, an invisible sword pressure rippled outwards from his body like waves, and the sharp sword intent he exuded silently cut through the surrounding morning mist, even causing fine ripples to spread in the surrounding space.
Luo Can did not disturb his cultivation, but simply leaned against the bamboo stalk beside him and waited quietly.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Ji Juechen's sword intent subsided, and he opened his eyes, his gaze instantly locking onto Luo Can.
"What is it?" Ji Juechen asked, his voice still cold and concise.
Luo Can smiled and walked forward, sitting down on the other side of the Bluestone. He got straight to the point. "I'd like to ask you some questions about Soul Core."
" Soul Core?"
A barely perceptible ripple flashed in Ji Juechen's eyes.
In his era, this term was a standard feature of Titled Douluo powerhouses and a cornerstone for Spirit Master to reach higher realms. However, upon reflection, he realized that he was now in the Douluo Continent Ten Thousand Years, where the use of Soul Power was still extremely primitive. He immediately understood.
" The Soul Core system hasn't been developed yet in this era?"
Luo Can nodded. "No, the Titled Douluo of this era basically rely on accumulating soul power little by little over a long period of time. As long as the total amount of soul power reaches the standard, they can break through to Level 90."
Ji Juechen looked at Luo Can with a hint of surprise in his eyes and said, "Then you really are a freak."
Anyone with eyes could tell that Luo Can was no more than forty years old, yet his soul power level was far above mine. In an era where even the concept of Soul Core didn't exist, his talent was undeniable, having reached this level through his own exploration.
He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.
Ji Juechen was not good at teaching others; his only pursuit in life was the sword. However, the Soul Core was the core of the Spirit Master system's advancement Ten Thousand Years later, and it was not something that needed to be kept secret. He was silent for a few seconds, and then quickly sorted out the basic principles and condensation methods of the Soul Core.
" Soul Core is the mark of Titled Douluo," Ji Juechen said slowly. "To condense Soul Core, there are three prerequisites that must be met."
"Firstly, one's cultivation level must be at least Level 90. Of course, if one's soul power can be liquefied, one can try it earlier."
Secondly, his powerful mental strength, far surpassing that of Spirit Master of the same level, allows him to precisely control every ounce of Soul Power within his body.
Thirdly, the understanding of the laws of space.
He recalled the steps he took when condensing his Soul Core, and continued, "The core steps of condensation are: first, use mental power to lock down all the meridians in your body, and create a high-speed rotating vortex of soul power in your dantian. Then, continuously pressurize the vortex, compressing the liquid soul power from liquid to viscous to semi-solid. During this process, the volume of this 'core' will continuously shrink, eventually solidifying completely into a stable solid bead, which is the Soul Core, allowing it to achieve stable rotation and energy circulation."
His words were extremely concise, yet they clearly explained the core principles of Soul Core condensation. After speaking, he looked at Luo Can and added casually, "Your soul power and mental strength have already reached the required level, so condensing Soul Core shouldn't be difficult."
Luo Can nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Ji Juechen and asked, "Could you let me sense your Soul Core? That would give me a more direct understanding of Soul Core state."
"Okay." Ji Juechen agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Only after obtaining his consent did Luo Can release his spiritual power and probe into the other's dantian.
At the center of Ji Juechen's dantian, a solid sphere radiating extreme sharpness of sword intent was indeed quietly suspended. It was like a "core" formed by pure sword intent. With each inhalation and rotation, it efficiently converted the Heaven and Earth Origin Power into soul power, and then instantly refined the soul power into sword intent.
"Thank you." Luo Can withdrew his mental energy and sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"No need to thank me," Ji Juechen shook his head.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the bamboo forest, and Qian Renxue and Ju Zi arrived hand in hand.
"Husband, what are you talking about? You seem so engrossed." Qian Renxue walked to Luo Can's side and naturally sat down next to him, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.
From the moment she arrived, Ju Zi's gaze was fixed on the Judgment Sword at Ji Juechen's waist. This sword gave her a very peculiar feeling. It was not only Level 8 Soul Tool, but it was also perfectly integrated with Ji Juechen's martial soul, which completely overturned her understanding of Soul Tool.
" Old Ji! Is that sword of yours Level 8 Soul Tool?" Ju Zi leaned forward, circling the Judgment Sword several times, and asked excitedly, "But why do I feel that it and your martial soul..."
Ji Juechen glanced at this younger version of the Empress Dowager Regent. The girl before him had only a pure love and curiosity for Soul Tool in her eyes, which lessened his wariness of her considerably.
"They've merged." He remained concise.
But those three words instantly made Ju Zi's eyes light up. She circled the Judgment Sword, examining it closely, muttering to herself, "A deep fusion of martial spirit and Soul Tool... a completely new approach! If Old Lou knew this, he'd be begging Old Ji on his knees!"
On the other side, Luo Can was explaining the concept of Soul Core to Qian Renxue. When she heard that Soul Core could increase the total amount of soul power and could also absorb the Heaven and Earth Origin Power at high speed through its rotation, quickly restore soul power, and greatly enhance combat power, Qian Renxue's eyes lit up instantly.
"Condensing a soul core, forming its own energy loop, and it can also significantly boost combat power..." Qian Renxue grabbed Luo Can's arm, her voice full of anticipation, "Husband, teach me! I want to condense Soul Core too!"
Luo Can chuckled and ruffled her hair, saying, "I've only just figured out the condensation process from Ji Juechen. Once I successfully condense my Soul Core and understand the intricacies, I'll personally protect you and ensure everything goes smoothly."
Qian Renxue and Ju Zi's soul power and spiritual power have long reached the standard for condensing Soul Core. With him protecting them and avoiding the risks in the condensation process, the success rate is almost maximized.
Both women nodded seriously upon hearing this. Luo Can then turned around and asked Ji Juechen about the risks that might be encountered during the process of condensing the Soul Core, as well as the corresponding coping strategies. Ji Juechen answered them all in detail.
After everything was ready, Luo Can got up and went to the small island in the center of the Fate-Defying Lake.
This place boasts the most abundant Heaven and Earth Origin Power, along with the rich life energy generated by the Life Gold, making it the best location in the entire Fate Defying Valley to condense Soul Core.
He took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and slowly closed his eyes. His powerful spiritual energy instantly spread out, enveloping every inch of his meridians, and he officially began to condense his Soul Core.