Spirit Master Handbook

Going to Heaven Dou City was something Tie Xiong had planned for a long time, because the greatest cheat in Douluo was the Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well within Sunset Forest.

They were currently under Dugu Bo's control.

He definitely had to make plans. He would not wait for Tang San to arrive, obtain the Immortal Herbs, and then rely on the other party's charity.

That was not Tie Xiong's character.

So he was determined to seize this opportunity.

That meant he had to go to Heaven Dou City, though he had not yet figured out exactly how to obtain the Immortal Herbs.

Should he win over Dugu Yan?

Or resolve Dugu Bo's poison backlash?

He could use the methods from the original story to offer Dugu Bo a few pointers, but he would never personally treat him.

Moreover, using and identifying these Immortal Herbs required absolute precision. A tiny mistake could lead to disastrous consequences, perhaps even death from one's body exploding.

He still had to find a way to obtain books about Immortal Herbs.

In truth, not many people knew about such things. Even a Title Douluo like Dugu Bo guarded a treasure mountain without recognizing it. It seemed only Chrysanthemum Douluo and Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan had identified the Immortal Herbs.

Tie Xiong pondered along the way as everyone began their return journey.

They did not stop at all along the way and returned to Suotuo City in three days.

Tie Xiong did not return to Shrek Academy. Instead, he first went to Spirit Hall in Suotuo City.

He wanted to register at Spirit Hall, since registration allowed him to receive a monthly subsidy.

This was not Tie Xiong's first time at Suotuo City's Spirit Hall. His Martial Soul had awakened here last time.

Now that he had returned, he was already a true Spirit Master.

After reporting his identity, Tie Xiong stated that he wanted to undergo a Martial Soul advancement assessment and have his Soul Power tested.

The guard immediately ushered Tie Xiong inside with great respect.

The one who received him was unexpectedly Dugu Feng from last time. Tie Xiong remembered that his Martial Soul was a Black Bear and that he had been a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster.

However, Tie Xiong noticed that Dugu Feng was visibly taller and more upright than before.

More than a year had passed. He should have advanced to Soul Elder by now!

"Uncle, I'm Tie Xiong. Sorry to trouble you," Tie Xiong said with a smile.

"Come on."

Dugu Feng led Tie Xiong down the corridor toward the interior of Spirit Hall.

Clearly, Dugu Feng had forgotten Tie Xiong completely.

He did not remember helping Tie Xiong awaken his Martial Soul at all.

That was normal. He helped batches of children awaken every month, so how could he remember so many people?

The two entered a somewhat enclosed room. It was enormous, spanning several hundred square meters. Countless black stones were embedded in the surrounding walls, identical to the stones used when his Martial Soul had awakened.

Dugu Feng said expressionlessly, "Summon your Martial Soul and release your Soul Ring!"

Without hesitation, Tie Xiong stood in the center of the room, raised his right hand, and focused his mind. The Heaven Breaking Hammer appeared in his hand, while a deep yellow Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.

Dugu Feng's expression instantly became animated. His eyes widened. "How old was the soul beast you killed?"

He had never seen a first Soul Ring with such a rich color.

"A four-hundred-year Blood Demon Berserk Bear soul beast. Is there a problem, Uncle?"

Dugu Feng sharply inhaled. "A Blood Demon Berserk Bear? That's a top-tier soul beast. No wonder the Soul Ring's color is so deep. Four hundred years is already the limit a first Soul Ring can absorb!"

Back then, his first Soul Ring had only come from a two-hundred-year soul beast.

He steadied his emotions, took a yellow crystal ball from a nearby table, and had Tie Xiong test his Soul Power.

The moment Tie Xiong placed his hand on it, the crystal ball lit up with a hazy yellow glow.

"Level thirteen Soul Power..." Dugu Feng was completely at a loss for words.

Along the way, Tie Xiong seemed to have told him that he was only seven years and four months old this year, and that he had possessed level five Innate Soul Power when he awakened.

"Tie Xiong, are you willing to join Spirit Hall? With your talent, if you study at Spirit Hall's Soul Master Academy, you will definitely receive excellent development!"

Dugu Feng tried to recruit him.

This was the second time he had been recruited in such a short period.

Tie Xiong grinned. "Uncle, I'm already studying at Shrek Academy. The one teaching me is Flender, a Soul Saint!"

He did not mention Zhao Wuji, because Zhao Wuji had a grudge against Spirit Hall.

The moment Dugu Feng heard that, he gave up. Given Tie Xiong's circumstances, even if he joined Spirit Hall, he would not receive instruction from a Soul Saint.

"All right, your advancement assessment is complete. From this day onward, you are an honored Spirit Master of the Heaven Dou Empire. Every month, you may collect a subsidy of one gold coin with your Martial Soul badge!"

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Tie Xiong smiled happily. Who would not be happy to get gold coins for free?

When Tie Xiong left Spirit Hall, he had two additional items in his hands.

One was a personal badge specially crafted by Spirit Hall, bearing the words "Tie Xiong." The other was a Spirit Master Handbook.

It had been issued to him just after he collected his Gold Soul Coin.

Tie Xiong looked at the palm-sized metal plate in his right hand.

Tie Xiong, male, Douluo Calendar 2637. Registered at the Spirit Hall of Suotuo City, Heaven Dou Empire. Martial Soul: Heaven Breaking Hammer.

Level thirteen Spirit Master, Douluo Calendar 2638. Registered at the Spirit Hall of Suotuo City.

This was the Spirit Master Handbook. Like the Spirit Hall badge, it was made of special metal and was difficult to forge. It was also quite official in its design.

Tie Xiong smiled in satisfaction.

He looked forward to the day when his Spirit Master Handbook would read level twenty Soul Grandmaster.

Tie Family Blacksmith Shop.

Tie Xiong strode inside with his head held high. Dense, crisp hammering rang out as numerous workers hurried back and forth, busy with their tasks.

"Young sir, what do you need?" A shop assistant hurried over.

"Ah, you're the Third Young Master!"

The assistant only recognized Tie Xiong after looking closely.

"Get back to work." Tie Xiong waved him away and walked toward the counter.

Tie Xiong saw Tie Xin behind the counter, apparently bent over and busy with something.

His Silver Moon Pendant flashed.

The Spirit Master Handbook appeared in his hand.

"Boss, take a look. How much is this piece of Iron Essence worth?"

Without even raising his head, Tie Xin took it. It felt very small in his hand, but after a single glance, he froze.

"Tie Xiong, level thirteen Spirit Master!"

Tie Xin examined it again, then hurriedly raised his head and realized it truly was his son.

"Son... is that you? You're level thirteen already?"

Tie Xin's voice trembled, and his eyes had already reddened.

"Father, I succeeded!"

Tie Xiong smiled at his father.

Tie Xin rushed out from behind the counter and lifted Tie Xiong into his arms. "You truly are my good son!"

Looking at the busy workers and blacksmiths, he shouted, "We're closing for the day! My son is seven years and four months old, and he's already a Spirit Master! Who among you has ever seen a seven-year-old Spirit Master? Three days off, with full pay!"

The moment Tie Xin finished speaking, cheers erupted throughout the entire Blacksmith Shop.

Even passing customers stared at Tie Xin in surprise.

They had not expected the owner of this Blacksmith Shop to have such a genius son.

A seven-year-old Spirit Master was indeed astonishing. They could understand Tie Xin's excitement.

Tie Xin directly carried Tie Xiong into the living area.

"Father, don't tell anyone about me absorbing a Soul Ring beyond my level. Keep it secret!" Tie Xiong whispered into his father's ear.

Tie Xin understood as soon as he thought about it and nodded.

"Your two older brothers are only level sixteen right now. You'll catch up to them soon!" Tie Xin shook his head as he thought of his other two sons.

"Father, you can't expect Eldest Brother and Second Brother to be freaks like me!" Tie Xiong said seriously.

Tie Xin laughed despite himself.

Soon afterward, Tie Xiong saw his mother, Chen, and naturally another wave of joy followed.

Chen prepared Bear Paw to celebrate.

Tie Xiong wanted to make up for the regret of not eating the Blood Demon Berserk Bear's Bear Paw.

The sky gradually darkened.

"Father, Mother, we have good news! We both reached level seventeen today!" Tie Long and Tie Hu returned in high spirits.

Then they saw Tie Xiong.