"This power..." Jing Hongchen began reviewing Zhong Kui's various test results, and they left him utterly stunned.
Whether it was strength, speed, or physical defense, Zhong Kui was exceptionally formidable. His strength had basically reached the level of an ordinary Title Douluo, perhaps even that of a strength-type Title Douluo.
His speed and reaction ability were the same, nearly reaching the Title Douluo level as well.
Many ordinary Title Douluo might not even possess physical qualities as strong as Zhong Kui's. If those Title Douluo relied solely on their martial souls, they would probably find it difficult to defeat Zhong Kui.
"Douluo Three Kingdoms has truly sent us a treasure. How could a genius like this possibly be a spy? This is such a surprise. I've taken in an outstanding talent."
At this moment, watching Zhong Kui's performance and the extraordinary physical qualities, combat strength, and combat potential he displayed, Jing Hongchen had no choice but to admit that Zhong Kui was a combat genius. His physical qualities were simply too powerful. To be this formidable at merely the Soul Emperor level was already incredibly impressive.
If Zhong Kui could be this strong at the Soul Emperor level, just how powerful would he become once he reached the Title Douluo level in the future?
"Zhong Kui, do you have any powerful moves you can demonstrate?"
Jing Hongchen wanted to further confirm just how great Zhong Kui's potential was. He always felt that Zhong Kui had not yet fully displayed the power he should possess, or rather, that he had not shown all his strength.
Zhong Kui had held back some of his power.
"...Yes. Are there any particularly sturdy punching bags here? I'll give you a demonstration."
"There is an eighth-level Soul Tool for testing purposes. Its defensive power and durability are comparable to a Level 9 defensive Soul Tool."
"Then let me demonstrate."
Afterward, the master of Virtue Hall brought out this eighth-level Soul Tool. It was actually used to test the standards of royal family members, which was why, despite being eighth-level, it possessed the strength of a Level 9 Soul Tool.
Zhong Kui then stepped before the Soul Tool. It immediately activated and released formidable defensive power. Zhong Kui walked forward and began using his Self-Created Soul Skill, a Dou Technique.
"Eight Extremities Collapse!" Zhong Kui directly unleashed Xiao Yan's Dou Technique. With a single strike, he shattered the Soul Tool's defenses and nearly destroyed the Soul Tool itself.
"!!!" After seeing Zhong Kui use this "Self-Created Soul Skill," Jing Hongchen could hardly believe that it had directly damaged the eighth-level Soul Tool, or rather, had nearly broken through and destroyed its defenses.
It was simply unbelievable.
He had thought Zhong Kui would at most break through its defenses, yet he had nearly destroyed it outright. Wasn't that far too absurd?
"You are simply a genius. Is this your Self-Created Soul Skill?"
Jing Hongchen did not know that this was Dou Qi. After all, it was a combat art from another world, something even more useful than soul skills.
But he had never seen it before. As a native of the Douluo Continent, his knowledge and vision extended only as far as the Douluo Continent, so he did not know that Eight Extremities Collapse did not actually belong to the Douluo Continent.
If it had been a seasoned Limit Douluo, he would probably have recognized at a glance that this so-called "Self-Created Soul Skill," Eight Extremities Collapse, could not possibly be a self-created soul skill of the Douluo Continent.
That was because those highly experienced Limit Douluo would have realized that self-created soul skills were generally created to complement one's own martial soul and possessed their own unique traits. Even a Body Martial Soul should not be capable of producing a self-created soul skill as powerful as Eight Extremities Collapse.
Still, they would at most be suspicious and would not say it aloud.
Jing Hongchen was merely a Level 9 Soul Master and Title Douluo who had not yet reached the level of a Super Douluo. His strength was not particularly exceptional, and he lacked the experience of a Limit Douluo, so he could not see through it.
"This 'Self-Created Soul Skill,' this Dou Technique, was not invented by me. I obtained it by chance. As for its origin, I cannot say for now, because it is a secret. I promised someone I would not reveal it."
At this moment, Zhong Kui told this lie to give the master of Virtue Hall a false impression, making him think that this "Self-Created Soul Skill," this Dou Technique, had been acquired from someone else.
And since Zhong Kui had promised someone not to reveal it casually, the master of Virtue Hall would not pursue the matter further.
"I understand. I can understand that. From now on, you are an elite student of the Sun Moon Empire. We will use the best resources to nurture you. We absolutely will not let you suffer any disadvantage. If you need anything, you can tell us."
Jing Hongchen became even more determined to keep Zhong Kui.
"Understood, Hall Master. By the way, I can also refine medicine."
"You can refine medicine too?"
It was not as though the Douluo Continent lacked pills, but the problem was that its pills could not compare to those of the Battle Through the Heavens world. After all, pills in Battle Through the Heavens ranged from Grade 1 and Grade 2 all the way to Grade 9 and even Emperor Grade, and their effects were extremely powerful.
However, the pills of the Douluo Continent had no grade distinctions, and their effects were nowhere near as remarkable as imagined. Even the Mystic Water Pill that Huo Yuhao had once consumed, which was known as a divine pill, was not particularly impressive.
Although this Mystic Water Pill was called a divine pill, it was a divine pill exclusive to the Mystic Underworld Sect.
Its appearance and value: it was deep blue, about the size of a cherry, with white patterns and a misty aura, and was worth more than ten thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Its refining materials: it required the blood essence of more than a dozen water-attribute soul beasts, along with more than ten kinds of water-attribute plants, to be blended and refined.
The pill's main effects were mild. It could cleanse the tendons and marrow, remove impurities, and improve one's natural talent and physique. Soul masters below Level 20 would gain at least one level of Soul Power after consuming it, and their cultivation speed would greatly increase—the more ordinary their talent, the more obvious the effect. However, its efficacy diminished with repeated use.
After Huo Yuhao helped Beibei win that bet, he consumed it twice. Once his Soul Power increased, his cultivation speed noticeably improved.
It could be said that a major reason Huo Yuhao was able to become a genius was the help of this Mystic Water Pill. But in the Dou Qi Continent, such a Mystic Water Pill was basically nothing.
It might even have been inferior to a Grade 1 pill, since the effects and materials of pills and medicinal herbs in the Dou Qi Continent were fundamentally beyond comparison with those of the Douluo Continent.
Zhong Kui was now a Grade 2 Alchemist and could refine Grade 2 pills. He was confident that if he refined pills, he would be able to produce many powerful ones. Then he could establish himself in the Sun Moon Empire, reassure his parents, and let them live safely in the Sun Moon Empire, with people there to protect them and allow him to rest easy.
Before you continue