"Just the threshold?"
"That's right." Qian Daoliu clasped his hands behind his back. "On Douluo Continent, people primarily cultivate as soul masters. Swordsmanship is merely a fringe path in this world, and few choose to cultivate it."
"But swordsmanship is not as simple as you imagine."
"If you can cultivate swordsmanship to its pinnacle—the realm of Unity of Man and Sword—it will greatly enhance your strength."
"Disciple, have you heard of the Seven Kill Sword?"
Lin Ye naturally knew of it. "I have. Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, possesses the Seven Kill Sword as his martial soul."
"It is said that the Seven Kill Sword possesses extraordinarily powerful offensive strength. Sword Douluo is even known as the continent's number one offensive Titled Douluo. Within the soul master world, the Seven Kill Sword is nearly as famous as the Clear Sky Hammer, known as the world's number one tool martial soul."
Qian Daoliu asked, "Then do you know why the Seven Kill Sword is so powerful?"
"Please enlighten me, Teacher."
"Because the Seven Kill Sword martial soul is born with sword intent. Upon awakening the martial soul, its wielder gains an innate set of Seven Kill Sword techniques."
"Every wielder of the Seven Kill Sword martial soul, once they break through to the Titled Douluo realm, can basically comprehend the highest realm of swordsmanship—Unity of Man and Sword."
"Those who master this realm can merge their powerful sword intent and swordsmanship into their sword martial soul, greatly enhancing its offensive power. That is why the Seven Kill Sword possesses such formidable attack power."
"Disciple, you possess remarkable talent in swordsmanship, and your martial soul is also a sword. You must devote more attention to this path. However, you are still far from reaching the realm of Unity of Man and Sword."
"Once you reach the stage Teacher mentioned, where Sword Follows the Heart and intent merges with the sword, you will roughly be able to comprehend sword intent. Only then will you have entered the beginner's stage of Unity of Man and Sword."
"Sword intent..." Thoughts stirred within Lin Ye's heart. He nodded. "I understand, Teacher."
"Go. Rest well. Starting tomorrow, you will undergo combat training from us Seven Great Elders."
"Alright."
Lin Ye did not rush back to rest. Instead, he first went to the library of the Pope Palace.
Spirit Hall had a history spanning more than ten thousand years and was the continent's most ancient power. The vast amount of knowledge and information possessed by such an old force was far beyond what other factions could compare with.
People on the continent knew very little about Immortal Herbs, yet Chrysanthemum Douluo knew of Immortal Herbs such as Lovesick Heartbreak Red and Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
But how had he learned of them?
Lin Ye guessed that it was probably through the library of the Pope Palace.
Next, Lin Ye was preparing to head to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to obtain Immortal Herbs. However, his knowledge of them was not comprehensive enough, so he wanted to see whether he could find any records concerning Immortal Herbs.
After arriving at the library, he began searching frantically.
Meanwhile, the Seven Great Elders had gathered together.
At that moment, Golden Crocodile, Azure Luan, Guang Ling, Lion, Qian Jun, and Jiang Mo all wore reluctant expressions.
Golden Crocodile said, "Grand Pontiff, do you truly want us to guide that brat's cultivation? He is Xiaoxue's competitor!"
Mighty Lion Douluo said, "Exactly! Grand Pontiff, it is already good enough that we did not secretly eliminate this brat. Why are we helping him instead? What if he truly inherits a god position? What will happen to the young lady then?"
"Do you wish to watch the Angel God fall into someone else's hands?"
Qian Daoliu said firmly, "I believe the Angel God still favors our clan more, and favors Xiaoxue more."
"I also believe that Xiaoxue will definitely inherit the Angel God Position in the end."
"Think about it. Xiaoxue is five years older than Lin Ye, and her Soul Power is more than ten ranks higher. Lin Ye will find it difficult to catch up. Never mind whether he can catch up or not—this Second Angel Trial alone will likely eliminate him early."
Qian Jun hurriedly asked, "Grand Pontiff, what is their second trial?"
"They must independently kill a twenty-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider within one year."
"What! It's that difficult?" Golden Crocodile and the others' eyes immediately lit up. "Haha! In a year, Lin Ye will at most be a Soul Elder. It is impossible for him to independently kill a twenty-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider!"
Qian Daoliu continued, "Even if Lin Ye somehow completes the Second Angel Trial, he began undergoing God Trials far too early. The trials ahead will only become increasingly difficult. Lin Ye cannot possibly take the Angel God Position from Xiaoxue."
"Yes, yes, yes! The Grand Pontiff is right!"
Smiles appeared on everyone's faces. They were all confident in this belief.
"So, you must take a longer view of this matter. After Xiaoxue becomes the Angel God in the future, she will eventually have to go to the God Realm. Spirit Hall will also need a new generation of supreme experts to take our places, shoulder our responsibilities, and guard Spirit Hall."
"Lin Ye is exceptionally gifted and will surely become a great figure in the future. We must nurture him well so that he remains devoted to Spirit Hall."
After hearing this, the Consecrated Elders gained a new perspective.
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded solemnly. "The Grand Pontiff is right. We were too narrow-minded."
Back at the library.
Lin Ye had searched for several hours and had indeed found scattered records concerning Immortal Herbs!
This gave him even more motivation.
His gaze fell upon the unclassified miscellaneous books in the farthest corner.
It was a hodgepodge containing every kind of book.
He decided to change his approach and search through this pile of miscellaneous books.
After searching for roughly another two hours, Lin Ye discovered that this pile contained many biographies of ancient figures from throughout the ages, as well as notes written by historical figures who had once gained fame.
Yet it was among these notes that Lin Ye finally found a book detailing dozens of Immortal Herbs.
"Found it!" Lin Ye was overjoyed.
Octagonal Mysterious Ice and Blazing Apricot were body-refining Immortal Herbs that did not increase Soul Power, so he still needed an Immortal Herb that could strengthen his foundation, improve his aptitude, and raise his Soul Power.
This book happened to record an Immortal Herb with a light attribute, which suited him well.
"There should be one in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
"But who should I bring? If I bring Qian Daoliu, how am I supposed to explain it to him? If I tell him the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well contains Immortal Herbs that can increase strength, why would he leave them for me?"
"Or should I bring Chrysanthemum Douluo?"
Lin Ye suddenly thought of someone—the Fifth Worship, Guang Ling!
The next day, early in the morning.
Lin Ye stood before Spirit Hall's six great elders.
The Consecrated Elders had already explained the general arrangement to him.
Second Worship Golden Crocodile Douluo would mainly be responsible for Lin Ye's physical training.
Third Worship Azure Luan Douluo would be responsible for training his aerial combat techniques. Azure Luan's aerial combat techniques had been personally taught by Qian Daoliu, who was known as invincible in the sky.
Fourth Worship Mighty Lion Douluo would be responsible for training group combat techniques.
Fifth Worship Light Feather Douluo would train his reaction speed, prediction, and mental strength. As a Titled Douluo with an archery martial soul, Guang Ling stood alone in this regard.
Qian Jun and Jiang Mo would be responsible for combat and sparring practice.
Now, they had Lin Ye choose whose special training he would undergo first. Without the slightest hesitation, he said, "I choose Worship Guang Ling!"
Before you continue