Condensing the Soul Core

Xu Feng released the Ice Phoenix's origin power, and Shui Bing'er's soul power, depleted by the battle, rapidly filled up as though spring had returned to the earth.

In just a few minutes, she had recovered to her peak condition, her spirits completely renewed.

Not only that, she could feel that her Soul Power Level had risen as well, reaching level thirty-three.

"Phoenix Brother, my soul power has increased. Is it because of the power you released?"

"Yes. As you grow stronger, I'll gradually release more of my power to you."

"I'll work hard."

"Silly girl, you're already working very hard. Don't push yourself too much."

Xu Feng's affectionate form of address made Shui Bing'er's heart stir.

She wanted to grow stronger quickly, fulfill their plan as soon as possible, and see the Ice Phoenix take human form.

"Oh, right, Bing'er. That kid Feng Xiaotian has decent talent. He may be useful in the future. Find an opportunity to remind him to cultivate properly and not deliberately suppress his Soul Power Level for Huo Wu's sake."

"Alright, I understand."

After lunch, Shui Bing'er followed her father, Shui Yuanqiao, to the academy gates to see off the departing groups from Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy.

Several of the young team captains gathered off to one side.

Huo Wu still had that same valiant air about her.

As she looked at Shui Bing'er, there was no trace of hostility left in her eyes. In its place was pure admiration and competitiveness.

"Shui Bing'er, you really opened our eyes at this Three Academy Exchange Tournament. I never expected you to have hidden yourself so deeply. The next time we formally face each other like this will probably be at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."

"I'm looking forward to facing you all again as well."

"Then we're friends now, right?"

"Of course. We were friends to begin with."

Huo Wu suddenly raised her brows, a teasing smile appearing on her face.

She leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"What a pity you aren't a boy. Otherwise, I definitely would have fallen in love with you."

"Cough—"

A faint blush instantly spread across Shui Bing'er's fair cheeks. She was somewhat unable to handle Huo Wu's blunt "compliment."

Subconsciously, she glanced at Feng Xiaotian beside them, who had remained silent but whose gaze kept drifting toward Huo Wu.

"You... should cherish the person in front of you instead."

"The person in front of me?"

Huo Wu froze, following Shui Bing'er's gaze. Her eyes met Feng Xiaotian's evasive yet expectant look.

She instantly understood what Shui Bing'er meant. A flash of awkwardness crossed her face, but it was swiftly concealed by her usual forthrightness.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you. This is goodbye for now. We'll meet again at the next tournament. Blazing Fire Academy won't lose to you so easily."

"Alright. I'll be waiting."

Just as the three were preparing to leave, Shui Bing'er suddenly called out to Feng Xiaotian.

"Feng Xiaotian, wait a moment."

Feng Xiaotian paused, turning back in surprise.

Huo Wu also gave them a curious look, then waved to Shui Bing'er and headed toward Blazing Fire Academy's carriage with her brother, Huo Wushuang.

"Shui Bing'er, is there something else?"

"It's nothing much. As both your opponent and friend, I wanted to remind you of something."

"Please, go ahead."

Shui Bing'er's expression turned serious.

"I know you admire Huo Wu, and you've seen for yourself that what Huo Wu appreciates are true powerhouses. Your Self-Created Soul Skill, Gale Demon Wolf Consecutive Slash, is indeed formidable, but there's no need to overly suppress the growth of your Soul Power Level just to cater to her. When it's time to cultivate, you should cultivate diligently. Only with steady accumulation can you achieve a great breakthrough. Otherwise, you may still have regrets at the Soul Master Tournament three years from now."

Feng Xiaotian fell silent for a moment.

He had never expected such words to come from the usually quiet Shui Bing'er.

For Huo Wu's sake, he truly had deliberately slowed his soul power cultivation, but Huo Wu seemingly did not appreciate it.

Shui Bing'er's words were like an alarm bell ringing in his heart.

"Thank you, Shui Bing'er. I'll remember what you said."

"No need to thank me. We can be considered opponents who help each other improve. I look forward to seeing a stronger you next time."

Feng Xiaotian nodded solemnly. Without saying anything more, he turned and strode toward Godwind Academy's group.

That afternoon, Shui Bing'er did not attend her usual training. Instead, she went to the academy library to study herbal knowledge.

Immersed in her studies, time passed quickly.

Leaving the library, Shui Bing'er rubbed her slightly sore eyes.

Xu Feng's voice sounded in her mind at just the right moment:

"Bing'er, tired from reading?"

"I'm fine, not tired."

"Now, relax your mind. I'll tell you about something on a higher level."

Shui Bing'er immediately focused.

"Phoenix Brother, go ahead."

"What I'm going to talk about is the 'Soul Core.' It is a crucial step for high-level soul masters seeking a qualitative transformation in strength, as well as an opportunity to break through to the realm of Titled Douluo in the future."

"A Soul Core?"

Shui Bing'er repeated the term silently.

The concept was still entirely unfamiliar to her.

"Once we soul beasts cultivate to the hundred-thousand-year level, we can condense a core energy body within ourselves—the Soul Core.

It isn't limited to soul beasts; human soul masters can condense Soul Cores as well.

Simply put, it means compressing and condensing the liquid Soul Power within one's body into a solid, highly concentrated core of Soul Power, stored in the dantian.

Once it is successfully condensed, one can absorb ambient Soul Power to replenish oneself. Both Soul Power recovery speed and sustained combat ability will improve drastically.

At the same time, Soul Power output becomes more refined and surging. Whether in explosive force or control, it will far surpass what came before."

Shui Bing'er listened with a racing heart. She had never expected soul beasts to possess such a profound cultivation method, one that could also be used by human soul masters.

Xu Feng abruptly changed the subject:

"However, condensing a Soul Core is no easy task.

The first requirement is that one's Soul Power must have reached at least the Soul Sage level, providing a sufficiently vast and pure foundation of Soul Power.

Second, one needs powerful spiritual strength to precisely sense, guide, and compress the flowing Soul Power within the body.

During the process of condensing a Soul Core, the slightest misstep can cause one's Soul Power to lose control and run wild. At best, it results in severe injuries and a decline in cultivation; at worst, the dantian explodes, putting one's life in grave danger."

Shui Bing'er sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the danger involved.

Yet she also knew that the path to becoming strong had always been strewn with thorns.

"Bing'er, your grandfather's Soul Power has already reached level eighty-seven. If he can condense a Soul Core, he can break through the bottleneck and enter the realm of Titled Douluo.

Your father and younger aunt both possess Soul Power above level seventy, and their cultivation focuses on the extreme water-attribute path, fulfilling the basic conditions for condensing a Soul Core.

If they succeed, their foundations and strength will undergo an enormous improvement, greatly aiding their future breakthroughs to Soul Douluo and even higher realms."

As Shui Bing'er listened to Xu Feng's explanation, her heart pounded wildly.

Neither Skywater Academy nor even the Five Elemental Academies had ever produced a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.

Although her grandfather, Leng Jun, had already retired, he was still a member of Skywater Academy.

If they could master the method of condensing a Soul Core, he would have a chance to advance to Titled Douluo.

This would undoubtedly greatly enhance the overall strength of both their family and Skywater Academy.

"Phoenix Brother, thank you for telling me this. I know what I need to do now."