Ye Xishui felt regretful. According to the Godhood Notations, Sea God Tang San had used the Eight Spider Lances Soul Bone to connect with all his Soul Bones, forming a Soul Bone Set that eventually evolved into a divine outfit.
During this time, under the guidance of Bibi Dong's Divine Thought and Qian Renxue's Divine Soul, she had been fusing the six Soul Bones in her body, hoping to evolve them into a Soul Bone Set. Unfortunately, she was still one step short.
Her disciple could have obtained a Soul Bone Set this time. What a pity.
"There's no need to regret it. I've already found another path."
Yang Hao smiled and controlled the Deep Sea Silver Mother fused into his body, making it flow outward. In an instant, it formed a silver-gray suit of armor over his body, modeled after the armor worn by Luo Feng, the protagonist of the Swallowed Star anime.
The material was Deep Sea Silver Mother, the rarest and most resilient metal, and the ideal material for crafting armor. It could provide not only tremendous defensive power but also excellent shock absorption thanks to its incredible toughness.
With the Holy Spirit Cult's help, he had obtained a full ton of Deep Silver Mother. Using his Metal Control Soul Skill, he had painstakingly shaped it into this heavy armor.
"Silver?"
Ye Xishui was astonished. Rare metals could be used this way?
"This is something I discovered, Master. Rare metals can be fused with one's blood qi, Soul Power, and spiritual power, even the Martial Soul Origin, and transformed into part of oneself. I call it the Three Refinements Method: Blood Refinement, Soul Refinement, and Divine Refinement.
"I also feel that rare metals refined this way can fuse with one another and improve further. Their potential is definitely no worse than that of a Soul Bone Set or even a divine outfit. I call this Soul Armor."
That was right. Yang Hao was researching the Battle Armor system that appeared in Dou San. The methods and directions weren't exactly the same, but both systems were built on the properties and potential of rare metals.
After developing the Three Refinements Method, his fortune had risen once more. Clearly, it would help the development of the plane.
"You're certain to become a god someday."
After a long pause, Ye Xishui finally spoke, her tone utterly certain.
This disciple was simply too outstanding, with terrifying talent.
He had already created the Martial Soul Core system, and now he had created another new system. If he still couldn't become a god, then no one could.
"Once you've gotten used to it, go to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and join their team for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. Break Shrek Team's legend of invincibility.
"While you're there, study the Soul Tool system systematically. Improve your Martial Soul, this Soul Armor, and the Soul Bone Skill of the Soul-Devouring Spider Leg Bone."
Ye Xishui made a suggestion. She hoped her disciple could get some normal training and meet the geniuses from across the continent. She herself had gone through the same thing when she was young.
There was also the matter of getting revenge on Mu En for arranging the assassination of Hao'er with spies, by shattering their legend of invincibility.
Finally, she wanted Hao'er to overcome the knot of hatred that had formed in his heart, lest it influence him too deeply and send him down the same path as her and that female pope.
"Understood, Master."
Yang Hao didn't refuse. He had been wanting to go to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy as well and study Soul Tools systematically.
The Holy Spirit Cult also taught the Soul Engineer system, and his teacher, Ye Xishui, was a Level 9 Soul Engineer. But the instruction was rather one-sided. He hoped for a more comprehensive education, so he could better refine his Chaos Eight Wings.
Chapter 48: Heaven Severing Saber Technique
"This time, I won't underestimate you."
On the training grounds, Ma Xiaotao glared at the bastard across from her.
This was their rematch. That guy had been gone for over a year, and this was their first duel since his return.
She had never forgotten her last defeat!
"You foolish girl, I admire your courage. Come on, let me see how much you've improved over the past year."
Yang Hao wore a look of satisfaction, then activated his Cyclops Martial Soul to form the Vajra Dharma Body. He towered an astonishing thirty meters tall, his body gleaming with a deep metallic sheen.
It was the upgraded version of the Cold Iron Indestructible Divine Skill: the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill.
The Mysterious Jade Hand technique had served only as a reference. After years of effort, Yang Hao had finally created an body-tempering defensive art of his own, the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill. He had infused it with metal-elemental energy and yang energy, making it supremely strong and yang in nature, with an incredibly powerful defense. At last, the Vajra Dharma Body truly lived up to its name.
He had also drawn on the effects of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum's Soul Bone Skill. This was genuine, unbreakable Vajra.
"You're cheating!"
Ma Xiaotao stared at the thirty-meter-tall Vajra Dharma Body, then looked at her own petite frame. Her fists clenched tight.
Did he even know how to play fair?
But the only answer she got was a slap. It came so fast she had no time to dodge. With a smack, she was sent sprawling face-first onto the ground, chest and all.
"What a thrilling, exhilarating battle!"
Yang Hao wore a thoroughly satisfied expression. This was the kind of battle he wanted.
"You bastard, you've gone too far!"
Ma Xiaotao was absolutely furious. What part of that had been thrilling? What part had been exhilarating?
"I told you long ago that Xiao Hao would surpass you."
Feng Ling, watching from the sidelines, shook her head slightly. This girl's future had been decided long ago.
Once Xiao Hao surpassed her, she would never catch up again.
"If you've got the guts, don't use that Dharma Body!"
Ma Xiaotao was indignant. She had improved greatly over the past year. Not only had she mastered the Ring Fusion Secret Technique, she had also become a Six-Ring Soul Emperor. Her strength had increased by a lot.
"You foolish girl, since you've pleaded with such sincerity, I'll grant your wish."
Yang Hao readily complied, putting away the Vajra Dharma Body and bringing out his Demon Blade Martial Soul.
"Ring Fusion!"
Ma Xiaotao didn't waste a moment and went straight for her ultimate move.
Her six Soul Rings fused into a single deep-black Soul Ring, brimming with terrifying power.
"Phoenix Annihilation Strike!"
She unleashed the power of the fused Soul Ring. A blazing phoenix with a wingspan of twenty meters surged forth, sending the temperature across the entire training ground soaring.
"You foolish girl, feel the wrath I've built up over three years!"
"Heaven Severing Saber Technique!"
Yang Hao immediately swung his blade. The emerald-green blade aura, infused with evil attributes and a razor-sharp blade intent, cleaved the flaming phoenix in two.
This was a Self-Created Soul Skill he had developed. Its principle was to compress Soul Power and unleash it in an instant. It focused on an explosive burst of power, and that single strike had consumed half his Soul Power.
Combined with the Tyrant Blade Slash, derived from the Demon Blade Martial Soul's powerful evil attribute and the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade, that was how he had managed to cleave the flaming phoenix apart.
"Cloud-Stepping Leap!"
He used the Cloud-Stepping Leap, a lightness skill he had created by copying and building on the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. His body leaped into the air and shot toward Ma Xiaotao.
After what had happened last time, Ma Xiaotao had been ready for him. The instant she unleashed the Phoenix Annihilation Strike, she had already beaten her wings and retreated quickly to put some distance between them.
But Yang Hao had been ready too. Using the Demon Blade's powerful evil attribute, he stirred Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire into an eruption, and her Soul Power instantly went out of control. Even the wings from Phoenix Wing Soar could no longer stay aloft, and she plummeted.
He immediately used his lightness skill to rush over, tackled Ma Xiaotao to the ground, and locked her down in a rear naked choke.
"You foolish girl, have you admitted defeat yet?"
Yang Hao smiled with satisfaction. He had finally defeated this woman once and for all, bringing his miserable career as a human punching bag to a complete end.
Heaven help me. Do you know what those three years were like for me?
Ma Xiaotao's neck was squeezed tight by his arm, leaving her unable to breathe, let alone speak. Her fair, delicate face soon flushed red, then gradually turned purplish, clearly nearing its limit.
But the girl was stubborn. Even then, she refused to admit defeat, and in the end, she was choked unconscious.
Her body went limp and slack, and even a stream of liquid trickled out.
"She sure is stubborn."
After grumbling, Yang Hao laid her on the ground and began CPR.
Of course, he wasn't about to use his mouth. He simply used Soul Power to force air into her lungs.
After a round of resuscitation, the girl's heartbeat and breathing finally returned, and she regained consciousness.
"Go back and take a bath and change your clothes. You're old enough to know better than to wet yourself."
Yang Hao didn't bother hiding his scorn. She had no shame at all.
"Ah! I'll kill you!"
She froze for a moment, then sensed what had happened to her and flew into a rage. She lunged at him, ready to take him down with her.
"Thump!"
Yang Hao skillfully pulled out the wooden stick he'd used years ago and just as skillfully brought it down. Caught off guard, the girl passed out cleanly, and a large lump soon swelled on the back of her head.
"Beautiful big sister, I need all kinds of opponents."
Yang Hao put the stick away and looked at Feng Ling. He needed more types of opponents to refine his combat system.
After arriving at the Holy Spirit Cult, he had studied and practiced with the many manuals in its collection. They contained quite a few secret techniques and methods, as well as fist and footwork techniques, saber styles, sword styles, and spear styles.
They had no mystical properties, and many didn't even count as Self-Created Soul Skills. They were simply ways to build a foundation and fight opponents.
Even so, they were enough to help him shape his own combat system. Now he needed to refine that system further.
"I'll arrange it for you tomorrow."
Feng Ling wouldn't refuse. It was only a matter of saying a word.
"She doesn't look very convinced."
Yang Hao glanced at Zhang Lexuan, who was standing behind Feng Ling. She had worn a cold expression ever since he arrived, like a goddess with an icy air.
Compared to a year ago, though, Zhang Lexuan had lost quite a bit of weight. She looked even better now.
"She isn't very convinced."
Feng Ling smiled. Although she had accompanied Xiao Hao on an outing to hunt and devour Soul Beasts to evolve his Soul Bone, she had arranged for Zhang Lexuan to be changed before leaving. The Supreme Sect Leader had also intervened, placing a powerful seal on her to ensure she wouldn't betray them again.
"From now on, she'll stay by your side as your bodyguard. Just give her any orders you have, and she'll carry them out properly."
"Can she do anything?"
Yang Hao had some bold ideas. In his previous life, there was something he had always been curious about.
"Go on and enjoy yourself."
Feng Ling gave him an ambiguous smile, then turned and left.
She still had plenty to do: managing the cult's affairs, overseeing its various development plans, and, finally, cultivating herself.
Before you continue