Testing

The eighty-eighth floor of Spirit Pagoda headquarters, the trial chamber was a field of gleaming white. An intricate hexagram formation was carved into the floor, with three pale-blue crystal spheres floating above its center, corresponding respectively to Soul Power, spiritual power, and strength. A faint chill drifted through the air. A slender figure stood quietly before the formation—it was Spirit Pagoda's vice tower master, Leng Yaozhu.

She wore a pale-red gown, her crimson hair casually draped down her back. Her features were cold and peerless, her eyes as deep as icy pools, and an intimidating pressure radiated from her body. "Li Chen, Gu Yue, Na'er, enter the formation." Her cool voice carried not the slightest ripple of emotion, yet it bore unquestionable authority.

The three figures stepped into the star formation in response.

Li Chen stood tall and straight. His black hair glimmered softly under the faint light, his gaze sharp yet composed. Subtle waves of spiritual power surrounded him, giving him a steadiness far beyond his years.

Gu Yue wore a pale-blue dress, silver hair falling over her shoulders. Her black eyes were cool, and her ethereal presence seemed detached from the mundane world. Flecks of elemental light swirled around her fingertips, as though all the elements of heaven and earth had submitted to her.

Na'er had silver hair and silver eyes, her beauty breathtaking and her temperament gentle and pure. Dressed in a white gauze skirt, she was like an elf fallen into the mortal world. A faint aura of life lingered around her, warm yet powerful.

Leng Yaozhu swept her gaze over the three of them and spoke evenly. "Today, we will test three things—Soul Power, spiritual power, and strength. We will proceed in order. Give it everything you have."

First Test: Soul Power

Leng Yaozhu raised a delicate hand, and the crystal sphere on the left slowly rose, emitting a gentle blue glow. "Place your palm against the sphere and release your Soul Power."

Li Chen stepped forward first, pressing his right palm firmly against the crystal sphere. In an instant, clear blue light flared up, and a pillar of Soul Power within the sphere slowly rose—Level Ten, Level Eleven, Level Twelve, Level Thirteen. The glow was gentle yet condensed. Soul Power compression: three degrees.

"Level Thirteen? It seems that auspicious beast not only gave you a decent soul skill, but also made your Soul Power exceptionally condensed." Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly, a trace of approval flashing through her eyes.

Li Chen withdrew his hand and asked somewhat doubtfully,

"What does Soul Power compression mean?"

Leng Yaozhu explained, "Once Soul Power reaches a certain level, quantity is no longer the only thing that matters. Quality matters as well. Compression is quality. Simply put, even among nine-ring Title Douluo, those who reached their level through heavenly treasures and those who cultivated step by step to reach Level Ninety on their own are completely different. Their compression levels differ by at least three degrees. The higher the compression, the more solid the Soul Power. Every degree corresponds to a level. Your Soul Power compression is three degrees, which means that although you only have one ring, the solidity of your Soul Power is already comparable to that of a Soul Elder who cultivated normally."

After pausing, she continued,

"Ordinary soul masters generally only achieve thirty percent compression after forming a Soul Core at seven rings. Yet with that Soul Spirit's help, you already have this effect at the initial stage. Maintain it well; it will benefit you for life. Next, Gu Yue."

Hearing this, Gu Yue slowly stepped forward and lightly placed her jade-like palm against the sphere. Instantly, seven-colored light faintly erupted, elemental power quietly surging. The pillar of light rose slowly but steadily—Level Ten, Level Eleven, Level Twelve. Its glow was vast as a river of stars, with the auras of seven elements faintly emerging. It stopped firmly at Level Twelve. Soul Power compression: two degrees.

"Level Twelve soul master, full elemental affinity." Leng Yaozhu nodded in satisfaction.

Gu Yue withdrew her hand, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Na'er.

Na'er stepped forward last, her slender hand lightly covering the sphere's surface. Gentle white light spread out, warm and pure. The pillar slowly rose—Level Ten, Level Eleven. The light suddenly became dazzling, and a faint silver phantom of a Dragon Spear briefly appeared before vanishing into the glow. It stopped steadily at Level Eleven.

"Level Eleven soul master?" Leng Yaozhu considered it for a moment before continuing to record the result.

After finishing the record, Leng Yaozhu said calmly, "Continue with the spiritual power test."

Second Test: Spiritual Power

Leng Yaozhu raised her hand, and the crystal sphere in the center spun into the air, transforming into a silver helmet of light. "Put on the helmet, calm your mind, and release your spiritual power."

Li Chen put on the helmet, his eyes slowly closing. The next moment, the helmet lit up, and the spiritual power value began jumping wildly—10, 50, 100... all the way to 500 points. His spiritual power was like a sharp blade, carrying an edge capable of tearing through space. He had astonishingly reached the early Spirit Sea Realm.

"Five hundred points, Spirit Sea Realm. His spiritual power is condensed and sharp." Leng Yaozhu nodded, looking increasingly satisfied.

Gu Yue put on the helmet, her purple eyes gently closing. In an instant, light blazed brightly. The number broke through 500 points in a flash and soared all the way to 700. Her spiritual power was vast as an abyss, encompassing all things. The seven elements merged perfectly within it, forming a magnificent sea of elements as she firmly entered the Spirit Abyss Realm.

"Seven hundred points—she actually reached the middle stage of the Spirit Sea Realm?" Leng Yaozhu could not conceal the shock in her eyes.

Na'er put on the helmet, her silver eyes lowered slightly. Gentle white light enveloped her entire body, and the number steadily rose to 150 points. Her spiritual power was warm and pure.

"One hundred and fifty points, middle Spirit Connection Realm. Her spiritual power is gentle yet resilient." Seeing this, Leng Yaozhu circled Na'er's spiritual power result, indicating that this area would require focused training later on.

Third Test: Strength

Leng Yaozhu waved her hand, and the crystal sphere on the right descended, transforming into a heavy Black Iron Stele marked with strength measurements. "Strike the stele with your full force."

Li Chen stepped forward, entering Martial Soul Possession. Life-and-Death Soul Power coiled around his fist as he slammed it fiercely into the Black Iron Stele.

Boom—!

A thunderous blast rang out. The Black Iron Stele shook violently, cracks spreading outward from his fist mark as the indicator shot straight to 3,000 jin!

"Three thousand jin? Such astonishing explosive force. It is already close to a Soul Elder's attack power." Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly.

Li Chen pulled back his fist and turned to Gu Yue. "Your turn, Gu Yue."

Gu Yue slowly stepped forward, raised her delicate hand, and struck the Black Iron Stele steadily.

Five hundred jin!

"A spiritual-type soul master has that much strength?" Leng Yaozhu looked at the Black Iron Stele in some confusion, but still recorded the number truthfully.

Gu Yue withdrew her hand and looked at Na'er. "Na'er, your turn."

Na'er took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and struck the Black Iron Stele with calm force.

Thud—!

A dull sound spread through the chamber. The Black Iron Stele did not move in the slightest, yet fine golden dragon patterns emerged at the point of impact. The indicator settled at 1,000 jin. Her strength was stable and heavy, filled with resilience.

"One thousand jin? Not bad." Leng Yaozhu nodded slowly.

Final Assessment

The three tests ended. The three crystal spheres returned to their places, and the chamber regained its calm.

Leng Yaozhu looked calmly at the three of them, her voice cool and authoritative. "Li Chen, Soul Power Level Thirteen, spiritual power 500 points, strength 3,000 jin. I have already contacted the Illusion Brain Douluo. Tomorrow, I will take you to see him. The cultivation of your Body Martial Soul should be left to a professional."

"Gu Yue, Soul Power Level Twelve, spiritual power 700 points, strength 500 jin. Your future training will continue to focus on improving your spiritual power."

"Na'er, Soul Power Level Eleven, spiritual power 150 points, strength 1,000 jin. Martial Soul: Silver Dragon Spear."

She paused, then continued, "Each of you has your own strengths and limitless potential. Li Chen will focus on spiritual power and powerful attacks, Gu Yue on elemental control, and Na'er on the Dragon Spear. If the three of you join forces in the future and complement one another's strengths and weaknesses, you will be more than capable of dominating your generation!" I kind of want to write them as the Sun Moon Star Three Guardians from Throne of Seal. I should find an opportunity to give the Golden Dragon King to Na'er; otherwise, she is a little behind this version's power curve.