Soul Core and Soul Tools

Although Kong Deming walked ahead of Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, he sensed the romantic tension between them. He deliberately chose not to fly, leading them forward at a leisurely pace instead, for which Qian Daoliu felt like giving this old fellow a thumbs-up.

As they walked, the atmosphere was exceptionally quiet. Qian Daoliu could not help but speak up, curious about the nature of the sturdy light shield that Jing Hongchen and Kong Deming had instantly erected earlier.

Upon hearing this, Kong Deming felt slightly surprised. "This Angel Your Highness is truly a unique individual. First, you don't know of Shrek Academy, the number one power on the Douluo Continent, and now you don't even know about soul tools."

"Could it be that you hail from some reclusive, major power..."

Although curiosity stirred within him, Kong Deming still answered Qian Daoliu calmly, explaining in detail that these were high-level defensive soul tools. By channeling soul power, they could condense a barrier capable of blocking attacks, a tool that had long since become a staple for the top powerhouses of the Sun Moon Empire.

"Soul tools? To think the Sun Moon Empire's soul tools have reached such a level! Doesn't that mean they can now perform most of the feats only soul masters could achieve?"

Qian Daoliu understood upon hearing this, sighing inwardly at the passage of ten thousand years; the development of soul tools had far surpassed anything he had seen in his time.

Seeing the curiosity in Qian Daoliu's eyes, Kong Deming added, "Soul tools are divided into low, medium, and high grades, covering everything from healing to offensive and defensive combat. They are powered by soul cores and soul power, and the higher the grade, the more powerful the soul power required to sustain them. Today, our Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology is the most advanced. Beyond defensive types, there are offensive, auxiliary, and various other soul tools, all of which have long been integrated into the cultivation of the strong and the operation of the empire."

Speaking of this, an indescribable pride appeared on Kong Deming's face, for he was the only one who had led the Sun Moon Empire to the pinnacle of soul tool technology.

He had dedicated his entire life to the path of soul tools, exhausting his heart and blood to research and innovate, breaking through countless inherent shackles and pioneering many brand-new soul tool systems.

The prosperous foundation of soul tools in the Sun Moon Empire today was largely laid by his own hands. Many of the top-tier, high-grade soul tools originated from him, and he had single-handedly pushed the soul tool civilization of the entire continent to a new height, a status no one could match.

"I see!"

Qian Daoliu noticed that although Kong Deming was a bit old and his strength was somewhat lacking, he was very sensible. Thus, he curiously asked about that core-like sphere inside a soul master's body.

Kong Deming was stunned for a moment, then smiled faintly. With a slight movement of his soul power, a lustrous, solid ball of light emerged from his chest, glowing and rotating slowly.

He spoke softly, "Is this the sphere Your Highness is asking about? This is a soul core, the foundation for high-level soul masters to condense their soul power today. The higher the cultivation, the more stable and pure the soul core becomes."

Kong Deming explained slowly, "The soul core is the fundamental core formed after a soul master reaches a bottleneck. It not only stabilizes vast soul power and accelerates cultivation, but it can also significantly increase the speed of soul power circulation."

"After condensing a soul core, a soul master's endurance skyrockets, the execution of soul skills becomes smoother, and it is an essential key to driving high-level soul tools. It is the necessary path for contemporary powerhouses to step into the top ranks."

"So that's called a soul core!"

"It can make a soul master's endurance skyrocket!"

Qian Daoliu's eyes shone with a brilliant light, as if he had discovered a new world.

"Is Your Highness interested in the method of the soul core?"

Seeing that Qian Daoliu seemed interested in soul tools and the soul core method, Kong Deming asked curiously.

Before Qian Daoliu could answer, Kong Deming took an ancient-looking book and a hand-copied manuscript from his soul tool, smiling warmly at Qian Daoliu. "I happen to have two volumes here regarding soul core condensation and soul tools."

"This one is the most widely circulated method for condensing a first soul core on the continent, recording the complete steps and tips for ordinary soul masters to refine their soul cores."

"The other is an introductory guide to soul tools that I compiled myself based on my life's experience. It contains all the insights I have explored over many years. If Your Highness does not mind my humble opinions, you may take them for your perusal."

Qian Daoliu's face lit up with joy. He had been worrying about how to quickly understand the current methods of cultivation and soul tool knowledge, and now his wish had been granted.

He hurriedly reached out to take the two books, tucked them away carefully, and thanked Kong Deming repeatedly, his words full of gratitude.

"Then many thanks to Brother Kong for the gift! Brother Kong, we hit it off immediately; you don't need to keep calling me 'Your Highness'. You can call me Brother Qian."

"Brother Qian!" Kong Deming was pleasantly surprised and quickly addressed him accordingly.

"Brother Kong!" Qian Daoliu responded to Kong Deming.

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily. "Haha!"

Bo Saixi, standing to the side, nodded slightly, finding it amusing that Qian Daoliu had bonded with Kong Deming so quickly. Following the principle of a wife following her husband's lead, she said to Kong Deming, "You can call me Bo Saixi!"

"Bo Saixi!" Kong Deming was even more delighted.

"Kong Deming!" Bo Saixi responded.

At this moment, Qian Daoliu held the two books gifted by Kong Deming.

He merely thought of them as ordinary introductory scrolls and was filled with joy, planning to study them carefully in his spare time, completely unaware of the extraordinary status of the old man before him.

Kong Deming was the most powerful soul master in the world today. The introductory guide he had written by hand might seem simple, but it actually contained countless profound mysteries. Even many long-renowned and powerful soul masters on the continent dreamed of obtaining this book; it was a peerless treasure worth more than gold.

Of course, Kong Deming had only one word for the loss of the two books: "Worth it!"

The position of Offering combined with the title of Prince offered by Xu Tianran had failed to win Qian Daoliu's favor, yet by simply taking out a book common to major powers and one he had compiled in his spare time, he had gained the trust and favor of the two Limit Douluo before him.

How could it not be worth it?

Just like that, along the way, Qian Daoliu and Kong Deming chatted a great deal, from where Qian Daoliu came from—"Brother Kong, I come from Spirit Hall."

"Xixi, she comes from Sea God Island!"

Kong Deming was completely bewildered.

However, Kong Deming also confirmed that Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi did not belong to any of their current hostile factions.

Subsequently, Kong Deming asked about Qian Daoliu's future plans, to which Qian Daoliu replied bluntly, "We can only stay in the Sun Moon Empire for a short time!"

Only then did Kong Deming relax, chatting freely with Qian Daoliu about soul tools, leaving Qian Daoliu feeling that it was a pity they hadn't met sooner.

After a long while, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi followed Kong Deming to a magnificent and towering palace. The words "Offering Hall" were engraved on the gate. This place was separated from Xu Tianran's bedchamber by only a single wall, occupying an extremely superior position.

Kong Deming pointed toward the depths of the Offering Hall and handed Qian Daoliu a token, upon which was engraved "Grand Offering of the Sun Moon Empire."

He smiled and said to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, "Brother Qian, Bo Saixi, look at that secluded Nine-Story Pagoda; that is where my Sun Moon Empire stores its ancient texts. The tower houses precious records of the Sun Moon Continent and Douluo Continent from the past ten thousand years, including history, the evolution of cultivation, and the development of soul guidance. If you two wish to understand the years gone by, you may enter the tower to consult them at any time by presenting your Offering Token."

Qian Daoliu took the token and cupped his hands in thanks to Kong Deming, saying, "Then many thanks, Brother Kong!"

"Brother Qian is too polite!"

After saying this, Kong Deming led Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi into a quiet chamber within the palace. The room was elegantly and cleanly furnished, peaceful and serene.

Kong Deming smiled and said, "Brother Qian, this is where you two will stay for the time being. No one will come to disturb you, so it is very quiet."

Qian Daoliu nodded in thanks, "I have troubled you with these arrangements, Brother Kong."

Bo Saixi also thanked him softly, feeling quite satisfied with the residence.

Kong Deming gave a few instructions before taking his leave, letting the two rest in peace.

Inside the room, with no one else around, only Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi remained.

Bo Saixi raised her eyes to gaze at Qian Daoliu, her eyes filled with tenderness, and asked softly, "Qian Daoliu, what are your plans for what comes next?"

The two locked eyes, their emotions surging. Qian Daoliu took Bo Saixi's delicate hand, his eyes filled with an unbreakable gentleness. "We shall first go to the Nine-Story Pagoda to look into the history of the Douluo Continent!"

Deep within the Sun Moon Imperial Palace.

Inside a dark chamber.

Kong Deming and Xu Tianran sat facing each other.

"Elder Kong, in your opinion, can I win over this Angel Douluo?"

Hearing this, Kong Deming shook his head repeatedly.

"Then should I..."

"I am afraid of affecting the Empire's future plans!"

Before Xu Tianran could finish, Kong Deming spoke directly, "Your Majesty, I advise you to abandon that thought!"

"It is a blessing for our Sun Moon Empire that three Limit Douluo have appeared on the continent who are at odds with Shrek Academy, the Body Sect, and the Holy Spirit Cult!"

"Even if we cannot win them over, we must ensure we do not push them to the side of our opponents!"

"Furthermore, I have already learned from Qian Daoliu that they do not belong to any of our hostile factions, and they will not stay in the Empire for long. They will not affect the Empire's future plans!"

Xu Tianran said with a serious expression, "Elder Kong is right; Tianran has been taught."

At the same time, at a pitch-black underground altar. A woman in red held a black-clad figure tightly in her arms. Her hair was disheveled, tear tracks streaked her face, and her eyes were red and swollen. Her sobbing was hoarse and broken as she choked out a roar, "Long Xiaoyao, you bastard, don't you die! I bore you a son! I haven't even told you the truth about what happened back then!"

"You haven't fulfilled your promise to me yet!"

"How could you just die!"

A sense of sorrow and despair permeated the cold, dark chamber.

The woman in red held the dead black-clad figure and roared toward the ceiling, "Qian Daoliu, Xu Tianran, I will have you die a miserable death!"

From the altar, seductive sounds drifted continuously: "Come, submit to me, sacrifice to me, and I will grant you power!"

Standing to the side was a man dressed in black, his face cold and indifferent, his dark hair tied back. A faint, evil aura swirled around him as he stood in silent stillness.

The woman suddenly raised her eyes and shouted, "Zhongli Wu, mobilize all the Holy Spirit Cult members in Ming Capital and turn it into a living hell for me!"

The man in black spoke to the woman in disbelief, "But Mother, that is our last remaining strength in Ming Capital!"

"Do it!"

"Yes!"