The First Soul Core and Soul Tools

Inside the nine-story pagoda within the Sun Moon Empire's Hall of Worship.

Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi spent the entire night gaining a general understanding of the Sun Moon Empire and the various major powers on the continent.

"Over four thousand years ago, the Sun Moon Continent collided with the Douluo Continent for unknown reasons."

"Following this, the Sun Moon Empire on the Sun Moon Continent erupted into a great war against the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire on the Douluo Continent."

"Relying on soul guidance technology, the Sun Moon Empire fought three enemies at once, but ultimately suffered a narrow defeat due to the intervention of Shrek Academy! Since then, a delicate balance has formed on the continent between the four great empires and Shrek Academy!"

As for the information Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi sought regarding Spirit Hall and Sea God Island from ten thousand years ago, Qian Daoliu scoured every tome in the pagoda that recorded ancient history, yet he found nothing. He could not find a single trace of the destruction of Spirit Hall from ten millennia past.

Whether it was because the Sun Moon Empire was too far from the Douluo Continent, its heritage too shallow, or that history had been deliberately erased, it was as if Spirit Hall and Sea God Island had never existed on the continent at all.

However, the various texts did contain a wealth of information regarding other powers.

Shrek Academy gathered the continent's geniuses, cultivating numerous Titled Douluo and Limit Douluo. With its comprehensive training system and the legacy of Sea God Island, its combat power was top-tier, capable of independently balancing the major empires. Notable contemporary figures of Shrek: 99th-rank Limit Douluo Mu En, 98th-rank Super Douluo Xuan Zi...

The Holy Spirit Cult lurked in the shadows, founded on evil soul guidance arts, growing stronger by devouring soul rings and plundering soul bones. With Limit Evil Soul Masters at the helm, their combat power was eerie and highly destructive. Notable contemporary figures of the Holy Spirit Cult: Supreme Sect Master, 99th-rank Limit Douluo Ye Xishui; Sect Master, 98th-rank Super Douluo Zhongli Wu...

The Body Sect specialized in the cultivation of body martial souls. With a constant stream of powerful experts, they ranked among the top sects on the continent. Notable contemporary figure of the Body Sect: Sect Master, 98th-rank Super Douluo Du Busi...

The three great empires—Heaven Dou, Star Luo, and Sun Moon—each possessed vast soul master legions and deep foundations, having vied with one another for centuries with formidable strength.

Only the records of the past strength of Spirit Hall, which he cared about most, were missing.

Naturally, information regarding Sea God Island was equally nonexistent.

After a night of investigation, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi had not obtained the information they desired.

To say they were not disappointed would be a lie.

In the end, both Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi reached a decision. Qian Daoliu said, "Saixi, it seems we must make a trip to the Douluo Continent after all!"

"However, before we head to the Douluo Continent, we should condense our soul cores!"

"I just finished reading the method for condensing a soul core that Kong Deming provided! I find it quite marvelous!"

Upon hearing this, Bo Saixi nodded gently, appearing entirely content to follow Qian Daoliu's lead.

The two immediately sat cross-legged in meditation, calming their minds and regulating their breathing according to the techniques left behind by Kong Deming, guiding the soul power within their bodies to slowly converge and blend.

Within moments, the two operated the technique without a hitch. Two thick streams of primordial energy swirled and intertwined, forming perfect soul cores without any obstruction. Their auras became increasingly steady and powerful; although their cultivation levels did not increase, both Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi felt the miraculous utility of the soul cores.

The two watched as the soul cores hovered silently within their dantian, continuously absorbing the essence of heaven and earth from their surroundings and converting it all into pure soul power that circulated throughout their bodies, making their foundations increasingly solid and stable.

Qian Daoliu's gaze flickered as he spoke softly, "Is this a soul core?"

Bo Saixi's beautiful eyes widened as well. "What a marvelous feeling!"

"Qian Daoliu, I feel that this thing can greatly increase our endurance."

"Indeed!"

The two closed their eyes and cultivated for a while longer until their respective soul cores were completely stabilized.

Qian Daoliu then took out the introductory book on soul guidance devices gifted by Kong Deming to examine it.

Qian Daoliu only had to glance at it before he became completely engrossed.

He failed to notice that Bo Saixi, beside him, had already leaned against him and drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, at the competition venue of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Several figures were flying out from a gate of deathly, necromantic energy.

"Du Busi, I leave Yuhao to you. Remember your promise!"

"Hmph, rest assured. I guarantee I will return a much stronger Huo Yuhao to you!"

"Who is there?"

"Run!" Several black shadows vanished into the competition grounds.

"Strange."

Back with Qian Daoliu, after a day and a night of study, he finally had a basic understanding of soul guidance devices.

Just as Kong Deming had said, soul guidance devices were truly an epoch-making invention.

It was only a pity that Qian Daoliu lacked the metallic materials required to craft them; otherwise, he would have already started practicing.

Qian Daoliu thought to himself, "Next time I see that old man Kong Deming, I must ask him for some metal materials!"

If not for the many questions he still had left unanswered, Qian Daoliu would have truly wanted to stay in the Sun Moon Empire to study soul guidance knowledge under Kong Deming.

Qian Daoliu slowly closed the introductory tome on soul guidance devices and carefully tucked it away into his storage soul tool.

As his mind settled, he turned his head, realizing that he had been so focused on his studies that he hadn't noticed his surroundings.

Bo Saixi was resting peacefully against his shoulder, fast asleep. Her dark hair fell softly, with a few strands clinging to her jade-like cheeks. Her long, thick eyelashes drooped like the folded wings of a butterfly, and her skin was translucent and radiant, her features gentle and moving.

She leaned back gracefully, her posture soft and relaxed. Her sleeping face was peaceful, surrounded by a faint, refreshing aura that highlighted the gentle beauty of a peerless woman; the quiet scene was breathtakingly lovely.

Qian Daoliu's gaze softened as he watched the sleeping woman, his heart filled with warmth. He reached out, intending to gently stroke the beautiful face of his beloved.

Right in the midst of this tranquil atmosphere, an anxious voice suddenly rang out from outside the pagoda: "Brother Qian, I guessed you would be here."

Kong Deming's voice broke the silence of the hall, causing Bo Saixi to snap her eyes open, the remnants of sleep still lingering in her gaze.

She realized she was nestled intimately in Qian Daoliu's arms and, upon seeing Kong Deming walking slowly into the pagoda, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson in an instant, the tips of her ears burning with embarrassment. She quickly straightened up to adjust her clothes, shooting a shy, indignant glare at Qian Daoliu, fearing that Kong Deming might misunderstand what they had been doing. It was as if she were saying, "Why didn't you wake me up!"

Qian Daoliu paused, his tenderness completely interrupted. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes, and he spoke to Kong Deming in a low, helpless, and chiding tone: "Brother Kong, you aren't as sensible today as you were yesterday."

Hearing this, Kong Deming looked slightly awkward, realizing he had ruined a good moment for Qian Daoliu.

He quickly apologized to Qian Daoliu: "Brother Qian, it's an urgent matter. Throughout last night, there were constant reports of evil soul masters killing people within Ming Capital. His Majesty wishes for you to activate your martial soul and patrol Ming Capital once more, so that we may thoroughly wipe out these scumbags hiding in the shadows!"

At the mention of evil soul masters, Kong Deming's tone turned icy.

"Is that so?" A look of gravity flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes.

"Brother Kong, I agree!"

Qian Daoliu did not hesitate in the slightest to accept Kong Deming's request.

"Good!"

Kong Deming let out a breath of relief, glad he had not failed the task entrusted to him by His Majesty.

And so, Qian Daoliu released his martial soul, activating his ninth soul skill, "Breath of the Angel." Accompanied by Bo Saixi and led by Kong Deming, he began to scan every corner of Ming Capital, starting from the Imperial City.

Furthermore, because Qian Daoliu had already cultivated his first soul core, he felt absolutely no pressure on his soul power at this moment.

Watching this from the side, Kong Deming was secretly shocked: "Just yesterday, this Qian Daoliu had yet to form his own soul core, yet he condensed his first one in a single night. His talent is truly terrifying."