Solidified Soul Power

"Lan'er, can a martial soul that isn't of the dragon type also condense a core bead similar to a dragon pill?" Shui Qinghan could not help asking.

"It can. The underlying principle is the same. As long as a soul master compresses the soul power in their body into a solid state and stores it in their dantian, they can obtain a soul power core comparable to a dragon pill. When that happens, both combat strength and soul power recovery speed will be greatly enhanced." Jiang Lan nodded and explained.

"Compress soul power into a solid state? How does one compress it?" Shui Qinghan humbly asked for guidance.

"Use spiritual power to drive the soul power into high-speed rotation until it completely condenses into solid crystals and takes on a black-hole-like form. That means it is complete. However, compressing soul power carries a certain degree of danger. If you lose control, the soul power will undergo a massive explosion." Jiang Lan did his best to recall the plot of Soul Land 2 as he explained.

The concept of a soul core was actually very simple. One used spiritual power to drive soul power into constant rotation, compressing liquid soul power into a solid state. Then, the rotating solid soul power absorbed the power of space, eventually forming something like a black hole. That counted as a successful condensation.

In the original Soul Land 2, Huo Yuhao's attempt to condense his spiritual soul core had been so dangerous entirely because his soul power had been insufficient.

As for Xuanzi, the Supreme Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult, he had condensed an earth-element soul core at level eighty-eight.

As long as one's soul power reached level eighty-nine, even if they failed to break through to Titled Douluo, they would at most suffer serious injuries. Their life and foundation would not be harmed.

Not to mention that Shui Qinghan would have the assistance of the essence of the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow when condensing her soul core. Her success rate was one thousand percent.

There was simply no possibility of failure.

"I see. I'll give it a try right away." Upon hearing this, Shui Qinghan immediately raised her hand and spread open her fair palm. Azure soul power slowly seeped out from her palm.

The soul power of an eight-ringed Soul Douluo had long since condensed into a viscous liquid. It was like a puddle of azure gel coating her fair palm. Under the firm control of her spiritual power, not the slightest bit of soul power leaked out.

Very soon, the liquid soul power rose from Shui Qinghan's fair palm and began to rotate slowly.

Under Shui Qinghan's control, the rotation speed of the soul power began to increase.

At the same time, the already viscous liquid soul power slowly began to compress further.

The soul power really is starting to compress! Shui Qinghan was delighted and continued pouring soul power into the vortex in her palm.

The soul power spun faster and faster, while the vortex shrank smaller and smaller, gradually transforming toward a solid state.

Just as the soul power was about to be compressed into a solid, Shui Qinghan suddenly stopped. The soul power's rotation gradually slowed before finally dispersing into the air.

"Mom, why did you suddenly stop?" Shui Bing'er had been watching in fascination. When she saw Shui Qinghan abruptly disperse the soul power vortex, she could not help asking.

"Because I have already succeeded. Soul power truly can be compressed into a solid through rotation, then condensed into a core bead similar to a dragon pill to help me break through the Titled Douluo bottleneck." Shui Qinghan explained with a smile.

"So Mom will be able to break through to Titled Douluo soon?" Shui Bing'er nodded and asked excitedly.

"Yes, and it is all thanks to Lan'er." Shui Qinghan looked gently at Jiang Lan, affectionately stroking his cheek as she sighed. "Teacher truly doesn't know how to thank you."

"You're being too polite, Teacher. We're family, so why thank each other?" Jiang Lan said unconcernedly.

"That's true." Shui Qinghan smiled.

She was already planning to betroth Bing'er and Yue'er to Jiang Lan. Naturally, they were one family and did not need to stand on ceremony.

"Teacher, when do you plan to condense your soul core?" Jiang Lan asked.

"Soul core?"

"It's short for soul power core. We can't exactly call solidified soul power a core bead, can we?" Jiang Lan said with a smile.

"A soul power core? That name does suit solidified soul power." Shui Qinghan nodded slightly, then continued, "I'll need to conduct a few trials first and identify any shortcomings. At most, within half a year, I'll be able to condense a soul core and break through to Titled Douluo."

"Teacher, before condensing your soul core, you can first absorb the essence of a Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow. Then you can condense your soul core. The essence of the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow can help you condense an ice-element soul core and allow your ice attribute to undergo a transformation," Jiang Lan added.

"Alright~" Shui Qinghan smiled upon hearing that, then said, "Alright, it should be dawn outside by now. We should head back too."

"Yes, Teacher! Mom!"

After saying that, the three immediately left the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Cave, rapidly ascended, and departed the cold spring.

Shui Qinghan dropped Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er off in a suite at the inn, letting the two of them rest peacefully in their room.

She herself ran to the outskirts of the Far North to experiment with compressing the soul power within her body.

For a time, rumbling explosions could be heard from the outskirts of the Far North every so often, making many mercenary groups afraid to approach the Far North.

However, after the explosions ceased, some bolder mercenaries actually snuck over to inspect the site.

When they saw the enormous crater left by the explosion of solidified soul power—a crater more than forty meters wide and over ten meters deep—the news that a powerful soul beast had appeared on the outskirts of the Far North spread like wildfire.

That night.

In the first-floor dining hall.

"Have you heard? It seems that ten-thousand-year soul beasts have appeared on the outskirts of the Far North."

"Aren't the Far North's ten-thousand-year soul beasts all in the mixed zone? What are they doing in the outer region?"

"Apparently, they're fighting over some treasure. Several huge craters have been blasted into the outskirts of the Far North."

"Your news is already outdated. Several powerful soul-hunting teams have entered the Far North now, planning to snatch treasure from the jaws of beasts."

"Really?"

The mercenaries eating in the dining hall loudly discussed what had happened in the Far North, describing it vividly as though they had seen it with their own eyes.

Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er exchanged a glance, then subconsciously looked up at Shui Qinghan, who was seated beside them.

"What are you looking at? Eat." Shui Qinghan spoke with a calm expression.

"Oh~" The two hurriedly lowered their heads and shoveled food into their mouths.

After dinner, Shui Qinghan once again sent the two, wearing masks and black robes, to the entrance of the Great Soul Arena.

As before, there was one one-on-one match and one two-on-two match.

After finishing their soul battles, the two were led by Shui Qinghan out of Dragon City. They secretly entered the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Cave at the source of the cold spring to meditate and cultivate, using the cave's mimetic environment to solidify their soul power and strengthen their foundations.

Although the process of solidifying soul power was extremely tedious, the results were excellent.

Jiang Lan could feel that his soul power, which had become somewhat unstable from advancing too quickly, was gradually settling and becoming more solid.

The feeling of gaining rewards through effort truly made Jiang Lan unable to stop.

The three cultivated until dawn before leaving the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Cave and returning to their rooms at the inn to rest.

Though this was somewhat troublesome, it was safe and discreet.

This regular routine continued for nearly half a month.

It was only broken by the arrival of Shui Qingrou and Shui Yue'er, mother and daughter.