Consecration Hall Test, Dispute Over Training Paths

The Consecration Hall stood high above Spirit City.

Long stone steps stretched from the foot of the mountain to the hall's gates, with angel statues standing on either side.

The closer one got to the gates, the denser the aura of light in the air became.

Xiao Jin was exceptionally excited.

It jumped down from Chu Jin's shoulder and raced up the stone steps. After running ahead for a while, it would stop and turn back to wait for Chu Jin.

After entering the grand hall, Chu Lie was arranged to rest in a side chamber.

Chu Jin followed Guang Ling into the main hall.

There were not many people inside.

At the very front stood a blond man with a youthful face and a gentle bearing, yet he carried an indescribable sacred majesty.

The First Consecrator, Qian Daoliu.

Beside him sat a tall old man with golden hair and beard.

Even seated, the old man resembled an ancient ferocious beast that might awaken at any moment.

The Second Consecrator, Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Yue Guan stood on the other side.

By Bibi Dong's orders, he had come on behalf of the Papal Hall to observe Chu Jin.

The moment Chu Jin entered the hall, all three sets of eyes fell upon him.

Qian Daoliu spoke first.

"Chu Jin."

"The Consecration Hall has reviewed all your records."

"Today's test will not determine whether you can remain here. It will only determine how you will be trained from now on."

"Release both martial souls."

Chu Jin raised his right hand.

A flash of golden light passed, and Xiao Jin appeared at his side.

At the same time, dark-gold double pupils emerged in his eyes.

Yue Guan immediately approached Xiao Jin.

As the Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall most skilled in researching plants, medicinal herbs, and unusual martial souls, he was deeply interested in this external beast martial soul that completely exceeded all existing records.

"Test its devouring ability first."

Attendants carried dozens of materials into the hall.

Low-level light soul beast meat.

Bones from a century-old dragon-type soul beast.

Holy Radiant Gold.

Flame Essence Iron.

Thunder-Pattern Copper.

Xiao Jin tried them one by one.

When it ate the Holy Radiant Gold, its eyes lit up like two tiny lamps. It hugged the chunk of metal and refused to loosen its claws no matter what.

Yue Guan did not take it away.

He carefully observed the changes in Xiao Jin after it devoured the materials with his spiritual power.

"After the light energy enters its heart, it first strengthens its bloodline core before flowing into its wings and scales."

"Dragon-type materials mainly strengthen its bones."

"Fire- and lightning-attribute effects can be absorbed, though the conversion rate is somewhat lower."

The more Yue Guan spoke, the brighter his eyes became.

"This little fellow has a broad range of potential growth paths."

"If it continues devouring different attributes, it may even develop multi-attribute adaptability in the future."

Golden Crocodile was more concerned with Chu Jin himself.

"How much power did it feed back?"

Chu Jin sensed it for a moment.

"The materials just now were of relatively high quality. The feedback was about twenty percent greater than usual."

Golden Crocodile rose to his feet.

He was extraordinarily tall. When he walked up to Chu Jin, he was almost like a golden wall.

"Hit me."

Chu Jin did not hold back.

He pushed off with his feet, twisted at the waist, and drove a punch toward Golden Crocodile's palm.

Smack!

Golden Crocodile's hand did not budge in the slightest.

Yet obvious satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

"With physical strength alone, he already surpasses quite a few two-ring beast soul masters."

"With a heavy halberd added in, the frontal assault path suits him best."

Yue Guan shook his head.

"This external beast martial soul can fight independently and grow through devouring. It can already fill the role of a frontal attacker by itself."

"Chu Jin's truly rare quality lies in how his martial soul can continuously strengthen both his teammates and himself."

"If Xiao Jin is developed into an all-purpose martial soul capable of support, control, and frontal combat, its value will be even greater."

Guang Ling leaned against a hall pillar.

"The Double Pupils can clearly see soul power pathways."

"With that sort of insight combined with archery, enemies would have no chance to evade."

Golden Crocodile glanced at him.

"He was born with divine strength, and you want him to practice archery?"

"What's wrong with archery?"

"What kind of skill is hiding far away?"

"If you can shoot someone dead, that's skill."

As the two spoke, the atmosphere quickly became tense and confrontational.

Yue Guan was unwilling to yield as well.

The three Titled Douluo began arguing over Chu Jin's future training path.

Qian Daoliu did not stop them.

He looked at Chu Jin.

"What are your own thoughts?"

The hall fell silent.

Chu Jin had long considered this question.

"Xiao Jin will be my primary martial soul."

"It possesses independent consciousness. It can fight head-on and continue growing by devouring materials. Its first soul ring should prioritize strengthening its bloodline, spiritual suppression, or innate abilities."

"The Double Pupils will not receive soul rings for the time being."

Yue Guan's gaze shifted slightly.

"Delaying the addition of soul rings to the second martial soul of twin martial souls is a very prudent choice."

Chu Jin continued, "An external beast martial soul cannot possess my body, so I still need combat methods for myself."

"The heavy halberd will handle close combat and strength."

"The Double Pupils will handle observation, control, and finding openings."

"Xiao Jin will handle restraint, attack, and growth."

"I can learn archery, but it will not be my main direction."

Guang Ling clicked his tongue.

"You didn't need to say that last part."

Golden Crocodile burst into laughter.

"Good!"

"Being capable at both range and close quarters is naturally useful, but when facing a truly powerful enemy, you still have to knock them down with the weapon in your hand."

Qian Daoliu nodded faintly.

This path was very complete.

Chu Jin had not greedily tried to develop every direction at once just because he possessed multiple martial souls. He understood the purpose of each ability and knew what he needed most at present.

"Next, we will test the Double Pupils."

A Soul Ancestor-level soul master entered the hall.

Qian Daoliu had him activate different soul skills in sequence.

Chu Jin observed from ten meters away.

Before the first soul skill activated, soul power gathered in the other man's right arm first.

The second soul skill began circulating through the meridians in his legs.

Even when the Soul Ancestor deliberately made feints, Chu Jin could judge the true direction of attack through changes in his muscles and soul power.

They then proceeded with a spiritual pressure test.

The instant Chu Jin released his Double Pupils, the Soul Ancestor's movements visibly stalled.

He did not see a complete mountain of corpses and sea of blood, but an uncontrollable heaviness still arose in his heart.

"The control duration is very short."

Chu Jin took the initiative to say, "Against enemies far above my level, the effect will continue to weaken."

Qian Daoliu was very satisfied by his clear-headedness.

"One final test."

"Follow me."

Everyone left the Consecration Hall once more.

Outside, the long stairway extended from the mountaintop to the mountain's foot.

Chu Jin stood at the very bottom.

Qian Daoliu stood at the end of the steps, slowly releasing the aura of the Six-Winged Angel.

"Walk up."

Chu Jin took his first step.

He only felt his shoulders sink slightly.

The second step brought greater pressure.

The farther he climbed, the stronger the Six-Winged Angel's pressure became.

By the time he reached one-third of the way up, the pressure was already close to that of a Soul Elder.

Xiao Jin remained beside Chu Jin the entire time.

At first, it could still hop about with ease, but soon even its limbs began to tremble.

Chu Jin did not recall it.

Xiao Jin did not ask for help either.

Man and beast slowly climbed the long stairway together.

Yue Guan stood before the hall gates, his expression gradually turning solemn.

"His martial soul and physical body are enduring the pressure together."

"The external beast martial soul possesses independent consciousness, yet it can share pressure and growth. This connection is highly unusual."

By the time they reached two-thirds of the way up, blood had begun to seep from Chu Jin's legs.

Every stone step beneath his feet seemed to bear a weight of a thousand jin.

Xiao Jin lay sprawled across his shoulder, its damaged wings hanging limply.

Chu Jin clenched his teeth as the butt of his heavy halberd struck the stone steps again and again.

Clang.

Clang.

The sound was heavy and steady.

He neither sped up nor stopped.

The final ten steps.

Each step Chu Jin took required him to pause for several breaths.

Golden Crocodile folded his arms, and the satisfaction in his eyes grew stronger and stronger.

Strength could be trained.

Physical constitution could be built with materials.

But this temperament of never retreating in the face of pressure was what truly suited his legacy.

The final step fell.

Chu Jin stood before Qian Daoliu.

His legs trembled, his clothes were already soaked through with sweat, but his back remained straight.

Qian Daoliu withdrew his pressure.

Xiao Jin slid from Chu Jin's shoulder and lay on the steps, gasping for breath.

Chu Jin also used his heavy halberd to support himself.

"You passed."

Qian Daoliu turned and walked toward the main hall.

"From today onward, Chu Jin will receive the treatment of a core disciple of the Consecration Hall."

"The materials required for his martial soul will be provided by the Consecration Hall."

Golden Crocodile walked directly up to Chu Jin.

"I'll teach you the heavy halberd and body tempering."

Guang Ling stroked his chin.

"Combat judgment and long-range responses are mine."

Yue Guan gave a light snort.

"Xiao Jin's cultivation materials must be inspected by me. You two, don't feed it things carelessly."

The three had already divided the responsibilities among themselves.

Chu Jin did not refuse.

Qian Daoliu had someone deliver a thick list.

"These are thirty candidates for your first soul ring, selected according to your martial soul's attributes."

"The soul beast ranked first is called the Radiant Nightmare Dragon Lizard."

Chu Jin opened to the first page.

An illustration of a golden dragon lizard came into view.

[Radiant Nightmare Dragon Lizard.]

[Three attributes: light, dragon, and spiritual.]

[Can produce soul skills such as spiritual intimidation, dragon might suppression, and light-based attacks.]

Xiao Jin leaned over and sniffed the illustration.

It seemed to sense the pull of that bloodline. Drool immediately dripped onto the paper.