Demon Subduing Douluo carried Ye Han as they sped through the air. In the blink of an eye, they had left Spirit City and landed in an open area on the outskirts.
Demon Subduing Douluo looked at Ye Han, his eyes bright and piercing.
"Kid, those two Self-Created Soul Skills you used just now, Shaking Heaven, Shattering Earth and Heaven and Earth—were they both taught by your master?"
"More or less."
Ye Han smiled.
"Actually, they are part of a complete staff technique called the Unyielding Staff Technique. It has nine forms in total, and every form possesses the power of a Self-Created Soul Skill. If the ninth form, 'Break Through to Godhood,' can be completed, it will possess divine might."
"Divine might?"
Demon Subduing Douluo's pupils suddenly contracted. The smile on his face froze as disbelief filled him.
There was actually such a powerful staff technique in this world?
He had lived for a hundred years and seen countless techniques.
Yet this was the first time he had heard of a staff technique of such a high level as the one Ye Han described.
He had studied the Coiling Dragon Staff Martial Soul for most of his life and considered himself intimately familiar with its characteristics, yet he had never imagined it could give rise to such a systematic staff technique.
Ye Han said seriously,
"This Unyielding Staff Technique was created based on the Coiling Dragon Staff. Our Coiling Dragon Staff possesses an innate unyielding will—it grows braver with every battle and never yields. Other staff-type Martial Souls do not have such power. Therefore, only those who possess the Coiling Dragon Staff can bring out this staff technique's true might."
Demon Subduing Douluo was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
"I understand! By your reasoning, Qianjun and I both have a chance to master this staff technique?"
"Of course!"
Ye Han answered without hesitation.
"So far, I have only mastered the first four forms: Battle Heaven and Earth, Shaking Heaven, Shattering Earth, Heaven and Earth, and Heaven-Covering Earth-Blanketing. If you want to learn them, I can teach you."
"Good lad! The two of us old fogeys have to learn from you instead, hahaha~~~"
After Demon Subduing Douluo's laughter subsided, Ye Han continued,
"You and Grandpa Qianjun are both at Level Ninety-Six Soul Power. If you want to break through further, hard training alone should not be enough, right?"
"That's right. We also need enlightenment and opportunity. We have remained at Level Ninety-Six for many years, unable to take another step forward."
Demon Subduing Douluo sighed.
He and Qianjun Douluo had been trapped at Level Ninety-Six for years. Naturally, they wanted to break through to Level Ninety-Seven, Level Ninety-Eight, or even reach the Peerless Douluo Realm of Level Ninety-Nine like Qian Daoliu.
Yet over these years, no matter how arduously they cultivated, they had been unable to advance even an inch.
"Grandpa Demon Subduing, the Unyielding Staff Technique may bring you a turning point."
"What?!"
Demon Subduing Douluo was startled.
"Th-then... is that really possible?"
"I am not entirely sure. I can only say that there is hope. This staff technique differs from your previous cultivation methods. It places greater emphasis on one's state of mind, using the heart as its axis to evoke boundless power."
"One's state of mind..."
Demon Subduing Douluo only half understood Ye Han's words, but he was willing to give it a try.
"Then, shall we try?"
"Alright. We'll begin with the first form of the Unyielding Staff Technique."
As Ye Han spoke, he summoned his Coiling Dragon Staff.
Demon Subduing Douluo also summoned his Coiling Dragon Staff and listened intently.
"This first form is called 'Battle Heaven and Earth.' Its essence does not lie in how flashy the moves are, but in its momentum. It means confronting Heaven and Earth with fearless courage and immense strength, displaying an indomitable, never-retreating spirit. In battle, this momentum can often seize the initiative and place psychological pressure on the opponent."
"Momentum?"
"Mm. The core of this form lies in 'intent.' Imagine a powerful opponent, then try pouring that unyielding will into the Coiling Dragon Staff. Let the thought of 'Battle Heaven and Earth' ignite."
"A powerful opponent... I'll try."
Demon Subduing Douluo closed his eyes and thought of the Clear Sky Hammer, the number one tool Martial Soul under Heaven.
The opponent he envisioned was Tang Chen, the former strongest man on the continent and the sect master of the Clear Sky Sect.
Qian Daoliu had once lost to Tang Chen.
It was a pain held deep in the hearts of Spirit Hall's several worshippers.
Later, Tang Chen vanished without a trace.
Even if Qian Daoliu wished to challenge him again, he had no opportunity to do so.
Tang Chen had elevated the Clear Sky Hammer to the height of the number one tool Martial Soul under Heaven.
Neither Demon Subduing Douluo nor Qianjun Douluo accepted that.
In their hearts, the Coiling Dragon Staff was no inferior to the Clear Sky Hammer.
After cultivating for over a hundred years, Demon Subduing Douluo's perception of Martial Souls had long reached perfection.
As he imagined Tang Chen as his opponent, he poured all his unyielding will into the Coiling Dragon Staff.
The Coiling Dragon Staff began to tremble, emitting a low hum.
Suddenly, Demon Subduing Douluo's momentum surged. His expression was filled with fierce defiance.
He seemed to fall into an illusion.
Within the illusion, he wielded the Coiling Dragon Staff in a fierce battle against Tang Chen, who held the Clear Sky Hammer...
Several hours later, Demon Subduing Douluo finally opened his eyes.
Though he had not yet reached the ideal state, he had indeed sensed something utterly different from before.
"Grandpa Demon Subduing, how do you feel?"
"Very good! It seems I need to find a real opponent to practice against."
Demon Subduing Douluo laughed happily.
He had lived to such an age, yet today, a fifteen-year-old boy had instructed him in staff techniques.
But he did not feel embarrassed in the slightest. Instead, his heart was filled with joy.
"This staff technique differs from those I encountered before. It is incredibly profound and cannot be mastered overnight."
"Exactly. It is valuable precisely because it is profound. You and Grandpa Qianjun both possess deep Soul Power. If you can master this staff technique, its power will surely be limitless when used."
"Well said!"
Demon Subduing Douluo laughed heartily, in an excellent mood.
"By the way, do you have a storage device on you?"
"No."
"If you go out to train in the future, it will be rather inconvenient without a storage device..."
As Demon Subduing Douluo spoke, he casually removed his belt and held it out before Ye Han.
The belt was dark gold throughout, its edges covered in dragon patterns.
Seven gemstones of different colors were set into it, arranged in an irregular seven-star formation.
"This is a storage Soul Tool called the Seven-Star Dragon-Pattern Belt. I acquired it in my early years, and it has been with me for decades. From today onward, it is yours. Take good care of it."
As Demon Subduing Douluo spoke, he stuffed the belt into Ye Han's hands.
"There are seven stars on it, and each one contains seven cubic meters of space, for a total of forty-nine cubic meters. The red star can store fire-attributed items, the blue one can store ice-attributed items, and the green star is more special—it can store living creatures. The other stars each have their own uses. Release your Soul Power and sense them carefully, and you will understand."
"Thank you, Grandpa Demon Subduing. Then I will gladly accept it."
Ye Han took the belt. It felt satisfyingly heavy in his hands.
The seven gemstones conveyed different temperatures through his fingertips. Some were warm, some were icy, and some felt entirely ordinary.
Ye Han fastened the belt around his waist. It fit perfectly.
The dark-gold belt complemented his black robe, making him appear particularly heroic.
Afterward, he released his Soul Power and sensed the storage spaces within the seven stars one by one.
Just as Demon Subduing Douluo had said, each had its own marvelous function.
"Grandpa Demon Subduing, this gift is far too precious. I like it very much, and I will definitely take good care of it."
Demon Subduing Douluo smiled and nodded.
"It is getting late. We should head back as well. After we return, you can study it slowly on your own. Tomorrow, I will have my brother come and witness this Unyielding Staff Technique too."
"Alright. Tomorrow, I'll accompany you both."
"Oh, right. When do you plan to go out and train?"
"As soon as possible. The Coiling Dragon Staff improves through battle itself. I need to take part in more real combat."
Demon Subduing Douluo nodded.
"That makes sense. I'll go back and inform the Grand Worshipper. When the time comes, I'll accompany you outside for some fun."
Before you continue