"En'er, Heart Separation Control is usually practiced by support-system Soul Masters to enhance multiple people at once. As an assault-system Soul Master, why do you want to learn it?"
Ning Fengzhi asked curiously.
Gu En explained,
"Uncle Ning, although my Demon Dragon Transformation is powerful, simultaneously controlling the Bone Dragon's spatial power and the Blood Dragon's violent blood energy places an enormous burden on my mind."
"If I can master Heart Separation Control, I'll be able to let the two powers follow their own paths without interfering with each other. I may even be able to execute more complex tactics."
"I see. Your idea is rather unusual."
Ning Fengzhi nodded approvingly at Gu En's idea.
"Good. Then for this period, I'll teach you personally."
In the days that followed, Gu En threw himself into dull yet intense training.
Heart Separation Control was divided into the Three-Aperture Constant Heart, the Four-Aperture Constant Heart... all the way up to the highest level, the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart.
"Brother Gu En, have some water."
By the training ground, Ning Rongrong sat on the stone steps with her chin resting in both hands, gazing dreamily at the sweat-drenched boy in the field.
Ever since her Martial Soul had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, she had become far more diligent than before. Yet her greatest motivation was to keep up with Gu En's footsteps.
Gu En took the cup and drained it in one gulp, casually wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"What's this? Our young lady of the Nine Treasures doesn't need to train today?"
Gu En teased.
"I've already finished! I've reached the Three-Aperture Constant Heart now."
Ning Rongrong lifted her chin with a hint of pride, then immediately took Gu En's hand with a pained look in her eyes.
"But you... Dad said Heart Separation Control is very difficult for assault-system Soul Masters to get started with. If you're tired, we can go catch butterflies at the back mountain."
Seeing her clear, bright eyes, Gu En's heart softened. He pulled her over and had her sit beside him.
"Rong Rong, I have to become strong as quickly as possible. Only if I'm strong enough can I protect your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and protect the entire sect."
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips, then suddenly leaned forward and gave Gu En a quick peck on the cheek. She immediately drew back like a startled rabbit, her face flushed as she whispered,
"I know... Then, then I'll train with you too. If you can't master Heart Separation Control, I'll... I'll stay with you until you do."
Feeling the lingering warmth on his cheek, Gu En felt all the exhaustion in his body vanish.
He rose to his feet again, his gaze focused.
"Three-Aperture Constant Heart, rise!"
A faint glow lit up simultaneously in Gu En's hands. In his left hand, blood-red Soul Power condensed into a sphere and spun madly; in his right, silver spatial Soul Power formed a cube, as steady as a mountain.
Guided by Heart Separation Control, the two formerly conflicting powers actually formed a marvelous balance around Gu En.
"Success!"
Ning Rongrong jumped up in delight, more excited than if she had made a breakthrough herself.
Feeling the twin powers within him respond as naturally as his own limbs, Gu En's lips curved into a confident smile.
With Heart Separation Control, his Demon Dragon Transformation would no longer be a simple stacking of brute force. It would truly become the ultimate killing move that made the entire continent tremble.
Heaven Dou Palace was brilliantly lit.
Today was the midsummer banquet hosted by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and all those invited were the empire's foremost nobles and dignitaries.
As the imperial tutor, Ning Fengzhi naturally attended with the core members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Gu En wore a fitted dark-blue formal suit, its collar embroidered with silver dragon patterns that made him look exceptionally valiant.
Beside him, Ning Rongrong wore a pale pink glazed dress. Since the evolution of her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, her aura had grown ever more elegant and ethereal, drawing many young nobles' gazes.
"Brother Gu En, these banquets are so boring. They're not nearly as fun as grilling fish at the back mountain."
Ning Rongrong held Gu En's arm and muttered softly.
Gu En smiled faintly. He suddenly recalled something of vital importance—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
It was a token left behind by the Sea God. It was now stored away as the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's national treasure.
To others, it might have been nothing more than an unusable Soul Tool. But for Gu En, who possessed Twin Martial Souls and a body powerful enough to withstand divine power, it was the key ticket to reaching a higher realm.
Most importantly, even though he did not particularly like the Sea God's divine position, he still needed to leave himself a backup plan.
If he could not obtain a God King inheritance or create his own divine position, becoming the Sea God in the future would still be acceptable.
"Uncle Ning."
Gu En approached Ning Fengzhi and lowered his voice.
"En'er, what is it?"
Ning Fengzhi had been speaking with several dukes. Seeing Gu En's serious expression, he excused himself and walked to a secluded spot.
"I once saw a strange object called the 'Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud' in the notes Senior Yang Wudi gave me."
"I heard it possesses an exceptionally rare marine divinity and can bring a transformative effect to Soul Masters cultivating water or spiritual attributes."
Gu En calmly fabricated his reasoning.
"I wish to obtain this item and use it to temper my spiritual power."
Ning Fengzhi raised his brows slightly.
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud? That is indeed the imperial family's national treasure. However, since no one has been able to activate it, it has long been regarded as useless."
"If you truly need it, Uncle will certainly do his best to obtain it for you."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Ning."
Gu En's expression brightened. He nodded, knowing the weight Ning Fengzhi's words carried before Xue Ye, the Heaven Dou Emperor.
Halfway through the banquet, Gu En found the hall stuffy and went alone to the imperial garden for a walk.
The moonlight flowed like water, and the fragrance of flowers in the garden was refreshing.
"Brother Gu En, what refined taste."
A warm, jade-like voice rang out. Gu En turned around and saw Xue Qinghe standing alone beside a distant pavilion, gracefully fanning herself with a folding fan.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Gu En bowed politely.
"No need for such formalities. Between us, just call me Brother Xue."
Xue Qinghe approached with a smile. Her gaze lingered on Gu En for a moment before a trace of deeper meaning flashed through her eyes.
In the shadows, the Titled Douluo following Xue Qinghe—Snake Lance Douluo Yu Long—was concealed in darkness, carefully examining Gu En with his spiritual power.
A moment later, Snake Lance Douluo's voice rang in Xue Qinghe's—Qian Renxue's—mind, carrying barely suppressed shock.
"Young Mistress! This boy... this boy is not right!"
Qian Renxue's heart stirred, but her expression remained unchanged as she asked within her sea of consciousness,
"What is it, Elder Yu?"
"His... his current Soul Power fluctuations have already reached Rank 40, the realm of a Quasi-Soul Ancestor!"
Even Snake Lance Douluo's voice trembled.
"He's only ten this year, isn't he? Rank 40 at ten years old... Even in Spirit Hall's records, not even you back then..."
Qian Renxue's hand tightened abruptly around her folding fan, and her pupils shrank to pinpoints.
Ten years old, Rank 40!
This could no longer be described with the word "genius." This was simply monstrous!
Before you continue