Does the Hōgyoku Have This Ability Too?

The Body Sect's council hall.

"Oh? Song Que, you want this?"

"Do you know what it is?"

Du Busi studied the crystal on the table, puzzled.

It was ice-blue throughout, clear as glass, with a faint, cold blue glow drifting across its surface.

"Yes, Sect Master Du. This should be Ice Extreme Divine Crystal. Strictly speaking, it's a kind of rare metal."

"It isn't Ultimate Ice."

Du Busi looked a little disappointed. "What a shame. I thought it was something valuable I could give Yuhao."

Song Que picked up the Ice Extreme Divine Crystal and examined it in his palm.

The Hōgyoku housed within his Zanpakutō quietly sent him a surge of intense longing.

Song Que's lips curved. "It is valuable, just not particularly useful to Yuhao."

"Ice Extreme Divine Crystal and Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow seem to form together. If this crystal formed there, there's a good chance the marrow is hidden nearby."

"And Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow would be a tremendous boon to Yuhao right now."

"Where did you find this crystal, Sect Master Du?"

Du Busi thought for a moment, then answered casually, "That old fellow Jinpeng stumbled upon it near Dragon City, on the border of the Heavenly Soul Empire."

"I thought it was some rare ice-attribute treasure. Turns out it's just a lump of metal."

"I've no use for it, so you can have it. Metals and Soul Tools have never interested me."

Delighted, Song Que cupped his fists in thanks. "Thank you, senior."

"When we have time, I'll take Yuhao to Dragon City and try our luck. We might actually find Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow."

"That's fine," Du Busi said. "I'll have Jinpeng tell you exactly where he found it. Go whenever you have time."

He turned to Huo Yuhao, his tone growing solemn. "Yuhao, I've spent the past few days teaching you the essentials of cultivating your Body Martial Soul."

"From now on, follow the Body Sect's methods to cultivate your Spirit Eyes. Aim to complete your silver-grade Second Awakening as soon as possible."

"I'd hoped to find you a treasure that could raise your cultivation a few levels before the tournament, but it seems that won't happen."

Huo Yuhao replied respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher. Even without a treasure, I'll train hard and never let you down."

Song Que cut in with a smile. "All right, Vena has arranged rooms for us. Let's go get settled."

"Once Xu Sanshi gets back, we'll need to report to the academy we're competing under and prepare for the tournament."

Huo Yuhao nodded. "Senior Bei Bei and the others should still be at the Training Ground. Let's go get them."

Song Que nodded, and the two rose. After taking their leave of Du Busi, they headed straight for the Training Ground.

A short while later, they arrived and joined Tang Ya and Wang Dong.

"Yuhao! Senior Song Que! You're here!"

Wang Dong's eyes lit up at the sight of them. She hurried over, took Huo Yuhao by the hand, and led him to a seat beside the arena.

Song Que gave Wang Dong an amused look and shook his head helplessly before turning his attention to the central platform.

Bei Bei was fighting Long Aotian there.

Song Que called out, "Bei Bei, stop holding back."

"The Soul Master Tournament is about to start. We don't have much time left to train."

"You won't find a better sparring partner than Long Aotian. Draw on your bloodline and go all out!"

Bei Bei glanced at Song Que outside the arena and sighed.

"Fine, I know."

"Guess I'll be weak for a while again."

He took a deep breath, and his gaze turned sharp.

"Roar!"

A mighty dragon's cry rang through the Training Ground.

The blue-purple lightning surrounding him instantly turned brilliant gold, and dazzling light gathered above his head.

The blue dragon scales of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon on Bei Bei's right arm rapidly turned gold. His aura changed completely.

Across from him, Long Aotian froze. He stared at Bei Bei's transformed appearance and instinctively stopped attacking, shock written across his face.

Meanwhile, inside Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness, the long-silent Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and Ice Empress appeared at the same time. At the sight of the golden dragon above the arena, they cried out together, "Golden Sacred Dragon!"

Song Que watched, thinking to himself:

Bei Bei's current state is probably similar to Gangzi's Martial Soul Fusion. His awakening isn't complete.

Still, Bei Bei has real talent. Unlike Gangzi, whose awakening gave him a Farting Pig, he doesn't need Martial Soul Fusion to tap into his potential.

Unfortunately, this form doesn't seem complete either. If I remember right, it took Mu En's help and a Soul Spirit for him to achieve a stable final evolution.

I wonder if I can find a chance to speak with Electrolux inside Yuhao and bring the Soul Spirit System into being early.

The Ranked Engraving Knife made of Living Gold should be in the Star Luo Empire right now.

The tournament should give us a chance to see it. If we can get our hands on it, it'll help Electrolux and Yuhao enormously.

Just then, the Hōgyoku sent another pulse.

Song Que paused, caught between laughter and exasperation.

This Hōgyoku really wants to absorb everything.

It was a supreme treasure in the world of Soul Reapers. How did it end up like this in my hands?

He sighed softly.

Fine. I'll let it absorb this Ice Extreme Divine Crystal and see what happens.

Song Que took out the Ice Extreme Divine Crystal Du Busi had just given him and placed it in his left palm.

At a thought, his Zanpakutō appeared in his right hand.

No one beside him noticed what he was doing.

They were completely absorbed in the increasingly fierce battle on the platform.

After his Martial Soul's spiritual consciousness evolved, Bei Bei's presence surged, and his strength rose dramatically.

Even Long Aotian began taking him seriously, gradually bringing out his true strength to meet him head-on.

At the edge of the arena, Song Que narrowed his eyes and made his attempt.

How do I do this? Just bring them together?

The instant the Ice Extreme Divine Crystal touched the Zanpakutō's blade, it melted away and vanished.

Song Que raised an eyebrow, astonished. The Hōgyoku can do that? I don't remember the original having this ability.

Does that mean my Zanpakutō can absorb other kinds of rare metal from now on? Maybe even Soul Tools?

As Song Que considered the possibilities, excitement rose within him.

Then a faint glow spread across the Zanpakutō in his hand.

His third Soul Ring slowly appeared and lit up.

"Here it comes—Senbonzakura!"

Pink light flickered along the Zanpakutō, and countless phantom petals shimmered around its blade.

"It worked! Hahaha!"

"I finally did it before the tournament."