Unlocking the Fifth-Period Elements

Only after Qin Yun disappeared from sight did Qian Renxue's gentle smile vanish, replaced by a cold, solemn expression.

She stood still for a moment, a breeze stirring the hem of her white robes.

In an instant, her bearing shifted from that of a gracious Crown Prince to the Young Master of Spirit Hall, one accustomed to commanding life and death.

Two Spirit Hall agents with carefully concealed auras emerged from a shadowed side street and bowed their heads.

Both were elite agents who had spent years undercover in Heaven Dou City.

Their task was to relay intelligence to Qian Renxue and investigate unusual activity.

One of them lowered his voice and spoke respectfully.

"Young Master, our scouts have reported back."

"They found traces of an immense clash of energy and a battle in the forests bordering Fasinuo Province. There were also clear impact marks from a Clear Sky Hammer. Tang Hao was very likely there."

"If I may ask, do you truly intend to investigate Fasinuo Province in person?"

Qian Renxue's gaze darkened, and deep-seated hatred flashed in her eyes.

Her father, Qian Xunji, had died years ago, leaving Spirit Hall humiliated.

Her voice was cold and resolute. "Tang Hao killed my father. I will never forgive him."

"If those traces might be his..."

"Then I must go myself."

The battle between Qin Yun and Tang Hao had caused far too great a disturbance.

Successive Uranium Crystal Fission explosions had swept through the forest, while the clash of formidable Soul Power had torn the earth apart. The scars left on the battlefield were impossible to conceal completely.

Spirit Hall's scouts had noticed them almost at once.

They investigated the site thoroughly, compared the marks, and eventually identified traces of the Clear Sky Hammer.

They immediately sent a secret report to Qian Renxue.

Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Qin Yun hurried back and entered his private cultivation chamber.

Ning Fengzhi had prepared it especially for him.

Quiet and secure, it shut out all outside distractions.

He sat cross-legged on a jade cushion and spread his palm. Before him lay the rare elemental materials the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had gathered for him. They varied widely in type and properties, but each was an essential resource for unlocking the fifth period of his Martial Soul.

Qin Yun looked over the materials, quietly reciting their atomic numbers and properties.

"Number 37, Rubidium. Number 38, Strontium. Number 39, Yttrium. Number 40, Zirconium..."

Each element possessed unique microscopic properties suited to the fifth period's advancement and transformation.

Qin Yun focused his mind and slowly channeled his Soul Power, refining the materials one by one in precise proportions and drawing out their elemental essences.

Threads of elemental energy with different properties entered the source of his Martial Soul, washing through it layer by layer and refining its structure.

As the energies fully merged, his Soul Power surged.

A deep black Soul Ring with a dense halo slowly rose beneath his feet.

That was not all. Nourished and tempered by the fifth period's Elemental Power, the four black Soul Rings already surrounding him grew darker and denser. Their patterns became sharper and more defined, while the Soul Power within them rose steadily.

Their overall quality had transformed in every respect.

Qin Yun understood it clearly.

The fifth-period elements encompassed a vast range of Rare Metals.

They were broadly divided into Alkali Metals, transition metals, and the Platinum Group.

Not only could they let him perfect his Hidden Weapons and unlock more sophisticated fighting methods.

They could also support something revolutionary: forging an Artificial Soul Bone.

And among them, element number 40, Zirconium, was the key to forging this new Soul Bone.

Previously, he had mostly used Nickel-Titanium Memory Alloy as the base for his Soul Bones. It performed reliably, but it had limitations.

Zirconium-Based Material, by contrast, held its remembered form more stably.

It was better suited to merging with Soul Power and carrying life energy, far surpassing his previous materials.

Steadying himself, Qin Yun drew on his experience forging Soul Bones and began the new process in an orderly fashion.

It still had three steps:

First, precisely define the Soul Bone's framework.

Second, condense a Silicon-Based Soul Power Crystal Block.

Using high-purity Silicon as the base, he would incorporate multiple trace elements associated with life and compress them into an exceptionally clear, highly receptive silicon-based crystal core to serve as the Soul Bone's energy source.

Third, replace the base material entirely.

He would abandon Nickel-Titanium Memory Alloy and use the rarer Zirconium Element to create a stronger Zirconium-Based Memory Alloy.

Every stage of the forging process fit together precisely.

In the end, he replicated the Blue Silver Emperor Leg Bone's fundamental properties and simulated its life-healing abilities.

A Ten Thousand Year Artificial Soul Bone slowly took shape, smooth in texture, naturally patterned, and glowing softly from within.

The Zirconium-Based Memory Alloy perfectly retained and replicated the Blue Silver Emperor's exceptional healing, physical restoration, and Soul Power recovery abilities.

In appearance, stability, and compatibility with those abilities, it had reached a flawless standard.

With the forging complete, Qin Yun left seclusion and went straight to Ning Fengzhi.

In the study.

He presented the newly forged Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone.

Ning Fengzhi immediately examined it with care, sweeping his Soul Power over every inch of its surface and every pattern.

He checked the purity of its Soul Power again and again.

A moment later, Ning Fengzhi's eyes filled with astonishment.

He looked up at Qin Yun and praised him sincerely.

"Incredible!"

"It's absolutely flawless."

"A perfect Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone!"

Qin Yun remained composed. Rather than letting the praise go to his head, he made a suggestion.

"Uncle Ning, we shouldn't rely on words alone. This Artificial Soul Bone is newly forged. No matter how sound the theory is, someone needs to absorb it to verify its compatibility and actual effects."

"Why don't we have someone test it here and now?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded repeatedly.

"You've thought this through. You're right."

Without delay, he sent word through the disciple standing guard outside and summoned a diligent, steady elder of the sect with many years of service.

The elder had guarded the sect for years, performed his duties faithfully, and built a solid cultivation foundation.

But he had never had the good fortune to obtain even half a Soul Bone. He was the ideal person for the test.

The elder hurried in and bowed.

Before he could ask why the sect master had summoned him, Ning Fengzhi spoke solemnly.

"No need for ceremony. I called you here today because I have an opportunity for you."

"Absorb and refine this Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone here."

The seven-ring Soul Emperor froze. His eyes widened in disbelief.

He cupped his hands and asked in a trembling voice.

"Sect Master... Are you truly giving this Soul Bone to me?"

"I haven't rendered any notable service lately. I don't deserve it!"

On Douluo Continent, Soul Bones were treasures so rare that ordinary soul masters could spend their entire lives without ever touching one.

Sects rarely bestowed them freely, much less a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone of such exceptional quality.

The sudden opportunity left him shaken and unable to collect himself.

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.

"It's all right. You've earned it. Don't worry about anything else. Just focus on absorbing it."

With the sect master's express permission, the elder suppressed his overwhelming excitement and apprehension.

He stepped forward solemnly and accepted the Soul Bone with great care.