Level Ten

Theory existed, and practice began.

Following the rules of the "Meditation Method," Han Tao once again lifted his Mental Power and spread it through his body to guide his Soul Power.

Unlike before, Han Tao did not deliberately pursue a rapid Soul Power Flow this time. Instead, he slowed the flow as much as possible.

The Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer required the hammer to complete a new round of force accumulation through its collision with the iron ore. That point of impact would produce tremendous vibrations.

That point of impact could not be set within the Meridians. The Meridians were fragile and could not withstand such intense force.

A rupture in the Meridians was difficult to heal, while the cultivation of the Meditation Method was closely connected to them. Once something went wrong with the Meridians, it meant the path of Soul Power Cultivation would be completely sealed off.

Reducing the speed of Soul Power Circulation would clearly affect cultivation efficiency, but Han Tao had no choice but to do so.

The slower flow brought a deeper perception of Soul Power, while also giving Han Tao greater control over it.

Round after round, time slipped away unnoticed.

One hour, then two.

The vacation ended, but Han Tao made no progress.

Nothing could be developed overnight. It required a long period of exploration, summarization, and thought before that flash of inspiration could suddenly appear.

Fortunately, while enduring this arduous cultivation, Han Tao's Soul Power Level quietly broke through, reaching the level-four threshold.

"This is truly something worth celebrating!"

With a smile on his face, Han Tao bid farewell to that golden wheat field and returned to the Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy.

He had been a work-study student last year, and he was still a work-study student this year. Master had not paid Tang San's tuition.

Perhaps in his eyes, the teachers at the Soul Master Academy were unworthy of teaching talented students. Such students could only be properly guided through his own advanced theories.

Unlike Master, Han Tao had never believed that his theories were infallible. His theories were conclusions derived from his current, narrow understanding. On a broader or more extensive scale of knowledge, those theories might not be entirely correct.

Therefore, in the future, he would very likely—or rather, certainly—overturn his own past conclusions.

One month.

Two months.

Three months.

"Should I keep going or not?"

Whenever he reached an emo moment late at night, Han Tao would question himself.

Lowering the speed of Soul Power Flow would affect his Cultivation Speed, and might even affect the improvement of his Cultivation Talent.

But that did not mean it had no benefits.

At the very least, Han Tao's perception and control of Soul Power had received a remarkable boost through his long cultivation.

Before long, the changes in his perception of Soul Power allowed Han Tao to discover a new opportunity. There were certain singular points within the Meridians. These singular points had a greater capacity for Soul Power and were stronger than the Meridians themselves.

In ancient China, these singular points were called "Acupoints."

Under Han Tao's hypothesis, Soul Power would circulate through the body's Meridians. When it passed through an Acupoint, he could use the principle of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer to accelerate the flow once, thereby increasing his Cultivation Speed.

But ideals were always ideals. Given the current circumstances, this was fundamentally impossible.

Opening an Acupoint required Soul Power to force its way through, but Han Tao's total Soul Power was insufficient.

After opening an Acupoint, circulating Soul Power through it using the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer required prolonged practice and experimentation, making injury extremely likely.

"Treatment Depth!" Han Tao wrote a key term in his diary.

To optimize the Meditation Method, experiments were essential—and conducting experiments meant that the Meridians and Acupoints would be injured.

Conventional treatment and Soul Skills could only heal external wounds. They could not reach microscopic bodily parts such as the Meridians and Acupoints.

Therefore, he created a new definition for the treatment of the Meridians and Acupoints.

"Forget it. I won't consider these things for now."

Han Tao gathered the chaotic thoughts in his mind and decided to temporarily set aside this part of his research.

Acupoints, Meridians, and treatment were all important, but for the time being, none of them mattered as much as his Soul Power Level.

"Focus on increasing my Soul Power Level."

This was Han Tao's strategy for the days ahead, as well as for the next two years.

Life at the Junior Soul Master Academy was uneventful. Everyone followed their own paths. Tang San spent most of his time at the blacksmith shops nearby, Xiao Wu was always playing in the streets of Notting City, and Master liked to stroll around the academy carrying his "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul."

Whenever he encountered a student, Yu Xiaogang would raise his head proudly, reveal the honorary professor badge on his chest, and wait for the student's praise.

In a daze, through countless twists and turns, two years passed in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, Han Tao's Soul Power Level had finally reached the peak of the Novice Village.

That was right. He had reached level ten and could obtain his first Soul Ring.

What kind of Soul Beast should he choose for his first Soul Ring? This was a question worthy of careful consideration. He had once studied Master's theories and believed that Yu Xiaogang's theories had some merit within a narrow scope.

For Tang San's first two Soul Rings, he had followed the path of Soul Skill Combination Studies. The core principle was how to use the Soul Skills of his Soul Rings to give himself the strongest possible combat power.

For example, if level twenty-nine were Tang San's limit, then the two Soul Skills chosen by Master would indeed provide the greatest boost to Tang San's battle strength.

If Tang San did not know Hidden Weapons, if Tang San's Martial Soul were Blue Silver Grass, and if Tang San could only reach level twenty-nine, then Yu Xiaogang's theory would be completely correct.

After all, this was the path Master Yu Xiaogang had personally researched, personally verified, and personally walked.

Besides Soul Skill Combination Studies, there was another selection path known as Martial Soul Evolution Studies.

One could choose Soul Beasts similar or identical to one's Martial Soul to strengthen the source of the Martial Soul. After selecting three to five similar Soul Rings, the source of the Martial Soul would be strengthened, thereby promoting Martial Soul Evolution.

The lower-level the Martial Soul, the easier it was to evolve.

Unfortunately, low-level Martial Souls were not easy to upgrade, and they were weak in combat. Obtaining Soul Rings was not so simple for them.

Han Tao arrived beside the principal's office and gently knocked on the wooden door, producing a dull thumping sound.

"Come in!" An aged voice came from inside, carrying a trace of vigor.

"Principal Su, hello!"

He pushed open the door, entered the principal's office, and gave the customary greeting.

"So it's Han Tao. What book do you want to borrow this time?"

Han Tao had come here during his second year and casually borrowed a copy of Douluo Unofficial History from the principal. Its contents had been quite explosive.

"I've reached Soul Power level ten. I came this time to ask Teacher to help me hunt for a Soul Ring."

"Oh?" Principal Su adjusted his glasses and frowned slightly. "Do you know that when students graduate, a teacher will help them hunt for a Soul Ring free of charge?"

Principal Su's tone was somewhat cold as he continued:

"That is the rule!"

That was right. Tang San had been taken out by Yu Xiaogang, while Xiao Wu had condensed her own Soul Ring.

As for ordinary students, they could only enter with a Wild Team found near the Soul Hunting Forest. Xiao Chenyu had done exactly that.

The result was obvious. His first Soul Ring was only white, not even reaching the hundred-year level.

Han Tao could not help feeling disappointed, but he still replied humbly, "I understand!"

Seeing Han Tao's expression, Principal Su shook his head slightly and replied indifferently, "You may leave."

Han Tao closed the principal's office door. A faint voice came from inside, gradually fading into the distance.

"Teacher Li's family member is ill. He's taking two weeks off."