Tempering the sinews, bones, and skin outwardly, cultivating a single breath inwardly, until the inner and outer energies became one seamless whole, perfectly rounded and flawless-this was the Core Realm.
This was the cultivation path Tang Yin had mapped out for himself.
Gods entered the Way through faith, borrowing the power of heaven and earth.
In the end, they would also be bound by the laws of heaven and earth, unable to transcend them.
With the support of his martial soul meridians and the essence of three worlds' cultivation gathered within him, he was confident he could carve out his own path.
If this path could be perfectly validated through his own cultivation.
Then he could lead Little San Niang and Xiao Wu onto the Way in the future.
But before that, he needed to lay a foundation for the two girls.
"Grip forward and drive back, bend both legs like a bow, relax your shoulders and sink your elbows, keep your back straight."
"Hold your front hand as though supporting something, and your rear hand as though drawing a bowstring. This is the Three-Talent Stance."
Tang Yin corrected Xiao Wu's posture.
Xiao Wu was lively and restless, and her attention wandered easily when she learned anything.
The disciplinary ruler in Tang Yin's hand had been prepared specifically for her.
Fortunately, despite her unruliness, Xiao Wu possessed superb innate talent. Having taken human form from a Soft Bone Rabbit, her sinews and bones were extremely adaptable, and after just a few days, her stance was already taking shape.
Tang San Niang needed even less explanation. A little guidance was enough for her to grasp the essentials, and she progressed at astonishing speed.
Three days later, on a hillside outside Holy Soul Village.
Tang Yin encouraged her. "Little San Niang, go ahead."
Tang San Niang pressed her lips together and nodded, and a pale purple Soul Ring suddenly lit up.
Her blue silver emperor martial soul appeared in her palm, and she poured the internal energy of the Mysterious Heaven Skill into it.
Tang San Niang drew a deep breath, her eyes focused.
In an instant, the Blue Silver Emperor's leaves shot outward, winding toward Tang Yin like silver snakes.
One, two!
A full three leaves coiled toward him.
With a snap, they fastened themselves around Tang Yin.
"It really worked!"
Tang San Niang was overjoyed.
When she had tried three days earlier, she could only extend the leaves.
Now she could use their entangling ability. Her progress was truly astonishing.
Combined with her first Soul Skill, the leaves wrapped around a person would instantly become as sharp as blades, giving them tremendous power.
At that thought, Tang San Niang admired her brother even more.
Tang Yin tried exerting his strength to break free, only to discover that the Blue Silver Emperor itself was extraordinarily tough and could not easily be torn apart.
Next, the siblings carried out numerous other tests, including simulated combat.
After easily pinning Tang San Niang to the ground.
Tang Yin gave his assessment.
"Your control still isn't as natural as moving your own limbs. You need more practice."
Then he helped his younger sister up.
Xiao Wu had long since been watching in amazement from the side, and she could not help saying enviously.
"Brother, help me develop something too."
"Master your fundamentals first."
Tang Yin rubbed Xiao Wu's head.
Xiao Wu seized the chance to wrap her arms around Tang Yin's waist and wheedle.
"Standing like a wooden post every day is so boring. Brother, just teach me!"
At the sight, Tang San Niang's chest rose and fell with anger.
She stepped forward and pulled Xiao Wu away.
"Xiao Wu, stop making trouble. Brother has his own plans."
Not understanding what was wrong, Xiao Wu hugged Little San Niang and turned into a bundle of whimpers.
"How is this girl still so shameless after a whole week of lessons?"
Tang Yin did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Just then, a clear laugh rang out overhead.
"Hahaha, look at that! Two little girls fighting over one sweetheart?"
It was clearly a girl's voice, yet it carried a boyish heartiness.
Her voice arrived before she did.
Tang Yin looked toward the sound and saw a firebird with a wingspan of roughly four meters swooping down.
A scorching gust blew into their faces, setting the surrounding branches swaying.
A fiery-red figure suddenly leaped down.
A pair of long legs landed steadily atop a treetop. The girl, about eleven years old, had long hair streaming behind her, its ends fluttering like fiery tinder.
The girl had an exceptionally voluptuous figure, with pronounced curves and a fiery-red wine gourd hanging at her waist.
Her pale silver eyes brimmed with wildness as she flashed Tang Yin a radiant smile.
"Little fellow, may I ask if these are the Border Mountains?"
Before Tang Yin could speak, Xiao Wu was already stamping her feet beside him.
"Hey! Where did you come from, you shameless hussy? How dare you seduce our brother!"
Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips, bristling with fury.
She was not the sort to take a slight lying down.
The girl, blazing as fire, raised an eyebrow and smiled with a distinctly teasing charm.
"Brother? Haha, your brother does look quite delicious. Unfortunately, I'm not interested in children. Let him grow a few more years."
"If you're asking for directions, you should act like it. What do you mean by looking down on us from above?"
Tang San Niang flicked her wrist, and several cold glints shot out.
They sliced through the branch beneath the girl's feet.
"What's this...?"
A trace of surprise appeared in the girl's eyes as she leaped down and landed on the ground.
"I didn't expect someone who looks as soft and gentle as water to have such sharp methods."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Tang San Niang replied coolly, pulling Xiao Wu close beside her brother.
A commanding, heroic air shone through the girl's every glance.
Her speech was poised and open, without the slightest timidity.
"My name is Huo Wu-Wu as in dance. I'm from Blazing Fire City."
"I'm straightforward. If something rubs me the wrong way, I say so."
"I didn't realize you were siblings just now. Please forgive me for any offense."
Huo Wu was warm and openhearted, her words utterly unaffected, making it impossible to dislike her.
It really is her, Tang Yin thought.
Blazing Fire City lay east of the Western Tomb Mountains, which abounded in a species of fire-attribute flying Soul Beast-the Firelie Bird, something of a local emblem.
It was said that the head of Blazing Fire Academy kept two Firelie Birds as mounts.
That was why Tang Yin had already formed a guess.
Xiao Wu blinked her pink eyes. This introduction was rather interesting.
"My name is Xiao Wu. My Wu means dance too."
Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips, looking as fiery and imperious as a little chili pepper. "Even though you apologized, you were rude just now, and I'm still angry."
"How about this? Fight me. If you win, I'll forgive you."
Huo Wu's brows flicked upward like flames, and a playful curve formed on her red lips.
"Sure. I accept your challenge."
"Huo Wu, level thirty control-type Soul Grandmaster. Please show me what you can do."
Because she had yet to absorb her third Soul Ring, Huo Wu was still in the Soul Grandmaster realm.
"S-s-s... Soul Grandmaster?"
Xiao Wu's little mouth fell open.
Huo Wu, however, was feeling increasingly playful and teased her.
"Surprised? Didn't see that coming?"
Huo Wu took the Jade Gourd from her waist, tipped back her head, and gulped down some wine with a bold flourish.
"All three of you siblings can come at me together. If you can knock your big sister here to the ground even once, you win."
"If you lose, you'll have to give me directions."
After two swigs of wine, a breathtaking flush stained Huo Wu's cheeks. She leaned toward Tang Yin's ear, her voice teasing. "What do you think, little brother~?"
Her warm breath carried the rich fragrance of wine.
Tang Yin raised his eyes and smiled.
"Sure, but you haven't said what we get if we win."
"Oh~ I like your confidence, little brother."
Huo Wu draped her fair arms across the shoulders of Tang Yin and his sister.
She winked at the wary Little San Niang, her breath fragrant as orchids. "Do whatever you like with me~"
"No need."
Tang Yin waved his hand.
"I've heard that Blazing Fire City produces a rare fire-attribute ore-crimson sun stone. Its texture is like iron, but it feels as warm and smooth as jade."
Huo Wu's slender brows drew together slightly. Crimson sun stone was expensive and extraordinarily precious.
Accessories made from crimson sun stone could soothe the mind and calm the spirit when worn over time, aiding Soul Masters in meditation.
With its deposits so scarce, it was essentially something money alone could not buy.
She had only intended to play around with these little fellows.
But she was not stupid.
Why would she agree to such an outrageous condition?
This little fellow is rather mercenary...
"Could you help me buy a piece?"
Tang Yin stroked Xiao Wu's head, raised an eyebrow, and smiled.
The girl froze.
Then her eyes curved, her brows danced like blazing flames, and her smile bloomed as brilliantly as peach blossoms.
"Of course~ Your big sister promises~"
Her name was Huo Wu, a girl as ardent as the morning sun.
Her figure was like fire, her radiance like peach blossoms.
Her dark tresses stirred a thousand flames; her smile lit the rosy sky with ten thousand points of red.
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