This chapter is a long one, over ten thousand words, and is a setting chapter.
It is meant to showcase the theoretical insight and profound worldview of a thousand-year-old clan.
So feel free to choose whether to read it.
If you enjoy setting details, this may clear up some of your questions about Douluo. It also lays the groundwork for the battles in later chapters, making them more vivid when you read them.
If you prefer a faster pace, you can skip it. I'm afraid it might give you a headache, haha.
Thank you for your support!
"Cultivators have three thresholds. Do you know that Soul Beasts have thresholds too?" Chen Yu asked in return.
"Ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years, ten thousand years, a hundred thousand years?" Chen Xiaojun guessed.
"Ten years isn't a threshold. Or rather, people recognize the ten-year mark because of the white Soul Ring left behind after death. In truth, there's only a category below a hundred years; there's no tier below ten years. You could also say that Soul Beasts start at ten years as soon as they awaken." Chen Yu explained.
"What about hundred-year and thousand-year Soul Beasts?" Chen Xiaojun asked curiously.
Chen Yu said, "A Soul Master's cultivation is closely tied to Soul Power, physical constitution, and Mental Power. For Soul Masters, Soul Power is fundamental."
"Soul Beast cultivation is also related to these three, but Soul Beasts place relatively greater emphasis on physical cultivation. Their system is one of inherited bloodlines."
"Thousand-year Soul Beasts in particular experience far greater increases in physical strength than transformations in Soul Power and Mental Power. The baptism from the Thousand-Year Soul Ring they leave behind after death greatly improves a Soul Master's physical constitution."
"Look: the standard Second Soul Ring is seven hundred years old. Compared with the First Soul Ring's four hundred years, the increase in Soul Power's age is less than double. The Third Soul Ring is seventeen hundred years old, double the Second Soul Ring's seven hundred years."
As he spoke, Chen Yu drew several lines on the paper to illustrate his explanation. "After the baptism of a third thousand-year Soul Ring, a Soul Master's constitution improves greatly."
"The Fourth Soul Ring is five thousand years old, three or even four times the Third Soul Ring's seventeen hundred years. Some reach six or seven thousand years, thanks to the baptism of the Third Soul Ring."
"The main reason is probably that the physical baptism from a thousand-year Soul Beast represents a huge leap compared with one from a hundred-year Soul Beast. This is also why Soul Elder is one of the three major milestone ranks for Soul Masters: it marks a major gap in strength between them and those below."
Chen Yu paused, giving Chen Xiaojun some time to absorb this.
"What about Soul Beasts over ten thousand years old?" Chen Xiaojun asked.
"Soul Beasts between ten thousand and a hundred thousand years old cover a wide range of strength, so they're divided into several stages," Chen Yu explained.
"Human ranks are clear-cut because of the limits imposed by heaven and earth: you need to add a Soul Ring to break through.
"But Soul Beasts don't need to do that, so their internal hierarchy is ranked by combat strength rather than Soul Power. Different levels of strength naturally have different titles.
"First, there are ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts. Usually, only Upper-ranked Soul Beasts can break through to that level, though those that break through the ten-thousand-year mark can also evolve into Upper-ranked Soul Beasts.
"For example, yesterday's Gale Wolf Pack: from hundred-year Gale Wolves to thousand-year Azure Wind Cang Wolves, then to the ten-thousand-year Hurricane Demon Wolf." Chen Yu spoke at an unhurried pace, but his explanation was clear.
"At this stage, ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts are similar to thousand-year ones. Their bodies have also grown tremendously stronger, but unlike thousand-year Soul Beasts, their intelligence and Mental Power increase greatly too. They can understand human speech and hold very high positions in their groups."
Chen Yu continued, "When they die, they leave behind a remnant consciousness that attacks the soul, called Soul Shock. That's why the Soul Master World calls ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts Beast Kings-the kings of beasts."
"Next are fifty-thousand-year Soul Beasts. Like Soul Beasts at the forty-thousand-year level, their Soul Power is at Soul Saint Rank, but their Soul Power hasn't undergone a qualitative change, while their Mental Power has increased substantially."
As he spoke, Chen Yu drew a three-color diagram of Soul Power, the body, and the mind. "Their physical strength increases greatly as well, and the power of their Innate Skills in particular doubles."
"Overall, their combined strength is two or three times what it was before they passed fifty thousand years. That's why Soul Masters call Soul Beasts at this level True King tier, to distinguish them from ordinary Beast Kings."
Chen Yu continued, "Soul Saints can contend with forty-thousand-year Soul Beasts. But without the strength of a Soul Douluo, or at least two or three high-ranking Soul Saints, if you run into a fifty-thousand-year True King-tier Soul Beast, you'd better run."
"Also, the soul impact they leave after death is no longer just a remnant soul. Although it's more violent because of resentment, the soul is relatively intact, making the impact much harder to withstand. Even Soul Saints have to be cautious when absorbing one." Chen Yu was very serious as he made this point.
Chen Yu added one final detail: "Besides, compared with a forty-thousand-year Soul Beast, a fifty-thousand-year one grants Soul Skills that are far more powerful. The difference is at least an entire tier."
"Grandpa, I don't quite understand what you mean by, 'Though fifty-thousand-year Soul Beasts have the same Soul Power rank as forty-thousand-year ones, both being Soul Saint Rank.'" After hearing this, Chen Xiaojun felt that something didn't quite add up.
Seeing Chen Xiaojun's bewildered expression, Chen Yu furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "Did your Second Granduncle not explain the Soul Power classifications for Soul Beasts to you?"
Chen Xiaojun shook his head, looking helpless.
Chen Yu thought for a moment, then said, "Well, let me explain. Soul Masters are divided into ten ranks, so people used their Soul Power rank and quality to infer the corresponding age of a Soul Beast's Soul Power."
Chen Yu paused to gather his thoughts, then continued:
"After years of study in the Soul Master World, people have established a general correspondence between a Soul Beast's age and Soul Power and a Soul Master's rank. Specifically:
"Soul Beasts under a hundred years old correspond to Soul Scholars,
"a hundred-year Soul Master, five-hundred-year Soul Grandmaster,
"a thousand-year Soul Elder, five-thousand-year Soul Ancestor,
"ten-thousand-year Soul King,
"twenty to thirty thousand years, Soul Emperor,
"forty to fifty thousand years, Soul Saint,
"sixty to seventy thousand years, Soul Douluo,
"and from eighty thousand years onward, Titled Douluo level.
"This classification refers only to the quality and total amount of Soul Power. It doesn't include a Soul Beast's physical constitution or Mental Power.
"So the Soul Master World now uses this to match Soul Rings to the best fit.
"Based on what we know, Soul Masters generally absorb Soul Rings in ascending order.
"That is, they start with hundred-year Soul Rings and gradually absorb higher-level ones.
"This ensures that a Soul Master's cultivation and abilities improve steadily, while also helping avoid the harmful consequences of absorbing a Soul Ring that isn't suitable for them, such as backlash or losing control of their abilities.
"Of course, Soul Masters with special abilities may choose different methods of absorption.
"For example, some may choose to absorb Soul Rings beyond their rank-Soul Rings from Soul Beasts older than their own cultivation-to gain more powerful abilities and skills.
"But this method requires caution. If the absorption goes wrong, it can lead to harmful consequences.
"In short, the best Soul Ring ratio involves the combination of Soul Ring colors and the range of Soul Power absorbed. It varies to some extent from person to person and must be considered in light of each individual's cultivation, abilities, and future development.
"At the same time, one must be cautious and take care to stay safe when absorbing a Soul Ring, to avoid harmful consequences."
Chen Xiaojun was rather surprised to hear this. It turned out the Chen Clan's research into Soul Ring limits had reached this level, far surpassing Grandmaster's.
Then he thought of something and couldn't help asking, "Wasn't it said that a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast was comparable to a Titled Douluo?"
Chen Yu was a little surprised too, clearly taken aback by Chen Xiaojun's question. He explained:
"Who said that? If they were merely comparable to a Titled Douluo, hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings wouldn't be so rare and hard to come by.
"Just obtaining a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring can raise a Quasi-Title Douluo by about two levels. You know how difficult it is for Titled Douluo to advance; taking more than a decade to gain two levels is commonplace.
"A Soul Master who has just obtained a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring, with Level 92 Soul Power and two hundred-thousand-year Soul Skills, plus the Soul Power baptism from a hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone and two more Soul Skills, can fight on par with a Level 95 Titled Douluo, or even surpass one. That's no difficult feat.
"Just look at our Chen Clan. In over a thousand years, only two ancestors ever obtained one. That tells you how hard it is to get a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring."
Chen Xiaojun nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. Before Tang San, hardly anyone could obtain a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring. My dad, Tang Hao, got his from his mom's sacrifice. Bibi Dong was a heaven-blessed prodigy, yet even she needed the Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo and the help of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill to obtain one-and there's been no one like Bibi Dong in a hundred years.
"In the protagonist group, most of Tang San's first few hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings came from sacrifices or God-Given Soul Rings. At first, even when he killed hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts, he needed help from other people or a 'god.' The others all had God-Given Soul Rings.
"Looking at it that way, considering how difficult it is, apart from Golden Crocodile Douluo, whose method of obtaining one is unknown, perhaps the other three Peerless Douluo-Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi-raised their Soul Ring ages through divine trials. As for Tang Chen, perhaps he killed one himself?"
Chen Xiaojun seemed to have gone deep in thought and drifted off again and again.
Seeing Chen Xiaojun distracted, Chen Yu gave a soft cough to bring him back to the present, then continued, "To return to the point, an eighty-thousand-year Soul Beast has reached the highest level among ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts. Its Soul Power is already equivalent to that of a Titled Douluo. These Soul Beasts can speak, so they're also called Holy King-tier Soul Beasts."
Chen Yu paused, then continued, "The souls left behind by these Holy King-tier Soul Beasts after death are highly sentient and have formed complete Spirit Bodies. Their Soul Shock is extremely powerful. Although its power has become a source without roots, it's far more dangerous."
Chen Xiaojun frowned at this. "I see. So these Holy King-tier Soul Beasts are already this powerful?"
Chen Yu nodded. "Yes. The Soul Skills they provide are already enormously powerful. Soul Beasts older than ninety-five thousand years, especially those close to a hundred thousand, can't be taken down without three or four Titled Douluo. That's why a Titled Douluo's Ninth Soul Ring is generally over eighty thousand years old, though some are even only sixty or seventy thousand."
"Actually, there are two other titles among ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts:
"War Kings, with cultivation levels of twenty to thirty thousand years, between Beast Kings and True Kings. Their strength is equivalent to that of Soul Emperors.
"Ancient Kings, with cultivation levels of sixty to seventy thousand years, between True Kings and Holy Kings, at the Titled level. Their average strength is greater than that of Soul Douluo.
"These are ancient titles. Soul Masters nowadays tend to distinguish Soul Beasts by the number of years they've cultivated. These two tiers aren't threshold categories like True King and Holy King, where there's a great leap in strength, so they're used less often now. Many Soul Masters don't even know about them."
"So troublesome, with so many titles." Chen Xiaojun's head was practically swelling after hearing all this.
"It is a little troublesome. The different titles represent different strengths and ranks. Beast King, War King, True King, Ancient King, and Holy King are titles passed down from the Soul Beasts. But you can think of them simply as equivalent to our Soul King, Soul Emperor, Soul Saint, Soul Douluo, and Titled Douluo, respectively, with combat strength greater than that of Soul Masters of the same rank." Chen Yu said with a smile.
Though there were wrinkles on his face, it was still clear that he must have been very handsome when he was young.
"Huh?"
"As Soul Beasts have existed for countless tens of thousands of years, they don't have a social structure as tightly organized as ours, but they do have their own system. It's somewhat rough, primitive, and untamed. You'll find it useful when you deal with high-year Soul Beasts in the future."
"What about hundred-thousand-year ones?" Chen Xiaojun pressed.
In a warm, even voice, Chen Yu said, "A hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast can be called an Emperor of Soul Beasts. Its Soul Power quality undergoes a qualitative change, reaching the level of a Level 96 Super Douluo.
"Moreover, these Soul Beasts all have highly potent Innate Skills that can unleash tremendous combat strength.
"Their Innate Skills are exceptionally powerful. Add a few special circumstances-noble bloodlines, as with certain Transcendent Soul Beasts; a chance encounter with an opportunity; or the comprehension of an even more powerful Innate Skill-and
"their actual combat strength can nearly match that of a Level 97 Titled Douluo. In truth, all Soul Beasts that reach the hundred-thousand-year level are exceptionally gifted, physically powerful top-tier Soul Beasts, with almost no exceptions. Their actual combat strength is extremely formidable."
Chen Xiaojun felt somewhat dejected after hearing this. He had thought he already knew enough about Soul Masters, but after listening to Chen Yu, he realized there was still a great deal he needed to learn and understand.
At the same time, however, he felt greatly encouraged, because he was full of longing and anticipation for these powerful Soul Beasts.
Chen Yu continued, "Without two or three Super Douluo helping, don't even think of killing them.
"Besides, they live deep in places where Soul Beasts gather. First, they're very hard to find; second, even if you find one, you could very well be surrounded and attacked by ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts.
"Most important of all, after they die, their Spirit Bodies can still use certain individual Innate Skills during the soul impact. In other words, a Soul Master has to fight them again in the Sea of Soul Consciousness of their own Upper Soul Nest.
"Of course, since they're only Spirit Bodies, their strength is greatly reduced. But they still retain the strength of Titled Douluo, which is more than enough. And a Soul Master is alone in their Sea of Soul Consciousness, with no one else able to help. It's extremely dangerous.
"So, even when a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast is successfully killed, countless Quasi-Title Douluo die during Soul Ring absorption, their souls destroyed or their bodies exploding.
"Eventually, everyone stopped daring to try. First, they generally couldn't beat or kill one; second, the chances of successfully absorbing its Soul Ring were simply too slim. Only an unparalleled genius, one who appeared once in several hundred years, stood a chance.
"In short, a Soul Master with a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring is almost certain to have the potential to become a Level 99 Peerless Douluo."
"No wonder Grandpa said just now that hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings are so hard to come by. Our Chen Clan has top-tier Martial Souls and a top-tier inheritance, yet in nearly two thousand years, only two ancestors have obtained one." Chen Xiaojun clicked his tongue in astonishment, inwardly thinking that these Soul Beasts really were powerful.
Chen Xiaojun sighed. "How did Soul Masters in history obtain them? Has anyone in the Soul Master World obtained a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring now?"
Chen Yu continued, "Among living Soul Masters, there's only one known to have one, though that person must be about two hundred years old.
"As for how Soul Masters obtained them throughout history, it's all shrouded in mystery. These are secrets of Soul Masters, and others may not know them.
"But according to scattered records, apart from a small handful of peerless prodigies who killed them by force, most Soul Masters who obtained hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings did so in the same way. It's a relatively effective way to obtain one, and also the least dangerous method." Chen Yu's voice grew distant.
"What method?" Chen Xiaojun's voice was a little hurried. Could it be a Soul Beast that specializes in killing? he thought.
Chen Yu's expression turned distant, as if he were remembering something. "Once a Soul Beast breaks through the 100,000-year threshold, it faces an even greater challenge-the Heavenly Tribulation.
"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast can only live for a thousand years. After a thousand years, the Heavenly Tribulation descends. Those who survive can live for another 100,000 years, and the cycle repeats.
"After all, only a few can survive the Heavenly Tribulation. At that point, even Upper-ranked Soul Beast bloodlines seem rather ordinary. Most are more likely to perish beneath the Heavenly Tribulation.
"So at this point, there's a second path-Human Transformation!
"Because the Heavenly Tribulation is so dangerous, some Soul Beasts transform into humans. They become Soul Masters with Innate Full Soul Power and a Soul Ring of their own, then cultivate Soul Power anew. Their Martial Soul is their original form.
"They have three stages. Before Level 60 is the Juvenile Stage. At this point, Soul Masters with powerful Mental Power can see through them; at the very least, Titled Douluo definitely can. From Level 60 to Level 80 is the Mature Stage, when they're basically impossible to recognize. At Level 90, they reach the God-Transformation Stage, and have basically regained the strength they had before transforming.
"God-Transformation-transform into a god by breaking through Level 100.
"If Soul Masters kill them before they break through to Level 90 and reach the God-Transformation Stage, while their combat strength is still diminished, they can still obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone.
"So whenever a transformed Soul Beast is discovered, the Soul Master World is thrown into turmoil."
Just as I thought! It's best to develop feelings with a transformed Soul Beast and have her sacrifice herself. Absorbing it that way is less dangerous. Chen Xiaojun thought of the father and son of the Tang Family and grumbled inwardly.
Could a growing Soul Skill reach the 100,000-year level? Chen Xiaojun thought of another possible way to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Skill.
"Impossible. Soul Skills have to follow the rules of Soul Beasts-the fundamental rules.
"The rule is the threshold I mentioned earlier. Soul Beasts themselves have major thresholds. How could a growing Soul Skill break through so easily? It has its limits, too.
"Growing Soul Skills that start below the 10,000-year level have a better chance. They can break through the 10,000-year mark, but their growth basically stops there.
"Growing Soul Skills at the 10,000-year level can't break through 50,000 years. Those above 50,000 years can't break through 80,000 years, and those above 80,000 years can't break through 100,000 years.
"These thresholds all mark qualitative changes!
"Though anything is possible, there aren't that many loopholes to exploit in the Heaven and Earth Rules.
"Someone has tried this before, but no one has succeeded." Chen Yu's voice was dry.
"Huh?"
"Here's an extreme example: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Its growing Soul Skills are bestowed by the Martial Soul itself, bypassing Soul Rings. But the two Nine Treasure Douluo recorded in its history never evolved their skills to 100,000 years. There's another piece of evidence: Soul Bones!"
"Soul Bones?"
"That's right. When Soul Masters nurture Soul Bones over a long period, they can increase the age and power of the Soul Skills those bones carry. But a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone might only gain one or two thousand years' worth of power.
"Just like growing Soul Skills from Soul Rings, though, they still can't break through 50,000 years; those at 50,000 years can't break through 80,000 years; and those at 80,000 years can't break through the 100,000-year threshold.
"If Soul Bones can't do it, then Soul Skills can't break through their threshold either, right? Unless they break through with the aid of a deity's power." Chen Yu opened the window, and a cool breeze drifted in.
"A deity's power?"
"That's right. Spirit Hall has a set of Soul Bones passed down for thousands of years. Every piece is 99,999 years old.
"They're just one step away from the 100,000-year level. Surely they couldn't all have been obtained by hunting Soul Beasts.
"Getting one 99,999-year Soul Bone might be chalked up to luck, but all six Soul Bones? How could there be so many 99,999-year Soul Beasts in the world for them to hunt-and with matching Compatibility, too?
"So only a deity could have made that happen." Chen Yu sighed with endless emotion.
"True. That's such simple reasoning! Grandpa, you're amazing!" Chen Xiaojun gave him a thumbs-up.
"..."
"Grandpa, you just mentioned a Soul Bone Set?" Chen Xiaojun still wanted to see if he could draw out more information.
"Only Soul Masters with the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul can use these six Soul Bones.
"Only someone who can use all six at once can activate them together to the 100,000-year level, becoming a godlike existence.
"These six Soul Bones are called the Angel God Armor.
"They're the true foundation the Angel God left to Spirit Hall."
"Then why didn't the Angel God just make the whole set 100,000 years old?" Chen Xiaojun had always wondered about this.
"Perhaps even the Angel God couldn't do that." Chen Yu turned away, his back to Chen Xiaojun, and sighed softly.
"Even so, it's terrifying. Wouldn't that let Spirit Hall sweep across the world?"
"The Angel God Armor isn't so easy to wear. Soul Bones can strengthen a Soul Master's physique, but too much of anything is harmful. Once all six are activated at the 100,000-year level, the Soul Master carrying them needs an astonishingly powerful physique.
"If the burden is too great and exceeds what the human body can withstand, the result is sure to be horrific. At best, the Meridians will burst and the person will be crippled; at worst, their body will explode and they'll die.
"That's why, in the more than ten thousand years of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul's inheritance, few Soul Masters have managed it." A shadow crossed Chen Yu's brows.
"Grandpa, are there any other sets?"
"Perhaps Sea God Island has one. If the Angel God could do it, then the Sea God probably could, too. I haven't heard of any others."
Chen Xiaojun asked about an idea he'd had earlier. "Grandpa, I have a thought. Soul Power in Soul Bones is relatively gentle. Could fusing a Soul Bone increase the age of the Soul Ring one can absorb?"
Chen Yu furrowed his brow and patted his shoulder. "That wouldn't be wise. First, the Soul Power in a Soul Bone is relatively gentle compared to that in a Soul Ring, but that's only relative.
"As I said, thanks to years of nurturing by previous owners, a Soul Bone's age can exceed its original age. Even if it's been unused for a long time and has lost Soul Power, that still won't bring it below its original age.
"If you fuse with a Soul Bone and can't bear it, your body could explode and you'd die.
"According to research records, a Soul Scholar can't absorb a Soul Bone over a thousand years old, and anyone below Soul Elder can't absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone.
"Unless the only Soul Bone you can absorb right now is a hundred-year one. But Soul Bones that are over a hundred years old have an extremely low chance of appearing. They're so rare that their numbers are almost on par with Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones.
"Anyway, our Chen Clan doesn't have one. I don't even know who does.
"Absorbing a thousand-year Soul Bone before reaching Soul Elder wouldn't be worth it for you. It would take up a precious Soul Bone slot and drain your future potential and prospects.
"So this idea isn't right for you.
"People in the past thought along these lines, too, but abandoned the idea because it had no practical value."
Chen Xiaojun swallowed and quietly continued asking for guidance. "Speaking of Soul Bones, Grandpa, some books say the six traditional Soul Bones rank like this: the torso bone is strongest, then the skull, followed by the left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg. Is that right?" It had been a question he'd always had in his Previous Life.
"Not necessarily. Soul Bones form according to certain patterns.
"Mental System Soul Beasts mostly produce skulls, Strength Attribute Soul Beasts mostly produce arm bones, speed-type ones usually produce leg bones, and Defense System Soul Beasts and those with powerful physiques produce torso bones.
"When a Soul Beast dies, its Soul Bone becomes the part that was most characteristic of it in life, or the part that gave it the greatest combat strength.
"So a Soul Bone's quality and how useful it is to a Soul Master mainly depend on when it's absorbed and whether its attribute matches the Soul Master's. It can strengthen a Soul Master in battle or make up for their weaknesses.
"Now for the question: the saying that 'the torso bone is strongest, then the skull, followed by the left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg' can only be relative. Who do you think came up with it, or what kind of Soul Master was it meant to describe?" Chen Yu guided Chen Xiaojun to think it through.
Chen Xiaojun thought silently for a moment, then said uncertainly, "A right-handed Soul Master?"
Chen Yu nodded. "Not quite, but close.
"The most important thing a torso bone provides isn't a Soul Skill, but a boost to one's physique. Of the six major Soul Bones, it provides the greatest increase to physique and defense.
"The skull mainly enhances Mental Power. Mental Skills are rare, of course.
"A Soul Master has three foundations: Soul Power, physical strength, and Mental Power. But Soul Masters usually focus on Soul Power and physical strength, leaving their Mental Power relatively lacking. So there's nothing wrong with ranking the torso bone and skull first and second.
"But the other four aren't necessarily ranked that way. The order 'left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg' suits right-handed Soul Masters who focus on techniques with their hands, and who follow a balanced path.
"For a right-handed Soul Master on the extreme path, the right arm might be more important than the left. For a left-handed Soul Master following the balanced path, the right arm might also matter more than the left.
"For Soul Masters who put more emphasis on leg techniques and explosive power in their legs-or, in other words, Agility Attack Type Soul Masters, such as those with rabbit, cat, frog, sheep, or leopard Martial Souls, some lion- or tiger-kind Soul Beasts, or Flying-Type Martial Souls-their leg Soul Bones are more important than their arm Soul Bones.
"So that saying is only relative! At least Grandpa prefers the Left Arm Bone first. Your father would probably pick the Right Arm Bone first."
Chen Xiaojun continued, "Grandpa, what about External Soul Bones?"
"External Soul Bones are the most special and rarest kind of Soul Bone. They're a special existence outside the six major categories.
"Outside the traditional six Soul Bone types, bones like shoulder bones, chest and Rib Bones, wings, tails, palm bones, sole bones, eyeball Soul Bones, horns, claws, multiple legs, and weapon-like bones are all External Soul Bones.
"They're almost as precious as Top Tier Soul Bones. In the Soul Master World, they're second only to Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings.
"The most special thing about External Soul Bones is that they evolve along with their owner's Soul Power. In other words, the earlier you get one, the more time it has to evolve, so the sooner an External Soul Bone appears, the better.
"If the chance of a regular Soul Bone appearing on a Soul Beast is one in a thousand, then the chance of an External Soul Bone appearing is less than one in ten thousand.
"An External Soul Bone doesn't appear as a Soul Bone. It can only appear after a Soul Master has absorbed a Soul Beast's Soul Ring."
"So it doesn't appear naturally." Chen Xiaojun immediately grasped the key point.
Chen Yu said with satisfaction, "Right. Your Wuxing really is exceptional! Our Chen Clan's theoretical genius, Grandmaster Chen Qianhua, studied a large quantity of records and concluded that an External Soul Bone is a kind of Bone Growth. That means it grows on the Soul Master's body as they absorb a Soul Ring.
"The underlying principle is that a Soul Ring carries an Innate Skill, Soul Power, physical Essence, and Mental Power. The key lies in the physical Essence.
"If the Soul Beast killed is older than the Soul Ring's limit, and its body is powerful enough to carry physical Essence beyond that limit, and this excess Essence doesn't make the Soul Master's body explode and kill them-
"Instead, it reacts in some unpredictable way with the Soul Master's powerful constitution, and the Soul Master's physique can withstand it. Then a new Soul Bone might condense somewhere outside the six traditional Soul Bone locations. That's an External Soul Bone.
"Evidence for this is that Soul Rings are led by Innate Skills, which is why they produce Soul Skills. But External Soul Bones don't have Soul Skills; they only have certain physical functions. That's enough to prove they're led by Essence.
"Moreover, they grow stronger as the Soul Master grows stronger because they merge with the Soul Master's body. As the Soul Master's physical constitution and Essence strengthen, they strengthen, too.
"Also, because they're led by Essence, they aren't subject to the Heaven and Earth Rules that restrict Soul Power, so they can grow without restriction.
"And when a Soul Master dies, Soul Bones from the six traditional locations remain behind, but External Soul Bones don't, because they're the Soul Master's own bones; they grew from the Soul Master's body. Humans don't have Heaven and Earth Rules that preserve Soul Bones."
"I've learned a lot." Chen Xiaojun nodded earnestly, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes. "No wonder Tang San's Eight Spider Lances grew out through his body after he absorbed a Soul Ring, instead of being a finished Soul Bone. And his Eight Spider Lances had no Soul Skills, only the abilities to absorb and devour."
"It seems you already had some questions of your own. I only helped answer them. You've seen a lot, so naturally you have your own understanding." Chen Yu's eyes held approval and encouragement.
Chen Xiaojun asked in confusion, "Grandpa, I heard you tell Great-Uncle yesterday that there was hope of breaking through to Titled Douluo before the age of eighty. Is there some reason for that?"
He'd already had this question yesterday.
"A person's age of 120 is a threshold. In theory, a Soul Master's Qi-Blood and physique decline once they reach a certain age, though it varies from person to person. For Soul Masters, their Qi-Blood usually begins to weaken around the age of eighty, and they can no longer bear a higher-level Soul Ring. So eighty is the optimal age threshold for a breakthrough," Chen Yu explained.
Chen Xiaojun rested his chin on his hand, looking thoughtful. "Grandpa, I've always had a question when reading. Books record people reaching a wide range of ages. So what exactly is a person's lifespan?"
He asked because he really wanted to know how long he would live.
"In theory, an ordinary person's lifespan is 120 years. In practice, however, differences in constitution, heredity, habits, living conditions, medical treatment, and other individual factors mean people only live about sixty to seventy percent of that. An ordinary person's lifespan is roughly sixty to eighty years." Chen Yu began explaining in detail.
Chen Xiaojun was a little surprised. "That short?"
"Soul Masters are closely connected to their Martial Souls, Soul Power, Mental Power, and physical strength, so those things also affect their lifespan. But after undergoing the 'baptism' of Soul Rings and other factors, Soul Masters live longer than ordinary people. If everything goes smoothly, it's no difficulty for a Soul Master to live to a hundred." Chen Yu continued explaining.
"A Soul Master's lifespan is affected by all sorts of factors, such as their Soul Power attribute, Martial Soul, and hidden injuries. These negative factors all affect a Soul Master's lifespan.
"Generally speaking, a Soul Saint gains thirty years, a Soul Douluo gains another thirty, and a Titled Douluo gains sixty, for a theoretical lifespan of 240 years.
"But even then, taking that same sixty to seventy percent into account, a Titled Douluo can live to between 150 and 180 years.
Super Douluo could add a few more years.
Of course, some Martial Souls were naturally suited to promoting longevity, and their users lived longer-for example, Turtle Tribe Martial Souls.
Some Meditation Methods also had the same life-extending effect," Chen Yu said with a sigh.
"But few Titled Douluo live that long. There's too much strife on the continent. You never know when disaster might come flying out of nowhere."
Chen Xiaojun sighed inwardly. So as long as I don't kick the bucket early, I might live to see the start of the Douluo I storyline.
Chen Xiaojun suddenly recalled some of the scenes from yesterday and asked curiously, "Grandpa, yesterday I saw Uncle Chen Wu and Great-Uncle Yunxiao use several different ways of wielding a sword?"
A look of gratification appeared on Chen Yu's face. "That's a good question. There are six ways to wield a sword: Sword Howl, Sword Qi, Sword Radiance, Sword Aura, Sword Momentum, and Sword Intent."
Chen Xiaojun looked puzzled. "Grandpa, could you explain them in detail?"
"Of course," Chen Yu said patiently. "When a Soul Master swings a sword physically at high speed, making the blade vibrate and produce a howl, that is Sword Howl.
"When the speed is high and the force is great, the airflow from the passing sword can wound an enemy and increase the attack's range. That is Sword Qi. Using Soul Power to send Sword Qi flying falls under the category of great force, and is a form of ranged physical attack.
"When Sword Qi can be freely controlled and attached to the sword, that is called Sword Radiance.
"When Sword Qi condenses into solid form, becoming Aura that can attack beyond the body, that is Sword Aura.
"When Sword Qi stirs changes in the surrounding aura and gathers into a force, that is Sword Momentum.
"These five aren't steps in a progression, but different ways of wielding a sword. Sword Qi isn't necessarily weaker than Sword Radiance or Sword Aura.
"Aside from Sword Formation: Sword Light Seals the Heavens and Sword Control: Things Shift, Stars Move, the other five great techniques of our Chen Clan's Sword-Controlling Art are advanced applications of Sword Howl, Sword Qi, Sword Radiance, Sword Aura, and Sword Momentum. 'Azure Sea Heavenly Sword' is Sword Radiance, while 'Blue Sea, Bright Moon' is Sword Momentum.
"As for Sword Intent, that's a more profound application. It uses Mental Power that has taken physical form to influence reality, and can be considered a kind of will."
"So, to be precise, they're called 'Sword Radiance: Azure Sea Heavenly Sword' and 'Sword Momentum: Blue Sea, Bright Moon'?" Chen Xiaojun asked to make sure.
"That's right. Very good. Any other questions?" Grandpa Chen Yu looked at Chen Xiaojun with affection. He was naturally extremely gratified that Chen Xiaojun had picked up on these details.
Chen Xiaojun hesitated, seeming a little unsure how to put it. "Yesterday, the Gale Wolf Pack seemed to have wolves of three colors: pale green, green, and dark green. Are these three different stages of Gale Wolf? Also, are there three kinds of Black Moon Wolf?"
Chen Yu nodded with a smile. "Mm, you observed very carefully.
"The pale green ones are Gale Wolves. The green and dark green ones are advanced breeds, called Azure Wind Cang Wolves and Hurricane Demon Wolves.
"There are three reasons they can advance. First, they reach a certain Cultivation Level. A century-old Gale Wolf can advance into an Azure Wind Cang Wolf; a thousand-year-old Azure Wind Cang Wolf can advance into a Hurricane Demon Wolf, or become an Azure Wind Gray Wolf King.
"Second, they inherit their bloodline innately. If their parents are high-ranked wolves, they may inherit that rank from birth.
"Finally, swallowing certain treasures or devouring the flesh and blood essence of a wolf with a higher bloodline may also let them evolve early.
"The same goes for Black Moon Wolves: they can advance into Black Moon Netherwolves and Black Moon Shadowkiller Wolves.
"By the way, do you know that the Wolf Clan has a strict hierarchy, and that the names of wolves are quite significant?
"Those with 'Cang,' 'Nether,' 'Blood,' or 'Berserk' in their names are generally mid-ranked Demonic Beasts.
"Those with 'Demon,' 'Killer,' 'King,' or 'Fierce' in their names are all Upper-ranked Soul Beasts.
"Besides, the Wolf Clan has many branches, so mutations are common. The most frequent kind is a multi-headed wolf.
"'Two-headed' wolves have two attributes and are also Upper-ranked Soul Beasts. 'Three-headed wolves' are even top-tier Upper-ranked Soul Beasts, and the embryonic form of a Transcendent Soul Beast."
After listening, Chen Xiaojun looked as if he wanted to ask something but held back. "Grandpa, if they're all Soul Beasts of the Wolf Clan, what makes them attack each other as soon as they meet?"
Chen Yu gave Chen Xiaojun a long look, then slowly asked, "Do you know about the Heavenly Howling Moon Wolf?"
A hint of confusion flashed through Chen Xiaojun's eyes. "I do. It's a Divine Beast of the Wolf type, and might be the strongest among the Wolf Clan's Soul Beasts."
Chen Yu nodded and continued explaining. "Mm. The Martial Hall has a book about Divine Beasts. You can go take a close look.
"The Wolf type is divided into five kinds: Forest Wolves, Grassland Wolves, Icefield Wolves, Desert Wolves, and Underground Wolves. Each has its own Divine Beast. The Heavenly Howling Moon Wolf is the Divine Beast of the Forest Wolves, and it does indeed stand at the head of the Wolf Clan.
"It has two descendants: the Howling Moon Silver Wolf and the Black Moon Shadowkiller Wolf. Their bloodlines regressed into the Silver Moon Wolf and the Black Moon Wolf.
"You can think of them as wielding the powers of the two opposing sides of the moon. They're natural enemies.
"According to legend, if they devour each other's flesh and blood essence, they may evolve and awaken the Heavenly Howling Moon Wolf's bloodline power, or become its embryonic form.
"Likewise, the two major Wind Type clans, the Gale Wolves and Blackwind Wolves, are similar. One favors the speed that brings slicing and piercing attacks, while the other pursues the destructive power of the Wind Attribute.
"The two sides have become allies: Silver Moon Wolves have allied with Gale Wolves, while Black Moon Wolves are on good terms with Blackwind Wolves.
"So, in truth, the Gale Wolves and Blackwind Wolves are the sworn enemies. They're merely at odds with the Black Moon Wolves. Still, after all these years, the two sides have built up plenty of blood feuds."
A flash of inspiration went through Chen Xiaojun's mind, and he suddenly recalled the Ning family. "Grandpa, can the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
Chen Yu was slightly taken aback. He scrutinized Chen Xiaojun before answering. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is unrivaled beneath the heavens and is hailed as the number-one Support Martial Soul. Which of the Ning family's ancestors across the generations hasn't dreamed of reaching the Nine-Treasure realm?"
"Yet, in the eyes of the Soul Master World, let alone the Nine Treasures, even seeing the Eight-Treasure realm described in ancient books again is as elusive as a Mirror Flower, Shui Yue."
"Even if an extraordinary genius or two might evolve into the Nine Treasures through some heaven-defying fortune, hoping to make it a legacy passed down generation after generation is almost pure wishful thinking."
Chen Xiaojun asked in confusion, "Again? Had their family had one before?"
A trace of gravity and regret showed in his voice. "Of course. Dig through the depths of history, and you'll find that the Ning family, a clan buffeted by wind and rain for thousands of years, did produce two extraordinary Titled Douluo with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, inheriting the world-shaking Title of 'Nine Treasures.'
"Yet both of them relied on top-grade Heavenly Treasures, the kind rarely seen in the world, to break out of their cocoons and become butterflies.
"Thus, bringing the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda back into the world and passing its bloodline down forever, or finding a path to the heavens that could be replicated, became the Ning family's age-old obsession, a knot they could never undo."
Chen Yu let out a quiet sigh, his words tinged with regret. "Heavenly Treasures go only to those fated to find them.
"For the Ning family, the road to the Nine Treasures has always been veiled by mist and rosy clouds, something they could see but never reach. Perhaps it's Heaven's Will playing tricks on them."
Before you continue