Picking Up Fragments in Douluo Continent

"Retreat! Use Blue Silver Grass for ranged attacks!" Tang San made his decision in an instant.

"First Soul Skill: Blue Silver Entanglement!"

The surrounding Blue Silver Grass surged up swiftly, climbing Lu Feng's legs and binding him tightly.

Just as Tang San prepared to retreat, a surge of Soul Power rose in Lu Feng's left fist, its fluctuations thirty percent stronger than his previous move.

"Xiao San, you didn't think my soul skill was that simple, did you?"

Before his words had even faded, Lu Feng stomped his right foot fiercely against the ground. A powerful shockwave spread outward, blasting apart the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around him. He swung his left fist straight at Tang San's chest.

"So fast!" Tang San's eyes turned completely purple.

He glanced at Lu Feng's soul ring and saw that it had not lit up again. That meant Lu Feng's second punch was a follow-up to his first soul skill.

This is bad!

The Mysterious Heaven Skill within Tang San surged to its limit. He stepped backward in quick succession, using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track in an attempt to widen the distance between himself and Lu Feng.

Boom!

Lu Feng's fist slammed into Tang San's stomach, sending him flying.

After activating the Knuckle Duster Martial Soul, Lu Feng's first soul skill allowed him to alternate between heavy left punches and heavy right punches. Each strike increased his strength by 30%.

The first punch carried 130% power, while the second carried 160%. Moreover, the second punch also gained an additional 30% increase in attack speed.

In addition, due to the wood attribute of the Greenwood Python, Lu Feng had gained a "passive skill."

Whenever Lu Feng was injured, his vitality recovered slightly faster.

After testing out his soul skill, Lu Feng did not feel much about the strength boost. However, this "health regeneration" skill had left him excited for quite some time.

Isn't this basically getting a healing soul skill for free?

Lu Feng looked at Tang San, who had barely managed to steady himself, and said with a half-smile, "Xiao San, it's not over yet!"

As his words fell, Lu Feng's first soul ring lit up once more.

Tang San discovered in surprise that Lu Feng's aura had strengthened again, and his punching speed was another thirty percent faster than the second punch he had just used.

"A combination soul skill!" Tang San's pupils suddenly contracted.

Not long ago, Yu Xiaogang had taught Tang San a theory: regardless of what soul beast a spirit master hunted for their seventh soul ring, they would gain the soul skill Martial Soul Avatar.

Once Martial Soul Avatar was activated, the user would completely transform into the form of their martial soul, causing their strength to soar. Using any of their original soul skills afterward would nearly double their power!

Martial Soul Avatar combined with the first six soul rings was the most common form of combination soul skill.

There were also some special soul skills on the continent whose combined effects were equally outstanding.

For example, the White Tiger Martial Soul of the Star Luo Imperial Family. By hunting specific soul beasts, they fixed their first three soul rings as defense, attack, and enhancement.

After they activated their third soul skill, the power of their first two soul skills would double as well. Thus, the third soul skill of the White Tiger Martial Soul was also known as the "Lesser Martial Soul Avatar."

Looking at Lu Feng before him, Tang San's expression became extremely grave.

He had basically figured out Lu Feng's soul skill. The first punch increased strength, while the second increased speed.

However.

Lu Feng had only one soul ring, yet he could still use a combination soul skill!

Bang!

Bang!

Lu Feng's fists struck Tang San's arms one after another. Tang San's Mysterious Jade Hand nearly shattered under the blows.

"Fifth punch!"

Bang! Tang San felt as though he had been struck head-on by a speeding carriage. His entire body crashed heavily into a tree trunk, and he nearly passed out on the spot.

Just as Tang San let out a heavy sigh of relief, a devilish voice rang out beside his ear once again!

"Sixth punch!"

At this point, Tang San could no longer maintain Mysterious Jade Hand, and the jade-white color faded from his palms. His face was flushed red, and his arms trembled violently. Clearly, the breaking of Mysterious Jade Hand had caused a backlash.

Hearing the voice beside his ear, Tang San struggled to raise his hands, barely shielding his head.

"Ah!" A timid Work-Study Student covered his eyes directly.

"Lu Feng! Don't!" Xiao Wu cried out anxiously.

She had originally thought Lu Feng and Tang San's battle would be evenly matched. After all, the three of them had always been about the same before.

She had not expected it.

Lu Feng had merely obtained his first soul ring, yet his strength had undergone a heaven-shaking transformation.

Crack!

Lu Feng's fist struck the tree behind Tang San, smashing the trunk apart with a single blow!

"Holy shit!" Xiao Liuzi exclaimed, then shouted excitedly, "Brother Feng is awesome!"

"Huu..." Xiao Wu let out a heavy breath of relief.

In her heart, both Lu Feng and Tang San were her good friends. No matter which of them was hurt, she would feel distressed.

At this moment, the chaotic Soul Power within Tang San had been sorted out, but his face remained somewhat pale.

Looking at the broken tree trunk behind him, a bead of cold sweat slid down Tang San's forehead. He took a deep breath and spoke with difficulty.

"Thank you for showing mercy. I... I... I lost."

I secretly posted an extra chapter because some readers said it was unsatisfying.

If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave comments.

Yu Xiaogang's Chicken Soup for the Soul

Lu Feng casually rubbed his wrist and said with a faint smile, "Xiao San, what are you thinking? We grew up in the same village. It's not like we're mortal enemies."

Hearing this, the gloom in Tang San's heart eased somewhat.

After catching his breath, he asked curiously, "Lu Feng, how did you pull off that 'combination soul skill' just now?"

Lu Feng said calmly, "Didn't your father teach you some blacksmithing techniques? You exert force through your legs, transfer it to your waist, then swing the hammer. After that, you use force to borrow force, making each hammer strike stronger than the last."

After saying that, Lu Feng spread his hands. "I merely replaced the hammer with fists. What do you think? Isn't it simple?"

"You mean the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer?" Tang San asked uncertainly.

"Oh, so that move is called Disorder Splitting Wind? What a good name." Lu Feng raised his brows and said with a smile.

Tang San stared intently at Lu Feng, yet he could not see the slightest trace of deceit on his face.

"So that's how it is. I've learned something."

With that, Tang San dragged his somewhat weakened body toward the academy.

Having one's technique broken was not a pleasant experience. Although Tang San had already sorted out the chaotic internal energy within his body, he likely would not be able to work at the blacksmith shop for the next half month.

"Wow, Brother Feng, you're amazing!"

Several Work-Study Students ran over then, chattering as they crowded around Lu Feng.

Xiao Wu glanced at the high-spirited Lu Feng, then turned to look at the dejected Tang San and hurried after him.

On the second floor of the dormitory building, at Yu Xiaogang's quarters.

Tang San watched the students playing around on the field and fell into thought.

"Borrow force to use force, borrow force to use force!"

"Right, why didn't I think of that? Although Disorder Splitting Wind is a blacksmithing technique, it can be used in actual combat too!"

"My second martial soul is a hammer. In future battles, I can absolutely learn from Lu Feng's method."

"What a genius idea! Lu Feng..."

"Ahem!" A light cough interrupted Tang San's thoughts.

Yu Xiaogang still wore that same indifferent expression. "Xiao San, is something troubling you?"

Just now, he had called Tang San two or three times in a row, but Tang San had not heard him at all.

"Sorry, Teacher." Tang San hurriedly stood up, lowered his head, and said nothing more.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San's obedient appearance and nodded in satisfaction. He truly liked this disciple from the bottom of his heart.

"What were you thinking about just now? Can you tell your teacher?"

Tang San raised his head. Seeing that Grandmaster was not blaming him, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he thought for a moment and slowly said, "Teacher, is the gap between Blue Silver Grass and other martial souls really that large? I read in the books that Lu Feng's Body Martial Soul is also a low-grade martial soul. How come, during that battle, I..."

"I was completely no match for him."

Yu Xiaogang was stunned for a moment. With Tang San's Soul Power at the astonishing seventeenth level, he had actually lost to Lu Feng, who had only just obtained a soul ring?

"Tell me the details."

Thus, Tang San explained everything to Yu Xiaogang, from Lu Feng's strange knuckle dusters, to his abnormal Soul Power level, and finally to his genius-like combat style.

"Teacher, I've seen the knuckle dusters on Lu Feng's hands before. They were another classmate's martial soul. Unfortunately, he has already graduated. Otherwise, I could have brought him here for you to see."

Yu Xiaogang pondered briefly before saying, "Xiao San, your belief that Lu Feng's martial soul mutated is definitely wrong."

"Oh? Please enlighten me, Teacher."

Yu Xiaogang walked to the window and looked at the distant white clouds, saying confidently, "Although there are many examples of martial soul mutation, most are innate. Acquired martial soul mutations are very rare."

"According to my research, his martial soul should be in a half-awakened state. As his soul rings increase, the true form of his martial soul will reveal itself. Xiao San, do you still remember the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul I told you about?"

Tang San's eyes lit up immediately. "Teacher, you mean Dragonization!"

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "I suspect that Lu Feng's martial soul will ultimately take the form of a suit of armor. His body and the armor itself are one entity. However, with his Innate Level Five Soul Power talent, he may never be able to achieve it in this lifetime."

"As for his Soul Power level... sigh."

As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang let out a long sigh, wearing an expression of regret for Lu Feng.

"Teacher, what's wrong?"

Yu Xiaogang straightened himself and turned to Tang San with a stern expression. "Xiao San, what is the most important cultivation principle for spirit masters that I taught you?"

Tang San's expression turned solemn as he answered word by word, "Keep your feet on the ground, and never aim too high."

Yu Xiaogang walked to the table, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "Correct. A spirit master's cultivation must proceed step by step. You should have finished reading Dream Ranking of Spirit Masters, right?"

"Teacher, do you mean Lu Feng has a soul bone?" Tang San asked excitedly.

Smack! Yu Xiaogang's face immediately darkened. He picked up the teaching ruler and tapped Tang San on the head.

"Are soul bones so easily obtained? Not to mention that Lu Feng only hunted a hundred-year soul beast. I suspect that he may have accidentally consumed some rare flower, exotic grass, or some natural treasure, but..."

Tang San rubbed his head and asked curiously, "But what?"

"Herbs and natural treasures may be precious, but they are even more likely to be deadly poison! Other than soul rings and soul bones, does Dream Ranking of Spirit Masters mention any other opportunities that can cause a spirit master's level to soar?"

"This..." Tang San immediately fell silent.

The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record did record quite a few Immortal Herbs, but those things had only been legends in his previous life. Tang San did not know whether Immortal Herbs existed in this new world.

"There are some evil methods on the continent that can rapidly raise a spirit master's cultivation in a short time. But every single one comes at the cost of a spirit master's potential, or even their lifespan!"

At this point, Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "I originally thought Lu Feng had enough potential to reach Soul Ancestor or Soul King. But now, it seems that whether he can even live to thirty is questionable!"

"What! Lu Feng, he..."

Tang San's mouth fell open, seemingly unable to believe Grandmaster's words.

Yu Xiaogang sighed. "Tang San, you had better not tell Lu Feng this news. Let him spend his remaining twenty years happily."

"Mm!" Tang San nodded heavily.

"As for your last question, Xiao San, what do you think is the most important thing in a battle between spirit masters?"

"Hmm..." Tang San pinched his chin and thought seriously for a while.

"The combination of soul skills, attribute counters, and the battle environment."

Tang San recalled his battle with Lu Feng. He seemed to have made the mistake of using his own weakness to attack the enemy's strength.