"This scarlet Dragon Power is exactly the same as Valstrax's. Could it be... forming a 'Dragon Energy Jewel'!"
Yu Tianming clenched his fist, feeling the changes in his body. Scarlet Dragon Power kept gathering in his chest, already showing signs of compressing into shape.
The Dragon Energy Jewel was an energy core, and more importantly, the source of the Dragon Element Energy within Valstrax.
The Dragon Energy Jewel's primary function was to produce Dragon Element Energy!
Valstrax drew in air and brought it into contact with the Dragon Energy Jewel, converting it into "Dragon Energy" to power its flight and attacks.
"I remember specifically looking up information about the 'Dragon Energy Jewel' when I played Monster Hunter..."
Yu Tianming narrowed his eyes, recalling those descriptions of the Dragon Energy Jewel.
"The Dragon Energy Jewel should be formed from a large amount of compressed Dragon Element Energy. Because of my Valstrax Martial Soul, I have Dragon Element Energy inside me too."
At that thought, Yu Tianming became increasingly certain of his earlier guess.
"Then... let's give it a try!"
Yu Tianming sat cross-legged on the spot, and the Valstrax Martial Soul behind him let out a roar.
Its six lance-wings trembled slightly, giving off a low hum, as though resonating with the energy inside him.
Yu Tianming could clearly feel the scarlet energy in his chest constantly gathering. Every breath made that power more concentrated.
Dragon Element Energy surged through his meridians like scalding magma.
Wherever it passed, subtle changes took place in his flesh and bones.
"Is this the beginnings of a Dragon Energy Jewel?"
Yu Tianming discovered that a tiny scarlet vortex had already formed in his chest, greedily devouring the surrounding primordial Qi of heaven and earth.
He tried guiding more Dragon Element Energy toward his chest.
As energy continued pouring in, the scarlet vortex spun faster and faster, and a point of dazzling golden-red light began to appear at its center.
"Still not enough..."
Yu Tianming frowned slightly and could only continue absorbing the primordial Qi of heaven and earth.
Time slowly passed.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly felt the Dragon Element Energy within him multiply several times over. The vortex in his chest was almost bursting through his skin!
Boom!
A scorching wave of energy erupted from within him, warping even the surrounding air.
Yu Tianming gritted his teeth, enduring the tearing pain. He could feel every inch of his flesh being remolded by Dragon Element Energy.
Just then,
a sudden change occurred!
The scarlet vortex in his chest abruptly collapsed inward, compressing all its energy into a single point.
Immediately afterward,
a clear "ding" echoed inside his body, as though something had finally taken shape.
"It worked!"
To his delighted surprise, Yu Tianming discovered a golden-red crystal the size of a pigeon's egg floating in the center of his chest cavity-the Dragon Energy Jewel!
The crystal was transparent throughout, with scarlet energy flowing inside it like liquid.
As the Dragon Energy Jewel formed, an entirely new power poured out of it, instantly flowing throughout his body.
Yu Tianming felt his muscle fibers restructuring and his bone density increasing. Even the surface of his skin took on a faint metallic sheen.
"This is... physical enhancement!"
He sprang to his feet and casually punched the ornamental rockery beside him.
Bang!
With a dull thud, a clear fist imprint actually appeared on the hard rock's surface, while his fist remained completely unharmed.
"What incredible strength!"
Yu Tianming looked at his hands.
He estimated that his physical toughness was now at least three times what it had been. Even without using his Martial Soul, he could tear Soul Beasts apart with his bare hands through physical strength alone.
What delighted Yu Tianming even more was that,
after the Dragon Energy Jewel formed, he discovered he could actually manipulate Dragon Element Energy directly without relying on his Martial Soul.
Even without using his Valstrax Martial Soul, he could convert Dragon Energy on his own!
Yu Tianming took a deep breath and tried guiding the energy within the Dragon Energy Jewel.
A ball of scarlet light gradually gathered in his palm, radiating scorching heat.
"Go!"
With a low shout, he hurled the ball of energy at a large tree in the distance.
Boom!
A large hole was instantly blasted through the trunk, and the shock wave even set the surrounding branches and leaves alight.
"This power... is far stronger than a Soul Skill like 'Blue Silver Entanglement'!"
A sharp gleam flashed in Yu Tianming's eyes. "And it only consumes the energy stored in the Dragon Energy Jewel. It doesn't affect my Soul Power."
He continued testing his newly acquired abilities.
By adjusting how he released Dragon Energy, he could make energy erupt beneath his feet, gaining a brief burst of movement speed.
He could also concentrate the energy in his fists to increase his attack power.
He could even form a Dragon Energy shield over his body!
"This is just like... a humanoid Valstrax!" Yu Tianming was overjoyed.
Something suddenly occurred to him. He tried concentrating Dragon Energy on his back, wanting to attempt forming lance-wings like Valstrax's.
Humm-
Six thick streams of scarlet Dragon Energy extended from Yu Tianming's back. However, they were not as solid as when his Martial Soul materialized, and slowly formed energy structures resembling lance-wings.
But,
the lance-wings did not truly take shape.
Or rather, the energy lance-wings formed from Dragon Energy were unstable and could not support flight.
"Am I not strong enough?"
Yu Tianming quickly understood where the problem lay.
His Soul Power was only rank ten right now. Turning Dragon Energy into lance-wings was too difficult; his control and other capabilities were all insufficient to support it.
"It'll be fine once my Soul Power increases. Valstrax's own flying ability is exceptionally strong!"
Yu Tianming was not too disappointed.
"Tianming?"
Suddenly, a voice pulled Yu Tianming's thoughts back to reality.
Yu Tianming looked up and found his father, Yu Minghe, standing at the courtyard entrance, watching him with a deep gaze.
"Father."
Yu Tianming reined in his Dragon Energy and stood up.
Yu Minghe's gaze swept over the shattered rockery and the scorched tree trunk before finally settling on his son.
He could sense that, in just one night, Yu Tianming's presence had become more concentrated. An extremely domineering energy seemed to lie within his body.
"This presence of yours..."
Yu Minghe frowned slightly, but his brow soon relaxed, and he smiled. "It seems your Martial Soul still has hidden power."
Yu Tianming nodded without hiding anything. "Father, a 'Dragon Energy Jewel' identical to the one inside the Valstrax Martial Soul has formed within me. It seems capable of producing Dragon Element Energy on its own."
A sharp gleam flashed in Yu Minghe's eyes, but he did not ask further, merely saying:
"Come, let's go see your grandfather."
The sect master's grand hall.
After hearing Yu Tianming's account, Yu Yuanzhen's eyes blazed with astonishing light.
"A Dragon Energy Jewel? Producing Dragon Element Energy on its own?" He abruptly rose to his feet, his Soul Power surging, making the entire hall tremble slightly.
"Grandfather, my body has become stronger too. I feel like I could at least absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Even I don't know where my limit lies," Yu Tianming said earnestly.
Yu Yuanzhen laughed heartily. "Good! In that case, we'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest right now and hunt for your First Soul Ring!"
"Right now?"
"Right now!"
Yu Yuanzhen waved his large hand. "Your grandfather will take you personally. Let's see just how old a Soul Beast your First Soul Ring can come from!"
With that, he grabbed Yu Tianming by the shoulder, turned into a streak of lightning, and shot into the sky.
"Father!"
Yu Minghe was just about to follow when Yu Yuanzhen's voice drifted back from afar-
"Minghe, handle the sect's affairs for now. I'll take Tianming and be right back!"