"The duration, number and strength of the Shadow Soldiers I create are all determined by my own Soul Power Level and the amount of Soul Power I supply.
"Without exaggeration, as long as I'm strong enough and have enough Soul Power, it wouldn't be impossible to create a hundred or even a thousand Shadow Soldiers whose strength rivals that of a Titled Douluo!"
Gu He really wasn't exaggerating.
That was simply how things were. As long as he had enough Soul Power, the Shadow Soldiers would come in an endless stream;
If he himself was strong enough, it wouldn't be impossible for the Shadow Soldiers to rival Titled Douluo in strength.
Unfortunately, all of that existed only in theory.
After all, what level would Gu He have to reach to create a large number of Titled Douluo-level Shadow Soldiers?
Based on what he had read in that book, Gu He reckoned it would be impossible even if he became a Titled Douluo himself.
"As for the Shadow Soldiers' range of movement? There's no limit at all."
"As long as their Soul Power supply doesn't run out, they could travel from the Heaven Dou Empire to the Star Luo Empire without any trouble."
"And my Shadow Soldiers have plenty of special abilities. For example, they can freely travel back and forth between shadows."
Ning Fengzhi clapped his hands and praised Gu He. "Good! Very good, Xiao He. You've really given me a wonderful surprise!"
Although Gu He's words had indeed sounded exaggerated to him, they also demonstrated the Shadow Soldiers' potential.
As Gu He's Soul Power Level continued to rise, the Shadow Soldiers he created would grow more numerous and more powerful.
And from Gu He's answer, Ning Fengzhi had picked up on one crucial point.
Swarming the enemy with sheer numbers was the Shadow Corps' greatest advantage.
Once Gu He became a Titled Douluo, he might well become a force unto himself.
The Shadow Soldiers had so much practical and strategic value: gathering intelligence, assassinating targets, guarding the sect... There were simply too many possibilities!
Their abilities would be brought to their fullest on the battlefield.
For the current situation on the Douluo Continent, nothing could be better.
The Heavenly Screen's appearance had made everyone realize that the balance of power on the continent was about to change.
At a time like this, the more strength and resources a faction possessed, the more safely it could weather what lay ahead.
Fortunately, a genius like him came from my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi was immensely thankful that Gu He belonged to their sect.
The Shadow Soldiers might be far less effective against high-level Soul Masters.
But against low-level Soul Masters, they would likely be merciless killing machines.
If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ever faced a Titled Douluo with such an ability, its members would likely suffer devastating casualties.
"Well done. You haven't disgraced your master. And thank you for being willing to tell an old man like me all these secrets." Chen Xin showed a rare hint of a smile and reached out to pat Gu He on the shoulder.
Chen Xin had watched Gu He grow up and had long regarded the child as half a grand-disciple.
His earlier worries about Gu He's obsession with Self-Created Soul Skills had now been swept away.
A man of his experience naturally understood the growth potential and value of the Soul Skill Shadow Corps.
After calming himself, Ning Fengzhi immediately gave an order to the guards hidden in the shadows. "Someone, bring the Soul Power Core from the treasury."
Hearing this, even Chen Xin was somewhat moved. "Fengzhi, this gift of yours... Let me thank you on Old Bone and Xiao He's behalf first."
"This boy is blessed indeed."
Although Gu He didn't know what the Soul Power Core was, Uncle Ning and Senior Chen Xin's reactions were enough to show that it was an exceptionally precious treasure worth a fortune.
After all, even Chen Xin, a Titled Douluo, was taken aback by Ning Fengzhi's generosity.
Ordinary treasures weren't even worthy of a Titled Douluo's notice.
"Uncle Chen, you're too kind. Xiao He is my student too. As his elder, I should give him something." Ning Fengzhi waved his hand, indicating that it was only right.
Seeing this, Gu He tactfully spoke up. "Thank you, Uncle Ning."
Even if he didn't yet know what kind of treasure the Soul Power Core was, Ning Fengzhi was treating it so seriously that it had to be extraordinary.
At that moment, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, a man of few words, gave a concise explanation. "The Soul Power Core is an exceedingly rare External Soul Bone."
"Not only can it gradually increase the purity of your Soul Power, but it can also automatically absorb Soul Power dispersed in the surroundings during battle and feed it back to its host."
"You probably won't find a second one on the entire continent."
Gu He's pupils contracted slightly at those words.
External Soul Bones were already hard to come by, and this Soul Power Core actually had such heaven-defying effects. No wonder even a Titled Douluo was moved.
He solemnly bowed to Ning Fengzhi, quietly resolving to repay the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for nurturing him with even greater strength in the future.
The three people in the hall looked at one another and smiled. Outside the window, the setting sun shone at an angle, casting the silently standing Shadow Soldiers' shadows long.
They were like a silent corps, quietly waiting for their master to step into a wider world.
I...
Gu He swept his gaze over the Shadow Soldiers standing silently around him, and a sudden impulse welled up in his heart.
He wanted to reveal the true secret of the Shadow Corps.
He opened his mouth, almost speaking.
He wanted to tell Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin that these Shadow Soldiers were not as simple as they appeared.
Their true power did not come from his Soul Power construction, but from an independent alternate dimension-the Shadow Kingdom.
It was the product of something he had happened to read in an ancient book, after which he had used his own Martial Soul to establish a connection with an ancient contract described in it.
The Shadow Kingdom contained nine great corps, each with its own commander and its own characteristics.
The Shadow Soldiers Gu He currently summoned were merely those of the Ninja Corps.
And as he explored the Shadow Kingdom further, he would gradually unlock more corps and could even unleash the legendary Ultimate Darkness.
Once all nine great corps gathered and the Ultimate Darkness descended, that power would be enough to change the balance of the entire continent.
But with the words on the tip of his tongue, Gu He's reason ultimately prevailed.
He wondered how Uncle Ning and Senior Chen Xin would react if he told them everything.
They would surely worry and be afraid.
The Shadow Kingdom's power was too vast-so vast that even a Titled Douluo might not be able to control it.
The very words "Ultimate Darkness" sounded full of ill omen and destruction. They would inevitably think it was an evil magic, a dangerous and forbidden thing.
Then they might stop him from exploring further, or even demand that he give up his connection to the Shadow Kingdom.
But Gu He knew clearly in his heart that the so-called Ultimate Darkness was, in the end, nothing more than a kind of power.
Power itself was neither good nor evil; what mattered was where the person wielding it pointed the sword.
And he, Gu He, had never thought of using that power to destroy anything. On the contrary, he would use it to protect.
To protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the elders who had treated him like family all these years.
Especially in these turbulent times, when the Heavenly Screen's appearance had disturbed the continent's former peace.
Even Titled Douluo didn't dare act rashly against that unknown existence shrouded in mist, let alone anyone else.
And that was precisely why Gu He's resolve had grown all the stronger.