As she watched her Sun Divine Light about to strike her brother, Kong Ling's excited little face instantly changed, and she grew nervous.
Because from what she could see, her brother had made no response whatsoever to her attack, as though he intended to take it head-on.
Even knowing that his physical constitution rivaled a Soul Ancestor's, he still could not withstand this Sun Divine Light with his flesh alone.
The Soul Skill had already been unleashed. Even if she wanted to withdraw it now, it was too late.
Not only Kong Ling, but Xu Wei and Xu Tianyi, who were beside Kong Xuan, were also rather astonished.
They were closer, so naturally, they could see more clearly.
If Kong Xuan used a Soul Skill now, he could absolutely block Kong Ling's Sun Divine Light.
But why had Kong Xuan not reacted? The two of them simply could not understand.
While their thoughts ran in different directions, the Sun Divine Light had already reached Kong Xuan, shooting straight toward his chest.
But what happened next left all three of them dumbfounded. None had expected such an outcome.
Like a Sword of Judgment, the Sun Divine Light pierced straight through Kong Xuan's chest before striking the Soul Tool barrier at the edge of the Soul Fighting Arena behind him, exploding into a shower of golden light.
Yet Kong Xuan had not suffered the slightest injury. Even the clothes over his chest were undamaged. This clearly did not look like he had been struck by the Sun Divine Light.
Of the three, only Xu Wei, who was closest to Kong Xuan, noticed a hint of what had happened.
Just then, he had seen Kong Xuan's figure ripple like water, and the blazing pillar of Sun Divine Light seemed to have passed through an illusory image.
Xu Wei felt that this was a little like the attack immunity of his first Soul Skill, Lightning Flash!
Xu Tianyi's purple-gold vertical pupils contracted sharply as he studied Kong Xuan before him, thinking, There were no Soul Power fluctuations, and his Soul Rings didn't light up either... this wasn't a Soul Skill's ability!
Seeing that her brother was completely unharmed, Kong Ling instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
But immediately afterward, she called out, "Brother, did you cheat?"
Her words effectively pressed the pause button on the battle.
Walking over to Xu Tianyi, Kong Ling looked her brother up and down and asked, "Brother, did you use some kind of Soul Tool?"
Clearly, Kong Ling had reached the same conclusion as Xu Tianyi: Kong Xuan had not used a Soul Skill just now.
But that bizarre sight had clearly been unusual. If it was not a Soul Skill, then it was most likely a Soul Tool.
They were students in the Soul Master class. Although they were now at the Royal Soul Engineer Academy, the default rule for their Soul Fighting matches was that Soul Tools would not be used.
A wry smile flickered across Kong Xuan's face. "Of course not. Besides, don't you know exactly what Soul Tools I have?"
Thinking it over, Kong Ling agreed. Kong Deming had equipped them with their Soul Tools, providing two of each.
Thus, the Soul Tools they carried were identical, and none could accomplish what had just happened.
"Then what exactly happened?"
Kong Ling asked curiously. Even with how well she knew her brother, she had no idea what was going on.
Kong Xuan smiled fondly. "I just had a breakthrough two days ago!"
As he spoke, Kong Xuan recalled the scene from two days earlier.
That day, Kong Xuan had finished cultivating in the gravity chamber during the daytime, but he had not remained idle that night either, receiving training from his teacher, Yun Ming, in his Sea of Consciousness.
Both held the Atlas Spear, and neither used Soul Skills. Yun Ming had even suppressed his physical constitution to the same level as Kong Xuan's.
Yet no matter how Kong Xuan attacked, Yun Ming remained as unruffled as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze.
He had even blocked all of Kong Xuan's attacks while holding his spear in just one hand.
"Enough!"
Driving Kong Xuan back several steps with a single thrust, Yun Ming called an end to this spear training session.
"You're getting impatient!"
The Atlas Spear in his hand had already dispersed. Yun Ming stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes whiter than snow and his eyes like stars.
Kong Xuan's expression shifted. Clearly, he too had recognized his mistake.
"Teacher, I..."
Kong Xuan knitted his brows and was about to explain, but Yun Ming raised a hand to interrupt him.
"I know why. You want to condense spear intent as soon as possible, but you must also understand that haste makes waste."
"Teacher, I've trained with the spear under you for two years. I already feel as though I'm just one step from crossing the threshold, but now, it seems that no matter what I do, I can't take that final step."
Kong Xuan sounded rather downcast. This body of his was exceptionally gifted and learned everything quickly. Even someone as exacting as Yun Ming had praised him often.
Yet when it came to condensing spear intent, he seemed to have encountered a bottleneck.
For someone whose cultivation had been smooth sailing all along, this truly felt like a blow.
Yun Ming chuckled. "You think you're just one step from crossing the threshold, but you're actually still a long way off!"
Kong Xuan's eyes widened at those words, not understanding why Yun Ming would say that.
"Intent is an extension of will and conviction!"
Yun Ming raised his hand, and a wisp of silver light appeared in his palm, like silk and mist, yet containing an indescribable sharpness.
"Some people's intent blazes like fire, burning all things to ash."
"Some people's intent is like a mountain, suppressing everything."
"Some people's intent is like flowing water, seeping into every gap."
"Whether spear intent or sword intent, the principle is actually the same. What kind of spear intent do you seek?"
Kong Xuan answered honestly, "Once the spear strikes, there is no return-only an unwavering advance!"
Although this was his first time transmigrating to the Douluo Continent, Kong Xuan was not exactly a cultivation newbie.
Thus, from the moment he first gripped a spear, he had already chosen the spear intent he would pursue.
He needed to improve his strength quickly. The enemies he would have to face were powerful beyond imagination.
That was why he needed that unwavering momentum. It was not merely to improve his strength, but also so that if his enemies struck before he had matured, he would have the courage to face them and attack!
At Kong Xuan's answer, however, Yun Ming smiled. "That kind of spear intent requires an invincible heart to support it. With your current strength and experience, you aren't yet capable of truly condensing it!"
Kong Xuan was stunned by his words, then could not help asking, "But Teacher, you never stopped me before?"
"That's right!" Yun Ming nodded. "I didn't stop you, because this is also a path you must travel as you grow."
"But Teacher, does that mean I can't condense spear intent now?!"
Kong Xuan's voice was rather urgent. He had some plans for improving his strength.
And now, it seemed those plans were about to be disrupted.
"Your Martial Soul is the Atlas Spear, but the intent of holding up the heavens need not be domination alone!"
"A spear can shatter armies, but it can also guard the heart."
"A spear can subdue mountains, but it can also... transcend the self!"
Seeing Kong Xuan's confused gaze, Yun Ming said, "You aren't limited to mastering just one kind of spear intent. If you can't master that invincible intent of unwavering advance now, simply choose another!"
In the world of the Douluo Continent, mastering intent seemed incomparably difficult.
Every Soul Master who reached this stage was a mighty figure of their era.
Yet people who could speak those words as casually as Yun Ming were probably few and far between.
"Those two years of spear training weren't for nothing. Think carefully about the characteristics of those spear techniques, and the properties of the Atlas Spear!"
"This is as far as I can help you. Whether you can comprehend spear intent will depend on you!"
After leaving those two sentences behind, Yun Ming's figure dispersed before Kong Xuan like a gentle breeze.
Kong Xuan stood rooted to the spot, his pupils abruptly contracting. His teacher's words struck his mind like a bolt of lightning.
He looked at the Atlas Spear in his hand as scenes from the past surfaced in his mind.
He had once been fixated on overcoming finesse with force, pursuing absolute domination.
But the more he did so, the more sluggish and obstructed his spear movements became.
Now, however, Yun Ming's words suddenly made him understand...
A spear did not necessarily have to display its edge.
True spear intent could also be formless and intangible, yet present everywhere.
He sat cross-legged and slowly closed his eyes, his presence gradually growing still.
Watching from the shadows, Yun Ming's lips curved slightly at the sight. He had known that this disciple he had picked up was even more gifted than himself. It seemed there was no need to worry about his comprehension of spear intent this time.
In the Sea of Consciousness, an unknown amount of time passed.
Clang!
The Atlas Spear beside Kong Xuan suddenly gave a clear ring, its shaft trembling slightly.
He opened his eyes, his golden irises as deep as an abyss.
He rose, raised his hand, and gripped the shaft!
"Clear and serene, without self."
As he spoke, his figure and the Atlas Spear in his hand seemed to fade out of space.
"Only then does true intent reveal itself."
Kong Xuan's figure solidified once more. The crystalline Atlas Spear pointed diagonally toward the ground as space twisted slightly, faint, transparent ripples spreading outward.
Yun Ming's figure appeared silently, smiling at him in satisfaction.
Kong Xuan bowed deeply to Yun Ming. "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher!"
He had comprehended clear and serene spear intent!