Douluo Continent, Sea God Island.
After two years of hard work, Tang San and his companions finally completed the first two trials.
The first challenge, crossing the Sea God's Light, wasn't as difficult for Tang San as it was in the original story. It was just a mere 136 steps, which Tang San could easily accomplish with his potential and effort.
Of course, after a year of training in the Sea God's Light, the four of them have all improved their strength significantly. Xiao Wu and Tang San have reached the Soul Saint level, while Dai Mubai and Oscar have reached the Soul Emperor level, and their Soul Power has also increased considerably.
After absorbing the God-Given Soul Ring, all four of them obtained a decent Soul Ring and Soul Skill.
Just like in the original story, Tang San's Seventh Soul Ring also came from God-Given Soul Ring. Even though Tang San tried his best, the age of the Soul Ring could not reach the 100,000-year level, and could only barely reach 70,000 years. However, this had already exceeded the goals of many people.
Although it was just a black Soul Ring, not reaching the 100,000-year level, Tang San was very satisfied with this Soul Skill. It can be said that this environment greatly improved Tang San's strength.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul has always focused on control and poison attributes, but this time, Tang San's Seventh Soul Skill has added a special attribute: Devouring Golden Threads.
Tang San's Seventh Soul Skill is: Blue Silver Avatar. After using Blue Silver Avatar, the poison attribute of Blue Silver Grass increases several times, and his control and resilience are greatly enhanced. He can even transform into Devouring Golden Threads, which can absorb the life force of all living beings around him for his own use.
With Tang San's intelligence, he naturally discovered the abnormality of this Soul Skill. If he could really use the Devouring Golden Threads, Tang San could rapidly improve by devouring the energy of surrounding Soul Beast or Soul Master.
Bo Saixi, however, became a little worried. As Limit Douluo, she had seen far too many things, especially devouring Martial Soul and Soul Skill, which she had encountered quite a few of.
Bo Saixi, with a grave expression, said to Tang San, " Tang San, while your Soul Skill is quite good, you must be especially careful. Unless absolutely necessary, never absorb the life force of your opponent or Soul Beast. Whether it's an opponent or Soul Beast, their energy is mixed and complex. Although your Blue Silver Grass can encompass all things, if the energy is too chaotic, it might slowly affect your mind."
"Especially since the life force of Soul Beast and humans contains a Sisi of their souls, this soul energy, once it enters your body, may affect your soul, causing it to gradually drift towards darkness, ultimately leading to a path of no return."
Upon hearing this, Tang San quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior. You can rest assured that all my strength comes from my own hard work and cultivation. I would never take such a risky shortcut."
However, Tang San's thoughts were not like that at all: Absorbing energy and life force can rapidly improve one's strength, this is indeed a divine skill. As for the mottled and complex nature of the energy, with the profoundness of my Mysterious Heaven Skill and the all-encompassing nature of the Blue Silver Grass, it is not a problem at all.
As for the claim that it would affect his soul, that's even more impossible. I, Tang San, have cultivated the Purple Demon Eye since childhood, and my Divine Power far surpasses that of other Soul Master of the same level. How could I possibly be influenced by others?
After hearing Tang San's reply, Bo Saixi couldn't help but nod. " Tang San, there are indeed many devouring-type Martial Soul and Soul Skill in the world. They want to take shortcuts by devouring life force or even souls to improve themselves, but most of these people eventually fall into madness and become the Evil Soul Master that everyone hates."
" The Spirit Hall has been organizing efforts to combat Evil Soul Master for years, and all Evil Soul Master captured have been either eliminated or imprisoned in the Slaughter City."
"Although our Sea God Island is opposed to the Spirit Hall, I strongly support the Spirit Hall's measures. Even Evil Soul Master I capture will be either eliminated or imprisoned in the Slaughter City."
Tang San's expression turned serious upon hearing this. From any perspective, he couldn't afford to offend Bo Saixi while they were on Sea God Island.
In the following years, Tang San worked even harder to cultivate, and after two years, Tang San and his companions had completed the first two trials.
After passing these two tests, Tang San's Soul Power was even one level higher than in the original story. This was mainly because Tang San did not receive an increase in Sea God Affinity. Instead, he was rewarded with a one-level increase in Soul Power after each test. Of course, without Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring to increase Soul Power Level, he was also slightly weaker in another aspect.
Through two years of hard training, Tang San's Soul Power has now reached level seventy-nine.
The Third Trial for Tang San and his three companions on Sea God Island was the same as in the original novel Tidal Body Tempering, but the time allotted was much shorter.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, Tai Long, and Bai Xiaofei, they had already completed their assessments. Although they were still cultivating with Tang San and the others, they were actually considered deacons of Sea God Island and were not qualified to participate in the subsequent assessments and training on Sea God Island for Tang San.
In Heaven Dou City, after two years of recuperation and development, the Heaven Dou Empire has slowly begun to recover its vitality. In particular, Xue Ke, as the Empress, has dealt with some of the Fan-style nobles over the years, eliminated dissidents, and won people's hearts. The royal family has also accumulated some wealth. However, the Heaven Dou Empire's wealth is basically used for the expansion of the army and the training of Soul Master.
Overall, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has recovered enough strength to rule over ordinary people in the Heavenly Capital region, but it is still far behind the Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. At the very least, it lacks high-level Soul Master at the Titled Douluo level, and the number of Soul Douluo is extremely small.
After two years of recuperation, the Clear Sky Sect, relying on its former reputation as the number one sect in the world, has won over many small Soul Master families, with a total number of Soul Master of about nine hundred. It is just unknown how much of their strength these outer sect Soul Master families can unleash when the battle comes.
After two years of recuperation, Tang Xiao's strength has basically been fully restored. With his Level 97 strength, the power of his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, and the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, he is already the number one expert in the Heaven Dou Empire, seemingly even stronger than the Sword Douluo who lost an arm.
After two years of relentless treatment, Tang Hao's injuries have only recovered by half, and a full recovery is simply impossible.
In particular, Tang Hao lost his vital right hand and the top-grade Soul Bone on it. Now his Soul Power can only reach level 89, and he will probably never be able to reach the level of Titled Douluo in his lifetime.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has made good progress. In the past two years, Ning Fengzhi has spared no expense in recruiting small Soul Master families and training Soul Master. The total number of Soul Master has exceeded one thousand.
Although Yang Podi took away three of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's treasure troves, they still had two of the most valuable treasure troves in their hands. Especially in recent years, as the wealthiest sect in the world, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's total wealth has exceeded everyone's imagination.
Ning Fengzhi, on the other hand, fully utilized the characteristics of a businessman, making money through various industries on the one hand, and wielding his wealth to attract Soul Master on the other, which is why the total number of Soul Master in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect exceeded that of the Clear Sky Sect by a considerable margin.
Ning Fengzhi was in his room reading various letters, including one from Ning Rongrong and news gathered from various sources.
When Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo arrived at Ning Fengzhi's room, they were all puzzled to see Ning Fengzhi with a slight smile on his face.
Sword Douluo spoke first, " Fengzhi, is there some good news? I haven't seen you this happy in a long time."
Ning Fengzhi handed the letter to the two of them. " Rongrong just wrote. She's already a Soul Emperor. I didn't expect Rongrong to improve so quickly in the Mount Aermo."
Bone Douluo, who was standing nearby, quickly took the letter. " Rongrong is indeed remarkable. As expected of one of the most talented disciples in the history of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it seems that it won't be long before she surpasses you, Fengzhi."
Bone Douluo carefully read Ning Rongrong's letter, his expression suddenly turning serious. "I didn't expect that kid Yang Podi really had a way to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul Evolution. Unfortunately, it's too late for both Rongrong and you, Fengzhi."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly. "Yes, it's too late for both Rongrong and me. With Rongrong's talent, if she had been raised by Yang Podi from a young age, her Martial Soul would probably have evolved by now."
Sword Douluo also took the letter and read it carefully, but he ultimately shook his head. " Fengzhi, Yang Podi's method is indeed good, and it may even be possible to achieve it, but his method has too high requirements. Whether it is Soul Beast with all dragon attributes or Soul Beast with various characteristics of earth attributes, it will probably be very difficult to find, let alone Earth Dragon and Earth Dragon King."
Ning Fengzhi thought for a long time before speaking, " Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, do you think Yang Podi might have some unspoken methods? Or does he have the confidence to Martial Soul Evolution Rongrong's martial soul?"
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance, and finally Bone Douluo spoke, "This Yang Podi has extremely extensive knowledge of Martial Soul. Even if he really has a way, I'm afraid no one can make him speak."
Ning Fengzhi thought for a long time before finally taking out another letter.
After Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo finished reading the letter, Ning Fengzhi spoke again, "What is Yang Podi suddenly doing in Spirit City? Could it be that he wants to support the Spirit Hall Empire in unifying the world? If so, then he won't be able to maintain his current neutral stance, not to mention whether the Spirit Hall Empire will use him as a scapegoat after it truly unifies the world."
Sword Douluo spoke with a solemn expression, "Two years ago, Yang Podi was already able to fight Qian Daoliu to a draw. Although he has improved in the past two years, it's impossible for him to defeat Qian Daoliu, who is based in Spirit City. Could it be that he really has someone else to rely on?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "I don't know about that, but it's a bit strange that Yang Podi suddenly went to Spirit City with his strength. Logically speaking, even the Spirit Hall wouldn't be able to offer him much benefit. The Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire have already made it clear that as long as Yang Podi is willing to assist the two empires, they are willing to pay any price."
Sword Douluo hesitated for a moment. " Fengzhi, Rongrong is still at the Heavenly Pursuit Academy. Should we bring her back?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Given Yang Podi's personality, he wouldn't go so far as to attack a child. Rongrong should be safe at the Heavenly Pursuit Academy."
"What I'm more worried about now is the Spirit Hall Empire. Since its founding, the Spirit Hall Empire hasn't made any major moves. I'm afraid that if the three great empires go to war, it will be earth-shattering, and my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School's small foundation will be hard to continue to develop."
"Now I'm actually a little envious of Yang Wudi. If it had been our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect that moved to Mount Aermo back then, the sect probably wouldn't have ended up like this."
Inside the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao looked at Tang Hao, whose face was somewhat gloomy, and said, " Brother Hao, you don't need to worry about Xiao San and the others anymore. With Bo Saixi taking care of them on Sea God Island, they shouldn't encounter any danger. You should take care of your own health, though. Whether for the sect or for Xiao San, you need to pull yourself together as soon as possible and recover your strength quickly."
Tang Hao gave a bitter smile, "Brother, I know my situation better than anyone else. After losing my right arm, and especially after losing the sect's inherited Soul Bone, I'm afraid I'll never be able to regain my former strength in this lifetime."
Tang Xiao quickly reassured him, " Brother Hao, you don't need to worry too much about that. There are countless rare and precious materials in the world; we'll surely find a way to help you recover."
Tang Hao couldn't help but sigh, "Rare and precious treasures? There are indeed many rare and precious treasures in this world, but such treasures are rare and hard to come by. Back then, Xiao San Yang Wudi and the others, which caused us to completely turn against the Breaking Clan, and even implicated you, my elder brother, who was seriously injured and almost lost your life."
Tang Xiao quickly said, " Brother Hao, you don't need to worry so much. I've been arranging for people to search for rare and precious materials for the past two years, and we're sure to find something in the future. As for the Heavenly Pursuit Academy incident, it's all in the past now, so you don't need to say too much about it."
Tang Hao gave a wry smile, "Brother, you don't need to comfort me. Although Heavenly Pursuit Academy hasn't attacked our Clear Sky Sect yet, with Yang Podi's strength, he'll come looking for trouble sooner or later, and I have a feeling that day is not far off."
Based on the original Douluo II and III novels, could Tang San be defined as Evil Soul Master?