As for Ye Feng, he returned to Sky Curtain City.
This trip to Slaughter City had yielded him abundant gains, which he needed to thoroughly digest. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to unleash his full combat potential.
Especially since he had just condensed his Soul Core when Qian Daoliu caught him, leaving him no time to adapt until now.
After condensing a Soul Core, cultivation would become extremely difficult.
The Soul Core was solid in form, making it impossible to circulate naturally within the body.
Thus, during cultivation, one had to alter the state of the "Soul Core," transforming it between liquid and solid forms to continue progressing.
This was also the main reason why Titled Douluo advanced so slowly.
The 91st level was a major threshold—at least ninety percent of Titled Douluo found it nearly impossible to progress further after reaching it.
In other words, from now on, Ye Feng's cultivation difficulty would be comparable to that of a Titled Douluo!
Ye Feng took a moment to assess his condition. Although the difficulty of cultivation had indeed increased, for him, it was only about five times harder—still within acceptable limits.
Moreover, his Soul Power had already reached the 60th level and was still accumulating. By the time he obtained his sixth Soul Ring, he might very well break through to the 70th level in one go.
For Ye Feng, cultivation was never a challenge.
What restricted his Soul Power wasn't his cultivation speed but the progress of his Bloodline Unsealing.
...
Ye Feng returned to the Star Sect.
The first to sense his presence wasn't Bi Ji or Zi Ji, but A Yin.
The moment Ye Feng stepped into the training grounds, a petite figure in a blue Lolita dress came running toward him on short legs, her footsteps pattering lightly.
"Brother Ye Feng, you're finally back~"
With a cheerful cry, A Yin threw herself into Ye Feng's arms, rubbing her face vigorously against his chest.
"Mn, has A Yin been cultivating diligently lately?"
Ye Feng ruffled her hair with a smile as he asked.
"Mhm, mhm! A Yin has been working very hard! Now A Yin is already a 17th-level Soul Master~" She nodded repeatedly, her big eyes fixed on Ye Feng, clearly waiting for his praise.
"Mn, my A Yin is amazing~"
Naturally, Ye Feng didn't hold back his praise.
Moreover, he could see that A Yin's cultivation had indeed reached the 17th level, and she had even condensed an 800-plus-year Soul Ring.
This level of talent was truly extraordinary.
After all, the reborn A Yin had fused with the "Seed of Life." If she could grow to her full potential, she might even become the "Seed of Plane"!
Coupled with her mutation and the innate talent of the Blue Silver Emperor, such rapid cultivation was only natural.
"Hehe~ If Brother were by my side, A Yin could cultivate even faster~" She giggled.
"Mn, I'll stay at the Star Sect for a while and spend some time with you all," Ye Feng replied with a smile.
If he hadn't gone to Slaughter City, A Yin, by his side, would undoubtedly have reached the Soul Grandmaster level by now.
But there was no need to rush. After reaching Soul Grandmaster, her cultivation speed would slow down.
Taking it slow would allow her to compress her Soul Power, condense a Soul Core earlier, and gain the ability to fight above her level.
"By the way, what's your first Soul Skill?"
Ye Feng suddenly thought of something and asked curiously.
Though he could discern the age of A Yin's first Soul Ring, he didn't know the specifics of her Soul Skill.
"My first Soul Skill is called 'Blue Silver Blood Vine,' capable of absorbing the target's life force to replenish my own Soul Power or heal injuries."
A Yin didn't hesitate to reveal the effects of her Soul Skill.
She immediately released her Martial Soul and Soul Rings.
In the next moment, dark red Blue Silver vines emerged from the ground, coiling around Ye Feng's legs.
A terrifying suction force erupted—without needing to pierce the body or even break through Ye Feng's defenses, it could directly draw out blood and absorb it!
Though this was partly because Ye Feng didn't resist, it was enough to demonstrate the overpowered nature of this Soul Skill!
Moreover, Ye Feng noticed that A Yin's vines were incredibly tough. While they were nothing to him, against peers, they would be nearly unbreakable, practically guaranteeing dominance.
"Mmm…"
Just then, A Yin suddenly flushed red, her entire body radiating an excess of Soul Power.
"What's wrong?"
Ye Feng noticed her unusual state and grew concerned, quickly asking.
"N-nothing… It's just… Brother's blood is too powerful. I overate…"
A Yin replied somewhat sheepishly.
As she spoke, she hurriedly retracted her Soul Skill.
Unlike ordinary people's blood, Ye Feng's blood contained an immense vitality.
She had only absorbed a tiny amount, yet the converted Soul Power nearly overwhelmed her…
"Alright, alright. Your first Soul Skill is very strong. You'll definitely be a main force in future battles."
Ye Feng nodded in satisfaction.
This Soul Skill combined offense and recovery, making it incredibly versatile.
With her first Soul Ring already at 800 years, her second would surely reach a thousand, likely making it even more formidable.
And this was without any Lexical Trait enhancements.
Once A Yin condensed a few more Soul Rings, Ye Feng planned to equip her with a golden Lexical Trait, which should propel her abilities to new heights.
"Mhm, it's all thanks to Brother's guidance~" A Yin felt a sense of pride at Ye Feng's praise.
Ye Feng carried A Yin into the training ground.
There, they spotted Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing was diligently working on her physical training, putting in great effort.
Ning Rongrong, as usual, was happily reading a storybook on the side, occasionally letting out a series of bell-like giggles.
Her role was purely one of companionship.
"Ye Feng, you're back~"
Zhu Zhuqing noticed Ye Feng's arrival and immediately stopped her training, rushing over to throw herself into his arms, giving him a tight hug.
If A Yin and Ning Rongrong hadn't been there, she would have kissed him fiercely and then…
It had been over a month since Ye Feng last left.
A whole month apart—who knew how much she had missed him!
Even though Ye Feng could be a bit of a rogue…
She couldn't help but adore him, wanting to stick to him every day.
"Mm, not bad. Your cultivation has improved quite a bit, and you've grown quite a bit too…"
Ye Feng murmured, the last part spoken softly enough that only Zhu Zhuqing could hear.
Clearly, he was teasing her.
"Don't say such things… A Yin and Rongrong are right here…" Zhu Zhuqing blushed, whispering a playful protest.
"Ugh, you two are too much, flaunting your love right in front of everyone!"
Ning Rongrong complained from the side, clearly annoyed at being force-fed a mouthful of dog food for no reason.
"Not bad, you've reached level 31."
Ye Feng glanced at Ning Rongrong and casually praised her.
"Of course, I'm at least at the 'monster' level~" Ning Rongrong immediately said with pride.
"Mhm, keep working hard. Don't let A Yin surpass you," Ye Feng added.
Ning Rongrong: "..."
"Hmph! You're all monsters—I won't compare myself to you!" Ning Rongrong snorted delicately, clearly having made up her mind.
Or, more accurately, she had simply given up.
As long as there was no comparison, there would be no harm.
"By the way, you said you'd give me a reward when I advanced to Soul Grandmaster. You wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"
Ning Rongrong suddenly remembered something and looked at Ye Feng with eager eyes.