The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School moved with remarkable speed. Within a single day, the sect had arranged dedicated staff to assist Yang Xiong's family with their relocation. Every possession, from the largest furniture to the smallest training equipment Yang Xiong used in his daily practice, was carefully transported to their new home.
Only after truly stepping into the inner sect did Yang Xiong begin to understand the true prosperity and wealth of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. The difference between the outer and inner sections was like comparing heaven and earth.
The entire inner sect displayed magnificent architecture that took his breath away. Elegant pavilions stood beside crystal-clear lakes, while artificial mountains created a landscape that seemed touched by the gods themselves. Even the lake water gleamed like emerald jade, and a mysterious mist hung in the air, creating an atmosphere that resembled a paradise on earth. Every element had been carefully planned - even a simple tree possessed incredible value, emanating spiritual energy that could benefit any Soul Master who meditated beneath its branches.
Yang Xiong's family received a spacious courtyard on the western side of the inner sect. Despite their family consisting of only four members, or six if they counted their two loyal servants, the residence contained more than ten rooms. Beyond the living quarters, the courtyard featured a large training ground perfect for martial practice, a small pool with crystal-clear water, and even hidden chambers designed for advanced cultivation techniques. It truly represented an ideal living environment for any Soul Master family.
The person most surprised by this sudden change in fortune was Yang Xiong's eldest brother, Yang Wei. He had been studying in Heaven Dou City, living a modest student's life, when suddenly his entire family became inner sect disciples of one of the continent's most prestigious schools. Even their parents received new positions within the inner sect administration.
The difference in treatment between the inner and outer sects of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was like comparing gold to copper. Inner sect members received monthly subsidies that included substantial amounts of gold soul coins, rare medicinal pills, cultivation resources, and numerous other benefits that outer sect disciples could only dream of obtaining.
However, at this moment, Yang Xiong sat alone in his new room, completely absorbed in deep thought. Before him lay scattered papers covered with his careful handwriting, each page representing hours of consideration about his future path as a Soul Master.
The choice of Soul Rings weighed heavily on Yang Xiong's mind. He understood that these decisions would determine not only his immediate strength but his entire future development as a Soul Master. Unlike other martial souls that had established traditions and proven paths, his Body Martial Soul offered endless possibilities - but this freedom also made the choice incredibly difficult.
On the papers before him, Yang Xiong had written the fundamental attributes that formed the foundation of all power on Douluo Continent: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Light, Darkness, and Space. These eight elements represented the most basic forces that governed the world.
Beyond these primary attributes existed numerous derivative elements such as Ice, Thunder, Wind, Poison, Strength, Speed, and Mental attributes. However, Yang Xiong understood that these were merely extensions or combinations of the basic attributes. Ice developed from Water, Thunder combined multiple elements, and Wind could not be considered a true fundamental force.
Light, Darkness, and Space belonged to a special category of advanced basic attributes, each possessing unique properties that made them incredibly rare and powerful.
The Strength and Mental attributes presented an even more complex situation. These seemed to emerge from the combination of multiple basic attributes, creating entirely new types of power that transcended simple elemental classification.
Yang Xiong considered the Clear Sky Hammer of the Clear Sky School as an example. Originally, the hammer should have possessed only the Gold attribute as a simple metal weapon. However, generations of Clear Sky School masters had enhanced it with Strength-type Soul Rings, eventually transforming the Clear Sky Hammer into a weapon of terrifying power that might one day achieve the legendary Ultimate Strength.
Similarly, the White Tiger Martial Soul of the Star Luo Empire's Dai family represented a perfect fusion of Strength and Gold attributes, creating a martial soul renowned for its overwhelming physical power and sharp attacks.
When examining so-called Strength-type Soul Beasts, Yang Xiong realized they typically combined Gold and Earth attributes with other elements. The Flame Lion and Unicorn Fire Explosive Dragon possessed powerful physical strength but also commanded Fire attributes that seemed to grow stronger over time. The legendary Deep Sea Demon Whale King, while primarily Water-attributed, also wielded Thunder and Strength abilities that made it one of the ocean's most feared predators.
Even within the Clear Sky School, different masters had developed unique approaches. Tang Lie's Clear Sky Hammer displayed both Strength and Fire attributes simultaneously, creating a combination that seemed even more devastating than pure Strength alone.
After extensive analysis, Yang Xiong concluded that the Strength attribute represented a powerful manifestation created by combining multiple basic attributes rather than being a fundamental force itself.
According to his research into Body Martial Souls, pursuing a path of pure Strength should theoretically provide the best results, continuously strengthening his physical form beyond normal human limits. However, this theory conflicted with historical evidence.
Ten thousand years in the future, the Body Sect had not chosen this path. Whether examining Poison Indestructible or Poison Inevitable, both had followed the Poison attribute route instead. Given the Body Sect's advanced research into martial souls, they must have experimented with pure Strength development, yet they abandoned this approach for unknown reasons.
The Power Clan of the Single Attribute Four Clans provided another cautionary example. Despite their Great Strength Ape Martial Soul possessing considerable power and their dedication to pure Strength development, they had never produced a single Titled Douluo. As time passed, their clan gradually declined and faced elimination, demonstrating that pure Strength might not be suitable for long-term advancement.
After a full day of careful consideration, Yang Xiong finally determined his development path. He would pursue Strength as his primary focus while incorporating all eight fundamental attributes. Each of his nine Soul Rings would come from Strength-type Soul Beasts, but these beasts would respectively possess Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Light, Darkness, and Space attributes.
Among all these requirements, finding a Wood attribute Strength-type Soul Beast would prove most challenging. The other combinations could be located with sufficient effort and resources.
Yang Xiong chose this development strategy for several reasons. The Strength path would indeed enhance his combat effectiveness while dramatically improving his physical capabilities - muscles, bones, reflexes, and endurance. Combined with his unique ability to absorb Soul Rings beyond normal level limits, this approach might even trigger a second awakening of his Martial Soul.
Beyond attribute considerations, he planned to seek the most powerful Soul Beasts available, particularly those possessing Dragon bloodline heritage, as these creatures typically provided superior abilities and greater potential for growth.
The foundation of this entire strategy rested on the unique compatibility of the Body Martial Soul. Unlike other martial souls that required specific attribute matches, his Body Martial Soul used his physical form as its base, allowing him to absorb Soul Rings of any attribute without experiencing rejection or incompatibility.
Yang Xiong even theorized that successfully incorporating all eight fundamental attributes might cause his body to undergo a qualitative transformation, potentially reaching an unprecedented level of strength that had never been achieved in recorded history.
The following morning, Yang Xiong approached his homeroom teacher with his Soul Ring requirements. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School maintained a comprehensive system for helping students analyze and select appropriate Soul Beasts for their advancement.
The school raised an impressive number of Soul Beasts, primarily those under one thousand years of age. Within their private Soul Beast Forest, which stretched over fifty kilometers in length and width, thousands of Soul Beasts under ten thousand years roamed freely in carefully maintained habitats. Soul Beasts exceeding ten thousand years required hunting expeditions to dangerous locations like the Star Dou Forest.
Most students would only need thousand-year level Soul Beasts throughout their academic careers. Only when reaching Soul Ancestor rank and achieving deacon status within the sect would they require ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts, and such hunts fell outside the school's standard educational programs.
Moreover, ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts were incredibly difficult to obtain and required significant contributions to the sect before permission would be granted. Many of these ancient creatures lived deep within the Star Dou Forest, surrounded by countless dangers that had claimed the lives of numerous Soul Masters over the centuries.
Teacher Lin Gong produced a thick tome that recorded detailed information about every Soul Beast owned by the sect. When Yang Xiong opened the book, he discovered an extensive catalog covering thousands of creatures across all age ranges. Popular Soul Beasts appeared in larger numbers, while rare species were carefully preserved for promising students who demonstrated exceptional talent.
The first page featured the Thousand Jun Ant, complete with comprehensive details about its abilities and characteristics.
"Thousand Jun Ant - Pure Strength-type Soul Beast. One hundred years: seventeen specimens available. Two hundred years: nine specimens available..."
The second page described the Soft Bone Rabbit. While this creature rarely grew into a powerful Soul Beast, it provided excellent abilities for Speed-type Soul Masters who valued agility over raw power.
Yang Xiong carefully examined each page, searching for Soul Beasts that matched his specific requirements. Unfortunately, most creatures suitable for captive breeding were relatively common species that lacked the exceptional qualities he needed for his ambitious development plan.
Suddenly, Yang Xiong's eyes brightened as he discovered an interesting entry. After studying the details carefully, he looked up at his teacher with excitement.
"Teacher Lin, I want to choose this Soul Beast."
Lin Gong examined the page with surprise evident in his expression. "Yang Xiong, you need to think carefully about this decision. While this Soul Beast possesses decent quality, its age has reached five hundred and forty years, far exceeding the safe absorption limit for a first Soul Ring. Furthermore, this is primarily a defensive Soul Beast, which may not be compatible with your Martial Soul."
"This particular Soul Beast has lived in our sect for many years, but no student has ever requested it. The main issue is that turtle-type Soul Beasts have significant limitations in their abilities. At best, they provide defensive Soul Skills that are only truly suitable for turtle-type Martial Souls. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has very few Soul Masters with turtle-type Martial Souls, let alone students."
Yang Xiong responded firmly, "Teacher Lin, I have considered this thoroughly. I want this one. I believe it will be perfectly suitable for my needs."
Lin Gong nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "This matter is extremely important. I must report your decision to the sect master and inform your parents immediately. If anything goes wrong during the absorption process, you could be permanently crippled or even killed. Such a risk cannot be taken lightly."
The teacher's concern was well-founded. Absorbing a Soul Ring from a creature nearly six hundred years old as a first Soul Ring violated every safety guideline established by Soul Master academies across the continent. Most students absorbed Soul Rings from creatures between one and four hundred years old for their first ring, and even then, the process carried significant risks.
However, Yang Xiong felt confident in his choice. His Body Martial Soul's unique properties, combined with his carefully planned development strategy, made this risk worthwhile. The turtle-type Soul Beast would provide the defensive foundation he needed while contributing to his overall attribute collection.
As Teacher Lin prepared to contact the sect leadership about this unusual request, Yang Xiong remained convinced that this decision would mark the first step toward achieving his goal of mastering all fundamental attributes and reaching unprecedented heights of power.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion