Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
"Splash~"
A crystal-clear stream split the forest in two. Su Wen sat cross-legged on a rock, cultivating. The golden core within him emitted a faint light, dyeing his meridians with a subtle golden hue that showed through his skin, making them stand out like veins beneath his fair complexion.
This golden core clearly had some other mysterious use.
Yet, since neither Elder Xuan nor Elder Mu had ever mentioned it, he never asked further.
The golden core sat quietly in his dantian. At first, Su Wen thought it would keep growing and worried it might burst his body apart. But unexpectedly, once it reached the size of a thumb, it began shrinking, becoming increasingly refined—yet it somehow contained all of his soul power.
Why does it feel… like a soul core?
According to the Third Young Master's Soul Power Theory:
The total "capacity" of soul power a human body can hold is fixed.
However, the volume of gaseous soul power > liquid soul power > solid soul power.
So, once a person's body was filled with gaseous soul power, advancing further required condensing it into liquid form, which allowed more power to be stored. Likewise, liquid to solid was the next stage—this was one of the greatest bottlenecks between a Contra and a Titled Douluo.
As long as one could condense a solid soul core, one officially stepped into the ranks of Titled Douluo.
To progress further and reach Super Douluo, one had to transform the solid into granules and manipulate them with gaseous or liquid soul power. This step was dangerous and incredibly difficult. Many Titled Douluo, after breaking through, would stay safely at rank ninety-one for life, unwilling to risk further exploration.
Above that was the level of Extreme Douluo.
There were two methods: one was to transform one-tenth of one's soul power into a miniature black hole, though stabilizing it was exceedingly difficult. The second was to condense a second soul core.
Most Extreme Douluo condensed a resonant dual-core, but Ditian walked a different path. Relying on his monstrous physique, he created a Yin-Yang dual-core. Using his own soul power as a medium, he induced spatial collapse, forming miniature black holes that absorbed the power of heaven and earth. Over countless years, this made his combat strength unmatched beneath the level of a true god.
In the original story, Huo Hang achieved an unprecedented feat during the Soul Sage stage—condensing a soul core of black hole level.
This raised the difficulty of advancing to Titled Douluo enormously. To progress, one now had to condense a second core, a challenge equal to breaking through from level ninety-eight to Extreme Douluo. Yet, once successful, the future path would be wide open, with no further obstacles.
Condensing a soul core in advance?
Su Wen mused.
This path was certainly not an easy one, but for him… it was hardly an obstacle.
In the original story, the true challenge lay in the danger of shifting between different states of soul power. A single misstep meant one's body would explode. Thus, an extraordinary physique was a necessary condition. In the story, Elder Mu had given Huo Hang a Dragon Pill, which greatly contributed to his success, as its main function was to grant a powerful body.
Coincidentally, Su Wen already had the feedback of soul beast attributes—his physical body was dozens of times stronger than others of the same level, and as his soul beasts grew stronger, his physique would proportionally improve as well.
By then, he could simply ask Elder Mu for a Dragon Pill and condense it with ease.
Another key factor was spiritual power.
This was where Huo Hang excelled. Transforming soul power required immense mental strength, which explained why most Super Douluo also possessed formidable spiritual power. Without it, one could not break through the barrier.
This too was no problem for Su Wen. He planned to acquire an Evil Eye Tyrant in the future, which would easily resolve the issue.
"Huff…"
Su Wen slowly opened his eyes.
The golden light around him gradually subsided. With a sigh, he muttered, "This golden core… if only I could condense it into a black-hole-level soul core right away. One step to perfection. But since even Huo Hang could do it in the original story, and I'm basically a cheat myself, it shouldn't be a problem."
Elder Xuan had told them to rest, then disappeared to who knows where.
It was Zhang Lexuan who secretly pulled Su Wen aside, bringing him to a stream not far from the main group.
"What are you mumbling about? Come down and play with me, the water is so cool~"
Her voice drifted over from the stream.
Zhang Lexuan's fair feet stepped precariously across the stones as she made her way toward him. In one hand, she held her cloth shoes, swinging them gently, while the other lifted her green skirt to avoid soaking it, revealing a glimpse of smooth, pale calf that dazzled the eyes.
Normally, with her strength, Zhang Lexuan could keep herself spotless without a drop of water touching her. But right now, it seemed as though she had shed her outer mask, playfully beckoning Su Wen to join her.
"You stepped on me!"
Zhang Lexuan chided.
As they walked along the stream, Su Wen, not paying attention, stepped barefoot onto her delicate white foot.
She glared at him coquettishly, then tightened her grip on his hand before raising her foot to kick at him.
Soft and supple~
Her smooth sole pressed lightly against his bare calf, skin against skin. The sensation made Su Wen feel inexplicably delighted. Why did it feel like she was rewarding him?
The two splashed and played in the stream.
An hour later—
"Splash~"
They sat side by side on a rock beside the stream. Zhang Lexuan dangled her pale feet into the water, laughing with a silver-bell voice as little fish swam up to nibble at her toes.
Su Wen turned to look at her.
On the senior sister's fair cheeks was the faint blush of genuine joy. A Contra shouldn't tire easily—this happiness was clearly from the heart.
"What are you thinking about?"
Zhang Lexuan stretched out her foot and nudged his leg.
"Gulp~"
Su Wen's face reddened. He was truly flustered. Normally, he was the one making others blush, enjoying their shy expressions. But now, in front of a truly mature woman… he felt like he was the one being toyed with. Damn it!
"Hahaha~"
Zhang Lexuan shifted closer, watching him awkwardly turn his head away, his body stiff with embarrassment. The sight only made her happier.
She knew her own charm all too well.
And though she was the Inner Court's senior sister, traditional and reserved, this was the first time she had ever been so close to a man.
She remembered that resolute little boy who once stood in front of her, shielding her from the attack of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Back then, he had only reached her waist, so small and immature. Yet now, he was already over one-seventy tall, nearly catching up to her.
The feeling was so strange, so fascinating, that she couldn't help but be drawn in.
To others, that memory was just a legendary tale. People would retell and exaggerate it endlessly. But only those who had truly stood there—seeing that monstrous maw closing in, and the tiny figure stubbornly blocking the way—could feel the true weight of it.
Memories were like fine wine—the more one savored them, the sweeter they became.
Su Wen, slightly embarrassed, leaned back onto the stone, pretending to idly gaze at the sky.
But Zhang Lexuan wasn't about to let him off.
Smiling, she lay down too, resting on her side, propping her head with one hand while her bright eyes fixed intently on him.
She had always wanted to know why, all those years ago, Su Wen had stood before her so resolutely. Just how much courage had it taken for that small body to shield her? What had been going through his mind at that moment?
"May I interview the person himself? Back then… why did you stand in front of me?"
Her rosy lips parted slightly as she asked.
(End of Chapter)