The spirit hunting journey in Sunset Forest concluded successfully. The four members of the Li family walked out of the forest on foot and returned to the familiar spirit hunting town at its edge. After arriving at their regular inn and settling in, the family briefly washed up, cleansing themselves of the dust and fatigue from their travels.
Later, Li Zhaoyan took his family to a restaurant in the town. He ordered several hearty local dishes, and everyone ate quietly, replenishing their energy after the past few days. At the table, Li Zhaoyan looked at his children, who had successfully obtained their Spirit Rings, and said with satisfaction, "You've built a solid foundation. Once we return to Heaven Dou City, we'll prepare to send you to the 'Heaven Dou Royal Academy' for studies." His tone was calm and confident. "Although the academy's entry requirements are not low, with my eighty-third level as a Soul Douluo and your mother's seventy-fifth level as a Soul Saint, this strength is enough to earn you the respect you deserve. In this world, power is the only true voice."
Marco listened quietly, his desire to grow stronger burning even more fiercely within him.
After dinner, they returned to their rooms at the inn. The mental strain and physical exertion of the past few days left Marco feeling deeply exhausted. He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "I'm still too weak..." He dismissed distracting thoughts and habitually sat cross-legged, preparing for his nightly routine of circulating Soul Power to consolidate his newly acquired Spirit Ring.
His mind sank inward, guiding the Soul Power to flow along his Meridians. However, just as his mind reached its most tranquil state, an unexpected change occurred!
Deep within his soul, the seed representing Armament Haki suddenly emitted a faint but distinct throb! A strange energy—cold, tenacious, and brimming with extreme defense and power—flowed out from it, slowly infusing into his Meridians!
"Huh?!"
Marco's eyes snapped open, filled with shock and ecstasy! He immediately sensed that this was Armament Haki!
Based on his memories from his previous life, the cultivation of Armament Haki was divided into three main stages:
First Stage: Hardening—Covering the body or weapons with Haki, hardening them and turning them black, enhancing attack and defense.
Second Stage: Envelopment (External Release)—Releasing and wrapping Haki like an airflow, allowing attacks from a distance and finer control.
Third Stage: Internal Destruction—Injecting Haki into an enemy's body to cause damage from within.
What he had just awakened was the most basic ability: the power of "Hardening."
Suppressing his excitement, he carefully attempted to guide that faint but tenacious strand of Armament Haki energy, striving to gather it toward the index and middle fingers of his right hand.
The process was slow and arduous, but relying on his powerful soul strength and past life experience, he finally succeeded!
The skin on the tips of his right index and middle fingers quickly took on a faint but exceptionally solid black hue! A cold, indestructible sense of power emanated from his fingertips! This was the typical manifestation of Armament Haki "Hardening"!
"I succeeded!"
He immediately picked up an ordinary small iron knife by the bedside. Placing the two fingers covered in "Hardening" on the blade, he applied a slight squeeze!
"Creak!"
A faint sound of metal twisting! The iron blade was easily dented by his two fingers, leaving clear fingerprints! Meanwhile, his fingertips, coated in the faint black hue, remained completely unharmed!
Although it was just an ordinary small knife, this scene was enough to demonstrate the initial astonishing defensive and power-enhancing effects of the "Hardening" stage of Armament Haki!
"Excellent!" Marco let out a long sigh of relief. Although this Armament Haki was still extremely faint—merely at the initial "Hardening" stage with limited coverage, short duration, and high willpower consumption—it undoubtedly represented a monumental breakthrough from zero to one!
"Awakening a trace of Armament Haki after obtaining my first Spirit Ring, and only at the 'Hardening' stage... When I acquire my second and third Spirit Rings, with continuous physical and spiritual enhancement, could this Armament Haki advance to 'Envelopment' or even 'Internal Destruction'? Could Observation Haki and Conqueror's Haki also have the potential to awaken?" Countless possibilities filled him with anticipation for the future.
He sat cross-legged once more, immersing all his concentration into perceiving and controlling that newly born Armament Haki at the "Hardening" stage, continuously practicing its condensation, circulation, and coverage...
As night deepened, within the inn room, the faint black hue representing "Hardening" flickered intermittently at Marco's fingertips. On the path of the Azure Flame Phoenix, beyond Spirit Rings and Spirit Abilities, another gateway to ultimate power had quietly cracked open a sliver this night.
The next morning, after a simple breakfast in the small town, the family set off back to Heaven Dou City. The return journey proceeded smoothly without any complications.
Compared to the tension and anticipation of hunting for Spirit Rings on the way there, the atmosphere during the return trip was relaxed and cheerful. Ye Lingling leaned against her mother, a happy smile on her little face, occasionally sensing the newly acquired Soul Power and the yellow century Spirit Ring within her, imagining showcasing her Nine Heart Begonia's healing abilities to other students at the academy.
Marco sat by the window, his gaze occasionally drifting over the passing scenery outside, but most of his mind remained immersed in the astonishment of last night's Armament Haki awakening and contemplations of the future. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed together, reminiscing about the cold, hard sensation and the peculiar feeling of manipulating that faint energy. He knew this was only the beginning; subsequent cultivation would require substantial effort to familiarize himself with and strengthen this power.
Li Zhaoyan and Ye Wantang looked at their two children with eyes full of contentment. This spirit hunt had yielded results far beyond expectations—not only had both children obtained exceptionally fine first Spirit Rings (Marco's six-century yellow ring and Ye Lingling's four-century yellow ring), but Marco had also demonstrated astonishing potential and temperament. They were filled with confidence regarding their children's future development at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"After returning to Heaven Dou City, rest well for a few days and consolidate your newly acquired Spirit Rings and Soul Power," Li Zhaoyan said. "After that, I'll make arrangements for your enrollment at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"Yes, Father," Marco and Ye Lingling replied in unison.
Ye Wantang added gently, "Heaven Dou Royal Academy has excellent faculty and various simulated training environments that will greatly benefit your Martial Soul cultivation. Once at the academy, study diligently and get along well with your classmates."
As they journeyed onward, the majestic outline of Heaven Dou City gradually appeared on the horizon. The towering city walls, dense clusters of buildings, and the bustling aura unique to an imperial capital swept toward them.
Upon returning to the familiar Li residence, the steward and servants were already waiting to welcome them. The successful return from the spirit hunt and both young masters' advancement to Soul Masters naturally filled the household with a celebratory atmosphere.
Marco returned to his room and closed the doors and windows. He sat cross-legged once more, but instead of hastily continuing his Soul Power cultivation or attempting to guide that wisp of Armament Haki, he allowed himself to fully relax. The recent days of travel, battles, absorbing the Spirit Ring, and last night's sudden awakening had left both his mind and body in need of thorough rest.
He understood well that only by balancing tension and relaxation could one advance steadily and go far. A new life at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was about to begin—another fresh starting point. And he was already prepared for it, possessing a hidden trump card that surpassed this world's understanding.
The wings of the Azure Flame Phoenix had been initially tempered in the Sunset Forest; and the black of Armament Haki would become an indispensable shield and edge on his future path.