Chapter 68: Enlightenment on the Return Journey, Clear Sky's Shocking Change
A purple-gold electric light streaked across the vast western wilderness, moving at an extremely fast pace, yet with an unprecedented stability and restraint.
Yu Yuanchen was eager to return home, but he didn't devote all his attention to traveling. In his Sea of Consciousness, he was repeatedly deducing and conceptualizing the "Method of Condensing a Single Soul Core" that concerned his future Dao path.
At the center of his brows, the already formed thunder god mark subtly heated up, deeply connected with the shattered God Position, elevating his perception of energy essence and the condensation of Laws to a new height. Combining the ancient Thunder God's scattered records about the "God Core" and his profound understanding of Thunder True Essence (a new power integrating Soul Power, blood essence, and Spiritual Power), a bold and unprecedented concept gradually became clear in his mind.
"The Soul Core, and even the higher-level God Core, in essence, should be a'singularity' where energy and Laws are highly condensed and self-consistent," he mused. "Later generations of Soul Masters need to condense multiple cores, either because of changes in World rules, a decrease in energy levels, making a single Soul Core insufficient to carry the necessary quality and quantity for Breakthrough; or because the Soul Master system has deficiencies, making it impossible to refine a single core to its extreme, thus only seeking quantitative change for qualitative change."
"But I possess Thunder True Essence, whose quality far surpasses ordinary Soul Power, and it even incorporates a trace of divine Foundation. Moreover, I have a shattered God Position as a reference... Perhaps, I can walk the path of 'one core, eternally stable'!"
With the idea set, he began to refine the steps. This method was perilous and required extreme caution.
"The first step requires constructing a stable, high-speed rotating energy vortex in the Dantian Qi Sea, guided by powerful Spiritual Power." He introspected his Dantian, where the vast and pure purple-gold Thunder True Essence flowed like a lake. "Ordinary Soul Masters need to build it with Soul Power, but I need to build it with Thunder True Essence! This vortex is the Foundation for condensation; it must be extremely refined, and the rotational force must be just right. Too strong will damage the Meridians, too weak will fail to compress the energy."
"The second step, once the vortex is stable, is to continuously apply terrifying pressure to its center, forcing the liquid Thunder True Essence to constantly compress and refine, transforming into a solid state! This process is the most dangerous, requiring extremely high Spiritual Power control. Once out of control, if the energy runs wild, at best the Dantian will be severely damaged; at worst, cultivation will be completely crippled, or even result in self-detonation!"
"The third step, when the energy is compressed to its extreme and transforms from liquid to a solid prototype in an instant, is to use one's own will as a guide to imprint one's comprehension of the corresponding Law onto it, making it completely stable, forming an indestructible, self-operating, infinitely energetic'Soul Core'!"
Upon deducing to this point, Yu Yuanchen frowned slightly. The method seemed clear, but in reality, each step contained enormous risks and uncertainties. Especially the compression process in the second step, what terrifying Spiritual control and energy restraint would it require? And the Law imprint in the third step, to what profound degree would one need to comprehend the Law?
He was confident that with his current Foundation and control over thunder, a risky attempt might have a seventy percent chance of success. However, this method relied too much on extraordinary personal talent and a powerful Foundation, making its universality extremely low. He feared that across the entire continent, apart from him, Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen, and a handful of others, no one would be able to replicate it.
"This method... is too crude, almost brute force," Yu Yuanchen shook his head with a bitter smile. "It might work for me, but for the people... it's as difficult as ascending to heaven. To promote it and benefit the masses, it must be refined, optimized, and made safer."
His first thought was to discuss it with his grandfather, Yu Boxuan. His grandfather, a Level 97 Super Douluo, had reached the Transcendent realm in his understanding of Soul Power and was very experienced. He might offer many valuable suggestions, especially regarding the stability and safety of energy compression.
"If it's still insufficient after discussing with grandfather... then I'll have to seek out Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen," he thought to himself. Combining the wisdom of the three greatest Geniuses of the current era, and collectively deducing, they might truly be able to create a relatively safe and feasible method for condensing a single Soul Core. This matter concerned the future Dao path of Soul Masters on the continent and was a crucial step for him to accumulate exclusive faith, making it worth his full effort.
Just as he was engrossed in deduction, the Soul Power within him, already at the Peak of Level 76, after being baptized by divinity and initially integrating with the shattered God Position, had accumulated sufficiently. At this moment, with a clear mind and a flash of inspiration, it naturally broke through that thin Bottleneck!
"Buzz!"
The purple-gold thunder light around him involuntarily erupted, his speed suddenly increased by a notch, and his aura also surged, becoming deeper and more vast.
Level 77!
The Breakthrough came naturally, without any stagnation. Yu Yuanchen smiled faintly, not overly surprised, and continued to refine his Soul Core concept while traveling.
A few days later, the majestic outline of Dragon City was distantly visible.
Meanwhile, in the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest, a fierce battle had just concluded.
The Young Lord of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Chen, had recently succeeded in breaking through the Level 80 Bottleneck. Arrogant and ambitious, he was determined to surpass Qian Daoliu and Yu Yuanchen, and astonishingly, he set his target for his eighth Soul Ring on a 100,000-year-old forest overlord—the Titan Giant Ape!
This Soul Beast possessed boundless strength, terrifying defense, and controlled a powerful Gravity Domain. Its strength was comparable to a Level 95 Super Douluo, and being in its home territory in the Star Dou Great Forest, its power increased by another thirty percent.
To ensure absolute success, the Clear Sky Sect had dispatched its elite forces this time. Led by the Level 97 Sect Master Tang Gan himself, with a Level 95 Grand Elder overseeing, plus eight Soul Douluo elites, all above Level 85 Soul Power, they set up the Sect's secret "Clear Sky Trapping Formation," and with Tang Chen, whose attack power was already comparable to an ordinary Titled Douluo, ready to deliver the final blow, they aimed for a single, fatal strike!
They were fortunate enough to find this wandering Titan Giant Ape in the mixed zone. Battle erupted instantly!
The Titan Giant Ape was utterly enraged, its roars shaking the heavens and earth. Its Gravity Domain was fully activated, making the Clear Sky Sect members feel as if they were carrying mountains, slowing their movements. Its giant fists swung with the power to shatter mountains and crack the earth, each impact causing the ground to tremble and the Formation's light barrier to shake violently.
...
Soon after, dust filled the air, giant trees toppled, and the ground was crisscrossed with ravines, remnants of terrifying energy fluctuations and rampant Soul skills traces. The air was thick with the smell of blood and the violent aftershocks of Soul Power.
The Young Lord of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Chen, was covered in blood, leaning on his massive Clear Sky Hammer, breathing heavily. At his feet lay a corpse as massive as a small mountain—a gigantic ape covered in black fur, with muscles as gnarled as rocks, and a ferocious face! It was one of the overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest, the 100,000-year-old Titan Giant Ape!
However, the cost of victory was immense. Around him, several Clear Sky Sect Soul Masters lay dead, scattered haphazardly, and many more were severely wounded, their auras weak. The two accompanying Titled Douluo, Sect Master Tang Gan, had a pale face and his Soul Power was greatly depleted; as for the Grand Elder, he had lost an arm, and violent earthy-yellow energy lingered around the wound, making it difficult to heal. His face was like golden paper, clearly at his wit's end.
Tang Chen ignored his own injuries, his eyes flashing with a mix of excitement and grief. He immediately began to absorb the blood-red 100,000-year Soul Ring that floated above the Titan Giant Ape's corpse.
Although the process was painful, his will was firm and his Physique was robust, and he ultimately succeeded in absorbing it without major incident! The immense energy not only stabilized his cultivation at the Peak of Level 83 but also granted him two powerful 100,000-year Spirit Abilities and a top-grade power-type Soul Bone from the Titan Giant Ape's right arm!
The joy of his surging strength had not lasted long when an unexpected change occurred!
"Roar—!!!"
An even angrier, more violent bull roar, as if from ancient primordial times, shook the entire forest! An oppressive aura, no less than that of the previous Titan Giant Ape, and even deeper and more terrifying, descended from the sky!
A gigantic green figure, like lightning, burst forth from the depths of the forest! It was a massive Soul Beast with a bull's head and a snake's body, its size no less than the Titan Giant Ape! Its entire body was covered in green scales, a single horn on its head flashed with destructive thunder light, and its pair of huge bull eyes were blood-red, filled with endless rage and killing intent!
The 100,000-year Soul Beast—Sky Azure Bull Python! The closest friend of the Titan Giant Ape! It had sensed the death of its dear friend, the Titan Giant Ape, and had gone completely mad!
"Be careful!" Sect Master Tang Gan's expression changed drastically as he roared.
But it was already too late! The Sky Azure Bull Python charged in a rage, its speed too fast, its attack too fierce! A massive green lightning bolt mixed with destructive energy breath, like a heavenly punishment, blasted towards the most densely packed area of people!
The Clear Sky Sect members, having just endured a fierce battle, severely wounded, and with greatly depleted Soul Power, had no time to organize an effective defense!
"Roar!" In the nick of time, Tang Chen, who had just finished absorbing the Soul Ring and whose strength had surged to Level 83, suddenly opened his eyes, which were bloodshot! He let out a furious roar, his body expanding, his newly acquired 100,000-year Soul Ring shining brightly, his strength instantly boosted to its Peak, and his Clear Sky Hammer transformed into a mountain-sized weapon, resolutely meeting the destructive breath attack!
"Boom—!!!"
An earth-shattering explosion erupted! Tang Chen was shaken back, staggering, his tiger's mouth split open and bleeding profusely, but he ultimately blocked the fatal blow, protecting most of his clansmen behind him. However, the aftershocks of the explosion still swept out, injuring the already wounded crowd again.
"Beast! You seek death!" Sect Master Tang Gan and the Grand Elder's eyes were bloodshot. They suppressed their injuries and were about to rush forward to fight to the death.
"Don't get entangled! Retreat quickly!" The Grand Elder suddenly pushed Tang Gan away and shouted at Tang Chen, who had just completed the absorption and whose aura was unstable: "Take the Sect Master and everyone else! I'll cover the rear!"
He knew that in their prime, they could contend with the Sky Azure Bull Python, but now everyone was injured and their Soul Power was exhausted. Facing this enraged 100,000-year Soul Beast, they could only cut off their tail to survive!
"Grand Elder!" Tang Chen roared, tears of blood welling in his eyes.
"Go!" The Grand Elder burned his Life Origin, erupting with strength far exceeding his usual, brandishing his Clear Sky Hammer, desperately entangling the furiously pouncing Sky Azure Bull Python, buying the others their last moments.
Sect Master Tang Gan's teeth ground together, and finally, with immense pain, he waved his hand: "Retreat!"
Tang Chen took one last look at the old man who was fighting the Sky Azure Bull Python in a bloody battle, his figure gradually swallowed by the green light, and let out a heart-wrenching roar. He protected his severely wounded clansmen and retreated frantically and miserably towards the outer reaches of the forest.
Ultimately, the Clear Sky Sect members narrowly escaped the Sky Azure Bull Python's pursuit, but this expedition cost them the tragic price of two Soul Douluo Elders and one Level 95 Super Douluo Grand Elder killed in battle! While they gained a 100,000-year Soul Ring and a Soul Bone, they were severely weakened and had forged a mortal enmity with the two overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest.
On the way back to the Sect, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy. Tang Chen clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails deeply embedded in his palms, blood flowing freely. In his mind, the Grand Elder's final resolute figure and the Sky Azure Bull Python's angry gaze kept replaying.
"Sky Azure Bull Python..." Tang Chen's eyes burned with deep-seated hatred and an extreme desire to become stronger. "I, Tang Chen, will engrave this grudge in my heart today! Once I achieve Titled Douluo, I will re-enter Star Dou and sacrifice your lives to the Grand Elder's spirit in heaven!"
The seed of hatred had been sown, and the proud Young Lord of Clear Sky had undergone a baptism, his state of mind quietly transforming.
But he did not regret hunting the Titan Giant Ape, because the yearning for stronger power is human nature. He only hated himself for being too weak, which led to the Grand Elder's death in protecting them.
At this moment, Yu Yuanchen had quietly returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in Dragon City. His return was low-key and peaceful, but the increasingly profound thunder god mark on his brow, and the subtly emanating majestic aura that was more in tune with the thunder of heaven and earth, immediately caught the attention of the perceptive Yu Boxuan.
Grandfather and grandson soon spoke in a secret room. Yu Yuanchen did not hide the matter of the shattered God Position and also tentatively proposed his concept of "Soul Core condensation."
Yu Boxuan listened, shocked for a long time, looking at his grandson with eyes full of disbelief and immense satisfaction.
"Shattered God Position... Soul Core Method... Chener, your ambitions are grand indeed!" The old man sighed with emotion, then his expression turned solemn. "This condensation method you've conceived is indeed feasible, but... it's too perilous, demanding extreme talent, Foundation, and control, almost a gamble. Let alone promoting it, even within the Sect, I doubt a second person could attempt it."
He pondered for a moment, saying: "The method of optimization cannot be achieved by one person alone. Perhaps... it truly is as you think, requiring collective wisdom. Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen... are indeed suitable candidates. Once your injuries are fully recovered and your state adjusted to its Peak, you can seek an opportunity to meet with them. If this matter succeeds, it will be a achievement in a thousand years!"
Yu Yuanchen nodded: "Your grandson has the same intention."
Just then, a Family intelligence Elder hurried in, his face solemn, handing over a secret report.
Yu Boxuan took it and his expression changed slightly, then he handed it to Yu Yuanchen: "Something happened to the Clear Sky Sect. That Tang Chen kid... he really dares to think and act."
Yu Yuanchen quickly scanned the secret report, which detailed Tang Chen leading a team to hunt the Titan Giant Ape, encountering the Sky Azure Bull Python, the Sect Master and Elders killed in battle, and the group's heavy injuries and retreat.
He looked at the words "Tang Chen heavily injured," "Sky Azure Bull Python," and "this grudge must be repaid" on the report, his eyes flickering, and gently put down the intelligence.
"It seems my meeting with Brother Tang might have to be brought forward," he murmured softly, a complex light flashing in his eyes. Hatred, sometimes, is also a powerful motivation. And cooperation often begins with common goals and... powerful opponents.
The upheaval in the Star Dou Great Forest seemed to be quietly pushing the development of certain matters.
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