After Bi Ji and Red King departed, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan did not slacken in the slightest. Once the agreement was settled, the execution began in earnest.
Yu Yuanchen took the lead himself, bringing elite members of the sect to a valley eighty miles west of Dragon City. It was a secluded location, easy to defend and difficult to attack, with exceptionally abundant Heaven and Earth Origin Qi. Far from the main roads and rarely visited, it was the ideal place to establish a secret research institute.
The sect's resources were fully mobilized, and all manner of building materials were transported into the valley without pause. Yu Yuanchen personally took action, combining his understanding of the Thunder Law with the restriction techniques inherited by the sect to lay down various concealment, defense, and warning formations around the valley's perimeter, all integrated with the local terrain.
Once these restrictions were fully activated, they were capable of blocking spiritual power investigations from Titled Douluo level experts and could even withstand the combined attacks of several ordinary Soul Douluos for a short time, making the place as secure as a fortress.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhilan began assembling her research team. The selection process was extremely strict; the primary requirement was loyalty and reliability, followed by special talents in martial soul theory, pharmacology, or communication with plants and beasts.
Eventually, a capable team was formed, consisting of over a dozen core disciples and several elders from the Ye Family who were well-versed in medical principles and medicinal properties.
Half a month later, the valley had taken on a brand-new look. Several stone buildings with a simple, grand style had risen from the ground. The largest, located in the center, was the main research building, which housed a library, laboratories, contract meditation rooms, and a soul beast husbandry area, all fully equipped. Around the valley, restrictions flickered with flowing lightning, keeping a restrained, murderous aura.
On this day, the Myriad Beast Sect's party arrived as scheduled. They were led by Bi Ji and Red King, accompanied by over a dozen "disciples" whose auras were dense and varied, though all had used special methods to mask their soul beast origins. They also brought several specially crafted, massive beast cages containing the ten living plant and beast-type soul beasts under a thousand years old, all of relatively gentle temperament, as stipulated in the agreement.
Once the handover was complete, Bi Ji solemnly handed the copies of the ancient texts to Ye Zhilan. The first two, Soul Beast Bloodline Catalogue (Herb Volume) and Introduction to Spirit Plant Empathy, had antique covers and were made of special materials that felt cool to the touch; one look was enough to know they were no ordinary items.
"Miss Ye, now that the institute is complete, our cooperation can officially begin," Bi Ji said with a gentle smile. "According to the agreement, our sect will station researchers here to assist with the work. The one being stationed this time is our sect's young mistress, 'Gu Yue'. I believe Miss Ye still remembers her."
As soon as she finished speaking, a familiar, graceful figure stepped out from behind Bi Ji. With silver hair and violet eyes, cold and otherworldly, it was Gu Yuena. At this moment, her aura was perfectly restrained, making her look just like a young Soul Master with extraordinary talent but shallow cultivation. She nodded slightly toward Ye Zhilan: "Miss Ye, I look forward to working with you."
Seeing Gu Yuena, a flash of surprise crossed Ye Zhilan's eyes, which quickly turned into a smile: "So it is Miss Gu Yue, you are most welcome! With your help, our research will surely be twice as effective with half the effort." She had a favorable impression of this "peer" who possessed such sharp insight and extraordinary knowledge.
Yu Yuanchen stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over Gu Yuena calmly, his heart clear. With the Silver Dragon King herself moving in, the weight this "Beast Taming Research Institute" held in her eyes was likely far greater than he had imagined.
He secretly sent a voice transmission to his grandfather, Yu Boxuan, and Ye Zhilan, once again emphasizing the confidentiality protocols, specifically warning them never to mention the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well or the Immortal Herbs within the institute.
Yu Yuanchen was not worried that the other party would covet the Immortal Herbs—the Silver Dragon King, who sat upon the entire Star Dou Great Forest, would hardly be lacking in a few herbs. What he truly feared was that she might associate the herbs with the remains of the Ice Fire Dragon King. Yu Boxuan and the others naturally understood the gravity of the situation and agreed solemnly.
The daily work of the institute began. As the lead researcher, Ye Zhilan spent most of her time immersed in the facility.
She devoured the texts brought by Bi Ji with insatiable hunger. Those secrets regarding soul beast potential, evolutionary paths, and ancient bloodlines opened a brand-new door for her. Many mysteries regarding Star Eater that she had previously been unable to solve found vague confirmation or inspiration within these pages.
Attempts at forming contracts with living soul beasts were carried out simultaneously. Under the guidance of Gu Yuena and Bi Ji, the research team selected several disciples with pure hearts and outstanding spiritual power to attempt to establish initial contact with the docile soul beasts.
The process was not smooth, and failures far outnumbered successes, but every tiny bit of progress left Ye Zhilan incredibly excited.
Yu Yuanchen did not participate much in the specific research. A person's energy is limited; his path lay in his own transcendence and the ultimate mastery of the Thunder Law. While this "Way of Beast Taming" had broad prospects, it was not his path.
He only visited the institute occasionally to check on Ye Zhilan, listen to progress reports, and offer some imaginative, directional ideas based on the "beast taming" novel concepts from his past life, such as "Bloodline Resonance Contract," "Soul Power Synchronization Secret Method," and "Companion Growth Model." These ideas often left Ye Zhilan and Gu Yuena deep in thought, sometimes finding them absurd, and other times feeling suddenly enlightened, providing much inspiration.
What truly made the institute's progress rapid was the collaboration between Ye Zhilan and Gu Yuena.
Ye Zhilan was gifted, possessing an extraordinary affinity and understanding of life energy and plant-type soul beasts, combined with the rigor of the Ye Family's medical skills and the broad perspective brought by Yu Yuanchen. Gu Yuena, as the Silver Dragon King, possessed the vast knowledge inherited from the Dragon God, with unparalleled insight into the essence of soul beasts, energy circulation, and even fragmented memories of ancient contracts.
Often, when Ye Zhilan proposed a hypothesis or encountered a problem, Gu Yuena only needed a few words to hit the core, pointing out the key fallacy or providing an ingenious solution. Ye Zhilan would always quickly understand, drawing inferences and raising even deeper questions.
"Zhilan, don't you think the spiritual fluctuation frequency of this Entangling Vine has a fixed phase difference with its life force tide? Perhaps the stability of the contract doesn't lie in forced synchronization, but in grasping this difference to conduct guided resonance?" Gu Yuena pointed at the observation data, her violet eyes flashing with wisdom.
Ye Zhilan observed intently, and a moment later, her beautiful eyes lit up: "That's it! This phase difference is like the soul beast's own 'breathing rhythm'; forced synchronization only triggers rejection! We should try to use soul power to simulate this rhythm, to 'resonate' rather than 'suppress'! Gu Yue, you are amazing!"
Bi Ji and the other researchers on the side could only stare in a daze as the two went back and forth, their thoughts sparking brilliantly. The content of their discussion had long since exceeded their scope of understanding, leaving them with no choice but to bury their heads in their notes.
Bi Ji's eyes were filled with comfort and amazement. Her Lord was truly worthy of being her Lord, and this girl Ye Zhilan was indeed a heaven-sent genius; their cooperation was unexpectedly harmonious.
In this exchange, which was shockingly efficient, the beast taming research advanced at an astonishing speed. The framework for the initial "Soul Power Resonance Contract" was built. Although it was still far from the deep symbiosis between Ye Zhilan and Star Eater, it already allowed Soul Masters to establish a stable initial spiritual connection and soul power channel with specific soul beasts, enabling simple command transmission and weak energy supplementation.
This was already an epoch-making breakthrough!
Spending so much time together also caused the relationship between Ye Zhilan and Gu Yuena to change quietly. Although Gu Yuena was simple-minded, she was inherently proud and initially viewed Ye Zhilan only as an important "research partner" and "subject of observation."
However, Ye Zhilan was gentle and kind, sincere to others, and never mocked Gu Yuena for her occasional "naivety" or "startling remarks," instead explaining things patiently and taking good care of her in daily life.
Over time, the cold shell of the Silver Dragon King began to melt when facing Ye Zhilan. Occasionally, she would reveal some clumsy, genuine traits belonging to a young girl, and would even unconsciously show a hint of her tsundere nature during heated discussions.
"Hmph, this data is obviously wrong; they must have recorded it incorrectly! I... I wouldn't have misread it!" Gu Yuena once pointed at a record, pouting slightly.
Seeing this, Ye Zhilan did not argue, but smiled and went to re-verify the data herself, only to find it was indeed a clerical error by a disciple. She brought the corrected data to Gu Yuena and laughed: "You are as meticulous as ever, Gu Yue."
Gu Yuena lifted her chin slightly, a flash of imperceptible pride crossing her violet eyes before she quickly returned to her cold demeanor, though her earlobes turned a faint red.
Ye Zhilan saw all of this and felt that although this "Miss Gu Yue" had a mysterious identity and occasional small temper, she was pure-hearted and knowledgeable, a friend worth deep friendship. After some time, the two had subtly developed a closeness akin to best friends.
Just as the institute's work was getting on track and the relationship between Ye Zhilan and Gu Yuena was becoming increasingly harmonious, Dragon City welcomed two uninvited guests.
Time returns to a few days ago.
Deep within the Hall of Elders of the Martial Soul Hall.
Qian Daoliu sat cross-legged, his body enveloped in holy golden light. Behind him, his Six-winged Angel Martial Soul was fully manifested, radiating a dense, holy aura, and the angel mark on his forehead shone brilliantly. After years of hard cultivation, combined with the insights gained after his battle with Yu Yuanchen, he had finally successfully condensed a unique "Angel Soul Core," officially stepping into the ninety-second level of the Titled Douluo realm, with the title "Angel"!
After achieving his title, he ventured deep into the Star Dou Great Forest and, relying on his formidable strength, successfully hunted a hundred-thousand-year "Sacred Sword-Winged Tiger," obtaining its soul ring. His Six-winged Angel Martial Soul was fully liberated, and his divinity became increasingly apparent. If Yu Yuanchen were to see him, he would have no doubt that with such a foundation, if Qian Daoliu were to accept the god trials, it would undoubtedly be the Nine Angel Trials.
Not only that, perhaps inspired by Tang Chen's study of hammer techniques, Qian Daoliu also began to specialize in swordsmanship. He was already gifted with a solid foundation in swordplay and had successfully grasped "Sword Intent"!
Under the guidance of his father, Qian Chongxiao (the previous Angel Douluo), he combined his pure Angel soul power with his sword intent, using the "Sacred Sword" as a carrier to create a set of peerless "Sky Dome Sacred Sword" techniques. The sword qi was brilliant, like divine punishment.
At the same time, he had practiced the many secret techniques inherited by the Angel lineage, such as "Sacred Fusion Technique," "Accumulate Power," and "Divine Barrier," to greater proficiency, causing his combat power to soar. He was now confident that he could rival an ordinary ninety-fifth-level Super Douluo.
Clear Sky Sect, forbidden back mountain.
Tang Chen was shirtless, his bronze muscles bulging, and the pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer in his hand seemed to have become one with him. He had also successfully condensed a soul core and advanced to the ninety-second level, with the title "Clear Sky"! His ninth soul ring came from a hundred-thousand-year "Earth Demon Rhinoceros," and his power was overwhelmingly tyrannical.
However, Tang Chen's greatest achievement was not the increase in soul power, but his subversive innovation of the Clear Sky Hammer Technique! He took the complex, inherited Clear Sky Hammer techniques of the Clear Sky Sect, refined them by removing the dross, combined them with everything he had learned in his life and his force application techniques, and finally created nine simple yet powerful hammer techniques that were easy to learn but difficult to master—the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes!
They were: Empty Character Art, Seal Character Art, Pierce Character Art, Penetrate Character Art, Entwine Character Art, Shock Character Art, Break Character Art, Stop Character Art, and Collapse Character Art.
The power of these Clear Sky Nine Absolutes was in no way inferior to the original, complex Clear Sky Hammer techniques, but the threshold for cultivation was greatly lowered, allowing more disciples in the sect who were not top-tier geniuses to have the hope of mastering powerful combat strength, which was of great significance to the improvement of the sect's overall strength!
In addition, Tang Chen had also initially created the prototype of the "Great Sumeru Hammer"! Although it was far from perfect, with power dissipating severely after the ring explosion—allowing only fifty to sixty percent of its full potential to be unleashed—and placing a massive burden on the body, the concept behind this technique was already stunning.
Relying on this technique and the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, his hammer technique had reached perfection, and he had officially stepped into the realm of "Hammer Soul"! Now, if he were to detonate all eight rings, the ultimate hammer strike he could unleash would possess enough power to shake mountains and rivers!
With their cultivation levels greatly advanced and their unique skills initially formed, both Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen felt their confidence surge. They simultaneously thought of the blue-haired youth who had left such a deep impression on them, and perhaps even a bit of "psychological trauma"—Yu Yuanchen.
Almost back-to-back, the two newly promoted Titled Douluo arrived at Dragon City, naming him directly, eager to spar and verify their strength against Yu Yuanchen!
The result, however, nearly caused their dao hearts to collapse.
The first match, against Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu spread his six wings behind him, his Angel Sacred Sword shining with brilliant golden light. His sword intent soared to the heavens, and a sacred aura blanketed the area. "Sky Dome Sacred Sword, Judgment!" He slashed out, the sword light cascading like a celestial river, containing the will of purification and adjudication; its power already surpassed the full-force strike of an ordinary Super Douluo.
Yu Yuanchen's expression remained calm. He did not even use his Martial Soul True Body, simply joining his fingers into a claw. He unleashed a Thunder Dragon Shatters Void that incorporated the corrosive properties of the Yin Five Thunders. It arrived first despite being launched later, directly clashing head-on with the sword light.
"Sshhh!"
The sacred sword light did not gain the upper hand; instead, it was torn apart, eroded, and melted by the cold, treacherous thunder claw! Qian Daoliu let out a muffled groan, forced back more than ten steps along with his sword. His arm holding the blade went slightly numb, and his eyes were filled with disbelief. His sacred attribute could not gain the slightest advantage in the face of the other's lightning!
"The technique is good, and the essence of the power is strong, but the power output is lacking; it's a bit too flashy," Yu Yuanchen commented indifferently.
Qian Daoliu gritted his teeth and performed the Angel Sacred Fusion Technique. His aura surged once more, and his sword technique became increasingly sharp, yet he could never break through Yu Yuanchen's thunder defense, which appeared casual but contained the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.
In the end, Yu Yuanchen unleashed a Yang Five Thunders "Holy Dragon Town Prison Tribulation." The brilliant pillar of thunder was like heavenly might, pressing Qian Daoliu—man and sword alike—into the ground. Although he was not injured, he was in a sorry state, and his soul power consumption was significant.
"Monster..." Qian Daoliu climbed out of the pit, looking at Yu Yuanchen, whose aura remained as steady as before. He couldn't help but curse under his breath, feeling both convinced and unwilling, before turning to step down.
The second match, against Tang Chen.
Tang Chen didn't say a word and immediately used the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes. "Break Character Art, Heaven Collapse!" He roared, and the Clear Sky Hammer, carrying peerless force, smashed toward Yu Yuanchen like a falling meteor. The hammer intent locked on, and the very space seemed to solidify.
Yu Yuanchen still did not use his Martial Soul True Body. A flash of lightning flickered around him, and he met the blow with a punch, his fist wreathed in intertwining Yin and Yang thunder. "Yin Yang Thunder Collapse!"
"BOOM—!!!"
The fist and hammer collided, erupting with an earth-shattering roar! The violent blast wave scraped three feet of soil off the Martial Arts Arena! Tang Chen felt a terrifying force, both rigid and soft, with Yin and Yang transforming into one another, surge through the hammer. It diverted, split, and even rebounded the force of his most rigid and fierce strike! He staggered back seven steps, the webbing between his thumb and forefinger splitting, his qi and blood churning.
"What a treacherous thunder technique!" The fighting spirit in Tang Chen's eyes burned even brighter. He unleashed the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes in succession—entangling, vibrating, penetrating, or piercing—his hammer technique ever-changing and peerlessly powerful. Yu Yuanchen parried every move, using extreme Yang to break evil or extreme Yin to erode essence, displaying the rigidity and trickery of lightning to the fullest, always keeping Tang Chen suppressed.
Unable to win after a long battle, Tang Chen gritted his teeth, a flash of madness in his eyes: "Yu Yuanchen, take my final hammer! Great Sumeru Hammer!"
In an instant, all eight soul rings around his body lit up and then exploded with a bang! A vast, unimaginable amount of soul power surged into the Clear Sky Hammer, causing the hammer head to expand instantly and emit a destructive aura! This strike had reached the peak power of a level 95!
"Well done!" A hint of seriousness finally flashed in Yu Yuanchen's eyes. He gave a low shout: "Seventh Soul Skill, Thunder Sacred Dragon True Body!"
Purple-gold dragon scales instantly covered his entire body. He turned his fist into a claw, and upon the dragon claw, the dual Yin and Yang thunders were compressed to the limit, forming a purple-gold orb the size of a fist, inside which a thunder dragon seemed to roar—the "Two Forms Thunder Pearl"!
"Go!"
The thunder pearl and the giant hammer collided once more!
"THUD—!!!"
This time, the sound was much deeper, but the terrifying shockwave caused the defensive barrier of the entire Martial Arts Arena to fluctuate violently, nearly collapsing! The Sacred Dragon body Yu Yuanchen had transformed into shook slightly, sliding back three steps. The thunder pearl on his dragon claw dissipated, and his qi and blood were slightly shaken, but they calmed instantly.
Tang Chen, however, was like someone struck by a primordial beast. He flew backward, hammer and all, slamming heavily against the barrier. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura instantly withered, and the backlash from the ring explosion began to manifest.
Yu Yuanchen dispelled his Martial Soul True Body and looked at Tang Chen, who was struggling to stand with a pale face. He said faintly: "The concept is good, but your control of power is too rough, and the backlash is too heavy. It still needs polishing."
Tang Chen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at Yu Yuanchen, whose aura remained unfathomable. He smiled bitterly: "Damn it... how exactly do you cultivate, kid?" His hammer strike, which gathered the power of eight rings, was something he was confident would severely injure or even kill a level 95 Super Douluo, yet it only made Yu Yuanchen take three steps back and slightly stir his qi and blood? The gap was so large it left him feeling powerless.
The two sparring matches concluded without suspense. Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen, these two peerless geniuses destined to be famous throughout the continent, still appeared eclipsed in front of Yu Yuanchen. Their breakthroughs and progress were indeed astonishing, but Yu Yuanchen's improvement was even more beyond imagination.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan