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**
"Furthermore, the utilization of the Martial Soul itself is crucial," Mu Chen stated.
"As you've likely noticed, our lineage of Soul Masters prioritizes raw power. Our Soul Skills emphasize intent and momentum, but often neglect the intricacies of technique and form."
Ling Xiao nodded in agreement.
This was something he had realized long ago. In his view, this was a result of the fundamental differences between worlds. Douluo Dalu was, after all, a world of transcendent combat power.
Certain individuals could obtain power through cultivation that an army of ordinary people could never hope to oppose.
In the traditional wuxia novels he had read in his previous life, while the characters possessed combat abilities beyond ordinary humans, they weren't particularly exaggerated.
People there couldn't unleash massive energy-based ultimate moves like those in Douluo Dalu. Because of this, Soul Masters in Douluo Dalu generally ignored the nuances of form and technique.
After all, no matter how exquisite or varied your movements were, a single explosive ultimate move from an enemy could shatter your entire stance.
In his past life, whenever he saw Tang San using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step to dodge all sorts of Soul Skills or attacks, he felt speechless. Were those people affected by some sort of "idiot aura" emitted by Tang San?
Clearly, a wide-range ultimate move could have solved the problem, yet they simply refused to use one. Sometimes they didn't even use Soul Skills at all, making it seem as if Tang San was the only one who possessed them.
If Tang San had his footwork to dodge, they could also use speed-enhancing Soul Skills to bolster their own velocity. As the saying goes, "Absolute strength breaks all laws."
If your absolute speed is fast enough, no matter how profound his movement technique, he can't dodge everything.
"Therefore, for Battle Soul Masters, we must achieve a level of mastery over our Martial Souls where they act like an extension of our own limbs," Mu Chen said, looking at Ling Xiao.
"You must turn it into a part of yourself, just like your own body."
"This isn't difficult for Beast Martial Soul masters. When their Martial Soul possesses them, it merges with their body and can naturally be seen as part of themselves."
"However, it is different for Tool Martial Soul masters. As weapons, they are ultimately distinct from one's own limbs, making it impossible to achieve that level of fluid control from the start."
"Just like you now; when you use the Profound Sky Axe to chop along that line, you struggle to succeed every time, and it takes you quite a while. Yet, if I asked you to touch that line with your finger, it would be effortless and instantaneous."
"Do you understand what I am saying?"
Ling Xiao nodded slightly.
He understood Mu Chen's point.
Turning the Profound Sky Axe into an extension of his arm—flexible and free—was a fundamental step toward becoming a true powerhouse. While it might not seem as flashy as a high-powered Soul Skill, the foundation is everything.
As the saying goes, "A skyscraper rises from the ground, but a thousand-mile levee can collapse from an ant hole." For a true expert, the foundation is often more important than seemingly precious external gains.
"Starting today, you must chop three hundred logs every day. Note that I mean three hundred successful chops. Once you can split every log perfectly into two equal halves with unerring accuracy, I will increase the difficulty."
"You will then have to control your strength, stopping the blade exactly halfway or one-third of the way through. You must not release your force too early, nor too late. You must master the art of 'handling heavy weight as if it were light.'"
"The former trains your eyesight and the precision of your swing; the latter trains your control over the Profound Sky Axe—stopping when you should stop, and withdrawing when you should withdraw."
"You were born with divine strength, but if you can only unleash it and not restrain it, it is merely 'dead' strength."
Ling Xiao nodded heavily.
Although the path ahead seemed complex and full of things to learn, it made his life feel incredibly fulfilling. More importantly, a path to greatness had been laid out before him; he only had to walk it.
How far he would go depended entirely on him. He was truly grateful for everything Mu Chen had taught him.
Otherwise, he would likely still be burying his head in the sand, solely focused on bitter Soul Power cultivation, wasting the potential of his Martial Soul. If he had continued that way, the goals in his heart might never have been realized.
A true powerhouse is not made solely by the quality of their Martial Soul, even if they possess Innate Full Soul Power or a top-tier Martial Soul.
Meditation, two boxing techniques, and the weight control of the Profound Sky Axe—this single month felt much longer to Ling Xiao than the several months prior. He had learned far more than ever before.
Soon, his first vacation at the Spirit Hall Academy was coming to an end. On the penultimate day before school started, Ling Xiao left Mu Chen's residence and returned to the academy.
It was worth noting that through this period of cultivation, he had finally broken through to Rank 16, becoming a Soul Master with a higher level of Soul Power than before.
Ling Xiao traveled light, having no worldly possessions to carry.
Thus, he didn't head straight for the dorms but instead walked toward the Arena District's training grounds.
The massive Arena District was bustling with people.
With the new term approaching, almost all students had returned to the Spirit Hall Academy. The senior students especially enjoyed coming here to spar with friends or watch others compete to discuss tactics.
As soon as Ling Xiao entered, he spotted the trio led by Xie Yue from a distance.
Hu Liena had already returned from the Pope Hall. Ling Xiao thought to himself that he was right; given Yan's personality, if he wasn't cultivating, he was almost certainly here in the Arena District.
The person he was looking for was precisely Yan.
Now that he had undergone a "metamorphosis," he was no longer the same as before. He wanted to test his current strength. Having stayed at Mu Chen's place for a month, though he could practice boxing and axe swings, he lacked a true opponent.
His hands were itching for a real fight.
Among his classmates—and even within his grade—few could match his cultivation. Xu Yu, whether he had returned or not, wouldn't be a suitable opponent since he was an Auxiliary System Soul Master.
Hu Liena's Martial Soul wasn't suitable for this kind of test, and Tuoba Yu'er was gentle and disliked fighting; he didn't want to force her. Furthermore, his current strength was far beyond ordinary peers of the same rank.
The most suitable person was Yan. Xie Yue was also an option, but in terms of combat style, Ling Xiao preferred fighting someone like Yan.
As for other senior students, he didn't know them well, and if their Martial Souls weren't strong enough, they would only be able to suppress him if their cultivation was vastly higher than his.
If their cultivation was only slightly higher but their Martial Soul was weak, they might even be defeated by him, which wouldn't help him gauge his own progress.
Someone like Yan or Xie Yue—with a powerful Martial Soul and a cultivation level slightly higher than his, but not overwhelmingly so—was the perfect choice.
Hu Liena and the others were just chatting and hadn't started any duels yet.
As Ling Xiao approached, Xie Yue was the first to notice him. He looked at Ling Xiao and was about to smile when his expression suddenly froze. He studied Ling Xiao intently; he felt a massive change in the boy.
Ling Xiao gave off a different "vibe" now—a strange feeling he couldn't quite put into words, but he was undoubtedly different from the person he was a month ago.
Is this the result of the 'rebirth' Nana mentioned?
**
Enjoying the story? Support the translation and get early access to future chapters here: www.patr eon.com/c/FanficTranslator
Thanks for reading!
I have 70 advanced chapter now on Patreon. I will post 5 advanced chapter on Patreon everyday except Sunday