Chapter 711: Slaying the Slaver - Part 1
Huo Yuer's sharp arrow struck the slaver leader's snail-shell shield, stopping short of its mark.
The slaver leader sneered at the two girls, saying, "Heh, your strongest little friend is already down. What can you two girls do to me?"
Without a word, Huo Yuer drew another arrow, her eyes resolute.
Xiao Wu, unwilling to be outdone, activated her first soul ring to enhance her waist strength. Although her Waist Bow might not work well against this massive slaver, she felt confident in the strength of her kicks.
"Sister Yuer, I'll attack head-on. You follow my lead!" Xiao Wu whispered, before charging forward with a burst of speed, closing in on the slaver leader.
"Ridiculous," he scoffed. To him, Xiao Wu was undeniably talented for reaching Soul Grandmaster at her age, but with her body still underdeveloped and the vast difference in their sizes, he didn't see her as a threat.
Wanting to preserve her value, the slaver leader decided not to harm her seriously.
As his first soul ring glowed, several snail-shell shields materialized around him.
"First Soul Skill: Snail Shield."
The slaver leader had already planned his next move. Once the girl collided with his shield, he'd use another shield to knock her unconscious.
Kids are so easy to predict.
Just as he expected, Xiao Wu launched a reckless kick at the shield.
I've got her, he thought with satisfaction, ready to knock her out with a single shield strike. But just then, arrows from Huo Yuer's bow emerged from his blind spot, aiming for his vital points.
"What!?"
The slaver leader was taken aback, hurriedly raising his arms to protect himself, using the armor on his body to shield his vulnerable areas.
In that brief opening, Xiao Wu's eyes flashed with a fierce resolve.
Although Xiao Wu was playful and headstrong, her many years as a soul beast had given her a deep understanding of soul power. In the original story, even with minimal guidance from Yu Xiaogang, she'd been able to create her own unique soul techniques.
Although she hadn't yet developed any self-created soul skills, her fury had driven her to unleash a spontaneous, brutal martial skill.
"Explosive Assault: Consecutive Kicks!"
Upon entering her martial soul's true form, Xiao Wu's body gained extra growth, with spirit armor materializing on her legs, forming armored high heels with sharp, lethal points.
Focused entirely on her violent assault, Xiao Wu shattered his snail shields with sheer force, her kick smashing through the ten-year soul skill barrier.
"What?!"
The slaver leader, who'd always relied on his powerful defense and brutal attacks to dominate the slaving underworld, was utterly stunned.
In his panic, he abandoned his original plan to avoid harming his valuable prize. With a grim determination, he blocked Xiao Wu's fierce kicks with his arms, while the enormous snail shell on his back began to radiate a formidable soul power.
"Second Soul Skill: Air Blast Cannon!"
This was the same attack that had seriously injured Ye Wen—a powerful, invisible shockwave created by compressing air within his massive snail shell and releasing it in a devastating blast.
But a true fighter never suffers the same blow twice.
With their close proximity and the evident buildup of soul power, Xiao Wu instantly sensed his attack and sidestepped to evade, twisting her waist to move behind him.
"What!?"
The slaver leader was shocked again, astounded that such a young girl possessed such sharp combat instincts. But he was a seasoned fighter. Confident in the defense provided by his snail shell, he decided to aim his cannon at Huo Yuer.
These two girls are proving troublesome. Better to take down the stronger-looking one first, then I can deal with this little rabbit afterward, he thought, fully prepared to damage Huo Yuer despite her value.
At that moment, Huo Yuer had already drawn her bow again. This time, however, her arrow had an unusual, reinforced design.
Unconcerned, the slaver leader instinctively fired his cannon.
At the same moment, Huo Yuer released her arrow.
As a former supreme god, Huo Yuer hadn't formally studied soul tools, but with her deep understanding of the laws of the world, she could easily fashion her own tools when needed. In this limited situation, she'd crafted a set of specially enhanced arrows in advance.
The arrow met the blast, causing a massive explosion.
"What!?" The slaver leader was dumbfounded. This was the umpteenth time he'd been shocked today. All he'd wanted was to abduct two girls, yet each of them had turned out to be formidable opponents.
Just then, he felt something tighten around his neck. Looking down, he realized that a long scorpion-braid had coiled around his throat!
Damn rabbit! She knows she can't break my defenses, so she's trying to strangle me instead?
Furious, he summoned his Snail Shield again, aiming to slam Xiao Wu off his back.
Repeated strikes from his shield battered Xiao Wu, breaking her skin and drawing blood, despite the skill being defense-oriented.
"You hurt A-Wen! I won't let you go, even if it kills me!" Xiao Wu shouted furiously.
She called out to Huo Yuer, "Sister Yuer, now's your chance! He can't aim at you—finish him off!"
Huo Yuer didn't respond verbally, but her arrows hurtling through the smoke-filled air made her intentions clear.
With Xiao Wu disrupting his movements, the slaver leader couldn't align his cannon to target Huo Yuer and was forced to continuously summon his first soul skill for defense.
Damn it! Once I reach the Soul King rank, I'll need to find a tracking skill. Being disrupted like this is such a liability, he thought, gritting his teeth.
The Snail Shield may have been a simple ten-year skill, but its low soul power consumption allowed it to create multiple layers of barriers.
Even though Huo Yuer's special arrows were powerful enough to threaten Soul Kings, they couldn't penetrate his defense all at once.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 712: Slaying the Slaver - Finale
In the midst of her rapid arrow shots, Huo Yuer subtly activated her first soul skill, Illusory Sight, which distorted the slaver leader's perception and vision.
But it seemed luck was on his side. In the same moment Huo Yuer cast her skill, he summoned numerous Snail Shields in front of him, completely blocking her arrows with no openings left exposed. This coincidence alerted him to the soul skill affecting his senses.
Alarmed, he began summoning more Snail Shields, draining his soul power with each one.
The slaver leader's intent to take Xiao Wu away grew stronger, and by now Xiao Wu was covered in injuries, her appearance almost unrecognizable.
"Get lost!" he shouted furiously.
Finally, his persistence paid off. The slaver leader managed to slice through Xiao Wu's braid, breaking free from her hold and throwing her aside.
"Hahaha! That damned rabbit finally let go! Forget the money; making me look this pathetic… You can die for that!" His gaze darkened, locking onto Huo Yuer in the distance.
As his third soul ring flashed, the massive cannon on his back began radiating intense heat, flames building up inside.
"Think you can mess with me? Time to die!" he sneered.
Just as he prepared to fire, he hesitated. A thought struck him, casting doubt across his face.
Wait… I don't even know if this little brat's soul skill is still affecting me. I need to confirm her actual position before I fire.
An insidious grin spread across his face as he activated his only thousand-year soul ring.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Heavy Domain!"
This skill blanketed everyone within his line of sight with a layer of crushing gravity, slowing their movements. The ability had two modes: a general area effect, or a concentrated burst of gravity on a single target for increased suppression.
"Found you, you brat! Time to die!"
As the Snail Shields withdrew, his third soul ring glowed, and the flames on his back reached their peak, ready to unleash devastation.
But Huo Yuer stood her ground, a faint smile on her face, making no effort to evade.
The slaver leader paused, baffled. Is this girl actually scared stiff?
At that moment, an invisible gale surged toward the cannon's opening on his back. Only when it was nearly upon him did he realize he was under attack by a wind-based soul skill.
But it was too late.
The wind clogged the cannon, preventing the flames from releasing. The contained energy began to backfire, rapidly compressing until it exploded.
"Aaagh!" The slaver leader screamed in agony as his snail shell shattered under the blast, forcing him out of his martial spirit's true form.
Huo Yuer seized the opening, firing her most powerful Soul King-class arrow at him. The arrow pierced his thick flesh, though it didn't pass all the way through due to his layers of fat.
But that was enough.
Huo Yuer began a soft countdown.
"Three… two… one… zero!"
With her final word, the slaver leader's already bloated body swelled further, illuminated by streaks of flashing energy beneath his skin.
Seeing this, Huo Yuer's mouth curved into a satisfied smile. She had promised he'd pay dearly, and she meant every word.
At that moment, Ye Wen stumbled out of a nearby crater, looking worse for wear.
Yes, he was alive—something Huo Yuer had been certain of from the start. If he had truly died, Huo Yuer wouldn't have held back; she would've leveled the entire area in her rage.
However, Ye Wen hadn't come out unscathed.
When he threw Huo Yuer and Xiao Wu out of harm's way, he'd barely managed to form a Wind Shield to absorb part of the shockwave. But the slaver's full-force attack as a Soul Ancestor was still too much for Ye Wen's defenses, even with his armor skill. It took him quite a while to regain enough strength to re-enter his true form and join the fight.
But he had made it just in time.
Seeing that the slaver leader was somehow still alive, Ye Wen's gaze hardened. He formed hand seals, muttering, "Void!"
A twisted, silent wind blade took shape, forming a razor-sharp arc before he hurled it forward, decapitating the slaver leader in one swift motion.
Finally, it was over.
As Ye Wen swayed, struggling to stay upright, he forced himself to give one last instruction.
"Yuer, go check on Xiao Wu. I'll… I'll handle cleanup. We need to get out of here quickly."
Huo Yuer nodded, understanding his concerns. Slavers rarely worked alone, and Ye Wen wanted to leave as soon as possible in case there were more of them nearby.
Walking over to the bloodied, unconscious Xiao Wu, Huo Yuer's expression softened. To her, it didn't matter whether Xiao Wu was a soul beast. Having a friend willing to risk her life for Ye Wen was something Huo Yuer cherished deeply.
"I acknowledge you, Xiao Wu," she whispered, carefully lifting Xiao Wu and picking up her severed braid. She carried her over to the nearby carriage.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen went about his task, gathering the bodies and storing them in his spatial soul tool. He couldn't help but notice how poor these slavers were—not a single one had a storage soul tool of their own.
Once he'd finished, Ye Wen's strength gave out completely, and he collapsed onto the carriage.
"It's up to you now, Yuer," he muttered, finally succumbing to the exhaustion and injuries that had plagued him since the fight began.
Watching the two unconscious figures in the carriage, Huo Yuer sighed softly.
We just wanted a simple outing, but now two out of three of us are badly injured. Fate really does have a way of making things difficult.
But soon a faint smile played at her lips.
The battle had drawn them closer than ever. The home she had envisioned was finally taking shape, and when they were all of age… well, she had plans.
Today was Huo Yuer's victory.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 713: Brushing Her Hair - Part 1
After reaching the nearest town, Huo Yuer quickly located the local city lord and arranged for a healing soul master to tend to Ye Wen and Xiao Wu. Although both were seriously injured, the high-level healing skills used on them seemed to reverse time itself, visibly restoring their injuries at a remarkable pace.
Such is the unreasonable power of soul skills.
However, the soul master they found in this remote area, despite being skilled, was only a Soul Ancestor at best. While the surface wounds of Ye Wen and Xiao Wu healed quickly, their internal injuries remained, requiring extended recovery time.
During their stay, Huo Yuer requested the bodies of the three slavers from Ye Wen. Not that she intended to desecrate them—she wasn't that extreme. But experiencing such an incident on her family's turf demanded retribution. Soon, a large-scale operation was launched from Tianxin City to root out all traces of the slaver network.
After all, most nobles' households contained a few slaves or servants, but even the nobility dared not oppose the wrath of a Soul Douluo like Huo Rui. As the operation progressed, nobles grew even harsher in their efforts when they discovered that some of their hidden children had been abducted by the slavers. While those illegitimate children were typically neglected, they still bore the noble bloodline, and the slavers' actions were an affront to their honor.
But all of this was of little concern to Ye Wen, who was still recovering in the quiet little town.
His injuries, the result of battling an opponent with a soul rank over twenty levels higher, had been severe. Even though he had layered himself with protective skills and rigorously trained his physical resilience, the fight had left him with internal wounds that required careful healing. With the help of a capable soul master, he was optimistic about avoiding any long-term damage.
Once he could finally get out of bed, Ye Wen noticed Xiao Wu sitting alone in the courtyard, looking rather downcast. Her signature scorpion braid was nowhere to be seen, and her thick brown hair fell loosely over her shoulders, shorter than he remembered. As a guy, he'd barely noticed the difference at first, assuming she'd just skipped her usual styling routine.
But as he passed by, Ye Wen saw her holding a severed braid in her hands and immediately realized something was wrong.
Most boys might notice Xiao Wu's striking long legs first, but for many girls, her scorpion braid—which nearly touched her heels—was the real spectacle. Now, instead of cascading down to her heels, Xiao Wu's hair only reached her waist. While it was still impressively long, it was noticeably shorter than before.
It wasn't hard for Ye Wen to guess what had happened: her hair had likely been severed in the fight against the slaver leader.
Ye Wen, knowing how much Xiao Wu cherished her hair, felt suddenly hesitant. He scratched his head, feeling awkward before softly asking, "Xiao Wu, are you… okay?"
Xiao Wu, lost in her thoughts, was startled by his voice. A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes as she clumsily tried to hide the severed braid behind her. "I… I'm fine," she stammered.
She struggled to find something to say and, forcing herself to sound casual, asked, "You're finally able to walk, huh? You must be starving. Let's go get something to eat."
She grabbed his hand to lead him out for food, but Ye Wen didn't budge. Instead, he gently grasped her wrist, speaking softly, "People who are okay don't usually say they're fine. I'm sorry, Xiao Wu. I couldn't protect you in that fight, and now your beloved hair is shorter because of it."
Xiao Wu fell silent for a long moment, her cheeks reddening as she withdrew her hand from his grasp.
"It's not your fault," she mumbled. "That slaver was just too strong. If anything, you saved me and Sister Yuer before you took that hit for us. I should be thanking you."
Ye Wen chuckled as he watched her blushing face. The normally bold and fiery Xiao Wu was uncharacteristically shy right now, and he found it endearing.
Looking up, he noted the sun's position—it was around noon. His stomach growled softly, a reminder that he, too, was hungry.
And just then, Xiao Wu's stomach echoed his, making her blush even more.
Ye Wen tried to reassure her. "Don't worry about it, Xiao Wu. Your braid may be shorter, but it'll grow back before long. So let's set aside these bad memories for now, freshen up, and go have a good meal."
Something in his words seemed to resonate with Xiao Wu, and she suddenly lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Brother Wen… would you help me with my hair?" she asked, her voice unexpectedly soft and a little shy.
Gone was her usual bravado, replaced by a vulnerable and gentle tone. Seeing her looking at him so expectantly, Ye Wen's heart skipped a beat, and before he knew it, he'd replied with an enthusiastic "Of course!"
But the next moment, he felt a pang of regret. Though he'd been dating Huo Yuer for a while, she wore her hair in a simple ponytail that required no special styling—something he'd never had to help with. Ye Wen had no idea how to brush a girl's hair, let alone style it.
Yet backing out now wasn't an option. His pride as a man was on the line, and if he'd promised to help Xiao Wu, he was going to see it through!
But Ye Wen was quickly faced with a new problem. He looked at his hand, then scanned the area around them, realizing they didn't even have a hairbrush.
At that moment, Xiao Wu took out a small, simple wooden comb from her bag, decorated with an adorable radish charm—an unmistakable nod to her Rabbit martial spirit.
However, her face fell as she noticed a faint crack in the center of the comb. Just as she handed it to Ye Wen, the comb snapped in two with the slightest pressure.
Xiao Wu stared at the broken comb in shock, momentarily frozen.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 714: Brushing Her Hair - Part 2
Staring at the broken comb in her hand, Xiao Wu sat there in silence, her eyes welling up with tears that began to trickle down her cheeks. It was a sorrow that words couldn't capture—she was beyond expression, her heart crushed.
But then, as though grasping at a last hope, she turned to Ye Wen, her gaze pleading.
"Brother Wen, please... help me. Help me..."
Xiao Wu wanted to explain, to tell him exactly what she needed, but her heart was in turmoil, and she found herself unable to finish a sentence.
Ye Wen sighed softly, covering her trembling hands with his and gently taking the broken comb from her. He remembered how he'd first been drawn into the world of Douluo Dalu through the comics and knew exactly what this comb represented. It was Xiao Wu's last keepsake from her mother, Ah Rou.
"Leave it to me. I can't make it exactly as it was, but I'll fix it so you can still use it," Ye Wen said gently.
Xiao Wu looked up at him, entranced. Everything they'd been through together and his kindness at this moment filled her with a sense of safety she'd never felt before. Memories of her mother's words drifted into her mind, a distant, gentle reminder from long ago.
Her mother, Ah Rou, had once told her, "Xiao Wu, you're too young to understand love now. But one day, you'll meet someone who will make you want to give everything for them, someone you'll want to be with forever. That's love. This comb—this is my gift to you. When you find that person, the one who truly cares for you, give him this comb and ask him to brush your hair. That way, my love for you will pass on to him, and he'll protect you, and you'll be forever happy."
At the time, Xiao Wu hadn't understood why love and a comb would be related. She'd asked her mother, "Why, Mama?"
Her mother had simply smiled, her tone warm and patient as she brushed Xiao Wu's hair.
"Because, that way, my love will be passed on to him, and he'll always protect you, and you'll always have someone to make you happy," her mother had said softly.
Xiao Wu suddenly laughed through her tears, using her sleeve to wipe her face. "Alright, then... I'm counting on you, Brother Wen."
Handling her thick hair proved challenging—long, lush hair like hers was beautiful but often prone to static, making it stubborn and hard to smooth out. Xiao Wu hadn't had the chance to care for it properly in recent days, and her normally silky hair was unusually tangled.
In the end, they gave up and settled for tying it in a simple ponytail before heading out for some food. Still, Ye Wen couldn't help glancing at the unruly puff of hair tied behind her head, and for some reason, it reminded him of Jiraiya from his previous world.
Repairing the comb wasn't too hard; it wasn't made of jade or horn but simply of wood. Ye Wen bought the smallest nails he could find along with some fine string from a local shop and got to work. He carefully embedded the nails into the broken sections, adding a touch of glue to the crack for stability, and then bound the comb with the string, knotting it securely so it would hold.
When he finally handed the repaired comb back to Xiao Wu, she studied it with a delighted smile, turning it over in her hands. After a moment, her face softened, and she timidly offered the comb back to Ye Wen.
Freshly washed and bathed, Xiao Wu exuded a faint, natural fragrance, and her long hair, restored to its silky, smooth texture, cascaded gracefully down her back. She hesitated, her cheeks flushed, before turning away slightly, shyly speaking in a low voice.
"Brother Wen... will you brush my hair?"
Ye Wen's heart skipped a beat, and a small alarm went off in his mind. Oh no… Now I'm just like Tang San!
Yet, could he refuse her? The answer was clear.
Deep down, Ye Wen had to admit it: he had feelings for Xiao Wu. Whether it was her beauty, the little moments between them, or even the occasional nudges from Huo Yuer, he'd slowly felt a bond forming between them.
"Yes." Ye Wen's answer was soft, almost a whisper.
As he began brushing her hair, his fingers gliding through its silky strands, he found himself surrounded by Xiao Wu's gentle fragrance. The small task of brushing her hair took on a significance that was almost overwhelming, and he tried to keep his eyes focused, steadying himself as he brushed with care.
When he handed the comb back to her, he felt slightly dazed, as if he'd been pulled into a pleasant trance. But Xiao Wu wasn't done with him yet.
"Brother Wen, could you braid it for me?" she asked, her voice so sweet it nearly melted his resolve.
A sense of challenge surged within him, and he gave her a look of mild exasperation. Xiao Wu laughed but kept on, playfully begging.
"Please, help me out! I really can't braid a scorpion braid on my own."
Ye Wen sighed, giving in. Xiao Wu's signature scorpion braid was a distinctive style that couldn't easily be done alone, as it required precise control over each section of hair. Normally, Huo Yuer or one of her other friends would help with it.
Ye Wen had watched Xiao Wu braid her hair countless times, but as he tried it himself, he realized watching was a far cry from doing it. Each twist and turn took concentration, and his movements were clumsy.
But despite his mistakes, Xiao Wu said nothing. She simply sat still, savoring the care he took not to hurt her with his hesitant fingers. Her gaze softened, her heart warmed as she remembered her mother's words.
Her mother's love really had been passed on to him.
Finally, after what felt like a small battle, Ye Wen finished the braid. He was wiping a light layer of sweat from his brow when Xiao Wu softly asked, "Brother Wen... will you stay with me... always?"
Ye Wen, still catching his breath, was momentarily confused by the question. But he quickly understood what she meant, and with a sense of gravity, he gave a lighthearted answer to lift the mood.
"Of course. What, you don't want to be my second wife anymore?" he teased.
Her expression changed instantly, her face flushing as she gave him a playful smack on the shoulder. His joke, though simple, cut through her earlier sadness, and they ended up laughing together, pushing each other playfully. But as their roughhousing continued, their laughter faded, and they both suddenly became aware of how close they were, their breathing mingling in the charged air between them.
With a serious, gentle look, Ye Wen drew her into his arms.
"Xiao Wu," he murmured, his voice steady and full of conviction. "As long as you don't betray me, no matter who you are or what happens... I'll always protect you. Even if it means going against the whole world."
The determination in his voice left no room for doubt.
Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then her eyes reddened with emotion. She held him tightly, clinging to him as if she wanted to merge her soul with his.
"No matter what the future brings, Brother Wen, I promise... I'll stand by your side. Always."
He smiled gently, resting his chin on her head. "Good. Then from now on, you're family to me, Xiao Wu."
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 715: An Accidental Creation of a Cultivation Technique
Over the following two terms at Tianxing Academy, Ye Wen's life was uneventful. While he had a way to go before reaching the 30th level, the recent anti-trafficking crackdown around Notting City deterred any unsavory individuals from causing trouble. But this didn't mean Ye Wen was complacent in his cultivation.
"How am I going to handle Xiao Wu's spirit beast identity? This is a tricky one..." Ye Wen sighed, lying on his Electrolux spirit, his gaze vacant as he stared at the ceiling, his mind racing.
Ye Wen didn't want to end up like Tang San, dragging Xiao Wu around aimlessly, which only exposed her spirit beast identity and led to unnecessary risks. Still, he knew one thing for sure: Tang Hao had likely already uncovered Xiao Wu's true identity.
Ye Wen's understanding of Tang Hao painted a very clear picture. Normally indifferent to Tang San's life and death, Tang Hao was eager to see his son's talent realized when it came to seeking revenge against the Spirit Hall. Ye Wen could see Tang Hao's determination and lack of scruples.
Assessing his own strength and resources, Ye Wen felt fortunate. His connection with Huo Yuer's powerful grandmother, Huo Rui, a Soul Douluo, granted him some security. The Huo family's influence was comparable to the four great clans affiliated with the HaoTian Sect. Plus, with his successful herbal medicine business, Ye Wen's resources were quite ample—a tempting asset for someone like Tang Hao, who was on a vengeful path.
He could almost picture the scenario:
Tang Hao: "Ye Wen, you wouldn't want your wife's spirit beast identity exposed, would you? My wife was a spirit beast, too, so join me, and let's avenge her!"
Just imagining this made Ye Wen grit his teeth. No. I can't let things go that way.
For now, though, with Huo Yuer's mysterious backing and Ye Wen's own position as a respected figure, Tang Hao would likely wait before causing any trouble. At least, until Tang San's cultivation rose to higher levels.
However, no matter what, Xiao Wu's identity was still a ticking time bomb. Without accelerated training, she wouldn't reach the sixth ring until she was about twenty—when her matured powers would mask her beast aura. But that would be too late.
After running through his options, one clear idea surfaced in his mind:
"Looks like I'll have to find Dugu Bo and get the Lovesick Heartbreak Red. Ugh, this will be hard to pull off." Ye Wen muttered.
The Lovesick Heartbreak Red had an unlucky reputation, as most who encountered it in the Douluo series faced tragic fates. Yet, its effects were undeniably powerful. For someone recognized by it, it could instantly raise one's spirit power by ten levels and even mask Xiao Wu's beast aura due to its divine potency.
The issue wasn't its reputation, though—it was how to connect with Dugu Bo in the first place. Ye Wen had some skill in detoxification, but the level of toxicity Dugu Bo handled was unlike anything he'd dealt with before.
Tang San's idea of using snake venom mixed with wine to neutralize the poison of the Jade Phosphor Serpent is laughable, Ye Wen thought. If it were that easy, antidote-making would be a joke.
However, while mulling over Dugu Bo's cultivation journey, Ye Wen remembered something unique about the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor—a condensed pearl of toxin in Dugu Bo's body.
"That toxin bead is a lot like a spirit core—a solidified form of spirit power—but not quite the same as a full spirit core in concept."
A sudden surge of inspiration hit him, and ideas began flooding Ye Wen's mind.
Despite only having gaseous spirit power himself, Ye Wen felt a compulsion to ponder cultivation paths leading to spirit core formation, a power realm only a Title Douluo would usually explore. Yet the thoughts kept coming, one after another, as if from an endless fountain of creativity.
After several hours of furious note-taking, Ye Wen looked at the densely packed pages in his hands, detailing spirit power flows through various meridians and acupoints.
"Did I… really come up with this?" he whispered, shocked.
The content was deep and thorough, covering cultivation methods all the way to the core formation stage. Though it seemed absurd, the theory was sound. Each step felt perfectly understandable and resonated logically with his own cultivation practices.
After a long silence, Ye Wen tucked the papers away, a growing awareness of their value weighing on him.
"This can never be shared. Even if there are errors, if this involves training to the level of a Title Douluo, not even Huo Granny could protect me if it leaked."
Still, with such profound cultivation knowledge in his hands, how could he resist trying it out himself?
Although forming a spirit core was still far off for him, the basic concepts could already be applied to his current practice. For the next few days, he focused on refining his ideas into a usable form that would be safe for spirit masters below the Title Douluo level. He developed a balanced technique free of any harmful side effects.
Of course, this wasn't something he could use as leverage with Dugu Bo. If Dugu Bo saw the entire manual, he'd probably eliminate Ye Wen on the spot to keep it secret. No, he'd have to find another way to obtain the divine herb for Xiao Wu.
Ye Wen also started wondering if his talent was behind this accidental creation, or if he was merely lucky to come up with something so profound. As he replayed the memory of his focused work, he gradually accepted that, somehow, he was a true talent in the art of cultivation.
But a new challenge arose:
"What should I name this technique?" he wondered aloud.
He pondered for a while, unwilling to reveal to anyone that he'd created this technique himself, lest it attract attention. But inspiration soon struck.
He decided to call it Xuan Yuan Technique.
Ye Wen drew inspiration from his knowledge of Tang San's Xuan Tian Technique, recalling his past life's familiarity with Daoist concepts, and crafted an elegant explanation for the name:
Xuan, the profound mystery, the gate to myriad wonders. (A nod to the technique's core essence, revealing the ultimate truths of spirit power cultivation.)
Yuan, the primal beginning, the foundation of all paths. (Representing the adaptability of this cultivation method, capable of harmonizing with any spirit master's power.)
Satisfied with his choice, Ye Wen quietly vowed to keep the technique hidden until he could safely explore its potential.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 716: The Invitation, Part 1
After carefully refining Xuan Yuan Technique a second time, Ye Wen took the opportunity to share it with Huo Yuer and Xiao Wu. When Xiao Wu discovered it actually sped up her cultivation progress and improved her control over spirit power, she was initially stunned. But without asking too many questions, she gratefully accepted the gift.
Huo Yuer also accepted it calmly, though her reaction upon reading Xuan Yuan Technique was more complex.
"To think that my master, even while suffering from memory loss, could create a technique like this at this stage..."
Huo Yuer examined the technique several times over. Outwardly, she was pleased, but inside, she was thoroughly astonished.
"This must be it—this seemingly complete technique likely conceals a path toward cultivating the spirit core. Could my master truly have come up with this now, at his current level? Or is his understanding so exceptional that, even without memories, he can perceive such insights?"
By the time Ye Wen and Huo Yuer were growing up, spirit core techniques were hardly secret knowledge. But in the underdeveloped Douluo Continent of their current era, no one was capable of producing such a profound technique. The knowledge required simply didn't exist in this time, and without something akin to Di Tian's insights, developing a technique like this was practically impossible.
Though Ye Wen's Xuan Yuan Technique seemed a bit rudimentary to Huo Yuer, who once held the status of Supreme God-King, the core concepts hinted at divine principles. She wondered if she had indeed missed a detail when sealing his memories. Did I leave something of his past understanding intact, allowing him to create something so advanced at this stage?
But as she observed Ye Wen's innocent and seemingly clueless expression, Huo Yuer let her worry slide.
"Maybe not everything got blocked, which would explain why he has insights beyond this era," she thought, blushing a little. "But it's clear he hasn't remembered me yet. If he had, he would've put me over his knee by now for what I did."
Just as that thought flashed through her mind, a soft blush crept over her cheeks, which Ye Wen noticed right away.
"Are you okay, Yuer?" he asked, concerned.
This heartfelt inquiry, along with the joy she felt from Ye Wen sharing such a "precious" technique, momentarily left her speechless. Regaining her composure, she responded as casually as possible.
"Um... Ye Wen, I know this may sound a bit shameless, but... would it be alright if I shared this technique with my grandmother?"
Ye Wen paused, briefly surprised. He quickly assumed she understood the value of this technique, which explained her bashfulness. But he held nothing back for family, so he gave a small nod and a reassuring smile.
"Of course. I wouldn't have given it to you otherwise. Just make sure your family keeps it within trusted hands."
Huo Yuer nodded, smiling sweetly. "Of course! Do you think we'd be careless with something this valuable?"
Both ordinary people and those on the Douluo Continent understood one truth: no matter the place, only a handful of people in life would genuinely care for you. In a brutal, uncertain world like the Douluo Continent, every faction—be it the top three sects, the royal houses of the two empires, or the Spirit Hall—would go to any lengths to safeguard their power.
Ye Wen knew Huo Yuer would surely recognize the worth of Xuan Yuan Technique and would handle it with care. He also intended this as proof of his value, a show of worthiness for her family's support, and to demonstrate that he was a man they could depend on.
Huo Yuer could easily have advanced her cultivation more quickly, but out of respect for the limitations of the era and a wish to avoid unsettling Ye Wen, she had intentionally slowed her progress. Now, with Xuan Yuan Technique in hand, she no longer needed to hold back, so she hurried home to report the good news.
After advancing to the Soul Douluo level, Huo Rui's cultivation had slowed considerably, so she had focused on honing her body to draw out her spirit's potential. With this new technique, though, Huo Rui immediately felt a renewed sense of growth. After her first full round of practice, she found herself wondering aloud, "With this technique, I might yet reach the level of Title Douluo in my lifetime."
Though Huo Rui was not yet fifty, she was astute enough to recognize the gravity of the gift, repeatedly warning Huo Yuer to keep the technique a secret. Her appreciation for her future grandson-in-law grew, and with it, her confidence in a bright future for both Ye Wen and the Huo family.
In the blink of an eye, another year and a half passed. Ye Wen, now about to graduate from Notting City Academy, had finally broken through to level 30. At long last, he could feel the distinct presence of a new element within him, stirred from deep within.
At the same time, he summoned a small clump of dirt into his palm with a concentrated flow of spirit power.
"So, earth element for my third spirit ring, then? This could be a solid choice, shoring up my defenses," he mused, nodding in satisfaction.
Huo Yuer had already acquired her third spirit ring, but Xiao Wu was as relaxed as ever, lagging behind her peers and still not reaching level 30—despite the support of Xuan Yuan Technique.
Exhausted from the days of intense training it took to reach his own breakthrough, Ye Wen decided to relax with a stroll outside. But as he left the dormitory, he ran into someone he'd rather avoid.
Despite having no particular fondness for the disheveled man before him, Ye Wen nodded politely out of respect.
"Master."
Offering nothing more, Ye Wen continued on his way, ready to walk right past the man.
But Yu Xiaogang called after him.
"Wait a moment."
Ye Wen stopped, puzzled, looking back at Yu Xiaogang. After five years at the academy, they'd hardly interacted. Why stop him now?
As Yu Xiaogang took a moment to collect his words, he fixed his gaze on the young man before him, an expression of mixed emotions passing over his face. At first, he had dismissed Ye Wen as a half-talent with a weak summoning spirit, similar to his own spirit's limitations. But now, it was clear that Ye Wen was hiding potential beyond anyone's expectations.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 717: Invitation, Part 2
Yu Xiaogang felt a pang of envy mixed with bitterness—why was it that he himself hadn't been gifted with such talent? But he quickly pushed these feelings aside, as he had carried this burden of frustration for over thirty years already. He was here on official business, and that required focus.
"Xiao Wen, I assume it's fine if I call you that?"
Although he had essentially freeloaded at the academy for years, Yu Xiaogang was still a teacher here, in name if nothing else. Despite feeling some discomfort, Ye Wen nodded in polite acknowledgment.
Satisfied with this response, Yu Xiaogang continued. "It's like this, Xiao Wen. You've been at Notting Academy for nearly six years now and are almost ready to graduate. Do you have any thoughts about which academy you'll attend next? With your level, entering an intermediate academy would be a waste of time—you're surely planning to go directly to an advanced academy."
Seeing that Ye Wen was listening, Yu Xiaogang pressed on, "Given that, I have a proposal. I have an old friend who runs an academy. Although it's not an official advanced academy, it has strong teaching staff. I'm wondering if you'd be interested in studying there."
Ye Wen, who had been planning to say something polite before slipping away, suddenly froze. His thoughts whirred: during his time at Notting Academy, he'd taken great care to conceal his cultivation level, never showing any sign of his true rank or spirit rings. So how did Yu Xiaogang know about his progress? Who could have informed him?
It couldn't be Xiao Wu or Huo Yuer—they were far too loyal. Tang San, despite his martial legacy from a past life, wouldn't have a way to pinpoint Ye Wen's cultivation level without an overt demonstration. This left only one possibility, chillingly clear. A sense of dread settled over Ye Wen as he muttered to himself, It has to be that bastard Tang Hao, observing from the shadows.
Ye Wen fell into deep thought, torn about whether to accept Yu Xiaogang's invitation. He knew his own background was strong enough to rival Tang Hao's, so he didn't need to be intimidated by him. But he couldn't discount the threat of Tang Hao's ruthlessness. He was unsure how to handle Xiao Wu's situation, and he didn't want her to be put at risk because of Tang Hao's reckless ambitions.
Seeing Ye Wen's silence, Yu Xiaogang mistook it for hesitation and pressed on.
"Listen, Xiao Wen, if you enroll at my friend's academy, you'll get personalized guidance from Soul Emperor-level experts as soon as you enter. Not only that, but the teachers there will help you hunt the most suitable spirit rings. At an ordinary advanced soul master academy, you'd be just another student, without this level of dedication."
These words roused Ye Wen from his thoughts, though he remained skeptical of Yu Xiaogang's claims about the faculty's prowess. He was already well-known; practically every major force on the continent had their eye on him and his progress. Why would he need an informal academy, especially one endorsed by someone like Yu Xiaogang?
Yu Xiaogang grew anxious as he noticed Ye Wen's hesitation. In his mind, the best way for a teacher to prove their worth was to cultivate a student who would one day become a Title Douluo. Yu Xiaogang wanted Tang San to rise to fame while still young, using his achievements to bolster his reputation as a master instructor. The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament was the perfect opportunity for this, and he had even adjusted Tang San's training to develop him into a control-type spirit master, training him in leadership and strategy so he could become the heart of a winning team.
To Yu Xiaogang, Tang San had to take the spotlight. He was counting on the fame from the tournament to solidify his own reputation.
In fact, he had gone so far as to coordinate with his old friend Flender's private Shrek Academy, which exclusively enrolled exceptionally talented spirit masters. Though Shrek Academy often lacked the numbers required for official team tournaments, with Flender's Soul Sage status, Yu Xiaogang planned to borrow spots from other teams, ultimately using Flender's influence to position himself as the team's head instructor.
Yu Xiaogang cared little about Flender's dream of an academy for "monsters"—those uniquely gifted individuals. Even when Liu Erlong, the third member of their Golden Iron Triangle, later renamed her Blue Tyrant Academy to Shrek Academy, they abandoned the "monsters only" rule. Years down the line, Shrek would recruit talented but fairly ordinary students, relying more on might than exclusivity.
But Tang Hao had approached Yu Xiaogang with tales of Ye Wen's talent and of Huo Yuer's unusual nature, hoping to recruit them both. Yu Xiaogang, however, had his own agenda. He feared that if these two prodigies were allowed to grow independently, they might one day compete with Tang San for the tournament championship and overshadow him in fame. A once-in-a-lifetime chance at renown could be derailed by these unforeseen rivals.
In Yu Xiaogang's mind, Ye Wen's talent was impressive, but without a "master" like himself to guide him, Ye Wen would remain just a capable but directionless warrior—someone who could be molded into a useful blade for Tang San.
Suddenly, Ye Wen came to a realization: if Tang Hao had truly intended to coerce him, he wouldn't be sending Yu Xiaogang to make polite requests. Instead, he'd have approached directly with commands. This meant that Huo Yuer's formidable family backing must have been enough to keep Tang Hao in check, rendering him unable to escalate to overt threats. Ye Wen smiled with newfound confidence.
He pushed his hair back in a gesture of defiance. If Tang Hao, a Title Douluo, didn't dare make a scene, then there was nothing to fear. With a confident smile, Ye Wen replied.
"I'm sorry, Master. I didn't expect you to discuss enrollment with me. Unfortunately, I already have a school in mind, so I'll have to decline your offer."
Ye Wen picked up his pace, walking away before Yu Xiaogang could attempt to press the matter further.
"Wait!" Yu Xiaogang raised a hand to stop him, but the words caught in his throat. Though he'd had ulterior motives, his pride held him back from begging after being rebuffed. However, Tang Hao's task hung heavily on his mind.
"Maybe... I should try again?" he muttered to himself.
(End of Chapter)
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chapter 718: Taking Action
Torn between his pride and loyalty to his idol, Yu Xiaogang ultimately chose the latter, complying with his idol's request. For the next few days, he persistently approached Ye Wen, repeatedly trying to convince him to join. His tactics were much the same each time, even going so far as to mention his friend Flender's Soul Saint-level power as a selling point.
Initially, Ye Wen had planned to maintain a polite demeanor, but after several encounters, he'd reached his limit. Finally, he spoke coldly, "Master, this will be the last time I call you that. If you're going to invite someone, at least do some research into their background. My fiancée's grandmother is a Contra. Do you really think I'd be impressed by a Soul Saint's help in hunting spirit beasts?"
"Exactly!" A playful voice interjected, followed by a blur of movement as Xiao Wu appeared out of nowhere, leaping onto Ye Wen's back and wrapping her legs around his waist, all while taunting Yu Xiaogang. "And who are you to claim that a Soul Saint would listen to you, a non-Soul Elder? You think you could trick my Wen-ge into going to some wannabe academy to waste his time? How shameless can you get?"
With Ye Wen's "Xuanyuan Technique" strengthening her control over her spirit power, Xiao Wu had become more adept at wielding her abilities and had returned to her lively self. She'd even dared to stroll right past Huo Rui last year, so Ye Wen suspected that his creation of Xuanyuan Technique had granted Xiao Wu better control over her aura. Even a Contra like Huo Rui couldn't detect her true nature anymore.
Yu Xiaogang, not one to tolerate mockery, turned bright red with embarrassment and anger. Just as he was about to explain the importance of his friendship with Flender, a cold voice interrupted from nearby.
"That's enough, Xiao Wu. You're not allowed to insult my teacher."
Tang San emerged from the shadows, frowning. Yu Xiaogang had been confined to his quarters most days, so his recent activity had piqued Tang San's curiosity. Yet he hadn't expected his teacher's outings to be part of an effort to recruit someone he detested to the same academy. Tang San couldn't help but feel a twinge of betrayal.
Still, Tang San was committed to the ideal of respecting one's teacher. Suppressing his own feelings, he intervened to defend Yu Xiaogang. Deep down, however, he felt smug, confident that, unlike the others, he alone had been discerning enough to seek out Yu Xiaogang as a teacher.
"What did I say wrong, Xiao San?" Xiao Wu retorted, unimpressed. "Your teacher hasn't even reached Soul Elder. Do you know what it means to be a Soul Saint? How could someone like him possibly be associated with one? It sounds more like he's lying."
Tang San's eyes flashed dangerously. Though he'd once been enamored with Xiao Wu, he had long since abandoned those feelings, especially after years of unrequited affection. Now, he saw her remarks as insolence and responded without hesitation, raising his hand to unleash a hidden weapon.
But just as Tang San made his move, Ye Wen was ready. With a swift sidestep, he dodged the projectile. Tang San's attack had been well-executed, adhering to the element of surprise, and his sleeve darts weren't limited to a single shot.
Before he could fire again, however, Ye Wen had summoned his martial spirit, sending a wind blade slicing toward Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
"Enough!" Ye Wen's voice was laced with fury.
Yu Xiaogang's face drained of color, but Tang San swiftly activated his two spirit rings, and his Blue Silver Grass spread out in a defensive barrier.
However, without the Blue Silver Emperor's bloodline, the grass proved fragile, snapping under the force of Ye Wen's wind blade. Still, it bought Tang San enough time to pull Yu Xiaogang to safety, out of range of the attack.
At that moment, Ye Wen noticed Tang San's second spirit ring glowing, indicating he had used his second spirit skill. Ye Wen's eyes hardened—originally, he had only intended to teach the pair a lesson, but now it seemed that Tang San genuinely wanted to fight him. Powerful gusts of wind began swirling around Ye Wen.
Tang San's expression soured as he realized his parasitic skill had failed. With his spirit abilities ineffective, he reached for another hidden weapon, ready to attack again.
Ye Wen put Xiao Wu down, his hands forming seals as he prepared to launch a wind blade assault. Just then, from his secure position, Yu Xiaogang found his voice, shouting out angrily, "Ye Wen, stop this at once! Using offensive spirit skills out here in public—are you trying to throw away your chance to graduate?"
Ye Wen gave him a disdainful sneer. In a world where power reigned supreme, who cared about a graduation certificate? Still, out of habit, he fired back sarcastically, "Oh, really? I'm supposed to stop because you, Yu Xiaogang, said so? Did you even notice who started this?"
Yu Xiaogang, realizing the blame was on his side, fell silent, unable to back down. Tang San, however, wasn't as conflicted. He shot Ye Wen a venomous look and declared coldly, "I said no one insults my teacher. Xiao Wu ignored that, so I'll teach her a lesson."
"You...you jerk!" Xiao Wu was enraged, her spirit flaring to life.
While she recognized her own words had been harsh, they were true. And what right did Tang San have to start a fight instead of talking it over? How barbaric! Her Wen-ge was much better, always willing to reason with her.
As another Soul Master entered the fray, beads of sweat appeared on Yu Xiaogang's forehead. Abandoning any sense of dignity, he summoned Luo Sanpao, his spirit beast, and took a defensive stance. The tension between both sides was palpable.
Ye Wen's gaze narrowed dangerously. "Master Yu, are you really going to intervene in a fight among students? I've been at Notting Academy for years, and I've never seen a teacher stoop to something like this."
Yu Xiaogang's face turned various shades of red and purple at the veiled insult. Duels among students weren't uncommon at Notting Academy, but for a teacher to directly interfere was indeed unusual. Still, Yu Xiaogang couldn't stand by while Tang San was outnumbered.
With a flash of his spirit ring, Luo Sanpao prepared to unleash an attack.
"Stop this, Ye Wen. If you cease, I'm willing to let this whole incident slide," Yu Xiaogang said through gritted teeth.
Ye Wen almost laughed aloud at the absurdity of it all. They start a fight, then demand I stop, and now act as if they're doing me a favor?
Angered, Ye Wen began drawing on the wind element, determined to show them the consequences of such arrogance. Just as he prepared to strike, a voice rang out, cutting through the tension with commanding authority.
"That's enough. Stop this right now."
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 719: Special Edition of Xuanyuan Technique
The four of them turned toward the voice to see an elder clad in luxurious robes approaching slowly. It was none other than the elusive principal of Notting Academy. Upon seeing the principal, Yu Xiaogang finally let out a sigh of relief. Although he had acted boldly earlier, he was well aware of his limited combat ability. With his discerning eye as a Soul Master, he knew that Ye Wen's wind-based elemental attacks fully countered his gaseous spirit ability.
Now, with his Soul Elder-level friend stepping in to stabilize the situation, Yu Xiaogang was no longer as afraid of losing face in front of his disciple.
(PS: Although he had already embarrassed himself back when hunting for the first spirit ring.)
Noticing the newcomer, Ye Wen frowned slightly. He didn't feel any particular fear of the principal, but after a moment's consideration, he decided he wasn't ready to completely sever ties with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang just yet. He withdrew his spirit power and said, "Since the principal himself has stepped in, I'll honor his request. Xiao Wu, let's go."
With that, Ye Wen turned and left with Xiao Wu. Watching Ye Wen walk away without further incident, the principal let out a sigh of relief. Although he hadn't seen the entire exchange, he knew that Yu Xiaogang's involvement already bordered on bullying, putting him at fault. While he held a position of authority in Notting City, he wasn't reckless enough to risk offending the powerful Hou family backing Ye Wen.
Glancing at Yu Xiaogang, the principal shook his head in exasperation and sighed, "Xiaogang, let it be. Don't trouble that young man any further; he has the backing of a Contra. And isn't your disciple close to graduation? Perhaps it's time you start considering his path beyond that. I'll say no more."
With that, the principal departed without further comment.
Though Yu Xiaogang often claimed friendship with the principal, this "friendship" only stemmed from his youthful connections through Flender and Liu Erlong. Additionally, his noble background had previously protected him from dismissal at Notting Academy. But after years of freeloading and idleness, any remaining respect or goodwill had long been eroded. This intervention marked the end of the principal's remaining goodwill toward him.
Yu Xiaogang's face soured, having clearly grasped the undertone in the principal's words. But there was nothing more he could do; he could only leave with Tang San, humiliated and dejected. Thus, the invitation concluded with mutual dissatisfaction.
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye, and with Hou Rui's help, Ye Wen acquired his third spirit ring—a millennium ring sourced from a sub-dragon earth-elemental spirit beast. To no surprise, the skill granted was Earth Elemental Control. This confirmed Ye Wen's path toward becoming an elemental master, similar to Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena.
For Ye Wen, Huo Yue'er, and Xiao Wu, the diploma from the primary academy held little importance. Upon completing his spirit ring hunt, the three opted for an early graduation. All three had reached Soul Elder level, a standard suitable for advanced academies. Staying any longer at Notting Academy would have been a waste of time, and the thought of graduating alongside Tang San was off-putting. Thus, they left without a second thought.
After careful consideration, Ye Wen decided they would forego formal enrollment in any advanced academy, choosing instead to live as free-roaming spirit masters. This would allow them to gain practical experience by challenging arenas across various cities while honing their skills. But before this venture, Ye Wen had to address a pressing issue: Xiao Wu's spirit beast aura.
First, Ye Wen subtly questioned Hou Rui, probing whether she sensed anything unusual about Xiao Wu's aura, and asked about the nature of a spirit beast's aura. Her answers brought him immense relief—Hou Rui, even at full concentration, had detected nothing unusual about Xiao Wu. And from her response, he learned much about spirit beast auras.
Every soul master's spirit power is unique, with variations based on their spirit rings. This made it unlikely that spirit beasts would emit an identical aura. Ten-thousand-year spirit beasts could be detected by Contras or higher-level soul masters due to their distinct spirit power.
The disparity arises because a transformed spirit beast's immense but dormant power coexists with its weak aura. The disparity isn't noticeable to most, but after reaching Contra level, a soul master's spiritual power undergoes a qualitative leap, enabling them to discern these subtle differences with a close look. Titled Douluos, with their even more heightened spiritual awareness, would immediately detect such an anomaly in the presence of a transformed spirit beast.
With this understanding, Ye Wen formed a hypothesis. As a spirit beast cultivates to reconcile its past power, its aura may gradually align with its current spirit power, eventually harmonizing completely. This implies that by reaching Soul Emperor level, a spirit beast could conceal its true nature without detection.
Ye Wen's Xuanyuan Technique differed from the conventional Douluo meditation method by channeling spirit power through the body's primary meridians and three energy centers, creating a circulatory flow that brought about a complete, rounded energy. He observed that after teaching Xiao Wu this technique, she felt secure enough to roam around the Hou family estate.
This led Ye Wen to suspect that the Xuanyuan Technique possessed undiscovered benefits, such as obscuring aura differences, giving Xiao Wu the confidence to wander under a Contra's watchful gaze without detection. This revelation thrilled Ye Wen, as it provided a viable means to resolve the issue of Xiao Wu's spirit beast identity.
After numerous trials and adjustments, Ye Wen devised a customized version of the Xuanyuan Technique specifically tailored for Xiao Wu, allowing her to fully conceal her spirit beast aura. He kept this process secret, understanding that Xiao Wu's lingering insecurities about her origins might lead her to reject the method if she knew it was explicitly designed to address her spirit beast aura.
Some secrets, he concluded, are best left untold, as even the slightest seed of doubt can forever alter a person's heart.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 720: Journey & Research
Being a cautious person, Ye Wen decided to add an extra layer of insurance for Xiao Wu's disguise, especially given he couldn't confirm its effectiveness against a Titled Douluo. So, he set out to create a soul tool capable of either concealing or disrupting soul power waves.
In the distant future of the Douluo Dalu series, there's a unique soul beast known as the Emperor Auspice Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, Wang Qiu'er. She transformed into a human before reaching one hundred thousand years of cultivation and even entered Shrek Academy's inner court at only Soul King level, alongside many Titled Douluos. The original series never explained this, but Ye Wen speculated it was due to either a soul tool concealing her soul beast aura, an innate talent, or her connection with Di Tian, whose contract with Shrek could have allowed her to roam the academy undisturbed.
Furthermore, across the Douluo Dalu series, other ten-thousand-year soul beasts are seen hiding in plain sight around Titled Douluos. Ye Wen reasoned that if these precedents existed, there must be a way to hide Xiao Wu's aura from detection. Inspired, he set his mind on researching the topic, driven to create something new and crucial for Xiao Wu's protection.
But knowing Xiao Wu's reluctance around her soul beast identity, Ye Wen approached her cautiously. He convinced her that a soul tool concealing one's presence could be essential for staying hidden in dangerous situations. Xiao Wu, trusting him implicitly after the kidnapping ordeal, readily agreed. However, collecting suitable materials in this era—one lacking advanced soul tools—was slow going. Often frustrated, Ye Wen would mutter about how much easier it would be if he had access to the Sea God's super artifact, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, which could both conceal auras and amplify power. He suspected that the Sea God's era marked a pinnacle in soul tool development, which had since declined.
Thanks to the Hou family's wealth and Ye Wen's investments through the influence of Qian Renxue, he managed to acquire various materials to support his research. After tireless effort, he eventually crafted a unique soul tool using a fragment from the remains of a ten-thousand-year soul beast. This tool emitted a formidable aura, capable of intimidating lower-level soul beasts and replicating part of the original beast's energy.
Though not exactly the concealment tool he had envisioned, it did effectively mask Xiao Wu's unique aura. Ye Wen shaped the device into a small, blade-like charm and tied it to the end of Xiao Wu's ponytail, both to keep it discreet and to give her an added combat advantage if needed.
Xiao Wu stared at the finished soul tool, stunned for a moment before her eyes welled up with tears. Without warning, she threw her arms around Ye Wen. "Thank you, big brother! I really like it."
A slight tremor in her voice suggested she wanted to say more. Having already received the Xuanyuan Technique and now this aura-masking soul tool, Xiao Wu couldn't help but wonder if Ye Wen suspected something about her identity. But despite her worries, she remained silent. Exhausted from his efforts, Ye Wen's eyes were shadowed from lack of sleep, but feeling her embrace made it all worthwhile. Stroking her soft hair, he whispered, "Don't worry. I told you I'd protect you."
Although Xiao Wu didn't confess her soul beast origins, the looks they exchanged conveyed a silent understanding. Both knew the truth; neither felt the need to speak it aloud.
"Ahem."
Uncomfortable with the moment, Huo Yue'er cleared her throat. Although she had invited Xiao Wu to be her sister, she felt the odd discomfort of a third wheel. She certainly hadn't planned on feeling like the third party in her own relationship! Wrapping her arms around Ye Wen's other arm, she leaned in and, with a tone that mixed sweetness with a slight edge, said, "Xiao Wu's headpiece looks so lovely. I want one too!"
Beads of sweat gathered on Ye Wen's forehead as he realized he'd inadvertently created a potential dilemma. He quickly assured Huo Yue'er that he would make her a headpiece equally beautiful. He ended up crafting her a similar headband, and peace was finally restored as he avoided a tense situation.
After these projects, half a year passed, during which time Tang San likely joined Shrek Academy. However, without Xiao Wu, would he still manage to assemble the original Shrek Seven Devils lineup? Not that it mattered to Ye Wen—he had no interest in interfering with Tang San's fate. All he wanted was to live a safe, peaceful life with his loved ones.
With research consuming most of his attention, Huo Yue'er led them through various places, pointing the way and indicating potential threats for them to confront. When Ye Wen finally noticed that they'd arrived in Soto City—the very city where Tang San's rise was destined to begin—he gave her a puzzled look.
"Yue'er, why did we come to Soto City?" he asked.
Though Soto City wasn't along their intended route, Huo Yue'er wasn't about to admit she wanted to witness the formation of the "real-life Shrek Seven Devils" lineup. "Is there a problem with being here?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
Momentarily lost for words, Ye Wen couldn't exactly tell her he knew the storyline. "Nothing, I suppose," he muttered.
And so, these two, both secretly aware of the story's original plotline, found themselves in the city where Tang San's legend would take root.
In their journey over the past six months, the trio had earned the Silver Spirit Fighter badge—meeting Shrek's graduation standard in the original series. Reaching this level at their age made it increasingly difficult to find opponents in smaller towns. Just as Ye Wen began considering the possibility of challenging higher-level fighters, he discovered that Soto City might hold even more formidable competitors than he expected.
(End of chapter)
(End of Chapter)
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