Chapter 172: High Risks, High Rewards Martial Soul Evolution
Under Han Li's intense, research like gaze, even Qing Luan, who was usually unfazed, felt a little uneasy not to mention Guang Ling and Dugu Bo.
"So? Don't tell me all you've got is a theory?"
In the end, it was Guang Ling who couldn't hold back and spoke first.
"Oh, no, that's not it. I was just thinking about something else."
Han Li, snapped out of his thoughts, smiled in response.
"You're probably considering the risks of condensing a spirit core, right?"
Dugu Bo chimed in, sounding quite certain. Of the three, he was the only one with relevant experience, even if his poison pill formation had been somewhat haphazard.
"Yes, there are risks, but they're manageable. I was evaluating your control over your own power."
Han Li first nodded, then shook his head. In reality, he had been communicating with the Will of the World, and the result had surprised him.
"If the risk is controllable, then it's fine. I'll go first."
Dugu Bo immediately stepped forward. Among the three, he undoubtedly had the most experience in this area.
"No, you should wait. Uncle Qing Luan should go first his control over his own strength is far superior."
Han Li's refusal was firm, and he turned to Qing Luan instead.
According to the Will of the World, Qing Luan had the best control over his own power among the three. Guang Ling and Dugu Bo lagged slightly behind in this aspect.
Starting with the most stable candidate was the safest approach. It would also provide valuable experience for the others and boost their confidence.
"Alright."
Qing Luan nodded without hesitation, his expression unchanged.
"There's no need to rush into it now, Uncle. You should first spend the next few days getting accustomed to spatial energy, but don't try to draw it into your body just yet."
Han Li then took out a piece of paper and handed it to Qing Luan.
"This outlines the pathways for your soul power circulation during the condensation process, as well as how to coordinate your mental strength and body. Study it carefully just follow this when the time comes."
Qing Luan glanced at the paper, and his pupils contracted slightly.
No wonder Han Li had chosen him to go first this required extremely high precision in self control.
Seeing his reaction, Guang Ling and Dugu Bo also leaned over to take a look.
After a moment, Guang Ling withdrew his gaze and scratched his head in frustration.
"This… this method reminds me of something, but what was it…?"
"Soul beast sacrifice."
Han Li met his master's eyes and clearly enunciated the words.
"Right, sacrifice! Xiao Li, are you sure this is only 'a little risky'?"
Guang Ling smacked his forehead. As much as he trusted Han Li, this sounded insane.
"That's why I said this is a method only for geniuses. But once successful, the benefits are enormous. You don't actually think simply compressing energy is enough to form a spirit core, do you?"
"If we were just condensing soul power or mental energy alone, the risk wouldn't be too high. But, as I've already said, that would lead to imbalances. Later on, trying to merge them or reach equilibrium would be another major hurdle."
"If you want real power and fast progress, there's no such thing as zero risk."
Han Li spread his hands, making his stance clear.
"But… failing this means death, right?"
Guang Ling hesitated for a long time before stepping closer and whispering in Han Li's ear.
"Once I get my sixth spirit ring, that won't be an issue anymore. As long as it's not completely out of control, success will be guaranteed at least with my assistance."
"Don't forget I can already see through the soul power circulation of others. Once I gain spatial abilities, this won't even be a problem."
A faint red glow flickered in Han Li's right eye as he reminded Guang Ling.
"Then that Dark Demon Evil God Tiger… yeah, it really has to die."
Guang Ling's expression changed as he murmured to himself.
After that, he returned to memorizing the contents of the paper.
Seeing that his master had no further objections, Han Li fell into brief contemplation.
Truthfully, at first, he had only planned to develop a gradual spirit core method, based on the ones that would appear in the future.
But during his research on the inner core with the help of his dear son his perspective had changed.
He abandoned the step by step approach and opted for an all in one method. It was riskier, but it eliminated the need for future spirit core resonance altogether.
And compared to standard spirit cores, the inner core model was actually better suited for cultivation.
Starting off was difficult, but once formed, it wouldn't create gaps in combat strength. Nor would it lead to issues where an overly strong first core made later ones impossible to construct something that had hindered even Ultimate Douluo.
Besides, Han Li had always believed that unification was superior to fragmentation.
Once his inner core based spirit core was completed, techniques like Mu En's "Sovereign's Descent" would be as easy as breathing.
Why waste time developing similar moves when he could skip the extra steps?
Taking a deep breath, Han Li set aside his thoughts and turned to Dugu Yan. It was time to resolve her matter.
"It's your turn, Yan. Take out the inner core."
Han Li smiled at Dugu Yan, his words drawing the attention of everyone around them.
The others immediately paused what they were doing and gathered, watching closely.
Among the four member team, Dugu Yan actually faced the greatest pressure.
Not only was she the oldest, but her martial soul had the lowest innate quality, and even her soul power had been caught up to by the others.
Although Xiu'er's martial soul didn't possess ultimate attributes, her mutated Purple Gold Terrorclaw Bear was in no way inferior to the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, placing it among the strongest martial souls on the continent.
After declining further immortal herbs, she had begun to lag behind Shui Bing'er and even Dugu Yan, who had followed Han Li earlier.
Despite being the most energetic among them in daily life, she was actually the most relentless in cultivation, never resting until she had reached her absolute limit.
But no matter how hard she worked, the natural limits of her talent and martial soul stood in her way. Now, at long last, she had found her breakthrough.
Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er squeezed her hands in encouragement, giving her a supportive look before gently pushing her forward.
"This is a good thing. Don't all look so serious it's not like we're heading into battle. It's actually quite simple, not much different from consuming an immortal herb."
Han Li chuckled, lightening the mood.
"So… I just swallow it?"
Dugu Yan held up the fist sized inner core, hesitantly opening her mouth as if measuring its size.
"Yes, it's meant to be swallowed. But I'll give you a hand."
As he spoke, Han Li infused the inner core with fire elemental energy and mental power, gradually liquefying it into a more manageable form.
A fist sized core… how did Ma Hongjun even swallow his in the original story?
This random thought popped into Han Li's head before he quickly dismissed it.
"Open your mouth."
Han Li's martial soul aura flickered momentarily before vanishing he had completely suppressed the residual snake energy within the core to ensure a smoother process.
Hearing his voice, Dugu Yan instinctively obeyed. The golden red liquid inner core transformed into a thin stream and smoothly slid down her throat.
"Xiao Yanzi, what does it taste like?"
Guang Ling suddenly asked, making everyone pause in confusion.
"Sweet… but a little spicy?"
Dugu Yan responded absentmindedly, not fully registering the question.
"Alright, start refining it. And Master, stop messing around. If you're hungry, go buy some food."
Han Li reminded Dugu Yan before turning to his annoying master with an exasperated look.
"Ah… right."
Dugu Yan finally realized what she had just said. How stupid she had actually answered that!
Her face instantly turned crimson, though it was unclear whether it was from embarrassment or the core's energy.
Hurriedly, she moved to a quieter spot and sat down, entering a meditative state.
"I was just curious definitely not hungry."
Guang Ling coughed awkwardly, noticing everyone staring at him.
"Yeah, sure. Let's have snake soup tonight. I'll go catch some."
Dugu Bo nodded, putting on an expression of I believe you.
"Great, how about a Jade Phosphor Snake?"
Guang Ling shot him a vengeful glare, feigning outrage.
"Fine, no problem. I'll leave the venom glands in for you."
"Not an issue. If you're willing to serve it, I'll eat it even in my martial soul avatar form."
The two bickered as they walked away, distancing themselves from Dugu Yan to avoid disturbing her cultivation.
The remaining four exchanged smiles before sitting down to observe Dugu Yan's condition.
As time passed, subtle changes began to occur.
Her once stable soul power fluctuations grew increasingly volatile. Han Li and Qing Luan focused on her expression, and seeing that she remained calm, they relaxed slightly.
The crimson red flames surrounding Dugu Yan began to change gradually deepening into a golden red hue. Eventually, the previous color completely vanished, replaced by this new radiance.
Even her hair transformed accordingly.
"Come to think of it, this is the third time Yan's hair color has changed. Looks like she'll have to order another batch of clothes again."
Han Li quipped, watching the shift.
Perhaps due to the lower innate quality of her martial soul, Dugu Yan's hair had constantly changed with its evolution.
"Yan looks even more valiant now like a female war god. If she gets golden red outfits to match, she'll look even more the part!"
Shui Bing'er chimed in excitedly, her eyes sparkling. Xiu'er nodded in agreement.
Han Li and Qing Luan exchanged looks neither of them dared to join this conversation.
Another two hours passed, and the sky darkened. Guang Ling and Dugu Bo had returned, having actually gone out to catch snakes.
But the rest of the group flat out refused their invitation to dinner.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan, glowing like a golden red lantern, continued radiating energy providing the entire courtyard with illumination.
"She's about to wake up."
Han Li turned his head, having just received a notification from his dear son. His gaze shifted to Dugu Yan.
Hearing this, everyone else also turned their attention toward her.
Then
"Gwaaah!"
A familiar yet strange sound echoed.
The group who had all survived Hell's Road immediately stood up.
Above Dugu Yan's body, a new martial soul had appeared.
(End of Chapter)
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