Ding Quan had a clear understanding of his current strength.It was roughly equivalent to that of a power-type soul master, comparable to an ordinary Great Soul Master.
While Ding Quan's strength wasn't inherently greater than Tie Niu's, his precise control over his soul power gave him an edge. Soul power significantly enhances the body, which is why soul masters far surpass ordinary people.
By accurately channeling soul power into his muscles, Ding Quan could unlock a greater portion of his physical potential. While a normal person might use only 30% to 40% of their muscle strength, Ding Quan's soul power control boosted this ratio significantly.
In other words, if an opponent exerted 50% of their strength, Ding Quan could utilize 70%."Hah! First soul skill: Strength!"Tie Niu's soul power surged, his body gleaming as it grew larger, his strength surging dramatically.
Ding Quan immediately felt an overwhelming force bearing down on him. He ceased resisting, sidestepping to disengage.
Although his soul power amplification made him stronger than many soul masters of the same level, he was still no match for a power-type soul master like Tie Niu when soul skills were used.Noticing Tie Niu's imposing stature, Ding Quan realized his own body was still developing, leaving room for future growth.
Yu Gang and the Hummer Soul Master, standing nearby, didn't interfere. Yu Gang had never participated in a soul fight, so this was valuable practical experience for him.Previously, Yu Gang had been on the defensive, but now he was countering methodically, showing rapid improvement.
Ding Quan wasn't worried about Yu Gang getting hurt, as this was a regulated match with no real danger. Even if injuries occurred, healing soul masters were on hand. Deciding to end the fight quickly, Ding Quan drew his Longyuan Sword and lunged at Tie Niu.
Ding!"Ah~!"The Longyuan Sword clashed with Tie Niu's iron fist. Despite the protective effect of Tie Niu's soul skill, the blade instantly pierced his skin, leaving a wound. Ding Quan swiftly retracted the sword and delivered a kick to Tie Niu's chest.Tie Niu, shocked by the sword's sharpness, barely registered the foot connecting with his chest.
His massive body lifted slightly off the ground as Ding Quan pressed his advantage.Bang!With a loud crash, Tie Niu's hulking frame was knocked off the soul-fighting stage by Ding Quan's push.Seeing Ding Quan dispatch his opponent so swiftly, Yu Gang abandoned his defensive stance and launched an all-out attack, his blood pumping with excitement as he unleashed his full soul power.
Noticing Yu Gang's flushed face, Ding Quan held back, calmly observing the Hummer Soul Master.The Hummer Soul Master, facing Ding Quan's steady gaze and Yu Gang's aggressive assault, resisted briefly before raising his hand to concede defeat.
As the Hummer Soul Master leapt off the stage, Yu Gang's excitement peaked. He felt his cultivation speed surge in the heat of battle.Ding Quan and Yu Gang approached the settlement counter, collecting their gold soul coins and betting winnings.
Their total now exceeded 2,000 gold soul coins.With so many coins, carrying them was impractical. Ding Quan exchanged them for chips, storing them at the soul-fighting arena, and felt an even stronger desire for a storage soul guide.Meanwhile, in the stands overlooking the Great Soul Fighting Arena, a director observed the matches below."Revenue has been much higher lately. Not bad," the director remarked, watching the soul-fighting stage."Director, it's the academy registration period, so income is up," a subordinate replied."I see," the director nodded, observing several one-ring soul masters competing below.
In the past, one-ring soul masters rarely participated, as their single ring offered little spectacle. Their matches were low-level, with silver fighting souls being rare, attracting few spectators.The arena's most frequent competitors were two-ring Great Soul Masters and three-ring Soul Masters, whose gold fighting souls were thrilling and drew crowds.
Director, a one-ring soul master recently joined, and his combat prowess is impressive," the subordinate added."Oh? Really?""He's won six matches in a row. His martial soul is a sword, though he rarely uses it.""A sword martial soul?
Yes, it's powerful enough to easily wound Tie Niu, even when he's using his soul skills.
The director smirked. "Any strong martial soul could do that. It's nothing special."Though Tie Niu was decent among one-ring soul masters, his martial soul was low-grade, with only level-one innate soul power. At his age, he was unlikely to progress beyond Great Soul Master.
"Plus, he's been betting on himself and has won 2,000 gold soul coins. If this continues, the profits…""Hah! Only 2,000 gold soul coins? The Great Soul Fighting Arena doesn't care about that," the director said dismissively. "No one wins forever.
You're right, I overthought it," the subordinate admitted. Six consecutive wins weren't remarkable. As points accumulated, opponents would be matched at the same level, making further victories harder."A one-ring soul master can't make waves here. T
The Great Soul Fighting Arena never loses as the house, no matter how others bet."Ding Quan left the arena with dozens of gold soul coins and chips, while Yu Gang, carrying dozens of coins gifted by Ding Quan, marveled at how easily his tuition was secured.He knew this was thanks to Ding Quan's strength, though he grew less certain of Ding Quan's true power.Reflecting on it, introducing Ding Quan to this opportunity was the best decision Yu Gang had made."Brother Gang, you should try soul fighting yourself.
Your soul skills enhance your martial soul's sharpness, but your control is lacking. Real combat is the best way to improve," Ding Quan suggested.Yu Gang's soul skills, which sharpened his martial soul, were effective but limited by his poor technique."I'll give it a try," Yu Gang said, touching his purse. Each win earned ten gold soul coins—equivalent to nearly a year's allowance from the Spirit Hall. Losing only risked minor injuries."Let's find a place to rest," Ding Quan said.Three Months LaterDing Quan glanced back at Jinshi Village, touching the bracelet on his wrist.
Injecting soul power, he retrieved a map from his storage soul guide and studied the marked location.Soto City, where the Shrek Seven Devils would meet.Ding Quan had no intention of joining Shrek, but to obtain the soul bone most accessible at this time, he needed to know Shrek's enrollment period and the location of Holy Soul Village.
Determining the soul bone's exact location would also take time, so arriving early to plan was wise.After one last look at Jinshi Village, where he'd left some money and gifts for the villagers, Ding Quan stowed his emotions and checked the weapons in his storage soul guide.Among them was a strangely shaped bow and arrow—a compound bow, the most lethal weapon from his previous life.Crafted with Douluo Continent materials, its power astonished him. It could pierce an ironwood tree thick enough for two people to embrace. Ding Quan believed even a Soul King shot in a vital spot wouldn't survive.After packing up, he set off before sunrise. Having won twelve consecutive matches in Water City, including doubles with Yu Gang, Ding Quan had amassed enough gold soul coins to purchase the storage soul guide on his wrist, with plenty left over.In Water City, he'd also bought two pieces of thousand-year whale glue and special metals before bidding farewell to Yu Gang and returning to Jinshi Village.
Though whale glue was prized by nobles as an aphrodisiac, its price wasn't exorbitant in Water City, near the sea where it was plentiful.Back in Jinshi Village, Ding Quan built a furnace to process the whale glue. Consuming the first piece significantly boosted his physical fitness, but the second piece's effect was noticeably weaker.
He confirmed that his physical strength had improved, but not enough to extend his soul ring absorption period by 500 years, as some claimed. This was expected—otherwise, a thousand-year second soul ring would be more common. In the original story, only exceptional figures like Huo Gua or the God King's daughter achieved this, not even extreme Douluo.Beibei, a descendant of an Ultimate Douluo with a top-tier martial soul, likely had access to whale glue, yet his soul ring progression was standard.The God King's daughter, only level 20 at age 12, didn't match her status, suggesting the 500-year boost might apply to Great Soul Masters or higher, or have other limitations.
This didn't concern Ding Quan. With his unique tattoo, a thousand-year second soul ring was within reach.But should he risk it? In this era, such a feat would draw attention and could be dangerous.
Tang San's ten-thousand-year fourth ring was shocking, but he had Tang Dachui, a Titled Douluo, protecting him. Ding Quan had no such backing.After much thought, he decided it depended on finding a suitable soul beast.Walking along, he studied the map. The Douluo Continent was far larger than described in the books, and many details in the story didn't align with reality.
The books could only serve as a reference, with some data unreliable.Jinshi Village lay in the east of the Douluo Continent, while Soto City, near the Star Dou Great Forest, was in the continent's center, spanning nearly half the Tiandou Empire. Ding Quan estimated the journey would take months.
"Level 13," Ding Quan muttered, opening his eyes. After absorbing his first soul ring, he was nearly level 12. Halfway to Soto City, he joined a caravan heading in the same direction, nearing their destination.Nearly half a year after obtaining his soul ring, and after consuming two pieces of whale glue, he reached level 13 ten days into the journey.Reflecting on the two and a half years since his martial soul awakened, his soul power had risen to level nine—an impressive pace, aided by the whale glue."Everyone, we've arrived!" a caravan member shouted.Ding Quan parted ways with the group in a remote town, still far from Soto City.
The Tiandou Empire was divided into ten provinces, and this town marked the border between his principality and another kingdom. The caravan wouldn't cross it.Though part of the Tiandou Empire, the empire had little control over these autonomous kingdoms. The border's poor geography made it less prosperous.
At a nearby post station, Ding Quan noticed curious glances. His youthful appearance, fine clothes, and handsome features drew attention.Recalling a caravan member's warning about frequent disappearances at the border, Ding Quan remained unfazed. Soul masters rarely faced trouble, but caution was warranted in this fantasy world.That night, with moonlight obscured by dark clouds, two figures—one tall, one thin—approached Ding Quan's room."Is this the place?""Yeah.""Good," a charming female voice replied from the thin figure."Don't worry, it's correct!" The tall man's greedy expression was evident as he eyed the locked door.
The thin woman activated her martial soul, a wildflower appearing in her hand, with one white and one yellow soul ring at her feet."Second soul skill: Psychedelic Pollen."The yellow ring glowed, and pink pollen slipped through the door's crack into Ding Quan's room.Ding Quan, meditating, sensed a fluctuation in his mental power and soul power within the room. He traced it to the door—a soul skill.Holding his breath, he realized he was being targeted. Trouble had found him here, despite a smooth journey.
A click came from the door lock. Ding Quan quickly lay on the bed, feigning sleep. Why him?The soul skill's user wasn't strong, and their companion seemed even weaker.As the door opened, the two entered."This kid's quite pretty," the woman said.Under faint moonlight, they nodded approvingly at Ding Quan's appearance.
Though young, his delicate, handsome features stood out.Ding Quan's heart skipped a beat. Were they after his looks?"He'll fetch a good price, but the real prize is his storage soul guide," the tall man said."Exactly. Are you sure he's alone?""He came with the caravan, not local. If we act fast, no one will notice."The tall man, Lao Xiong, lifted Ding Quan's sleeve, revealing the storage soul guide.
Their eyes gleamed—the device was a treasure."Lao Xiong, you were right," the woman said."Not guessing—he has no luggage, but his clothes scream wealth," Lao Xiong replied.Ding Quan was surprised. He hadn't used the storage soul guide recently, yet they'd deduced his situation from his appearance.
But their greed would be their downfall."Nice clothes. Who sleeps fully dressed?" The woman reached for the storage soul guide.As her hand touched it, fear flashed in her eyes.A long sword, blending with the night, swung toward her neck.
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(End of this chapter)