Huo Yuhao noticed that some grime had formed on his skin, along with faint patches of dead cells — likely a result of the Skydream Iceworm's efforts to expand his meridians during cultivation.
Still, this was only the beginning. True transformation would require long, meticulous refinement — but even so, this method was far more reliable than relying on luck to find heavenly treasures.
Feeling the flow of spirit power circulating and strengthening within him, Huo Yuhao stretched slightly, easing the stiffness from long hours of meditation.
Ordinary spirit masters needed to sit cross-legged and enter a meditative trance because they lacked fine control over their own spirit power. Through long-term posture and focus training, they gradually improved that control.
Even ordinary Titled Douluo had to steady their minds to restore spirit power, as the immense energy within them required complete concentration to manage.
Only upon reaching the Super Douluo level and condensing a spirit core could one achieve a self-sustaining cycle of power — a stable, autonomous system that allowed for immense endurance.
And spirit cores weren't exclusive to Super Douluo. In later generations of the Douluo Continent, as the system evolved, methods for condensing them were discovered.
Later Spirit Saints could chose to form their own spirit cores early — both to stabilize their foundation and to prepare for higher breakthroughs.
Huo Yuhao, of course, couldn't yet form a spirit core — his spirit and body weren't strong enough. But with the Skydream Iceworm's immense spiritual strength assisting him, he didn't need to maintain a strict meditation posture. He could simply enjoy the results.
Man, having a cheat is great.
As a transmigrator from Earth, Huo Yuhao felt that the repetitive grind of cultivation wasn't much different from turning screws in a factory assembly line.
Knowing the world's plot and its limits, he valued his time far too much to waste it. He needed to do something meaningful.
For example, using his martial soul to study soul tools. Or soul skills. Or even the very essence of martial souls themselves.
Because no matter how the path of the Spirit Master developed, there was always one fatal constraint — the entire system was chained to spirit beasts.
From the first ring onward, a Spirit Master's progress was bound to killing them. Without a ring, no advancement — no independence.
For any path, that was a death sentence. A shackle imposed by the Douluo world laws themselves.
If Huo Yuhao wanted to defy Tang San's ordained destiny, he needed to break free from the Spirit Master system entirely.
One to nine rings came from spirit beasts — but what about the tenth?
To reach Rank 100 and become a god, one required a divine ring. But divine beasts only existed in the God Realm — suppressed by the laws of Douluo Star.
So it became a joke:
To become a god, you need a divine ring. No divine ring? Go hunt a divine beast.Where are divine beasts? In the God Realm.But you can only enter the God Realm after becoming a god.
So go hunt one.
The loop was endless.
Since the failure of the Dragon God Realm's ascension, Douluo Star had decayed. Now, only those of unimaginable will and luck could use faith power to forge their own godhood — but even that path was sealed.
Tang San, the so-called God King, had blocked the heavens themselves. For ten thousand years, not a single new god had ascended from Douluo Star.
If a mortal wanted to become divine, they needed divine recognition — a god's inheritance. But the heavens were full, every "seat" already taken.
Unless a god willingly gave up their position, mortals could only wait — praying that when a god's essence finally faded, their inheritance would happen to fall into the right world, the right place… and the right person.
Haah… better not overthink this.
As Huo Yuhao opened his eyes, he saw Beibei already awake — he hadn't slept at all — and was calling to Tang Ya.
"Huo little brother, watch carefully. This is a secret art of my Tang Sect — the most suitable cultivation method for your martial soul."
Beibei smiled, while Tang Ya stood facing the sunrise, her eyes glowing faintly purple as she stared toward the brightening horizon.
Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes and activated the Eye of Truth, observing both Tang Ya and the eastern dawn in detail.
Once he understood, he could only sigh inwardly. So it's basically an external training method — like Iron Sand Palm or Modern day Muay Thai bamboo training. They call this a secret art?
It sounds mystical, but it's still low-level martial training at its core. Damaging one's own cells through controlled external stimulation, then repairing them using soul power — strengthening through regeneration. That's all it is.
The "Purple Demon Eyes" are just an adaptation of this — soul power replacing inner force, following a specific circulation path to heal the eyes while stimulating mental growth through the brain.
It's effective, yes, but time-consuming. With proper heavenly treasures, the same results could be achieved instantly. The so-called "morning purple qi" is just gentle, steady light that provides mild, controlled stimulation.
There are better ways to train the eyes and brain — this is just flashy nonsense.
When Tang Ya finally exhaled and ended her practice, Beibei smiled.
"Our Tang Sect stands not only for hidden weapons but also for unique cultivation arts. Unlike soul skills, Tang Sect techniques can be practiced by any Spirit Master, regardless of martial soul. They provide a path for those with special souls."
Huo Yuhao nodded, pretending to be moved. "Just as Brother Bei said, my mutated martial soul and weak innate soul power forced me to self-train all my life. But now I've decided — Brother Bei, Sister Tang, I want to join the Tang Sect!"
Tang Ya's eyes widened in surprise and delight.
"That's wonderful! From today, you're one of us — my student! Beibei's your senior brother! Quick, call him Senior Brother!"
Beibei sighed helplessly but smiled. "Since our little junior brother has joined, and we've already explained the sect's rules, I'll say no more."
Huo Yuhao performed the formal bow of apprenticeship — though in truth, as a transmigrator, he felt little emotion. Might as well take the candy before the stick.
After the ceremony, Tang Ya produced a handwritten copy of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record — the heavily edited version passed down from Tang San.
Huo Yuhao had already seen through most of Beibei and Tang Ya's techniques using the Eye of Truth, but he needed a reason to display his "learning."
I've already deconstructed Mysterious Heaven Technique and Purple Demon Eyes. Once I read through this copy, I'll have Tianmeng adjust the circulation patterns.
No need to rush the meridian breakthroughs — this body's too weak right now. Forcing progress will only cause lasting damage. As for those minor Tang Sect skills — Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon, Ghost Shadow Steps — Tianmeng can "practice" them for me.
They're all about channel development anyway. And as for hidden weapons… the low-grade ones might be worth studying mechanically, but the high-grade ones? Utterly obsolete. Soul tools can replace them entirely.
Beibei then brought out a waist belt modeled after the legendary "Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges" and gifted it to Huo Yuhao.
Under Beibei's guidance, Huo Yuhao quickly learned how to use it.
Tang Ya smiled. "Alright, let's eat breakfast! Once we're done, we'll head back to Shrek!"
The three set off toward Shrek Academy. Their pace was steady — not fast — as they detoured around the Star Dou Forest.
Along the way, both Beibei and Tang Ya were increasingly shocked by Huo Yuhao's talent.
His body was weak beyond measure, but his comprehension — flawless. His mutated martial soul — extraordinary.
Everything except raw cultivation talent was perfect.
"I thought you were too hasty in taking him in, Tang Ya," Beibei admitted. "But now it seems you've picked up a true gem."
Even though the Mysterious Heaven Technique had been weakened, its restorative qualities still made up for Huo Yuhao's poor foundation. Combined with his insight, it was a perfect match.
"Wow, Yuhao," the Skydream Iceworm said through Spiritual Sharing, amazed. "You humans are terrifyingly creative. This technique's efficiency is far beyond your previous method."
Because of his martial soul's nature, the Iceworm could only communicate when Huo Yuhao allowed mental sharing.
This is only the beginning, Huo Yuhao replied calmly. You'll see much greater things soon. And remember, Brother Tianmeng — humanity's true strength lies in standing on the shoulders of predecessors.
Inheritance. Intellect. Wisdom. That's why humans rule this world.
Even when spirit beasts gain intellect, they can't form true inheritance. Your lifespans are too long, your numbers too sparse, your thoughts too simple. You only think of legacy when it's too late.
That's why spirit beasts can never build a civilization.
Even when a great beast unites them briefly, the moment it falls, the rest scatter. Chaos follows. Always.
And as for humanity — they too have lost their uniqueness. But I'll make them remember. Knowledge itself is power.
The Skydream Iceworm couldn't fully grasp his meaning — but the conviction in Huo Yuhao's tone, that calm arrogance of one who saw farther than the heavens, made it take notice for the first time.
Perhaps, if one day Huo Yuhao truly reached the summit, it wouldn't be because of the Iceworm's choice to merge with him — but because he had made the Iceworm's long-forgotten dream possible.