Although Huo Yuhao had already decided to sell the White Tiger Dagger,a Grade 5 soul tool,its effects were still quite good.
The soul core array embedded within it carried a devouring soul skill that could absorb foreign energies and convert them into armor-piercing attacks, making it both offensive and defensive in nature.
"Let's see… The most complex part should be this Grade 5 soul core array. I remember seeing something like it in a book before, though that one was only a Grade 3 array."
"The difference in complexity between the Grade 3 and Grade 5 arrays is like heaven and earth. But it looks like this Grade 5 array can actually be divided into parts. Still… with my current spiritual power, I might not be able to handle it."
At that moment, Huo Yuhao glanced at the still-sleeping Skydream Iceworm. Unlike the Thunder Dragon Claw, which was merely a first soul skill at the hundred-year level and therefore simple, this Grade 5 soul core array was far beyond what his spiritual power could fully simulate. He could memorize its structure but not yet reconstruct it.
It seemed that if he wanted to try dismantling it, he would need to borrow some of the Skydream Iceworm's spiritual power.
In order to help Huo Yuhao cultivate while still being able to sleep peacefully, the Skydream Iceworm had released a portion of its spiritual energy to flow naturally within Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, continuously replenishing itself according to a pre-set cycle.
Though this portion was but a tiny fraction of the Skydream Iceworm's immense spiritual power, it was more than enough for Huo Yuhao at his current level.
And since Huo Yuhao was the true master of his spiritual sea while the Skydream Iceworm was merely a guest, even if the Iceworm was asleep, Huo Yuhao could still mobilize the unsealed portion of that power without its permission.
After a moment of focus, Huo Yuhao guided the Iceworm's spiritual power, and soon, a complete structure of the Grade 5 soul core array appeared before him in his mind.
As he poured in more spiritual power, the complex array began to break down and reassemble.
"It's still quite complicated. Disassembling it while maintaining its functions is much harder than just using it directly… but at this rate, it shouldn't take too long."
Before long, the original Grade 5 soul core array had been divided into five smaller arrays,simpler than the original but still more complex than Grade 3 ones.
"These must be Grade 4 soul core arrays. I can't tell their exact effects yet. Let's try breaking them down further."
He split each of the Grade 4 arrays again, and soon, each was divided into four identical structures whose complexity matched the Grade 3 arrays described in his books.
"Now it's becoming clearer. Many soul masters' soul skills actually contain similar structural principles to soul core arrays, except they lack the stabilizing framework."
"No, that's not quite right." Huo Yuhao waved his hand, and a yellow soul ring appeared in his spiritual sea,a hundred-year soul ring.
"It's better to say that since the soul ring itself provides the stability, soul masters' skills don't need such rigid frameworks. But the underlying logic is still the same."
"The stronger the soul skill, the more complex its internal structure. And similarly, a soul core array of equal effect can be stacked repeatedly to enhance its power."
"After stacking, the overall effect increases naturally. That's the difference between Grade 3 and Grade 4 arrays."
"Following this logic, the Grade 5 soul core array must be built the same way."
"However, an array built from identical structures can't produce diverse effects. Depending on the needs of the soul tool, multiple different types of core arrays must be combined."
"But there's no time now. I'll study this further later."
Thinking this, Huo Yuhao dismissed the mental models and withdrew his consciousness from his spiritual sea.
Stretching his stiff body after lying down for so long, he caught Wang Dong's exasperated look.
"I really don't get how you can be so carefree. Your soul power level isn't even high, yet you go to sleep earlier than I do every night. Aren't you afraid you'll be eliminated in the next assessment?"
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. "I have my own ways. And honestly, if I do get eliminated, it might be Shrek Academy that loses out."
"Ugh, shameless! Come on, hurry up before that crazy old witch catches us!" Wang Dong grabbed Huo Yuhao and dragged him outside.
Huo Yuhao let himself be pulled along. Maybe because of their recent conversations, Wang Dong seemed to have grown a little closer to him.
"Running every day… what's the point?" Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly, even though he already knew what was coming.
First-year students' bodies were still fragile. Without proper nutrition, exhausting their energy could be dangerous. Though their development was fast, excessive training could easily backfire.
Using soul power to gradually nourish the bones and meridians was the right way to strengthen the body. The reason Zhou Yi's harsh running regimen seemed effective was simply because Shrek's students were all wealthy and could afford expensive tonics to replenish their vitality.
Except for Huo Yuhao, the only true pauper, everyone else could easily afford these supplements. That was why the drawbacks didn't show up.
But spending so much time on inefficient endurance running with no proper method was simply foolish,if not for Huo Yuhao's special technique that helped his meridians recover during exercise, his body might have been permanently damaged.
By the time they reached the first-year classroom, everyone was already seated.
As soon as Zhou Yi entered, all the students sat up straight, terrified.
Seeing their nervous faces, Zhou Yi only curled her lips slightly before saying coldly, "Everyone, stand up. Gather at Shrek Square."
She walked out, and the students hurried to line up behind her.
At the square, piles of iron chains were stacked together,training weights Zhou Yi used to "improve physical fitness."
"Wang Dong, based on your entrance exam and this morning's test, you currently have the highest cultivation level. You'll serve as the class monitor."
"The position is temporary. Anyone who can defeat Wang Dong can take his place. Understood?"
"Understood!" The other students, most of whom were around level 18 or 19, immediately had sharp looks in their eyes.
By assigning a monitor, Zhou Yi cleverly redirected some of the students' resentment toward Wang Dong.
Through his Spirit Eye, Huo Yuhao noticed Wang Dong deep in thought and felt slightly relieved. "At least he's not completely hopeless."
Zhou Yi continued coldly, "Each of you, take one of these iron vests. Put it on and start running laps around the square."
"Run until class ends. You may use soul power, but no soul skills."
"Your rankings will be based on lap count. The one who finishes last will be expelled. In my class, aside from official exams, I can set elimination challenges anytime, anywhere!"
"Now begin!"
Hearing this brutal rule, the students quickly donned the heavy vests and began running, with Wang Dong leading the group.
As they ran, Zhou Yi lectured them with her harsh logic and warped ideals.
Driven by fear of elimination, most students didn't even have the energy to question her.
Only Wang Dong,whose physique was the best,and Huo Yuhao, who didn't care in the slightest, were still analyzing her words.
Of course, Huo Yuhao wasn't really paying attention. He found it pointless to waste thought on someone already brainwashed by Shrek's ideology.
"Skydream, hey Skydream! You awake?" Huo Yuhao called out mentally.
"Eh? Oh! Yeah, yeah, I'm awake. I was, uh, helping you cultivate!" The Skydream Iceworm hadn't realized that Huo Yuhao already knew it had been sleeping, and Huo Yuhao didn't bother to expose him.
"Do me a favor, Skydream. Control my body and run a few laps. Just keep pace with the group,I need to focus on something else."
"Easy! Leave it to me!"
The Iceworm readily agreed, channeling his spiritual power to guide Huo Yuhao's soul power, blood, and muscles into motion.
Huo Yuhao didn't resist, allowing the Iceworm to take over his body temporarily.
"Alright, let's test those core arrays I took apart from the White Tiger Dagger. If I only use spiritual power to construct them, it shouldn't cause any accidents."
As he experimented with simplified versions of the Grade 4 core arrays, some students near the back of the group began to stare in disbelief.
Wasn't this guy supposed to be the weakest one? Zhou Yi had said his soul power was the lowest in class,yet after more than ten laps, Huo Yuhao wasn't even out of breath, easily keeping up with the front group and looking more relaxed than Wang Dong himself.
"What the hell… is he even human?"
"Seriously? I thought the weakest guy would be the first to drop! What's going on?"
"Monster. He's definitely a monster. If this is the physical strength of a level-12 soul master, I might as well quit now!"
The students at the back were filled with despair. It was obvious that the ones to be eliminated would come from among them.
Even Wang Dong couldn't help glancing sideways, thinking, "He said he had a trick up his sleeve,was this it? His physique can't be that strong just from his martial soul's boost… He's even tougher than me!"
"Alright, testing complete," Huo Yuhao thought. "This one must be a Soul Power Compression Array,can't be broken down below Grade 2 or it loses function."
"This one gathers energy,let's call it the Energy Gathering Array. It can go down to Grade 1 and is perfect for cultivation."
"This one accelerates energy conversion,probably related to the White Tiger Dagger's devouring trait. Works on foreign energies too, and also down to Grade 1. Great for training efficiency."
"This one stores soul power,also usable at Grade 1."
"As for the last one… its effect's unclear. I'll study it later."
While Huo Yuhao continued his internal research, many of the other students collapsed, completely exhausted. Even the fear of expulsion couldn't push their bodies any further.
"You're insane!" Wang Dong gasped beside him.
By the time the class ended, over ninety percent of the students had collapsed, panting heavily. Even Wang Dong was barely on his feet.
But Huo Yuhao was still running steadily,sweating, yes, but nowhere near his limit. With the Skydream Iceworm's assistance optimizing every muscle and bone movement, his efficiency was at its peak, and his soul power kept his stamina full.
As the bell rang, Huo Yuhao took back control of his body,just in time for class to end.
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