Star Dou Forest, Core Area.
Even though they were within the territory of the Giant Earth King, everyone remained on high alert.
Zhang Lexuan scanned their surroundings, and an invisible wave of spiritual power emanated from her body, catching Skydream's attention.
"Yuhao, your senior sister's spiritual power is almost on par with yours. Her future achievements will undoubtedly be extraordinary," Skydream remarked with a hint of admiration.
Another soul master nearing the realm of tangible and intangible spiritual power, yet only at the Soul Douluo level.
Although Zhang Lexuan's cultivation far surpassed Huo Yuhao's, under normal circumstances, a soul master without spiritual attributes could only barely release spiritual power after reaching the Soul Douluo level, unless they had fused a head soul bone.
Most Title Douluo never achieve tangible and intangible spiritual power in their lifetimes, which often becomes a bottleneck for their breakthroughs.
The importance of spiritual power is undeniable. The stronger the mental power, the greater the control over soul power, soul skills, and martial souls. Tangible and intangible spiritual power can even manifest physically to interact with matter.
Even Huo Yuhao, after integrating the Knife of Life Watch and enhancing his second sea of consciousness, had yet to achieve tangible and intangible spiritual power.
He was only at the level of an ordinary Title Douluo, just at the threshold of this realm. Of course, this was partly due to his current soul power level. Once his soul power improved, he would likely reach the tangible and intangible realm.
Zhang Lexuan's current spiritual power was nearing the tangible and intangible realm. Given her talent, it was almost certain that she would achieve it in the future and cultivate to level 95 or above.
Her potential was evident. Since Skydream had recognized Huo Yuhao's talent, it was the first time he had praised someone so highly.
"If I'm not mistaken, your senior sister must have fused a high-quality head soul bone. Yuhao, if you can also fuse a spiritual attribute soul bone, your spiritual power will easily enter the tangible and intangible realm," Skydream suggested.
"We'll see. I can't just fuse the 50,000-year-old Dread Dragon King's head soul bone. Now that I have the soul bone attached to the Time and Space Demon Eye, my spiritual power isn't limited. There's no rush," Huo Yuhao replied in his spiritual sea.
Skydream snorted proudly, "That's right. You're the one who have the right to think like that. Although that soul bone is good, it's not worthy of you. Let's set a small goal first—get a 100,000-year-old head soul bone."
"I've noticed many powerful figures in Shrek Academy. That guy who's been secretly following you has a cultivation level close to the limit of human soul masters. With your talent, it's not too much to ask him to hunt a few 100,000-year-old soul beasts for you, is it?"
"That's possible, but indiscriminate killing might provoke the beasts in the Evildemon Forest. Skydream, you haven't forgotten, have you? Besides, although Shrek promised to help me hunt 100,000-year-old soul beasts, it has to wait until my physical fitness improves."
At this point, Huo Yuhao chuckled and asked, "Let's focus on the task at hand. Skydream, with my current physical fitness, how old a soul ring can I handle?"
"Your current physical fitness is comparable to a Soul Saint. As long as the soul ring isn't over 50,000 years old, it should be fine. And as I said before, I can help you seal part of the soul ring's soul power and release it when your body can handle it," Skydream replied proudly.
"In my opinion, don't settle for that 30,000-year-old Silver Beast. Try to find a spiritual or space attribute soul beast close to 50,000 years. Although such soul beasts are rare, with my help, we can find one in the Star Dou Forest."
"Then if you sense a suitable soul beast, let me know. I'll go check it out. If it's a good fit, I'll absorb it," Huo Yuhao said.
In his view, while the Inscription Soul Skill (Silverbrave Beast Soul Skill) was rare, it wasn't essential, and its impact wasn't significant.
"Humph, I'm not like the Ice Empress, who just sleeps all day," Skydream snorted.
"..."
Huo Yuhao thought to himself, 'Look at your name. You can only wish for good luck, Skydream.'
In his perception, the Ice Empress had already awakened from its deep slumber, and it was killing time!
"Skydream! Are you talking about me behind my back again? Huh?" The Ice Empress's mood was foul upon waking.
"Bingbing, Ice Empress, I really didn't say anything bad this time. You have to believe me. If you don't believe me, ask Yuhao," Skydream pleaded, his survival instincts kicking in. "Yuhao, say something! Electrolux, where's Electrolux? Save me!"
At this point, Huo Yuhao had already blocked off his spiritual sea.
He felt a sudden sense of relief.
...
Time passed, and night fell.
Wu Ming was absorbing a soul ring, while Han Ruoruo and Zhang Lexuan were scouting the area.
The remaining few sat together.
In front of Chu Qingtian, an inner courtyard disciple, Jiang Nannan and Dugu Yun seemed a bit reserved, likely due to the current environment.
Chu Qingtian spoke to ease the tension, "Are you two okay? This is the core area, and with three senior sisters taking action, it's normal that we can't contribute much. Just focus on protecting yourselves."
Indeed, after encountering the Thunder Leopard, all they faced outside the core area were soul beasts over ten thousand years old.
Jiang Nannan, who had just become a Soul Ancestor, could no longer play a significant role, which diluted their ability to absorb soul rings. Officially breaking through to the Soul Ancestor level was exciting.
In fact, if not for Huo Yuhao's teleportation skill frequently saving them and the high-level soul master ensuring control over the field, the mental state of the two present might have been worse. After all, being deep in the Star Dou Forest for several days, a soul master without an auxiliary system faced such disadvantages.
Huo Yuhao muttered, "This is all Dean Yan's fault. To save trouble, he grouped those of us who needed soul rings together, leading to this situation. He didn't consider everyone's levels. Did he?"
Seeing Huo Yuhao's serious expression, Chu Qingtian was shocked, "Yuhao, don't talk nonsense. Dean Yan must have had a deeper meaning in doing this! Let's not criticize him randomly."
As he spoke, Chu Qingtian winked at Huo Yuhao and subtly pointed behind him.
'You kid, are you trying to get yourself killed? The dean's wife is here. If she hears you, she'll make your life miserable.'
Huo Yuhao shook his head, unfazed.
Even if he were to face her directly, it wouldn't be a big deal.
As the two bantered, the tense atmosphere lightened.
Since absorbing a 40,000-year soul ring wouldn't be quick, Zhang Lexuan noticed the mental fatigue of the group and suggested they take the opportunity to meditate and restore their energy.
"Let's spend the night here. Those resting should meditate. Ruoruo and I will keep watch. The others can relax. Once Wu Ming finishes absorbing the soul ring, we'll leave the core area at dawn."
Jiang Nannan and Dugu Yun nodded in unison, humming in agreement before entering a meditative state.
Huo Yuhao noticed Chu Qingtian wasn't meditating but instead kept glancing at him.
"Senior Chu, what's the matter?"
Caught off guard, Chu Qingtian laughed awkwardly, "You noticed, Junior Brother Huo."
"Let me clarify, I don't like men."
"I'm straight too, Yuhao. Don't get the wrong idea," Chu Qingtian agreed, but moved closer to Huo Yuhao, adding, "However, I want to thank you for your help this time."
"This time?" Huo Yuhao subtly shifted away.
Chu Qingtian rubbed his hands together, a faint blush on his face, and whispered, "You helped Senior Sister Wu Ming block the Giant Earth King's attack. Thank you."
At that time, Chu Qingtian was too far away and tasked with protecting the two junior sisters, leaving him unable to assist Wu Ming.
"It was nothing," Huo Yuhao replied, feeling somewhat helpless.
'Well, another young man has fallen in love.'
'What interests me is one of the active volcanoes in the inner courtyard. You'll have to endure more in the future.'
Chu Qingtian patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder solemnly, "The same goes for the Thunder Leopard incident. Thanks to your help. In short, thank you for everything, brother Yuhao. I promise that from now on, your matters are my matters."
This shameless guy was already calling Huo Yuhao "brother."
Anyone with eyes could see that Huo Yuhao, with his twin martial souls, was destined for greatness. It was wise to establish a good relationship early.
"Alright," Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded.
There was a certain fate between Chu Qingtian and Wu Ming, and their eventual union was no coincidence.
"Yuhao, come sit here. Let's talk," Zhang Lexuan's soft voice called.
"Yes, senior sister."
Chu Qingtian's expression turned peculiar as he watched Huo Yuhao leave. With his bold personality, he might have teased other senior sisters, but in front of Zhang Lexuan, he remained silent.
It wasn't that Zhang Lexuan was unkind or harsh. Rather, her image in the eyes of the inner courtyard disciples was too perfect.
She was kind and patient with everyone, earning their respect. To most, she was not just a senior sister but a revered elder, despite not being much older.
Under Chu Qingtian's curious gaze, Huo Yuhao walked away.
Curious, Chu Qingtian wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation, but Huo Yuhao's mental sound barrier prevented him, leaving him no choice but to let it go.
There was a hint of appreciation in Zhang Lexuan's eyes, "Yuhao, you can use your spiritual power so deftly. You truly live up to being a spiritual soul master."
Huo Yuhao accepted her praise with a nod, then asked, "Senior Sister Lexuan, what did you want to discuss?"
Hearing his address, Zhang Lexuan's smile widened, "Yuhao, the soul beast you need was found deep in the core area during the academy's exploration. It might take some time to locate."
Huo Yuhao smiled, "Hunting soul beasts depends on luck, so I'm not in a hurry."
Zhang Lexuan nodded, "I overlooked your feelings, forgetting that this is your first time in the core area and you lack experience. Here's what we'll do: if Wu Ming hasn't finished absorbing the soul ring by then, you can return to the academy with the other three first."
…
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