Chapter 115: Comprehensive Advancement (Part 1)
"Hmph! Don't assume I'd do something so foolish. I already held back just now; you from the Haotian Sect shouldn't push your luck. Take these two troublemakers back to treat their wounds. I won't be seeing you off."
With that fierce declaration, Yu Yuan Zhen turned on his heel and made his way back into the sect.
The elder from Haotian Sect was well aware that they were at fault here. The world of soul masters isn't only about fighting each sect has its own dignity. If they truly clashed with another top tier sect, it could spark a blood feud, creating unnecessary and powerful enemies. The elder sighed, glancing down at the Haotian brothers who, once again, had ended up gravely injured within six months of their last ordeal.
Although the arrogance required for mastery of the Haotian Hammer demanded a certain disregard for others, there was a difference between confidence and recklessness. Hoisting both brothers, the elder sought out a place to treat their injuries. While they had fought with a powerful Super Douluo and lost, it was still an achievement worth noting perhaps with a little embellishment, this would suffice to preserve their pride without completely severing ties with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
"Here I am, old as I am, still cleaning up after these two," the elder muttered, shaking his head. "Brother Tang Chen, without you, Haotian Sect is really struggling."
Across the continent, tales of the Haotian brothers' clash with Yu Yuan Zhen quickly circulated, slowly shifting public perception. Despite the defeat, the brothers' ability to contend with a Super Douluo and walk away alive underscored the strength of the Haotian Sect.
But all this commotion had little to do with Ye Wen, who now sought to focus on his cultivation and quickly advance to the rank of Titled Douluo.
The Titled Douluo that the mermaid clan sent to Tianxing Academy was a Level 91 female Douluo known as Bihai. True to her lineage, she was beautiful beyond comparison, with a sinuous waist, long legs, and a strikingly graceful figure that could make even the most refined women feel self conscious. Her sea blue eyes and wavy hair added a charm that would have made her a true heartbreaker. Fortunately, Bihai maintained a respectful distance, keeping her interactions professional, dedicated to her work, and avoiding any inappropriate behavior. Otherwise, Ah Yin would have undoubtedly exploded with jealousy.
During the academy's screening process, three new students were revealed to be spies: two from the great empires and one from the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, each with innate soul power of at least level six. Ye Wen decided not to expose them but to manage them by teaching them some basics and letting them proceed with minimal involvement. When they graduated, he would send them to work in the academy's external industries. Hopefully, this subtle handling would discourage other factions from sending more spies.
As the second year continued, a fresh batch of immortal herb essences was ready for use. Ye Wen carefully selected different herbs for his young disciples, enhancing their cultivation foundations and talents.
Su Qiaoqiao absorbed the essence of the Water Fairy Jade Bone Herb, which did not evolve her martial spirit but raised her soul power by eight levels and significantly enhanced her cultivation potential. Hu Rou, whose initial transformation left her with imperfect natural talent, was given the Ninefold Purple Ganoderma essence. While her martial spirit didn't evolve either, her overall talent improved, and her soul power rose by eight levels.
Xu Teng consumed the Octuple Celestial Orchid, strengthening his foundation, enhancing his aptitude, and gaining seven levels in soul power.
The plump Wang Bao, whose martial spirit was a Cauldron of Alchemy, had already acquired fire based dragon type soul rings, enabling him to wield fire and refine medicine. Since he didn't prioritize combat, Ye Wen chose to bolster his physique with the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum essence, which boosted his soul power by seven levels. His body became exceptionally resilient, and his cauldron even gained a rough pattern of wandering dragons.
The most gifted among them, Dongfang Jiaojiao, was given the All Heaven Lilac essence. Its potent energy triggered an evolution in her Ningguang Staff, transforming it from a small, handheld wand into a full length scepter adorned with dazzling gems.
Ye Wen looked on proudly at his transformed disciples. He had delayed giving them these herbs due to their limited availability and because he wanted to wait until they reached an ideal age for optimal absorption. Now, at around twelve years old, they were on par with the original protagonists in the novel, ready to benefit from the herb essences.
Ye Wen also prepared an essence of the Earth Dragon Gourd for Dugu Xin. As Dugu Bo's descendant, Dugu Xin's talent was already considerable, but this essence further enhanced his potential. With the essence modified to emphasize its dragon strengthening properties over its earth attributes, Dugu Xin's martial spirit evolved into the Jade Scaled Dragon Python, gaining a sharp horn and dragon claws, similar to the martial spirit of Director Lu Feng. His soul power surged to level forty, and he even developed two distinct humps on his back that hinted at the possibility of further evolution into a Jade Scaled Dragon.
Chen Youyu, after a year of observation, also earned Ye Wen's trust and became his tenth disciple. Since Ye Wen lacked a wind based herb for her, he selected another option to aid her transformation. The Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, although neutral in nature, was incredibly effective for enhancing a martial spirit. Though not the perfect match, it was the only essence Ye Wen could offer to help her progress.
Grateful, Chen Youyu devoted herself to refining the essence, grateful for the chance to prove herself worthy of Ye Wen's guidance. The bamboo's essence integrated smoothly, and within a year, Chen Youyu advanced to level 30. Her Broken Sword martial spirit transformed into a thin, Western style sword with a gleaming silver blade and an elegant, wind themed cross guard. Although it had reached the rank of a top tier martial spirit, it still had some distance to go before becoming a true super martial spirit. Ye Wen planned to supplement it with another bamboo essence next year, which would likely enable her to attain super martial spirit status.
"Master, please bestow a name upon my sword," Chen Youyu requested respectfully.
Ye Wen, though he had never thought himself good with names, nodded thoughtfully. "Let's call it the Sky Wind Demon Slaying Sword. May you wield it to strike down evil and uphold justice."
The name had a majestic ring to it, and Chen Youyu gratefully accepted it.
With some essence left, Ye Wen decided to find his first two disciples, Lanlan and Qianqian. Lanlan had progressed to level 35 as a Soul Elder, thanks to her proximity to Ah Yin and her training in the Blue Silver Forest core area, where even the most modest efforts had amplified her potential.
Youngest of all, twelve year old Qianqian had become the most diligent, advancing to level fifteen despite only starting with a single level of innate soul power.
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