If one can ensure not to slack off in daily cultivation and not to be reckless in hunting Abyss creatures, there is definitely hope for an additional two levels of improvement within a year.
Even if one is more cautious, they should still be able to gain an extra level of soul power in a year.
This is a tremendous opportunity for any soul master.
For those who originally could only advance one level per year, this is like doubling their cultivation speed. For those who could advance two levels per year, it increases their cultivation speed by half. Transitioning from an ordinary soul master to a genius level, even though the increase might seem small for those who can advance three levels per year, it saves a lot of effort.
It seems that the geniuses advancing three levels per year benefit the least, but in fact, they gain the most.
Because with this additional level, they can excel further or choose to invest the extra time and energy into making Battle Armor.
Originally just geniuses, struggling to reach the shadow of Battle Armor Masters, now with this extra level, they have a lot of time to prepare for Battle Armor.
As for the more prodigious ones, they certainly wouldn't hunt just fifty Abyss creatures of the same level per year.
With their talent, perhaps hunting a hundred same-level Abyss creatures in a year would be considered few.
For example, Xu Yuan, although he acted with Jiang Wuyue, the two killed ten Soul Emperor-level Ba An in a day. Even if divided equally, each person had five kills per day. With their cooperation, in a month, they could achieve one hundred and fifty kills, equivalent to gaining three levels of soul power.
Of course, Abyss creatures are limited, and large-scale hunting won't be easy to find. Moreover, the efficiency of other soldiers' hunting in Xu Yuan's calculations was based on the matured hunting system.
If it were just now, any soldier in the legion, even in a group of three, might not be able to kill ten in a month.
There's no way around it; without benefits after hunting, who would bother?
But once hunting Abyss creatures can enhance soul power, these soldiers will think about how to safely and efficiently hunt them.
Once this system matures, a team of three hunting one same-level Abyss creature per day shouldn't be too difficult. This translates to each person having ten kills per month.
"I hope we can harvest enough stellar energy when the Abyss Tide erupts."
Xu Yuan didn't plan to stay in the Blood God Legion for too long.
He needed to quickly boost his soul power and then leave.
After summarizing his cultivation effects, Xu Yuan sought out Jiang Wuyue.
"Since both the Blood Gods and the Commander know, this isn't something we need to worry about."
The plan to build the energy conversion array had already been launched, so the Research Institute would do their best to complete this task.
"I came to discuss our next hunting operation with you."
Jiang Wuyue looked at Xu Yuan, his lips twitching.
"Are you crazy? The Abyss Tide is approaching, and you take me to the Abyss Passage every day. What if the Abyss Tide erupts while we're inside?"
Xu Yuan waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, my illusionary space covers the entire passage. Even if we can't do much deep inside, basic perception is possible. If anything happens, with our abilities, we can still get out. Besides, aren't you curious about my cultivation results last night?"
Jiang Wuyue's expression hadn't changed much until Xu Yuan mentioned the last part, which slightly moved him.
He examined Xu Yuan up and down.
"You broke through?"
Xu Yuan nodded and informed Jiang Wuyue of his calculated results.
Jiang Wuyue's expression kept changing.
"Well, first make me a set of soul-guided weapons. After my weapons are ready, we'll go together."
"Alright, I'm just letting you know that we'll be entering the Abyss Passage frequently from now on." Xu Yuan said.
Jiang Wuyue breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'll finish making them today. Hmm… I won't deduct your share."
Xu Yuan's calculations were based on the stellar energy harvested by soldiers' soul-guided weapons.
Fifty creatures, one level of soul power.
In fact, last night, the energy converted from fifteen Soul Emperor-level Ba An was sufficient to raise one level, but Xu Yuan used it to cultivate essence, qi, and spirit simultaneously. Thus, he barely managed to break through from level sixty-five to sixty-six after two months of cultivation.
"Thank you, Brother." Jiang Wuyue's eyes lit up, thanking him immediately, addressing him as 'Brother'.
"Get ready tomorrow; we'll be going into the Abyss for about ten days straight. Handle other matters first."
"Okay!"
After agreeing on tomorrow's action plan with Jiang Wuyue, Xu Yuan went to the Research Institute.
He had no shortage of tasks.
Every day, he went to the Abyss Passage, and upon returning to the camp at night, he had to forge, trying to fill the gaps for the widespread use of soul-guided weapons.
Besides, there was another important task to be done.
"Before the Abyss Tide, the Battle Armor must be upgraded."
The next day came quickly.
Xu Yuan and Jiang Wuyue met at the agreed location outside the camp.
"Here, these are the specially prepared soul-guided gloves for you."
Xu Yuan tossed a pair of glove-shaped soul-guided devices to Jiang Wuyue.
These two devices looked like a pair of gloves, with the finger areas exposed.
Jiang Wuyue took the gloves, his gaze flickering.
"Spirit-forged materials?"
"Of course, how else can they perfectly fit your hands without spirit forging?"
Xu Yuan rolled his eyes.
Although there was technology to make metal materials fit the fingers more snugly, even adapting to changes when a soul master's martial soul manifested, spirit forging was undoubtedly the least labor-intensive method.
Xu Yuan wasn't short on spirit-forged materials.
Jiang Wuyue scratched his head.
This brother was too generous.
Soul-guided devices made of spirit-forged metals given away casually.
"Let's go. Today's goal is ten Abyss creatures. After completing the target, I have some research to conduct. You keep watch."
"Alright!"
The two worked together seamlessly. Although Xu Yuan far surpassed Jiang Wuyue in strength, he couldn't focus on research alone inside the Abyss Passage. Therefore, he always brought Jiang Wuyue along.
Of course, there was another consideration: Xu Yuan was also trying to help Jiang Wuyue improve. Once Jiang Wuyue's soul power broke through to level seventy, Xu Yuan planned to take him out to obtain a spirit soul, which would also serve as a formal apprenticeship with Mu Ye.
The two prepared to stay in the Abyss Passage for twelve hours.
The task wasn't difficult. With previous experience, they hunted enough targets in just six hours and returned to the exit area. Under Jiang Wuyue's vigilance, Xu Yuan began further research.
The Abyssal energy consumed by soul-guided weapons to convert into stellar energy was a huge loss for Xu Yuan if used to fight enemies before being depleted.
Therefore, Xu Yuan had to figure out a system to prevent soul power suppression in the Abyss Passage.
Again, since previous researchers hadn't developed such technology, it was clear that directly resisting was unfeasible.
"The Seven Forbidden Techniques can resist the Abyss's suppression, but they can't be passed on, and normal people can't learn them." Xu Yuan's attention remained on the original Dreamspace.
"Perhaps the original Dreamspace can act as a transfer station, accommodating and releasing soul power. However, this additional step would cause delays in many soul skills."
"It's good enough to use soul power; who cares about delays at this point?" Jiang Wuyue offered a candid evaluation.
Upon hearing Jiang Wuyue's comment, Xu Yuan realized that being able to use soul power normally in the Abyss Passage was already a luxury.
"In that case, it's fine. We can develop this technology first, allowing our soldiers to use soul power in the Abyss Passage." Xu Yuan decided without hesitation.
Time flew.
Two weeks had passed since Xu Yuan submitted the new soul-guided weapon technology.
During these two weeks, the Blood God Legion gradually began equipping these new soul-guided weapons. The construction of training rooms was completed promptly, and the collection of stellar energy through merit points started to be gradually explored.
Meanwhile, Xu Yuan's newly researched soul power conversion device was introduced. However, unlike the new soul-guided weapons that were rushed into production, only the news was released and preliminary listings were made.
How many soldiers could afford it and how many pre-orders could be fulfilled depended entirely on the legion's normal production capacity.
There was no way around it; equipping the new soul-guided weapons had already occupied the entire legion's armament production system, so the subsequent development of this soul power conversion device had to be postponed.
After all, the biggest event for the legion right now was the Abyss Tide. During the Abyss Tide, Abyss creatures would flood in, walking out of the passage. At this time, the soldiers could use their soul power.
This soul power conversion device was obviously intended for future use with the new soul-guided weapons, improving the soldiers' gains within the Abyss Passage. It could rely on the soldiers' own needs for equipment, meaning whoever needed it could buy it with merit points, rather than the legion funding free updates like the new soul-guided weapons.
"Brother, why does your soul power increase so fast?"
Jiang Wuyue complained as soon as he met Xu Yuan outside the camp.
No one knew how happy Jiang Wuyue had been these past two weeks.
Five Abyss creatures per day allowed him to gather enough stellar energy for one level of soul power in just three days.
As long as he digested this energy, it would mean a one-level increase in soul power.
However, digesting this stellar energy wasn't something that could be achieved in a short time. Not everyone had Xu Yuan's Great Devouring Heaven and Earth Technique, nor did everyone have Xu Yuan's spiritual power and blood essence surpassing his soul power, capable of driving rapid soul power enhancement without bottleneck restrictions.
In summary, although he had gathered enough stellar energy for about five levels in two weeks, Jiang Wuyue had only increased by two levels, one of which was because he had been stuck for several months.
"Aren't you satisfied?" Xu Yuan glared at Jiang Wuyue.
You've had two breakthroughs in half a month and still complain?
Jiang Wuyue chuckled awkwardly.
This was already very satisfying, but he had seen crazier things in these two weeks.
Although Xu Yuan had only advanced two levels in these two weeks, it was because the collected stellar energy was only enough for two levels, not because Xu Yuan only digested two levels' worth.
Moreover, Xu Yuan's level sixty-six was freshly broken through, and the two levels gained in half a month were solid increases, unlike Jiang Wuyue's one final bottleneck period plus one full level.
With the same amount of stellar energy, Xu Yuan also allocated it to the cultivation of blood essence and spiritual power. So, even though he tried to give priority to the shortest plank of soul power, he only managed to increase by two levels.
"My ability to rapidly absorb stellar energy comes from my cultivation technique and martial soul characteristics, which you can't imitate. Or perhaps your Tyrant Dragon martial soul is suitable for devouring power. You can try to figure out how to study it. If devouring attributes don't suit you, you can try using blood essence to devour and absorb stellar energy. Your talent in this aspect should be higher, making absorption easier."
Listening to Xu Yuan's advice, Jiang Wuyue nodded seriously.
"First, boost your blood essence. Later, you should be able to follow my path where blood essence exceeds soul power level, which will inversely drive soul power, speeding up your absorption of stellar energy to increase soul power."
Jiang Wuyue continued nodding, feeling that Xu Yuan's words made sense.
"Additionally, based on the absorption over these two weeks, I suggest you don't rush to absorb stellar energy in the future. First, complete daily meditation practice. After the efficiency of meditation for increasing soul power decreases, then absorb stellar energy to boost." Xu Yuan suggested.
Jiang Wuyue's eyes lit up.
Can it be done like this?
Although the soul power increase driven by daily meditation might not seem impressive, that was relative to the two of them in these two weeks.
Normal soldiers absolutely don't have such abundant stellar energy to absorb.
Moreover, even if it doesn't seem significant, it's still a three-level increase in soul power per year. How could Jiang Wuyue look down on it?
Soul power advancement ultimately has a limit, and bottlenecks are objective. It's not just about having enough energy to bypass them through sheer accumulation. Stellar energy is of high quality, but it's pure energy, not the easily absorbed medicinal properties of immortal herbs.
Absorbing stellar energy only accelerates the accumulation of soul power; breaking through each level's bottleneck still requires effort. Jiang Wuyue had experienced this twice and understood that meditation was indispensable. If meditation lags, relying solely on accumulating stellar energy might make bottlenecks increasingly difficult to break through.
It's best not to exceed two levels of soul power increase per year by purely absorbing stellar energy.
"Brother, does this mean you don't plan to bring me along to hunt Abyss creatures anymore?"
Xu Yuan nodded and said, "There aren't enough Abyss creatures in the outer regions of the Abyss Passage. I also don't have further research plans, so I intend to go deeper. Additionally, you've become proficient in using blood essence, so you can act independently."
Jiang Wuyue sighed.
Sure enough, he was holding back.
"Now that you're at level sixty-nine, accumulate stellar energy to reach the peak. If you seize the opportunity and break through during this Abyss Tide, after the tide ends, I'll take you to Tian Dou City to formally apprentice and obtain your next spirit soul."
Jiang Wuyue's eyes lit up.
"Great!"
Breaking through to level seventy allows officially leaving once and formally apprenticing!
However, Jiang Wuyue's expression soon became conflicted.
"But, our soul masters usually submit applications for spirit souls, filling out their needs, and the Federation selects the most suitable batch of spirit souls for us to choose from and deliver. If I apply to go out, will the higher-ups approve?"
Xu Yuan was confident about this.
"Don't worry. The spirit soul I'm taking you to obtain is something the Federation can't provide for you. They'll let you go."
"There are spirit souls the Federation can't get?" Jiang Wuyue was startled but didn't question Xu Yuan's meaning. After his surprise, he curiously asked, "What kind of spirit soul are you planning to take me to obtain?"
"Do you want a Tyrant Dragon spirit soul?" Xu Yuan looked at Jiang Wuyue and asked in return.
"Tyrant Dragon spirit soul!" Jiang Wuyue exclaimed, staring wide-eyed at Xu Yuan, scrutinizing him to confirm Xu Yuan's words.
"Are there still Tyrant Dragon spirit souls?"
"How could there not be? Previously, the Spirit Pagoda had a Tyrant Dragon spirit soul, but it has already been taken. I plan to take you to another place to obtain a Tyrant Dragon spirit soul."
Jiang Wuyue took a deep breath, suppressing his uncontrollable excitement.
Breakthrough to level seventy!
I must break through to level seventy as soon as possible!
Jiang Wuyue couldn't wait to obtain this spirit soul.
"Let's go to the Abyss Passage first. I don't need to research today. Let's fight for twelve hours."
Xu Yuan led Jiang Wuyue towards the Abyss Passage.
However, as they approached the Abyss Passage, Xu Yuan's expression slightly changed.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Wuyue also felt something amiss but didn't know the source and could only ask Xu Yuan.
"The Abyss Tide may be coming." Xu Yuan's tone was very heavy.
Through the original Dreamspace, Xu Yuan's perception was very clear. He could deeply feel the situation on the other side of the Abyss.
It was like a fierce beast suddenly opening its massive Abyss mouth, with its devouring desire and ferocity making one tremble with fear.
In front of a vast plane, Xu Yuan, a mere soul master, couldn't help but feel chills.
That giant beast had already opened its bloody jaws, and countless Abyss energies had erupted from the depths, rapidly spreading towards Douluo Star.
The dense, boundless Abyssal energy almost interfered with Xu Yuan's perception.
The entire passage seemed to temporarily turn into true Abyss territory. The terrifying pressure forced the original Dreamspace to contract towards the exit of Douluo Star's passage.
Xu Yuan took a deep breath and quickly retreated with Jiang Wuyue.
"Report to the Blood God Camp!"
The two quickly withdrew to the camp, and Xu Yuan went directly to the Blood God Camp.
"What's going on?" Seeing Xu Yuan's posture, Blood Seven also stood up, asking seriously.
Blood Seven had always been carefree, but he knew what was important at critical moments.
Seeing Xu Yuan's posture, it was likely that the Abyss Tide was coming.
Indeed, Xu Yuan glanced at Blood Seven and then at the other Blood Gods. Currently, eight Blood Gods were present in the Blood God Camp, from Blood Two to Blood Nine, excluding Blood One.
Under the gaze of the eight Blood Gods, Xu Yuan solemnly announced, "The Abyss Tide is about to erupt."
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