Chapter 282: The Soul Practitioner of the Po Clan
Huo Yuhao thought to himself that it was only natural for Tang San not to descend to the mortal realm. After all, he was under the watchful eye of Destruction, and the rules of the Divine Realm were strict. If Tang San had descended because of the decline of the Tang Sect and was discovered, the God of Destruction would have had a valid reason to criticize him before the Divine Realm Committee and attempt to seize control of the Divine Realm's core. Otherwise, given Tang San's personality, how could he have just stood by and watched as the Tang Sect fell to the point where only Tang Ya remained as its leader? The Tang Sect was his creation, meant to stand above all on the Douluo Continent, never to fall into obscurity.
"What kind of punishment did he impose? Did all four great clans receive the same treatment?" Huo Yuhao asked, feeling puzzled.
"Yes, all the same," the Plane's Consciousness replied with a hint of helplessness. "While Tang Hao was corrupting me, I harbored extreme resentment toward Tang San. Since I hadn't been fully corrupted yet, I was still able to observe the outside world. From my observations, the four great clans suffered heavy casualties while defending the Tang Sect. After leaving behind considerable resources, they received permission from the Tang Sect leader to withdraw. However, afterward, Tang San came to me with a strange key. He used it to link a portion of my power with the Divine Realm's energy and then altered the bloodlines of the four great clans. As a result, none of their descendants could ever be born with innate soul power, leading to their rapid decline."
"A strange key? What did it look like?" Huo Yuhao asked through his mental connection.
The Plane's Consciousness quickly responded, "It was a golden key, shaped like an octagram."
Huo Yuhao immediately recognized it wasn't that the Divine Realm's core? Tang San had actually used the Divine Realm's core just to suppress four clans that had peacefully left the Tang Sect? Wasn't that like using a cannon to kill a mosquito? Truly, his divine grace was boundless the four great clans were indeed "blessed."
It made sense that the Divine Realm's core could suppress the development of innate soul power in soul masters. After all, the appearance of soul masters was closely tied to the Divine Realm. According to the lore of Soul Land IV, soul masters and soul beasts originated from the leakage of Divine Realm energy and the deaths of many divine beasts, whose bloodline energy spread throughout the mortal world. This led to the evolution of both humans and ordinary animals, giving rise to soul masters and soul beasts.
To say that the Divine Realm had no means of suppressing soul masters would be ridiculous. However, in most cases, the God Kings held themselves above such petty actions and wouldn't go so far as to suppress certain clans across generations.
Of course, given Tang San's character, this wasn't surprising. This was the same man who personally descended to force the Sun Moon Empire to withdraw its troops, return occupied territories, and even change the name of their empire.
Huo Yuhao withdrew his thoughts and spoke to the soldier, Yang Feng. "Sit cross legged."
He decided to talk to him more later perhaps he could gather all the descendants of the four great clans. They had worked together for many years; surely they still had ways to contact each other.
Yang Feng immediately sat cross legged, placing his spear horizontally across his lap. Huo Yuhao stepped behind him, placing both hands on his back. "I will guide my soul power into your body. Pay close attention to its movement and remember the path it follows."
"Yes, sir!" Yang Feng nodded firmly and tensed his body.
Huo Yuhao pressed his palms against Yang Feng's back and began channeling his soul power into the soldier's body. With the enhancement of his immense spiritual power and Spirit Eyes martial soul, he meticulously cleared several of Yang Feng's meridians. Given his superior "configuration" compared to Tang San, this task was a simple one for him.
After a while, Yang Feng spoke, "Lord Huo, I remember the path. But I still have no soul power. Even if I know the route, how do I generate it?"
Huo Yuhao replied, "That's where cultivation techniques come in. Next, you'll need to follow the method outlined in this manual."
He removed his hands from Yang Feng's back and handed him a book. The cover bore three large characters: "Fate Altering Art."
Yang Feng took the book and carefully flipped through it. As he turned the pages, his breathing grew increasingly rapid.
Since this was a modified version of the Mysterious Heaven Technique, Huo Yuhao had decided to rename it. The name "Fate Altering Art" was fitting for ordinary people after all, in the world of Soul Land, soul masters were the ruling class.
If ordinary people could gain soul power, they could become Soul Practitioners and eventually Soul Masters. For them, this would be nothing short of changing their fate and that of their families.
Take the economic landscape of Soul Land II as an example: a soul master's income was far greater than that of an ordinary person.
One reason was that ordinary people lacked the strength to protect large sums of wealth. In this world where power reigned supreme, if a powerless individual became wealthy, they would become an easy target.
The other reason was that ordinary incomes were simply too low.
In Soul Land II, at Shrek Academy's cafeteria, a meal of stir fried vegetables and plain rice cost two copper soul coins. Meanwhile, in Duke White Tiger's army, soldiers in the Sixth Reserve Corps earned a monthly wage of only four silver soul coins.
Given that one silver soul coin equaled ten copper soul coins, a soldier's entire monthly wage was only enough for twenty meals at Shrek Academy's cafeteria.
As for the cost of living in Shrek City, most Shrek Academy students were quite well off. If the price of something as simple as stir fried vegetables and rice rose too much, it would tarnish Shrek's image.
According to Shrek Academy's entrance requirements, most of its students came from well off backgrounds. The first hurdle was obtaining a recommendation letter from a city lord.
The second hurdle was being under twelve years old and having at least fifteen levels of soul power. Without financial support, many couldn't meet these requirements after all, those born with innate full soul power were rare. Most outer court students weren't prodigies.
Of course, wealth could compensate for talent. With enough resources, one could take medicinal pills to artificially raise their soul power level.
As for Huo Yuhao his background was quite poor. The White Tiger Duke's estate could hardly be considered his home. His original home had been completely destroyed when Huo Yun'er died.
Soon, Yang Feng finished reading the Fate Altering Art and began practicing according to its instructions. Gradually, he felt a cool sensation in his lower abdomen. According to the manual, this was called "internal energy." As he circulated it, he noticed it slowly transforming into another kind of power.
He opened his eyes, gripped his Soul Piercing Spear, and thrust it forward with all his might. A sharp boom echoed through the air. Yang Feng's face turned deathly pale.
He felt the cool energy within him vanish. However, moments later, it resurfaced and began circulating along the same path. His complexion quickly recovered.
Jing Hongchen's eyes widened in shock and excitement. "This power… and there's soul power fluctuation! Without a doubt, this man, who was born with zero innate soul power, has now become a Soul Practitioner!"
Right now, this was just one ordinary Sun Moon soldier who had been transformed from a non soul power individual into someone with soul power.
But what if this happened to all the citizens of the Sun Moon Empire?
What if they all became Soul Masters?
(End of chapter.)
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Until November 30th, get 40% off your subscription and the purchase of the novel.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1