"I didn't expect the Splitting soul skill to enhance the passive effects of my first soul skill, increasing both the quantity and speed of absorbing solar power. This is quite a pleasant surprise!"
After splitting the Sun Martial Soul, the speed and amount of solar power absorption increased by eighty percent. When split into four, it reached a 1.3 times increase, and when split into eight, this enhancement could double.
Originally, he could have split even more for greater benefits, but after trying it out, the explosive solar power nearly burned through his meridians, prompting him to quickly reform his martial soul into eight suns and begin cultivating.
With such a terrifying cultivation speed boost, Xu Yang could ensure his own cultivation pace while allocating more soul power to body tempering, nurturing his mental strength. This allowed him to reach a state where he could cultivate spirit, energy, and body simultaneously, attempting to merge all three into one rather than following the typical path of soul masters who prioritized soul power first—passively enhancing their body and mental strength.
Through this accumulation over time, Xu Yang was able to create a significant gap between himself and other soul masters at the same level. This gap was multifaceted—not only in physical and mental strength but also in soul power. The benefits of cultivating spirit, energy, and body together meant that his soul power became purer and easier to control.
Most importantly, this method of cultivation allowed Xu Yang to possess significantly more soul power than other soul masters at the same level. For example, if a twenty-two-level Great Soul Master had a soul power level of one, Xu Yang would have a soul power level of 1.3 for each level. This difference would continue to grow with this training method.
With far superior soul and mental powers compared to his peers, he could condense a soul core during his advancement to Soul Douluo or even Soul Saint levels—laying a solid foundation for himself.
This was also something Xu Yang came to understand after practicing body tempering techniques over the past two years at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. He learned that while some had considered using soul power to increase physical strength—making them invincible among peers—it often hindered their soul power cultivation speed. As a result, they missed out on optimal growth periods for soul masters and ultimately achieved less than their contemporaries—even those who could have reached Title Douluo status might fall short.
Thus, no one pursued this line of research further.
Ning Fengzhi valued this technique because it could be combined with Whale Gel usage to maximize its effects—allowing sect members to absorb soul rings beyond their limits. Additionally, due to the inherent flaws in Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's martial souls that prevented them from advancing to Soul Douluo, this technique could enhance their strength and survival capabilities—hence why Bone Douluo was developing it.
Xu Yang later realized that he initially thought this technique could be widely adopted; he didn't expect it would only be usable by a select few.
As noon approached and the solar energy became overly intense and violent, Xu Yang decided to stop his cultivation and began researching his second soul skill. He wanted to explore its limits—how far he could split it.
"If I can eventually split my martial soul down to the molecular or atomic level, the potential of this skill would be infinite."
"Currently, I can only split it down to the size of broad beans. Even with my divided concentration control, I can't fully manage them all; it seems this is my current limit!"
Sitting cross-legged on the balcony with over a hundred broad bean-sized Sun Martial Souls floating around him, Xu Yang attempted to manipulate them but found he could only control about half; most remained unmanageable due to insufficient mental strength.
*Sigh!*
With a slight sigh, Xu Yang reformed his martial souls back into one and stored them away. He then prepared himself before heading toward the training ground. In his view, every soul skill had potential for redevelopment—even learning techniques from them was possible.
After nearly two years of training, he had successfully developed a healing secret technique from his first soul skill. Although it wasn't perfected yet and didn't match the effectiveness of his first skill "Morning Light," its results were still commendable; he believed it held great potential.
Now he aimed to study his second soul skill further in hopes of developing an associated secret technique that could become part of his regular methods.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had deep foundations; over these two years in the sect's library, he discovered many combat techniques similar to martial arts from his previous life—including methods for delivering hidden force.
The Splitting soul skill was incredibly practical; if this ability could be applied offensively, it would be quite terrifying. For instance, if the force behind a punch could split into two or even multiple strikes—though each might weaken in power—the unpredictability would make it much harder for opponents to defend against.
Similarly, if Xu Yang's blade energy could also split—it would provide an excellent means of attack.
Determined to start with the simplest form of hidden force…
Arriving at an iron stake made from refined iron, Xu Yang repeatedly recalled that tearing sensation of soul power during martial soul splitting in his mind. Channeling this feeling into his hand as he struck the iron stake with a punch.
*Bang!*
The iron stake emitted a dull thud as a fist imprint appeared on its surface.
"No! The hidden force didn't split; it's still just one strike! Otherwise there would be two imprints instead of just one!"
Furrowing his brow in confusion, Xu Yang felt something was off. He continued simulating that tearing sensation in his mind before condensing his soul power again and striking once more. With another *bang*, the iron stake shook slightly; on top of the original imprint appeared two smaller ones.
"Still not right! After splitting—the hidden force lost its previous refinement and became much looser; its attack power doesn't meet my expectations."
"Again!"
*Bang!*
"Again!"
*Bang!*
...
Thus began Xu Yang's relentless series of punches against the iron stake. Each time he struck, he replayed in his mind what went wrong—seeking improvements so that splitting abilities became more practical—transforming them into habits and instincts until they reached a point where they could be executed effortlessly.
After practicing punches for some time, Xu Yang continued training with his blade—aiming for the blade energy he unleashed to split freely and merge as well. With experience from tempering hidden force behind him—the blade energy aspect became relatively easier.
This lifestyle continued for two months until just before classes began at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The transformation of his second soul skill "Splitting" into an associated secret technique was significantly simpler than transforming his first soul skill "Morning Light" into a healing technique; after all—"Morning Light" involved changes in soul power properties that turned it into healing energy—which was indeed challenging.
In contrast, "Splitting" merely required dividing one unit into two or four without involving any such complexities.
Thus while the healing secret technique remained incomplete—the splitting secret technique was finished first!
(End of Chapter)