It is difficult to acquire a decent cultivation method in the realms of fantasy or immortality for just 25 million points.
However, Nangong Lingyun's primary Martial Soul attributes, such as vitality, life force, strength, and mental power, happen to align well with the abilities of many martial arts techniques.
As a result, over seventy percent of the methods listed on the first page came from the martial worlds of Qin Dynasty, Snow in the City, Hong Kong Comics, The Undying Man, and One Beneath the Sky.
There were even a few game-inspired methods from Sword Network and Immortal Sword.
As for the second page and beyond, Nangong Lingyun knew he had trouble making decisions, so he decided not to bother looking any further.
Out of 162 options, it was already challenging to pick. If there were hundreds or thousands of volumes...
Just imagining such a scene made his head feel like it might explode.
Nangong Lingyun carefully filtered through the options for half an hour, eliminating any that had strange or unfamiliar names, were too greedy or weak in their single ability focus, or seemed overly niche, with methods that could only cultivate a single ability.
He also removed anything that didn't have a solid reason or that he simply disliked.
In the end, about thirty techniques remained. Among the most appealing were Holy Heart Art, Longevity Art, Heavenly Gang Art, God and Demon Unity Art, Black Tortoise True Skill, and Supreme Heaven and Earth Art—all totaling more than ten volumes.
Holy Heart Art simulated part of the immortal and rebirth abilities of Phoenix Blood, which happened to align perfectly with the Eternal Spirit's indestructible nature, greatly enhancing vitality and life attributes.
It also had applications in mental power and martial techniques.
Black Tortoise True Skill was known as one of the top ten martial arts, containing ten sets of top-tier techniques: sword, spear, sword, halberd, staff, fist, palm, leg, claw, and finger.
Nangong Lingyun's Beast Control Martial Soul could transform his beasts into various divine weapons, not just Ayin's Blue Silver Emperor Spear but also other mainstream weapons, perfectly matching the techniques.
There was also the Longevity Art, which absorbed the essence of heaven and earth and had amazing benefits for strengthening the body, and most importantly, the Sunu Sutra, which contained the Daoist dual cultivation technique.
Others had their own unique merits.
Unfortunately, the ones he most desired couldn't be purchased yet, and he'd have to wait a few more days.
(Feel free to leave a comment on which technique the protagonist should practice next.)
...
After reluctantly closing the virtual screen, Nangong Lingyun called out to Angel Yan:
"Yan, send me back to Notting Academy."
Right now, he only had 21 million points, but the techniques he needed cost 25 million. The remaining 4 million would have to go to Xiao Wu or Tang San.
Given Tang San's show-off personality and love for grudges, it was likely the two of them would clash soon.
As for Xiao Wu, it was time to reveal her long-prepared big move, a back-up plan Nangong Lingyun had intentionally set up within the Martial Soul settings.
A moment later, in the seventh dormitory:
The other members were already hard at work, meditating on their soul power while sitting cross-legged on their beds. Only Xiao Wu was boredly fiddling with a rabbit-shaped doll.
When the dormitory door suddenly swung open, she raised her head and saw Nangong Lingyun returning.
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
She quickly jumped off the bed, grabbed his arm, and pulled him outside.
She seemed to be worried about disturbing the others' training, so she put a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture and silently told Nangong Lingyun not to speak.
In front of the seventh dormitory was an open space, and beyond that, a dense forest split by a cobbled path.
When they reached the edge of the forest, Nangong Lingyun quietly activated the sensing ability of his Ancient Holy Body and broke the silence:
"Xiao Wu, do you feel anything special towards me?"
His two primary Martial Souls could produce a Martial Soul sense with all human Soul Masters and even shape-shifting Soul Beasts, leading to a Martial Soul fusion technique.
It was unavoidable. Human Martial Souls naturally resonated with humans.
However, whether or not this sense was communicated and perceived by others was always under Nangong Lingyun's control.
Previously, he had kept this function turned off, and today was the first time he had activated it.
Before crossing over, he had thought about how to reasonably and quickly build a harem without dealing with the endless tangled emotions.
His conclusion was simple: Martial Soul Fusion Techniques.
These special techniques, which required both parties to have a mental connection to execute, were the perfect tool to quickly close the distance between him and the girls.
"What do you mean?"
Xiao Wu froze in place as she heard the words, her usually bouncy figure now stiffened. The next moment, as if struck by a sudden realization, her cute face flushed bright red at lightning speed.
Clenching her fists, she swung them in the air in excitement:
"Ah! What are you talking about? I just asked you out because I was bored and wanted to spar with you, that's all!"
Her tone sounded almost indignant.
Nangong Lingyun secretly smiled, pretending to be confused:
"What do you mean? What I meant was, have you noticed that our Martial Souls seem to have a special connection?"
"Martial Soul connection?"
Xiao Wu froze again, her expression changing into a mixture of confusion and surprise.
Once she realized her misunderstanding, a wave of embarrassment and anger surged through her, making her already red face turn even redder.
But the clear Martial Soul sense she felt in her mind shocked and delighted her so much that she stood still, frozen, hardly reacting at all.
Though this was Xiao Wu's first time in the human world and first time entering a Soul Master academy, her understanding of cultivation was surprisingly deep, hidden under the surface.
She knew very well what the Martial Soul connection meant and what it would mean for two Soul Masters with full soul power to connect.
Once both of them reached the Title Douluo level, they would possess extraordinary combat power, and if two Super Douluos used a Martial Soul fusion technique, even an Ultimate Douluo wouldn't stand a chance.
Especially when she thought about how Nangong Lingyun's Martial Soul was so strong, even suppressing her top-quality Soft Bone Charm Rabbit—Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel excited and unable to control herself.
Anyone with half a brain could tell that the fusion technique of two powerful Martial Souls would be incredibly strong.
Since arriving in the human world, she had always seemed carefree on the surface, but in reality, the worry about her identity being exposed never truly disappeared.
But at this moment, it felt as though she had found something she could rely on.
"You..."
"Let's find a place to try it out, shall we?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Xiao Wu nodded vigorously and immediately followed Nangong Lingyun into the small forest, seemingly even more eager than him.
Once they stopped, she excitedly shouted:
"Martial Soul Possession, Soft Bone Charm Rabbit!"
Nangong Lingyun also summoned his Ancient Holy Body, though not in its full form—only about 20% of its power.
The full form was like a glowing golden statue, far too attention-grabbing for the late evening.
As both of them activated their Martial Souls, the sense between them intensified, as if the other was irresistibly drawing them in.
(End of Chapter)