Aside from the changes in his martial soul and domain, Yang Xiong had another significant surprise.
That was, during the simultaneous absorption of the three soul rings, the rings had exploded. The terrifying explosive energy that surged into Yang Xiong's body seemed to fuse with the Tai Chi diagram within him, forming a unique set of rules for soul power circulation.
Through these rules of soul power circulation, Yang Xiong discovered a truly terrifying phenomenon.
If he circulated his soul power according to these rules, even if he were to explode his own soul rings, his soul power could still circulate under this framework, significantly boosting his physical strength and combat ability in a short period.
At this moment, Yang Xiong was overjoyed because it seemed he had already grasped the secret technique of exploding rings during this process. Of course, Yang Xiong's method of exploding rings differed from the Hao Tian Sect's Great Sumeru Hammer. Instead, it represented the ultimate strengthening of his martial soul, which he called the "Asura Descent."
It should be noted that the exploding rings technique is the closely guarded secret of the Hao Tian Sect, also known as the number one divine skill of the Douluo Continent. Tang Chen became truly invincible precisely because he possessed the Great Sumeru Hammer.
And Tang Hao's ability to dominate the world, severely injuring the ninety-five-level Qian Xunji and two other Title Douluos shortly after becoming a Title Douluo himself, was also due to the exploding rings technique.
Now, it seemed that Yang Xiong had already crossed the threshold of mastering the exploding rings technique. With more practice and refinement, he would undoubtedly fully grasp it, at which point his combat abilities would see a tremendous increase.
Moreover, Yang Xiong differed from those of the Hao Tian Sect in that his martial soul was his own body. His physical constitution was stronger, and his martial soul's recovery ability was superior, meaning the side effects of exploding rings would be relatively smaller.
However, Yang Xiong's current soul power level was still too low, so he likely couldn't yet fully master the exploding rings technique.
Yang Xiong strongly suspected that the predecessor who created the Great Sumeru Hammer in the Hao Tian Sect might have undergone an experience similar to his own.
After all, the exploding rings divine skill was exclusive to the Hao Tian Sect, while their other secret techniques had been partially passed down externally. Only the Great Sumeru Hammer remained entirely undisclosed.
It was estimated that the Hao Tian Sect's Great Sumeru Hammer was created based on the unique circulation of soul power specific to the Hao Tian Hammer martial soul. Even if others had the manual, they wouldn't be able to learn it.
Soon, a day passed. Both Yang Wei and Qin Shuang had finished absorbing their soul bones, and their soul power had reached level sixty.
The group directly helped them obtain excellent soul rings in the Star Dou Great Forest before returning to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
However, when everyone left the place where Yang Xiong had absorbed his soul ring, an extremely tall figure suddenly appeared out of thin air.
This person was not only exceptionally tall—already exceeding two meters—but also dressed entirely in black, exuding an incredibly terrifying aura. His eyes, however, glowed golden.
"Interesting. I didn't expect this child to have some connection to the god realm. It seems the god realm is about to undergo changes—perhaps this is an opportunity for our spirit beast race."
"And this child… how do I sense the aura of my dragon race on him?"
…
After returning to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, everything within the sect proceeded in an orderly manner, primarily focusing on rebuilding efforts.
After absorbing his soul ring this time, Yang Xiong's soul power had reached a full seventy-five levels. He clearly felt that his cultivation speed had recovered, and leveling up seemed faster than before.
Yang Xiong understood well that this was characteristic of ultimate attributes. Having broken through the bottleneck of level seventy, his cultivation would only accelerate further.
Upon returning home, Yang Xiong finally dissected the corpses of the three Qian Jun Ant Emperors.
To his surprise, the three Qian Jun Ant Emperors yielded three soul bones—and all of them were torso soul bones.
Yang Xiong was astonished. Although high-level spirit beasts had a higher probability of producing soul bones, it was unexpected to see three soul bones emerge simultaneously.
Furthermore, upon closer inspection of the three torso soul bones, Yang Xiong realized they weren't ninety-thousand-year-level but true hundred-thousand-year soul bones.
Normally, hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts always produced soul bones, and the position of the soul bone would correspond to a part of the hunter's body that lacked one.
Currently, Yang Xiong was still missing three soul bones: both arm bones and the torso bone.
Yang Xiong had always felt that something was off with his arms. Since the evolution of the Ice-fire Dragon Claw, he seemed unable to absorb any arm soul bones unless his body had undergone some inexplicable change.
Torso soul bones were the rarest and most precious among all soul bones, and hundred-thousand-year torso soul bones were practically priceless. There were likely only a few such treasures across the entire Douluo Continent.
All of this seemed to confirm Yang Xiong's suspicions. Perhaps the changes in his arms were related to the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well—or perhaps the key to his bodily transformation lay within the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
Yang Xiong didn't dwell on it. For now, he had no intention of absorbing the torso soul bones, and he didn't think much of the three torso soul bones from the Qian Jun Ant Emperors.
As for his arm soul bones, he'd find a solution later. Perhaps, unknowingly, he had already been manipulated by fate.
Yang Xiong directly summoned Oscar: "Oscar, how do you feel about your time at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? How does it compare to training outside?"
Oscar smiled: "Big Brother Xiong, stop teasing me. I feel pretty good here at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
"By the way, I heard Teacher Zhao mention privately that you secretly founded something called the Body Sect. Is that true?"
Yang Xiong nodded: "I've had the Body Sect established for quite a while, but it hasn't officially debuted yet, nor has it been publicized to outsiders."
"However, with the current chaos in the soul master world, we're nearing an era of warring factions. My Body Sect will likely make its true debut soon."
Oscar looked puzzled: "Big Brother Xiong, how many people are in your Body Sect? What are your plans for its development?"
Yang Xiong smiled: "You've already met the high-ranking members of the Body Sect. We currently have five elders. Elder Lin Gong is the Grand Elder, Elder Yang Wudi is the Second Elder, Elder Niu Gao is the Third Elder, Elder Bai He is the Fourth Elder, and Elder Dragon Duke Meng Shu is the Fifth Elder."
"Recently, I spoke with Teacher Zhao Wuji. Since Teacher Zhao doesn't like being constrained, he'll serve as a guest elder in the Body Sect, coming and going as he pleases."
After returning from hunting his seventh soul ring, Yang Xiong had specifically sought out Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji had long served as Yang Xiong's private coach, and their relationship was excellent.
Over the years, Zhao Wuji had lived comfortably in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and his soul power cultivation had progressed rapidly.
During the last great battle of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Zhao Wuji had stayed close to Yang Xiong's parents and older brother, effectively protecting them. At least Yang Xiong's parents and older brother hadn't suffered any injuries.
This time, Yang Xiong specifically discussed his plans with Zhao Wuji. Zhao Wuji would continue to stay in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, helping protect Yang Xiong's parents while serving as a guest elder of the Body Sect—free to come and go as he pleased.
For someone like Zhao Wuji, who valued carefree freedom, this arrangement was ideal. He disliked constraints, and the position of guest elder suited him perfectly.
Moreover, based on Yang Xiong's estimation, once the Body Sect officially debuted, his parents would likely prefer to remain in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect rather than leave. After all, they had spent their entire lives there.
After hearing Yang Xiong's plans, Oscar's face lit up with joy: "Big Brother Xiong, don't forget about me! Reserve a comfortable position for me in the Body Sect. I'll join your sect in the future, but I'd prefer to be a guest elder like Teacher Zhao."
Yang Xiong laughed: "Little Ao, you're just like Teacher Zhao Wuji. But don't worry—I've already prepared a position for you. From now on, you'll be the Vice Sect Leader of the Body Sect."
Oscar was ecstatic: "Big Brother Xiong, you're truly my blood brother! From now on, I'll follow you faithfully and contribute to the sect."
Yang Xiong gave Oscar a playful flick on the forehead: "You little Ao, are you saying we wouldn't be brothers if I didn't make you Vice Sect Leader? You're too pragmatic."
Oscar replied: "I know you're doing this for my benefit, Big Brother Xiong. I'll work hard to improve my strength and won't let anyone gossip about me."
Yang Xiong didn't dwell on it and took out two soul bones.
One was the torso soul bone of the Qian Jun Ant Emperor, and the other was the right arm soul bone of the White-Eyed Demon Tiger King obtained in Sunset Forest.
Among those close to Yang Xiong, only his older brother and Oscar stood out. Rather than letting the soul bones go to waste, it was better to give them to Oscar. Once Oscar absorbed the soul bones, he would quickly grow stronger, potentially leading to unexpected surprises in the future.
Oscar was unparalleled in talent, flexible, and reliable. He was the brother Yang Xiong trusted most, lacking only opportunities.
At this moment, Oscar hesitated slightly: "Big Brother Xiong, aren't these items a bit too valuable?"
Yang Xiong flicked Oscar's forehead again: "What are you talking about, brothers? If I'm giving them to you, they're yours. This decision was made after careful consideration."
"The hundred-thousand-year Qian Jun Ant Emperor torso soul bone will enhance your defense and significantly boost your physical constitution. And since you've always aspired to become a battle-type soul master, the seventy-thousand-year White-Eyed Demon Tiger right arm soul bone will increase your combat power. However, as a food-type soul master, possessing such treasures means you shouldn't flaunt them easily, or you'll attract trouble."
Only then did Oscar happily accept the two soul bones: "I knew Big Brother Xiong would think of me. Following you is definitely the right choice."
Yang Xiong shook his head helplessly: "Absorb these soul bones as soon as possible. Things might not be so easy moving forward."
Watching Oscar's excited expression, Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head. He truly regarded Oscar as a blood brother—the only close friend he'd made over the years.
Moreover, Yang Xiong had intentionally kept a certain distance from Qin Shuang. Most things were channeled through Oscar, partly to bring Oscar and Qin Shuang closer and partly to avoid entanglements with Qin Shuang, who was being groomed by Ning Fengzhi.
After meeting with Oscar, Yang Xiong immediately found his older brother Yang Wei and gave him a Qian Jun Ant Emperor torso soul bone.
Yang Wei was overjoyed, as were his parents.
Lately, Yang Wei had experienced a streak of good fortune. Not only had his soul power reached the Soul Emperor level, but due to the uniqueness of his Black Iron Sword martial soul, he had caught the attention of Sword Douluo, who personally provided guidance, improving his strength and combat experience.
In reality, Yang Wei was only six years older than Yang Xiong, making him twenty-five years old. His rapid progress in recent years was remarkable—consider what a twenty-five-year-old Soul Emperor meant in the soul master world.
Especially after consuming the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, Yang Wei had gained profound insights into swordsmanship, even mastering sword qi. In the future, he might reach an extraordinarily high level in the art of the sword.
After handling everything, Yang Xiong took the last Qian Jun Ant Emperor torso soul bone to see Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi was delighted, clearly aware of the immense power of this Qian Jun Ant Emperor torso soul bone. Without hesitation, he gave it to Ning Rongrong. This gesture reflected Yang Xiong's attitude toward Ning Fengzhi.
The fact that Yang Xiong had secretly founded the Body Sect was likely known to Ning Fengzhi, yet Ning Fengzhi had never approached him. Moreover, Ning Fengzhi's support for the three single-attribute families was evident, enabling seamless cooperation between them—even to the extent that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was willing to engage in unprofitable ventures.
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