At this moment, Yang Xiong's mind was somewhat hazy. Not only had he expended a tremendous amount of mental energy, but his entire body seemed to have reached its limit, much like when he absorbed the three thousand-jun ant emperor soul rings—his strength felt completely drained.
However, Yang Xiong was acutely aware that this was the most critical moment. At present, the soul core was being controlled by his mental energy to operate, but for it to truly take shape, his martial soul and the soul core needed to mutually attract each other. Eventually, his martial soul, body, and soul core would form a balance, allowing the soul core to function independently.
Everyone around him watched Yang Xiong with concern. To condense this soul core, he had drained all his strength and blood essence, leaving him looking incredibly fragile.
At this crucial juncture, the spirit bone in his head, imbued with the power of the Blue Silver King, continuously emitted a deep azure energy, sustaining the stability of Yang Xiong's mind like an endless stream.
Yang Xiong felt his body—or rather, his martial soul—resonating somehow, as if emitting a certain resonance.
In this moment, Yang Xiong used the last vestiges of his clarity to begin guiding the soul core into autonomous and orderly operation.
Seeing the crimson soul core before him fully stabilized, even rotating rapidly without requiring his mental control, Yang Xiong realized that his soul core had finally been successfully condensed.
But there was one final step—the most crucial one.
Under the pull of his body, the soul core gradually approached him, eventually penetrating his skin and muscles to enter his lower dantian.
When the soul core entered the dantian, his entire martial soul seemed to resonate in that instant, as if a core had returned to its rightful place. In that moment, the soul core began to operate independently, rapidly absorbing soul power from the air to replenish his body.
Though Yang Xiong's mental energy and soul power were entirely depleted, and he had no strength left in his body, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
In the past, when battling true Title Douluo-level experts, Yang Xiong's soul power had always been insufficient. But now, with the soul core, his soul power would become deeper and more enduring, giving him the ability to truly engage in prolonged battles with Title Douluos.
Seeing Yang Xiong's condition, everyone present exhaled in relief—it was clear that his soul core condensation had succeeded.
Only then did Dugu Bo let out a sigh of relief: "What a little monster you are! I formed my Poison Core when absorbing my ninth soul ring. I never expected someone at the Soul Sage level to achieve this. It seems I underestimated you."
Witnessing Yang Xiong's successful soul core condensation, Ning Fengzhi swiftly summoned his Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda. Countless rays of light infused Yang Xiong's body, rapidly restoring his strength and soul power.
By the time Yang Xiong gradually regained his composure, a crimson soul core had appeared in his lower dantian. This soul core seemed to have completely merged with his martial soul, becoming like a part of his body that could be called upon at any time.
Moreover, the soul core contained an immense and terrifying energy, brimming with power.
This was Yang Xiong's ultimate strength, condensed entirely into the first soul core.
When the soul core operated, it not only absorbed energy from the air at a rapid pace to replenish his soul power but also significantly increased his cultivation speed. Even when he wasn't deliberately meditating, the soul core autonomously absorbed ambient energy, effectively extending his cultivation time and enhancing the efficiency of meditation—a multi-faceted benefit.
Upon seeing Yang Xiong's successful soul core condensation, everyone present marveled in amazement. It was as if they had glimpsed an entirely new path of cultivation.
Especially the Title Douluos present—they had experienced a significant slowdown in their cultivation after reaching the Title Douluo level. But now, the soul core Yang Xiong had condensed might offer them a glimpse of a way forward.
By contrast, Ning Fengzhi appeared more solemn, clearly understanding the significance of the soul core to the soul master world and its potential impact on major sects and powerful factions.
Particularly for those stuck at the eighty-ninth level, like some Soul Douluos who were trapped in what seemed an insurmountable chasm, unable to advance further. If they could break through their final limitations and ascend to the Title Douluo level through the condensation of a soul core, wouldn't that mean cultivating even more high-level experts?
Of course, if Title Douluos could also condense soul cores, it might lead to a massive leap in the power of top-tier experts, creating an overwhelming gap above them.
"Xiao Xiong, do you feel any differences after condensing this Poison Core?"
Yang Xiong thought carefully before replying: "Sect Leader, I've named this Poison Core the 'soul core'—it is the core of our soul power and even our martial soul."
"With this soul core, I feel my soul power has become much deeper, allowing me to fight for longer periods during battles."
"The most important thing is that after condensing this soul core, my cultivation speed has increased by about twenty percent. Even when I'm not fighting or in specific scenarios, the soul core operates autonomously, meaning I can cultivate at all times. This is one of the most crucial aspects of the soul core."
Upon hearing Yang Xiong's words, everyone's eyes lit up. Wasn't this soul core specifically designed to address the slow advancement of Title Douluos?
Ning Fengzhi immediately spoke up: "Xiao Xiong, does cultivating with the soul core carry any risks? I saw how your soul power seemed entirely depleted earlier. I fear others won't be able to condense a soul core as easily as you did."
Yang Xiong nodded: "Indeed. Condensing a soul core requires extremely high demands on both the body and mental energy. Based on my estimation, one must at least reach the Title Douluo level to condense a soul core. Only the mental energy of a Title Douluo can sustain the entire process of soul core condensation."
"Of course, Sect Leader, you should know that I possess an extraordinary head spirit bone, which allowed my mental energy to reach the Title Douluo level early on. Even so, during the final stages of soul core condensation, I found both my soul power and mental energy insufficient. Therefore, it's best to attempt soul core condensation only as a Title Douluo."
"Of course, for some top-tier Soul Douluos who are physically restricted from breaking through to the Title Douluo level, the soul core might allow them to overcome their final barriers."
Hearing this, everyone was once again astonished. In the world of Douluo, Title Douluos were pillars of power, absolute forces capable of suppressing entire sects.
The decline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan stemmed from their failure to produce a second Title Douluo.
Yet, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had many top-tier Soul Douluos. For instance, Yu Luomian, the younger brother of Yu Yuanzhen, lacked no resources, yet he remained stuck at eighty-nine levels, unable to break through despite his efforts.
If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had produced a second Title Douluo, they wouldn't have suffered such a devastating defeat.
Within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, there were also two eighty-nine-level Soul Douluos. Unfortunately, despite exhausting all resources provided by Ning Fengzhi, neither could break through.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi appeared unusually grave: "For now, you'd best not leave. Organize the specifics of this soul core condensation process. Perhaps the emergence of the soul core is the key to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's rise to greatness, potentially leading to a qualitative leap."
Yang Xiong nodded: "I understand, Sect Leader. I'll organize the method for soul core condensation as soon as possible. However, the process is extremely perilous. Unless one is a Title Douluo or an eighty-nine-level Soul Douluo, they shouldn't attempt it lightly. There's over a ninety percent chance of death. Even for Title Douluos attempting to condense a soul core, multiple experts must be present to ensure safety."
Ning Fengzhi and the others said nothing further, but Dugu Bo appeared as though he wanted to speak yet hesitated.
"Senior Poison Douluo, do you have any suggestions?"
Dugu Bo finally sighed helplessly: "Little monster, the soul core you've researched seems beneficial to me too. Why don't I give it a try and see if I can successfully condense a soul core?"
Yang Xiong looked at Dugu Bo with resignation: "Senior Poison Douluo, you've already condensed a Poison Core. What use would a soul core serve you?"
"Besides, based on my research just now, it seems each person can only condense one soul core. If a second soul core forms within the body, the two cores will likely repel each other, resulting in catastrophic consequences."
"Of course, if there's a special method that allows two soul cores to coexist, both recovery and strength would increase significantly. But condensing a second soul core is a hundred times more dangerous than the first. I wouldn't dare attempt it until I reach the Title Douluo level."
"The method for condensing the soul core was derived from studying your Poison Core, so naturally, you have a share in it. However, Senior, please don't spread it lightly—I fear it might draw the Spirit Hall's covetous gaze."
Dugu Bo quickly reassured him: "Don't worry. I won't spread it lightly. Apart from myself, I won't tell anyone else."
…
Over the next few days, everyone's focus was entirely on soul core condensation.
Surprisingly, the first person to condense a soul core wasn't someone else but Yang Xiong's teacher, Lin Gong.
Lin Gong had already reached the Title Douluo level and was deeply interested in the study and development of the soul master world. Despite the risks, he insisted on being the first to attempt soul core condensation.
Fortunately, Lin Gong possessed a top-tier head spirit bone, giving him profound knowledge of martial soul and soul power operations. Nevertheless, the process was fraught with danger, and he faced numerous perils before finally condensing his first soul core.
When Lin Gong successfully condensed his first soul core, he was overjoyed. During the research process, he provided numerous suggestions and fresh ideas, even refining and simplifying the entire procedure.
After Lin Gong's success, the method for soul core condensation quickly spread among the top echelons of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The two eighty-nine-level Soul Douluos of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, after careful deliberation, decided to make a final push to condense soul cores.
It was well-known that the process of condensing a soul core was extremely perilous. Moreover, if one broke through to the Title Douluo level through soul core condensation, their future growth would be limited by the soul core itself. Essentially, for the sake of breaking through, they were restricting their future potential.
Nevertheless, the two were resolute in making this final push. After all, they had been stuck at the Soul Douluo level for far too long.
Both were elders of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, holding high status within the sect and demonstrating unwavering loyalty.
One had the martial soul of a golden eagle, while the other's martial soul was the Demon Ape—both exceptionally powerful beast-type martial souls.
After breaking through to the Title Douluo level, they were respectively named Golden Eagle Douluo and Demon Ape Douluo, and their strength was commendable.
Golden Eagle Douluo possessed incredible flight speed, though still inferior to the pure agility-type Bai He. His attack power was formidable, and he wasn't purely an agility-attack type soul master but rather a hybrid between agility and power.
The Demon Ape combined offense and defense, with particularly overwhelming strength. In many ways, he resembled Zhao Wuji'sVigorous Vajra Bear, though his strength fell slightly short. However, his flexibility far exceeded that of theVigorous Vajra Bear.
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