The Soul Power within Tang San's body flowed along with the Ghost Ring, much like river water driven by a waterwheel—continuous and unending.
Back when Tang San hadn't fully awakened his second Martial Soul and hunted the Mountain Moving Goblin for his second Soul Ring, he had discovered that the power absorbed by his Rakshasa Martial Soul could partially feed back to him, thereby enhancing his Soul Power.
In other words, the more Tang San killed, the faster his cultivation improved—perfectly aligning with the nature of the Rakshasa God, who gained power through slaughter and death.
With a soft pop, after seven days and nights of the Ghost Ring refining and absorbing souls, a faint reverberation echoed, followed by a creaking sound emanating from the ring.
Once the Ghost Ring completed its devouring and refinement, it exuded a unique type of Soul Power—cold and filled with the aura of death, yet also brimming with vigorous vitality. It was akin to the satisfaction a vampire felt after drinking blood.
"Thirty-ninth rank?" Tang San realized his Soul Power had risen by two levels, reaching the thirty-ninth rank. He was now just one step away from the fortieth rank—Soul Ancestor.
The increase in his Soul Power didn't surprise him. In the world of Douluo Continent, where cultivation techniques didn't exist, a Soul Master's advancement in Soul Power wasn't primarily achieved through accumulation. Although the Simulated Training Field could gradually enhance Soul Power, without the acceleration provided by cultivation techniques, progress largely depended on serendipitous opportunities.
One might suddenly gain a fortuitous encounter that would drastically boost their Soul Power, or their Martial Soul might evolve under certain circumstances.
Naturally, a God Trial also counted as a form of cultivation opportunity.
After silently assessing the strength of his Ghost Ring, Tang San nodded in satisfaction, thinking, "Not bad. The Ghost Ring has now reached five thousand five hundred years—even stronger than my third Soul Ring. Truly worthy of a God-given Spirit Ring. Not only can it evolve infinitely, but its power is formidable, and it possesses multiple Soul Skills."
Every time the Ghost Ring unlocked a new tier—ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years—it would gain an additional Soul Skill. Now that Tang San's Ghost Ring had broken through the thousand-year threshold, he had acquired yet another Soul Skill. Moreover, as the Soul Ring evolved to higher levels, the power of all its Soul Skills also increased.
Take Rakshasa Avatar, for example. At the ten-year level, the overall enhancement was limited. But at the thousand-year level—or, in this case, five thousand years—the Rakshasa Avatar would provide a boost equivalent to that of a five-thousand-year Soul Ring. Such an improvement was terrifying, enough to allow Tang San in his avatar state to tear apart a Thousand Year Soul Beast with his bare hands.
The Ghost Ring's First Soul Skill was Rakshasa Avatar, which was granted by default. The Second Soul Skill, Crescent Slash Style, was a single-target attack. The Third Soul Skill, Black Demon Pool, was a large-scale group Control Soul Skill that required coordination with a Domain to immobilize all targets within its range.
"Black Demon Pool—this is exactly the kind of control-type Soul Skill I currently lack. Although it only works within the Rakshasa Domain, as the Ghost Ring evolves, the Domain's range will expand, increasing the area of control as well."
Unbeknownst to Tang San, seven days had passed. While the increase in Soul Power could sustain his vital signs—meaning he didn't need to eat—he still felt hungry after emerging from seclusion.
After finishing his meal and cleaning up, Tang San stepped out, fully prepared for his journey to the Ten Thousand Bones Mountain Range.
"Tailong?" Tang San was surprised to see Tailong sitting cross-legged on the ground just outside his door.
Hearing the door open, Tailong quickly stood up, dusting off the sand from his clothes with a smile. "Third Young Master, you've finally emerged from seclusion."
Tang San was slightly taken aback. "You didn't wait here the entire time, did you?"
Scratching his head sheepishly, Tailong nodded. "I didn't know when you'd come out, so I decided to wait here."
Tang San praised Tailong's loyalty but advised, "I appreciate your dedication, but next time, you can wait inside your own house. I'll pass by your place when leaving the academy."
Suddenly remembering something, Tailong added, "By the way, Third Young Master, Meng Yiran came looking for you while you were in seclusion."
"Looking for me? What for?" Tang San asked.
Tailong recalled, "She mentioned wanting to train with you in the Simulated Training Field. Said she'd finally mastered what you taught her and wanted to spar. But when she saw you were in seclusion, she left."
Tang San understood immediately—Meng Yiran must have made progress with her Hidden Weapons techniques. Given her prior training and the complete manual, mastering the basics shouldn't have been difficult.
After a moment's thought, Tang San shook his head. "No, I don't plan to go to the Simulated Training Field."
The so-called Simulated Training Field was designed to allow Soul Masters to cultivate their Martial Souls in environments tailored to their needs. While not exactly doubling efficiency, it provided excellent supplementary benefits.
Back in the Clear Sky Sect, Tang San had unlimited access to their Simulated Training Field, yet he rarely used it. To him, simulations were ultimately just that—simulations.
This was why the Clear Sky Sect traditionally required disciples to train alone in the real world. True mountains, rivers, oceans, and even Spirit Beast territories couldn't be replicated in simulations—the biggest difference being the absence of actual Spirit Beasts.
The lack of Spirit Beasts and real challenges in simulated environments was precisely what Tang San disliked. He thrived in moments of intense focus, completely immersed in the exhilaration and fulfillment of battle—a state akin to an electric current coursing through him, what he called the "flow state."
Like the second wind during a run, that sudden clarity and breakthrough could only be achieved under the immense pressure of real Spirit Beast territories. The safety of simulated training bred only complacent comfort.
"Everything's been taken care of, right?" Tang San suddenly asked.
Tailong's expression turned serious as he nodded firmly. "Everything was done according to your instructions, Third Young Master."
"Good. Let's go. It's time to visit the Ten Thousand Bones Mountain Range. A Soul Guidance Device sect slumbering since ancient times—what are the odds it's the Tang Sect?"
In the fragmented memories from the Soul Guidance Device, the Tang Sect hadn't possessed such technology. Yet paradoxically, these memories were recorded within a Soul Guidance Device itself. Perhaps over time, the mechanically-powered Hidden Weapons had evolved into Soul Power-driven Soul Guidance Devices.
If true, Tang San might discover offensive Soul Guidance Devices—an absolutely groundbreaking find.
Tailong arranged an exquisite carriage, and the two of them left Spirit Hall City for the Ten Thousand Bones Mountain Range. Although the mountain range was outside Spirit Hall City, it wasn't right next to it—there was still some distance to cover.
It took a full three days before Tang San and Tailong finally arrived at the entrance of the Ten Thousand Bones Mountain Range. Stepping out of the carriage, Tang San was greeted by towering peaks and vast terrain, resembling an ancient dragon coiled in slumber. Contrary to his expectations, the mountain range wasn't littered with bones everywhere—it looked more like a sacred land. The moment they arrived, he felt his body relax, and taking a deep breath, he could almost taste the sweetness in the air.
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