Several months have passed since the day of his awakening. It was been several months since he revealed the Mental Palace to his parents, then under his explanations and tips in regards to the techniques. They both had practiced the technique with a degree of interest. That to his subtle jealousy, they practically easily reached the level he was at.
To a degree, he was actually expecting it to a degree. Yet he honestly was not prepared for how fast they managed to get it. His mother took a few days to reach a level rivaling his own. His father only took less than a day to reach that level. Tang Yuan was certain that his eye was twitching when that happened. In fact, it's twitching right now thinking about it.
He sighs to himself as it took him about six years to reach that level. At the same time, it honestly makes sense for them to reach that level. To absorb a ten-thousand-year ring requires a strong mental power. Needless to say, his parents certainly have incredibly high spiritual power.
Especially in his father's case a limit Douluo with a natural red ring. His mental power is likely second only to his fellow Limit Douluo. His mother is a Soul Douluo so she has less mental power. Yet she still has the Spiritual Power of a Soul Douluo which is not low. Needless to say, they were able to quickly grasp the techniques.
In fact, his father upon learning it managed to improve it significantly. He deduced a riser way of entering the Sea of Conusinous. Honestly, that was one of the reasons he was eager to share the techniques. That way he would have their help in improving it especially his father. His father certainly did not disappoint in his ability to create skills, or in this case, improve.
The method is certainly much simpler and safer than his own. It also has a greater chance of success as a result. Tang Yuan simply lacked enough knowledge of Spiritual Power. More accurately he lacked the raw power of the higher levels. As a result of both factors what he can do is simply limited.
Tang Yuan remembers what his father came up with to accomplish it. Rather two different things were brought forth. One that is used to replicate the mindset he had the first time. Thanks to the work of the breaking clans' alchemists. Two drugs that can result in a trance akin to a waking dream. Having a Limit Douluo behind you is certainly helpful in multiple ways.
Honestly, he should have done something like this earlier. Now he can to a certain extent reveal knowledge from his past life. So long as no one discovers his lie about the book that is. Then a whole bunch of questions will arise about where he really got said knowledge.
Now not only can Tang Yuan share that knowledge, but he also has his father's support. Having the help of a limit Douluo is basically a godsend. A large number of things Tang Yuan could not be certain of or how to do. Now with his father's help, it has become more feasible to accomplish. Rather a lot of time was saved in a number of techniques.
Thinking about it causes him to think back on his experiences in the last few months. He was questioned a lot about the content of the book he read. Though most of those questions were in an attempt to find it. Yet of course such a search came to nought in the end. Yet his parents still believed him despite never finding the book.
They truthfully have far more reason to believe him than naught to do so. After all, he had knowledge of a great deal of information. Some of it was information that his parents had never heard of before. So the logical conclusion is that the book does indeed exist. Of course, this brings the question of where exactly it is now.
He helped them make their own conclusions about the book. After all, it is not out there for an author to add a portion on themselves. Thus letting him reasonably reveal some knowledge about the supposed author. Including that he is mysterious, powerful, and has power over space. As well as his name Zeltrech, some of his titles, and his false reasons.
This makes Zeltrech seem like a mysterious unknown powerhouse. With the power of the element of space allowing he to go where he pleases. Thus he decided to leave a book in the library for the fun of it. Asking the reader of the book to entertain him. Of course, everything he said was in fact a careful story he fabricated.
There was in fact no book that had mysteriously disappeared. Yet their no true way to prove that fact. Especially consider the powers of space and the understanding of it. In this era, space is about as rare as a needle in a bay of hey. Only two people really exhibit it in the current era. This is far more mysterious than in the future. There is know power with a pure space martial soul known.
Spirit Hall likely has records of space martial souls. Yet with how significant difference between one and another. It's impossible to say if it's possible to create a teleporting book. Maybe the writer retook the book after it had been read. Maybe someone else took it and is unwilling to give it up. Thus no nobody has any idea where it might be, but they believe it exists.
That being said of course the search for the book will continue. The fact that it is implied someone just walked into the Clear Sky Clan. Then left behind a book with no one the wiser. Needless to say, the elders aren't happy about it, or rather are concerned. His father seems to simply react along the lines of There is always another level.
As a result, his father has focused a lot of attention on the knowledge he obtained from the fictional book. He certainly won't complain about having so much help. The two of them have been working on the knowledge he shares. Tang Yuan had even managed to recreate a few things.
It was only two weeks after his awakening day. He was with his father, and they had walked from the complex a ways. Until they found a small forest of trees. He had not told his father exactly what they were doing. He wanted it to be a proper surprise for him to discover.
"Are you going to tell me what you want to show me, Xiao Yuan?" Tang Chen asks his son with a subtle smile. Tang Yuan had walked all the way with a slightly goofy look on his face. It was rare to see such a look on his son's face. It was nice to see him behaving like a normal kid.
Tang Yuan is aware that there is a goofy grin on his face to a degree. Yet he just can't help himself in this case. The idea of recreating a technique from a certain anime. So he responds to his father finally with an evasive tone. "I'll tell you when we get there. Though I will say it won't be something high-level."
Saying that Tang Yuan walks up to one of the trees. He calms his mind as best he can from excitement. Then he moves one foot onto the tree letting it press against the trunk. He manipulates his soul power to his feet. Then he puts his second foot onto the trunk.
Tang Yuan then picks up his first foot to take another step on the tree. He actually managed to take that step on the tree. Then upon the next step, he suffers his stumble. His face rapidly breaks into a surprised grimace. He falls onto the ground upon his back his expression shifting to slight stinging pain.
The feeling of pain is only that of a slight sting as it were. His expression of pain changes to one of disappointed acceptance. He had not expected to be able to succeed the first time. Yet doing so this badly is still annoying. Yet recreating an anime technique is not something easy to recreate.
Tang Yuan turns to his father noticing a slightly confused look on his face. Not from the climbing itself, but merely the merits of such a technique. "This is a technique called tree climbing. It is done by using soul power on the feet of the user, and then climbing the tree without the use of hands at all. Its true worth is not solely in what it is used for."
Tang Yuan moves back over to the tree. "The goal is to climb the tree without damaging it at all. It is meant to be done by controlling the amount of soul power used precisely. Too much and it will damage the tree, and too little you will simply drop. Thus it is actually a control exercise as well as a technique."
The reason he chose these techniques was mainly because it was a control exercise. One of the great determinants of strength is how well someone uses their power. By controlling one's energy properly they can accomplish more with less. This fact is a critical fact in any world, raw power alone is not enough.
Tang Yuan then says "For your dad, this probably would be far less useful. For me and other members of the clan, it could be incredibly useful." Tang Yuan says with a considering look on his face. Not completely sure how long it will be effective. "There is also a method that uses this techqunies to walk along the water. That one is even more complex than this technique." Tang Yuan's voice is idle as his eyes look off in the distance distracted by thoughts.
"Interesting." Tang Chen says as he walks up to one of the trees. Than mimicking what Tang Yuan had done. He begins to walk up the tree with a steady pace. Despite his steady pace he quickly reached the top of the tree. In his first Tang Chen managed to master tree climbing to this degree.
Tang Yuan was expecting something like this to happen. Considering his dad's abilities and comprehension he had expected him to get it easy enough. Though he certainly didn't expect him to do it so effortlessly. "So how is it?" Tang Yuan asked his father's opinion.
Tang Chen walked along the tree some more to test things. Then he says "It is a good trick. Not especially useful beyond a certain level. Yet it was never really meant to be from what I see. Though it will also lose most of its use beyond level 30." Tang Chen says both to Tang Yuan, but also to himself. Though he certainly finds it a useful training exercise by his words.
Tang Yuan watcha as his dad drops from the tree. Tang Chen looks over to the side of the forest. Tang Yuan looks in that direction as well, but his face quickly shifts to confusion. He can't quite see what his father had seen that caught his attention.
As his father walked towards what had caught his attention. His face still had a considering look to it. Tang Yuan followed behind him at a steady pace. They did not actually go that far only about 100 meters. Then Tang Yuan was able to see what had caught Tang Chen's attention. It certainly was not what he had been expecting.
It was a lake a beautiful crystal clear lake. The lake took up a large area of a clearing in the forest. The clearing stretches for hundreds of meters in size. The lake takes up most of the area with the rest being of stone. It was a nice-looking place to be sure. Tang Chen looked at Tang Yuan asking only "How does the water walking technique work?" This father and son talk about the ways to use their abilities.
Returning to the present time Tang Yuan loses himself in his thoughts. That day he showed his father the tree-climbing and water walking techniques. He ended up mastering them both in very little time. Than Tang Yuan spent a good amount of time working to master them.
It took a few days to get the tree climbing exercise to an acceptable level. Then his father came around with his own ideas. Needless to say, the tree climbing became harder as a result. He ended up hanging from the tree in meditation. Thus causing it to become much harder.
He managed to get the water walking aspect down after two weeks. It was much harder to complete compared to the tree climbing. However, learning them both helped him control his energy. Greatly assisting in his cultivation progress after that point.
Tang Yuan might have been able to finish both of them faster. Yet he always has to watch how much time he puts into one thing. Practicing and creating soul skills or training methods is fine. That is only when they don't take away from cultivation progress. Other wise he will fall behind in his cultivation, and suffer from doing so.
He makes sure to devote a number of hours to cultivation every day. After the first two weeks, he had noticed a change. His Soul Veins had widened in size since he had started cultivating. The impurities in his veins had been slightly worn away. He equates the first to making use of the veins, and the latter as well.
As a result, his cultivation had become much easier. Now months later his cycles take a little less than an hour to complete. He had also begun to expand his soul power cycles. He had been directing his energy into his secondary veins. They are in even worse states than his primary veins. Yet they are also much smaller than his primary veins.
He tries to increase the number of secondary veins he directs soul power to. This also causes the amount of time each cycle takes. His training in tree climbing and water walking helped with that. Thanks to that and his experience his ability to control his soul power is far greater.
In fact, a little more than two months ago, he experienced his first increase in rank. From level 7 to level 8 a few days short of three months after his awakening. He was very happy to experience his first level up as it were. For more than one reason in fact.
He tried to keep track of his cultivation to determine facts. He wanted to determine how many cycles it takes to reach a level. Another thing he sought to determine was how much his soul power increased. To some degree, he was successful though he also realized it was not completely so.
Tang Yuan realized that the number of cycles to rank up is different per person. Not merely as a result of difference between innate soul power. Also as a result of the body's physique level determining how much energy they can safely absorb. Another factor is their skill in controlling the energy they possess.
At least come from his own hypothesis and words from his parents. One of the things he wanted to test was his soul power amounts. Yet that number is also subject to flux at least that is how it seems. Mainly as a result of greater skill in controlling it. However, Tang Yuan can at least estimate the increase.
The increase in soul power between levels 7 and 8 is not a great amount. Not something along the lines of 50% or 30%. Rather the increased amount is somewhere between 10% and 20% percent or so. His unsupported theory is that if he had 70 or so units before. It's now 80 units of power by his estimate. Unfortunately, he has no way to acquire high accuracy with a singular measurement. So he can only guess based on feelings and guesses.
Tang Yuan had also come up with a methods to improve his cultivation. At least he had hoped that they would be based on myths from his old world. He did so by choosing to follow the myths of Yin-Yang. Yin represents his spiritual energy of the mind and thought. Yang represents the physical vitality of his body and blood.
Thus Tang Yuan chose to cultivate under the moon and sun. In his old world, the Sun was the source of the vital energy. Plants and animals would both need to absorb it to survive. The moon had long been associated with mysticism and spiritual matters. It is also the opposite of the shining sun.
Unfortunately, his cultivation method does not have aspects of absorbing the energy from them. If so his choice would be far more effective. Unfortunately, as a consequence his absorption of energy is inefficient. Absorbing solar energy is easier than the human body naturally does. Thus he can have a rather large amount of it.
Absorbing moonlight is a measure harder than the sunlight. There is far less moonlight than there is sunlight. However as a result of that he can directly absorb the moonlight through his eyes. He had already noticed a slow, but gradual increase in his Spiritual energy. Using this method he can cultivate spiritual power far longer than the Purple Demon Eye.
However the flaws in this method is a
Dependence on the moon. The more complete the moon is in the sky the greater his spiritual cultivation. On the nights of the full moon the results are incredible. So much so he started to stay up as long as possible cultivating under the moon. On nights where the moon is absent, it becomes impossible.
In the future, he hopes to create proper cultivation methods for doing so. However now his current methods are still effective. In mytholgy the sun is highly associated with gold. He has noticed that cultivation with sunlight is incredibly effective for him.
Tang Yuan turns the page of the book he is reading as he returns to his thoughts. The last few months have been a very busy time for him. He had balanced his original activities library reading, and forging. With new activities that include cultivating, and training techniques. Cultivating especially takes up a large part of his time. He cultivates as much as he possibly can in a day.
Then once his absorption limit is reached for the day. Then he spends time in the library or the forge depending on the day. His ability to forge materials have improved by leaps and bounds. All thanks to the use of his soul power and martial souls to contribute to forging. He has determined that like the Soul Land series shows he can only possess a single martial soul.
Even if it was somewhat expected by him to be the case. It was still somewhat annoying to imagine what he could do with two martial souls. He will need to find a way to use both in the future, but his plate is already full. For now, he alternates his martial souls in the forging process. Partially to see which is better in set situations, and to ask us to me him to them.
Tang Yuan is still not completely decided on the path he intends to follow for his martial souls. He had already considered paths for his possible martial souls before. However with the consideration that he has two martial souls. His plans have changed slightly with new possibilities.
Tang Yuan thinks that he wants to make use of his Golden Veined Hammer as his first soul. Normally it would be the beast soul used first to acquire the best constitution. However, Tang Yuan believes that the best result will come from the Golden Crocodile martial soul. He will be able to hunt powerful dragon blood soul beasts for it. That way he can obtain massive power when he eventually begins to add soul rings to it.
Another thing to consider is that the weapon martial souls threat is determined by the user's proficiency with them. By using it first he can acquire proficiency in wielding it in battle. His martial soul is an evolved form of the Clear Sky Hammer so its ability is without question. Yet if he is unable to properly apply that then it becomes lacking.
Than he needs to consider the soul rings for his two souls. The Golden Crocodile is best equipped with golden bloodlines beasts. If they have dragon blood as well than it is even better. Normally finding such beasts would be incredibly difficult. Yet he suspects that his Grandpa Crocodile has knowledge of quite a few. From what he has learned from his mother every single one of her soul rings comes from such beasts. Thus it becomes far more possible to find the strong beasts he needs.
Then there is the Golden Veined Hammer to consider. Normally the Clear Sky Hammer would be stacked with pure strength beasts. That is not a bad choice for him as well. Yet his mutation is one that added the gold element. Thus he would seek out Golden bloodline beasts for his Hammer as well. Since mon bloodline beasts are also strength beasts that suits the hammer.
However placing all his eggs in a single basket is not something he wants to do. Thus he has been thinking of ways to give himself more options. His hammer will have a focus on gold, but maybe with a second element as well. He had already obtained knowledge of a large number of gold-type beasts.
During his library time recently he had found something interesting. Description of a specific soul beast from the Soul Land series. Once more he remembered the fictional myths of Thor and the Marvel version of him. Thus he decided to choose a combination of gold and lighting element path. He believes that doing so will lead to a formidable result. Especially once he can wield his two martial souls together.
Now with those considerations he needs to consider his first soul ring. One of the issues that caught his eye was that lower soul rings became less useful. Most titled douluos in the series never even used their first soul rings. So the best option is either a useful ability or a percentage-based ability.
Tang Yuan is more partial to a strengthening ability. Even if it is only a boost of 10% it will remain 10% even at the later levels. Such an ability is an absolute godsend at the highest levels. Imagine a Titled Douluo using it and than becoming 10% stronger. Amazingly, the first ability could grant such an advantage.
Tang Yuan will need to ask his parents about soul beasts. Grandpa Crocodile might have other knowledge as well. Though he knows that his mother's first soul skill is enhancement-based. So he can get an idea from her about a possible option.
Later in the day Tang Yuan is in his training room. His father and mother are also present in the room. They are here to make use of part of the knowledge he had shared. This knowledge is from this very world. A specific item that was first used by Huo Yuhao in the series as a minor advantage.
"Okay, here it is, now tell us what it's going to be used for. You said that it is useful for cultivation." Tang Nuan told her son with expecting look on her face. Somewhat doubtful of his intentions with such a
Substance. Rather she is afraid it might lead to such a case scenario.
The substance in question was black colered with a rubbery look to it. Known as Whale Rubber in the series. It comes from whale-type spirit beasts beyond a hundred years. It is sought after by nobles and wealthy merchants for a certain reason. That being that is a potent tonic of the yang attribute. In other words its an aphrodisiac, and one of the most potent ones at that.
Considering that his mother must worry that I have bad intentions for it. While he is only six he is also a soul master. His body is stronger and more mature than most of his age. "I trust you remember the concept of Yin and Yang I told you about," he tells the two of them seeing them both nod he continues. "The Whale Rubber is Yang-based. This helps to make it such a potent aphrodisiac. Yang in this case represents the physical body."
He stops to make sure they are still paying attention to his words. "This yang-based substance has another use as well. That is the improvement of the body's physique. This increases the age of the soul rings one can absorb." he tells them finally revealing the appeal of the whale glue to them. A secret that is at the very least not wide spread on the mainland. Whether that is the case in the Boundless Ocean is another question.
Tang Nuan takes the rubbery substance herself to examine it. "Really this drug used by old or lecherous men has such an effect. I would never have thought such a thing had a useful aspect," she says to herself in a particular tone. She is in fact shocked at the fact that something is seen as so worthless. At least worthless to soul masters is actually so valuable.
Whale Rubber even of a century-old old is not that valuable. It is indeed something considered a luxury item. By normal standards, it is an inexpensive item. Yet to the soul master, they might pay tens of thousands of coins for even something less valuable. If this were discovered even at a price this small only about 200 years old. Its worth about 200 golden soul coins at the moment. Yet it could reach 2,000 if people knew its secret, and that is a low estimate.
To soul masters the possibility of acquiring stronger soul rings is a great temptation. Especially when considering the first two which are usually weaker. Of course as with anything their are limitations. "The whale glue can increase the absorption limit. However it won't do so year for year. A 200 year old piece should increase the limit by about 100 years."
Hearing his words his father contemplated it. Than in his steady voice said "that is honestly better than I imagined it to be. This means a 1,000-piece would increase the limit by 500 years. Assuming of course that the consumer is able to handle it." Tang Chen says musing to himself with interest. His face showing not a single bit of regret of a wasted opportunity.
"There are of course problems of doing this. As a person consumes more of the Whale Rubber it becomes not quite as effective. Their physique is strengthened by it and eventually reaches a limit. Than to continue you would need older pieces to continue the strengthening effect." he tells them revealing the flaws to the substance. Also, the fact that it is only guaranteed below 10,000 years.
Technically speaking the main factor in absorbing soul rings below ten thousand is physique. At the black ring level mental power also becomes critical to success. That being said using Whale Rubber's effect of physique enhancement is only one effect. Its aphrodisiac effect is also a critical factor of its use. That same effect restricts who can safely consume it.
Thus someone can't just consume a 10,000-year piece below level 10. Than acquire a 5,000 year soul ring as a result. A normal soul master simply could not handle the consumption. A ten-thousand-year-old piece of whale rubber could very well cause an overdose. This sends the soul master to an early death despite their ability.
Tang Yuan uses a pair of tongs to pick the Whale Rubber up. Then he brings it over to a container held over a burning flame. "To use the whale rubber properly you need to let it melt." The Whale Rubber quickly begins to soften up from the flame. Drops of it begin to run off of it as it transforms from solid to liquid-like.
Tang Chen sighs to himself "I'm surprised that this secret has never been discovered. Whale Rubber has been used for a long time as an aphrodisiac. The fact that it has never been uncovered is a surprise." Tang Chen muses out loud.
Tang Yuan sees that the whale rubber has finished melting. He uses the tongs to pour the substance into a chump. Then taking a cultivation pose he brings the cup to his lips. He quickly consumes all in the cup as quickly as possible. Even still his face scrunches up at the taste. It certainly is not a pleasant taste to have in one's mouth.
Still, he quickly regains his composure as he begins to meditate. The Whale Rubber quickly begins to take effect. A soft warmth spread through his body incredibly fast. From the tips of his toes to his scalp his body begins to feel tingly. Then that feeling quickly changes from a soft warmth to a burning heat.
Tang Yuan wasted no time in using his cultivation to circulate his soul power. This caused the feeling of warmth to travel all over his body. He continues to circulate as the burning heat affects him. Already his mind has a measure of haze, blood rushes to his cheeks, and his body becomes excited. Even a 200-year-old piece of whale glue is rather strong at his level.
As his cultivation continues he is quickly able to control himself. The heat of the Whale Rubber is cycled through his body. Through his cultivation, the heat spreads evenly throughout his body. As it does the heat weakens in intensity even as it spreads. As he moves through his cycles the heat returns to a gentle warmth. Before even that begins to decrease into a slight warmth. Finally, the haze that fills his mind parts and the warmth cools.
As he finishes processing the whale rubber he continues to cultivate. He drew natural energy to himself to begin cultivation. His body is currently in a unique state after absorbing the Whale Rubber. Best to take advantage while it lasts as a result.
Indeed his body adorbs energy far more than it would normally. Partially as a result of his strengthened physique no doubt. Yet his absorption of the Whale Rubber also used energy. It also caused his body to enter a excited state of being. This led to a stronger level of absorption than in normal cases.
Suddenly as he continues to cultivate he feels it. Feeling it he continues to cultivate merhodically until. A burst of energy bursts from his body small in nature yet unmistakable. Tang Yuan had just broken through to level 9. Doing so less than three months from his last breakthrough.
A feeling of enjoyment and bliss fills his body as his face reveals a soft pleasing feeling. The sensation of increasing ones cultivation level is an incredibly nice feeling. Even only experienced it twice now it is amazing. The feeling of progressing to one's limits and going beyond that small barrier. He continues his cultivation both to solidify and continue absorbing to his limit.