Tang Yuan and Bib Dong stand across from one another. Both focused on the other with startling focus. Tang Nuan watched on as the referee of this spar. "Release your martial souls, the spar will continue until first blood. That or I say it is done."
Tang Yuan's spirit power became fiercer as he summoned his martial soul. He grasps the large hammer hefting it in his hand. The gold veins running across the metal attract the eye as small sparks fly. Yellow, and purple two spirit rings emerge from beneath him as he readies for battle.
Bibi Dong's summoning was, in a way, much more dramatic. A projection of her martial soul appeared behind her body. It was a terrifying spider exuding a fierce regal aura that of a predator among predators. The carapace was blackish-purple like an armored tank almost. Fur was running on the right legs dripping with acidic poison.
Then the projection broke apart into particles that flowed into Bibi Dong's body as her transformation began. Her body began to contort her legs transforming, merging into a single form. Suddenly a spherical body part emerges in place of her lower waist as eight legs emerge. Small hairs line the legs dripping with green liquid.
Then small pieces of carapace appear on her arms her hands becoming like claws. Six extra smaller eyes appear on her forehead for a total of eight eyes. Her eyes hold a predatory glint now as if she were looking at prey. Mixed with a dominating aura that comes from an Emperor amongst spiders. All the while the faint smell of poison fills the air as it drips dissolving parts of stone.
It was a truly fierce transformation Tang Yuan admitted somewhat terrifying really. The young girl had become a predator that would give nightmares to those who beheld her. Tang Yuan had such a reaction upon first beholding her after all. Once more as she gained more spirit rings the transformation would only increase.
Tang Yuan readied himself to face her in battle it would not be easy. The Death Spider was a genuine super soul beast. Amongst spiders, it easily made it into the top five known species, more likely the top three. Its physical ability was ranked second surpassed only by one spider. On the other hand, its poison was ranked first amongst spiders, and all currently known poisons.
For that reason, neither of them could use spirit rings. If Bibi Dong used hers, then he might die, if they didn't act immediately. Even without the poison she could still soundly defeat him, as he learned the first time. The experience that inspired his research into her martial soul in the first place.
Then suddenly Bibi Dong burst into action with terrifying speed. Her clawed hands poised to cut or pierce him like the sharpest knives. Her eyes shining with all but the intent to kill, as she restrains that. The natural instinct of her martial soul was influencing her mind even so early in her cultivation.
Tang Tuan surrounded in the aura of his shroud dodges the slash. Yet he dared not let his guard down for even a moment. Even the first few moments of this duel could equal the entire previous fight. Her claws and spider legs were both dangerous weapons he needed to mind.
Tang Yuan dodged another swipe from her sharp claws. He moved to her side with a dodge to get away from the claws. If he did things correctly he would only have to deal with the legs. Seeing a small opening Tang Yuan swung his Hammer with full force.
Two of Bibi Dong's eyes had kept track of her opponent even as he moved to her side. Seeing the attack she moved only a little letting the blow connect. As it did though she felt a heavy hit from the blow, but no blood. She smiled even as she moved for her next attack, he had hit her carapace armor.
"Tsk." he couldn't help but let out that sound at that failure. Her carapace armor even so incomplete was harder than iron. His Hammer couldn't quite do real damage in a single hit. Quickly recovering he used the hammer to counter her legs as they tried to skewer him.
As he counters he uses the strength and chance to step back a few places. As she quickly moves to attack where he had just been, she reorients herself. Her claws sailed through empty air as she struck.
Tang Yuan knew that if he wanted to win had to hit unprotected parts of her body. That or hit a single location multiple times. He immediately began to move as Bibi Dong quickly cleared the difference. The Death Spider was basically a natural killing machine thus its name.
He dodged another claw strike as she rushed at him. Swinging his hammer at one of her legs meeting it mid-thrust. Using the force of the impact to send himself stepping back as her other legs reared up. Slamming the hammer onto the ground to slow his movement.
The Death Spider Emperor as a martial soul was overwhelming. A fact he had learned every time he fought her. Even given the fact that she had less combat experience than himself at first.
Bibi Dong rushed forward once more seemingly impatient at the battle's course. The glint in her eye was growing stronger and slightly more beastly. She unleashes a number of swift slashes with her clawed hands to cut him.
Tang Yuan remained calm even in the face of her frenzy of strikes. Seems he had managed to draw out more of the beastly instinct of her martial soul. It was only a small amount compared to other times but still, it was an ideal chance. While her focus was distracted, she acted more on feeling.
Tang Yuan moved close dodging the swipes from her claws as he moved close. Her attacks were more aggressive, but that also made them less precise. He swung his Hammer at her head the weakest part of her body.
Bibi Dong blocked the hammer strike with her armored hands. Both crossed in front of her face in defense as the hammer approached. The recoil sent the hammer bouncing backward. She immediately prepared her legs to strike him with a predatory gaze.
Tang Yuan smiled as his feet firmed in an instant. Random Hammering first strike, into the second, third, fourth, and fifth all in an instant. Each strike hit one of her spider legs as they rose to draw his blood. Until then four legs were all hit by his hammer with increasing force.
"Four legs stunned my win." The words leave his mouth even as he moves to strike again. He knew she needed four legs minimum on the ground to maintain stability. If she lifted the fifth she would fall, but would become far more vulnerable.
Now that her hands, and legs were stunned by his strikes. He could aim his attacks to strike her and win. If she lifted the fifth leg he would immediately strike another causing her to fall. He could continue using his hammer to keep her on the defensive. This would be his win he thought as his smile widened.
Then a sound rang out drawing his glance as it was right next to him. It was the first leg he hit driven into the stone beneath their feet. She was using it as a brace or stabilizer, he had that realization. He also suspiciously noted that her gaze had suddenly cleared of the slight haze.
Bibi Dong immediately acted with ruthless decisiveness. One of her remaining legs immediately aimed to strike her friend. Aiming to draw his blood, and end the match.
Tang Yuan unable to fully adapt to the change, unleashed his next strike to counter. The sudden change in the fight made the defense much harder. Then, suddenly a slight sting makes itself known on his arm. He sighs slightly, she used her brace to remove another leg from the ground.
Bibi Dong immediately returns one of her spider legs to the ground. Reorienting herself to regain stability so as not to fall. A happy smile appears on her face "I win" two simple words delivered as fact.
Tang Yuan relaxed as his eyes fell on the small cut on his arm. First blood the duel was over that was undeniable. "Yes, you did," he admitted freely a loss was a loss in the end.
Bibi Dong stepped back slightly as she also transformed back into her normal state. As she did she felt the instincts recede with her martial soul. It made her feel lighter and clearer-headed every time. She crossed her arms behind her back as she smiled at Tang Yuan. She was practically radiating satisfaction at her victory.
Tang Yuan looked at her "You tricked me by pretending to have a lapse of control." he realized with no small amount of surprise.
Bibi Dong smiled even wider as he reminded her of her trick. "Yep, and you fell for it. Serves you right for all the times you led me around by the nose." Her smile was bright even as she admitted how she won.
Tang Nuan walked to the two of them she focused her gaze on Tang Yuan's wound. A bit of cautiousness, despite Bibi Dong suppressing her poison. "Both of you did well, especially you Xiao Dong, well planned, and well executed."
Bibi Dong puts her hands on her hips smiling proudly at the praise. She was already very happy with how successful her scheme was. The praise only added to her happiness.
Tang Nuan smiled, then her face firmed again. She started with Tang Yuan "Xiao Yuan you did well in the spar, but you also made mistakes. The biggest was allowing yourself to fall into preconceived notions. Such as Bibi Dong could not stand without four legs."
Her face turned stern "Perhaps the greatest mistake was attacking when you thought her control slipped. Though such a slip in weather, human or beast could be an ideal opening. It might also be when they are at their most dangerous, both of you should remember that."
Tang Yuan could only nod at her stern warning after all it was true.
Bibi Dong's smile grew slightly less so as she nodded. Then her face changed to a nervous expression as the stern look turned to her. She knew she was about to be lectured to now.
"Xiao Dong while your ploy worked this time earning you the win. That ploy came about by you partially letting your control loosen. A dangerous prospect a fact you should well know. In actual battle, you could end up in a bestial state from those powerful instincts. While it might be potentially the most dangerous state for others that also means allies, and potentially yourself."
Bibi Dong found herself grimacing at the lecture. Even as she herself could find no way to deny those words. The instincts and will of her martial soul would only grow, increasing the risk.
Tang Nuan nodded as both of them began to properly consider her words. "Now the few minutes will be spent contemplating the battle, and my words,". Both of them began meditating as she commanded.
Tang Yuan could see the merit in his mother's words. A cornered beast was often the most dangerous. Especially in a world where people were known to self-destruct as a tactic.
Tang Nuan watched them both fall into serious consideration. Both of them were geniuses, yet geniuses didn't always reach maturity. Especially when those talented were unprepared or too arrogant as they were cut down early. She could only try to advise, hoping that they might reach their full potential.
Several weeks later Tang Yuan sat in the library reading a book. He hummed as he turned the page. "So Dragon Valley is a place where large dragons' blood beasts are more common. It's also the place where the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan mostly hunts for rings." his voice echoed seemingly to himself trying to ignore the distraction.
"Stare" it was an almost audible stare in silence or even with commentary.
Tang Yuan turns to look at the staring girl with some exasperation. She had been staring at him with a bored look for a while. Trying to ignore her was becoming very uncomfortable. "Is there something I can help you with Bibi Dong?" he asked surrendering to the question.
Bibi Dong didn't show an especially great change in expression. She still had a bored look on her face as she gazed at him. She put her head on her crossed arms on the desk. "I'm bored," she said her face turning down slightly. Her eyes moved to Tang Yuan once in a while.
Tang Yuan quirked his lips, he supposed she expected him to assuage said boredom. "Then what exactly do you want me to do to help," he said with a wry smile on his face.
Bibi Dong looks up at him "I don't know, what do you think would be fun?" she asked unsure of what to do. "Please don't say reading books." Her face turned wary at the thought of those large boring tomes.
Tang Yuan smiled at her words she really didn't like the tomes. Though he doubted anyone really would find the large books enjoyable. He wasn't sure if the price was determined by pages or weight. Perhaps it was a matter of pride in the amount written. The books just seemed to get heavier and more verbose as he read.
"I won't force you to read any books, not that I really could anyway. If I tried you might just find a way to slip away right?" Tang Yuan said fully aware of how tricky she could be. Though how she did the same to Old Chrysantheum was another matter.
Bibi Dong looked away a slight flush to her cheeks at his guess. It was certainly something she would do in her current state of boredom. "Well those books are just so large with so many words, and they don't even help all the time." she shivers at the thought of how many books Tang Yuan has read already.
Tang Yuan could fairly guess what she was thinking merely based on her look. "Knowledge is another form of power, and very useful to have. Perhaps what I learn could save my life in the future. Perhaps it could be crucial to my cultivation in the future." he said seriously though it was impossible to know if that was the case. He also knew that such a mindset wasn't something most of their physical age would possess.
Bibi Dong's face scrunched up at how much importance Tang Yuan placed on these books. She supposed they were important, but surely they were not that important. "Are they really that necessary? " Her face showed her confusion.
Tang Yuan considered that "I might be overstating things a bit. Though the information in these books can be very beneficial. As you already know I'm sure."
Bibi Dong sighed at that statement she knew that her studies were important. Still, she couldn't help the bitter expression on her face. Did they have to involve such long-winded books?
Tang Yuan recognising her growing descent with the thought decided to change the subject. "How about I tell you a story then?" he considered the first idea that came to his mind. "A story about a Slayer of Demons, the colorless fog that he sought to stop, and the demons he would slay."
Bibi Dong's face showed the slightest taste of interest. She had no idea what to think of such a story. Still, she turned to Tang Yuan fully ready to listen to something interesting.
"This story originates from a far-off land, some say another world entirely. In the Kingdom of Boletaria, an ageless primordial demon returned. With it came a vast horde of demons, who sought to devour human souls to strengthen their own demon souls."
"The story truly begins as the slayer enters the kingdom, or tries to. The slayer faces their first challenge as a weaker warrior compared to what they would become. Then they would face the very first great foe the Demon Vanguard. The true start of this story only begins with death."
Bibi Dong listened as he weaved a story of another land. The grotesque or horrible demons that slaughtered so many. The people who stepped into that world, and tried to survive. She found herself enjoying the story or perhaps being enraptured by it.
"That was how the slayer slew his first demons the Phalanx, and the Tower Demon. I think that's enough for now we can continue another time." Tang Yuan said as he debated how much time exactly had passed.
Bibi Dong's attentive expression turned sour at the thought of having to wait. "Can't I hear a little bit more of the story please?" she said with gleaming eyes with impatience Clear to be seen.
Tang Yuan smiled at how much she seemed to enjoy the story. He felt that his storytelling could use some work. Yet the story itself was of an old classic from his past life. "I'm going to finish a bit more reading for the day. I can tell you more of the story tomorrow perhaps."
Bibi Dong could only grumble at that part, but did not push further. The story had certainly been riveting, and she wanted to hear more. How he could go from that to these boring tomes she had no idea. "I suppose I should get to work on the books as well. Anything you can tell me that might help a trick possibly?"
Tang Yuan at hearing her words scratched his cheek absentmindedly. His mind immediately went to his best trick, which was highly effective. The Mental Palace that really did make his memorization easier.
Bibi Dong noticed his action with palpable surprise on her face. There was actually such a secret? She was tempted to ask about the trick no matter how effective it might be. Yet "if it's a secret, then forget about it please." She was aware of the importance of some secrets being kept.
Tang Yuan considered the possibility of sharing the basic mental exercise of the technique. Considering that his entire technique might have already been stolen by at least one evil soul master. He had known her for several months, and considering what might befall her in the future.
"I suppose I can give you a small pointer, it's more of a trick than anything." he decided to instruct her in the original mental exercise first. Then perhaps in the future, he would share the proper form of the technique. That, and some of his assessment of mental energy as well to help her.
"It's a little mental exercise to help one's ability to remember something. That and the cultivation of Spiritual power strengthening the mind." he began to give her slight half answers of his knowledge. Then someday he might help her to further this knowledge.
Bibi Dong listens attentively as he begins to teach her. A feeling of gratitude blooms in her chest. He didn't need to tell her anything she knew, but he did. "Thank you," she says with a soft smile on his face at his choice.
Tang Yuan felt slightly surprised by that smile. After all this much wasn't really much in his opinion. If he gave the actual full technique, then it would be another thing. Still, he smiled back as the good cheer seemed to be enjoyable.
Tang Yuan held the blurry blood-stained blade in his hand. His mind remembers that battle to the death with the man nicknamed Scythe. As he dived into that memory to try to deal with the scars of the remembrance. He sighs as the blade itself seems to become less present before simply breaking up. The remnant of that memory simply flowed into his Palace a bad memory still, but only a memory.
With that, he had come to understand what had caused a scar as well. His battle with Scythe was the first time he felt in danger. The pain from cuts, the feeling of bleeding, and the realization that he could die. His mind fueled by adrenaline had put that to the side.
As that clarity became more solid he felt as if his Spiritual Power had increased slightly. Even as his mind felt slightly lighter, this scar was addressed. He supposed he had found another reason to deal with the scars and obsessions.
He walked over to his sealed memory space summoning another piece from within. It took the form of another blade, another weapon, a small dagger dyed red in blood. The blood covered most of the blade even as the red liquid dripped from it. The dagger, rather a manifestation, he used to kill the bandit guard.
This dagger was entirely different from the previous scar. Merely seeing it brought Tang Yuan the discomfort of remembrance of that event. It was the first time he killed a human being in cold blood. That it was so visceral and up close made it all the more impactful. This would not be an easy matter to deal with.
Tang Yuan with some trepidation, settles down in a meditation stance. As he regains control of his breathing he readies himself. Touching the memory floating in his hand with Spiritual Power. Immediately the memory invades his thoughts in a visceral tyrannical manner.
The memory of the tension even before the understanding of what he was about to do. The memory of the attempted assassination attempt, what could have happened to them. Fear, anger, and resolution filled his mind in that moment along with other feelings. So he stepped up and ran the blade across that man's neck.
He knew that such a moment would be inevitable. A choice to kill in cold blood before an enemy could become a threat. The concept of freezing mid-battle after killing in such a way. Even still the sight of life leaving the eyes as the body grew cold. Shivers ran down his body as cold sweat gathered on his back.
Finally, he brings his session to a close with slight exhaustion. As he returned the memory to its hidden place, his mind was still thinking of it. The memory was as strong as at the start, if anything he felt it was worse. Though he supposed that was merely a result of experiencing it for a time.
Then with only a moment he moved outside his hidden area. Stepping before his Mental Palace's new outer layer defense. He had already expanded beyond the foundation of the defense. The stone walls had already consolidated from his Spiritual Power over time.
Tang Yuan directed more of his Spiritual Power into the house. Strengthening the walls of his defensive structure slightly. Than using the rest of the defense reserves to add to his Mental Palace. As he did the area around the steps altered as his Palace expanded. From the formlessness of his mind to a grey stone pathway.
Tang Yuan looked around as he traced how he might expand his Mental Palace. He would continue to divide his cultivated spiritual power for defense and attack. With portions of both being used for the expansion. His spiritual cultivation had certainly picked up since the acquisition of his new cultivation method.
Considering his two-part defense he should next create a boundary. Expand the area covered by the Mental Palace, and create a wall around that. At least that was the long-term goal for the future he had set.
Tang Yuan allowed his soul power to flow from his hands. He moved his hands trying to control the energy as best he could. Then he tried to shape it in his hands to the desired form. Yet trying to do so was amongst the hardest things he had ever done.
His soul power would just not let itself be shaped as he wanted. Constantly escaping from his hands like trying to touch gas. Than trying to properly handle that gas into a set space, and the desired shape. As some escaped even more flowed out from it like rivers.
He had always known that this might be the hardest to create. Though achieving a mana zone equivalent would be about the same. However, the possibility that the technique could help him create that was high. That it would also serve as yet another control exercise was even better.
However, Tang Yuan suspected that it would take a long time to reach that level. Likely years to even reach the usable level considering the difficulty of the technique. Even than their would be further steps to take if he wanted it to reach what he desired.
It would be another long road for this one he was certain. This was a technique that he really would need quite a lot of help with. Especially the latter forms of the technique if he wanted to see it done. He turned his head as he heard a step behind him.
"So this is what you desired to create." the voice of Qian Daoliu resounded as he held something in to fingers. It was a tiny sphere of energy condensed so much that it was like a marble. The nigh finished destination of what he sought far into the future a Soul Core.