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Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: Examination

'A genius idea, and bold as well!' Salas lifted his head, secretly praising in his heart. 'Just from knowing that soul beasts of ten-thousand years possess intelligence no less than humans, he was able to infer that absorbing a ten-thousand-year ring would bring a Soul Shock. This child is indeed a gifted theoretical mind. No wonder he could propose the theory of surpassing the age limit of soul ring absorption. And his martial soul talent now is no longer ordinary either.'

'His martial soul evolved, allowing him to communicate with surrounding Blue Silver Grass and sense information from the environment. Without question, this is an ability of suppression—higher rank oppressing lower rank. That means Yang Yunhai's martial soul has completely departed from the category of ordinary Blue Silver Grass.'

'Not to mention, it carries formidable lightning attributes. Otherwise, he could never have slain a more-than-2000-year Vessel Vine plant beast alone.'

This was not something that could be taken lightly.

If Yang Yunhai's martial soul didn't have lightning, if his cultivation hadn't reached Soul Elder, if his martial soul hadn't evolved, Salas might have even considered drawing Yang Yunhai's blood to try drinking it himself—just to see if it would improve his own martial soul. But now, with the reality before him…

His thoughts paused. Salas turned toward Yang Yunhai, nodded slightly, and said, "Yang Yunhai, you are impressive."

He slowly stood. "This theory of yours carries great significance for Spirit Hall. Tomorrow, I will personally make a trip to Spirit City to report it to Her Holiness the Pope. However, before that, I need to re-evaluate your personal abilities so I can include them in my report."

Yang Yunhai rose as well and cupped his hands. "Please give your instructions, Archbishop."

Salas nodded, striding toward the open space in the room. He turned back. "Now, release your martial soul and attack me with full strength, as you did against that 2000-year Vessel Vine."

As his words fell, soul rings rippled under his feet, and light surrounded his body.

"Understood." Yang Yunhai nodded. His right hand flicked, and his martial soul appeared, quickly sprouting into a massive vine that lashed toward Salas.

"This is…" Salas's eyes widened as he saw the fine golden patterns etched across the vine's surface, its countless thorns gleaming with golden light.

The vine reached him in a breath, coiling up his body, tightening and constricting with visible force. Sharp thorns pressed inward, threatening to cut flesh. At the same time, he felt a faint pull of energy being drawn away.

"This strength, this force, this sharpness…" Salas flexed slightly to break free, his heart shaken. He ignored the faint siphoning of his soul power. Compared to the oppressive control, that devouring effect was only icing on the cake.

'Even a Battle Soul Master at Soul Ancestor rank would struggle to escape this level of control.' His mind made its evaluation.

"Archbishop, be careful. I'm about to release lightning." Yang Yunhai's warning came.

Salas snapped back, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in his eyes. He nodded. "Do it with your full strength."

The next instant, Yang Yunhai nodded, and the vines suddenly crackled with blinding golden arcs.

"Golden lightning!?" Salas's eyes widened in shock as the room lit up brilliantly. The air sizzled with the sharp snap of electricity, his hair standing upright from the charge.

"This power… it absolutely surpasses the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon of the same rank!" He didn't care about his hair—his eyes were alight with pure excitement.

"Stop." He called immediately.

"Yes." Yang Yunhai withdrew his energy, dissipating his martial soul.

Salas strode over, his eyes glowing with intensity. "Now, extend your hand. I need to examine your body's condition and the stability of your soul power. From what you've shown, I don't believe your recent advancement was due to your second soul skill's devouring effect. But for a proper report to the Pope, I must follow procedure."

"Of course." Yang Yunhai's heart stirred. Without hesitation, he raised his left hand.

Salas took it, pressing and testing carefully. Surprise flickered in his eyes.

"At this age… such bone strength?" He was inwardly astonished.

"Have you trained a soul skill specifically for your hand strength?" he asked.

"No, nothing like that. I only practiced lifting weights and doing arm-strength exercises. With more strength, it's easier to control vines." Yang Yunhai's face stayed calm. "Other than that, it's probably due to the bamboo shoot I mentioned, and years of lightning tempering."

Hearing this, Salas recalled the written report: lightning forging the body, and that miraculous bamboo shoot. Of course—being struck by lightning tempered the whole body, bones included. Over years, the improvement would be considerable. Combined with rare treasures, surpassing ring absorption, and diligent training, it made sense.

He nodded faintly and bent his head again, his face growing serious.

Gently, he guided his own soul power into Yang Yunhai's wrist, letting it seep through the meridians. A soul master's aptitude was not only their martial soul's quality—it also depended on the resilience, breadth, and flow of their meridians.

And as for detecting whether someone had artificially forced their rank through devouring… that was simple. All he needed to sense was whether the soul power was pure and stable. Devouring might speed cultivation, but it always left flaws: impurities, instability, unsteady foundations. That was why almost no fallen soul masters ever reached the Title Douluo realm.

No need to check the whole body. The meridians formed a complete circuit throughout. Probing one segment revealed the truth of the whole—especially at the core.

He followed the flow slowly, carefully. Second by second, his shock grew. When his probing reached Yang Yunhai's spine, his breath caught.

The spine was the body's central pillar. The meridians within it were likewise the body's primary channels. By checking here, one could judge the full quality of a soul master's foundation.

"These bones… this breadth, this resilience, this smoothness of meridians—how is this possible? Was it lightning tempering, or the bamboo shoot water? For him to reach this level…" Salas's heart trembled.

Even in terms of meridian smoothness, he realized, he himself was inferior to Yang Yunhai. It was absurd.

"His soul power is so pure. No chance this was from devouring." His judgment was clear.

"No foreign energy detected either. The bamboo shoot's medicinal power is fully absorbed." With that conclusion, he withdrew his energy and released Yang Yunhai's hand, his face solemn.

"Yang Yunhai, tomorrow you will accompany me to Spirit City. With your aptitude and theoretical talent, only there will you receive the best cultivation. Only there can your potential be fully realized."

A top-tier martial soul, with strength, with abilities, and a body of such astonishing quality—Salas was certain Yang Yunhai had the qualifications to rival the greatest. Perhaps he could even outshine the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan's pride.

If he could bring Yang Yunhai to Spirit City, his own standing in Spirit Hall would be unshakable. And if some Title Douluo took Yang Yunhai as a disciple, Salas himself would reap great benefits.

But Yang Yunhai shook his head. "Forgive me, Archbishop. I cannot go to Spirit City for now."

(End of Chapter)

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