Although Huo Yuhao was planning to sell the White Tiger Dagger—a level-five Soul Tool—its actual effects were still impressive.
The Soul Tool's core formation possessed a devouring property: it could absorb foreign energy types and convert them into armor-piercing power. In a way, it was both offensive and defensive at once.
Let's see… the most complicated part should be the level-five Soul Tool core formation. I recall reading about something similar in a book—but that one only covered a level-three core formation.
The complexity between level three and level five is like heaven and earth. Still, this one looks like it can be separated into smaller components. The problem is… my spiritual power might not be strong enough yet.
He glanced at the sleeping Skydream Iceworm. Unlike the Thunder Dragon Claw, which was merely a first soul skill of hundred-year quality and simple in nature, this level-five core formation was far beyond his current capacity to fully simulate.
He could memorize the structure, but he couldn't manifest it perfectly.
Looks like I'll need to borrow some of Skydream's spiritual power if I want to disassemble it properly.
Skydream, wanting to help Huo Yuhao cultivate while also enjoying his nap, had left a small current of spiritual power freely circulating within the sea of spirit. It flowed naturally, automatically replenishing itself along the route he'd set up before falling asleep.
Though this fraction was a drop in the ocean compared to Skydream's vast power, for Huo Yuhao, it was more than enough.
And as the true master of his own spiritual sea, he could control this unsealed flow even without Skydream's explicit consent.
He focused briefly, guiding that flow—and in the next instant, a glowing, spiritual projection of a level-five Soul Tool core formation appeared before him.
As his spiritual energy poured in, the intricate formation began to split and reassemble in midair.
Still pretty complex. Preserving its functionality during disassembly is trickier than just using it outright—but at this rate, it shouldn't take too long.
Before long, the original level-five formation had been divided into five simplified yet still advanced sub-formations.
These should be level-four core formations. I can't tell their specific functions yet—let's break them down further.
After another round of analysis, each level-four formation split into four identical structures, whose complexity roughly matched the level-three core formation described in his reference text.
Now I see it more clearly. Many Spirit Masters' soul skills share similar structures to Soul Tool formations—they just lack the stabilizing framework used in soul engineering.
Wait… that's not entirely right.
He waved his hand, summoning a yellow hundred-year spirit ring within his spiritual sea.
It's more accurate to say the stability work is handled by the spirit ring itself. That's why soul skills don't need the same intricate structure as a Soul Tool—but the logic behind both systems is identical.
The stronger the soul skill, the more complex its underlying pattern. And similarly, higher-level core formations are created by stacking lower-level structures repeatedly.
That's the difference between level-three and level-four formations—and likely how level-five ones are built too.
But when a formation relies too much on repetition, its effects become limited. To produce diverse results, different types of formations must be combined.
Anyway, no more time now. I'll continue later.
With that thought, he dismissed the mental projections and exited his spiritual sea.
Stretching lazily, he rolled his shoulders and neck, loosening the stiffness from lying too long.
Seeing this, Wang Dong couldn't help but mutter, "I really don't get you. Your spirit power's already low, and you still sleep earlier than me every night. Aren't you afraid of being eliminated?"
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. "The mountain man has his own tricks. And honestly, if I were eliminated, maybe Shrek would be the one losing out."
"Pfft! Shameless! Hurry up before the crazy old witch catches us!" Wang Dong grabbed his arm and dragged him out.
He didn't resist. Maybe because of their earlier talks, she seemed a little friendlier now.
Run every day, run every day… what's the point? he thought helplessly.
He knew exactly what would happen next.
First-year students' bodies were still fragile. Without enough nutrition, overtraining would damage their vitality. Sure, they grew quickly, but reckless exercise could do more harm than good.
Gradual cultivation using soul power to strengthen bones and meridians was the proper path. Zhou Yi's "run-until-you-drop" method only worked because Shrek students were mostly rich or noble and could afford rare tonics to replenish their energy.
Except for the original Huo Yuhao—the one true commoner—most had the means to cover the damage. That's why the flaws in her system didn't show.
But in truth, it was an inefficient, idiotic way to train.
Only the addition of the Mysterious Heaven Technique later would patch that damage. Without it, someone like him could have crippled his foundation through this routine.
By the time they reached Class One's training ground, everyone was already assembled.
When Zhou Yi entered, the air froze. The students straightened immediately, silent and tense.
With a faint smirk, she said coolly, "Everyone stand. Assemble at Shrek Plaza."
Then she turned and left. The students hurried after her.
On the plaza, piles of iron chains lay stacked—the infamous training weights Zhou Yi used to "improve" her students' physiques.
"Wang Dong," she said sharply, "based on your entrance scores and this morning's results, you'll serve as class monitor. The position is temporary—anyone who can defeat her may take it. Understood?"
"Understood!" the class replied, though the higher-ranked students' eyes gleamed with competitiveness.
In that instant, Zhou Yi had shifted part of her students' resentment toward Wang Dong, her newly appointed proxy.
Through the Eye of Truth, Huo Yuhao could see Wang Dong silently pondering—and felt a flicker of satisfaction. Good. At least she's thinking now. Maybe there's hope for her yet.
Zhou Yi continued, "Each of you take one of these iron vests. Put them on and start running laps around the plaza. You may use soul power, but not soul skills. Run until class ends."
"The ranking will be based on your laps. Whoever finishes last will be expelled. In my class, elimination isn't limited to exams—it can happen anytime, anywhere!"
"Understood? Then begin!"
At her command, the students scrambled for iron vests and started running under Wang Dong's lead.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yi began spouting her warped philosophy of "strength through pressure," but few had the energy to question her logic while struggling to keep up.
Only Wang Dong—whose body was strong—and Huo Yuhao—who didn't care—still had enough clarity to think.
Not that Huo Yuhao bothered. No point wasting brainpower analyzing a brainwashed fool, he thought.
Skydream, hey, wake up! he called through their mental link.
Huh? Oh! I'm awake, I'm awake! Just helping you cultivate here, Skydream answered hastily, unaware that Huo Yuhao already knew he was napping.
Do me a favor, Huo Yuhao said. Control my body for a bit. Just keep pace at the back of the group while I focus on something else.
Easy! Leave it to me! Skydream replied cheerfully.
Instantly, a portion of his spiritual power redirected Huo Yuhao's soul energy, guiding his blood and muscles to move rhythmically.
Huo Yuhao relaxed, letting his body be controlled while he split his attention back to his mental experiments.
Let's test those extracted core formations from the White Tiger Dagger. If I use only spiritual energy without pouring too much soul power in, there shouldn't be any dangerous backlash.
As he tested his newly simplified level-four formations, some students running nearby stared in disbelief.
That "weakest" student—the one Zhou Yi herself had called the lowest-ranked in spirit power—was running steadily at the front, his breathing smooth, his expression relaxed.
What the—?!
This guy's only rank twelve! How is he keeping up with Wang Dong? He's not even breaking a sweat!
Monster. Absolute monster. If that's the physique of a rank-twelve Spirit Master, I'm dropping out.
Those trailing at the back looked hopeless; it was obvious who'd be eliminated next.
Wang Dong, panting heavily, shot him a sideways glance.The mountain man has his tricks, huh? Your "trick" is absurd stamina? Is the enhancement from a spirit-type martial soul really that strong? You look more relaxed than I do!
Alright, test results are about done, Huo Yuhao thought. This one's a compression array—it can't go lower than level two without breaking. Useful for condensing energy.
This one's an energy-gathering array—can be simplified to level one. Great for accelerating absorption during cultivation.
This next one boosts conversion speed. Combined with the White Tiger Dagger's devouring property, that must be where the effect came from. Works even on foreign energies—perfect.
This formation stores soul power—minimum level one as well.
And that last one… I can't tell yet. I'll study it later.
By the time he wrapped up his mental research, most of the class was already collapsing on the ground. Even with expulsion looming, their bodies had hit their limits.
"You're insane!" Wang Dong gasped beside him, teeth clenched.
Nearly everyone else had fallen, barely able to breathe. Wang Dong herself was staggering, one step at a time.
But Huo Yuhao was still running at a steady pace. With Skydream's fine-tuned control, every muscle and bone in his body operated with perfect efficiency. His energy consumption was minimal, his endurance near limitless.
He was drenched in sweat—but far from exhausted.
As he regained full control of his body, the class bell rang, signaling the end of the session.
(End of Chapter)