The morning sun pierced through the clouds, casting golden light across the Elder Hall's exclusive training ground. Marco stood in the center, his Soul Power flowing like a gentle stream as he performed his daily mandatory Soul Power control training. Qianjun Douluo stood at the edge of the field like an ancient pine, his gaze sharp as a torch, missing no detail.
"Condense without dispersing, release and withdraw at will!" Qianjun Douluo's voice was as cold as ice. "Your current control is like a child swinging a heavy hammer - all power but no discipline! In battles between high-level Soul Masters, victory often comes down to a single thought, to the ultimate control over every strand of Soul Power!"
Marco held his breath and focused his mind. The Azure Flame between his hands sometimes condensed into a slowly rotating lotus shape, sometimes transformed into fine threads weaving through the air. Sweat soaked through his clothes, but his eyes remained intensely focused as he continuously adjusted his Soul Power output.
"Watch closely." Qianjun Douluo pointed like a sword, sending out a highly condensed strand of Soul Power that precisely pierced through the center of a falling leaf a hundred steps away, leaving not even a trace of scorching on the leaf's edge. "This is control. Your Azure Flame possesses great destructive power, making it even more crucial for you to learn restraint, so you can unleash its maximum power at critical moments."
After the morning Soul Power control training concluded, an elderly scholar in academic robes slowly entered the training ground. His hair and beard were white, but his eyes were clear and wise - this was Bai Hexuan, a senior scholar from the Spirit Hall's Theory Pavilion. Though the two Elders possessed extraordinary strength, they couldn't match these specialized scholars when it came to systematic theoretical knowledge instruction.
"Young friend Marco, today I will explain the general knowledge of Martial Souls and Soul Beasts to you," Bai Hexuan said in a gentle voice, gesturing for Marco to sit. He unrolled a massive scroll depicting various peculiar Martial Soul forms.
"The path of Martial Souls is vast and profound. Beyond the common Beast and Item Martial Souls, there are also Elemental Martial Souls, Body Martial Souls, and even more peculiar Mutated Martial Souls." Bai Hexuan pointed to a corner of the scroll. "For example, this Star Crown Martial Soul can channel the power of the stars; and this Nine Heart Begonia represents the pinnacle of healing types."
He looked specifically at Marco: "Your Azure Flame Phoenix belongs to the top-tier Beast Martial Souls, but remember - Martial Souls themselves have no inherent superiority or inferiority, only cultivation has depth. The key lies in how the Soul Master explores their potential and maximizes their characteristics."
Subsequently, Bai Hexuan took out another scroll densely recorded with information about various rare Soul Beasts. "The same applies to Soul Beasts. The Ice Jade Scorpion of the Far North controls ultimate ice; the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear deep in the Star Dou Forest possesses peerless offensive power; and in the oceans, besides the Deep Sea Demon Whale, the Demon Soul Great White Shark is also a dominant-level existence."
Growing more enthusiastic, Bai Hexuan deliberately raised his voice: "But the most mystical of all is undoubtedly the Double Pupil Bird. This bird is an auspicious omen, its eyes capable of seeing through falsehoods. An adult Double Pupil Bird's strength can even rival that of a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast." After saying this, he glanced seemingly casually at Qing Yu, who was dozing on Marco's shoulder.
Marco felt inwardly alarmed but maintained a calm expression outwardly. Qing Yu merely shifted its head slightly, nuzzling Marco's cheek.
In the afternoon came the unwavering combat training. Xiangmo Douluo suppressed his cultivation to the fiftieth rank, his Coiling Dragon Staff transforming into countless staff shadows that attacked Marco like a raging storm.
"On the battlefield, gaining insight into your opponent's moves is crucial!" Xiangmo Douluo's voice echoed through the staff shadows. "Watch my shoulders! Though the Coiling Dragon Staff carries immense force, my shoulder blades must shift slightly before each strike! Seize that fleeting moment, and you can take the initiative!"
Marco pushed his Double Pupil Eye and Observation Haki to their limits, weaving through the impenetrable web of staff shadows. Several times, his extraordinary perception allowed him to narrowly evade heavy blows, but the Coiling Dragon Staff's intricate variations far exceeded expectations. More often than not, he was still grazed by the staff's wind force, leaving his blood and energy churning.
"Too slow!" Xiangmo Douluo swept forward with a "Dragon's Tail Swing." Though Marco predicted the trajectory, his body couldn't keep up with his consciousness, sending him flying violently. "Your eyes see it, but your body must be faster! Let instinct surpass thought!"
Such high-intensity sparring sessions lasted several hours daily. Marco was covered in wounds, yet the Azure Flame Phoenix's formidable regenerative abilities always restored him to peak condition by the next day. Though the two elders maintained stern exteriors, their eyes couldn't conceal admiration for his rapid progress.
One day, Qianjun Douluo granted Marco permission to visit the Spirit Hall library using a token. This magnificent library housed collections as vast as ocean mist, and Marco immersed himself hungrily, particularly drawn to records of Soul Power application techniques, continental secrets, and various extraordinary Martial Souls and Soul Beasts. Systematic theoretical knowledge complemented his practical combat experience, deepening his understanding of the Soul Master's path.
During training breaks, Hu Liena's figure would always appear punctually.
"Hey, stop burying yourself in books and come move around!" Today she wore fiery red training attire that accentuated her vibrant charm.
Having grown accustomed to this, Marco closed his notes on ancient Soul Tool relics and rose reluctantly. These daily "challenges" from Hu Liena had become routine. Though she repeatedly lost, her enthusiasm never waned.
This time, Hu Liena employed more flexible tactics. Fully utilizing the Enchantress Fox Spirit's agility, she avoided direct confrontations with Marco, instead engaging in evasive skirmishes with increasingly elusive footwork. Occasionally, she executed exquisite techniques that even made Marco nod in silent approval.
"Notable improvement," Marco rarely offered praise, yet his counterattacks remained merciless. A palm strike infused with Armament Haki shot forth with razor-sharp intensity.
With a sharp cry, Hu Liena hastily sidestepped, the palm wind grazing the edge of her clothing and stirring a strand of her hair. Her delicate face flushed slightly as she shot Marco a reproachful glare: "Couldn't you go easy on me?"
Though complaining, her tone carried a hint of unconscious coquettishness. Even she hadn't realized that her daily "provocations" had subtly transformed—anticipating sparring matches with this composed and powerful youth had become a bright spot in her monotonous training.
Marco was no blockhead and naturally noticed the subtle shift in Hu Liena's attitude. This put him on guard, as his special identity made close association with core Spirit Hall disciples potentially troublesome. Yet whenever he encountered her pure (perhaps slightly complicated) determined gaze, he found it difficult to maintain complete indifference.
After one training session concluded, Xie Yue intercepted Hu Liena in the corridor leading to the Papal Hall.
"Nana, you've been frequenting the Elder Hall lately—what for?" Xie Yue frowned slightly, his gaze sharp. "That Marco's background remains unclear. Your close association with him may lead to complications."
Hu Liena's gaze drifted, feigning composure: "Brother, you're overthinking it! I sought him out purely for sparring practice. His combat skills are exceptional—he helps me identify my weaknesses."
Xie Yue studied his sister intently, his tone grave: "Is that truly all? I've noticed your restlessness lately. Even after losing a spar, you lack your usual frustration—this isn't like you. Could it be…?"
"There's no 'could it be'! Stay out of my affairs!" Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Hu Liena stamped her foot to cut him off and hurried away, though the tips of her ears flushed crimson.
Watching his sister's retreating figure, Xie Yue's concern deepened. As her brother, he keenly sensed that Hu Liena's attention toward that mysterious youth had crossed ordinary boundaries. This heightened his wariness toward Marco.
Inside the Papal Hall, Bibi Dong listened to Gui Douluo's report, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of her throne.
"Oh? Nana has been frequently visiting the Elder Hall lately to spar with that Marco?" A playful smile curled at the corner of her lips. "It seems this boy is not only exceptionally gifted but has also caught the eye of our proud Nana… How intriguing."
After a moment's contemplation, she instructed, "Continue observing. As long as it doesn't involve core secrets, let her be. Matters of the young sometimes require little interference."
By the training grounds, Marco concluded a day of rigorous cultivation, sitting alone on the stone steps to regulate his breathing. The setting sun cast his shadow long, with Qing Yu perched quietly on his shoulder. Reflecting on this period, under the devoted guidance of the two Elders and the nourishment of the library's knowledge, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. Yet, the subtle unease brought by Hu Liena and the latent risks of being at the heart of the Spirit Hall left no room for complacency.
"Meet troubles with action, and floods with earthworks." He took a deep breath, suppressing distracting thoughts. His foremost priority remained seizing this rare opportunity to fully enhance his abilities. As for everything else, he would adapt as circumstances dictated.
As night fell, lights illuminated the Spirit Hall one after another. Beneath the tranquil surface of this sacred land for Soul Masters, undercurrents of intrigue swirled among various factions. And Marco, at the vortex of it all, knew that every choice he made could shape the course of the future.
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