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Chapter 101: Before Setting Off
🕑 Added 2024-12-09 18:32:26 +0000 UTCYang Podi slowly woke up, not knowing how much time had passed.
At this moment, he was still in the spring water of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but now the water seemed tranquil and peaceful, no longer as intense as when he first entered.
The red hot spring no longer felt like blazing fire but more like a warm bath, while the blue cold spring no longer felt like piercing ice but rather like ordinary cold water.
Seeing this, Yang Podi grew excited. The long-awaited body refinement through the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was finally complete.
Next, Yang Podi examined his mind. In his spiritual sea, the familiar giant holding the Breaking Soul Spear had undergone a drastic transformation. The entire figure was now silvery white, radiating strength and menace.
Finally, he had achieved the secondary silver-level awakening of his full-body martial soul. From now on, he would no longer fear anyone.
With immunity to ice, fire, and poison, his martial soul would be more formidable than ever. Furthermore, the foundation laid by this Ice and Fire Body Refinement would make his physical constitution unparalleled and his future potential boundless.
Nearby, his second grandpa, Yang Wushuang, had been tense throughout the process. Ever since Yang Podi consumed the two immortal herbs, his body had undergone extraordinary changes. Even his external soul bones had emerged without any warning before he leaped into the spring water of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
The spring water contained immense ice and fire energy. Even Yang Wushuang, a near-Titled Douluo, dared not approach recklessly, as it could pose a great danger to his life.
Thankfully, he had consistently sensed the life force and soul power fluctuations from the spring, or else it would have been a grave matter.
Yang Podi had stayed in the spring water for three entire days. When he finally woke up, his physical strength and soul power had reached unprecedented levels. No wonder in the original story, Tang San's Ice and Fire Body Refinement laid the foundation for godhood. The results were indeed remarkable.
As Yang Podi emerged from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his clothes had long since turned to ashes. The Golden Crocodile King's Tailbone and the Tiger Eagle Wings were exposed but had grown even stronger.
The Golden Crocodile King's Tailbone had extended from its original length of about 2 meters to 3 meters, with its hardness and sharpness significantly enhanced, likely reaching the level of a ten-thousand-year soul bone.
Similarly, the Tiger Eagle Wings had undergone considerable changes. Each wing, originally about 2 meters long, had grown to approximately 3 meters. Judging by this transformation, their soul bone age had exceeded 20,000 years.
More importantly, the wings had become fully integrated with Yang Podi's body, making them more agile in use. The original silver-gray wings had turned silver-white after the Ice and Fire Body Refinement and now seemed to resonate faintly with his full-body martial soul.
Seeing Yang Podi safely exit the spring, Yang Wushuang finally sighed in relief. Upon closer observation, his grandson's height and muscle mass had improved remarkably. The sight of the two external soul bones alone was enough to inspire envy.
Yang Podi carefully observed his changes and was delighted that all his goals had been achieved. However, he soon felt something was off. Looking at his second grandpa, he suddenly realized he wasn't wearing any clothes. Embarrassed, he quickly dashed to his soul tool to retrieve a fresh set of clothes and put them on.
Once dressed, Yang Wushuang finally asked, "Podi, how are you feeling now? Any discomfort in your body?"
"Second Grandpa, I feel amazing. I'm stronger than ever, and both my strength and recovery capabilities have greatly improved."
"Good, good. It's a relief that you're fine. That spring water is extraordinarily dangerous. I wouldn't dare approach, let alone enter it."
To be extra sure, Yang Wushuang thoroughly checked Yang Podi's physical condition before finally relaxing completely.
"Second Grandpa, how long was I in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well after consuming the immortal herbs?"
"You were in there for three whole days. If not for sensing your soul power fluctuations, I was about to call your father to collect your body," Yang Wushuang replied, still slightly shaken.
"Second Grandpa, it wasn't that dangerous. See? I'm perfectly fine. You didn't need to worry so much."
"Don't you dare do something this reckless again! Even if you want to grow stronger, our clan has other methods. You don't need to risk your life."
"By the way, you're now at rank 50. After this refinement, your physical strength has become even more formidable. Should we head to the Sunset Forest to find a soul ring?"
After a moment of thought, Yang Podi replied, "Second Grandpa, aren't you planning to go to the core region of the Star Dou Forest soon? I'd like to join you."
Yang Wushuang frowned. "We're going to the core region, where soul beasts range from 50,000 to 80,000 years. It's too dangerous for someone at your level. That's not a place for a Soul King-to-be like you."
"But I want to hunt for powerful and rare soul beasts, preferably dragon-type ones. The Star Dou Forest offers a greater variety of options."
"You brat, do you think dragon-type soul beasts are so easy to find?"
After some discussion, they decided not to hunt for a soul ring immediately. Instead, they would first return to the Breaking Clan to make preparations for the trip.
Back home, Yang Podi took a few days to relax and prepare. During this time, he also trained his younger sister, Yang Tianyue.
Yang Tianyue's talent was exceptional. As an innate full soul power genius, her cultivation speed was astonishing. At only nine years old, she had already made remarkable progress. Judging by her current growth, she could likely reach rank 30 by the age of twelve, rivaling Yang Podi's own early development.
This was without the help of immortal herbs or over-absorbed soul rings. Her innate talent truly shone through.
If her progress continued at this pace, she might qualify for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament and reach the level of a high-ranking Soul Elder.
Regarding immortal herbs, Yang Podi had already discussed with his father that Yang Tianyue would only take them after the next tournament. Similarly, the Earth Demon Bear's external soul bone would be left for her to absorb after reaching the Soul Elder rank.
Recently, Yang Tianyue had been pestering Yang Podi for sparring sessions, demanding he suppress his soul power and practice spear techniques with her.
To his surprise, her mastery of the Breaking Soul Spear was commendable. Though she consistently lost, her technique was becoming more refined, and her fighting style showed signs of a true warrior.
Yang Podi couldn't help but wonder if all members of the Breaking Clan were battle maniacs. Even his little sister was showing such violent tendencies at such a young age.
One time, after yet another loss, Yang Tianyue pouted. "Brother, can't you use a lighter spear? I can't fight against you properly with such a heavy one."
Yang Podi chuckled. "Tianyue, your enemies won't accommodate your preferences in battle. I use a heavy spear because it increases my power. Do you think a strength-type soul master will hold back just because you ask them to?"
"I don't care! You're my brother! You have to use a lighter spear to spar with me!"
Faced with his sister's antics, Yang Podi could only smile indulgently. Taking a lighter spear she selected, they resumed their sparring. Yet, within half an incense stick's time, she was defeated again.
Frustrated, Tianyue exclaimed, "Brother, you cheated! Your spearwork is faster than before!"
Patting her head, Yang Podi explained, "A lighter spear naturally allows for faster movements. Training with a heavier spear sharpens your technique and strength. When you switch back to a lighter one, it'll feel much easier to use."
Though she didn't fully understand, Tianyue seemed to take his advice to heart, practicing even more diligently afterward. Occasionally, she even tried training with a heavy spear.
Seeing his little sister's growth filled Yang Podi with pride.
Five days later, preparations for the Star Dou Forest expedition were complete. The group consisted of Yang Podi, his two grandpas Yang Wushuang and Yang Wudi, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and his maternal grandfather Niu Gao. His father stayed behind to guard the clan.
Neither Tai Tan of the Strength Clan nor Bai He of the Speed Clan joined the expedition. Both were Soul Douluo and would be of limited help in the core region of the Star Dou Forest. Additionally, their ties with the Clear Sky Sect made the Breaking Clan cautious about revealing too much.
When Dugu Bo and Niu Gao learned that Yang Podi would be accompanying them, they couldn't help but laugh.
Niu Gao teased, "Podi, do you want me to carry you on my back? Don't worry, I'll keep you safe."
Dugu Bo, however, scowled. "Yang Podi, I heard you're my granddaughter's team captain. You've been overworking her with training lately. She comes home exhausted and complaining every time. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Yang Podi was stunned when he heard this and quickly said, "Grandpa Dugu, you can't blame me for this! With my training, Sister Yan's strength has obviously improved significantly. She's already a high-level Soul Elder now."
Dugu Bo nodded slightly. "Her improvement under your training is indeed impressive. But as her grandfather, I can't bear to see my granddaughter suffer so much. Now tell me, how do you plan to compensate my Yan'er?"
"Grandpa Dugu, Sister Yan's improvement is visible to everyone. Isn't that compensation enough?"
"You brat, your little tricks might fool others, but not me. Do you think the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy has any competent methods for medicinal baths? It's obvious you added something extra."
"Wasn't that all for Sister Yan's benefit? Based on my calculations, by the time of the next Soul Master Tournament, Sister Yan could reach the high-level Soul Ancestor realm and might even have a chance to break into the Soul King level."
Yang Podi wasn't exaggerating in the slightest. A year ago, Dugu Yan had already reached Rank 36, Yang Ping'an was at Rank 35, and even Ye Lingling was at Rank 33.
Compared to their progress in the original storyline, both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were advancing at a much faster pace.
Given their current trajectory, by the time the next Soul Master Tournament begins, Dugu Yan and Yang Ping'an will at least be high-level Soul Ancestors. Breaking through to the Soul King realm wasn't out of the question.
Of course, considering their talents, they might encounter certain bottlenecks before breaking through to the Soul King level, or even before reaching the Soul Ancestor level. However, even with a slower cultivation speed, reaching high-level Soul Ancestor status was almost guaranteed.
