Chapter 44: Zhen Hua’s Suggestions
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In the blink of an eye, it had been a month since Xu Yuan enrolled in Shrek Academy.
The Inner Court didn't have fixed classes. After requesting leave from Shen Yi, Xu Yuan boarded a soul-guided train bound for Tiandou City.
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Tiandou City
Blacksmiths Association
"Uncle Zhen Hua."
After a year, Zhen Hua's physique showed no signs of change.
In fact, compared to most soul masters, Zhen Hua's blood and qi strength was exceptionally high—far surpassing even Xu Yuan's uncle, Xu Shengqun. Previously, with Mu Ye around, Zhen Hua's blood and qi strength hadn't seemed particularly remarkable.
But this past year, after meeting many ordinary soul masters and even some elder masters at Shrek Academy, Xu Yuan realized just how extraordinary Zhen Hua's blood and qi strength truly was.
"Why are you suddenly interested in cultivating blood and qi?" Zhen Hua asked curiously.
Xu Yuan didn't choose to hide his intentions.
"I want to separate the two forms within my martial soul, but I know I can't achieve twin martial souls after splitting them."
Ten thousand years ago, Ji Juechen had only one martial soul slot. He fused his martial soul into meteoric iron and then merged completely with his sword, integrating his martial soul fully into himself while still occupying only one slot.
Splitting a martial soul and duplicating its slots out of thin air?
That was something only gods could achieve.
Xu Yuan merely intended to transfer some characteristics of his martial soul into the Five-Element Spear Spirit, then use the Five-Element Spear Spirit to form a contract with his blood and qi, creating an alternative "triple martial soul."
As for concerns about the capacity of spirit souls and soul rings—
If he succeeded, Xu Yuan's brain martial soul, with its immense spiritual power, would ensure sufficient capacity for spirit souls. As for physical strength, with the addition of a blood and qi martial soul, his blood and qi cultivation could be integrated into his martial soul. Being a disciple of the Body Sect, Xu Yuan's physical strength had every chance of keeping up.
After listening to Xu Yuan's ambitious plan, Zhen Hua fell into deep thought.
He looked at Xu Yuan with a strange gaze.
"You're really like your father." After a long moment, he could only sigh.
Yes, they were incredibly similar.
"Your father once researched this topic as well. We discussed it, and I even recommended him to your teacher to collaborate with the Body Sect. Unfortunately, nothing came of it," Zhen Hua said with a sigh.
However, he didn't discourage Xu Yuan based on this.
Having been deeply involved in the research, he knew exactly where it had failed.
Xu Yuan's father, Xu Zhi, had focused on using spirit soul contracts to integrate blood and qi into his martial soul. Xu Yuan, on the other hand, leaned toward forming a contract between spirit souls and blood and qi.
One aimed to modify the martial soul using blood and qi, while the other sought to create an alternative blood and qi martial soul.
"Actually, you can take it step by step," Zhen Hua suggested.
"Oh?"
Xu Yuan hadn't expected Zhen Hua to offer no resistance and instead provide constructive advice.
"For example, first cultivate your own blood and qi. Once you've condensed it, your blood and qi will already exceed the level of a ten-level soul master. At that point, you can try forming a contract between your blood and qi and your spirit soul."
Zhen Hua looked at Xu Yuan, explaining his thoughts.
"Creating a blood and qi martial soul is a grand vision, but it's not something that can be achieved overnight. It requires long-term cultivation. For instance, the fusion of my martial soul and blood and qi only began after a mutation, and it took time to deepen the integration. Eventually, I was able to use my martial soul to cultivate my body."
"And look at Ji Juechen from ten thousand years ago. When he first infused his sword soul into meteoric iron, it wasn't instantaneous—it progressed gradually as he cultivated his soul power. Even achieving unity between man and sword didn't reach perfection until level seventy."
Though Zhen Hua offered suggestions without outright opposition, he repeatedly emphasized taking things slowly and waiting until after level seventy to pursue a true blood and qi martial soul.
It had to be said, Zhen Hua was skilled at persuading others.
However, he didn't genuinely oppose Xu Yuan's ideas.
His suggestions were practical and useful.
"First, refine the spirit soul contract method. Your father likely left behind a partial solution. If you can complete it and establish a contract between blood and qi and spirit souls, you can then gradually attempt to infuse spear techniques and intent into the Five-Element Spear Spirit, and eventually into your blood and qi, feeding back into your blood and qi cultivation."
"The subsequent steps must also proceed incrementally. First, separate the two martial soul forms. The Five-Element Spear Spirit should remain contracted with multiple aspects, but try assigning its next soul ring exclusively to blood and qi—or don't try at all, and instead add a second spirit soul to the Tianyuan Brush."
"When you find a spirit soul more suitable than the Five-Element Spear Spirit—one that aligns with your Tianyuan Brush's first soul skill, Five Elements Mastery—you can complete the final transition. Replace the Five-Element Spear Spirit with the new spirit soul, fully separating it from the Tianyuan Brush martial soul while also completing the final step of creating a blood and qi martial soul."
Though Zhen Hua was a blacksmith, his logic was clear and his explanations thorough.
Seeing Xu Yuan seriously contemplating his words, Zhen Hua knew his advice had struck a chord. He decided to cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"To be honest, I roughly understand the source of your urgency. You want to improve your physical condition because your mental power is being limited by your body. Actually, if you complete the blood and qi contract in my proposed steps, it should help resolve this issue."
"Xiaoyuan, your talent is already among the top on the continent. It's not that you can't take risks, but you must prioritize stability. Rushing blindly won't work."
A portable storage device appeared in Zhen Hua's hand. He placed it in Xu Yuan's palm, patted his shoulder, and returned to his seat, watching as Xu Yuan reflected.
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After spending two days in Tiandou City, during which Xu Yuan showcased his recent forging achievements and received Zhen Hua's guidance, he boarded the soul-guided train once again and returned to Shrek Academy.
"Uncle Zhen Hua is right. I need to develop steadily. Just like Huo Yuhao sorting through his soul cores—separating blood and qi, soul power, and spiritual cores only began when he broke through his limits. I can't rush either."
Xu Yuan turned inward for self-reflection.
Perhaps he had grown a bit arrogant.
"Maybe my mentality shifted because my mental power has been constrained by my body for too long, causing frustration to build up." After reflecting, Xu Yuan calmed himself down.
Cultivation required balance—a rhythm of tension and relaxation, steady progress.
Xu Yuan adjusted his cultivation plan accordingly.
He continued accepting tasks from the associations and maintained his daily training regimen. Within this framework, he carved out time to study the so-called blood and qi contract.
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Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, two months had gone by.
In the midst of cultivation, Xu Yuan's soul-guided communicator vibrated.
"Teacher?"
"Yes, I'm in Shrek City now. I've sent you the address. Come see me."
"Alright."
Xu Yuan ended the call, tidied up, and left the academy.
Arriving at the hotel where his teacher was staying, Xu Yuan went to room 404 on the second floor and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Xu Yuan entered, and Mu Ye quickly closed the door behind him, sealing the room with soul power.
Inside the room, Xu Yuan saw a massive wooden barrel. Inside the barrel, fiery red liquid churned, radiating dense energy.
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