Chapter 271 Rule-Based System? Bai Yuhao's Self-Created Soul Skill.
In the dark world, in the squares of major cities, Soul Masters looked at the sky, their discussions gradually subsiding, and all eyes were focused on the images that were about to be played.
[In the scene depicting the sky.]
[By the Seagod Lake, Huo Yuhao continued to sit cross-legged.]
He didn't stop, but continued to delve deeper into the feeling of his spiritual power merging with the ice attribute.
Time passed day by day.
Huo Yuhao's understanding of that fusion power was deepening. He was no longer satisfied with just creating a single line, but instead attempted to spread that power outwards, covering a wider area.
On this day, he opened his eyes again.
This time, he didn't raise his hand; he simply sat still, his double pupils turning ice-blue, just like last time.
But this time the changes are much greater than last time.
Centered on Huo Yuhao, the ground within a radius of 100 meters began to freeze. The ice layer was very thin, less than an inch thick, but it covered a wide area. The grass, stone paths, and even the surface of the Sea God Lake were all covered with a thin layer of icy blue ice.
That's not the most crucial point.
Most importantly, Huo Yuhao didn't move. He didn't use any soul skills, nor did he release any soul rings; he simply released the fused power from within his body, and it spread out on its own.
Bai Xuanzi stood not far away, looking at the thin ice beneath his feet, his brows slightly raised.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, then focused his mind. Countless fine lines appeared on the surface of the thin ice.
The patterns seemed alive, moving, intertwining, and rearranging on the ice surface. Some patterns solidified into icicles, suspended in mid-air; others transformed into ice walls, blocking Huo Yuhao's path; still others submerged into the lake, lifting the stones at the bottom.
Everything was under Huo Yuhao's mental control. He didn't need to lift a finger or chant incantations; with just a thought, anything within this icy domain could change according to his will.
[Huo Yuhao withdrew his thoughts, and the surrounding ice layers and ice cones instantly collapsed, turning into tiny ice crystals that dissipated into the air.]
He turned to look at Bai Xuanzi, a hint of anticipation in his eyes: "Teacher, this is something I've just grasped. It's not a single-line attack like Ice Mark, but a domain. Within this domain, I can control everything with ice attributes."
Bai Xuanzi looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Use it, let me see."
Huo Yuhao nodded and released the fusion power again. The area within a hundred meters froze once more.
With a thought, dozens of ice spikes appeared on the ice, hovering in mid-air, aimed at the distant target. With another thought, the ice spikes fired simultaneously, all hitting the bullseye.
With another thought, he conjured an ice wall over half a meter thick on the ice surface. With yet another thought, the ice wall instantly crumbled, transforming into countless tiny ice crystals that drifted into the air like mist.
Bai Xuanzi watched all of this without saying a word.
[Huo Yuhao withdrew his thoughts, and the ice layer dissipated. He stood up, waiting for Bai Xuanzi's comments.]
Bai Xuanzi was silent for a moment, then spoke: "Domain-type self-created soul skills are indeed a level above single-line attacks. The fact that you've reached this point shows your good comprehension."
Huo Yuhao's lips curled up slightly.
"However," Bai Xuanzi changed the subject, "your domain isn't good enough."
Huo Yuhao's smile froze: "Not good enough?"
"The range is too small. It's only a hundred meters in radius. On a real battlefield, that's not enough," Bai Xuanzi said. "Moreover, your control over ice is still at the 'changing form' stage. Ice cones, ice walls, ice crystals—these are all basic things. You've simply turned soul skills that used to require manual release into remote control using mental power. That's a qualitative change, but it's not thorough enough."
"Then what should we do?" Huo Yuhao asked.
Bai Xuanzi looked at him and said, "The core of domain-type soul skills is not 'what you do with the domain,' but 'what you are within the domain.' You must make this icy domain an extension of your body, not a tool in your hand. Within the domain, you are the rule. You don't need to deliberately control it; the domain itself will operate according to your will."
Huo Yuhao seemed lost in thought.
"For example," Bai Xuanzi said, "if there's an enemy within your domain, you don't need to actively condense ice spikes to attack him. You only need to 'want him to die,' and the domain will automatically produce the result you desire. This is the ultimate form of domain-type soul skills."
Huo Yuhao remained silent for a long time, then nodded: "I understand. I still need to continue to improve."
"Good that you understand." Bai Xuanzi turned around and walked towards the Sea God Pavilion, stopping after a few steps. "Don't rush. You're already on the right path. Leave the rest to time."
"Yes, teacher." Huo Yuhao bowed to Bai Xuanzi's retreating figure.
He sat down cross-legged again, closed his eyes, and continued to sense the power of fusion.
[In the surrounding air, faint ice crystals were condensing, only to quickly dissipate.]
He's still figuring things out and making improvements.
There's still a long way to go before we reach a true "rule-based realm."
In the plaza of the Dark World, the Soul Masters witnessed this scene, and their discussions erupted once again.
"This is Bai Yuhao's self-created soul skill?" A soul master's eyes widened. "It's not an attack, it's not a defense, it's just a domain?"
"Moreover, he can manipulate everything within his domain at will. Ice cones, ice walls, ice crystals—he can create whatever he wants. This is far more powerful than the Three Absolute Techniques of Haodong in the Black World," someone nearby said.
"Hao Dong's Three Absolutes are just ordinary fist and palm attacks. Although they are powerful, they are still at the physical level," another Soul Master analyzed. "Bai Yuhao's is directly a rule-based attack. In his domain, he is the ruler. This is not even on the same level."
"Yes," someone echoed. "Huo Yuhao from the Black World was only around level 60 when he created his soul skill, and what he created was the Three Absolute Skills of Haodong. Bai Yuhao is currently level 80, and what he created is the Frost Domain. Their levels are different, their comprehension is different, and the soul skills they created are also different."
"And listen to what Bai Xuanzi said," an older Soul Master said. "He said this field isn't good enough yet and needs further improvement. This shows that Bai Yuhao's potential hasn't been fully realized. Once he's truly perfected it, that'll be terrifying."
In a corner of Shrek Academy in the dark world, Huo Yuhao, from the dark world, sat there, looking up at the sky.
He heard the whispers around him, his face expressionless, but a hint of bitterness flashed in his eyes.
The Three Wonders of Haodong were something he had put a lot of effort into creating back then. He was once proud of that soul skill because it represented his hard work and talent.
But compared to Bai Yuhao's Frost Domain, Hao Dong's Three Absolutes do seem too ordinary now.
It's just fists and palms, just physical attacks.
Bai Yuhao's domain, however, is already at the level of rules.
He stared at the "self" in the sky, who was meditating with his eyes closed, and remained silent for a long time.
Then he lowered his head and said nothing more.
The discussions in the square gradually subsided, but everyone knew in their hearts that Bai Yuhao's self-created soul skill was more than a level above Hei Yuhao's.
But Bai Xuanzi was still not satisfied.
This shows that Bai Yuhao's potential is far from being fully realized.
(End of chapter)