Chapter 53: Guiding Zhilan, the Five-Year Promise Arrives
Since that first meeting in the flower hall, Ye Zhilan's figure occasionally appeared in Yu Yuanchen's regular and monotonous Cultivation Life. At first, it was just polite visits following the wishes of their elders, infrequent and brief. But as the number of meetings increased, the initial unfamiliarity and awkwardness between them were gradually replaced by a peaceful and natural sense of familiarity.
Seeing the two young people getting along harmoniously, Yu Mingfeng and the Ye Family parents were naturally happy to see it happen, intentionally or unintentionally creating more opportunities. Sometimes the Ye Family would send rare spiritual plants and medicinal herbs, delivered personally by Ye Zhilan; sometimes the Yu Family would hold small-scale tea parties or flower-viewing gatherings, always inviting the Ye mother and daughter; Yu Mingfeng would even use the excuse of "young people sharing more insights on Cultivation" to have Yu Yuanchen take Ye Zhilan to visit the non-core areas of the Family's library.
During this process, Yu Yuanchen discovered that Ye Zhilan was not just the gentle and shy girl he first met. Once familiar, she would occasionally reveal the playfulness and agility unique to a young girl. For instance, when Yu Yuanchen introduced a Soul Beast with peculiar characteristics to her, she would blink her clear eyes and ask imaginative yet cute questions: "Brother Yuanchen, do you think if the pollen of the 'Illusory Light Orchid' is eaten by a Wind-Whisper Bird, the bird's song would also take on seven-colored hues?" Or, while tasting tea snacks, she would quietly use a delicate technique to move the flavors she disliked to the edge of the plate, then give Yu Yuanchen a small, cunning look that pleaded for secrecy.
This gradually revealed playfulness was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in Yu Yuanchen's otherwise placid state of mind. He spent his years accompanied by thunder, slaughter, and Cultivation, surrounded mostly by majestic elders or respectful clansmen; when had he ever encountered such a vivid and agile aura? This felt novel to him and allowed his heartstrings, which were always taut from carrying the Family's destiny and pursuing power, to relax slightly.
Perhaps because they got along so well, Ye Zhilan also opened up more, occasionally confiding some of her Life's worries to Yu Yuanchen.
On this day, Ye Zhilan came to visit, but a trace of faint sorrow hung between her brows. The two sat in the garden pavilion, sipping light tea and watching the newly blooming lotuses in the lotus pond outside.
"Brother Yuanchen," Ye Zhilan gently stirred the tea in her cup, her voice somewhat low, "sometimes, I really envy you combat Soul Masters."
"Oh? Why the sudden sentiment?" Yu Yuanchen put down his teacup and asked gently.
Ye Zhilan sighed, a trace of helplessness appearing on her beautiful face. "A few days ago, I went out with my mother to visit a friend. On the way back, we encountered a group of blind bandits. Although the guards resolved it quickly, at that moment... I realized that besides hiding in the back, I could do nothing. Although the Nine Heart Begonia is hailed as a top-tier healing Martial Soul, it ultimately possesses not a shred of offensive power. If... if the guards had been defeated then, I'm afraid I would only have been a burden."
She raised her head, her eyes carrying a hint of unwillingness and vulnerability. "I know the value of a support system Soul Master, and saving lives is also a form of Karma. But... but whenever I encounter danger, this sense of powerlessness is truly difficult to bear. I also want to be like you, possessing the power to protect myself, and even protect others, even if it's just a little bit."
This was the first time Ye Zhilan had confided such thoughts to Yu Yuanchen, showing that they had been suppressed in her heart for a long time and that she had considerable trust in him.
Yu Yuanchen listened quietly; he could understand Ye Zhilan's feelings. In this World where strength is respected, pure support system Soul Masters—especially a woman of noble birth and outstanding appearance like her—are often easier targets. That sense of powerlessness was indeed a torment.
He pondered for a moment, and the theory of Spirit Power Nature Transformation he had researched at the Five Elements Academies, as well as his own insights into the various changes of thunder power, surfaced in his mind. He looked at Ye Zhilan and spoke slowly, "Zhilan, do you know that Soul Power itself isn't limited to just one way of being used through Martial Soul Abilities?"
Ye Zhilan looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean, Brother Yuanchen?"
"Martial Soul Abilities are fixed energy application patterns bestowed by Soul Rings; they are powerful and convenient. But Soul Power, as the Origin of energy, is inherently plastic," Yu Yuanchen explained patiently. "Just like water, it can turn into sharp ice shards to strike people, or into mist to obscure vision, or into a trickle to nourish all things. Your Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul bestows upon you a pure and Life-filled wood-attribute Soul Power. This Soul Power is uniquely gifted in healing and nourishment, but that doesn't mean it lacks other possibilities."
"I once researched this subject in detail at the Five Elements and achieved results; I call it—Spirit Power Nature Transformation." He continued to guide her: "Have you ever thought about trying to control your Soul Power more finely, not just following the fixed routes of Martial Soul Abilities, but feeling its 'nature' itself? For example, can wood-attribute Soul Power, besides being full of vitality, also simulate the 'Binding' and 'toughness' of vines? Can it condense into a physical form outside the body, even if it's just the simplest spike or barrier?"
As Ye Zhilan listened, her beautiful eyes gradually lit up. Yu Yuanchen's words opened a door she had never considered. The education she had always received was about how to better stimulate her Martial Soul's healing abilities and how to more efficiently perform Martial Soul Abilities; no one had ever told her that Soul Power itself could be understood and used this way.
"Can I... can I learn this?" she asked, somewhat uncertain yet full of expectation.
"Of course you can," Yu Yuanchen smiled slightly. "This isn't something that happens overnight; it requires extremely strong Spiritual Power control and repeated practice. But theoretically, any attribute Soul Master, as long as their understanding of the essence of their own Soul Power is deep enough, can develop ways of use beyond Martial Soul Abilities to a certain extent."
Over the next few months, in his spare time from Cultivation, Yu Yuanchen began to guide Ye Zhilan in the most basic Soul Power control training. He didn't teach any specific offensive methods, but instead taught her how to condense Soul Power at her fingertips, how to change its shape, and how to imbue it with different "intents"—be it "growth," "restraint," or "sharpness."
Ye Zhilan was naturally intelligent, and the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul gave her a foundation of Spiritual Power far exceeding those of the same rank. Her progress exceeded Yu Yuanchen's expectations. From being unable to even keep Soul Power stable at her fingertips, she eventually managed to condense a green wood spike about an inch long and slightly illusory. Although its power was negligible—hardly enough to pierce an ordinary person's skin—this was undoubtedly a huge Breakthrough from zero to one!
Every tiny bit of progress made Ye Zhilan overjoyed. In the way she looked at Yu Yuanchen, besides the initial gratitude and friendliness, a trace of inexpressible admiration and adoration gradually appeared. This man was not only powerful and knowledgeable but could also guide her so patiently, pointing out a path she had never heard of. He was like a silent and reliable mountain, and like a bolt of thunder illuminating the fog, allowing her to see hope in her helplessness.
The young girl's heart had been quietly knocked open without her realizing it. When spending time with Yu Yuanchen, her smile became increasingly sweet and natural, and an occasional exchange of glances would make her cheeks flush and her heart race. She would carefully note the flavors of tea snacks Yu Yuanchen liked, and after he finished Cultivating, she would perfectly time the delivery of a warm cup of heart-clearing and mind-focusing herbal tea. This affection was like a sprout in early spring, growing quietly, shy and sincere.
Yu Yuanchen was no block of wood; he could naturally feel the change in Ye Zhilan. His heart was not entirely without ripples either. Ye Zhilan's gentleness, playfulness, intelligence, and her unreserved trust and reliance on him all gave him a long-lost sense of warmth. However, his will was firm; he knew the path of Cultivation was long, and with the five-year promise approaching, a larger stage and stronger opponents were waiting ahead. He temporarily suppressed this quietly budding affection, continuing to interact with Ye Zhilan with a peaceful attitude, focusing on his own Cultivation and his guidance of her.
Time flew by, and six months passed in a flash.
In this half-year, relying on his deep accumulation and profound understanding of the essence of energy during the "Thunder True Essence" transformation process, Yu Yuanchen's Soul Power naturally reached Level 75. His refinement of his bone marrow and skull also approached Perfection, and the aura around him became increasingly harmonious and restrained. Although the purple-gold Thunder True Essence hadn't completely finished transforming, he could already mobilize part of it in battle, and its power was staggering.
On this day, Yu Yuanchen bid farewell to his grandfather and father, and also briefly explained to Ye Zhilan that he needed to go out and temper himself for a period. Although Ye Zhilan was reluctant to see him go, she knew he had important matters to attend to, and only carefully urged him to be careful in everything, the concern in her eyes plain to see.
Yu Yuanchen nodded and said no more, his figure turning into a bolt of purple lightning and disappearing into the horizon of Dragon City.
His target was exactly the location he had agreed upon with Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu five years ago—that stretch of Savage Beast Hills that had once experienced the tragic battle with the Wolftaken and the violent beast tide.
Revisiting the old haunt, the Savage Beast Hills still maintained its primitive and wild nature. The air was filled with a faint scent of blood and decaying vegetation, and the traces left by the great battle of yesteryear had long been covered by new vegetation and Soul Beast activity.
Yu Yuanchen released his perception and soon locked onto two powerful and familiar auras. They didn't deliberately hide, standing out like torches in the night, clearly announcing their presence.
With a few flashes of his figure, Yu Yuanchen appeared in a relatively open valley. In the center of the valley, two figures were already waiting.
One person was tall and burly, dressed in simple black martial attire, with knotted muscles on his exposed bronze arms that were full of explosive power. He sat casually on the ground, with that iconic, massive Clear Sky Hammer standing beside him. Although he didn't activate his Soul Power, a heavy sense of pressure already rushed toward Yu Yuanchen. It was Tang Chen! His aura had strikingly reached the Peak of Level 79, but there was a faint sense of being full and unable to progress further; clearly, he had been stuck at this Bottleneck for some time and was accumulating power, preparing to charge toward Soul Douluo.
The other person, with flying golden hair and clothes as white as snow, had a handsome face like a Divinity. He had six wings on his back and stood elegantly atop a green stone, his body emitting a pure and holy aura. It was Qian Daoliu! His Soul Power fluctuations also remained at the Peak of Level 79, on par with Tang Chen, but his aura was even more pure and grand, and his control over his own power seemed even more effortless.
Sensing Yu Yuanchen's arrival, the two opened their eyes almost simultaneously, their gazes like lightning, instantly focusing on him.
Tang Chen stood up abruptly, a wild smile appearing on his face, his voice like a great bell: "Hahaha! Yu Yuanchen! You kid finally came! Five years without seeing you, you made me wait! Hmm? This aura of yours... Level 75? Tsk tsk, you really are a monster!"
Although he called him a "monster," what burned in his eyes was pure Battle Intent and excitement, without a shred of jealousy, only the joy of meeting an opponent worth fighting.
Qian Daoliu also slowly floated to the ground, a flash of surprise crossing his golden eyes, which then turned into a calm smile as he nodded in greeting: "Brother Yuanchen, I hope you have been well. Five years of time, it seems you have gained much." His perception was keener, and he could faintly sense what kind of deep and terrifying power foundation was hidden beneath Yu Yuanchen's seemingly Level 75 Soul Power, especially that faint thunder pressure that even made his Seraphim Martial Soul feel a trace of solemnity and oppression.
Yu Yuanchen looked at his two close friends and rivals, who were even more impressive than before, and a sincere smile curled on his lips as he cupped his hands. "Brother Tang, Brother Qian, sorry to keep you waiting. The five-year promise has finally come time to be fulfilled today. Looking at the auras of you two, I imagine this Level 79 Bottleneck won't trap you for much longer."
Tang Chen grinned and slapped the Clear Sky Hammer hard. "That's for sure! I'm just waiting to finish this fight with you, then I'm going to hunt for my eighth Soul Ring and officially promote to Soul Douluo! When that time comes, we'll fight again!"
Qian Daoliu also smiled. "Being able to spar with you two again is also my wish. I expect that in these five years, Brother Yuanchen must have developed some astonishing skills; I shall experience them today."
The three looked at each other, and though they didn't say much, the air was already thick with intense Battle Intent and anticipation. Five years of accumulation and growth would all be released to their heart's content in the upcoming battle!
The wind of the Savage Beast Hills also seemed to feel the passion of these three peerless Prodigies about to collide, becoming hurried. A Peak battle destined to shake the younger generation was about to begin on this ancient land!
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