Time flew by, and a full year had passed in the blink of an eye.
On the training grounds of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the atmosphere was now exceptionally perilous and terrifying.
Yang Xiong stood alone at the center of the field, surrounded by five thousand-year soul beasts. Each of these beasts was over 3,000 years old, appearing incredibly ferocious.
These five soul beasts possessed different attributes—there was the swift and aggressive Gale Demon Wolf, the defensively formidable Blazing Bear, and even a massive python.
However, Yang Xiong showed no fear. Clutching a sword in his hand, he fought fiercely against the five soul beasts. Even without using soul power, he seemed to handle himself with remarkable ease.
As time slowly passed, Yang Xiong gradually inflicted severe injuries on the beasts using various techniques. By the end, only one terrifying Tyrant Dragon remained—the oldest and strongest among the soul beasts.
When the Tyrant Dragon charged at full force, Yang Xiong's sword suddenly unleashed a streak of sword energy. The sword qi tore through the air as if splitting space itself, ultimately slicing across the dragon's throat. It was clear the beast wouldn't survive for long.
After this final strike, Yang Xiong's sword shattered into pieces, and he collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted, gasping for breath.
Sword Douluo waved his hand, and several soul masters appeared to restrain and provide basic treatment to the five soul beasts. These were top-tier thousand-year soul rings—far too valuable to waste.
Once Yang Xiong stood up again, Sword Douluo nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, Yang Xiong. This past year, you've met and even exceeded the expectations Old Bone and I had for you. Both your combat ability and control over your body have improved significantly. You haven't disappointed us."
Yang Xiong finally let out a sigh of relief. Just two days ago, he had finally broken through to level 50. But before he could celebrate, Sword Douluo arranged this brutal battle.
This year, Yang Xiong's training had been extraordinarily harsh and grueling. He constantly teetered between life and death, never truly able to relax even for a moment.
After much deliberation, Yang Xiong eventually requested that Sword Douluo teach him swordsmanship.
Though his Body Martial Soul was powerful, relying purely on strength and technique left something to be desired. Learning swordsmanship might help compensate for that gap.
At first, Sword Douluo had been dismissive, believing it was a waste of time for someone without a sword-type martial soul to learn sword techniques.
But Yang Xiong didn't give up. He commissioned a specially crafted, extremely heavy sword weighing three thousand jin (approximately 1,500 kilograms). Though not particularly sharp, its design perfectly suited Yang Xiong's physique.
Every day, Yang Xiong trained relentlessly with the heavy sword, practicing eight fundamental sword techniques—thrusting, slashing, jabbing, flicking, lifting, cutting, parrying, and pressing—repeating each movement a thousand times daily. After a full year of effort, he finally made some progress. Upon reaching level 50, he managed to generate a faint trace of sword qi.
Initially, both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo had sneered at Yang Xiong's efforts, thinking he was wasting his time. However, since Yang Xiong practiced during his free time after afternoon training sessions, neither of them objected.
Over time, Yang Xiong noticed a glimmer of excitement in Sword Douluo's eyes, as if he finally saw a glimpse of what a true disciple should look like.
After a year of relentless practice, whether in terms of combat ability or defensive prowess, Yang Xiong had largely met the requirements set by his two teachers.
In terms of defense, Yang Xiong displayed lightning-fast reaction speeds and an extraordinary ability to endure attacks when facing the five soul beasts.
When the thousand-year Tyrant Dragon attacked, he was able to withstand its blows with his bare body. When the dragon struck his shoulder, his muscles and skin adapted to the force, dissipating part of the impact in the moment of contact. His defensive capabilities had improved significantly compared to before.
As for offense, aside from occasionally wielding a sword, Yang Xiong's fighting style had become increasingly fierce and brutal. Constant battles with soul beasts had not only enhanced his physical resilience but also allowed him to gradually cultivate a menacing killing intent, making him appear more fearsome than ever.
Upon receiving Sword Douluo's praise, Yang Xiong quickly bowed: "Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance. I will continue to work hard to grow stronger."
Sword Douluo nodded: "Very well. Now that you've reached level 50, your next steps depend on acquiring your soul ring. What kind of soul ring you obtain is entirely up to you. I've been busy lately, so Lin Gong will assist you in hunting a ten-thousand-year soul beast."
Over the course of this year, Yang Xiong had increased his soul power by five levels—a speed that, while not blazingly fast, was still quite commendable.
After each training session, whether it was Bone Douluo's defensive drills or Sword Douluo's offensive challenges, his body endured immense strain.
Through this relentless combat and body tempering, his resistance to physical damage had improved dramatically, and his cultivation speed subtly showed signs of acceleration.
After bidding farewell to Sword Douluo, Yang Xiong followed Lin Gong to Yunwu Mountain.
In the main hall of Yunwu Mountain, Yang Xiong sat at the center, surrounded by five individuals—Lin Gong, Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, Bai He, and Dragon Duke Meng Shu.
Yes, Dragon Duke Meng Shu had also brought his entire family to join the Body Sect. Even the Cryptid Academy under his control had been relocated near Tian Dou City.
To win over Meng Shu, Yang Xiong had gone to great lengths, offering a ten-thousand-year medicinal herb and various forms of support. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had also paid a significant price.
The key factor, however, was Lin Gong. Lin Gong had now reached level 89, bringing him tantalizingly close to becoming a Title Douluo.
Originally, Lin Gong had been one level lower than Meng Shu, but now he surpassed him by a single level of soul power, leaving Meng Shu feeling deeply unbalanced.
Moreover, Lin Gong and Meng Shu had engaged in a monumental battle lasting an entire day and night, with Lin Gong emerging victorious after a grueling fight.
The stakes of their duel were enormous, and as a result, Dragon Duke Meng Shu agreed to cooperate with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and joined the Body Sect, becoming its fifth elder.
To secure Meng Shu's family and the Cryptid Academy, Yang Xiong invested heavily—not only offering a rare ten-thousand-year medicinal herb but also leveraging Lin Gong's past relationship with Meng Shu. He even promised future assistance in helping them kill Chrysanthemum Douluo (Ju Douluo). If he failed to fulfill this promise, Dragon Duke could withdraw his people.
In return, Dragon Duke brought hundreds of soul masters to the Body Sect. The martial souls of his family included the Dragon-Head Cane and Snake-Head Cane—both top-tier weapon-type martial souls with fusion abilities.
This recruitment of Dragon Duke was guided by Ning Fengzhi and fully supported by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
As Ning Fengzhi had explained, the relationships among the three single-attribute families were exceptionally strong, almost like a single entity. Only by bringing in Dragon Duke's family could they create a balance of power.
As for why Dragon Duke's family wasn't absorbed into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it was because someone as proud as Dragon Duke would never become subordinate to another sect. Joining the Body Sect, however, made him feel like a co-owner. Not only did he become an elder, but the various training methods Yang Xiong had devised in Yunwu Mountain also left Dragon Duke deeply impressed.
Yunwu Mountain had undergone a complete transformation. Yang Xiong had designed numerous training methods, with the core area featuring a large and peculiar layout.
It was a flat expanse of land spanning dozens of meters, paved entirely with granite. Rising from the surface were countless iron pillars.
Each pillar stood three meters tall with a diameter of just ten centimeters, allowing only the tips of one's toes to rest on them. The distance between each pillar was roughly one meter.
This arrangement, inspired by the principles of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, formed a pattern resembling a massive Eight Trigram Array. Yang Xiong named it the "Eight Trigram Stakes."
There were two primary training methods for the Eight Trigram Stakes. One focused on improving balance, akin to cultivating lightness skills in the world of martial arts, which also helped stabilize one's soul power.
The other method involved practicing footwork between the stakes. Yang Xiong combined his previously developed Eight Trigram Steps with the stakes, requiring practitioners to move swiftly through the array without colliding with the pillars.
Both the three single-attribute families and Dragon Duke Meng Shu were astonished by the Eight Trigram Stakes. They found it immensely beneficial for their cultivation.
The Agile Clan, already renowned for their unparalleled speed, gained an additional layer of precision and agility through the Eight Trigram Steps, enhancing their evasive abilities beyond pure speed.
The Defensive Clan, originally slower, used the Eight Trigram Steps to address their lack of mobility.
As for the Power Clan, Yang Wudi and Dragon Duke often sparred atop or within the Eight Trigram Stakes, restricting the use of soul power and soul skills.
Yang Wudi wielded his Soul-Breaking Spear, while Dragon Duke used his Dragon-Head Cane. The stakes seemed perfectly suited to their spear and cane techniques, and both men felt they had improved significantly after training there.
Yang Xiong also invited Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to Yunwu Mountain. Unlike their usual aloof demeanor, the two teachers seemed more relaxed and approachable here.
Sword Douluo engaged in a fierce battle with Yang Wudi. Though Yang Wudi suffered a crushing defeat, Sword Douluo greatly admired the power of the Soul-Breaking Spear and even offered personal guidance on the application of weapon-type martial souls.
Bone Douluo, on the other hand, conducted a pure defense-focused sparring session with Niu Gao. Even Niu Gao, an expert in defense, held Bone Douluo's techniques in high regard. If not for his advanced age, Yang Xiong suspected Niu Gao might have considered becoming Bone Douluo's disciple.
In summary, with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo backing him, the five elders treated Yang Xiong with even greater respect.
The Cryptid Academy was another pleasant surprise. Though nominally led by Dragon Duke, it now fell under the jurisdiction of the Body Sect.
After reorganization, it was renamed the Body Academy. Its primary mission was to oversee the education and training of disciples from the three single-attribute families and Dragon Duke's family, while also accepting ordinary civilian students.
Over the past year, Ning Fengzhi had mobilized the resources of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to help Yang Xiong gather over a dozen children with Body Martial Souls.
Though these children had average talent and low innate soul power, they had clearly been overlooked in the past. In Yang Xiong's eyes, however, they were the future foundation of the Body Sect—and potentially the key to reshaping the world.
Yang Xiong not only enlisted Lin Gong to personally educate these children but also invested significant resources and effort into their development. He even designed specialized training methods, leaving the children feeling deeply honored and motivated.
During this year, a minor incident occurred. The leaders of the four single-attribute families held a gathering.
Tai Tan, originally delighted that Yang Wudi and the others had moved their families to the Tian Dou region, grew displeased upon hearing how much they praised the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Since the Battle of the Hao Tian Sect, the four single-attribute families had harbored deep resentment toward the top three sects. To see three of the families now leaning toward the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect left Tai Tan feeling frustrated and disheartened.
However, Tai Tan still revered Tang Hao, viewing him as their true master—a sentiment Yang Wudi and the others found disgraceful, given their intense hatred for Tang Hao.
Though their longstanding brotherhood and deep bonds prevented an outright falling-out, cracks began to form in the unity of the four single-attribute families.
Tai Tan refrained from mentioning Tang San, the young master. Tang San had yet to establish the Tang Sect, and Tai Tan wasn't foolish enough to stand in the way of the improvements Yang Wudi and the others had achieved for their families. Reluctantly, he offered his blessings.
Yang Wudi and the others, aware of Tai Tan's unwavering loyalty to Tang Hao, abandoned any thoughts of recruiting Tai Tan and the Strength Clan into the Body Sect.
Yang Xiong was well aware of Tai Tan's personality. They had never even met, and Yang Xiong harbored no intention of recruiting him. With Bai He already a potential risk and adding Tai Tan into the mix, there was a real danger that his painstakingly built sect could collapse at any moment.
According to Yang Xiong's plans, with Body Martial Souls as the sect's core, the current council of five great elders, a training academy for nurturing students, and financial cooperation from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the framework for a major sect was now complete.
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