Yang Xiong continued his daily rigorous training, but he spent less and less time in the library since he had already gone through almost all the useful books over the past few years.
His daily routine consisted mainly of body conditioning, meditation, extreme weighted training, researching self-created soul techniques, and basic combat training with the wooden dummy and sandbag.
The majority of his time was devoted to meditation and extreme weighted exercises. Every night was spent meditating, while mornings were reserved for basic combat practice. The wooden dummy and sandbag not only strengthened his punches and kicks but also improved his reflexes and enhanced his body's resilience to impact.
Since absorbing his second soul ring, Yang Xiong increased his weighted load again. He now carried sixty pounds of weight wherever he went, never taking it off.
In the afternoons, he spent about two hours developing self-created soul techniques, besides the Spiral Sphere, he was working on another skill.
His body conditioning regimen still involved exposure to extreme ice, fire, and poison, but as his strength increased, he used increasingly potent herbs, enduring greater pain that, in turn, made his body stronger and tougher.
Half a year after absorbing his second soul ring, Yang Xiong's soul power had risen another level, he was now at level 24.
One afternoon, Yang Xiong concentrated a dense amount of soul energy in his palm, continuously infusing it. The soul energy swirled rapidly like a miniature typhoon in his hand.
Focusing all his mental energy on controlling the small typhoon, it gradually took shape into a pale blue sphere.
Thrilled, Yang Xiong held the pale blue sphere and smashed it into the ground. The earth instantly cracked and shattered, leaving a crater about one meter in diameter.
He could hardly contain his excitement: "It worked! I finally succeeded! My Spiral Sphere will surely become one of the most terrifying soul techniques in the soul master world."
After several days of practice, Yang Xiong was able to quickly condense the Spiral Sphere for combat. Unfortunately, his soul power level was still too low, no matter how much soul energy he poured in, he could only form three Spiral Spheres at once. This was thanks to using the 'divided attention' technique to reduce soul energy consumption.
Still, the power of the Spiral Sphere was impressive, it could already rival a soul master's third-tier technique. As his strength and soul power grew, it was only a matter of time before it reached the power of a ten-thousand-year-old soul skill.
Over the years, Yang Xiong had developed two self-created soul techniques. Besides the Spiral Sphere, the other was a teleportation skill derived from his first soul technique, 'Xuanming Exchange.' By deconstructing 'Xuanming Exchange' and replacing the surrounding air, he gradually developed the new technique: Teleportation.
Compared to 'Xuanming Exchange,' Teleportation consumed less energy and didn't require soul ring energy at all, allowing it to be used in almost any situation. This was a direct application of his intrinsic soul power's spatial attribute.
With both Teleportation and the Spiral Sphere, Yang Xiong was confident he could hold his own against any opponent below the level of Soul King and if he couldn't win, he could always escape.
Now at eleven and a half years old, just months shy of twelve, Yang Xiong planned to venture out on his own. He wanted to gain solo experience and, more importantly, increase his combat experience, especially fighting soul beasts. After all, a soul master ultimately had to prove themselves through battle.
More importantly, the entire Douluo Continent was about to become tumultuous, and he needed to improve quickly. He was determined not to miss any opportunities and had already planned his next moves.
However, there was one pressing question: should he submit the Spiral Sphere soul technique to the sect?
The biggest drawbacks of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda soul power were twofold. First, the Pagoda only had seven layers, preventing its users from reaching the Soul Douluo level. Second, since it was an auxiliary soul power, it lacked offensive capability, always leaving its users a step weaker than others.
To some extent, the Spiral Sphere could compensate for these weaknesses by granting offensive power to Pagoda soul masters, enabling them to truly become combat-support soul masters.
On a personal level, the Spiral Sphere had cost Yang Xiong years of effort, it was genuinely his original creation. He felt reluctant to hand it over.
Yet, since birth, Yang Xiong had lived within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, especially now as an inner disciple, benefiting from many of the sect's resources. At least the sect had provided a stable environment for his growth.
These things might sound simple and common, but for ordinary soul master families, even obtaining the first two top-tier soul rings was impossible, not to mention that Yang Xiong never worked or earned money, nor had any experience living independently. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had truly become his home.
He also knew that about seven years later, the Spirit Hall would launch a soul hunt campaign, putting not only the sect but also his parents in grave danger. Even his current peaceful life could be destroyed in an instant.
Over the years, Yang Xiong had trained mostly alone and had little social contact, but he felt the sect's investment in him deeply. For example, when he wanted his second soul ring, Teacher Lin Gong showed no hesitation in supporting him, clearly following sect orders.
He even felt the sect was especially attentive to him. Some things had gone surprisingly smoothly, such as the rare extreme body conditioning herbs for 'The Path of Defense,' which were directly provided by his parents. Judging by their attitude, it didn't seem they bought them, likely some sect elder aware of his training supplied them.
Having lived in the sect for over ten years, Yang Xiong had developed a certain sense of belonging. He had encountered almost no troubles or hardships, perhaps this was the real power of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect: it made all its soul masters feel at home.
Especially since Yang Xiong would soon need several top-tier soul rings, particularly after the fifth ring. The soul beasts he'd face then would be beyond his and even his parents' power. The only way to prevail would be with the sect's support.
He had even tested his parents, who seemed to regard the sect as their own home, willing to risk everything for it. They had scolded Yang Xiong, warning him never to think about leaving the sect.
Finally, Yang Xiong sighed: "Well, for my parents' future safety, I'll do it. I just hope Ning Fengzhi won't let me down."
There was another consideration: sooner or later, Yang Xiong would have to use the Spiral Sphere openly. The sect would inevitably inquire about it. Better to be proactive now and maybe gain more benefits.
As his father had once said, within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it wasn't feared if you showed talent, but feared if you remained unnoticed.
This wasn't about taking sides. In the Douluo world, being from a sect came with restrictions but also many advantages. To put it bluntly, as an inner disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, very few in Tian Dou City dared provoke him, even soul saints with higher soul power wouldn't dare touch Yang Xiong. This was the strength and foundation of the sect.
One more little foreshadowing: a lone protagonist wasn't a long-term plan. Sooner or later, he would find a master.
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