The major auction item had been sold, and the auction officially came to an end.
Shrek Academy had purchased the most items. Zhang Lexuan and Wang Yan let everyone leave first, going to pay and collect the goods themselves.
As for Ning Tian helping Huo Yuhao buy the Soul Devouring Engraving Knife, Zhang Lexuan didn't pay on her behalf. Since Ning Tian was just returning a favor, she couldn't interfere, though Ning Tian's small treasury certainly wasn't short of money.
After the main group returned to the Star Emperor Hotel, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. However, as Huo Yuhao entered his room, curiosity still arose in his heart. He called out to Wang Dong:
"Wang Dong, when you saw the Spirit Conduction Device, didn't you feel anything unusual?"
Wang Dong, standing in front of his own room, was a bit dumbfounded by Huo Yuhao's question. He looked down at himself and asked blankly:"No… nothing. By the way, why are you being so mysterious? Is there something you want to say but don't dare?"
"No, no, just rest early. Tomorrow the second round of the tournament begins." Huo Yuhao smiled and entered his room.
Watching the door close, Wang Dong's confusion vanished, replaced by a cold expression.
"Uncomfortable feelings?"
"Is he talking about the Spirit Conduction Device?"Indeed, there was such a feeling. But he had never disliked Spirit Conduction Devices. So, the feeling of disgust he experienced during the auction—whose was it really?
And that girl, who bore seven or eight parts resemblance to himself in female form, who exactly was she?
Meanwhile, after returning to his room, Huo Yuhao immediately entered his mental space and approached Ilex."Teacher, I need your help with something."
"What is it?" Ilex's voice replied.
Elsewhere, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and the Ice Emperor flew over curiously—they had overslept and just woken up.
Huo Yuhao said solemnly:"I'm thinking, is it possible to create an artifact that engraves magic soul rings, to replace the role of beast soul rings for humans?"
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and Ice Emperor were stunned, while Ilex manifested as a phantom in front of Huo Yuhao.
Ilex pondered for a moment and asked:"Explain in detail."
Huo Yuhao nodded:"In our Douluo Continent, for a soul master to break through to the next level, they must absorb soul rings. But from our previous conversation, I realized that in the Saint Magic Continent, there seems to be no such restriction. Could it be that the laws of my world don't allow it?"
"In that case, could I make the beast soul rings into fake magic soul rings, helping soul masters bypass restrictions? The only problem is that the magic soul rings wouldn't provide corresponding soul skills to the soul masters."
Ilex fell silent, and Huo Yuhao did not disturb him.
The concept of the magic soul ring had come to him previously while using magic skills. When using magic, he only expended spirit power and soul power, without a soul ring as a medium.
Whether soul spirits could still be created in this world, he didn't know, so he wanted to think of a way to replace soul rings in the future.
In the original story, soul spirits were created through countless experiments with soul beasts, aided by the Silver Dragon King Guguena. Otherwise, soul spirits could never have been produced in ten thousand years.
"Your idea isn't bad, but it needs testing. You don't have the time now, so it will have to wait," Ilex said, seeming to have an idea.
Huo Yuhao smiled:"Perfect. After this tournament, I'll have several months of free time. Then I'll discuss it with you."
"That works. In the meantime, you can continue thinking about it." Ilex nodded.
After the brief exchange, Ilex returned to the gray cyclone. When Huo Yuhao turned around, Ice Emperor and Tianmeng Ice Silkworm were staring at him.
"Yuhao, I might not be of much use, but regarding this magic soul ring, I may be able to help a little," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm said timidly.
Huo Yuhao became interested:"Go on, Tianmeng."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm pondered:"When I broke through to my million-year cultivation, I sensed two extremely special forces. The first seemed like a restriction—probably the gods of the divine realm suppressing soul beasts."
"But the second was very peculiar. I can say for certain, it isn't divine, but it is definitely connected to the Douluo Continent itself. When I was trapped in the Star Dou Forest, I sensed the presence of the Four Gods, and around them existed this power."
"However, this power isn't permanent. Later, when I sensed the Sea God leaving Douluo Continent, the elemental and life energy—basically all aspects of the world—suddenly surged, as if receiving some premium feedback."
"Oh right," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm remembered, "We met in Star Dou Forest thanks to a thought projection. Without it alerting me to your presence, we might never have met."
"Dimensional consciousness?"
Huo Yuhao instantly thought of the guiding consciousness that had once helped him.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm said:"Besides gods, the only thing that could possess such power is the dimensional consciousness you mentioned."
"What's dimensional consciousness?" Ice Emperor asked.
Huo Yuhao explained:"You can think of it as the will of the planet we're on."
"Planetary will?" Ice Emperor didn't fully understand, but at least had a rough idea.
Huo Yuhao furrowed his brow. The second force wasn't described in the original, so he had to think it through himself.
After Tang San became a god, Douluo Continent received feedback. What was this feedback? How was it generated?
Given Tang San's personality, he wouldn't leave even a small trace—he certainly wouldn't provide premium feedback.
After all, even Tang Clan's ultimate skills were watered-down versions.
Humans breaking through required soul rings. In the Tang Universe, this was unique. There had to be a restriction, and it probably wasn't caused by the divine realm.
If the divine realm acted, it wouldn't only affect Douluo Continent. Other planes, like Rong Nian Bing's world, wouldn't have breakthrough restrictions.
If dimensional consciousness intervened, why would it do so?
One thing Huo Yuhao was sure of: if dimensional consciousness acted, it did it for Douluo Continent's benefit.
Thinking about this made Huo Yuhao feel like his brain was about to explode.
"Could humans evolving from soul beasts to their current form also be thanks to the planetary will?" Ice Emperor joked.
Suddenly, Huo Yuhao snapped out of his thoughts."Ice Emperor, can you explain how humans evolved from soul beasts?"
Ice Emperor paused, exchanging a glance with Tianmeng Ice Silkworm. Seeing Huo Yuhao's seriousness, she explained:"Humans initially were a mix of soul beasts and wild beasts, some with soul power, some without. Though weak, they were intelligent. For example, Spirit Conduction Devices—humans made them long ago. The only problem was their slow cultivation speed and short lifespan. Otherwise, they'd have gone extinct despite high fertility."
"From what I know, humans suddenly gained the ability to absorb soul rings, initially only three, not nine."
Huo Yuhao was stunned. The original also mentioned the first human absorbing a soul ring was a lucky accident, which lines up with Ice Emperor's description.
But why only three at first? And humans made Spirit Conduction Devices so early?
"Maybe the dimensional consciousness, seeing soul beasts couldn't become gods, forcibly pushed humans forward. That would explain why humans need soul rings to break through."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm teased him."Also, the feedback after the god left Douluo Continent could also be from dimensional consciousness. Otherwise, how could the world improve overall? My guess isn't bad, right?"
"Stop guessing," Ice Emperor snapped.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm pouted, not daring to speak further.
Huo Yuhao's expression hardened.
"Yuhao, my advice is, when you're powerful enough, seek out the dimensional consciousness. It might help you create magic soul rings. Without soul skills, who would willingly absorb them?"
"Of course, if you can add soul skills yourself, ignore me."
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm saw Ice Emperor's tail gesture and quickly turned to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao rubbed his chin, forming a rough plan.
"Oh, why not use the Solar God Pillar? It's already there," Ice Emperor said casually.
That statement lit a spark in Huo Yuhao.
He looked at the towering god pillar in the Mental Sea, radiating endless divinity.
The more he looked, the more excitement surged in his heart.
Right, if he could use the Solar God Pillar, why bother making a new artifact for magic soul rings?
After the third star ring, faith energy is needed to progress. Using the Solar God Pillar to develop magic soul rings could potentially garner the faith of the entire continent—and convert all humans into soul masters. Huo Yuhao's breathing quickened.
"Yuhao, someone is knocking."
Just as Huo Yuhao was excited, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm reminded him.
Huo Yuhao snapped out of his thoughts and turned to the lightly knocking door.
Ning Tian stood there cheerfully; Wu Feng was absent.
"This is my return gift. Thank you." Ning Tian handed Huo Yuhao a level-four Storage Spirit Conduction Ring.
Huo Yuhao smiled and accepted it, teasing:"I was about to snatch it from you, but…"
Ning Tian smiled softly:"I don't dare use it, but as a Light Phoenix soul master, you can suppress the evil within the Soul Devouring Engraving Knife. That's why I bought it for you. Still, even with Dean Yan's help, be careful using it."
Huo Yuhao felt Ning Tian's gaze was strangely intense.
Seeing Huo Yuhao's look, Ning Tian's earlobe flushed."I'll rest now," she said and hurried off.
Huo Yuhao closed the door, trying to contain a laugh, preparing to examine the knife.
Holding the ring, he sensed a chilling and evil aura emanating from it. If left unchecked, the ring would break in days, releasing the knife's vengeful spirit.
Huo Yuhao smirked:"Foul spirit, let's see how you handle the sun."
"Its potential is wasted otherwise," Ilex's voice said.
"Teacher, how much life energy from the Gold of Living Beings can restore your divine consciousness?" Huo Yuhao asked.
"No need," Ilex refused.
Huo Yuhao understood—the Solar God Pillar was sufficient to restore consciousness.
Ilex suggested:"Use this energy to strengthen your body, then divide 20% separately, and integrate the remaining 80% into the second star ring."
Huo Yuhao nodded.
He released a thread of soul power into the Storage Ring. The Soul Devouring Engraving Knife appeared in his hand—ancient, black, seemingly worthless.
Sensing the world outside, it emitted a dark green glow and a vicious aura. No wonder its past owners all met grim fates.
Huo Yuhao's Heavenly Eye released, golden light enveloping the knife.
The evil spirit tried to resist, recoiling like touching hot steel. Huo Yuhao's will pulled it in with terrifying suction.
The black aura melted, accompanied by faint screams. The knife's ghostly face appeared, full of malice.
Huo Yuhao slapped its left face with sunlight-covered hand.
The vicious spirit was stunned, its eyes clearing. Golden divine light "purged" it.
Ping! The knife, now vibrant like crystal, emitted soft green light, radiating life energy. Huo Yuhao felt invigorated.
"From now on, you'll be called the Living Spirit Knife."
He pressed it to his brow, enveloped it with soul power, and absorbed its life force into his body.
In an hour, his body was purified, glowing faintly green. Though his cultivation hadn't increased, his body was significantly enhanced—muscles, bones, cells, organs, meridians—all imbued with a transparent green aura.
He estimated he could now withstand a 40,000–50,000-year soul ring.
After strengthening, he fed part of the knife to the Solar God Pillar, keeping 20% for himself.
The remaining energy would enhance his Mental Sea and imprint core arrays—perfect.
.....
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