The first pale light of dawn crept softly across the rooftops of Marquis Palace.
Outside, the world was hushed—broken only by the gentle chorus of birds and the sigh of bamboo leaves in the morning breeze.
In the quiet courtyard, a young boy moved with unwavering focus.
His arms swept through the cool morning air, wielding a blunt sword weighing two thousand jin—a formidable weight demanding strength beyond his years.
The sword gleamed faintly in the soft light, reflecting both discipline and determination in his tight, unyielding grip.
Each swing was practiced and precise, a slow yet deliberate dance of power and control.
The rhythm was painstaking, each movement an arduous test of his endurance, but his balance remained flawless.
He adjusted his stance, his feet barely making a sound on the hard courtyard floor. His posture straightened as he rooted himself firmly, muscles coiling like a spring.
Every shift was calculated—balanced between stability and readiness to strike or retreat, the perfect harmony of strength and agility.
Despite the weight and challenge, his motions flowed seamlessly, like a stream carving its way through rock—unyielding yet graceful, strength tempered by elegance.
He paused only briefly between strikes, drawing a steady breath as his eyes narrowed in concentration.
He readied himself for the next arc with quiet resolve.
Just as he was mid-swing, a hesitant voice called out to him.
"Rui'er."
Despite the disturbance, he completed the swing before turning to face whoever interrupted him. A smile that wasn't quite a smile played on his lips as he answered simply, "No."
The surprise in the caller's eyes held for a moment.
"But you didn't even let me finish what I wanted to ask," the person continued.
Annoyed, Hanrui closed his eyes and summoned his full focus to the sword in his hand.
The blade began to glow faintly, a subtle pulse of Sword Qi emanating from it.
In the next instant, Hanrui swung the sword at a nearby training dummy. A deep, sharp mark was left where the blade struck, small ripples of energy flickering over the wound.
A sharp gasp broke the silence, the surprise clear in the voice of the caller.
Satisfied, Hanrui sheathed the sword and turned to face his father.
His mother approached quietly, a towel in hand, tending to his sweat with gentle care.
"Father," Hanrui began with a teasing edge, "it's only been a week since your last reckless action. You expect me to hand over my prototype blunt sword with its weight-shifting function without proper testing or safety measures?"
Wu Tian avoided his son's gaze, feeling both chastised and useless.
He crouched down, muttering to himself about being a useless father.
Han Mei couldn't help but laugh softly at the playful exchange between father and son.
"Hmph, if you want the gift I prepared for you, just wait in the dining hall. I'm going to shower."
With that, Hanrui swiftly kissed his mother on the cheek before disappearing into the hall.
Wu Tian perked up, about to ask what his son meant, but stopped short as Hanrui kissed his mother on the cheek and dashed away.
Feeling a wave of helplessness, Wu Tian turned away from the training ground. Without a word, he followed his wife toward the dining hall.
Meanwhile, Hanrui returned to his chambers. He quickly shed his dirty clothes and headed to the washroom, where the hot water his maids had prepared awaited him.
The warmth seeped into his aching muscles, washing away the fatigue and sharpening his senses for the day ahead.
"System, it's time to create the Ethereal Clarity Pill. Make the Radiant Soul Dew necessary for it and Synthesize the Pill," Hanrui commanded.
[Command Received]
[Checking Void Reserve... 43.2%]
[Consuming 20% to materialize Radiant Soul Dew]
[1%... 5%... 100%]
[Materialization of Radiant Soul Dew complete.
Results: Radiant Soul Dew x2]
[Retrieving Ethereal Clarity Pill recipe from the archive... Done.]
[Converting required materials: Radiant Soul Dew x2 and {100 year old}Blue Silver Grass x20 into liquid... Done.]
[Synthesizing the liquid into pills... Done.]
[Synthesis complete... Ethereal Clarity Pill x3]
"Wow, I even got an extra pill. Guess I don't have to waste more Void Energy Reserve for that," Hanrui thought aloud, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
'Next step is to help Nainai with creating the Soul Core. Once that's done, I'll have to assist Mother.'
He paused for a moment, considering the immense challenge ahead. The formation of a Soul Core required immense spiritual power and absolute precision.
It was the foundation for true cultivation progress and a necessary milestone for a high-level Titled-Douluo.
But with patience and careful guidance, he knew they would succeed.
'After all, I already prepared Nainai by sharing a part of the Soul Core theory,' he thought as droplets of water trickled down his skin, the warm air in the washroom wrapping around him.
'She succeeded in creating a prototype version using sheer soul power control.'
Hanrui reached for a soft towel, the fabric rough yet comforting against his damp skin.
He dried himself swiftly and pulled on casual clothes that felt light and familiar.
The faint scent of incense floated from the corridors, mingling with the distant clatter of dishes being set for dinner.
After getting ready, Hanrui stepped out of his chambers, ready to join the family for their meal.
As he opened the door to the dining hall, his father, Wu Tian, looked at him with eager anticipation.
His mother was already busy serving breakfast, arranging steaming plates of dumplings, millet porridge, and pickled vegetables on the polished wooden table.
As usual, Hanrui took his seat beside his grandmother, Xue Li, savoring the comforting warmth of the morning meal.
When breakfast ended, Hanrui reached into his storage scroll he created and produced two small pills.
He handed one to his father and one to his mother."It's called the Dual Element Harmony Pill," he introduced, his voice steady.
"It's an Earth Rank medicinal pill that purifies soul power and meridians, significantly strengthening physical constitution and endurance."
He paused, letting the importance sink in before continuing. "It can boost current cultivation by one to three ranks and guarantees a stable breakthrough past the 70th rank bottleneck."
Hanrui's eyes flickered with focus as he elaborated, "For Fire-based Soul Masters, it dramatically improves fire attribute affinity while enhancing resistance to ice. For Ice-based Soul Masters, it does the opposite—greatly enhances ice attribute affinity while boosting fire resistance."
He then turned to his grandmother and offered her the Ethereal Clarity Pill.
"I actually made the Dual Element Harmony Pill a week ago," he explained,as he took out another pill from the storage scroll, "but Nainai's pill wasn't ready yet, so I held back."
Xue Li accepted the pill, a glint of approval shining in her eyes as Hanrui began to explain its effects.
"The Ethereal Clarity Pill is a rare and potent spiritual medicine crafted to temporarily elevate a soul master's cultivation to the Spirit Domain Realm with complete control and stability.
This crystal-clear pill glows faintly with a celestial light and emits a pure, refreshing aura when consumed.
Once ingested, it heightens the soul's resonance and spiritual energy flow, granting the cultivator seamless access to the power and techniques of the next realm—as if they had truly ascended—yet without the risk of spiritual backlash or instability," he finished, drawing a gasp from everyone.
Han Mei looked at him, puzzled by the unfamiliar term. "Rui'er, what exactly is the Spirit Domain Realm?"
Wu Tian and Xue Li exchanged a glance, silently urging Hanrui to explain.
A sudden realization hit Hanrui as he recalled, 'Right—spiritual power hasn't been studied until twenty thousand years later. Of course, they wouldn't know. They only have a vague idea on spiritual power in the current era.'
He began carefully, "Spiritual Power, or Mental Power, is used to control emotions and enhance focus and perception of one's surroundings."
"With further cultivation, it can be used to exert greater control over one's soul skills and even influence another person's Spiritual Sea."
"Spiritual Power also aids a Soul Master's thinking process and inspires insights."
"Similar to soul power, spiritual power is divided into ranks. From lowest to highest, the six levels are: Spirit Origin Realm, Spirit Connection Realm, Spirit Sea Realm, Spirit Abyss Realm, Spirit Domain Realm, and the legendary Divine Origin Realm."
"When a person is born, their cultivation level starts at the Spirit Origin Realm. It increases gradually with cultivation and experience, usually reaching a high level by age sixty."
The room fell into a thoughtful silence as Hanrui's explanation settled over them. Wu Tian's brows furrowed, a mixture of awe and contemplation flickering in his eyes.
"So, it's a cultivation realm for the mind/spiritual power," he murmured, his voice heavy with newfound respect. "A realm where the mental power itself takes center stage."
Xue Li nodded slowly, her gaze steady. "This changes everything. Understanding spiritual power could reshape our approach to cultivation."
Han Mei's confusion gave way to admiration as she looked at her son differently. "Rui'er, you have made great strides. Your knowledge and skill surpass even what I imagined."
Hanrui just smiled in response "There is still much to learn, but with your guidance, Nainai, and Mother's support, I believe we can reach new heights—together."
The family exchanged quiet, determined glances, their bond strengthened by shared purpose and hope for the future.
A gentle breeze stirred the curtains, while sunlight filtered softly through the window, casting a warm glow over them.
Curious if the pills had taken effect, Hanrui waved his father and mother away gently. "Go absorb the pills. I'm going to help Nainai with creating her Soul Core."
Seeing her grandson's playful antics, Xue Li smiled warmly and ruffled his hair.
"So, Nainai, you have three options, each with different risks," Hanrui began. "You can create the Soul Power Soul Core, which you're already familiar with. Or you can try creating a Spiritual Core, which is easier thanks to the pill. Or, you can attempt both simultaneously—the riskiest choice but also the most rewarding. Which will you choose?"
Xue Li paused, deep in thought. Hanrui's mind wandered briefly. 'I wonder what my Spirit Realm level is. I should check it later in the system. Wait—I got the system a week ago and haven't once checked my Status page.
. . .I need to check it today.'
"I'll go with option three, Rui'er. I believe I can succeed," Xue Li said with conviction.
Hanrui sighed quietly and began explaining the concept of the yin-yang dual Soul Core.
After listening intently to Hanrui's explanation, Xue Li settled into a cross-legged position.
She swallowed the Ethereal Clarity Pill, and almost instantly, her mental power soared to the Spirit Domain Realm.
As she spread her hands forward, two radiant cores began forming slowly—one in each palm.
In her left hand, the Soul Power Core slowly condensed into a brilliant, revolving sphere of energy.
It pulsated steadily, a concentrated essence of her cultivated soul power.
In her right hand, the Spiritual Power Core slowly condensed and shimmered with an ethereal glow, swirling gently.
This core embodied her refined spiritual energy and mental cultivation, delicate yet powerful.
Though separate, these two cores complemented one another perfectly—yin and yang in harmonious balance.
Taking the chance she started absorbing both the soul cores into her body.
The Soul Power Core directly entered her dantian while the Spiritual Core entered her Soul Sea after absorption was complete.
Hanrui, noticing the process completed successfully, sighed in relief.
Meanwhile, in their own room, Wu Tian and Han Mei sat cross-legged facing each other, the atmosphere calm yet charged with latent energy.
They gently placed the Dual Element Harmony Pills on their tongues.As the pills slowly dissolved, a cool, refreshing sensation spread through their bodies, as if a gentle current was flowing through every meridian and channel.
Wu Tian felt his soul power begin to purify and strengthen. A vibrant energy coursed through his veins, his entire body vibrating with heightened endurance and a robust constitution.
Muscles tingled as his inner energy expanded steadily.His fire affinity deepened gradually, tempered by a simultaneous increase in his ice resistance—a balanced harmony reflecting the pill's dual nature.
At the same time, Han Mei sensed her soul power purifying, her meridians growing stronger and more resilient.
A cool, refreshing aura flowed through her being as the pill took effect. Her ice affinity sharpened, crystal clear and potent, while a subtle warmth blossomed within, protecting her from fire-based weaknesses.
The Dual Element Harmony Pill worked in perfect synergy, amplifying their cultivation ranks smoothly.
Every sensation flowed effortlessly, easing blockages and harmonizing the energies within their meridians.
Wu Tian experienced the most dramatic change, his level rising by three full ranks to reach level 69. Han Mei, already a seasoned Soul Sage, gained a steady one and a half levels, pushing her to 73.
Once their absorption was complete, the couple exchanged relieved glances before quickly making their way to check on how their mother/mother-in-law was progressing.