Inside Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
After finishing his morning cultivation and enjoying a satisfying lunch, Xu Yang arrived at the training grounds. He drew his Sun Sacred Blade and began practicing his blade techniques.
His recent battle at the Spirit Arena had yielded significant gains—especially his duel against the Ironblood Spirit Master. His bladework had improved rapidly, and he wanted to capitalize on that sensation while it was still fresh, refining and absorbing every bit of his progress.
He still trained in the same three core moves—slash, sweep, and raise—but now his techniques flowed more freely, naturally, and with far greater control than before.
Each flash of the blade radiated with pure, blazing yang energy, embodying a bold and vigorous aura—majestic and unstoppable.
Before long, Yu Tianheng also arrived at the training ground. After sparing Xu Yang a glance, he moved to the side, activated his Martial Spirit, and began perfecting his self-created skill Thunder Ray, using his first and second spirit skills in combination.
"Those two are seriously relentless. Especially Tianheng—aside from eating and resting, he spends every moment cultivating. Can his body even take that?"
"Training needs balance. If he keeps pushing like this, it's going to backfire eventually... Too bad he won't listen to anyone."
"Xu Yang's approach is way more balanced. Haven't you all noticed? His life and cultivation are extremely structured. Aside from our group battle training, he has everything scheduled: soul power cultivation in the morning, blade and archery practice in the afternoon, physical conditioning, tinkering with tools when he has time, and rest in the evening."
Not far off, Oslo, Yufeng, and a few others were watching the two train, murmuring to one another.
"Standing here chatting? Get moving! Or do you really want to get left behind?"
At that moment, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling walked over. Dugu Yan's voice was icy as she scolded the idle group. She didn't wait for a response—she and Ye Lingling simply continued on toward the training area.
Due to her Martial Spirit's evolution, Dugu Yan's training had added a new element: physical combat. The Horned Dragon gave her immense physical enhancements—on par with top-tier beast-type martial spirits. To fully utilize that power, she couldn't afford to neglect her body; it had to be refined in sync with her spirit.
This was part of the specialized training Dugu Bo had prepared for her, building upon the Jade Phosphor Serpent legacy. Spirit Masters of their bloodline would gradually integrate different poison-type spirit rings, ultimately fusing them with the Jade Phosphor Serpent's venom to form a compound poison, reaching peak toxicity.
Dugu Yan's first, second, and third spirit rings each embodied a distinct venom—but she had not yet reached the level where they could be fully fused into one.
"You all noticed too, right? Ever since the last team battle, Yan-jie's gotten colder... and tougher."
"Let's go, time to train!"
Yufeng rolled his eyes and dragged Oslo toward the field to begin their agility system training.
Shi Mo and Shi Mo's brother also started their weighted training, focusing on refining their physical strength.
From that day forward, Xu Yang and his team entered a rhythm of cultivation, training, and regular battles at the Spirit Arena. This cycle continued for four years.
In that time, their coordination reached near perfection. With just a glance, they could understand one another. Their bond became unshakably close.
Thanks to the effects of the immortal herbs they had consumed, Xu Yang and Dugu Yan both reached Spirit Ancestor (rank 40)—just one ring away from advancing.
Xu Yang was surprised to have gained seven levels in four years. The debuff from being an Ultimate Attribute Spirit Master was even more severe than he'd expected. With each rank increase, his cultivation speed declined more sharply. If not for his Sun Martial Spirit's ability to continuously absorb sun essence, his threefold cultivation method (body, mind, and energy) would have only yielded four ranks at most over the same period.
Still, the benefits were immense. The spirit power produced by an Ultimate Attribute was exceptionally pure, and with Xu Yang consciously transforming his power internally, his entire soul reserve had become Sun Spirit Power—blazing, resolute, and overwhelmingly strong.
His total spirit power was nearly double that of a typical Spirit Master at the same rank.
Such refined spirit power provided incredible boosts to both his physical body and spiritual strength. According to Qin Ming, his physical strength now rivaled that of a Power Attack–type Spirit Emperor (rank 60+).
Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng and the others had also advanced to Spirit Elder (rank 30–40). Their strength surged, and among Spirit Elder–level teams in Heaven Dou City, theirs had become truly unmatched.
"Finally—success!"
In his dorm, Xu Yang raised a backpack-sized device and shouted excitedly.
"What new soul tool did you make this time?"
Sitting nearby, Dugu Yan—now with a curvaceous and elegant figure—asked curiously. As she spoke, she reached for her right wrist, where she wore a delicate jade-green bracelet—one of the custom gifts Xu Yang had made for everyone.
Hers was unique, a special version with a different hue and features.
"This is a Level 3 Soul Tool I designed based on Yufeng's Martial Spirit—called Wind Chime Wings. With this, even non–flying-type Spirit Masters can achieve short-term flight. It's incredibly practical in real combat."
As he spoke, Xu Yang strapped the small backpack to his back. Infusing it with crimson-gold spirit power, a soft mechanical click echoed, and a pair of azure wings unfurled from the sides.
The wings were crafted from sleek, metallic feathers. A close inspection revealed tiny vents on each feather—identical in design to soul tool propulsion nozzles.
As Xu Yang poured more spirit power into it, the wings began to flap rhythmically, lifting him off the ground—floating more than half a meter into the air.
"Top speed: 200 km/h. It's on par with a flying-type Spirit Ancestor. Not bad, right?" Xu Yang grinned proudly.
This was his third major soul tool developed in the past two years. He'd collaborated with Yufeng numerous times and failed often before reaching this stage. It had taken countless iterations to get from barely hovering to smooth, controllable flight.
The other two tools were his Soul Tool Pistol and the Gravity Bracelet.
The Gravity Bracelet was the result of many tests with a Spirit Master in their sect who had gravity-based spirit skills. It was designed specifically to aid physical training. Xu Yang had crafted one for each teammate.
"Two hundred kilometers per hour?! That's almost as fast as Yufeng's top speed!" Dugu Yan said, amazed.
"Sure, the speed is comparable—but it consumes a lot more spirit power. To maintain this speed, the wings use three times more energy than Yufeng's Martial Spirit does." Xu Yang shook his head, explaining the main drawback. Then he gently landed, cut the spirit power, and removed the wings, holding the backpack in his hands.
"Still, that's amazing. Most Spirit Masters never experience the sensation of flying in their entire lives. And you managed it with just a soul tool? That's something most wouldn't even dare to dream of."
Dugu Yan stood up, walked over, and picked up the backpack. She strapped it on and infused it with spirit power. Instantly, she lifted off, gliding low through the dorm as she looped in wide circles.
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