Three months quickly passed by.
In Spirit Hall City, besides resuming his usual "calm as water" life, Tang San also began guiding Shen Hou, You Ji, and Hai Zhu in their training.
Over these three months, their foundational skills improved significantly. Hai Zhu, in particular, no longer appeared skeletal and now resembled a tall warrior with well-developed muscles, making him the strongest among the three.
You Ji showed little change and still looked like an elderly woman. However, her control over her skin became more refined, and her sensitivity increased. She could sense anyone within ten meters even with her eyes closed.
Shen Hou, though, experienced slight changes, gaining more muscle and a healthy wheat-colored skin tone. Her defense wasn't as good as You Ji's, and her strength couldn't match Hai Zhu's. However, she excelled in endurance and had the most explosive power. Her learning ability was also the strongest among the three. She mastered the precise techniques of arm swings during punches and ankle control during kicks as if it were instinctual, rather than a thought-out process.
For this reason, Tang San often involved Xiao Wu in Shen Hou's training. Xiao Wu's sixth spirit ring had significantly enhanced her nervous system, and one of her spirit skills, Neuro Network, aimed to help her achieve the "Unfettered Mind" state in the future. While Shen Hou's movements were instinctual, Xiao Wu's were deliberate and controlled, allowing for mutual improvement.
The only issue was Shen Hou's lack of strength. However, Tang San viewed this as an opportunity for Xiao Wu to practice controlling her own power, a kind of "reviewing the old to understand the new."
During these three months, Tang San also gained a deeper understanding of the skin, skeleton, and heart. Together with Electrolux, he improved the Jade Bone and Golden Muscle Technique over three iterations, resulting in the Jade Bone and Golden Muscle Technique 2.0.
Compared to the previous version, the 2.0 version was more efficient, with improved blood and spirit power conversion rates. This indicated a higher degree of fusion between the Jade Bone and Golden Muscle Technique and the Genesis Annihilation Scripture.
The human body is a microcosm, reflecting the macrocosm of the universe. Cultivating blood, spirit power, and mental power is akin to organizing these aspects to mirror or even match the universe. Different cultivation techniques are merely methods to aid this process, with the primary difference being efficiency.
Tang San and Electrolux focused on enhancing the efficiency of the three cultivation techniques to maximize their impact on every blood vessel, meridian, and nerve in the body. Though the Jade Bone and Golden Muscle Technique 2.0 appeared perfect, they knew there were still many tiny blood vessels not yet utilized, merely passively strengthened.
Additionally, the Cosmic Meditation Technique, which focused on mental power and even the soul, was something Tang San and Electrolux often discussed while stargazing. Although they simulated star observations in his upper dantian, there was still a way to go before achieving a 2.0 version.
Although fusing the techniques to form a golden blood pill, a spirit power core, and a mental power node wasn't necessary, Tang San knew the fusion was fundamental and was already preparing for it. Currently, further perfecting the Jade Bone and Golden Muscle Technique 2.0 through studying the body's martial spirit was essential.
"Third Young Master, we have reached level ten. Can we go hunt spirit beasts to obtain our spirit rings now?" Shen Hou asked Tang San one day in the forge room.
Becoming a spirit master was her goal. Calling Tang San "Young Master" instead of "Count" was more personal, as they had become familiar with each other. In Spirit Hall, he was the Holy Son, but the title "Holy Son" felt too formal for those who saw him regularly.
"Sure, after you complete your hunts, you can return to Silver Blue Manor," Tang San said, putting down his forging hammer after finishing a seven-pattern bronze ingot. "The next group should be ready to set out soon."
Shen Hou nodded. "I've already received messages from the Zi Shu group; they're on their way."
"Good, I've asked Chrysanthemum Douluo to help. He will take you to Star Dou Forest to hunt the spirit beasts you need. They can all be found there."
The spirit beasts Shen Hou and her group required weren't rare and could easily be found in Star Dou Forest.
"Did you really ask Chrysanthemum Douluo for help?" Shen Hou's breath caught. In these three months, she had never met a Titled Douluo, and now, one was going to lead them.
Incredible!
"Given my status as the Holy Son, I might as well use it," Tang San said, asking Shen Hou to gather You Ji and Hai Zhu. Together, they went to visit Chrysanthemum Douluo at his secluded manor.
Compared to other family estates, Chrysanthemum Douluo's manor was much quieter. Servants were present, and the place was filled with various flowers. There were ordinary wildflowers and precious varieties like peonies and crabapples, but chrysanthemums were the most abundant.
Upon hearing of Tang San's visit, Chrysanthemum Douluo quickly came out to greet him, smiling, "It's an honor to have you visit, Holy Son. Please come in!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo admired Tang San deeply, even harboring a bit of awe. After all, Tang San had dared to challenge the Pope and was recognized for it. Strength was the only standard Chrysanthemum Douluo respected!
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, I have a request and won't beat around the bush," Tang San began directly, knowing that Titled Douluo like straightforwardness. "I need your help taking Shen Hou, You Ji, and Hai Zhu to hunt spirit beasts. I've already determined the types they need and hope you can take special care of this matter."
Tang San reached into the storage bracelet's central gem and took out a seed with golden patterns that subtly drew in the world's energy.
Chrysanthemum Douluo felt a stir in his own martial spirit and, trembling with excitement, asked, "Is this—?"
"The seed of the Extraordinary Chrysanthemum."
Tang San explained that this seed was a gift from the now-spirit beast Extraordinary Chrysanthemum. For it, creating a seed was a simple matter, revealing that plant-type spirit beasts could produce seeds without sacrifice, just by their nature.
Chrysanthemum Douluo trembled with excitement, hesitant to touch the seed for fear of damaging it. After calming himself, he asked, "Holy Son, are you really giving this to me? Just for hunting spirit beasts? It's too precious."
"The saying goes, 'A precious sword for a hero,'" Tang San smiled. "To a Titled Douluo who loves flowers, this seed will show its true beauty in your hands. I'm sure you'll take great care of it."
"Haha!" Chrysanthemum Douluo carefully accepted the seed, holding it with great care before placing it in his storage soul tool. "Since you trust me with this, I will ensure those three get the spirit beasts they need."
"Thank you, Chrysanthemum Douluo," Tang San replied, smiling as he discussed the required spirit beasts.
After Chrysanthemum Douluo left with the three, Tang San returned to the forge at Spirit Hall Manor, continuing to craft patterned metal. He aimed to create a second Soul Imprint Throne within the next two years.
"Big brother!"
Tang San had just picked up the Haotian Hammer when Lou Gao arrived, bringing his latest creation: Soul Armor!
Lou Gao had studied the Soul Imprint Throne and, knowing its complexity, decided to create something more achievable. He mimicked its armor form and, over recent days, learned much about soul tools from Tang San and Guang Ling. He applied this knowledge to connect the armor pieces for smooth soul power flow and compact storage when not in use.
The armor was bright silver without any extravagant decorations, designed like fish scales. It was lightweight, only three kilograms, barely a burden for a soul master. Despite its lightness, the armor had impressive defensive capabilities. Each defensive scale could effectively absorb shock, greatly enhancing its protective effects. With soul power flowing through it, a soul master's strength would double at least!
Lou Gao had tested it before presenting it to Tang San. A soul master wearing this armor could match a Soul Elder and withstand twenty to thirty moves against a power-type Soul Ancestor.
"A remarkable creation," Tang San praised, impressed by Lou Gao's forging skills. "And it's made from non-precious metals, so it should be feasible for mass production, right?"
"Yes, it should be," Lou Gao replied.
Tang San smiled, envisioning the future where his team would be even more formidable with such equipment.