Han Yu muttered to himself, realizing that under his control, the white tiger was powerless to resist. The disparity in their mental strengths felt like the difference between a child and an adult.
"It's just that the soul power consumption is a bit high. I still have some left," he thought, exhaling a sigh. Maintaining the Sharingan required soul power, and though it wasn't much, it depleted quickly.
"I'll take a short break and then find a few more soul beasts to test my skills. The food I have should last a few days."
Han Yu sat cross-legged to recover his spent soul power. In this area teeming with soul beasts, it was crucial to keep his combat capabilities at their peak.
After a short while, he stood up and continued on his path. The Far North was vast and filled with various soul beasts. As he journeyed, he ignored those below 600 years old, focusing instead on those that could provide him with valuable experience.
Bang! A massive beast collapsed with a thud, revealing Han Yu's slender frame.
"That's the sixth one!"
The scarlet Sharingan in Han Yu's eyes gradually faded, and he took a deep breath. Over the past few days, he had faced numerous soul beasts, winning every battle thanks to his powerful mental control.
He had even encountered a thousand-year-old ice silkworm that had transformed into a White Ice Tiger. Initially, he thought he was facing a serious threat, but when the fight began, it turned out to be no challenge at all, and he dispatched it effortlessly.
"It's time to head out—I'm running low on food!" Han Yu smiled to himself as he retraced his steps. His recent battles had made him incredibly proficient in using the Sharingan, and the intensity of the fights had helped him reach the brink of breaking into the twelfth level of soul power.
"That kid has really grown," Du Bu Si, who had been observing from the shadows, thought with satisfaction. He noted Han Yu's decisiveness and efficiency in combat; the young fighter quickly resolved each battle without wasting any soul power, often shutting off his Sharingan at the first opportunity.
What Du Bu Si didn't realize was that Han Yu wasn't being strategic; he simply didn't have the extra soul power to spare. At level 12, his soul power was limited, allowing him to use only two or three skills in a fight. Ideally, Han Yu would prefer to keep his Sharingan active at all times, especially since the Far North was fraught with dangers.
Han Yu made his way back quickly, skillfully avoiding encounters with soul beasts. Soon, he reached the entrance he had come from.
Du Bu Si appeared before him with a smile. "Well done! Your strength has improved significantly over the past few days, and you've reached level 12 in soul power. If I'm not mistaken, your first soul skill allows you to control your opponent's spirit!"
Han Yu returned the smile, eager to share. "Yes, my first soul skill can control those with lower mental power than me, even influencing their battles." He felt a sense of pride; this was a significant milestone, marking his official entry into the ranks of soul masters.
"That's impressive," Du Bu Si acknowledged, but then his tone grew serious. "However, there's something important you must remember. Never use your soul skills lightly. Each time you deploy them, your opponents will learn and adapt. Only use your skills in critical moments when they can make a decisive difference. This way, you can keep your true capabilities hidden."
"I understand, Master!" Han Yu replied, his expression sober. Du Bu Si's warning resonated with him; if his enemies figured out the weaknesses in his soul skills, it could lead to serious consequences.
"Okay, time to head back. It's time for your second-level training!" Du Bu Si announced, swooping down and lifting Han Yu under his arms.
Han Yu blinked in surprise. With Du Bu Si's immense Douluo cultivation, they flew back at an incredible speed, reaching the island even faster than the journey to the Far North.
Once they landed, Du Bu Si tossed down two small iron blocks that landed with a thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Teacher, what are these?" Han Yu asked, puzzled. "Is the second stage of training about weighted running?"
"Just tie them on; you'll need them for your next training session," Du Bu Si instructed, offering no further explanation.
As Han Yu secured the iron blocks to his body, he wondered what kind of training awaited him.
"Stay put; I'll be back with some preparations," Du Bu Si said with a knowing smile before taking off toward Hanhai City.
Han Yu watched him go, bemused. "Why the sudden departure? Old folks love to be mysterious!" he muttered, left to wait patiently.
After half a day of waiting, impatience began to creep in.
"When will the teacher come back? It's been half a day!" Han Yu wondered aloud. Just then, a sudden surge of energy coursed through his body, severing his connection to his soul power.
His soul power was sealed!
Before he could react, he felt a tight grip on his neck, and a wave of weakness washed over him. Suddenly, his body shot upward like a projectile before plummeting down.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!" he screamed in shock as he fell into the sea with a splash.
As the cold water enveloped him, Han Yu realized he was soaked with sweat, and the surroundings darkened. The iron blocks strapped to him quickly dragged him deeper.
"Can't breathe!" Panic surged through him as he held his breath. His face flushed red, and his vision blurred to darkness.
Struggling against the weight of the iron, it felt like he was being crushed by a force beyond comprehension. The sealing of his soul power left him gasping for air, and the increasing pressure around him was suffocating.
"Am I going to die?" he thought, fear gripping him.
Han Yu had no idea who had attacked him. Thrown into the sea without warning, he found himself helpless, unable to shout, breathe, or even fight back. The immense water pressure pressed down on him, and as oxygen rapidly depleted from his body, his mind began to cloud.
"No, it can't end like this. I, Han Yu, refuse to die! I want to live!"
Desperation surged within him. The instinct to survive ignited a surge of strength, and he began to struggle, kicking and thrashing in an attempt to swim upward. If he could just break the surface, he knew he could breathe again.
But despite his frantic efforts, his body continued to sink deeper into the darkness. Each moment felt like an eternity, and panic gripped him tighter as the weight of despair bore down. No matter how hard he fought, escape seemed impossible.