Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
Previously, Xuan Ziwen had made significant progress by summarizing the foundational elements of bone patterns. His research team analyzed the patterns of different spirit bones in an attempt to establish a comprehensive foundational element system.
It's unclear how much progress has been made now.
In addition, Xuan Ziwen himself has undertaken another meaningful project, which he calls the "Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment Technique."
Moreover, Xuan Ziwen has been consistently researching the spiritual nurturing properties of sentient metals.
Breakthroughs in any of these areas would greatly benefit Su Yu.
Since Xuan Ziwen took the trouble to have Jing Hongchen pass on a message, inviting Su Yu to take a look, it must be something worthwhile for him.
Upon entering Xuan Ziwen's laboratory, Su Yu once again saw him immersed in his research.
Although Xuan Ziwen had mentioned dedicating a few years to focused cultivation, he still spent his free time on research. As he often said, "If I can't research something every day, what's the point of living?"
"Senior Brother, I heard you've made new progress again."
The lab had given Su Yu's identification card full access, allowing him to come and go freely. Xuan Ziwen only noticed Su Yu's arrival when he spoke.
"Ah, Su Yu, you're here. Give me a moment—I need to finish this sample first."
Su Yu wasn't in a rush. While waiting for Xuan Ziwen to finish his work, he started browsing through the lab's reports.
"Version 5.0 of the Foundational Bone Pattern Element Table."
"It's already at version 5.0?" Su Yu marveled at the speed of updates for the bone pattern element table.
This project has only been running for two years, hasn't it?
Roughly every six months, a major version update is released.
A major update usually indicates a shift in the underlying arrangement principles of the element table, representing an optimization of the overall layout. Each major update reflects a deeper understanding of the foundational elements.
In addition to the major updates, minor updates occur every one to two months.
There's no denying the high efficiency of Xuan Ziwen's bone pattern research team.
The spirit tool experts working on spirit bone technology are also outstanding. With sufficient rewards and ample experimental materials, their work efficiency far surpasses that of other researchers.
Su Yu himself managed a technique research institute. Although he didn't visit often, he had a basic impression and could clearly sense the difference in the two teams' work ethic and morale.
"This is the fifth version we finalized just a few days ago. The arrangement of bone patterns is no longer based on length or complexity but instead tries to focus on the effects and interrelations of the foundational elements themselves.
This is just an early sample of version 5.0. The arrangement logic is still immature. It might take until version 5.9 or even 5.19 before we can fully clarify and organize these principles."
Xuan Ziwen paused his work momentarily to introduce Su Yu to the fifth version of the foundational element table.
"This version is likely to last for quite some time. Researching the relationships between foundational elements is crucial to advancing our understanding of bone patterns," he explained.
"However, before the logic of this foundational element table is fully clarified, it might not be particularly useful to you. Instead, this Forbidden Element Table might suit you better."
Xuan Ziwen pulled out another chart from a stack of reports.
"Forbidden Element Table?" Su Yu asked, puzzled. "When did this new project begin?"
"No, it's not a new project," Xuan Ziwen clarified, addressing Su Yu's confusion. "This table also records foundational elements. The difference is that these elements are unsuitable for ordinary cultivation of bone patterns—at least not for the average person."
He began to elaborate on the Forbidden Element Table. "Incorporating these forbidden elements into bone pattern cultivation places incredibly high demands on the practitioner. A soul master with inadequate physical constitution might suffer severe consequences, unable to handle the effects. Instead of enhancing their strength, they'd experience harm, leading to a series of hidden dangers."
"These forbidden elements appear in many spirit bones, but through our analysis of their effects and properties, we've discovered that they are all closely linked to powerful bloodlines. Spirit bones from weaker soul beasts rarely contain such forbidden elements. However, if a weaker soul beast carries traces of a strong bloodline, there's a chance they might be present."
He continued, "Most forbidden elements are found in spirit bones of powerful soul beasts. This may be the key to their extraordinary physical strength. In particular, the spirit bones you've provided contain the largest number of forbidden elements."
Xuan Ziwen looked at Su Yu with a mix of admiration and amazement.
"Just from the forbidden elements alone, it's clear what extraordinary items you've acquired. These spirit bones would be highly coveted if they were made public."
The spirit bones included those from the Soul Combat Tournament reward, such as tiger-type spirit bones, spirit bones infused with powerful ice-element soul power, and dragon-type spirit bones.
"Especially the dragon-type spirit bones you handed over two months ago," Xuan Ziwen added. "Even though they seem to be from sub-dragon species, the bloodlines of the soul beasts they came from must have been incredibly pure. Those spirit bones contained the highest concentration of forbidden elements we've seen so far."
The project of isolating and cataloging forbidden elements as a distinct category began two months ago, after the team received the three sub-dragon spirit bones from Su Yu.
Dragon-type soul beasts truly lived up to their reputation as the strongest soul beast species. The forbidden elements extracted from those three spirit bones exceeded the total number the team had discovered in the past two years.
"Senior Brother, if forbidden elements are unsuitable for ordinary soul masters, would they be more effective for someone with a strong enough constitution?" Su Yu asked, steering the conversation toward his own cultivation.
Xuan Ziwen nodded with a smile. "Of course. It's precisely because their effects are so overwhelming that they've been classified as forbidden. But for someone with a monstrous physique like yours, they would work exceptionally well."
"Then I'll take this Forbidden Element Table," Su Yu declared.
"It's already been prepared as a backup for you," Xuan Ziwen replied.
Su Yu stored the table in his soul storage device.
When he returned, he planned to experiment with arranging these forbidden elements into new bone pattern refinement methods.
He also considered incorporating them into the process of flesh and blood refinement. Perhaps these bone pattern techniques could be used during blood and qi bursts to refine flesh and blood further.
Previously, Su Yu had refrained from adding bone pattern techniques to his flesh refinement because his body couldn't handle it.
However, after observing two disciples of the Body Sect refining their blood and qi near the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had comprehended the blood and qi burst technique. This dramatically enhanced both the speed of blood and qi refinement and the process of strengthening his flesh.
While the bloodline power he had refined earlier improved his essence, the actual increase in his physical strength was limited.
After all, bloodline power only contained a finite amount of energy.
Using the Blood and Qi Burst Technique, Su Yu was determined to rapidly unlock the potential buried within his body after refining his bloodline.
Now, after several months of cultivation, he felt confident enough to incorporate bone pattern refinement into the Blood and Qi Burst Technique.
"The Forbidden Element Table isn't fully organized yet. The reason the hall master called you here is actually because of this," Xuan Ziwen said.
Not one to disappoint, Xuan Ziwen retrieved another report.
The report was extensive, spanning over a hundred pages. However, it wasn't a record of experiments—it seemed to be a set of conclusions specifically prepared for Su Yu.
"The concept of Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment is feasible," Xuan Ziwen explained. "Theoretical analysis has already produced results, and I've even tested it on some ordinary animals and plants, achieving preliminary verification."
Once Xuan Ziwen refined the theoretical foundation of this technique, he began practical validation using real organisms.
Ordinary small animals undergoing refinement could evolve into spirit beasts, starting with the generation of soul power within their bodies.
This long-term nurturing with soul power showed promise.
Of course, the most significant distinction between ordinary lifeforms and spirit beasts remained their soul strength.
The condensation of soul power itself is a phenomenon influenced by the lifeform's soul and physical body.
Take soul masters, for instance: soul power is an energy condensed with the assistance of martial souls, yet martial souls themselves are deeply tied to the soul master's spirit and body.
According to Xuan Ziwen's hypothesis, the spiritual power of a soul master grows slowly in response to soul power cultivation precisely because of this intrinsic connection.
Similarly, every breakthrough in soul power also strengthens the soul master's physical constitution.
Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment aim to maximize the synergy between soul power and the physical body, using soul power as a bridge to better integrate the results of physical refinement into spiritual strength.
"This was all accomplished with the Rune System," Xuan Ziwen noted.
His impressive achievements were all built upon the foundation of the rune system.
He marveled once again, "The rune system you discovered back then is a real treasure. Its applications are almost limitless."
Without the rune system, none of the current technologies—including Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment or even Battle Armor advancements—could have been realized.
"Forget Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment; even technologies like those used in battle armor would have been impossible without the rune system."
Su Yu had truly pioneered a foundational system.
Su Yu spent a full hour reviewing the conclusions on Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment.
Meanwhile, Xuan Ziwen explained the research process and findings in detail.
With his sharp comprehension, especially under the enhancement of the Clarity and Serenity runes, Su Yu quickly digested both the conclusions and his senior brother's explanations.
"This Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment technique will be very useful to me. Thank you, Senior Brother."
Xuan Ziwen waved his hand dismissively. "No need to thank me. These technologies are designed to benefit the soul master world as a whole."
He had never pursued these advancements solely for Su Yu's sake.
His efforts were driven by a desire to contribute to the soul master and soul engineer communities!
Su Yu left Xuan Ziwen's laboratory with a wealth of new knowledge.
In addition to the Forbidden Element Table and the Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment technique, Xuan Ziwen had also summarized numerous techniques related to nurturing spirituality. All of these were invaluable to Su Yu, significantly enhancing his cultivation efficiency.
As Su Yu's soul power level increased, so did his physical and spiritual strength. However, the efficiency of his previous cultivation methods gradually declined.
With Xuan Ziwen's recent insights, Su Yu could now catch up in his cultivation speed.
"This death energy is growing denser, but it still hasn't developed spirituality," Su Yu muttered with a frown as he examined the Holy Soul Grass he had transformed into an undead plant.
A sense of unease crept into his heart. Could his plan be flawed?
"It's probably just not nurtured enough," he concluded.
If rare metals could awaken spirituality, why couldn't undead beings?
Mobilizing the life force within the Blade of Vitality, Su Yu enveloped the gray Holy Soul Grass entirely.
"Maybe it's the growth environment," he mused.
The original Holy Soul Grass thrived under harsh conditions, and there were few places on the Douluo Continent suitable for its growth. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was one such place, gathering heaven and earth's essence and nourishing most immortal herbs with its divine energy.
However, relocating the gray Holy Soul Grass back to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was impractical, as Su Yu needed to monitor and nurture it daily—a task not feasible in such a distant location.
With the plant and its seventh-tier soul device planter fully wrapped in life force, Su Yu transported them.
"I'll place it in the Blade of Vitality's space and see what happens," he decided.
The Blade of Vitality's inner space was rich with life force, second only to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, making it an ideal alternative for the Holy Soul Grass.
Previously, Su Yu hesitated to place an undead plant in the Blade of Vitality's space, fearing it might be inappropriate.
Now, he had come to a realization.
"Since I've been using life force to nurture it all along, the goal is to awaken its spirituality and vitality, completing its transformation from death to life. A richer life force might even be better," he reasoned.
With the Holy Soul Grass taken care of, Su Yu turned to his cultivation.
The matter of the ninth-tier soul device could wait. For now, his focus was on incorporating forbidden elements into his qi and blood cultivation, mastering the Bone Refinement and Soul Nourishment technique, and upgrading his spirituality-nurturing methods.
"I'll tackle them all simultaneously," he resolved.
---
Shrek Academy, Inner Court
"Su Tong, you are Shrek's strongest ace this time. You must strive to break through before the Soul Master Tournament," Xuan Zi, personally instructing her, said firmly.
Su Tong, possessing the Ice Heaven Snow Maiden martial soul, an Ultimate Ice attribute, was a sixty-ninth-level Soul Emperor at just twenty years old.
Her independent cultivation and the mastery of her Ultimate martial soul had left the powerful elders of the Sea God Pavilion astonished.
With Su Tong's entry into the inner court, passing all assessments, even Yan Shaozhe's biggest headache was solved.
With a Soul Saint-level martial soul of such caliber, who could rival her?
---
Star Luo Empire, Royal Family
"Jiujiu, how's the team training going for the Royal Academy?" Xu Jiawei asked his younger sister.
This year's Soul Master Tournament carried too much weight.
Xu Jiujiu sighed. "Brother, though our Royal Academy has abundant resources, compared to Sun-Moon Hall, we lack cutting-edge soul tool technology. Compared to Shrek, we don't have top-tier talents either. Even though we've reduced the number of prodigies sent to Shrek and kept them for our Royal Academy, they still need at least one more tournament cycle to mature."
Her tone was filled with helplessness.
This was the aftermath of being "drained" by Shrek Academy.
The best talents had always been absorbed by Shrek.
In the past, this might have been acceptable since the major empires themselves supported this system. Shrek's outer court was established under this premise. However, this led to the gradual decline of the empires' local academies.
No matter how rich their resources, they could never surpass Shrek.
"This time, our strategy is straightforward—we'll support Shrek," Xu Jiawei said with a sigh, sharing her frustration. "I heard Shrek is extremely confident about winning this year. They've even assigned seven Soul King-level students to the Tang Sect team. We'll focus on clearing obstacles for them when the time comes."
(End of Chapter)