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"This spirit bone is quite interesting."
Inside Su Yu's storage soul guide, Electrolux's spiritual sense could observe the spirit bone at any time.
Although it was just a thousand year-old spirit bone, it was more than enough for research. Elder Yi was also intrigued by it.
As a mage with a love for research, curiosity about new things was second nature to him.
Since Su Yu didn't harbor deep-seated resentment or pain, it didn't trigger any of Electrolux's traumatic memories, so he had no reason to dwell on past pain.
Instead, seeing a new and fascinating world with its unique cultivation system, martial spirits, spirit rings, and spirit bones ignited his desire for exploration like never before.
"The cultivation method is finally pieced together."
The soul power in Su Yu's body finally completed a full circuit through a specific pathway.
"Although it takes more time to complete a full cycle compared to before, the overall efficiency has greatly improved."
Previously, the technique with just two basic structures took only an hour to complete one full cycle.
Now, with the updated method, it took three hours to finish a cycle, and the soul power circulation had become more intricate.
However, the higher efficiency was the greatest gain.
If three cycles of the old technique resulted in a soul power increase of 3, the new method produced an increase of 5 after just one cycle.
It wasn't double the improvement, but it was still impressive.
"It proves that for cultivating extreme martial spirits, the best approach is to refine the soul power as part of the process."
While it wasn't primarily focused on refining soul power, it included that aspect.
As soul power was being increased, it was actively refined instead of simply cramming it into the body and relying on the extreme attributes and physique to passively compress it.
This was the most effective way to counter the slow cultivation speed of extreme martial spirits.
"The method for circulating soul power still needs further exploration."
This round of soul power circulation was complete, but Su Yu needed to find more routes to incorporate into the technique.
"However, the process of simplification must not stop."
Just like the core formation arrays of soul-guiding tools, the pathways for circulating soul power in the body shouldn't just be a simple, clumsy combination.
They needed to be organically integrated.
This was the key concept when crafting the core formation arrays of a level-four soul-guiding tool.
Different patterns connected and combined to form the core array.
But when too many patterns were stacked together, it became extremely difficult to inscribe them at the level of a level-four soul guide.
At this stage, simplifying the core array became necessary.
This is also a major turning point for a soul engineer.
Different patterns must interconnect and form a complete circuit, thus creating various arrays that, powered by soul energy, produce the corresponding effects.
However, by the time the patterns are stacked up to the third level, they are already close to the limit, and achieving the power of a level-four soul guide is theoretically impossible without significant overlap of the patterns—almost to the point of covering the entire surface of the rare metal.
In fact, after inscribing all these patterns, the surface of the rare metal would practically be shaved off.
That's where the problem lies—it would be no different from not engraving the array at all.
In the end, the array still requires mental strength to stabilize it.
It becomes impossible to stabilize and turn it into a functional soul-guiding tool.
At this point, simplification must be learned.
Overlapping portions of the patterns should be unified.
For example, the patterns 1234 and 23456 can be simplified into 123456. During the engraving process, using a specific technique to inscribe between 1 and 2, and 4 and 5, can simultaneously achieve the effects of both patterns.
This is what is called organic overlap.
Of course, this is the simplest form of organic overlap.
The real challenge lies in simplifying the combination of numerous different patterns.
For example, the overlap of patterns 1234 and 2356.
Especially with something like 2356, where a portion is missing in the middle, it becomes necessary to select a pattern with a 345 structure from the rest of the core formation to create resonance and complete the organic combination.
At this point, Su Yu's comprehension ability was fully displayed.
Similar to the simplification of the core formation arrays in soul guides, Su Yu applied the same principle to refining his cultivation technique.
The difference is that when drawing the core array for a soul guide, one can freely adjust the position of the patterns since they haven't been inscribed yet.
However, the energy circulation paths of the cultivation method are different, as the meridians in the human body are already fixed.
This requires extensive knowledge of the human body's meridian distribution.
The more comprehensive, the better.
Fortunately, this type of information was readily available at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
Though the Sun Moon Empire lacked top-tier powerhouses and didn't prioritize the cultivation of soul masters, this didn't mean their resources on soul master cultivation were lacking.
Isn't the very existence of a soul guide device capable of testing a soul master's data from every angle proof enough?
It even measures the strength of one's martial spirit!
By using the already established meridians, Su Yu could identify the structures he wanted, connect them, and streamline the process as much as possible.
It was much more difficult, but it held great significance.
After all, the simpler the technique, the easier it would be to operate. Less time spent on circulation while maintaining the same level of improvement meant a naturally higher efficiency.
Besides refining the cultivation method, Su Yu was also working on perfecting the runes in his spiritual sea.
As he added new patterns, he simultaneously simplified others.
As for the sword rune, it had been a month since Su Yu first inscribed it, and he had already refined it to the point where it could temper both his spiritual and soul power.
"Condense, Gather, Sword—three runes aren't enough. I can start adding new ones."
Su Yu had too many desired effects for his runes.
Three runes, no matter how well filled and perfected, each had their own limits.
So now, Su Yu turned his attention to creating new runes.
"The vitality of the Blue Silver Grass doesn't need further enhancement for now. I'll try the life rune when I have more time.
Right now, I need a defensive rune."
With the Soul Master Tournament approaching, Su Yu felt that this was the one area where he was still lacking.
Mental defense, in particular, was crucial.
Su Yu couldn't rely on Elder Yi for everything. Just because he had Elder Yi didn't mean he could neglect the protection of his own spiritual sea.
External help is still just external.
It can be relied on, but not depended upon.
After helping Meng Hongchen break through, Su Yu spent three quiet days focused on research and cultivation, only to be sought out once again.
"Su Yu, I need your help again this time."
It was once again Xiao Hongchen who had come looking for him.
"Senior Xiao, what's the matter this time?"
"Meng's soul power has stabilized, but Grandpa said we'll need your help again to absorb the next spirit ring."
Su Yu nodded.
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow."
The next day, after absorbing the purple energy from the horizon, Su Yu headed to Jing Hongchen's office.
"Xiao Yu, you're here."
"Yes, Hall Master. When are we leaving?"
"Meng is already prepared. We can leave right now. Are you ready?"
"I am."
"By the way, Hall Master, do you know when my teacher will return?" Su Yu hadn't seen his teacher in a long time and was beginning to miss them.
(End of chapter)