Douluo Continent: I ushered in this era

Four-word battle armor differs from three-word battle armor by only one word, yet they are worlds apart.

The ability of a Soul Weapon to unleash the power of a three-word Battle Armor would cause a huge upheaval in the Soul Master world. The ability to unleash the power of a four-word Battle Armor would completely overturn the Soul Master world.

Mu Chen pondered for a moment, "It's certain that a Soul Weapon can grow stronger than a three-word Battle Armor in the future, but whether it can reach the level of a four-word Battle Armor, I can't say for sure."

Since the composition of a Soul Weapon is similar to that of a Soul Forging technique, the overall enhancement a Soul Weapon provides to a Soul Master is definitely no less than that of a Three-Word Battle Armor. In addition, since Soul Weapons can unleash the abilities of their inner Soul Spirits, it is almost certain that they are stronger than Three-Word Battle Armor.

"I don't have the data for the four-word battle armor, so I can't compare the differences between the two," Chu Ci replied.

Although Chu Ci didn't have the data, the War God Temple did. Upon hearing this, Chen Xinjie immediately transmitted a set of data on four-word battle armor masters recorded by the War God Temple to Chu Ci.

Chu Ci clicked on the wristband, and a screen appeared in front of him. Taiyi in the background input the data of the four-word battle armor into it and compared it with the growth model constructed based on the changes in various indicators of Tianzhu as Chu Ci's soul power increased.

It was quickly concluded that a level 90 Soul Master wielding a level 80 Soul Weapon and wearing slightly weaker four-word Battle Armor were roughly equal in strength.

According to Chu Ci's research, before level 90, the development of Soul Weapons depends entirely on whether the Soul Master can grow smoothly. As long as the Soul Master's Soul Power increases smoothly, there will be no bottleneck in the improvement of Soul Weapons.

Seeing this situation, Chen Xinjie and Guan Yue both fell into thought.

"This is going to be difficult!" Guan Yue pinched the bridge of her nose. Once the Soul Weapon is revealed to the world, it will inevitably attract the covetousness of all forces. Even the War God Temple might not be able to withstand such immense pressure and refuse to hand over the forging method of the Soul Weapon. Moreover, Chu Ci's safety will also be threatened.

"Then shall I ask my senior brother Zhenhua to join me?" Mu Chen suggested.

"That's not enough. Only a master craftsman with excellent mental strength is needed to forge soul weapons, unlike four-word battle armor which requires a divine craftsman."

“There are quite a few master-level blacksmiths on the mainland, and the Divine Craftsman Zhenhua cannot control all master-level blacksmiths. So his opinion is not important in this matter.” Chen Xinjie shook his head.

"What if we hide it?" Chu Ci, being a transmigrator, immediately thought of the Taoist method of hiding.

"It's pointless. Soul weapons aren't a trump card that can kill in one strike; they're a necessity in battle, like battle armor. Hiding your soul weapon will restrict your movements in battle and won't be good for your development," Guan Yue rejected the suggestion.

"What should we do then?" Chu Ci was very frustrated.

Chen Xinjie then slowly spoke up: "There is only one way to deal with this now."

Guan Yue looked at Chen Xinjie, and as his old partner, he immediately understood what Chen Xinjie meant. "Old Chen, you mean, find allies?"

“That’s right,” Chen Xinjie nodded. “With the strength of the War God Temple and its influence in the military, if we unite with a force of equal strength, preserving the forging method of the Soul Weapon is not a problem at all.”

Chapter 37: Discussions End, Special Training Begins Again

“Finding other forces is also a viable option,” Chu Ci said, stroking his chin.

"Then, Chu Ci, which faction do you think is suitable to approach?" Chen Xinjie suddenly threw the question at Chu Ci.

"Ah! I mean?" Chu Ci pointed to himself.

“Yes, you are the forger of the Soul Weapon, so your suggestion should be given priority,” Chen Xinjie said.

Upon hearing this, Chu Ci knew that he intended to test her. After thinking for a long time, she slowly said, "I think Shrek Academy is a good choice."

In the Douluo Continent, only three organizations can be compared to the War God Temple: Shrek Academy, Tang Sect, and Spirit Pagoda.

The Tang Clan and the Spirit Pagoda are not worth considering. Cooperating with them would only bring more and more trouble, given the character of those two organizations.

As for Shrek Academy, although it is accustomed to double standards, bullying the weak, siding with its own people instead of those in the right, and meddling in other people's business and causing trouble everywhere in the name of justice, it is precisely because of this that it will really help others when they are in trouble.

When other organizations encounter problems, they have to consider whether the form of retaliation is appropriate, whether it will create more enemies, and so on.

But Shrek Academy didn't care about any of that. Relying on its influence and strength as the number one academy on the continent, they acted without restraint. Whether they were doves, hawks, or neutrals, anyone who offended Shrek Academy would be punished, successfully making Shrek Academy the most neutral of the major powers.

If anyone covets the Soul Weapon in the future, Shrek Academy will definitely lead the charge in the name of justice, and might even bring Tang Sect along. Anyway, the War God Temple can just watch the show from behind.

When Chen Xinjie asked for his reasons, Chu Ci naturally wouldn't reveal his true thoughts, since one of the two people in front of him had an old flame at Shrek Academy, and the other had come from Shrek Academy.

Chu Ci sincerely praised Shrek Academy as a righteous and neutral organization.

Chen Xinjie made no attempt to hide his admiration; Shrek Academy was also his top choice.

Guan Yue smiled and thought: I didn't expect that Chu Ci not only has extremely high talent in cultivation, but also has some research on the structure of the Soul Master world. It seems that I can definitely entrust him with important tasks in the future.

“Okay, then I’ll take you to discuss this matter with the people from Shrek Academy in two days.” Chen Xinjie immediately made the decision.

Chu Ci was taken aback. "Going to Shrek Academy in two days?"

"No need. Old Chen's 100th birthday banquet will be held in Mingdu in two days. At that time, Yun Ming, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy, will be there," Guan Yue said.

Chu Ci suddenly realized why Chen Xinjie had traveled all the way back to Mingdu – it was to hold a birthday banquet and invite all the forces to participate.

Chen Xinjie winked at Guan Yue, who understood and said with a smile, "Chu Ci, the War God Temple has helped you withstand and bear the pressure and risks after the Soul Weapon was born. Logically speaking, Chu Ci, shouldn't you do something for the War God Temple?"

"Oh, I, Chu Ci, will definitely follow the Temple of War Gods steadfastly from now on and make my own contribution to the prosperity and development of the Temple of War Gods and the Federation," Chu Ci said righteously.

"Hmph, anyone can say nice things. What matters now is action." Chen Xinjie ruthlessly refuted Chu Ci's "sincere" statement.

Helpless, Chu Ci had no choice but to obediently begin bargaining with the two.

Finally, Chu Ci, Chen Xinjie, and Guan Yue agreed that Chu Ci would teach several qualified Soul Masters the Soul Spirit Fusion and Forging Technique. Special Soul Spirits used as Soul Weapon Souls would be purchased from Chu Ci by the War God Temple using resources.

Chu Ci's expression remained unchanged in the face of this outcome; handing over some key technologies in exchange for protection was something he had long anticipated.

Of course, Chu Ci remained the leader in forging soul weapons, and this has never changed from beginning to end.

Because special soul spirits are the most crucial component of soul weapons—the soul itself—only Chu Ci can cultivate them in this world. Even the Spirit Transmission Tower, which has the deepest research on soul spirits, cannot cultivate them.

That's because the key material for cultivating special soul spirits is a material that Chu Ci obtained by using the Scales of God, which does not exist in the Douluo Continent. No matter how long other forces research it, they could not cultivate it without the material.

Therefore, the special soul cultivation technique is the only technique in soul weapon forging that cannot be cracked.

Moreover, Chu Ci thought of the imperceptible aura that appeared when he forged the Crimson Cloud Hammer that day, and a smile appeared on his lips. If I don't let you succeed, you can't succeed.

As for the previously unknown Mu Chen, he became a guest elder of the War God Temple after agreeing to share the Soul Weapon Body Forging Technology with Guan Yue.

The position of guest advisor does not usually restrict Mu Chen's activities and will provide valuable resources. He only needs to help when the Temple of War needs to forge metal.

The matter has come to an end, and we await further discussion with Shrek Academy in two days.

After being escorted out of the room by Guan Yue, Mu Chen went to talk to Feng Shuguo, a holy craftsman belonging to the War God Temple, while Chu Ci found his aunt Su Mengjun's training ground according to the map given by Guan Yue.

"You're here. How did the discussion about the Soul Weapon go?" Su Mengjun asked after letting Chu Ci in.

Chu Ci smiled and said, "It's alright, everything went smoothly."

"That's good," Su Mengjun visibly breathed a sigh of relief, then grinned and leaned closer, "Ci'er, you can't forget to make a soul weapon for your aunt!"

"Don't worry, Auntie," Chu Ci patted her chest and assured her, "I could forget anyone but you."

"Also, your uncle asked me to inform you that you need to be at his training ground for special training before seven o'clock tomorrow, understand?" Su Mengjun said with her hands on her hips, looking very proud.

"Understood!" A hint of anticipation flashed in Chu Ci's eyes. What would his training be like, given that he was a titled Douluo, and an outstanding Super Douluo among them?

……

The next morning, Chu Ci arrived at Long Tianwu's training ground at seven o'clock sharp.

Long Tianwu sat cross-legged in the center of the venue, wearing a simple, moon-white robe trimmed with gold.

"Hello, Uncle-in-law!" Chu Ci greeted Long Tianwu with a bow.

Upon seeing Chu Ci arrive, Long Tianwu stopped meditating, stood up, and said, "For the next period of time, I will give you special training every day. The training will be very tough, and I hope you can persevere."

Long Tianwu acted swiftly and decisively, and after speaking, he began today's special training.

"Did you read the sword manual your aunt gave you?" Long Tianwu asked.

“I’ve seen it,” Chu Ci replied.

"Attack me with your sword. I want to see how much you've improved." Long Tianwu took out a wooden sword, then remembered something and continued, "You can use your soul weapon, but you can't use soul power."

Chu Ci took a deep breath, his eyes gradually hardening. The Heavenly Candle appeared in his hand, pointing at Long Tianwu. "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty the Imperial Sword."

Chu Ci held his sword horizontally in front of him, merging the sword with his own aura, entering a state of perfect harmony between man and sword.

Chu Ci let out a soft shout and attacked Long Tianwu with his sword. The sword moved like a swimming dragon, like a white rainbow, and in an instant it was in front of Long Tianwu.

Chapter 38 First Sword Practice with Long Tianwu

Long Tianwu looked at Chu Ci, who was in perfect harmony with his sword, and admired him greatly, but his face remained expressionless. He swung his wooden sword, and sword intent surged forth.

Under the shroud of sword intent, Chu Ci felt a tightness in his chest, as if he couldn't breathe, and his whole body felt like it was being stabbed.

Long Tianwu's sword intent was majestic and domineering, filled with the oppressive feeling of a superior, truly deserving of the title of Emperor Sword Douluo.

The terrifying sense of oppression made Chu Ci feel like he could barely hold onto the Heavenly Candle in his hand. Chu Ci clenched his teeth, stared straight at Long Tianwu, and swung his sword with all his might.

But unsurprisingly, the moment the Heavenly Candle made contact with the wooden sword, it was knocked away and stuck in the ground some distance away, trembling and emitting a buzzing sound.

Long Tianwu withdrew her sword intent, and Chu Ci knelt on the ground, recalling the sword intent just now, his heart filled with shock.

"This is sword intent, the watershed between all swordsmen in the world. Only by reaching the level of sword intent can one say that they have embarked on the path of the sword," Long Tianwu said solemnly to Chu Ci.

“I am best at using swords, and your soul weapon is also a sword, so my next special training for you will only include one thing—sword training.”

“Come with me,” Long Tianwu said, then turned and left.

Chu Ci stood up and followed closely behind, and Tianzhu also transformed into a stream of light and entered Chu Ci's right hand.

Long Tianwu led Chu Ci through the War God Temple and soon arrived at a very spacious room.

Chu Ci looked around the room curiously, while Long Tianwu made a few gestures on a pop-up screen beside her.

A heavy pressure suddenly descended upon Chu Ci, and he immediately felt as if his meridians were blocked by a boulder. The feeling that his soul power was almost stagnant made him extremely uncomfortable.

But the next moment, a green light spread from the center of the room, and Chu Ci's discomfort vanished. His mind became incredibly clear, and his mental energy was more active than ever before.

"What is this?" Chu Ci asked, looking at Long Tianwu beside him.

“A training device independently developed by the Temple of War is called the Mysterious Heavy Chamber.”

"The Xuanzhong Chamber has solidified two soul skills: Soul Forbidden Domain and Spiritual Amplification."

"It will be very difficult for a Soul Master to circulate Soul Power within the Soul Forbidden Domain. Mental Amplification can solve the discomfort problem of a Soul Master when Soul Power is suppressed."

"The combination of the two soul skills is perfect for you to train your physique and comprehend sword intent here."

"The comprehension of sword intent has nothing to do with soul power, but with your will and spirit."

"In this environment, you can discard the influence of soul power and devote all your will and wholeheartedness to the way of the sword, and comprehend the sword intent."

Hearing Long Tianwu's words, Chu Ci couldn't help but marvel. As expected of the War God Temple, which the Federation had built with its resources, even soul skills could be solidified. Its foundation was truly unfathomable.

"Then can we solidify highly destructive soul skills and apply them on the battlefield?" Chu Ci asked.

Long Tianwu shook her head. "It won't work. Solidified soul skills consume an enormous amount of resources and are very expensive. The same resources can be used to make many soul tools with the same destructive power, which is very uneconomical. Moreover, there are a lot of restrictions on the release of solidified soul skills, which is very troublesome."