Douluo's Soul Power increases by two levels every year

Chapter 144 The Debate on Defense!

"You brat! I ask you, in your opinion, what is defense?!"

The old man's voice came, and only then did Han Feng have time to observe his surroundings.

All around was a vast, empty palace. The palace was enormous, yet it was supported by only four massive pillars. The palace was completely empty, with only a faint, wild aura emanating from it. The entire palace exuded an ancient and weathered atmosphere, just like the old man of unknown origin standing before them!

Everything happened so fast that Han Feng couldn't react at all. He thought he was still in an illusion. He frowned and tried to summon the Void Mask, but to no avail. His soul power was as still as a stagnant pool.

Han Feng tried to stand up, but the old man held him down firmly, as if his legs were embedded in the hall, which made Han Feng feel dissatisfied.

Seemingly noticing the change in Han Feng's expression, the old man snorted and said, "Don't worry! What you see before you is not an illusion! And even if I make you kneel before me, you will definitely not suffer! As long as you answer my questions, I will naturally let you stand up!"

Han Feng frowned. After calming down, he naturally knew that he had already escaped the illusion of Shi Nian. But what he didn't understand was who this old man was and why he seemed to be somewhat dissatisfied with him.

"What is defense..."

Han Feng pondered for a moment. Over the years, whether it was Han Dang, the master, or the books Han Feng had read, they had all mentioned this issue to some extent. But the old man in front of him obviously did not want to hear Han Feng give those formulaic answers. Han Feng wanted to resist, but the old man in front of him was probably a Title Douluo at the very least. What could Han Feng use to resist?

The ancient banyan tree's token?

How could Han Feng not have tried? But he was horrified to discover that he was still clearly in a soul state, his waist empty—there was no token there!

The old man was not in a hurry and waited quietly for Han Feng's reply.

After a moment's thought, Han Feng replied in a deep voice, "Senior! This junior is of limited knowledge, but if you ask about defense, I believe that defense is like a stubborn rock in the sea. A stubborn rock may not be able to resist the immense force of the waves, but it cannot be destroyed by the waves! It is not afraid of raging winds or tsunamis, and it sinks to the bottom of the sea. Only when the sea dries up will the rock crumble!"

Han Feng's answer eased the old man's expression considerably.

At the same time, Han Feng felt the pressure on him dissipate, but he did not rush to stand up.

The old man glanced at Han Feng and snorted, "Get up! You've passed, kid!"

Han Feng then stood up leisurely and stood aside without saying a word, but his eyes kept looking around, his mind filled with many thoughts.

The old man wasn't afraid of Han Feng causing any trouble. He simply said to himself, "You're quite honest. If you had said something like 'unmoved as a mountain,' I would have made you kneel in this hall for years!"

Han Feng was about to offer a humble remark when he saw the old man's face darken again, and he snapped, "But since you know this, why can't you do it?!"

Upon hearing this, Han Feng was taken aback. He sensed that the old man seemed to want to test him, and his words carried a hint of anger, as if he was disappointed in the old man.

Just like that day, Han Feng felt the same way about Xiangjia Academy, but with an added layer of concern—the concern of an elder for a younger generation.

But I've never met this old man before!

Unable to fathom it, Han Feng could only lower his head and remain silent.

"Do you know that defense, in essence, involves both external and internal defense?" Sure enough, the old man quickly began to instruct Han Feng in a paternal tone: "External defense includes the defense of qi and blood, which remains unmoved and indestructible. Even after countless ages, the physical body will remain indestructible, and swords and axes cannot approach. There is also the defense of energy, which means that even if stars were placed upon you, you could still talk and laugh, keeping enemies at bay!"

"Defense within: there is the defense of the soul, impervious to all evil, where all illusions are but bubbles, warding off inner demons; there is also the defense of the will, a heart as still as water, devoid of joy, sorrow, or anger, observing the ever-changing clouds!"

The old man's voice was like a thunderclap, yet also like a profound truth, pointing directly to the essence of defense, making Han Feng feel as if he had been enlightened!

For the first time, Han Feng realized that defense was not just about blocking the enemy's attacks!

However, there was one point that Han Feng disagreed with.

The old man said, "The defense of the will is like still water, without joy, sorrow, or anger." Wouldn't the one who defends himself be free from all worldly desires? Is this about transcending emotions, or about entering a life of monastic seclusion?

If one wants to become the world's number one defender, one must forget the seven emotions and six desires, then Han Feng would rather not have them!

His initial motivation for cultivating to become stronger stemmed from desire. If he were to ultimately abandon that desire, what would be the point of cultivation? Wouldn't it be easier to just lie at home and be a lazy bum?

But the old man failed to notice the subtle change in Han Feng's expression, and suddenly shouted, "The Four Defenses! You have defenses of blood and qi, defenses of energy, and defenses of the soul, why are you so fixated on willpower!? That fool forced you with an illusion, and you broke through it with your soul, why are you still so stubborn!? You're just creating unnecessary trouble!?"

"Your soul was already able to hold fast to its original nature within that illusion. From the very beginning, you saw through that illusion, yet you willingly fell into it, allowing it to sway your mind and cause your will to waver, resulting in a needless outburst of rage!"

"The defender, with a mind as clear as a mirror, how could he be so utterly pathetic!?"

The old man's voice carried a magical power, as if trying to etch it into Han Feng's mind, so that Han Feng would always remember these words—the old man was truly anxious. He was worried that Han Feng would go astray because of the resentment in his heart, and he was also worried that Han Feng would abandon his original defensive path and turn to his path. Wouldn't his hard-won successor be lost again?

However, Han Feng could not agree with the old man's so-called "defense of will," and Han Feng was a stubborn person by nature. At this moment, he resisted desperately and refused to remember these words!

Han Feng knew that if the old man engraved these words in his mind, it would not only mean that he remembered them, but also that he agreed with the old man's point of view. In the future, he would subconsciously follow the old man's so-called "guardian of will" in his actions!

The old man quickly realized Han Feng's resistance. He frowned, immediately stopped using his divine power to forcibly inscribe the words, and asked, "Do you have any objections to what I said?"

"Yes!" Han Feng knew he couldn't avoid it, so he focused his gaze and replied in a deep voice.

The old man felt a little strange.

As a dignified defensive god who has reigned for 100,000 years, even the great god-kings would show him respect in terms of the way of defense. Now, a mere brat from the lower realm actually has objections.

"Tell me about it!" the old man said with great interest.

Han Feng bit his lip and said cautiously, "What you said about defending against qi and blood, energy, and the soul are all sound principles of defense, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, I cannot agree with your suggestion of defending against the will!"

The old man's mustache trembled, and he squinted at Han Feng, asking with an unreadable expression, "Why?"

"What you mean by the defense of will is to abandon desires. As the saying goes, 'Without desires, one is invincible.' When one's heart is free from desires and all worldly desires are empty, one's will is naturally invincible and calm! But I don't understand. If one has no desires, how can one defend against them? And what should one defend against?!" Han Feng asked firmly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

If there is no desire, then how can one defend against it?

Some people want to live, so they take the fatal blow; some people want to protect, so they do everything they can to protect what they want to protect.

But if you don't want to live, and you have nothing to protect, what are you defending against?

Han Feng's words startled the old man, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light!

What surprised him was that Han Feng, a mere brat who had only cultivated for seven years, actually had such profound insights!

But he wouldn't be so easily persuaded by Han Feng, nor could he be persuaded by Han Feng. He simply shook his head slightly and sighed, "Foolish child!"

After saying that, the old man gently raised a finger and touched Han Feng's forehead. Countless images flashed before Han Feng's eyes!

As Han Feng was engrossed in those images, the old man let out a long sigh and murmured in a strange tone, "Those who follow the path of defense are mostly dull-witted. This kid's temperament is somewhat similar to mine back then! But... this kid is far too eloquent!"

"If it weren't for my vast experience spanning ten thousand years, I really wouldn't dare say I could subdue this brat!"

The old man looked up at Han Feng, whose eyes were filled with confusion, and smiled with a sense of relief.

Then, as if remembering something, the old man muttered gloatingly, "Heh heh! That kid Vulcan doesn't have that much experience. If Vulcan accidentally angers that little guy, with his stubborn nature, he might just throw up and quit! That would be hilarious!"

Thinking about this, the old man decided it was best not to tell Vulcan about Han Feng's personality.

Who allowed the God of Fire and the old man to fight over who would be his successor?

Let Vulcan have his own headache then!

(End of this chapter)