Melee archer with maxed-out Douluo luck

Chapter 172 High Risk, High Reward: Martial Soul Evolves Once Again

Being scrutinized by Han Li's researching gaze, not only Guang Ling and Dugu Bo, but even Qing Luan felt a little uncomfortable.

"So what? You didn't just produce theories, did you?"

Finally, it was Guangling who couldn't hold back and spoke first.

"Oh, no, I was thinking about something else."

Han Li was interrupted from his thoughts by his words and replied with a smile.

"Isn't the method of condensing a soul core dangerous?"

Dugu Bo was the one who spoke, and his tone was very confident. Of the three, he was actually the only one with relevant experience, even though he had been confused when he condensed the poison pill.

"Yes, there are some, but it's not too bad. I'm judging your ability to control yourselves."

Han Li nodded first, then shook his head. He was actually communicating with the will of the plane, but the result surprised him.

"If the risk is manageable, then there's no problem. I'll go first."

Upon hearing his words, Dugu Bo immediately took a step forward. Compared to the other two, he was definitely the most experienced.

"No, please wait. Let Senior Uncle Qingluan go first. Senior Uncle has a better grasp of his own strength."

To Dugu Bo's surprise, Han Li decisively rejected him and turned to look at Qingluan.

According to the will of the plane, Qingluan, who is the best at controlling herself, is the most unassuming among the three. Both Guangling and Dugu Bo are somewhat inferior in this respect.

It's best to play it safe at the beginning, which can also provide experience for others and boost their confidence.

"it is good."

Qingluan nodded and agreed without hesitation, her expression remaining unchanged.

"Well, there's no need to start right now. Senior Uncle, please prepare yourself first. Try to make more contact with spatial power these days, but don't rashly introduce it into your body."

After Han Li finished speaking, another piece of paper appeared in his hand and he handed it to Qingluan.

"These are the instructions for your soul power circulation route and how your mental power and physical body should coordinate when condensing your soul core. Please write them down and follow them when the time comes."

Qingluan took the paper and looked at it. His pupils contracted slightly at just one glance.

No wonder Xiao Li let him go first; it requires a high level of self-control.

Seeing his reaction, Guangling and Dugu Bo also went over to look at the contents.

After a while, Guangling withdrew his gaze and scratched his head in frustration.

"This...this technique is somewhat similar to, what was it again?"

"Soul Beast Sacrifice".

Han Li glanced at his master and clearly uttered two words.

"Yes, it's a sacrifice, Xiao Li. Are you sure it's only a little risky?"

Guangling slapped his forehead. Even though he trusted Han Li completely, he felt it was somewhat crazy.

"That's why I said this version is only suitable for geniuses, but once successful, the benefits are enormous. You don't think that simply compressing energy can condense a soul core, do you?"

"If it's just pure soul power or pure spiritual power, the risk isn't too great. But as I've said before, there will be weaknesses, and achieving unity or balance later on will be a hurdle."

"If you want to improve your combat power and improve it quickly, there's no way you can do it without taking any risks."

Han Li shrugged and explained his development philosophy.

"But this... if we fail, we'll die."

After dawdling for a while, Guangling avoided Qingluan and came to Han Li's side, speaking in a low voice.

"Once I get my sixth spirit ring, it won't be like that anymore. As long as I don't completely lose control, it'll be 100% successful. Of course, that's with my help."

"Don't forget, I can already see through the path of other people's soul power. If I also gain spatial abilities, the problem will no longer be a problem."

A faint red light flashed in Han Li's right eye as he reminded Guang Ling.

"That Dark Demon Evil God Tiger deserves to die even more."

Guangling's expression changed, and she murmured something under her breath.

After saying that, he leaned closer again and tried to recall the contents of the paper.

Seeing that his master had no objections, Han Li briefly fell into thought.

To be honest, at first, he was only planning to use the subsequent soul cores as a reference for development, but he changed his mind when his good son helped him analyze the inner core.

He abandoned the gradual soul core development model and opted for a one-step approach. Although this was a bit riskier, it directly eliminated the subsequent soul core resonance process.

Moreover, compared to the soul core, the inner core's structure is actually more suitable for cultivation.

Starting with all energy unified from the beginning may be a bit difficult, but it will prevent a gap in combat power and avoid the potential problem of subsequent soul cores being difficult to construct or even losing the possibility of breakthrough due to the first soul core being too powerful.

Furthermore, Han Li always believed that unification was more advantageous than dispersion. Once his inner core version of the soul core was completed, moves like Mu En's "Reign Over the World" would be readily available, saving development time. Why not?

Han Li took a deep breath, pulled himself out of his thoughts, and looked at Dugu Yan. It was time to solve her problem.

"Your turn, Sister Yan, take out your inner core."

Han Li smiled and looked at Dugu Yan. His words also reached the ears of the others, who stopped what they were doing and gathered around him with concern.

Of the four in their team, Dugu Yan actually faced the most pressure and the greatest challenges. This was because she was the oldest, had the worst-quality martial soul, and even her soul power cultivation had been surpassed.

Although Xiuer's martial soul did not generate ultimate power, the mutated Purple Gold Terrorclaw Bear was in no way inferior to the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, and was definitely among the top in the continent.

After refusing the subsequent immortal herbs, Dugu Yan, who followed Han Li, fell behind in terms of martial spirit progress compared to Shui Bing'er.

Don't let her usual lively demeanor fool you; when it comes to training, she's the most dedicated, never resting until she reaches her absolute limit.

But the limits of her talent and martial spirit were there, and no matter how hard she tried, that insurmountable barrier remained. Now, she has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er shook her hand, gave her an encouraging look, and pushed her forward a few steps.

"This is a good thing. Don't all look so serious. It's not like we're going to war. It's actually very simple, no different from taking some kind of magic herb."

Han Li couldn't help but smile when he saw their behavior, which made them all relax a bit.

"You mean you should just swallow it?"

Dugu Yan held up the fist-sized inner core, opened her mouth and gestured, looking somewhat lost.

"It is indeed to be swallowed, but let me help you out."

As he spoke, he manipulated his soul power to transform into fire element and spiritual power, which enveloped the inner core, causing it to gradually transform into a liquid state.

It was the size of a fist. I wonder how Ma Hongjun managed to swallow it in the original story. He certainly didn't have Dugu Yan's ability to do so.

While controlling the device, this nonsensical thought suddenly popped into Han Li's mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Whatever, it's not his turn now anyway.

Open your mouth.

Han Li's martial spirit aura flashed by, and he completely suppressed the snake-like aura in his inner core to make the following process smoother.

Upon hearing his voice, Dugu Yan instinctively opened her mouth, and the golden-red liquid inner core transformed into a thread, sliding down her throat.

"Little Goose, what does it taste like?"

Guangling suddenly asked a question, which surprised everyone.

"It's sweet, and a little spicy."

Dugu Yan didn't react in time and subconsciously picked up the conversation.

"Alright, hurry up and refine it. Also, Master, don't cause trouble. If you want to eat something, go buy it yourself."

Han Li gave Dugu Yan a word of advice, then turned to look at his master with a rather speechless expression.

"Ah, okay."

Dugu Yan then realized what she was talking about. She was incredibly stupid to have actually answered.

Her pretty face turned bright red, whether from embarrassment or the influence of the energy from the inner elixir, it was hard to tell.

She quickly walked to the side, sat down, and entered a meditative state.

"I'm just curious, definitely not because I want to eat it."

Guangling glanced awkwardly at the crowd who were all staring at him, and began to explain.

"Yes, we believe you. Let's have snake soup tonight. I'll go out and get some."

Dugu Bo nodded to the side, giving him a look that said, "I believe you."

"Okay, how about the Jade Phosphorus Serpent?"

Guangling turned her head and glared at him fiercely, pretending to be angry and embarrassed.

"Sure, no problem. How about I give you the untreated poison glands?"

"It's not impossible, if you're willing, I'll even eat my Martial Soul True Form to show you."

The two walked away from Dugu Yan's location, keeping their distance as they went, so as not to disturb her cultivation.

The remaining four watched their retreating figures, smiled, and sat down to observe Dugu Yan's situation.

As time passed, Dugu Yan gradually changed.

The previously stable fluctuations in soul power gradually became volatile. Han Li and Qing Luan looked at her face and were only briefly relieved to see that her expression was relatively calm.

The crimson flames on Dugu Yan's body began to change, gradually turning a deep golden-red color until they completely replaced the previous crimson. Her hair also changed accordingly.

"Speaking of which, this is the third time Sister Yan has changed her hair color. It seems she'll have to order a new batch of clothes again."

Han Li looked at Dugu Yan, whose hair had changed again, and couldn't help but make a comment.

Perhaps because Dugu Yan's martial soul essence is relatively weak, her hair color has been constantly changing as her martial soul evolves.

"Sister Yan looks even more heroic now, like a female warrior. If her clothes were changed to gold and red, she would look even more like one."

Shui Bing'er, standing to the side, couldn't help but interject with a comment, her eyes sparkling. Xiu'er nodded in agreement.

Han Li and Qing Luan exchanged a glance, neither daring to join the battle.

Nearly two more hours passed, and the sky grew dark. Guangling and Dugu Bo, who had gone out, had returned.

These two were really something else; they actually caught quite a few snakes, but everyone else promptly declined their dinner invitation.

The lone wild goose in the courtyard, at this moment, is like a lantern radiating golden red light, providing illumination for everyone.

"She's about to wake up."

Han Li turned his head, having received a prompt from his obedient son, and turned his gaze toward the direction where Dugu Yan was.

The others also turned their gazes towards him upon hearing his words.

"Quack"

A familiar voice rang out, and the group of people who came out of the City of Slaughter stood up. A new illusory image of a martial soul also appeared above Dugu Yan's body.

(End of this chapter)