The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

Mu Xue gently patted Vina's shoulder, comforting her.

"It's not your fault, we were just really unlucky. We happened to run into the three-headed Crimson Demon Hound and the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger who were fighting. We're lucky to have survived."

As she spoke, she released Vina and turned her gaze to Xu Zihuang. Just like with Vina before, there was also a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Xu Zihuang politely gestured to Mu Xue, then greeted Vina before turning and leaving.

"Vina, you must have a lot to say. I won't stay here and disturb you."

He wanted to get in touch with Vina, but he never intended to be a shameless and persistent sycophant like Xu Sanshi.

No one was worth his licking. And he was absolutely confident that he had already made a deep impression on Vina.

Watching Xu Zihuang's departing figure, Mu Xue asked Vina in surprise, "Vina, who is he?"

When Yu Tianhuang was mentioned, Vina became noticeably more interested, though she also showed a hint of shyness.

"He is Yu Tianhuang, whom we talked about back in Tiandou City. He was also the one who helped me expel the evil energy of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger within me."

"Is he Yu Tianhuang?"

Chapter 229 One and a Half Years

Vina's appearance did not affect Xu Zihuang's daily life and cultivation.

After parting ways with Vina and Muxue, he returned to the Sea God Pavilion and sat cross-legged on the open ground in front of it. Looking up at the entire Sea God Island, he heeded Elder Mu's advice and did not rush into cultivation, but instead carefully pondered the insights he had gained from his previous deep meditation.

After his spiritual power broke through to the realm of tangible yet intangible, and after absorbing the golden dragon bloodline of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, many of his abilities were greatly enhanced. However, fully mastering these abilities would not be something that could be achieved overnight.

As the sun set and the moon rose, countless stars shone across the sky. This period of contemplation lasted for seven or eight hours, until late at night when he returned to the Sea God Pavilion to begin his evening meditation practice.

He used his spiritual power, which was in a tangible yet intangible realm, to wrap his soul power, which possessed ultimate attributes, and for the first time, he experienced the rapid increase in cultivation speed without the constraints of ultimate attributes.

Right now, he's at the normal cultivation speed of a top genius.

However, for him, who had returned to his normal cultivation speed, the abundant spiritual energy within the golden tree no longer amplified his cultivation speed as much as before.

Previously, during his cultivation, he could absorb a large amount of the spiritual energy within the Golden Tree and fuse it with his own cultivated soul power to form his soul power containing ultimate attributes. However, now that he is no longer troubled by ultimate attributes, the soul power he cultivates himself accounts for the majority, while the spiritual energy absorbed from heaven and earth only accounts for a small portion.

To give an analogy, it's like a Soul Master with innate level nine Soul Power or full innate Soul Power taking the Profound Water Pill, which only enhances their abilities and is far less effective than the effect on a Soul Master like Huo Yuhao with only level one innate Soul Power.

Although the situations are not entirely the same, the underlying principles are similar.

Of course, his current cultivation speed is definitely significantly improved compared to before.

The following morning, Xu Zihuang, having finished breakfast in the dining hall reserved for inner court disciples, stood on the vast surface of Sea God Lake. Thin, dark red crystal mirrors condensed beneath his feet, and his figure flickered rapidly.

The golden dragon bloodline derived from the Three-Eyed Golden Lion transformed his body into something akin to a humanoid spirit beast. Driven by terrifying explosive power and strength, he moved like a blur in the air.

On the south side of Poseidon Island, on the balcony of a two-story wooden pavilion, a young girl looked up and gazed at the sky. Her long black hair cascaded down her back and fluttered in the gentle breeze, and her originally beautiful, gentle eyes turned a bright silver in that instant.

The girl was Vina, and what she was using was undoubtedly her second martial soul, Brain.

There's a reason why Xu Zihuang's Golden Eye Martial Soul is so powerful. His Martial Soul's true form is an eye, but because it possesses spiritual attributes, it's actually a combination of eyes and brain. It's just that the eyes are the primary element, and the brain is secondary.

Within the Body Sect, there is also a disciple named Gu Tong who uses his eyes as his martial soul. However, Gu Tong's eye martial soul lacks spiritual attributes, ultimately forcing him to develop into a power-attack type soul master. All of his soul skills are ranged or area-of-effect attacks released through his eyes.

Although his soul skills are powerful, they are far inferior to those of a golden-eyed spirit attribute soul master like Xu Zihuang in terms of future development and balance.

In other words, Gu Tong's martial spirit is much weaker than Xu Zihuang's.

This is why Du Busi was so obsessed with Xu Zihuang back then, and even if Elder Mu hadn't intervened, he wouldn't have hesitated to go to war with Shrek Academy, which has a history of ten thousand years.

Xu Zihuang's Golden Eyes are the most top-tier eye-type martial soul.

The same principle applies to Vina's brain, which is also a top-tier spiritual attribute martial soul. However, she uses her brain as the main body and her eyes as an auxiliary, using her eyes as the medium to release her soul skills.

Under such circumstances, her ability to see clearly is certainly not as good as Xu Zihuang's, but she can still vaguely catch a glimpse of the afterimage in the air.

"A three-purple-one-black spirit ring combination, it must be him. Such strong control over spirit skills." Vina's gentle eyes rippled with tears; she was becoming increasingly curious about the exceptionally talented Yu Tianhuang.

When she was twelve, she was still struggling to break through the bottleneck of level thirty, while Yu Tianhuang already possessed a cultivation level and strength that surpassed his peers. His mental strength, control over soul skills, and various other aspects were all far ahead of his peers.

Moreover, Yu Tianhuang, like them, was a citizen of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

"Vina?" A cool voice sounded from behind, interrupting Vina's thoughts.

Mu Xue leaned against a wooden pillar behind Vina, a rare smile appearing on her usually cold and beautiful face. She had actually arrived quite some time ago and had naturally heard Vina's earlier mutterings.

"Was that Yu Tianhuang who just flew by in the air? What? Are you feeling romantic?" Mu Xue teased softly.

"Although he is three years younger than you, it doesn't seem to have much of an impact."

Even with her discerning eye, she had to acknowledge Yu Tianhuang's exceptional talent. His genius defied all conventional wisdom. If he could truly be with Vina, the princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, it would indeed be a blessing for their empire.

Vina blushed and pouted her red lips, saying coquettishly, "Sister Xue, why do you walk so quietly?"

A hint of a smile appeared in Mu Xue's icy blue eyes.

"If you weren't distracted, how could you not have sensed my arrival, given the special nature of your second martial soul?"

Then his expression turned serious again.

“Vina, I’m serious. We must win over a genius like Yu Tianhuang to our Heavenly Soul Empire’s camp. He is a citizen of the Heavenly Soul Empire, and from what you described last night, he has a strong sense of identity and belonging to our Heavenly Soul Empire.”

Upon hearing Mu Xue's words, Vina's previous shy demeanor vanished, and she nodded slightly.

However, she did not bring up the topic again.

"Sister Xue, after this, we still need to go to the far north as soon as possible to obtain our fourth spirit ring. I originally thought that our talent was already quite outstanding among the younger generation, but after getting to know him, I'm starting to lose confidence."

"And how could I not feel the same way?" Mu Xue sighed softly.

"Our people should arrive as early as this afternoon. Let's go back to Tiandou City to rest and make more preparations. This time, we must bring more people to avoid such accidents from happening again."

……

Xu Zihuang crossed Poseidon Lake and headed straight for the Soul Guidance System's testing area. When he arrived at the entrance of the testing area, he immediately saw Fan Yu standing there.

Xu Zihuang stepped forward and greeted Fan Yu.

"Teacher Fanyu".

"Come with me." Fan Yu nodded solemnly and led Xu Zihuang into the experimental area.

"I believe Elder Mu has already told you. You will need to stay in the Soul Guidance Department for three out of every seven days to study. This morning, you and Cai Tou will learn how to make soul tools with me. However, before that, I need to know your true level in soul tool making."

At this point, Fan Yu added with a wry smile.

"Let's not hold back this time. Actually, Elder Mu told me all of this. I never thought I would be so wrong."

Fan Yu, on the other hand, was quite composed.

Xu Zihuang was not surprised by this and replied, "Teacher Fanyu, I have never tried to inscribe a level 5 core array. However, I should be able to successfully inscribe the vast majority of level 5 core arrays."

"Great!" Fan Yu clapped his hands excitedly.

"This morning, you should try your best. Don't practice with ordinary metals; just try engraving with rare metals."

As the two talked, they arrived at Test Zone Twelve.

He Caitou had already begun researching and developing soul-guided devices in Test Zone Twelve, so engrossed that he didn't even notice Xu Zihuang and Fan Yu's arrival. The entire laboratory was empty, with only the three of them present.

Fan Yu didn't disturb He Caitou, but instead gestured for Xu Zihuang to sit down at a metal table. The table was covered with various types of rare metals, many of which were extremely expensive.

The Soul Guidance Department really went all out to train Xu Zihuang and He Caitou.

"Tianhuang, let's begin."

Fan Yu stood behind Xu Zihuang, his usually serious expression revealing a rare look of anticipation in his eyes.

For some reason, a sentence suddenly came to his mind.

You lack talent, and I lack interest. These words, spoken by Yu Tianhuang, seem perfectly fitting.

Sometimes we have to admit that people's natural talents cannot be generalized.

Xu Zihuang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, calmed himself, and adjusted his state of mind. When he opened his eyes again, his deep purple eyes had turned into a brilliant gold.

His left hand firmly gripped a silver metal block that shimmered like starlight. This rare metal, called Starlight Silver, was strong enough to support the inscription of most level-five core magic arrays. His right hand held a pure black carving knife, and he began to rapidly inscribe.

As time passed, the anticipation in Fan Yu's eyes was gradually replaced by shock.

Because Yu Tianhuang successfully inscribed eight level-five core arrays within just a few hours, and each of them was a different level-five core array. The shock continued, to the point that when he witnessed Yu Tianhuang's success rate of inscribing level-five core arrays reaching 90%, he was almost numb.

Meanwhile, He Caitou, who had just finished making the soul tool, was also drawn over. His behavior was even more exaggerated than Fan Yu's.

He Caitou is undoubtedly a genius when it comes to creating soul tools. But even he only recently began inscribing level-five core arrays.

Fan Yu then stated that he would tailor a course on making soul tools for Yu Tianhuang, so that he would no longer need to study with He Caitou, but would instead guide the two of them individually.

That concludes the morning's classes.

The afternoons are for learning other skills, such as military skills, stealth, and makeup.

As for the time between lunch and the end of the afternoon classes, a dedicated nutritionist will guide them on how to eat. There is a unique science involved in how to consume top-quality ingredients to ensure the body fully absorbs their nutrients.

Shrek Academy's formidable faculty is gradually becoming apparent to the two of them.

Starting today, Xu Zihuang and He Caitou entered a fast-paced life. Old Mu also began guiding Xu Zihuang. However, he only offered guidance, pointing out the key issues, and then letting Xu Zihuang think for himself.

Master Mu's meaning was clear: only what one has thought out for oneself is most easily absorbed and truly becomes one's own. And through this guidance, Master Mu's more than two hundred years of knowledge and experience subtly enhanced Xu Zihuang's abilities.

Xu Zihuang benefited greatly from this; the knowledge and experience that Master Mu imparted to him were exactly what he lacked.

Time flew by in this busy yet fulfilling life, but Xu Zihuang was always at ease throughout.

After all, whether it was his talent for cultivation, his comprehension, his talent in soul tool making, or his temperament, he was perfect in every aspect. At the end of each day's lessons, he was able to fully absorb and understand the content, without experiencing the same sense of strain as He Caitou.

Meanwhile, Vina and Muxue also left Shrek Academy. However, their departure did not cause much of a stir within Shrek Academy; only a handful of people knew of their existence.

In the blink of an eye, a year and a half had passed, and Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan had all been admitted to the Inner Academy through their own efforts.

After engaging in deep meditation in the underground world of the Sea God Pavilion, the three of them entered a phase of rapid growth in their cultivation.

In particular, Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi's soul power broke through three levels in a single deep meditation. After this period of training, they were the first to break through to the fifth ring, becoming Soul King level powerhouses.

In reality, Xu Zihuang broke through to level 50 in soul power earlier than the other two, taking only one year and three months. However, the soul beasts he needed to hunt for his fifth soul ring were of higher age and quality, requiring him to spend considerable time searching in the Soul Beast Forest. That's why he wasn't in a hurry to add a soul ring to himself, breaking through to the five-ring Soul King realm before Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi.

It's worth mentioning that during this period, he was already able to easily create level-five soul tools, becoming a genuine level-five soul master, and one of the top tier at that. He even successfully inscribed level-six core formations several times, though the success rate wasn't very high. However, these problems would be easily solved once he obtained his fifth soul ring and officially advanced to the Soul King level. At that time, advancing to a level-six soul master would be a natural progression.

He Caitou and Jiang Nannan both reached level 49 in soul power, just one step away from becoming a Soul King. However, He Caitou did not participate in the Soul Guidance Department's inner court assessment because he was going to complete the Extreme Individual Soldier Project with Xu Zihuang.

Ning Tian's cultivation progress was slightly slower, but she still successfully broke through to level 40 not long ago. She wasn't in a hurry to attach spirit rings either, because Tang Ya was also currently in seclusion trying to break through the level 40 bottleneck. They had agreed beforehand to hunt spirit beasts together to obtain spirit rings after reaching their bottlenecks. After a year and a half of spending time together, their relationship had become quite close.

Tang Ya is simple-minded, while Ning Tian is shrewd. The two get along incredibly well. Adding to this, Xu Zihuang's relationship with Bei Bei makes them inseparable, practically becoming best friends.