Douluo Continent: A Thousand Miles of Cultivation

With the end of the tribulation, the Thousand Waters Cultivation Method successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and the soul power flowing in the meridians was in a liquid state, resembling a trickle.

……

Ghost Douluo cautiously arrived at the eye of the storm, feeling extremely horrified by the violent energy fluctuations between heaven and earth. Heavenly lightning restrains all demons and monsters, and Ghost Douluo was one of those that were restrained.

Just as he was feeling sentimental, Qian Shui's head popped out of the sea, startling him.

"Are you a human or a ghost?"

"Uncle Gui, don't you find it strange to ask that to yourself?" In a good mood after breaking free from his shackles, Qian Shui also cracked a joke after a long time.

"Do you even know what that scene was like? Even a Title Douluo would have been killed in that situation! How could you possibly still be alive?"

"This is so-so..." Recalling the descriptions of super heavenly tribulations, this level is simply child's play. "Besides, I was lucky. The seawater blocked most of the heavenly lightning for me, so I didn't die."

"Is that so?" Ghost Douluo didn't know anything about electrical conductivity, but he could still understand even through the obstruction of seawater. "Then why did I target you alone?"

"How would I know? Probably because of the martial spirit." He offered the universally accepted answer of "I don't know" as an explanation.

Perhaps the nature of soul power has undergone a qualitative change, and the consumption of soul power is no longer a big problem. Qian Shui's primordial spirit left his body, dragged his body, and flew back to the ship he came from.

"This kid is either extremely boring or extremely dangerous. How does he manage to be both extremely cautious and extremely adventurous at the same time?"

Ghost Douluo couldn't understand the dialectical relationship in Qian Shui's behavior. The so-called adventure was just a strategic goal after thorough preparation. Although there would be a price to pay, as long as it was acceptable, it could be done. It just seemed very risky in comparison.

Back on the ship, Qian Shui changed his clothes. Looking at his exceptionally smooth skin, he blushed slightly: "Being struck by lightning has this effect? ​​No wonder it's a cultivation beauty salon..."

As the saying goes, there are no clowns in the world of cultivation, and this time we've certainly seen one.

"Boy, how's your strength?" Ghost Douluo appeared silently behind Qian Shui.

"Not bad." Qian Shui was a little frightened. She was used to Ghost Douluo's sudden appearances, but her perception seemed to have increased by more than one level, which was a bit too strong. Her preemptive perception broke her original habits and was beyond the norm.

After calming himself down, he summoned four spirit rings: yellow, purple, purplish, and black. "That spirit beast is called a Whirlwind Dolphin, and its cultivation level is around 20,000 years. I obtained a speed-attack type spirit skill with the characteristic of high-speed strangulation, which is especially fast in water. My spirit power has also reached level 45. This trip has been quite fruitful."

"You're truly terrifying, kid. A 13-year-old Soul Master aside, this Soul Ring age that defies all logic is really..."

"Uncle Gui, logically speaking, since our martial souls are of the same nature, it's not impossible for you to..." 'If we follow the cultivation method...'

"Come on, no need to comfort this old man. I'm not living in vain at all."

'I wasn't trying to comfort you!' Qian Shui simply shut up.

However, the excessive perception needs to be addressed, as it is ultimately a good thing. Qian Shui thought of Feng Bailong's eye patch and felt it was quite nice, giving off that expert vibe. She also thought of the straps Feng Jingyi gave her, which were practically perfect!

He acted immediately. He could already move without his eyes, just not as strongly as he was now, since his visual range was much greater. This was a form of passive mental training, which was quite good.

After bouncing around on the boat a couple of times and feeling good, I settled down to focus on my training.

……

When Qian Shui returned to Han Hai City, his teammates were still battling in the Great Soul Arena, while Qian Shui waited outside. After all, entry cost money, and although he wasn't short of money, there was no need for it.

As dusk fell, the group of friends emerged from the arena.

"After so many battles, I still haven't gotten used to the Sea Soul Master. You really can't underestimate the heroes of the world." Yu Zhou, the burly man, had just finished his Soul Battle and was still somewhat moved.

“Yes, the water-based training grounds were particularly difficult for us land-based Soul Masters, but our training in the Star Dou Great Forest and the Great Lakes made us more familiar with the water, so it wasn’t too embarrassing,” Ling Yunzhi chimed in.

"Hey Zhi-ge, your ice attribute is totally countered!" Silver Gold thought it sounded pretentious for the most comfortable person to say that. "Hey, isn't that the team leader?"

"Xiao Shui, what happened to your eyes?" Feng Jingyi panicked. Could something have happened to Qian Shui during her Soul Hunting?

The crowd, caught up in their concern, quickly surrounded Qian Shui.

"Xiao Shui..." Chen Sha's voice trembled slightly. Qian Shui was practically their teacher. What would they do if something really happened to him?

Qian Shui adjusted her blindfold, opened her eyes, and said speechlessly, "I'm not blind!"

After a moment of silence, it still came down to silver and gold.

"I was so scared... I thought I was doomed, that His Holiness the Pope would be furious..."

"What are you afraid of? If that's the case, then Uncle Gui and I will be the ones who suffer." Qian Shui pulled down his blindfold and gave a mysterious reply.

Feng Jingyi couldn't accept it; it was such a waste of her mood. "Xiao Shui, what are you doing?"

"Learn from your White Dragon Sect Master, isn't he incredibly handsome?"

"really…"

"Besides, this isn't just for showing off. My perception has become stronger, and I'm not used to it yet. I'm doing this on purpose, and it can also be considered a way to cultivate my mental strength."

"Is this an effect of the new soul ring?" Ling Yunzhi expressed his understanding, as acquiring a soul ring is sometimes more than just gaining a soul skill.

"Stop talking here. Let's go back to the meeting. This year's training is the final sprint. The competition will start next year. If nothing unexpected happens, we will go back and be tested by the higher-ups."

Chapter 59: The Foreshadowing of Bibi Dong

The initial plan for this year has two points: to accelerate the increase in soul power level and to practice team battle coordination.

Soul power goes without saying; it's of utmost importance, especially when everyone's overall qualities far surpass those of their peers. The higher the level of soul power, the stronger the actual combat power.

As for team battles, practice is still needed. After all, no matter how strong an individual's skills are, poor teamwork can even result in a negative outcome.

And Hanhai City is just the right place. Tidal Body Refinement doesn't necessarily require a divine test to do; you can take initiative and do it yourself.

Moreover, the Great Soul Arena in Hanhai City is a perfect combination.

Thus, the mechanical life returned to the Spirit Hall team, causing everyone to complain endlessly, but the benefits were also real, and progress was rapid, just as Qian Shui had predicted.

……

This year, Qian Renxue received two letters. One was an analysis of the three upper sects and their affiliated forces, and the other expressed that she had become so engrossed in cultivation that she had forgotten about last year's letter.

Qian Renxue was fully aware of Qian Shui's situation, even his trip to the Wind Sword Sect.

Although he was somewhat annoyed that Qianshui had forgotten his friends because of a woman, he didn't care after receiving two letters.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she stroked her temples, "I'm really looking forward to the start of the competition~"

……

Sometimes people feel that time is too long, too long to bear; other times people feel that time is too short, too short to bear.

However, regardless of individual will, time will pass.

At the age of 14, Qian Shui's soul power level reached level 48, which was not the fastest progress at that age, after all, Qian Renxue was still behind him.

However, the quality of his soul power is exceptionally high; in layman's terms, he has an exceptionally high mana bar. Furthermore, the in-depth development and research of his fourth soul skill has given Qian Shui the potential for a first-time kill! He first adds soul skill amplification, using the Dark Gold Terror Claw as a base, then simultaneously unleashes Fox Leap and Whirlwind Pig Technique, striking both the opponent's body and soul at the same time.

In reality, it's roughly the same as when he was a Soul Master, but the addition of the fourth soul skill, the strangulation ability, greatly increases its power. If the opponent chooses to defend head-on and their mental strength isn't strong enough, the attack from the primordial spirit can completely strangle the opponent's soul. It's a god-tier skill for killing opponents above its level!

However, this is still only the first encounter. If the first attack is not a defense but an escape, then Qian Shui will not have a second chance to launch an attack, unless the opponent is weaker than Qian Shui. But in that case, there is no need to use this costly method.

Qian Shui didn't participate in individual battles that year either, unless he was fighting the Soul Emperor, it wouldn't mean much to him.

In team battles, he doesn't participate in combat at all. His spirit leaves his body and moves around, his soul rings flashing as if they were his own skills, while he uses his hands to release analyzed skills to his teammates, euphemistically calling himself a support.

"Brother Shui, are you really not planning to participate in the competition?" Yin Jin had asked this question many times before, but he was still a little nervous as the competition approached.

"What? You're already level 45 and you still lack confidence? At your current level, even an average Soul Master couldn't do anything to you."

"No~"

"He's just trying to slack off, isn't he?" Feng Jingyi teased. "Xiao Zhi and I are both level 49. If we work hard, we might be able to break through to Soul King before the competition. Isn't that enough for you to slack off?"

"No, no, no..." Yin Jin waved his hand, "Think about it, if Brother Shui were to make a move, that guy would sweep the game, and we wouldn't need to put in so much effort..."

Qian Shui refused, saying, "Don't even think about slacking off. I'm doing this for your own good!"

"Dream on. All six of you combined can't beat me. What would I need you for? I said from the beginning that I wouldn't lift a finger. Did you think I was joking? You guys are the real protagonists of this competition."

"I'm just afraid of what if we lose..."

"Yin Jin, there's no 'what if' situation. If things don't work out, the team leader will definitely step in." Even Yu Zhou, the biggest but least noticeable of them all, spoke up.

"That's right, I've secured my minimum. You guys figure out the rest. Don't be arrogant. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. It's not too late to be proud after the competition is over."

"Okay~"

"Let's go back and pack our things. We're heading back to Wuhun City. Our teacher has sent word that he wants us to return."

……

Just before the end of the year, Qian Shui and his party finally returned to Wuhun City after two years.

Before even reaching the original team's base, Qian Shui was summoned to the Papal Palace.

Bibi Dong was still the same as before, without any change. This is generally the case for those with high cultivation levels. When Qian Shui saw her, she was reviewing documents as always.

'They're really diligent…'

"You're back?" Bibi Dong didn't look up, her posture hunched over her desk, reviewing documents, a scene that evoked a strong sense of déjà vu.

This time, however, he was more friendly than when he first met her at the Papal Palace.

"Teacher." Qian Shui saw that Bibi Dong wasn't wearing his blindfold, which was rather impolite, but he still bowed as usual.

"Level 48 soul power, not bad, I haven't wasted my time over the years."

"I am deeply grateful for your guidance, teacher."

"Grateful?" Bibi Dong raised her head, her words insincere, unlike what this lawless person would say. "I'm afraid your heart is no longer in Wuhun City."

Bibi Dong stood up and walked down, intending to test one of her disciples: "You should know that the finals of this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament are being held in Heaven Dou City."

"In Tiandou City? Isn't it in Wuhun City?" Qian Shui had forgotten some of the details. He hadn't even considered participating in the Elite Tournament, so he hadn't bothered to learn about the tournament format. He had always assumed that the finals would be held in Wuhun City, which was in line with Wuhun City's status.

Qian Shui's demeanor didn't seem fake, which annoyed Bibi Dong, but it was in line with Qian Shui's unpredictable behavior.

"The Elite Tournament has a long history, but it has never been held in Wuhun City. This is a competition jointly organized by the two great empires, so it is naturally held in the two imperial capitals."

"Is that so?" Qian Shui really didn't remember this. This was probably a setting mentioned by someone in a certain sentence. How could he remember it so clearly?

Back then, after Hu Liena awakened her martial soul, she attacked him, and then her obviously deliberate act of looking north made Bibi Dong feel that Qian Shui was almost demonically intelligent. She just didn't expect that this guy would suddenly become so stubborn.

"Don't run around anymore. Prepare for the competition. In a few days, the elders will assess your team. With your teammates' strength, they will pass easily, but you are different." Bibi Dong stood in front of Qian Shui and looked at the child who was about the same height as her. "Your strength is outstanding, enough to overwhelm a generation. You should understand that."

Seeing this woman with such outstanding temperament, Qian Shui had nothing to say. Although he understood Bibi Dong's meaning, he still asked knowingly, "What does Teacher mean?"

“You are excellent enough. I will use the test as an excuse to award you the Purple Record Medal, and you will be pushed to the forefront.” Bibi Dong walked with her long, shapely legs, the sound of her high heels echoing in the Papal Palace.

Qian Shui is smart enough, so Bibi Dong doesn't intend to hide anything. She's open and frank, and this is also her expectation for Qian Shui: "When we win the competition, I will make you the Holy Son, the first in line to succeed the next Pope. You should understand what I mean. Work hard."

In Bibi Dong's eyes, Qian Shui had a bad habit—he rarely used his full strength, and it was obvious to everyone that he didn't want to hurt or kill anyone. While this might be seen as a principled person by the people of Earth, it was viewed by the Douluo people, especially Bibi Dong, as excessive cowardice and ignorance.