The Evil Soul Master is actually myself

"It's alright. I have the ultimate mental attribute. I gained a lot of benefits from [Fate Guidance] just now. I just need to rest for a while."

The three-eyed golden lion was still listless, but since it said it was fine, Su Ming didn't say anything more. He then sat cross-legged to meditate and observe his own condition. The imperial auspicious beast also fell silent, seemingly tending to its internal injuries.

As the ceremony ended, the vortex of spiritual energy above quickly dissipated, and the commotion on the other side also seemed to be coming to a close. However, neither of them was interested in checking the situation. The former was not in good condition, while the latter knew the original story.

The Emperor Beast is a divine beast of destiny. The benefits it gained from absorbing Su Ming's unique power of destiny are no less than those of a chosen one who receives destiny. Its ultimate spiritual attributes have reached a new level, hitting the ceiling. It can be said that it has made a huge profit.

But the Three-Eyed Golden Lion felt she had lost out. She sensed that Su Ming had many secrets yet to be uncovered, and couldn't help but become curious about this young man, wanting to find out his secrets.

Su Ming was unaware that the auspicious beast on the other side was still preoccupied with his background. He simply breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that he had narrowly escaped this ordeal and even obtained the Eye of Destiny, making it a worthwhile investment.

But he wouldn't do it again; Su Ming was determined to stay far away from the Three-Eyed Golden Lion from now on.

The dantian was circulating like a nuclear fusion furnace, with wind and thunder surging within it. It was only a matter of raising one or two levels, which was no easy feat. Su Ming had only managed to raise his level from thirty-four to forty in two years. The further one went, the more difficult it would become to improve one's ultimate attributes.

Most importantly, the Wind and Thunder Heavenly Will Technique has been upgraded to the ninth level, and has even touched upon a trace of the mysteries of the tenth level.

"Great!" Su Ming exclaimed in delight. The core of the Wind and Thunder Heavenly Will Technique was in the last three heavens, but it required a long period of accumulation before that.

When he absorbed the Thunder Dragon Soul Ring before, he advanced to the eighth level under the stimulation of the extreme wind and thunder attributes. There was no progress for the next two years. This thing can only be achieved through accumulation. Fortunately, the two opportunities directly saved Su Ming ten years of hard work.

Su Ming meditated until evening, sorting out most of his abilities. By then, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion had also greatly improved, so the young man stopped guarding it and went to Huo Yuhao's place after saying goodbye.

What he didn't see was that the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes flickered as it watched Su Ming's departing figure, as if it were pondering something.

A moment later

Su Ming found a thin, unconscious boy in the dense grass and woke him up.

Huo Yuhao woke up groggily, opened his eyes and saw Su Ming, and said with a look of "surprise" "Brother Ming, what brings you here?"

Su Ming knew that Huo Yuhao had already learned of his arrival from the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm and was just putting on an act, but it didn't matter. He played along, asking with a surprised look, "Huo Yuhao, why are you unconscious here? The Star Dou Forest is very dangerous."

"Uh... I'm here to hunt for spirit rings. But what brings you here, Brother Ming?" Huo Yuhao stammered.

“I’ve already reached level 40 and came here to try my luck, to see if I can find a suitable spirit ring. But you, a mere spirit master, running around to Star Dou, do you know how dangerous that is?” Su Ming said seriously.

Huo Yuhao scratched his head sheepishly, inwardly marveling. Eleven years old and already at level forty, with a spirit ring combination of one yellow and two purple—far exceeding the optimal ratio—it was constantly shattering his worldview. In his memory, his monstrous younger brother wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes in front of Brother A-Ming.

"Huo Yuhao, don't be discouraged! I'll help you take off. You know, your first spirit ring is my first million-year spirit ring, which is unprecedented. You just started a little late. With my help, you'll surpass him sooner or later."

At this moment, the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm in Huo Yuhao's mind roared, and encouraged by it, Huo Yuhao regained his composure.

He said, "I know it's dangerous, but I have no other choice."

Upon hearing this, Su Ming hesitated and said nothing more.

After a long silence, Su Ming looked at the still immature boy and said, "If you need anything in the future, just tell me. I can still help you hunt for a mere hundred-year soul ring."

This time he showed more sincerity.

"No need, I still think it's too much trouble for you." Huo Yuhao felt a warmth in his heart and said earnestly.

Su Ming smiled and shook his head, realizing he had misspoke. The first spirit ring, which helped Huo Yuhao hunt spirit beasts, had actually ruined his opportunity. Moreover, as long as Huo Yuhao came to the Star Dou Forest during this period, the million-year spirit ring was destined to be his.

"What is your martial soul? If it's alright, I can introduce you to Shrek Academy," Su Ming asked.

"Shrek?" Huo Yuhao was somewhat shocked. He really hoped to be able to study at the number one academy on the continent.

"My martial soul is the Spirit Eye, my true form martial soul. Unfortunately, my talent is too poor; my innate soul power is only level one." Huo Yuhao quickly released his martial soul, and a crystal-clear white soul ring rose up, and the boy's eyes shone with white light.

"A true martial soul? That makes things easier. I can arrange for you to enter Shrek Academy," Su Ming said decisively.

Huo Yuhao secretly observed A Ming's expression and found that he did not look down on the ten-year soul ring he had displayed. His sensitive heart was deeply moved.

"Thank you very much," Huo Yuhao said, his voice trembling slightly.

Su Ming sighed, he could understand Huo Yuhao's feelings to some extent. In his previous life, as an orphan, his most vivid memory was when he had just finished university as a student from a poor family and entered society. He felt really desperate at that time.

He was running out of money and hadn't found a job yet. He didn't get paid for the first month, and he couldn't possibly survive two months on his own. The company was very considerate and paid him half a month's salary so he could buy all his necessities.

Their feelings back then were probably similar to Huo Yuhao's now; they left home at the young age of eleven and had no one to rely on.

"Alright, let's get going now." Su Ming had stopped Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao from meeting, and now he felt it was his duty to guide them.

"Ming-ge, isn't this too much trouble for you?" Huo Yuhao quickly said.

“No trouble at all. Shrek Academy’s admission requirements are that applicants be under twelve years old and have a soul power level of fifteen. You’re only eleven years old and already at level eleven, and you have a true spirit, so you’re qualified to enter the academy, though you’ll be considered a special admission student.” Su Ming explained Shrek Academy in detail.

"However, there will be an assessment in three months. Those who fail will be eliminated. In addition, given your Spirit Eye Martial Soul, I suggest you enter the Soul Guidance Department, which will be less difficult."

"Soul Guidance System?" Huo Yuhao asked curiously.

"Hmm~, it's a weapon specifically designed for Soul Masters, requiring a high level of intelligence. Your Spirit Eye Martial Soul is barely on par with a Spirit Martial Soul, and your quick thinking is one of your strengths. But I don't know much more than that. You can go to the academy to learn more before making a decision." Su Ming was too lazy to waste words and said directly.

"I'll help you train these next few days. Your body is too weak. I'll teach you a martial art." Su Ming pinched Huo Yuhao's arm, used his soul power to probe the meridians in his body, and said with a bit of annoyance.

His meridians were narrow, blocked, and incomplete, with only a few pathways remaining. He truly deserved to be called a first-level innate soul power.

Along the way, the two taught each other as they walked. At first, Huo Yuhao thought that the so-called martial arts were just simple boxing techniques for strengthening the body, but when he started to train his muscles, he was shocked by this complex and profound boxing technique.

Chapter Forty-One: The End

"Brother Su Ming, this isn't right. What you taught me is too precious," Huo Yuhao said, feeling uneasy.

Su Ming smiled. The martial arts he taught Huo Yuhao were the first foundation-building martial arts of the Yang God, the Bull Demon Mighty Fist. He wasn't bragging, but in terms of expanding meridians and undergoing a complete transformation, it was far superior to the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

The Mysterious Heaven Skill is like a pure Taoist practice, with slow and steady results. Its power increases as it progresses, but its effects are not obvious in the early stages. On the other hand, the Bull Demon Mighty Fist does not involve the circulation of meridians at all. It is an extreme form of physical training, and beginners can see amazing results.

Ultimately, it was because of him that Huo Yuhao was unable to learn many of the Tang Sect's unique skills, which certainly limited his growth. Su Ming still hoped that Huo Yuhao could grow up quickly and become his opponent, so naturally he had to polish the jade material well.

"I'll be frank. This martial art is the foundational martial art of the sect behind me. This sect focuses on traditional Soul Masters, but under the pressure of the Soul Guidance trend in recent years, it plans to develop in the Soul Guidance field. I actually have my eye on your Spirit Martial Soul and want to guide you into the Soul Guidance system and then absorb you into the sect."

Su Ming disdained to lie; he simply wanted to use Huo Yuhao as a tool, even though he was the only one in this fictional sect at the moment.

Huo Yuhao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but instantly decided to join the Soul Guidance Department, not for any other reason than to repay Su Ming.

"Take this!" Su Ming took out a smooth and delicate jade gourd from his spatial soul tool and tossed it to Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao caught it with lightning speed. The jade gourd was about the size of two palms, and it was quite heavy. Shaking it produced a tinkling sound of flowing water from inside.

"What is this?" he asked curiously.

"Open it yourself and see." Su Ming gestured for him to pull out the piston from the gourd's opening.

Huo Yuhao opened it as instructed, and a rich and mellow aroma of wine immediately wafted out from the jade gourd. Inside was a pool of crystal-clear amber-colored wine, and beneath the gourd was a shadowy area that vaguely resembled medicinal herbs.

"This is medicinal wine?" Huo Yuhao was taken aback. He felt drunk just from smelling the aroma.

"Practicing boxing without cultivating your inner energy will be a waste in old age. Drink this before practicing boxing. This medicinal wine is a great tonic. You've been malnourished since childhood. If you start practicing boxing without nourishing your body, it will kill you. Moreover, the Bull Demon Mighty Fist is very physically demanding. You can't even move if you're not well-fed!"

Su Ming explained.

"Thank you, but we're still minors and can't drink alcohol, right?" Huo Yuhao hesitated. He had seen medicinal baths, but rarely used them to make wine.

"I have a special prescription for this. Don't be fooled by its strong alcohol smell; it's actually harmless. Medicated wine is medicine in essence. Besides, the Bull Demon Mighty Fist will progress faster when practiced with this wine."

Su Ming said irritably.

Douluo seems to lack in-depth knowledge of pharmacology. In fact, many ordinary herbs are not necessarily inferior to spiritual herbs. They just need to be combined with various medicinal materials to produce great effects. Soaking them indiscriminately can actually make them poisonous.

Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao no longer hesitated, picked it up with both hands, and took a few sips.

"Cough cough, this is strong liquor!" The skinny boy wasn't used to drinking. He coughed several times, his face flushed, and his whole body felt hot.

"What a strange feeling." Huo Yuhao felt as if his body was drunk, his senses were sluggish, but his mind was unusually clear. His throat smelled sweet and his nostrils were filled with fragrance, and his whole body felt warm.

"Alright, with your physique, you can only handle one or two sips. This wine was brewed when I was practicing the Bull Demon Mighty Fist. It was made with hundreds of medicinal herbs, with the bone marrow of a thousand-year-old wild bull as the main ingredient, supplemented with the jade gourd formed by the seven-colored gourd vine of a ten-thousand-year-old plant soul beast. It greatly increases physical strength, kills the nine worms in the body, cleanses the intestines and stomach, and nourishes the liver and spleen."

"The wine is called 'Jade Nectar.' There's only this one gourd left, but it's enough to get you into the inner sanctum," Su Ming said, stopping him.

"Take advantage of your body being warm now and practice your boxing." He patiently instructed Huo Yuhao.

Shh, shh, shh….

Huo Yuhao finally managed to finish practicing the three moves, panting heavily, his face pale, and unable to catch his breath. This set of Bull Demon Mighty Fist was extremely strenuous, and since he was already rather thin and weak, practicing martial arts was naturally very difficult for him.

If it weren't for the alcohol, his frail body wouldn't have been able to hold on at all.

The effects were immediate. In just over ten days, Huo Yuhao underwent several transformations, expelling a large amount of toxins. He became a completely different person, full of energy and spirit, with bright eyes, and his body had even regained some muscle.

Of course, only half of the fine wine remained, but that was enough. After mastering the Bull Demon Mighty Fist, Huo Yuhao was pleasantly surprised to find that his soul power circulation speed had increased several times.

As they approached Shrek Academy, Su Ming also taught Huo Yuhao the basic internal energy cultivation technique he had been working on for the past two years. It wasn't very effective, but it was simple and easy to understand, and even a six-year-old could practice it. The soul power cultivated from it was pure and gentle.

That's right, Su Ming regarded Huo Yuhao as the first test subject. He once envisioned that ordinary civilians in Douluo would start practicing simple internal cultivation techniques from the age of three, and by the time they awakened their martial soul at the age of six, they would at least have a trace of soul power. Then, during the foundation building stage, they would cultivate two major body-refining martial arts, and only when they were teenagers would they begin to try to absorb their first soul ring, which would be at least a thousand years of cultivation.

Putting aside other factors, this would at least greatly increase the number of Soul Masters and the chances of producing talented individuals.

Of course, it would be very difficult to achieve such widespread education in this feudal society.

Su Ming wasn't in a hurry; he would take his time.

"We've finally arrived. Shrek City is over there." Su Ming, walking along the wide official road, suddenly pointed to the magnificent city at the end of the road.

"How magnificent!" Huo Yuhao exclaimed, feeling that it was even more grand than the White Tiger Duke's mansion.

"Yes, it's really good." A purplish-black mark flashed between Su Ming's brows, and his vision changed instantly.

Wisps of golden earth energy rose from the ground, intertwining to form a dragon shape that coiled in the void, resonating with wisps of pale white human energy, creating a magnificent scene.

[The Art of Qi Observation]!

This is the result of Su Ming's recent exploration of the Eye of Destiny, a kind of passive, permanent ability. Simply by opening the vertical eye of destiny, one can observe the fortunes of others, forces, and even the world.

He had previously used it to observe Huo Yuhao's luck, and was almost blinded by its brilliance. The colorful canopy shimmered, and the cyan-gold pillar of fortune reached straight to the heavens, even condensing into a tangible object: a huge, seven-colored vertical pupil, truly a magnificent sight.

Clearly, Huo Yuhao had already gained momentum after obtaining the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm.

"Let's go to the college to register first," Su Mingxian said, leading the way with practiced ease.

Quite by chance, the two people standing out from the crowd at the East Gate were Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

Because of Huo Yuhao, Su Ming traveled very slowly, so even though Bei Bei had a day less time, he still arrived at Shrek Academy before them.

"It's you?" Beibei recognized the black-haired boy who walked over in surprise.

"Hmm." Su Ming nodded somewhat indifferently.

Tang Ya hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said nothing. In any case, she had successfully obtained the spirit ring and no longer cared about Su Ming's obstruction.

"Come on, I'll take you to the Special Recruitment Office. Trust me, as long as you demonstrate that Spirit Detection Sharing Soul Skill, the Soul Guidance Department will definitely want you, and might even train you as a core disciple."

Su Ming said confidently.

As the two became more familiar with each other, Huo Yuhao trusted him more and more, and truthfully told him about his first soul skill.