"You're saying that the sect now has the ability to convert non-Body Martial Soul masters into Body Martial Soul users, allowing them to practice the sect's secret techniques?"
Although Hu Jie found it far-fetched, he couldn't help but make this guess.
Xu Yuan nodded.
"More or less."
"I've developed a fusion technique that uses spirit entities as a medium to merge ordinary martial souls with blood essence. Over time, this can transform non-Body Martial Souls into blood essence martial souls, enabling practitioners to cultivate the sect's secret techniques."
"Even during the process, before full transformation is achieved, simply establishing an initial blood essence contract through the spirit entity allows one to begin practicing the sect's secret techniques. As cultivation progresses, the fusion rate increases, further accelerating the transformation of the martial soul into a blood essence martial soul."
As Xu Yuan explained, Hu Jie's expression grew increasingly astonished.
Who would have thought of such an approach?
And this fusion technique was something Xu Yuan had developed himself!
With a mixture of amazement and admiration, Hu Jie looked at Xu Yuan and couldn't help but say, "With this fusion technique, the Body Sect truly has the qualifications to re-emerge. In the future, the sect won't need to limit itself to only accepting Body Martial Soul disciples. Even those with other martial souls, as long as they are compatible with blood essence martial souls and possess exceptional blood essence talent, can be considered for admission."
"Therefore, I once again invite you, Senior Ancestor, to return to the sect," Xu Yuan said, bowing respectfully.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Hu Jie's face.
After a long pause, under Xu Yuan's intense gaze, Hu Jie sighed.
"With your fusion technique, the sect's revival is promising. As a member of the Body Sect, I naturally cannot stand idly by."
Though Hu Jie said this, his tone clearly indicated he wasn't ready to return just yet.
Sure enough, his next words confirmed his stance.
"But for now, I cannot return to the sect."
Staying in the Tang Sect is currently the most beneficial course of action for the sect's revival.
Hu Jie quickly adjusted his mindset, feeling hopeful about the Body Sect's resurgence.
Whether it was the things he hadn't yet handed over, the additional support he could provide to the sect from within the Tang Sect, or his reluctance to face the sect directly, these were all reasons for him to remain in the Tang Sect for now.
"If the sect has any needs in the future, feel free to contact me. I'll do my best to assist," Hu Jie said.
"By the way, did your teacher come to the Star Luo Continent this time as well?"
Hu Jie guessed that Mu Ye, the current leader of the Body Sect, was likely among the travelers. The sea voyage from the Douluo Continent to the Star Luo Continent was an excellent opportunity for a second awakening of Body Martial Souls, and Hu Jie surmised that Mu Ye would use the journey to guide Xu Yuan through his own second awakening.
"My teacher did indeed come," Xu Yuan confirmed with a nod.
"However, he was uncertain about your attitude, Senior Ancestor, so he sent me ahead to communicate with you first."
"Hmph, what's there to fear?" Hu Jie snorted.
Just because he had left the Body Sect didn't mean he had stopped paying attention to it.
Mu Ye was the current sect leader, yet he had been stuck at the 94th rank without progress—how could Hu Jie not know?
It was precisely because he had left the sect that he hadn't confronted Mu Ye directly to scold him for neglecting his cultivation. How shameful for the leader of the Body Sect to fail to reach the Super Douluo level.
When Xu Yuan mentioned that Mu Ye didn't dare come, Hu Jie's temper flared.
If Mu Ye dared show up, Hu Jie vowed to teach him a lesson.
Mu Ye's talent was undoubtedly strong, but being stuck at the 94th rank was a blatant neglect of cultivation—an embarrassment compared to previous leaders of the Body Sect.
"Your blood essence talent is remarkable. There's a secret realm here in the Tang Sect that suits you perfectly. I'll arrange a spot for you to enter," Hu Jie said as he returned to his seat.
Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A secret realm?"
"It's a realm that's highly favorable for our Body Sect. Cultivating blood essence within it provides significant advantages." Hu Jie gave a brief explanation.
Xu Yuan already suspected that Hu Jie was referring to the Dragon Valley.
"What level is your soul power at?" Hu Jie asked.
"54th rank."
Hu Jie took a deep breath to calm himself.
54th rank?
What kind of monster was this?
"The secret realm has some restrictions on soul power—it doesn't allow levels above 50. Your soul power exceeds the limit, but it's manageable. I can suppress your cultivation temporarily. However, if we suppress your soul power to suit the environment of the Dragon Valley and avoid detection by its mechanisms, the suppression will last for at least a year before it can be lifted."
Hu Jie continued, "Of course, during this year, you can still meditate, but you won't feel the growth of your soul power, which might lead to complacency."
Listening to Hu Jie's explanation, Xu Yuan felt that the sealing technique he described was somewhat similar to the secret arts of the Hao Tian Sect.
"Think it over when you return. Here's some information about the secret realm. If you're interested, come find me within half a month, and I'll arrange it for you."
Hu Jie rummaged through his desk for a moment, found a document, and handed it to Xu Yuan.
Xu Yuan accepted it and glanced at the contents. Sure enough, the words "Dragon Valley" appeared.
"Off you go. Remember to tell your teacher to visit me when he has time," Hu Jie added with a final reminder. "I'd like to see exactly why he's stuck at the 94th rank and can't break through."
Xu Yuan left respectfully, though inwardly he couldn't help but comment.
Senior Ancestor may have higher soul power, but his network isn't great.
"Our teacher is a four-word battle armor master and a red-grade mech pilot—solid Limit Douluo-level strength."
Of course, he didn't explain this to Hu Jie.
Let the teacher deal with Senior Ancestor when the time comes.
Still thinking about staying in the Tang Sect…
Though it was true that staying there could be more useful, Xu Yuan could sense that Hu Jie still harbored some resistance to returning to the Body Sect.
Resistance?
A few beatings should straighten him out.
After leaving the Tang Sect, Xu Yuan began contemplating whether to follow Hu Jie's arrangement and enter the Dragon Valley.
The Dragon Valley was a small world of the dragon race, essentially a graveyard where the souls of countless dragons gathered after death. Their residual energies formed various phenomena within the small world, providing numerous benefits for soul masters cultivating blood essence.
However, Xu Yuan approached matters related to the dragon race with caution.
Looking at the benefits of dragon qi and dragon soul energy described in the document, Xu Yuan pondered whether this nurturing process might involve any contamination of bloodline.
"In truth, even if there is contamination, it should be extremely weak—so weak that it wouldn't be permanent, merely remnants of dragon bloodline energy. It shouldn't affect a soul master's true bloodline."
Xu Yuan carefully recalled and found no memory of Dai Yun'er being suppressed by dragon bloodline energy or of the other eight Heavenly Kings being affected by pure dragon hierarchy suppression.
The other Heavenly Kings must have entered the Dragon Valley at some point.
And entering the Dragon Valley meant being nurtured by dragon qi and dragon soul energy. If this resulted in acquiring dragon bloodline traits, then Long Yue or Tang Wulin should have absolute bloodline suppression over figures like the Fox King or Tiger King.
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