Being scrutinized by Han Li with such an inquisitive gaze made even Broad Hill and Dugu Bo, not to mention Azure Luan , feel a tad uneasy.
"So? You haven't just come up with a theory, have you?"
Finally, it was Broad Hill who couldn't hold back any longer and spoke first.
"Oh, not at all. I was pondering another matter."
Han Li, interrupted from his thoughts by Broad Hill's words, replied with a smile.
"The method for condensing a Soul Core must be fraught with peril, wouldn't you say?"
Dugu Bo chimed in, his tone quite certain. Among the three, he was the only one with relevant experience, even if his own condensation of a poison pill was rather haphazard.
"Indeed, there are some risks, but nothing too extreme. I was assessing your individual control over your own abilities."
Han Li nodded initially, then shook his head. He had, in fact, been communicating with the Plane Consciousness, but the outcome had surprised him somewhat.
"If the risks are manageable, then there's no problem. I'll go first."
Upon hearing Han Li's words, Dugu Bo immediately stepped forward, confident that he possessed the most experience compared to the other two.
"No, please wait. Let Azure Luan Shibo go first. Shibo has a stronger grasp on her own strength."
Much to Dugu Bo's surprise, Han Li promptly declined his offer, turning his gaze towards Azure Luan .
According to the Plane Consciousness's assessment, Azure Luan , unassuming as she was, possessed the best control over herself among the three. Broad Hill and Dugu Bo were somewhat lacking in this regard.
It was best to start cautiously, which could also provide experience for the others and boost their confidence.
"Alright."
Azure Luan nodded, agreeing without the slightest change in her expression.
"Well, there's no need to start immediately. Shibo, please prepare yourself first. In the coming days, try to familiarize yourself more with the power of space, but do not rashly introduce it into your body."
After speaking, Han Li produced another piece of paper and handed it to Azure Luan .
"This outlines the circulation route of your Soul Power, as well as the precautions for coordinating your Spiritual Power and physical body when condensing the Soul Core. Please memorize it, and follow it when the time comes."
Azure Luan accepted the paper, her gaze immediately drawn to it. With just a glance, her pupils constricted slightly.
No wonder Xiao Li wanted her to go first; the demands on one's control were rather high.
Seeing her reaction, Broad Hill and Dugu Bo also leaned in to examine the contents.
After a long while, Broad Hill withdrew his gaze, scratching his head in frustration.
"This… this technique is somewhat similar, similar to what was it again."
"Soul Beast Sacrifice."
Han Li glanced at his Master, clearly uttering those two words.
"That's it, sacrifice! Xiao Li, are you sure this only carries a slight risk?"
Broad Hill slapped his forehead. Despite his trust in Han Li, he couldn't help but feel a sense of madness.
"That's why I said this is a version only suitable for geniuses, but the rewards are immense once successful. You can't possibly think that simply compressing energy would be enough to condense a Soul Core, can you?"
"If it were just pure Soul Power or pure Spiritual Power being condensed, the risk wouldn't be significant. But as I've said, that would create a weakness, and it would be difficult to achieve unity or balance later on."
"If you want to improve your combat strength and increase it rapidly, there's no way you can avoid taking any risks."
Han Li spread his hands, stating his development philosophy.
"But this, if it fails, you die, right?"
Broad Hill hesitated for a long time, avoiding Azure Luan , before approaching Han Li and lowering his voice.
"Once I obtain my sixth Soul Ring, that won't be the case. As long as it's not completely uncontrollable, it's a guaranteed success. Of course, that's with my assistance."
"Don't forget, I can already see through other people's Soul Power circulation routes. If I gain the ability of space as well, the problem will no longer be a problem."
A hint of red light flickered in Han Li's right eye as he reminded Broad Hill.
"Then that Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger deserves to die even more."
Broad Hill's expression tightened as he muttered under his breath.
Having said that, he leaned in again, recalling the contents of the paper.
Han Li, seeing that his Master had no objections, also fell into thought for a moment.
To be honest, at first, he was indeed only planning to develop it with reference to the subsequent Soul Cores, but he changed his mind when Good Son helped analyze the Inner Core.
He abandoned the gradual Soul Core model and chose to do it in one step. Although this was riskier, it directly eliminated the subsequent Soul Core resonance process.
Moreover, compared to Soul Cores, the composition of the Inner Core is actually more suitable for cultivation.
From the beginning, all energy is unified directly. The starting point is a bit difficult, but there will be no blank period in combat power, nor will there be any hidden dangers that the first Soul Core is too powerful, making it difficult to construct subsequent Soul Cores, or even losing the possibility of breakthrough.
Also, Han Li always believed that unification is more advantageous than dispersion. As long as his Inner Core version of the Soul Core is completed, moves similar to Mu En's "Rule the World" would be easy to come by, saving development time. Why not do it?
Han Li took a deep breath, came out of his thoughts, and looked at Du Gu Yan. It was time to solve her problem.
"It's your turn, Sister Yan, take out the Inner Core."
Han Li looked at Du Gu Yan with a smile. His words also reached the ears of the others, causing them to pause what they were doing and gather around with concern.
Among their four-person team, Du Gu Yan actually faced the greatest pressure in terms of strength. This was because she was the oldest, her Martial Soul quality was the worst, and even her Soul Power cultivation was being caught up.
Although Xiu'er's Martial Soul did not give birth to ultimate power, the mutated Purple-Gold Terrorclaw Bear was no worse than the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, definitely ranking at the forefront of the continent.
After rejecting the subsequent Immortal Herb, Du Gu Yan, who followed Han Li before Shui Bing'er, had fallen behind in terms of Martial Soul progress.
Despite being the most lively of the group, she was the most diligent in her cultivation, never resting until she reached her limit.
But the talent and the upper limit of her Martial Soul were there, and no matter how hard she tried, that chasm stood in her way. Now, she had finally ushered in a dawn.
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 solemn. It's not like going to the battlefield. It's actually very simple, no different from taking an Immortal Herb."
Han Li couldn't help but smile at the actions of the others, making them relax a little.
"You mean I can just swallow it?"
Du Gu Yan held up the fist-sized Inner Core, opened her mouth, and gestured, feeling a little overwhelmed.
"Indeed, you swallow it, but let me help you."
As he spoke, he manipulated his Soul Power to transform into fire element and Spiritual Power, enveloping the Inner Core and gradually turning it into a liquid.
Fist-sized, huh? I wonder how Ma Hongjun swallowed it in the original story. He doesn't have Du Gu Yan's conditions.
While manipulating it, this nonsensical thought suddenly popped into Han Li's mind, and then he quickly threw it behind him. Whatever, it's not his turn anyway.
"Open your mouth."
Han Li's Martial Soul aura flashed and disappeared. He completely suppressed the snake-like aura in the Inner Core to make the next process smoother.
Hearing his voice, Du Gu Yan subconsciously opened her mouth, and the golden-red liquid Inner Core turned into a thread, sliding down her throat.
"Xiao Yanzi, what does it taste like?"
Broad Hill suddenly asked, startling everyone.
"Sweet, and a little spicy."
Du Gu Yan didn't react and subconsciously answered.
"Okay, quickly refine it. Also, Master, don't make trouble. If you want to eat something, go buy it yourself."
Han Li instructed Du Gu Yan and then turned to look at his Master, speechless.
"Ah, okay."
Du Gu Yan finally realized what she was saying. She was so stupid to actually answer.
Her pretty face was flushed, whether from embarrassment or the energy of the Inner Core.
She quickly walked to the side, sat down, and entered a state of cultivation.
"I was just curious, definitely not wanting to eat it."
Broad Hill also looked embarrassed at the crowd gathering their attention on him and explained.
"Yes, we believe you. Let's have snake soup tonight. I'll go get some."
Dugu Bo nodded from the side, wearing an expression that said, "I believe you."
"Alright, how about the Jade Phosphorous Serpent?"
Broad Hill turned his head fiercely to look at him, feigning a look of embarrassed anger.
"Sure, no problem, how about I give you one without removing the venom glands?"
"It's not impossible, if you're willing, I'll even eat the Martial Soul True Body for you to see."
The two butted heads as they walked away, moving away from Du Gu Yan's location, afraid of disturbing her cultivation.
The remaining four looked at their backs, smiled, and sat down to observe Du Gu Yan's condition.
As time passed, little by little, changes gradually occurred on Du Gu Yan's body.
The previously stable Soul Power fluctuations slowly became violent. Han Li and Azure Luan focused their gazes on her face, and only felt briefly relieved when they saw that her expression was still peaceful.
The vermilion flames on Du Gu Yan's body began to change, the golden-red color gradually thickening, until finally, it completely replaced the previous vermilion, and her hair also underwent corresponding changes.
"Speaking of which, this is Sister Yan's third hair color change. It seems that she will have to reorder a batch of clothes later."
Han Li couldn't help but complain as he watched Du Gu Yan's hair change again.
Perhaps because the essence of Du Gu Yan's Martial Soul was weaker, her hair color had been constantly changing with the evolution of her Martial Soul.
"Sister Yan looks even more heroic, like a female war god. If her clothes were also changed to golden-red, she would look even more like one."
Shui Bing'er couldn't help but interject, her eyes sparkling, and Xiu'er also nodded.
Han Li and Azure Luan exchanged glances, not daring to join the battlefield.
Another two hours passed, and even the sky darkened, while Broad Hill and Dugu Bo, who had gone out, had already returned.
These two were really stubborn, they had actually caught a lot of snakes, but everyone else decisively rejected their dinner invitation.
Du Gu Yan in the courtyard was now like a golden-red lantern, providing lighting for everyone.
"She's about to wake up."
Han Li turned his head, he had received a reminder from his Good Son, and turned his gaze to the direction where Du Gu Yan was.
The others also turned their gazes over when they heard his words.
"Croak."
A familiar sound rang out. Those who came out of the Slaughter City stood up, and a new Martial Soul phantom emerged above Du Gu Yan's body.
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