Chapter 170: The Soulburst Pill
In this sparring match between Yang Potian and the other seven, he seemed to fall into a temporary disadvantage. After all, he had refrained from using any spirit abilities and restrained his speed and strength to the level of a Spirit King.
However, just as the others closed in, Yang Potian suddenly pivoted and thrust his spear like a dragon directly at Yang Ping'an. Yang Ping'an, unable to match his speed, was forced to slow down and adjust his stance, but this was exactly what Yang Potian had anticipated. With a heavy, powerful swing, Yang Potian broke through Yang Ping'an's guard, sweeping the spear's shaft and striking him with its end, knocking him clean off the ring.
The remaining six now realized that Yang Ping'an had been Yang Potian's main target all along.
Not giving them any chance to regroup, Yang Potian twisted his spear, creating a drill-like effect. This spear tip spiraled forward, splitting the flames from Niu Meng's spirit bone ability and advancing with unstoppable momentum. Despite Niu Meng using his fifth spirit ability to fortify his defense, he was pushed back and sustained injuries from the attack.
Seeing this, Ye Lingling quickly focused on healing Niu Meng. However, Yang Potian unleashed a series of spear strikes that converged into a massive spear light aimed at Ye Lingling, as if to pierce her entirely.
At this critical moment, Niu Kui and Yang Yuxuan stepped forward, using their strongest abilities to shield her from the attack. Meanwhile, Yang Tianyue swung her own Breaking Spear toward Yang Potian, aiming to divert his attention from Ye Lingling. Nearby, Dugu Yan summoned the massive Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, releasing a dark green mist intended to slow Yang Potian's advance.
But Yang Potian deftly evaded both attacks, moving once again to strike Niu Meng. With just a few strikes, he forced Niu Meng off the platform.
Yang Potian's primary target had always been Ye Lingling. By feinting his attacks on her, he forced the others into a protective stance, allowing him to eliminate their strongest fighters, Niu Meng and Yang Ping'an, one by one. Under the effects of his Killing God Domain, the potency of their spirit abilities and reaction times were greatly reduced.
With Niu Meng and Yang Ping'an out of the ring, the remaining five quickly followed, each sustaining notable injuries from Yang Potian's strikes.
Standing at the center of the ring, Yang Potian addressed them. "Your approach is far too rigid; you lack flexibility. While it's essential to protect your support member, you must prioritize your own survival first."
"Ping'an, Niu Meng, you've only recently acquired spirit bones, and you're still not in full control of their abilities. You've become too reliant on them."
"Additionally, none of you have faced true killing intent. Only Ping'an kept his composure in my Killing God Domain. The rest of you were too shaken. This domain is something I grasped after countless battles, through real killing. But you lack such experience, so you struggled to react correctly."
The seven fell silent, realizing how thoroughly Yang Potian had controlled the fight, dictating every move.
Yang Tianyue, still somewhat indignant, complained, "Big Brother, you were too cunning! You made it seem like you were attacking Sister Lingling, but then ambushed Ping'an and Niu Meng instead."
Yang Potian chuckled. "Enemies will do the same. Attack the support, draw out the protectors, and strike where you least expect it. You must be prepared for any tactic."
Yang Ping'an seemed confused. "Big Brother, how do we train ourselves for that? Your moves weren't complicated, but you executed them so fast that we barely had time to react. Also, how much of your full strength were you using?"
Yang Potian nodded. "Good observation. I was only using fifty percent of my strength and speed. If I'd used my full power, you wouldn't have been able to keep up."
"Your next training is to confront real killing. Within a five-hundred-mile radius, there are bandit gangs and mercenaries known for their ruthlessness. I want you to eliminate them all—no survivors."
"Today, rest and heal. Tomorrow, you'll head out, without any protection or backup."
"There are Spirit Emperor-level fighters among those bandits and mercenaries, so stay on high alert."
Yang Wudi, who had been watching in silence, now spoke up. "In this fight, none of you used your abilities to their full potential. Enemies won't give you that chance. Remember: when you strike, do it with all your strength. Think of it like a lion hunting a rabbit."
"These bandits and mercenaries are no match for our clan. We've simply left them for you to handle."
The seven nodded solemnly. The lesson had shaken them and tempered the overconfidence that came with their tournament victory—especially Yang Tianyue, who had grown a bit too fearless.
After the others left, Yang Potian approached his grandfather. "Grandfather, I remember seeing a formula for the Soulburst Pill in our clan's records. Is it possible to produce one successfully? Specifically, could it increase the power of a spirit beast significantly?"
Yang Wudi's face grew serious. "What would you need a Soulburst Pill for? It's a last resort, meant for desperate situations. It does boost spirit power temporarily, but it heavily damages the user's foundation, often making it impossible for them to advance further."
Yang Potian shook his head. "I was thinking of using it to enhance the age of a high-level spirit beast—something between ninety and ninety-five thousand years—to push it past the one-hundred-thousand-year mark."
Yang Wudi's eyes widened. "You're thinking of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring? From what I see, you're about to reach Level 70, but are you sure you can handle a hundred-thousand-year ring?"
"My physical condition is strong enough to withstand a hundred-thousand-year ring," Yang Potian replied confidently. "And I'll be reaching Level 70 in about ten days."
After a moment, Yang Wudi responded, "The Soulburst Pill can indeed push a spirit beast's age limit, but it's less effective on those already past ninety thousand years, and it requires many rare ingredients. It might not be worth the cost."
Yang Potian smiled. "But grandfather, aren't hundred-thousand-year spirit rings guaranteed to produce spirit bones? No matter how many rare resources we need, securing a hundred-thousand-year ring and spirit bone is worth it."
After some thought, Yang Wudi nodded. "With the herbs and resources we have in reserve, it should be enough to produce a Soulburst Pill for your next three spirit rings."
Yang Potian shook his head. "I'll need at least six Soulburst Pills, possibly more. Eight would be ideal."
Yang Wudi looked at him, puzzled. "But at most, you'll only need three more spirit rings. Why would you need so many Soulburst Pills?"
Yang Potian sighed quietly. "Grandfather, this is my biggest secret, something I've never told anyone."
With that, he focused his spirit power, and his entire body turned a shining silver, even his hair transformed into a silvery hue, as if his entire being had become pure metal.
Yang Wudi was taken aback. "What's going on? How do you have a spirit power fluctuation without activating your martial spirit? And what is with this transformation?"
Yang Potian finally explained, "When I awakened my martial spirit, I actually awakened two. My second spirit is my body itself. At this level of physical strength, I can fight on par with a Spirit Sage even without using the Breaking Spear."
Seeing his grandson's transformed body, Yang Wudi broke into a smile. "So my grandson is a twin spirit wielder! The Yang clan's rise to prominence might truly be within reach."
"But you want so many Soulburst Pills... Are you planning to acquire multiple spirit rings at once? Normally, twin spirit cultivators maximize their potential by fully developing their first spirit before adding rings to the second. And be careful about the potential rejection between two spirits—avoid overloading your body."
Yang Potian shook his head. "This time, I only intend to hunt for two spirit rings. And as for the method to prevent rejection between twin spirits, I've actually figured it out."
Yang Wudi was even more surprised. "In the spirit world, the only known success story for twin spirits is Bibi Dong. This is one of the spirit world's most guarded secrets—how did you work it out?"
Yang Potian chuckled. "The answer is simple: the body isn't strong enough to bear the pressure of two spirits. As long as the body's toughness is sufficiently enhanced, and if one's body is equipped with high-level spirit bones, the risk of overload disappears."
"Besides, my twin spirits are different from Bibi Dong's or Tang San's. My second spirit is my body, which doesn't clash with the Breaking Spear. In fact, I can use both at the same time."
To demonstrate, Yang Potian summoned the Breaking Spear. His silver-transformed body and the Breaking Spear coexisted without any signs of rejection.
Yang Wudi nodded with satisfaction but still hesitated. "Our clan's resources aren't enough to make as many high-powered Soulburst Pills as you need. Enhancing a spirit beast by five or ten thousand years requires enormous quantities of rare medicinal herbs."
In response, Yang Potian handed his grandfather a storage ring.
Yang Wudi checked the contents and was astonished. Finally, he let out an exasperated laugh. "You sneaky kid! These must be from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Just how many herbs have you stashed away?"
He continued, "And this storage ring has herbs ranging from a thousand to ten thousand years old—but no immortal herbs. Are you hiding something else?"
Yang Potian grinned. "Grandfather, I'm not holding anything back. I've already shared most of my stash, including what I gave to the others. There's just a bit left for personal use."
"Oh, and Grandfather, feel free to use some of it to help our clan elders, and speak with Grandfather Niu too. This will strengthen our academy's loyalty."
As it turned out, the only herbs Yang Potian had left were the immortal-grade ones.
Yang Wudi finally nodded. "Over the next half month, I'll do my best to refine at least two Soulburst Pills. You likely won't need the rest immediately, so I'll also keep researching the formula to make the pills as potent as possible."
Suddenly, Yang Wudi had a thought. "Potian, does your father also have this many herbs hidden?"
Yang Potian just chuckled lightly and left.
Behind him, his grandfather's voice echoed angrily, "That rascal! Hiding all those herbs from me! Just wait until I set him straight—let him see who's the father here!"
(Chapter End)