Li Shen stepped into position and took a deep breath. "Let's test the first level."
He recalled the instructions imprinted in his mind: Holy Sun Slash — channel the combined essence of Holy and Metal affinities, and condense spirit power into a single, radiant arc meant to purify and destroy.
He inhaled, focused… then exhaled.
The sword in his grip began to shimmer, its dull edge igniting with a wave of luminous white flames. It wasn't fire in the traditional sense—it was refined, purifying spirit energy, forged with metallic sharpness. Radiant and blinding.
"Holy Sun Slash!" he shouted, swinging the blade downward in a clean arc.
A brilliant wave of white flame erupted from the sword, wide and fierce. It surged forward like a burning tide, but—
—it wasn't the condensed, razor-thin slash described in the manual. Instead, it spread like a fan rather than slicing like a sword.
Li Shen frowned. "Hmph… the basics are there, but it's not enough."
The impact carved long, scorched marks into the training ground—a testament to the power, even in its unrefined state. A wave of white heat shimmered across the stone tiles, and the air smelled of ash.
"It's still too loose," he muttered, brow furrowed. "The technique is meant to be focused—to cleave like divine judgment, not burn like wildfire."
Still, he couldn't deny its potential. Even this clumsy attempt carried enough power to defeat Tang San a week from now in their bet match.
"But that's not the goal."
He tightened his grip, his expression firm.
"I need to hone this—not just for power, but for control. If I stop here, I'll only scrape the surface of what this technique can truly do."
He raised the sword again and looked at it.
"One week," he muttered, recalling the time he had.
"But I won't be satisfied with just 'decent.' I want perfection. And to reach that, I need more than power—I need refinement."
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them—now glowing faintly with spirit light.
"Good. Now let's refine it."
Thus, his true training journey began.
Half an hour later, as Li Shen continued refining his Holy Sun Slash, the others who had taken the Marrow Cleansing Pills began showing results—far faster and more drastic than what Li Shen had experienced.
Unlike him, their Martial Spirits were not Supreme grade. As a result, the pills had an immediate and potent effect.
The transformation began with the three Deacons. Their Martial Spirits resonated violently under the cleansing effect of the Marrow Cleansing Pill, not only expelling deep-seated impurities—but most importantly, evolving into higher-grade forms.
Master Ma Nuo, who had been stuck at Level 34 for years, experienced a breakthrough that shook even himself. He surged forward by six entire levels, reaching Level 40—a monumental milestone that qualified him to become a Four-Ring Spirit Master. A future he once believed far beyond his reach was now suddenly within grasp.
Even Ling Yuan—already a peak powerhouse—reaped astonishing gains.
At Level 95, she had long plateaued, as most Titled Douluo did. Yet the pill shattered that bottleneck, pushing her all the way to Level 96.
That single step represented decades of painstaking cultivation. For a Titled Douluo, every level beyond 95 was like scaling a vertical cliff without tools. To achieve it with one pill—was something that defied even the Spirit Hall's ancient records.
She had meditated in silence as the power coursed through her meridians. When she finally opened her eyes, the very air around her shimmered with oppressive pressure—an unmistakable sign of a newly ascended Level 96 Douluo.
Yet strangely enough, it was not the two elders who gained the most—it was the three Deacons, whose Martial Spirits underwent full-scale evolutions, something far rarer than simple level jumps.
Su Yuntao's "Lone Wolf" evolved into Shadow Wolf—a spirit known for deadly speed and enhanced stealth. His aura became more feral, his movements harder to track, and his strikes infused with shadow elements.
Sisi's "White Dove" transformed into Light Wing Dove, gaining both healing properties and light-element attacks, turning her into a dual-role Spirit Master—support and offense alike.
Su Chen's "Flaming Sword" ignited into the Blazing Blade, now radiating intense fire energy. The heat it emitted was nearly three times stronger than before—capable of burning through steel with ease.
The three Deacons, still processing their massive gains, eagerly returned to the main hall to thank Li Shen for the miraculous gift. But to their surprise—he wasn't there.
Master Ma Nuo, smiling knowingly, raised a finger to his lips and signaled for silence. He gestured for them to follow, leading them quietly through the back corridors.
"What's going on? Where are we going?" Sisi whispered.
"You'll see," Ma Nuo replied, as the group stepped out into the training courtyard.
There they found him—Li Shen, completely absorbed in his training.
His upper robe was soaked in sweat, his breathing steady but labored, and his body glowed faintly with spiritual energy. Just as they arrived, he let out a deep exhale, and a wave of white flame surged from his sword in a powerful arc.
"What is he doing? And what are those flames?" Su Yuntao asked in shock. "That's not his Spirit Ring skill…"
"It must be a self-created Spirit Skill," Ling Yuan answered calmly from behind them. "Something given to him by that mysterious 'Voice'… the one guiding him since the moment he awakened the Martial Spirit—Book of Infinity."
The others nodded. None of them had seen Li Shen leave his room since returning from the Soul Hunting Forest, so they accepted her words without doubt.
"But… who is this Voice?" Sisi asked, growing more curious. "They've given him so many blessings—and he even shares them with us…"
"Shh," Ling Yuan warned, her tone suddenly sharp. "You must not speak of that being so casually. Even mentioning them could bring karmic consequences."
Sisi immediately lowered her gaze. "Forgive me… I was just curious."
"Curiosity is natural," Ling Yuan said more gently. "But for now, let's just be thankful."
Then, sensing something, her eyes narrowed.
"By the way, I noticed a distinct change in your auras. Tell me—what did you gain after taking the golden pill?"
The three Deacons smiled as they began to speak.
****
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