Chapter 78: The Difficult Choice, The Second Warrior's Selection

  "This is... a Ground Tier technique?", Helianuo's voice was already shaking slightly, although he had long guessed that the soul technique attached to this Divine Tier technique would not be too bad, but he still did not expect that just the fourth variation of the soul technique alone had already reached the level of a Ground Tier!

  Earth Stage Soul Technique! It may sound like the Earth Stage is only slightly higher than the Human Stage among the four stages of Saint Heaven, but any soul cultivator with a bit of common sense knows that in front of an Earth Stage Soul Technique, a Human Stage is simply trash!

  He Lian's eyes widened as he stared at the two words "Di Jie", only now did he truly understand how powerful the Tian Xuan Nine Transformations in his hands were. This scroll not only included three styles of ancient martial arts that had been lost for hundreds of years, but also recorded a magical technique that could transform any human tissue into an organ that stored soul power. What was most terrifying was that just the fourth transformation's technique came with a Di Jie soul skill, and what about the remaining five volumes?

  Looking at He Lian's stunned expression, Gong Sun smiled with satisfaction. In fact, even he himself almost lost control when he first saw those eight characters. It can be expected that if he were not just a soul body now and unable to cultivate soul techniques, Gong Sun would have had the idea of taking the scroll for himself!

  He patted Helian'no's shoulder heavily and laughed, saying: "Kid, I've also helped you solve the doubts about Lei Shuo. This fourth change of soul technique has been found for you too. I should go back and continue my cultivation now. Remember, don't call me again unless it's absolutely necessary. You can only make progress by experiencing dangers and solving problems on your own. Before I leave, let me advise you a few more things: although the three ancient martial arts are not as powerful as the Earth Stage soul technique, they often have unexpected effects when used against enemies. You should practice them well in your daily life. As for the Tian Xuan Nine Changes, don't rush it too much. Breaking through often relies on opportunities rather than effort. Just wait patiently until you reach the Soul Servant Sixth Rank! This Earth Stage soul technique seems to be a style that mainly uses both legs to perform. You can study it carefully in your free time. However, the difficulty of practicing the Earth Stage soul technique is much higher than that of the Human Stage soul technique. You need to be mentally prepared. The most important thing in cultivating one's soul is to progress gradually and not seek shortcuts!" After finishing his words, Gong Sun Jian warned Helian'no with a stern gaze before disappearing into thin air.

  Khaleno stared blankly in the direction where Gong Sunyan disappeared, sighing helplessly. As for this old monk who came and went as he pleased, Khaleno really had no way to deal with him. Although Gong Sunyan was a lodger in his mind, Khaleno could easily strike him down with just a thought, but somehow, after several years of getting along, Khaleno had gradually developed a bit of dependence on Gong Sunyan. Whenever he encountered some troublesome problem, he would always ask for his opinion, and Gong Sunyan's behavior was more and more like that of an elder. Even in daily life, when he occasionally felt like it, he would give Khaleno guidance on his cultivation, which was also quite impressive.

  Shaking his head to clear the distractions from his mind, He Lian Nu carefully continued to unfold the detailed introduction of the Earth Stage Soul Technique. Indeed, as Gong Sun Jian had said, this technique required the use of both legs to execute. When executing the technique, one would release their soul power and concentrate it all in their legs, swiftly and fiercely striking the opponent like a whirlwind, with extremely great destructive force.

  Since this slash of the moon whirlwind belongs to the earth-level soul technique, it is naturally extremely complicated to practice. The first thing to do is to maximize the strength of both legs as much as possible, because only when the strength of both legs reaches a sufficient intensity can the maximum rotation be produced, and thus cause the greatest harm. On the contrary, if the strength of both legs is not enough, it cannot only fail to exert the true power of the earth-level soul technique, but also may cause no small harm to oneself.

  Having enough leg strength is only the first step, the practitioner must also be able to control their soul power with extreme proficiency. The control mentioned here is not just a matter of simply concentrating one's soul technique on the legs. According to the scroll, in order to inflict maximum damage on the opponent, the practitioner must be able to skillfully concentrate their soul power on the legs and control it into a knife-like shape. To know that soul power itself is a kind of energy, belonging to nothingness, to proficiently control the soul power to form the shape one thinks of in one's mind is not easy at all.

  He Lian carefully retracted the scroll into his Heavenly Gift Space, and his initial excitement from obtaining the Earth Rank Soul Technique had somewhat subsided. He gradually came to realize that the path of soul refinement was not as simple as he had imagined. Just cultivating an Earth Rank Soul Technique was already so difficult; how much more challenging would it be for a Heaven Rank? As for Sacred Rank... forget about it, in his lifetime, he probably wouldn't even get to see such a seemingly mythical Soul Technique.

  Slowly withdrawing his consciousness from the sea of thoughts, He Lianuo opened his eyes to find that almost everyone in the Blood Refining Hell had fallen asleep. Even Luo Tian, who had said he would go take care of Lei Shuo, was nowhere to be seen, probably resting in his own room.

  Although the sky was already very late, Helianuo seemed to have no sleepiness at all. Many things that had happened during this period of time had completely deviated from his expected trajectory. Originally, according to Helianuo's own conception, after leaving the Youyue Forest, his life's main line was cultivation, which meant constantly making himself stronger and stronger until he finally reached the peak of Youyue! In the process of becoming strong, he first wanted to go to the Julimu Empire to find that old friend who had been waiting for him. He also wanted to take the opportunity to return to the Tianxuan Empire to take a look. Although his father, Helian War, had already led his two brothers to avenge the Helian family before him, the place was still the source of his life. Emotionally and rationally, he at least wanted to see that dad who had a blood relationship with him.

  Slowly, he turned over, and more things flooded into Helian's mind. He naturally hadn't forgotten the wolf's entrustment; he must bring Xiao Lang back to Silver Moon Mountain once with a good reputation. He still remembered his mother Nan Hengyue's loving gaze before she fell off the cliff. No matter what, he would go to Luoye Lake to pay homage to that great mother who lost her life protecting him. However, all of this was still without any leads when he had already fallen deeply into prison. Don't even mention the road ahead; whether or not he could survive had already become an unknown number. Moreover, Qiuqiu and Jiubao, whom he regarded as brothers, were still nowhere to be found. All of these things were like huge burdens that almost suffocated Helian!

  Like this, Helian Nu opened his eyes and tossed about for a whole night, until the next morning when everyone got up. Luo Tian only discovered that the master of the house, who was still in good spirits yesterday, looked much more haggard after a night's rest. Luo Tian glanced at the crowd who were dressing and washing, and quietly walked to Helian Nu's back, softly asking: "Master, didn't you sleep well last night? Why do you look so tired?"

  He Lianuo waved his hand indifferently and replied, "Don't worry, I'm just not fully adapted to the environment here yet. But you, running around taking care of me and Lei Shuo's injuries yesterday, really need to pay attention to rest!"

  Luo Tian bowed respectfully: "I'm sorry to trouble you, master. I have some good news to tell you - Lei Shuo woke up early this morning and is currently being fed medicine by Sang Xiao!"

  "Really?", Helianno was overjoyed upon hearing this, and without waiting for Luo Tian's response, he rushed straight to Luo Tian's private room. He pushed open the door and was delighted to discover that Lei Shuo, who had been unconscious until yesterday, now looked much more rosy. At this moment, he was leaning against the pillow, drinking porridge in big gulps!

  "Brother Hui!", Lei Shuo subconsciously turned his head to look at the sound of the opening door, and after recognizing the person who came in, he excitedly shouted out loud, almost dropping the bowl of porridge in his hand. Xiang Xiao, who was beside him, quickly took over the bowl and put it on the table, and forcibly pressed down Lei Shuo, who wanted to get up to welcome Hui Lianuo.

  Seeing his good brother safe and sound, Helian Nu was also extremely excited. He knew that Lei Shuo was seriously injured and couldn't move, so he quickly rushed over to support his arms. Before Lei Shuo could say a word, tears were already streaming down his face. Feeling the scorching hot tears rolling down his cheeks, he hastily lifted his sleeve to wipe them away roughly. With a choked voice, he said: "Helian, yesterday... when I saw you fall into the pool of blood, I thought... I thought you were dead. Later, that giant who dueled with me also said that if it was him dueling with you, he would have torn you to shreds. At the time, I only wanted to stop him. I absolutely couldn't let him meet you alive. I succeeded... I really did succeed. Who would have thought that we could still be alive and meet here today?"

  Lei Shuo's words were not yet finished, but Helian Nuo's eyes had already become moist. He finally knew what had stimulated Lei Shuo's Ghostly Bloodline to awaken yesterday - it was him, Helian Nuo! It was precisely because he was worried about Helian Nuo's safety that Lei Shuo had activated his body's last potential. Helian Nuo did not know what to say at this moment; with a brother like this who was willing to use his life to block the enemy for him, what more could be said?

  Seeing the two of them with red eyes and choked voices, San Xiao hurriedly changed the subject with a smile: "I say you two big men are crying like what? We're all still alive, aren't we?! As long as we're alive, there's still hope. He Lian, this is the medicinal congee that Luo Lao Da managed to get from Ling Xiang after saying many good things. There's a lot of medicine in it, you should drink some too!" After speaking, San Xiao picked up another bowl and filled it with steaming hot medicinal congee, handing it to He Lian Nu.

  Three people chatted and laughed until noon, it has to be said that the management of this Blood Refining Hell is quite humane. Except for the fixed dates when entering the Beast Fighting Arena, all other times can be completely arranged by oneself, with plenty of food and drink, and even gambling is allowed. Of course, all of this is based on the premise that you obediently stay in the Blood Refining Hell.

  However, today was an exception. After finishing breakfast, the crowd didn't go their separate ways to have fun, but instead gathered around Luo Tian in a circle. Even Lei Shuo, who was leaning on his cane, was supported by Sang Xiao and joined in. Luo Tian, with a gloomy expression, looked around at everyone, tapped his pipe on the ground, and said in a deep voice: "Although we all managed to get through the pig fight yesterday without losing anyone, tomorrow's beast fight is another difficult problem. Everyone knows that Ling Xiang sent someone over yesterday to pass down an order, saying that tomorrow's lineup must still be chosen from among the new arrivals... but..." Luo Tian hesitated, looking heavily at He Lianuo.

  He Lian's heart skipped a beat, these new ones? Aren't they the three of Sang Xiao and others? Nowadays, Sang Xiao is seriously injured and has not recovered, Lei Shuo is even more so with old wounds adding new injuries, naturally unable to continue fighting. As for himself, his current state can't even reach 30% of his peak condition. It seems that Ling Xuan really wants to kill them all!

  "Wooo... wooo...", He Lianuo was just about to stand up and volunteer for battle, when a tender beastly howl suddenly broke the silence. The astonished crowd turned their heads to look, only to see a small silver wolf standing behind them, its eyes firm and resolute.