In the high skies heading towards the northeastern sea area of the continent, a majestic silver dragon soared, its massive wings beating as it flew at extreme speed toward the northeast direction.
Standing on the broad back of the silver dragon were five figures—exactly Chu Chengzhou and his four companions.
"Young man, with so many soul power vortexes on your body, just how many soul cores have you condensed?"
Chen Xin couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
In Chen Xin's perception, Chu Chengzhou's body was covered with numerous soul power vortexes.
Chen Xin was very familiar with these soul power vortexes—he had one at his abdomen position, which appeared after condensing his first soul core in his lower dantian.
One soul core, one soul power vortex. With so many soul power vortexes on Chu Chengzhou's body, just how many soul cores had he condensed?
"Eh, Sword Grandpa, you don't actually think one soul power vortex represents one soul core, do you?"
Chu Chengzhou said somewhat astonished.
Gu Rong beside him raised his eyebrows: "Isn't it?"
"I've only condensed three soul cores. The reason there are so many soul power vortexes on my body—"
Chu Chengzhou simply explained the differences and characteristics between Isotope Resonance multi-soul cores and Yin Yang Complement multi-soul cores.
"Then tell me, old man, which method should I follow when condensing soul cores in the future?"
After thinking for a moment, Chen Xin asked.
Yin Yang complementary multi-soul cores had better effects, but with an equal number of soul cores, the condensation difficulty was much higher than Isotope Resonance multi-soul cores.
Although there was Chu Chengzhou's case of three Yin Yang Complement soul cores right before his eyes, Chen Xin also had self-awareness—he couldn't compare to this freak. He didn't directly resolve to set his target on the most difficult three Yin Yang Complement soul cores.
Chu Chengzhou shook his head and said: "Sword Grandpa, you're currently a Level 97 Titled Douluo. If you can break through to Level 98 on your own in the future, and then condense your second soul core when your soul power accumulates to Level 98 peak, you'll most likely break through smoothly to become a Level 99 Peerless Douluo."
In the original story, Chen Xin could breakthrough to Level 97 Titled Douluo on his own. Now with the assistance of his first soul core, the possibility of him achieving Level 98 Titled Douluo in the future was still quite high.
And for Isotope Resonance dual soul cores, which had relatively low difficulty, it surely wouldn't be a problem either.
As for three Isotope Resonance soul cores, Yin Yang Complement dual soul cores, or even three Yin Yang Complement soul cores?
In Chu Chengzhou's view, relying solely on his own abilities, Chen Xin probably had no chance.
Condensing soul cores actually had little direct relationship with a soul master's strength. Compared to one's soul power level, the stronger one's physique, spiritual power, and soul power control ability were, the lower the difficulty of condensing soul cores. Chen Xin didn't have obvious advantages in these three aspects—in fact, he had no advantages at all.
After all, Chen Xin didn't possess the ability to challenge opponents beyond his level. Without the strengthening from his first soul core, he could only be considered at an ordinary level among same-tier soul masters—soul power was his strongest point.
This way, compared to himself, the difficulty for Chen Xin to condense multiple soul cores could be called hell-level. Being able to condense Isotope Resonance dual soul cores would already be quite good.
Hearing this, Chen Xin's face showed joy, but immediately darkened.
He was happy about the prospect of potentially achieving Level 99 Peerless Douluo realm in the future, but what displeased him was that Chu Chengzhou actually looked down on him so much.
The most difficult three Yin Yang Complement soul cores was one thing, but you, young man, actually don't think old man can condense three Isotope Resonance soul cores?
Eh, maybe this old man really can't?
"Ahem, that is to say, Sword Grandpa, please don't take it to heart. Condensing soul cores doesn't depend on whether you're strong or weak—in fact, often the stronger you are, the higher the difficulty of condensing multiple soul cores."
"I was able to condense three Yin Yang Complement soul cores precisely because I benefited from having a relatively low soul power level. If my current soul power level were the same as yours, three Yin Yang Complement soul cores would definitely be out of the question."
Seeing Chen Xin's darkening expression, Chu Chengzhou hurriedly explained.
I'm a cheater, how can you compare to me?
Chu Chengzhou had a very clear understanding of his own position—yes, he was cheating. Without cheats, he would just be a piece of trash with innate soul power rounded up to level one and a malignant mutant martial soul.
But what if he was trash without cheats? If you have the ability, you awaken a cheat too!
Besides, take Tang San for example—compared to ordinary soul masters, twin martial souls and full innate soul power, wasn't that a cheat? His previous life's Tang Sect inheritance—wasn't that a cheat too?
Take Qian Renxue for another example—innate Level 20 soul power, Six-Winged Angel martial soul inheritance, and being the predetermined successor to the Angel God position—all of these were cheats.
Everyone was cheating; it's just that some people had bigger cheats while others had smaller ones.
Chu Chengzhou: My cheat is big, I'm proud!
Of course, being trash was something only he himself needed to know. After all, in others' eyes, he, Chu Chengzhou, was considered the most talented genius of the current generation in the mainland's soul master world.
"Heh, you scoundrel! Do you think you can be like this young man? If you can manage to get two soul cores in the future, you should be secretly rejoicing!"
As soon as Chu Chengzhou finished speaking, before Chen Xin could react, Gu Rong beside him immediately retorted sarcastically.
The two were old buddies but also old rivals. If he could insult Chen Xin, Gu Rong wouldn't miss the opportunity.
"Hmph, how can sparrows understand the aspirations of swans?"
Chen Xin glanced at Gu Rong disdainfully.
"With the same cultivation years, an Orange Feathered Swan Goose can't even beat a Flame Sparrow!"
Gu Rong countered without any courtesy.
Hmm, Orange Feathered Swan Goose and Flame Sparrow were two relatively common spirit beasts. The former had an elegant appearance but mediocre combat abilities, while the latter was considered a high-level strong assault-type spirit beast. With the same cultivation years, a Flame Sparrow could easily defeat an Orange Feathered Swan Goose.
"Old bones, are you itching for a beating?"
Chen Xin stared expressionlessly at Gu Rong.
The higher the soul power level, the greater the gap between each level would become. The two were currently Level 97 and 96 Titled Douluos. Compared to when they were Level 96 and 95 Titled Douluos, the gap in their strength had actually widened further.
Of course, Gu Rong was a defense-type Titled Douluo, and his Bone Dragon martial soul possessed space attributes, making him a flexible tank. Although Gu Rong couldn't beat Chen Xin, Chen Xin also couldn't do anything to Gu Rong.
"What, want to give old man a scraping treatment? If you, Chen Xin, have the ability, go challenge a 100,000-year sea spirit beast one-on-one!"
"I'll bet with you today! If you can take down a 100,000-year sea spirit beast in a one-on-one fight, I, Gu Rong, will kneel down and call you big brother right away! But if you can't take it down, you, Chen Xin, kneel down and call me, Gu Rong, big brother. Do you dare to bet?"
Gu Rong immediately slapped his chest and said loudly.
A 100,000-year spirit beast could at least match a Level 95 Titled Douluo, most could reach Level 96 standards, and a few could match Level 97 Titled Douluos.
With Chen Xin's strength as a Level 97 Titled Douluo, even in a one-on-one fight, he would be sufficient to take down most 100,000-year spirit beasts.
But this only applied to land spirit beasts. Sea spirit beasts had the advantage of the sea's terrain. With 100,000 years of cultivation, unless they weren't good at fighting, their strength could at least match an ordinary Level 97 land Titled Douluo.
Moreover, sea spirit beasts could escape very easily—diving into the sea, no non-water attribute beast martial soul Titled Douluo would dare to chase after them.
Chen Xin might be able to beat a 100,000-year sea spirit beast, but the possibility of successfully capturing it was less than ten percent.
Chu Chengzhou and the other three: "."
Kneeling and calling big brother? That would probably be like acknowledging fatherhood, wouldn't it?!
"Hmph!"
Chen Xin snorted coldly and didn't respond.
The stakes were too high. Chen Xin, who didn't have much confidence, didn't dare to bet. Otherwise, once he lost, it would become the biggest black mark in his entire life as Sword Dao Chen Xin.
Seeing Chen Xin "show cowardice," Gu Rong's mood immediately became like drinking ice-cold cola on a scorching summer day. However, he didn't press his advantage further—after all, if he really had to fight Chen Xin one-on-one, he wouldn't get any benefits either.
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