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*****
The primary challenge currently facing Xiao Zhan was the condensation of his soul cores.
He had already successfully condensed a single soul core within one of his dantians, but the next step required him to condense a second core within another. Looking further ahead, should he ever reach the pinnacle of Rank 98, he would eventually face the daunting task of forming a third soul core within his final dantian.
The revolutionary concepts Su Wen had just introduced were fundamentally tied to this progression. If the three dantians could be interconnected, the relationship between the three soul cores would become far more direct and potent.
Previously, the soul cores situated in the three separate dantians could only influence one another across a void of internal space. However, if a physical and spiritual bridge could be established between these energy centers, the cores would be able to react to one another instantaneously. This would forge a bond far tighter than anything previously recorded in the history of soul masters.
"By using the co-position resonance method, the amplification provided by the soul cores will become significantly more direct," Su Wen stated calmly.
Xiao Zhan nodded in silent contemplation. He had been grappling with this dilemma for a long time.
Theoretically, a triple-resonance soul core system had the potential to rival—or even surpass—the traditional system of one resonance and two complements. When paired with Su Wen's hypothesis regarding the eventual fusion of three resonating soul cores into a single entity, the potential became staggering.
Resonance was a terrifying force once it scaled in number. While the resonance between two soul cores was powerful, adding a third core that met the same criteria didn't just result in a simple additive effect of one plus one plus one equaling three. The synergy would be exponential. It would be far greater than three.
Furthermore, the most formidable aspect of resonance wasn't just the quantity of the cores involved; it was the frequency. Achieving perfect, identical frequency resonance was a frightening prospect. If those three cores could truly merge into one, the resulting power would be beyond imagination.
Su Wen's current proposal—drawing inspiration from the acupuncture point cultivation methods used by Heavenly Jewel Masters to open and link the three dantians—was the key. If this could be achieved, the probability of successfully merging the three soul cores skyrocketed.
It shifted the possibility from a distant, flickering hope to a very tangible reality.
Coordinating the frequencies of soul cores across three dantians to achieve true synchronization was monumentally difficult. But what if the dantians were linked? Even if the cores occupied different spatial positions within the body, they could interact through projections, allowing them to react directly to one another.
This would vastly increase the efficiency of frequency adjustment. In fact, as long as the soul master maintained self-discipline, the soul cores might naturally begin to drift toward the same frequency on their own. Under these conditions, one wouldn't even need to wait for all three; a soul master could begin the fusion process with just two cores.
"Uncle Zhan, I'm leaving this project in your hands," Su Wen said.
The fact that Xiao Zhan had independently developed the method for condensing a second soul core was proof enough of his research capabilities. Now, equipped with Su Wen's detailed meridian maps, various soul power circulation techniques, and an open channel of shared knowledge, the true, terrifying potential of a "Scholar" was beginning to manifest.
And Xiao Zhan was not an isolated case. Within the Academy, there were numerous scholars making significant contributions to the soul master world. Many had already completed research projects that were once considered impossible.
As Su Wen watched Xiao Zhan rush off with visible excitement, he felt a slight twinge of guilt. Xiao Zhan had essentially become his star employee, yet the man was overjoyed to be working.
This feels a bit like successful PUA, Su Wen thought awkwardly.
However, he knew it was for Xiao Zhan's own good. Xiao Zhan was at the critical juncture of forming his second soul core; being able to do so using the most optimized method possible was worth the few years of delay.
What Su Wen hadn't mentioned to Xiao Zhan was that if they successfully linked the three dantians, they might be able to use that connection to perceive the Martial Soul Space itself. If that happened, the possibilities for soul master cultivation would become limitless.
Even if an ordinary soul master couldn't perceive the Martial Soul Space as clearly as Su Wen did—perhaps only sensing it as a vague presence similar to their dantian—they would still be able to observe its operation on a macro level.
Even that level of perception opened doors. For instance, they could stimulate the Martial Soul Space to increase the activity of the Martial Soul. Could such a method improve the innate talent of the next generation? Furthermore, a clearer perception of that space would naturally increase the "Compatibility" between a master and their soul, aiding in the overall development of their abilities.
Having settled the miscellaneous affairs on the Douluo Continent, Su Wen disconnected his consciousness.
"Faith energy really is a wonderful thing," he mused.
He suspected that the Gods were able to monitor the situation on the Douluo Continent primarily through the power of faith. Even across different worlds, as long as they had faith energy to act as a medium, they could maintain a blurred awareness of the continent's happenings.
"My faith is currently at its peak, which allowed me to condense a Body of Faith for direct communication."
For other gods, using faith energy just to manifest a physical body was a massive waste. Moreover, such bodies were usually restricted; they were mere vessels that couldn't easily penetrate the intricate developments of the entire Douluo Continent. Su Wen, however, had the Academic Realm, which drastically reduced the "cost" of staying informed.
"But this level of connection still consumes too much energy. I'll likely be in the Heavenly Jewel Plane for at least a few more years, so I need to find a better way."
He needed to lower the cost of communicating with Douluo.
"Establishing a new Academy here and opening a new Academic Realm... if I can link them through faith energy, the two realms can echo each other. That should significantly lower the cost of exchange."
This realization made the establishment of the Academy even more urgent. Fortunately, the Heavenly Jewel Tournament was already underway, and the foundation of the Academy had been laid.
On Heavenly Jewel Island, alongside the Consolidating Equipment Pavilion and the Stored Skill Palace, a new landmark building had risen, drawing the curious gazes of every Consolidating Equipment Master and Heavenly Jewel Master on the island. However, since they weren't the target audience yet, their enthusiasm was tempered by a healthy dose of caution—they only knew it was a faction established by a Heavenly Emperor.
"Master Wen."
Shangguan Tianyue arrived at Su Wen's villa. Now that the Academy was established, Su Wen had resumed his title as "Master Wen."
While Shangguan Tianyang still addressed him as "Lord Su Wen," Tianyue had made the switch. The two brothers privately felt that Su Wen calling himself a "Great Master of Literature and Knowledge" just for integrating a school system was a bit pretentious, but they chalked it up to the eccentricities of a Heavenly Emperor.
Every time Su Wen caught that look in their eyes, he felt speechless.
It's not a quirk, he thought. Once the Academic Realm opens and the true face of the Academy is revealed, you'll see if the title is justified.
"Second Palace Master," Su Wen greeted. "It seems the Heavenly Jewel Tournament is about to officially begin."
"Indeed. The academy teams from the major empires have arrived. The opening ceremony is today. Since you intend to use this tournament to announce the Academy's existence, it would be best if you made an appearance at the ceremony."
"As for the formal announcement of the Academy's founding," Tianyue added, "we suggest waiting until the conclusion of the tournament."
Su Wen had no objections. "Let's go, then."
(End of Chapter)