svetikya Chapter 2: 5-Year Soul Test, 3-Year Simulation
Chapter 2: 5-Year Soul Test, 3-Year Simulation
[Ding! First sign-in triggers a critical hit mechanism!]
[Congratulations, host, you have received the cultivation technique reward: Nine Yin Manual (Soul Power Utilization Version)!]
[Reward Description: This cultivation technique has been fully adapted to the Soul Power system of Douluo Continent, including the complete content of the General Outline, Tendon and Bone Strengthening Chapter, Healing Chapter, Acupoint Striking Chapter, Lightness Skill Chapter, and Internal Energy Chapter. Among them, the Tendon and Bone Strengthening Chapter can maximize the development of the body's potential, and the Healing Chapter can quickly recover from injuries.]
[Technique Characteristics: Balanced and harmonious, compatible with any martial soul system. It can be used to build a foundation before martial soul awakening, and can also assist in soul power cultivation after awakening, without any side effects.]
As the system notification faded, a vast and profound flow of information surged into Yan Zu's mind. His vision went black, and he almost fainted again. But soon, this information was etched into the depths of his memory like a brand, as clear as if he had studied it for decades.
The general outline of the Nine Yin Manual echoed in my mind:
"The way of Heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who have too little..."
Yan Zu closed his eyes, carefully comprehending this extraordinary martial arts manual. He could sense that the system had indeed, as described, perfectly transformed the entire manual into a version adapted to the Douluo Continent's soul power system.
Those meridian routes that originally required the circulation of internal energy have now been cleverly replaced by paths for the circulation of soul energy; the requirements for internal energy have also been transformed into the control of soul energy.
Although he has not yet awakened his martial soul, let alone possessed soul power, the Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter is precisely prepared for "mortals" like him!
"Very good……"
Yan Zu muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
According to the original story, the period before the age of six is crucial for Soul Masters to build their foundation. Although they cannot cultivate Soul Power during this time, the stronger their physical constitution, the higher their innate Soul Power level will be when they awaken their Martial Soul in the future. As you can see, Tang San was able to possess full innate Soul Power precisely because he cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record from a young age.
Now, the Nine Yin Manual that Yan Zu holds is even more exquisite than the Xuan Tian Treasure Record!
Moreover, the system provided the complete text, including highly practical content such as healing, acupoint striking, and lightness skills. This means that even if he doesn't reveal his martial soul for the time being, he can still possess considerable combat power.
"Tang San possesses the Tang Clan's ultimate martial arts, and I possess the Nine Yin Manual..."
Yan Zu smiled and, without further hesitation, immediately sat cross-legged and began to try cultivating according to the methods of the Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian (易筋锻骨篇).
The basics of the Yi Jin Duan Gu (Muscle/Tendon Changing and Bone Strengthening) technique are not difficult to grasp. Its core lies in using special breathing techniques and body movements to draw upon the primordial energy of heaven and earth to temper the muscles and bones. In a world like Douluo Continent, where soul power is abundant, the concentration of primordial energy far exceeds that of Earth, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.
Yan Zu first assumed a peculiar posture—sitting cross-legged, hands forming a mudra in front of his chest, thumbs interlocked, the other four fingers crossed, his entire body resembling a stable mountain. Then, following the instructions in the scriptures, he adjusted his breathing rhythm.
Inhale...exhale...inhale...exhale...
With each breath, time seemed to slow down.
At first, Yan Zu only felt that the posture was a little awkward, but gradually, he sensed something unusual. As his breathing deepened, he seemed to be able to "see" the faint specks of light floating in the air - those were the most primitive form of soul power, the essence of energy between heaven and earth.
These specks of light seeped into his skin with each breath, traveling along specific meridian pathways. Wherever they passed, a tingling and stinging sensation emanated, like countless fine needles pricking him, or like warm water washing over him.
Yan Zu gritted his teeth, enduring the discomfort.
He knew that this was the necessary path to the transformation of tendons and marrow.
Time passed slowly, and the moonlight slanted in through the window, casting its light on the small figure. Beads of sweat rolled down Yan Zu's forehead, soaking his clothes, but he remained motionless, as if he had turned into a statue.
One hour later.
Yan Zu slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath. The breath condensed into a white line in the air and lingered for a long time.
Although there were no obvious changes on the outside, he knew that the foundation of this body had been thoroughly solidified.
"As expected of the Nine Yin Manual..."
Yan Zu clenched his fist, his eyes filled with surprise.
The effects of just one hour of cultivation are so remarkable. If he continues this practice every day for three years, what terrifying level will his physical fitness reach?
What pleased him even more was that the cultivation process of the Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian (Muscle/Tendon Changing and Bone Forging Manual) was extremely secretive, unlike Tang San who had to fiddle with things like hammers and buckets of water. He only needed to meditate quietly at night to complete the tempering process.
Even parents would only think that their child is sleeping soundly and would never associate it with cultivation.
"System, display panel," Yan Zu silently chanted in his mind.
An extremely simple, semi-transparent light screen unfolded before his eyes:
[Check-in System]
Host: Yan Zu
Age: 3 years and 7 days
Sign-in count: 1/1 (Completed today)
Consecutive check-ins: 1 day
Other features: Not unlocked
……
It's certainly concise.
Over the next few days, Yan Zu's life became regular and fulfilling.
During the day, he was like any other child, helping his mother with small chores, such as gathering firewood, feeding the chickens, and playing in the yard. But in every movement, he subtly incorporated the movement techniques from the Nine Yin Manual.
While gathering firewood, one practices light-footed footwork; while feeding chickens, one exercises finger dexterity; and while playing, one hones body coordination.
That night, after his parents had gone to sleep, he began his formal cultivation of soul power. The Nine Yin Soul Power flowed more and more smoothly through his meridians, gradually transforming from the thickness of a thread to a fine, continuous flow.
Although it was still faint, its purity and refinement were unmatched by any low-level Soul Master.
That night, after completing another cycle of cultivation, he was preparing to sleep when the system screen suddenly appeared on its own:
[Host has been detected to have checked in for a full week consecutively, triggering the weekly reward.]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Low-level storage soul tool (capacity 1 cubic meter)]
Yan Zu's eyes lit up. A storage soul tool! This was an extremely precious item on the Douluo Continent. Although it was only a low-grade item with a volume of one cubic meter, it was a godsend for him in his current situation.
With a thought, a thin silver bracelet appeared on his right wrist, inlaid with a transparent gem the size of a grain of rice. This was the true form of the storage soul tool.
Yan Zu tried to put the earthenware bowl beside the bed into his pocket, but as soon as he had the thought, the bowl disappeared into thin air. With another thought, the bowl reappeared in his hand.
"Great stuff!" he exclaimed excitedly.
With this storage soul tool, he could stockpile some supplies in advance to prepare for leaving Five Souls Village in the future. Although he was still young, Yan Zu knew that if he wanted to become stronger, he would have to leave sooner or later.
As dawn broke, Wuhun Village was still shrouded in a thin layer of mist.
Yan Zu opened his eyes on time, and the first thing he did was not to stretch, but to consciously and skillfully poke at the virtual light screen that only he could see.
"Check-in".
[Ding! Check-in successful!]
[Reward: One piece of maltose candy.]
Yan Zu: "..."
He stared at the maltose that had appeared out of nowhere in his hand, simply wrapped in oil paper, and emitting a cheap, sweet aroma, and fell into a brief silence.
"Fine, at least it'll sweeten my mouth." He resignedly unwrapped the candy, popped it into his mouth, and the sweetness melted in his mouth. Better than nothing, it's better than nothing at all.
This is his daily routine after activating the system.
Every day, without fail, the first thing I do upon waking is sign in. The rewards are varied, and most of them are both laughable and pathetic.
[Received: A piece of scrap paper covered in scribbles.] — After studying it for a while, he confirmed it was indeed scrap paper and suspected the system was mocking him.
[Obtained: "Five-Year Soul Exam, Three-Year Simulation"] — Yan Zu studied it for a long time and found that the book contained a lot of professional knowledge about soul power cultivation. However, the book seemed to have a mental attack effect; as soon as one read it for a while, one would immediately become drowsy…
[Received: A pack of spicy strips.] — Yan Zu stared in shock at the familiar packaging in his hand, then finished eating it with mixed feelings.
[Received: A pair of black stockings (with lace trim).] — Yan Zu's face turned black at that moment. He quickly stuffed this hot potato into the deepest part of his storage bracelet, deciding to keep it hidden from the light of day forever.
"Is this some kind of 'scrap recycling system' or 'otherworldly bizarre item distribution system'?" Yan Zu thought to himself more than once.