Douluo: The Ultimate Self

Yang Xiong quickly designed a training regimen for his older brother Yang Wei, which included physical exercises, daily medicinal baths, and even a set of sword techniques he had obtained from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. This would be enough for him to cultivate in the short term.

Yang Wei stared at the tightly packed training schedule, feeling utterly overwhelmed. By this standard, it seemed he wouldn't have a moment's rest in the future. This wasn't like the cultivation of a soul master—it felt more like torture.

By evening, the entire family gathered for a hearty meal, celebrating Yang Xiong's return.

After dinner, Yang Xiong solemnly gathered his family, a stark contrast to his usual solitary cultivation attitude.

Yang Lin, Sun Yu, and Yang Wei were all puzzled. Yang Xiong had always been easygoing and never acted so tense before.

Without a word, Yang Xiong retrieved several jade boxes and even a lead box from his person.

Father Yang Lin looked puzzled: "Little Xiong, why are you so serious today? Is something big happening?"

Yang Xiong nodded: "Father, this concerns the growth of our family. You should know that I'm with Rongrong now, but within the sect, we all need to quickly improve our strength. Otherwise, trouble will come easily, as the sect is full of complex relationships."

Yang Lin nodded: "I understand. Our family has been cautious lately, and we can't interfere with your matters."

Yang Xiong didn't elaborate further but handed each of them three jade boxes, containing the fruits of his efforts.

"Father, Mother, Brother, these are treasures I've recently acquired. They should greatly benefit your cultivation and possibly improve our family's innate talent fundamentally."

Seeing their confusion, Yang Xiong began to explain.

In front of Yang Lin was a massive, blood-red fungus, looking extraordinarily magnificent.

"Father, I've prepared for you the Nine Treasure Dragon Zoysia, a supreme dragon-attribute divine herb said to grow by bathing in dragon blood. After consuming it, your strength should increase significantly, and you might even gain some dragon lineage, making future cultivation much more efficient."

In front of Mother Sun Yu was an unassuming medicinal herb, entirely green with three snow-white leaves in the middle, seemingly containing droplets of water.

"Mother, I've prepared for you the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. Your martial soul is eyes, and the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew can enhance your vision and mental power, potentially bringing unexpected benefits."

For his older brother, Yang Xiong placed a foot-long medicinal herb with nine sword-shaped leaves that exuded faint sword intent.

"Brother, I've prepared for you the Nine Leaf Sword Grass, which complements your Iron Sword martial soul perfectly. It might even cause your martial soul to evolve, allowing you to advance further on the path of the sword."

Upon hearing this, Yang Lin, Sun Yu, and Yang Wei were all stunned, staring at the three jade boxes without knowing what to say.

Finally, Yang Lin spoke gravely: "Little Xiong, we know you mean well, but you should take these treasures yourself. Perhaps they'll help you reach unprecedented heights."

Yang Xiong smiled: "Father, I've already made preparations for myself. Though these treasures are valuable, they pale compared to the importance of our family."

Yang Xiong had thought long and hard about choosing these three divine herbs. His father, now fifty-four years old, had only reached level sixty-three in soul power after decades of cultivation, with little progress in recent years.

The Nine Treasure Dragon Zoysia was perfect for his father, potentially breaking the limits of his bloodline and granting him dragon attributes, paving the way for better development.

As for his mother, Sun Yu, she was only at level forty-six, with extremely slow progress over the years. Cultivating her Eye martial soul was particularly troublesome, but the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew might trigger a second awakening, leading to a true transformation.

As for Yang Xiong himself, he had considered using the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, but after years of research, he realized that his martial soul and mental power were growing rapidly. Using the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew wouldn't trigger another awakening for his Body Martial Soul.

Moreover, since the brain and eyes were part of the body, the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew's only effect might be to elevate his Purple Extreme Demon Eye by one stage. Based on his current mental power, Yang Xiong estimated that reaching the Soul King or Soul Emperor level would allow him to achieve the Mustard Seed Realm of the Purple Extreme Demon Eye. The Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew would merely be an embellishment.

For his mother, however, the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew was her only hope for a second awakening and the only divine herb Yang Xiong had found to boost mental power. There was no hesitation—he gave it to her without a second thought.

Finally, there was the Nine Leaf Sword Grass. This divine herb was ideal for Sword Douluo. If Sword Douluo consumed it, he might break through level ninety-eight, or even ninety-nine.

But there was always a distinction between closeness and distance. Compared to Sword Douluo, Yang Xiong trusted his older brother more. If Yang Wei consumed the Nine Leaf Sword Grass, his martial soul might undergo a qualitative change, even improving his innate talent, potentially allowing him to break through in the future.

Yang Xiong had also considered consuming the Nine Leaf Sword Grass himself, as it was one of his favorites. But he ultimately felt it wasn't suitable and abandoned the idea.

After Yang Xiong's explanation, Yang Lin, Sun Yu, and Yang Wei each accepted their respective divine herbs.

After explaining how to use the divine herbs, Yang Xiong opened the lead box in his hand, revealing the thirty-thousand-year Earth Demon Bear right arm soul bone given to him by Ning Fengzhi.

The three were astonished. Given their status within the sect, they had never expected to come into contact with a soul bone. In their eyes, soul bones held an incredibly high position in the world of soul masters, often referred to as Blood River Treasures.

Yang Wei quickly interjected: "Little Xiong, this soul bone is far too valuable. You should absorb it yourself."

Yang Xiong chuckled: "Brother, I have my own cultivation plan. This soul bone isn't particularly useful to me. If you don't want it, I'll give it to someone else."

In truth, for Yang Xiong, a thirty-thousand-year soul bone was far too low-level. With his talent and resources, only soul bones over eighty thousand years could interest him; otherwise, he'd rather not absorb it.

Moreover, after obtaining this soul bone, Yang Xiong discovered a terrifying issue: his body seemed to reject arm-based soul bones. He wasn't sure if it was due to the two external dragon claw soul bones or if his body was undergoing some kind of mutation.

Seeing that Yang Xiong showed no interest in the soul bone, Yang Lin finally decided: "Alright, Little Wei, accept this gift from Little Xiong. As the elder brother, you should take it."

Yang Wei's expression grew complex, but he eventually accepted the soul bone.

Yang Lin continued: "Little Xiong, where did you get this soul bone? It must be extremely valuable."

Yang Xiong replied: "Father, don't worry. This soul bone was a reward from the sect leader. I made some contributions to the sect, and my performance in the Soul Master Tournament was commendable, so the sect leader rewarded me with it."

Yang Lin nodded: "That's good. Our family lives within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. We must remember the sect's kindness and work hard to contribute to it in the future."

Yang Wei and Sun Yu both nodded. Yang Xiong sighed inwardly, realizing how deeply ingrained the sect's ideology was in everyone's minds.

Yang Xiong didn't plan to absorb any divine herbs soon. Recently, he had absorbed a hundred-thousand-year soul bone and a ten-thousand-year soul ring, advancing at an alarming rate. Absorbing more divine herbs now might not yield optimal results.

His true goal was the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Once he advanced a few more levels, absorbing the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum would significantly boost his physical capabilities, potentially achieving an indestructible body.

Early the next morning, Yang Wei rushed to Yang Xiong's room, excited: "Little Xiong, the Nine Leaf Sword Grass you gave me is incredible! I've already reached level forty, and my martial soul seems to have changed. My entire body feels incredibly invigorated."

Yang Xiong carefully examined his brother's martial soul. What was once an ordinary iron sword now resembled a radiant treasure sword, sharp and imbued with a sense of weight.

"Brother, has your martial soul changed? It seems much stronger now—perhaps it qualifies as a top-tier martial soul."

Yang Wei nodded: "Indeed. My iron sword feels heavier and sharper. From now on, my martial soul won't be called the Iron Sword. I'll call it the Black Iron Sword. Moreover, I seem to have begun mastering a trace of sword qi—a feat even Father hasn't achieved."

Yang Xiong smiled: "Congratulations, Brother. Your Black Iron Sword might one day shake the entire Douluo Continent."

Yang Wei nodded: "I feel stronger than ever and am very satisfied with my martial soul. Perhaps I'll become an elder of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect someday, and together we'll revitalize the sect."

Yang Xiong nodded helplessly. He hadn't told anyone about founding a new sect, realizing he'd need to subtly influence his family's acceptance over time.

At that moment, Father Yang Lin and Mother Sun Yu rushed out, their faces beaming with satisfaction.

Yang Lin spoke first: "Little Xiong, the Nine Treasure Dragon Zoysia you gave me is extraordinary! I feel my blood boiling, and my soul power has increased by two levels—I'm now at level sixty-five."

"Moreover, my martial soul seems to have gained some dragon attributes, making it far stronger than before."

Sun Yu was equally delighted: "Little Xiong, look at my eyes!"

Summoning her martial soul, her once ordinary eyes now appeared exceptionally bright, with a vertical pupil appearing on her forehead. It seemed her Body Martial Soul had undergone a secondary awakening, reaching the Silver-level secondary awakening.

Yang Xiong quickly remarked: "Mother, your gaze seems filled with intimidation and appears capable of piercing through everything."

Sun Yu nodded: "Exactly. I feel my soul skills' power has doubled, and my soul power has reached level forty-nine. It's as if I can see through all things."

Yang Xiong recalled something: "Mother, I taught you the Purple Extreme Demon Eye before. If you diligently cultivate it, your eyes might become even more powerful, potentially turning you into a battle-type soul master."

Sun Yu chuckled: "You silly child, who uses their eyes to fight? But I do feel my eyes have improved significantly. Perhaps they'll have combat potential in the future."

…

Watching his family's improvements, Yang Xiong felt a sense of relief. His careful planning had paid off, at least making his family happier, safer, and stronger.

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