Douluo: The Ultimate Self

After the massive spotted tiger emerged from its cage, it immediately became incredibly ferocious—truly a thousand-year soul beast.

At this moment, Yang Xiong was far more tense than ever before. Although he had rarely relied on soul skills in the past, now even his soul power was completely suppressed. His self-created soul skills were unusable, leaving him as weak as an ordinary person.

With the physical capabilities of a Soul Ancestor and no soul power at all, defeating the spotted tiger was simply impossible.

However, as the tiger lunged toward him with its enormous claws, seemingly tearing through the air, Yang Xiong fully understood his dire situation. With unwavering resolve, he charged straight at the spotted tiger.

Just as man and beast were about to collide, Yang Xiong forcefully twisted his body, narrowly dodging the tiger's attack, and delivered a powerful punch directly onto the tiger's arm.

But given Yang Xiong's current state—with strength but no soul power—he couldn't inflict any serious damage on the spotted tiger.

The tiger, enraged, let out a thunderous roar and opened its massive jaws, aiming straight for Yang Xiong's neck.

Yang Xiong was startled and quickly used both hands, shaped like claws, to grab the tiger's neck.

However, the tiger was incredibly fast and extraordinarily strong—far beyond what Yang Xiong could match in his current condition.

Within just a few minutes, Yang Xiong had already endured several strikes from the tiger's massive paws, leaving deep gashes across his body.

Yet, despite his injuries, Yang Xiong fought with unmatched ferocity, ignoring his wounds as he battled the tiger like a desperate beast fighter.

After over an hour of intense struggle, Yang Xiong finally managed to knock the tiger down. However, by then, he himself was in an utterly pitiful state.

His clothes were torn to shreds, making him look like a beggar. Blood flowed from the corners of his mouth, and his body was covered in countless claw marks. Multiple bones were broken.

This battle had been brutal—Yang Xiong had never suffered such severe injuries in his life.

The spotted tiger was in an even worse state, having endured countless punches from Yang Xiong. Many parts of its body were torn by his claws, and a terrifying bite mark appeared on its neck.

Yes, a bite mark. In a life-or-death situation, Yang Xiong had resorted to using every means available—even his teeth.

At the most critical moment, Yang Xiong summoned all his strength to bite through the tiger's throat, securing his hard-fought victory.

Only then did Sword Douluo approach Yang Xiong and tap him twice on the back. Instantly, Yang Xiong's suppressed soul power and martial soul returned.

With his martial soul and soul power restored, Yang Xiong's body began healing at an astonishing rate. Even his severe injuries rapidly closed up.

Sword Douluo remarked: "Your body is quite remarkable—it far surpasses that of an ordinary Soul King-level soul master. Though you defeated the spotted tiger, you didn't fight like a soul master. It's fair to say your body is stronger than the tiger's, and your instinctive reflexes are superior as well."

Yang Xiong bowed slightly: "Please, Teacher, offer me your guidance."

Sword Douluo asked: "Do you know what enabled you to defeat the spotted tiger?"

Yang Xiong thought for a moment: "Teacher, perhaps it was my stronger will to survive and my superior combat techniques compared to the tiger."

Sword Douluo nodded: "Exactly. When I made you fight the spotted tiger, I wasn't testing your combat abilities. I wanted you to understand why you fight or to experience the most primal form of combat."

As Yang Xiong looked puzzled, Sword Douluo suddenly exuded an overwhelming aura of killing intent. Yang Xiong felt as if he were sinking into an abyss, his soul trembling uncontrollably.

At this moment, Sword Douluo no longer resembled a human but rather a drawn sword, radiating an aura so terrifying it could kill with sheer presence alone.

Under Sword Douluo's immense pressure, Yang Xiong collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat as though he had just emerged from a pool.

Sword Douluo continued: "To truly grow stronger, you must understand the gap between yourself and your enemies. You must fight with your body's most primal survival instincts. Only then can you gradually develop a killing intent."

"Moving forward, I won't teach you any combat techniques. From your earlier battle, it's clear you don't lack in that area. What you truly lack is the relentless determination to fight your enemies head-on."

"From now on, you'll fight soul beasts every day. Today was just an ordinary spotted tiger. Tomorrow, you might face multiple thousand-year soul beasts—or even top-tier or ten-thousand-year soul beasts."

"As my disciple, I hope you can persevere and strive to survive. If you fall so easily, I'll consider you unworthy of being my student."

Hearing this, Yang Xiong swallowed nervously. These top-tier Title Douluo each had their own unique ways of teaching. Sword Douluo, known as the strongest offensive Douluo, had undoubtedly reached the pinnacle among Title Douluo.

Realizing this, Yang Xiong quickly responded: "Thank you, Master. I will train diligently."

Sword Douluo nodded and then left leisurely.

In the days that followed, Sword Douluo arranged daily battles with various soul beasts, often under conditions where Yang Xiong's soul power was restricted. Each training session was perilous, with Yang Xiong coming close to death several times.

However, after continuous battles with soul beasts, Yang Xiong gradually began to understand the purpose of Sword Douluo's training. Only through the most primal combat with soul beasts—if one wished to survive—must one fight relentlessly, reducing reliance on strategy and relying instead on raw physical strength to stay alive.

This method of training bore some resemblance to the infamous Killing Arena—it shared a similar philosophy.

Yang Xiong trained continuously under both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. Bone Douluo tormented him in countless ways, leaving his body battered daily. Meanwhile, Sword Douluo's training was brutally harsh; one misstep could mean death. It was less training and more a matter of life-and-death combat.

More than ten days later, the three single-attribute families finally relocated from the Star Luo Empire to Yunwu (Cloud Mist) Mountain.

The three families boasted nearly a thousand soul masters, along with many non-soul-master dependents, as not everyone could guarantee awakening a martial soul.

Ning Fengzhi had prepared well. Yunwu Mountain was equipped with various buildings and cultivation facilities, sufficient for thousands of people to live and train. Many structures had been hastily completed overnight.

Under Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo's leadership, Yang Xiong joined them in welcoming Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He. It was clear Ning Fengzhi valued these three families immensely, confirming specific cooperation details on the spot and assigning core family members to ensure the three families were satisfied.

After all communications were complete, only Yang Xiong, Lin Gong, Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He remained. These were the key personnel for Yang Xiong's planned Body Sect foundation.

It was evident the three were relatively satisfied with Yang Xiong's arrangements—at least for now, all family members had a stable place to belong.

Yang Wudi asked curiously: "Sect Leader, according to the plan, we'll be operating within a few hundred miles of Yunwu Mountain and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for the time being. Are there no other plans?"

Yang Xiong replied gravely: "Elders, I've already discussed this with Sect Leader Ning. For the next few years, everyone must remain low-key. Whether they're family soul masters or yourselves, all must focus on cultivation and strive to become stronger."

"Based on my estimation, significant changes will occur in the world within five to ten years. That will be the time for our Body Sect to emerge."

"On Yunwu Mountain, necessary cultivation equipment has been established. Elder Lin Gong will also stay here primarily to teach cultivation methods."

The cultivation methods Yang Xiong referred to mainly involved body tempering, including wooden dummy training, weighted exercises, and more. Though these methods seemed simple, they were effective.

Moreover, Yang Xiong envisioned gradually establishing a complete cultivation system on Yunwu Mountain, largely inspired by the martial arts world. This system would undoubtedly benefit the three single-attribute families.

Without hesitation, Yang Xiong retrieved two jade boxes and handed them to the two elders.

He gave Niu Gao, known for his exceptional defense and physical prowess, a ten-thousand-year Earth Poria (a type of medicinal herb). Though not an immortal herb, it was among the rarest and most top-tier medicines in the world.

For Bai He, he provided a ten-thousand-year Heavenly Immortal (another top-tier medicinal herb), perfectly suited to Bai He's attributes.

Upon receiving these herbs, Niu Gao and Bai He were overjoyed and repeatedly thanked Yang Xiong for his generosity.

However, Yang Xiong remained solemn: "Elders, whether it's cultivation resources or medicinal herbs, these are privileges reserved for you as Body Sect elders. Remember the promises you made to me."

"Your joining the Body Sect is an honor for the sect. I hope you regard it as your home. But traitors will die—I hope you do not disappoint me."

At this point, the sect had been established, and they had already relocated to the Tian Dou Empire. There would be no turning back. If anyone dared betray the sect, not only would these herbs be reclaimed, but far more severe consequences awaited.

Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He stood up simultaneously and bowed deeply: "Sect Leader, we will not disappoint you. No matter what, we will not betray the Body Sect or you."

Yang Xiong nodded in satisfaction: "Thank you, Elders, for your support. I hope you remember today's words."

"Remember this day. Yunwu Mountain is the first step in the rise of the Body Sect. In the future, the Body Sect will shake the entire world."

These words stirred everyone's spirits. As soul masters, who wouldn't aspire to reach the pinnacle of the soul master world?

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