"A person's cultivation depends not only on innate talent and acquired effort—it's also profoundly shaped by resources and state of mind."
"To put it bluntly, anyone who manages to reach the level of Super Douluo has not only demonstrated peerless talent from a young age but has also benefited from immense resources—spirit bones, soul rings, rare treasures, all of it."
"But once you hit Rank 95, your mental state becomes even more important than resources. Without the right mindset, even with the best soul bones and pills, you'll stagnate. The key is in aligning your will with your martial soul."
"And that doesn't mean being upright or 'righteous' per se. Even Evil Soul Masters have top-level powerhouses. It's about staying true to your conviction—your spiritual resonance with your martial soul. Like your grandmaster here, who follows a simple creed: Don't act unless necessary, and if I act, it ends decisively."
Over the crashing waves, a sleek, soul-guidance-enhanced vessel cut through the sea. Elder Yue manned the helm, while Xu Xiaoyun stood at the bow under the starlit sky, speaking to Xu Tianxi with a calm tone reserved for seasoned elders.
Xu Tianxi listened earnestly, clapping softly at certain points, his eyes shining with reflection.
They were en route along the coastline from the far north of the Heaven Soul Empire—where the Extreme North lay—all the way westward toward Hanhai City, the headquarters of the Xuanwu Trade Consortium.
Tonight was moonless. With no good conditions for training, Elder Xu's stories served as a fine lesson.
"Let's take your First Uncle, Xiao Changfeng, as an example. He became a Titled Douluo at age thirty-five after absorbing the ten-thousand-year soul ring and bone of a Jasper Sea Roc. That pushed him to Rank 93."
"Five years later, he broke through to Rank 95, then secluded himself with me for twelve years. Eventually, he reached Rank 96 and assumed leadership of the Trade Consortium. That was seven years ago."
Elder Xu smiled warmly, then changed tone.
"Now look at Yan Shaozhe. He's Shrek Academy's so-called strongest—disciple of Mu En, the Sea God Pavilion Master. He's had every resource imaginable, and though he lacks a ten-thousand-year ring and bone like your First Uncle, in every other way, his conditions were better."
"Mu En is an Extreme Douluo, the number one expert of his generation, a master of light-type power. Shrek's foundation runs ten thousand years deep—who knows what hidden treasures they've accumulated? And yet, despite his early promise, Yan Shaozhe has stagnated at Rank 95 for decades."
"Tianxi, what do you think of that?"
Xu Tianxi narrowed his eyes.
"His heart isn't strong enough. The Light Phoenix martial soul requires broad-mindedness. He's not suited for it."
"Exactly!" Elder Xu clapped his hands, eyes gleaming.
"His soul and his path don't match. That mismatch has stalled him. With his temperament, he would've been better off with a Dark Phoenix, or even an Evil variant."
"Tianxi, you must learn from this. When you choose your guiding principle—your conviction—it must harmonize with your martial soul."
Xu Tianxi stayed silent for a moment, then calmly said:
"That makes sense. But I have a question…"
"Speak."
"My Illusory Moon Mystic Eye is a body-type martial soul. What kind of conviction is best suited for me? Am I supposed to follow the same chaotic style as those from the Body Sect?"
He paused, and his voice took on a low, natural steadiness.
"My long-term goal is very clear. One day, I'll return to Shrek City and avenge my mother—slain by the Gluttonous Douluo Xuanzi—and erase the insult brought by Yan Shaozhe. That day will not be far off."
Elder Xu's eyes softened with pride and sorrow.
"The Body Sect are erratic. They're loyal and brave, but they stir up chaos everywhere. Still, their free-spirited mindset is worth studying. As long as you uphold the duty of a proper soul master, that's enough."
"You don't need to tie yourself down with rules. Help others if it's convenient, but never sacrifice yourself to be someone else's hero. The world is darker than it seems, Tianxi."
He spoke heavily now.
"Many of the worst people wear fine robes. Bandits with noble titles. Kill one, another rises in his place. Even the most powerful Douluo can't cleanse the rot."
"When I was younger, I too charged at injustice. But the higher your cultivation, the more you'll see—the cruelty, the corruption."
Tianxi looked thoughtful but unmoved.
"You're right, Grandmaster. But I don't believe only Titled Douluo can change the world."
With a clink of metal, he retrieved a row of neatly lined-up soul cannon shells and knocked on them with a grin.
"These are second-grade fixed-mount soul guidance cannons. One is enough to endanger a Soul Ancestor. Set off a barrage, and even a Soul King would be in trouble."
"If I ever become a Level 9 Soul Engineer, one shot from a Level 9 Fixed-Mount Soul Guidance Cannon will make a lot of people listen to what I say."
"If they don't listen?" He smiled innocently.
"Then they can follow the cannon."
Elder Xu was momentarily speechless.
"…You rascal. Those things are apocalyptic. If you're too close, or not strong enough, you'll be vaporized along with your target."
"To use one safely in battle, you need to be at least Soul Douluo level. And even most Level 9 Engineers don't risk using them lightly—they're made for mutual destruction."
Xu Tianxi nodded seriously.
"Then I'll just practice with lower-grade ones until I reach eight rings. Get really, really good at aiming."
Elder Xu couldn't help but chuckle.
"Sure, but where do you plan to find Soul Ancestors to test on? Outside our sect, Soul Ancestors are rare and noble."
"Hmm... what about Evil Soul Masters?" Tianxi blinked, tone as if stating the obvious.
Elder Xu roared with laughter but then froze as Elder Yue's voice came in over the intercom.
"Master Xu, soul guidance radar has detected a group of soul masters fighting soul beasts a few kilometers out. They're heading this way—fast."
Xu Tianxi's eyes lit up, but Elder Xu narrowed his gaze.
"Ten Thousand Ghost Banner… Resentful Spirit Martial Soul… Huh. So we really ran into Evil Soul Masters."
Tianxi reminded helpfully:
"Didn't you just say they liked to hunt soul beasts in secret places like the sea?"
Elder Xu: "…"
"Touché."