Soul Land: Xiao Yan Reincarnates as Huo Yuhao

"I can clearly sense that as you cultivate Dou Qi, your Spirit Eyes martial spirit is also increasing in soul power." The elderly voice suddenly echoed in the room.

Xiao Yan lifted his weary eyes, glancing at Yao Lao, who had appeared in the room like a ghost. He pouted and asked, "Master, what exactly is going on here? Why is my Dou Qi condensing but refusing to break through?"

"It's… it's not some trick of yours, is it?"

"You brat, since I've accepted you as my disciple, I wouldn't do anything to harm you. Besides, I don't need to absorb Dou Qi to recover anymore, so why would I sabotage you?" Yao Lao shot Xiao Yan an annoyed look and tapped him lightly on the head. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "Perhaps it's related to your martial spirit."

"According to the standards of this world, what is your current soul power level?"

"I've reached level ten, Master," Xiao Yan groaned with a helpless roll of his eyes.

Yao Lao stroked his chin, frowning slightly. "It could be that this world's structure is different from that of the Dou Qi Continent, where martial spirits are the core. Perhaps some unknown factors are suppressing your cultivation, and to advance further, you need to break through the bottleneck of your martial spirit."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's mind raced, and he perked up. "Master, I remember that during my martial spirit awakening, the blue crystal used for the test absorbed my internal Dou Qi. Could it be that the Dou Qi within me is actually this world's soul power?"

"Soul power, Dou Qi—these are both forms of energy stored within the body and can theoretically be converted into each other. When I absorbed your Dou Qi, I was also drawing your soul power, which is why your soul master cultivation also stagnated when you tried to cultivate." Yao Lao explained calmly.

"That makes sense, so according to your reasoning, if you hadn't absorbed my Dou Qi, I might have awakened with innate full soul power at level ten?" Xiao Yan sighed with a wry smile.

"Perhaps." Yao Lao nodded, then looked at Xiao Yan with a bitter smile. "If that's the case, then you'll need to raise your martial spirit to level eleven. That means you'll need to hunt down a spirit beast."

"Hunt a spirit beast?" Xiao Yan muttered, feeling a bit exasperated. "If it's true that advancing further requires a breakthrough in my martial spirit, then I'll have no choice but to head to the spirit beast forest to obtain a spirit ring."

"But honestly, the cultivation methods here are quite strange, relying on hunting spirit beasts and taking their cultivation to advance. If this continues, won't spirit beasts eventually be wiped out in this world?"

Yao Lao sighed, shaking his head. "Like the Dou Qi Continent, this world also follows the law of survival of the fittest. Back on the Dou Qi Continent, people hunted magical beasts for their cores. Survival of the fittest—it's the way of nature. Although, this cultivation method here does seem rather crude…"

"Very well, take a few days to rest, and then I'll accompany you to the spirit beast forest to acquire a spirit ring. Oh, and while we're here, gather some ancient books for me. I want to understand this world in greater detail."

"Master, do you even recognize the writing of this world?" Xiao Yan scratched his head, chuckling at Yao Lao.

Yao Lao rolled his eyes. "That's what you're here for! I may not know the language, but you've lived here for over a decade, haven't you? You can translate for me."

"Yes, Master," Xiao Yan responded with a smile.

---

Through the ancient texts, Yao Lao learned that this world was called Douluo Continent. Ten thousand years ago, the continent had only two nations: the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. But over four thousand years ago, due to continental drift, the western Sun Moon Empire collided with Douluo Continent, expanding its landmass and sparking frequent wars. After ten thousand years, the Star Luo Empire remained, though its royal family had changed, while the Heaven Dou Empire fractured into the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Dou Spirit Empire due to internal conflict.

The Sun Moon Continent was vast and resource-rich, though slightly smaller than Douluo Continent, and was solely governed by the Sun Moon Empire.

When the continents collided, war erupted immediately. The three nations of Douluo Continent united against their common enemy, waging a prolonged battle until they finally defeated the Sun Moon Empire.

Yao Lao also discovered the existence of the Tang Sect, a sect that flourished four thousand years ago. However, with the arrival of the Sun Moon Empire, their soul master research in soul tools far surpassed the Tang Sect's hidden weapons in both power and range. This caused significant losses to the three empires on Douluo Continent early in the war.

Although the three empires eventually emerged victorious, the reputation of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons suffered greatly, leading to its decline.

---

A few days later, the morning sunlight poured through the window, brightening the room. On the bed, Xiao Yan sat up, still half-asleep, and after a moment, he yawned and climbed out of bed, washing up quickly.

"Master, when are we heading to Star Dou Forest?" Xiao Yan asked as he stretched, glancing down at the black ring on his finger.

"We'll set off shortly." Yao Lao appeared before him, his ethereal form shimmering. "Prepare some fresh water, rations, a tent, and insect repellant. I'll also help you refine some healing pills. These supplies are essential for traveling."

"Got it, Master." Xiao Yan grinned as he hastily put on his clothes.

Seeing Xiao Yan's eager demeanor, Yao Lao stroked his beard, remarking meaningfully, "You've never experienced life-and-death combat before. If you want to grow stronger to avenge your mother, this journey will serve as your trial. I won't intervene unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Only through the tempering of blood can you undergo true transformation."

Xiao Yan clenched his fist, smiling determinedly as he looked at Yao Lao. "Master, I'll follow your lead."

"Good." Yao Lao nodded in satisfaction at his disciple's resolve.

A few minutes later, the northern gate of the White Tiger Duke's estate opened quietly, and a young man in a black robe slipped out unnoticed. His handsome face bore a determination beyond his years.

Xiao Yan's departure went undetected by anyone in the Duke's estate. His figure, dressed in plain black clothes, slowly disappeared down the street.