Soul Emperor Awakening

’It’s hard to feel the Elemental Power in my body here. It’s almost completely sealed away...’

Lin Xuan felt a terrifying force permeating his surroundings, forcibly sealing his Elemental Power. If he couldn’t still feel the flow of his Elemental Power, he would have truly thought his Dantian had been crippled.

Losing the ability to release Elemental Power was a fatal blow to those who relied on its explosive force. Take Core Formation Stage experts, for example. Their true strength lay in their explosive Elemental Power. Unless they specialized in Body Refining, they would be even weaker than a Spirit Refining Stage expert once their Elemental Power was sealed.

Of course, this was true for regions outside the Demon Cloud Sea, where Cultivators didn’t pay much attention to Body Refining. Everything revolved around the cultivation of Elemental Power. Body Refining was simply too slow, and it was difficult to achieve much with the physical body. Every increase of several tens of thousands of pounds in strength required immense, arduous training, supplemented by various Spirit Medicines or the blood of Demon Beasts, just to achieve a breakthrough.

From their perspective, no matter how strong one’s body was, could it withstand a blow from a Core Formation Stage expert? In principle, it was very difficult, but who would be foolish enough to block such an attack with their body anyway?

The key was that those who practiced Body Refining could unleash even more formidable power by combining it with their robust physique. With the same attack, a Body Refiner would be far stronger than someone who purely cultivated Elemental Power. For example, if someone could strike with a force of one million pounds using only Elemental Power, a Body Refiner, by combining their physical strength with Elemental Power, could strike with a force of one and a half million pounds, or even more!

However, powerful physiques were exceedingly rare. The cultivation speed was simply too slow, and the resources required were far too great. Ordinary people couldn’t afford it. Even wealthy families would find it difficult to sustain. Nurturing one or two such individuals was manageable, but any more would basically lead to bankruptcy.

Generally speaking, most would only provide some methods for Body Refining. It was nearly impossible to cultivate the body to the same level as one’s Elemental Power Cultivation. The majority of Cultivators had a Spirit Pill Stage Cultivation but a physique comparable to the Spirit Refining Stage. The powerful shield of Elemental Power they could manifest on their body’s surface was enough to withstand attacks from experts at the same level.

Since that method was so convenient, why bother specifically with Body Refining? That came down to personal choice. In a life-or-death battle between two people of similar Cultivation, the one with the stronger physique would undoubtedly be the one to survive, as they could endure more damage.

Now, inside the Martial God Tower where Lin Xuan stood, one was returned to their most primal state, forced to rely on their own strength and combat skills to advance.

’No wonder Elder Tuo said I would only understand once I came inside myself. Powerful Cultivation is almost useless here; I can only rely on my own physique to fight my way up. The physiques of the Demon Sea People are stronger than those of outsiders, which gives them an advantage in this Martial God Tower. As for people from other places, it will be much more difficult...’

Lin Xuan finally understood what was going on. Fortunately, Qingcheng Mansion placed a decent emphasis on Body Refining. Both the Bone Forging Pool and the enhanced Cyan Cloud Tower had considerable effects on strengthening the body. However, these effects were relatively superficial; advancing to a deeper level was much more difficult.

Otherwise, so many people wouldn’t be so averse to Body Refining. It wasn’t just difficult, it was grueling!

Lin Xuan shifted his attention back to his surroundings and scanned the area. The scene had changed dramatically; the entrance he had come through was long gone. He had entered a different space. Before him stood imposing copper statues, each over two men tall, looking immense. Every statue held a different weapon, appearing incredibly martial.

Despite their great age, the statues bore no rust, but rather the marks of countless battles. It was clear these scars were left behind after many, many fights.

’So this is the First Layer...’

Lin Xuan could feel the Killing Intent emanating from the statues; they had definitely seen extraordinary combat. Fortunately, the space was large enough. The only downside was the lack of stairs leading up. He presumed that completing the required trial would teleport him to the next level.

As he took a step forward, a deep voice echoed in his ears: "Please select the weapon you excel with!" The voice seemed to come from above, from below, and from right beside his ear all at once. He couldn’t quite pinpoint its source.

’The weapon I excel with...’ Lin Xuan noticed a rack of weapons arranged nearby. Their Grades weren’t particularly high, but they were at least at the Spiritual Artifact Level.

But Lin Xuan didn’t need them. He already had his Chi Dragon Heavens Rod, so there was no need to use those weapons.

He took the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod out from his Storage Ring. Thankfully, access to it wasn’t sealed here. If everything had been locked away, that would have been a real problem.

The moment he took out the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod, the voice returned: "A long staff. For the first trial, you will be opposed by the Staff Envoy!"

As soon as the voice faded, the giant statue holding a staff leaped down from its copper pedestal. With a loud THUD, the entire ground trembled as if an earthquake was shaking the mountains.

’This giant statue must weigh at least several tens of thousands of pounds. I wonder what it’s made of...’ Lin Xuan wasn’t focused on that, however. The important thing was whether the statue was agile or not.

If it was too agile, he would be in a tough spot. Without being able to use Elemental Power, he couldn’t execute the Cyan Cloud Step at all.

The giant statue had just landed when it stomped on the ground, shaking it once more, and charged toward him. Its massive body, combined with its thick arms and long staff, gave it a terrifyingly wide attack range. Anyone without sufficient speed would find it difficult to dodge.

Of course, Lin Xuan had no need to dodge. He never intended to in the first place.

’You want to play with staff techniques in front of me? Let’s see whose strength is greater!’

Lin Xuan gripped his Chi Dragon Heavens Rod and met the charge head-on. He aimed at the oncoming copper statue and thrust forward viciously, not using a single bit of Elemental Power, relying purely on his own physical strength.

BOOM! With astonishing arm strength, his thrust broke the air, sending a violent tremor forward.

"Cloud-Entering Form!"

There was nothing fancy about it, just a simple thrust. The Chi Dragon Heavens Rod in his hand flashed with a red glow. Even under the high-speed swing of his arm, it could still erupt with a menacing crimson light!

The copper statue, holding its giant staff, showed no expression and no fear. It responded with a thrust of its own. It had no Martial Arts to use; it relied solely on the immense power generated by its massive body.

DONG!

The two long staves collided violently. Lin Xuan’s staff was only as thick as an ordinary wooden stick, while the statue’s giant staff was as thick as a water bucket. The proportions were completely different.

But Lin Xuan easily overpowered it. He thrust forward with all his might, veins bulging on his arm. His arm, though not thick, erupted with a force that crushed his opponent, sending the entire copper statue flying with a single blow from his staff.

In the instant it was sent flying, a menacing glint flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes. He pushed off his feet and charged forward, instantly retracting the staff he had just thrust out, and then stabbed out again with ferocious speed!

"Extreme Point Inch Light!"

No Elemental Power was needed. He still condensed his strength into a single point and thrust forward viciously.

DONG!

The Chi Dragon Heavens Rod struck like a mallet on a Copper Bell. The entire space filled with the resonant sound of a ringing bell, echoing continuously. After the Staff Envoy was sent flying, a deep dent had been caved into its chest by his tyrannical power, far more conspicuous and domineering than any of the other marks on the statues.

It was a complete and utter beatdown!