Chapter 169: Training in Mysterious Heaven Skill
Since arriving at Almo Mountain, Yang Potian had transitioned to the Mysterious Heaven Skill for his meditation practice. Though it required starting from scratch, the benefits were immediately apparent. The Mysterious Heaven Skill, a pinnacle of Daoist cultivation techniques, allowed his spirit power to flow endlessly, becoming boundless and robust. In terms of raw spirit power, it far exceeded that of any ordinary spirit master at the same level.
The key distinction of the Mysterious Heaven Skill lay in its focus on meridian pathways, which set it apart from the practices of the Douluo world. In martial worlds, the mastery of inner power requires a deep understanding of meridians, leading to a refined understanding of the human body. By contrast, in Douluo, spirit power flows throughout the body without the intricate focus on meridians, which, while broader in scope, lacks the detailed precision seen in martial worlds.
Yang Potian and a select few possessed the complete meridian map, including the "Eight Extraordinary Meridians." However, the abridged versions distributed outside lacked critical details. The simplified maps included only general meridian divisions, omitting the full layout of the "Eight Extraordinary Meridians."
The human body has twelve primary meridians that correspond to the internal organs—Gallbladder, Liver, Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, and Triple Burner channels. These twelve paths link to the five major organs and balance the body's energy, enabling an endless, natural circulation of life energy throughout.
The "Eight Extraordinary Meridians," however, operate differently. Unlike the twelve primary meridians, they do not directly connect to the internal organs but instead weave through them, linking nearby meridians with complementary functions. They serve two main purposes: first, to interconnect the twelve meridians, harmonizing energy flow; and second, to store and release energy as needed, enhancing the body's resilience and vitality.
These advanced meridian techniques enabled Yang Potian to feel secure sharing the Mysterious Heaven Skill more widely. Moreover, he felt fortunate to have eaten the Miracle Celestial Chrysanthemum, a rare herb that opened his meridians without inner power training, allowing his spirit power to circulate naturally—truly a miraculous gift.
After half a year of training, Yang Potian reached the third level of the Mysterious Heaven Skill. The first level took him only a month, the second two months, and the third was projected to take about four months. At this pace, he estimated it would take around two years to reach his current spirit power level with the skill.
However, the others learning the Mysterious Heaven Skill progressed at a slower pace, taking roughly twice as long as Yang Potian. For each of them, though, the time investment was worthwhile. None had yet reached Spirit Emperor level, and upon mastering the fifth level of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, they would find their spirit power significantly deepened, with improved recovery speed compared to other spirit masters.
Unexpectedly, Niu Meng advanced the fastest, even surpassing the exceptionally gifted Yang Tianyue and the high-level Ye Lingling. Perhaps the effects of the Vajra Fruit he consumed, similar to the Miracle Celestial Chrysanthemum, enhanced his meridian flow.
After half a year of arduous training, Yang Potian's spirit power reached Level 69, on the verge of Level 70. He expected to break through to the Spirit Sage realm within the next ten days.
With the clan's new base fully established and Tianxing Academy ready to open, Yang Potian felt confident in the path ahead. In the past six months, his clansmen had taken charge of the Almo Mountain region, conducting spirit awakenings for the locals. Both the Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou Empire officials had withdrawn from the area.
The Almo Mountain territory, now under complete control of Tianxing Academy, felt like an independent domain. As a remote region, many children had delayed their spirit awakenings, and the recent efforts revealed over 300 youths with awakened spirits. However, spirit power levels were generally low, with fewer than ten percent exceeding innate Level 5. Only one child had innate Level 7 spirit power.
The newly formed Marquis's Mansion in Monet City, run by a 73rd-level Spirit Sage from the Defense Clan, symbolized the academy's authority, though the building remained unoccupied as a ceremonial seat of power.
Following the recent awakenings, the Marquis's Mansion announced that Tianxing Academy would admit students up to age 12 with innate spirit power and those aged 12 to 18 who had already attained spirit master status. This amounted to roughly 400 students—enough to establish a steady academy life. This unique academy, however, boasted the strongest faculty across the Douluo Continent, even though its students were the least skilled by comparison.
Neither Yang Potian nor the clan members were overly concerned. The goal was to build a foundation of students and teaching standards. As time went on and Tianxing Academy's reputation grew, both student enrollment and quality would gradually increase. Every advanced spirit academy required time to cultivate its standing.
Tianxing Academy differed from others in that it provided free education, covering all training costs for its students, including resources and facilities like simulated environments. Additional resources could be earned through talent, dedication, and loyalty to the academy.
A few dozen clan members' children also attended the academy, forming its core student body.
On Almo Mountain's summit, Yang Potian stood alone in a ring, facing several opponents—Yang Ping'an, Yang Tianyue, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Niu Meng, Yang Yuxuan, and Niu Kui—who prepared to spar against him, watched by other clan elders gathered around.
Yang Potian addressed the seven before him: "Up until now, each of you has trained on your own and gained experience from battles in the spirit beast forest. Compared to others your age, you've developed considerable combat skills."
"But today, I'm going to teach you an essential lesson. Do you know what you're still missing?"
The seven exchanged glances, shaking their heads. With their talents and strength, they knew they could secure the championship in the Spirit Master Tournament just with their team alone—they were among the strongest of their generation.
Yang Potian's expression turned steely. "You've only fought in academies. None of you have faced life-or-death battles against true enemies. You've never killed. Combat in an academy and fighting in the spirit master world are vastly different. Out there, survival means doing anything necessary to eliminate your opponent."
"Today, we'll battle. I won't use any spirit abilities, and I'll suppress my spirit power and strength to your level. I want you to understand what real killing intent feels like."
The group tensed. They'd sparred against Yang Potian before, but they'd always been defeated in mere moves, even with him holding back.
Standing in the ring, Yang Wudi, acting as the referee, addressed them. "You younger ones may not understand. My generation grew strong through endless life-and-death struggles. Whatever type of spirit master you are, true strength can only be forged in the face of life and death."
"Our clans can die in battle, but we will never cower or back down."
"This is an unrestricted fight. Use any skills or techniques you have. Fight with everything you've got. Now, let the match begin."
All seven immediately summoned their spirits, arranging themselves in the formation they had used in the Spirit Master Tournament. At that moment, Yang Potian activated his spirit. White light surged from his Breaking Spear, flooding the entire ring, and everyone caught in its light was plunged into an overwhelming scene of corpses and blood.
A profound dread filled them, gripping them as though they were trapped in endless slaughter. Their spirit power circulation and even the strength of their spirit abilities seemed to weaken significantly.
In their eyes, Yang Potian appeared as a blood-red demon, an embodiment of slaughter.
Even Yang Wudi, standing nearby, felt the pressure—this was Yang Potian's Killing God Domain, and it was the first time he revealed it in front of his family.
Yang Ping'an let out a fierce shout, "Hold steady, everyone! This is a fight! We're warriors, not sheep to be slaughtered!"
Steeling himself, Yang Ping'an unleashed his fifth spirit ability: White Tiger Annihilation Strike, his most powerful attack.
Seeing the attack coming, Yang Potian adjusted his grip on the Breaking Spear, sidestepping the strike just slightly and redirecting it with a small flick of his spear—a technique inspired by his mastery of Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon. It was like deflecting force with minimal resistance, guiding Yang Ping'an's momentum aside. Caught off-balance, Yang Ping'an tilted forward, giving Yang Potian an opening to charge toward the others.
Niu Meng quickly activated his fifth spirit ability, Iron Armor Defense, blocking Yang Potian's path.
But Yang Potian sidestepped again, using his agility to bypass Niu Meng and aiming for Ye Lingling at the rear.
A red shield of spirit power flared around Ye Lingling, intercepting the Breaking Spear's strikes, but Yang Potian pressed forward, each thrust steadily weakening her shield.
Yang Tianyue and three others rushed forward, surrounding Yang Potian to trap him. Niu Meng and Yang Ping'an joined them, forming a six-person encirclement. Yang Ping'an, seizing the opportunity, activated his spirit bone skill to increase his speed and launched forward.
Their teamwork had undoubtedly improved since the Spirit Master Tournament, with each role of offense, defense, and support well-coordinated.
Yet such a formation was hardly enough to intimidate Yang Potian.
Wielding the Breaking Spear, Yang Potian released a series of rapid, shining spear strikes, each blast of energy targeting those around him. He kept his focus on Ye Lingling, launching repeated strikes until her shield wavered under the force.
With the others preoccupied, Yang Potian shifted his position, appearing before Ye Lingling in an instant. Gripping his spear tightly, he launched a direct attack, the sound of a dragon's roar echoing with the strike—it was the second technique of the Nine Styles of the Breaking Spear: Spear Thrusts Like a Dragon.
Ye Lingling reacted with all her strength, drawing on every ounce of her spirit power to block the assault, as a red shield materialized before her.
Anticipating Yang Potian's movement, Niu Meng and Yang Ping'an closed in, both using their spirit bone abilities. Yang Ping'an held the Breaking Spear, advancing swiftly, while Niu Meng's arm ignited with explosive fire.
(End of Chapter)