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"Just as I explained earlier, there are many types of second awakenings for martial souls. Besides the method of continuously stacking soul ring essences mentioned in 'Theory of Essence', there's also the special secondary evolution method used by your senior brothers and sisters for innate martial souls. However, I've prepared a different method for your martial soul's second awakening," Ye Wen explained.
Dao Ba immediately became intrigued—after all, no soul master would ever complain about their martial soul being too strong.
"What is it, Master?!"
Ye Wen slowly retrieved two jade bottles from his spirit space and said:
"These two bottles contain the essence of immortal herbs that I obtained by chance."
Though he had only recently joined the academy, Ye Wen was renowned across the Douluo Continent for his knowledge, especially in the field of medical soul masters and their miraculous medicines. Dao Ba had some understanding of herbal lore, and Ye Wen had already introduced him to the concept of immortal herbs.
A troubled expression appeared on Dao Ba's face. Knowing how precious immortal herbs were, he hesitated and said:
"Master, I've only been your disciple for a month and haven't contributed anything yet. Isn't it too wasteful to use something this valuable on me?
Perhaps it would be better to give it to the younger senior brothers and sisters—they're the ones who need it most right now."
Ye Wen calmly shook his head and replied:
"You are my direct disciple. Whether you've been with me for a day or a year, I must treat you equally.
Moreover, while immortal herbs are powerful, they're not omnipotent. If consumed at the wrong time, they might not benefit the body at all. Your junior brothers and sisters are still too young—it's not yet time for them to consume immortal herbs.
Drink it. I'll guard you as you cultivate. If I'm correct, after you use these two bottles of immortal herb essence, your martial soul will fully recover its essence and undergo an evolution."
With that, Ye Wen handed over one of the jade bottles.
Dao Ba felt deeply grateful. Though he had previously been somewhat oblivious to social niceties, he knew when someone was treating him kindly. Without hesitation, he downed the immortal herb essence in one gulp.
Then, Ye Wen instructed: "Dao Ba, quickly circulate your soul power to refine the medicinal energy.
This bottle of immortal herb essence comes from the Nine-Rank Purple Mushroom—it has extraordinary effects in replenishing deficiencies and enhancing cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Dao Ba immediately began circulating his soul power, refining the essence of the immortal herb into every part of his body.
A gentle heat spread from his dantian throughout his entire body. Gradually, foul-smelling black liquid began seeping out from the countless scars on Dao Ba's battered body.
No wonder—just like the Chicken Crest Phoenix Sunflower in the original story, this immortal herb possessed the ability to transform the body and purify the marrow. In terms of cultivation novels, Dao Ba was now transitioning from postnatal to prenatal, reaching the foundational stage.
In Douluo terms, his aptitude had now reached the maximum innate soul power level, compensating for the cultivation deficiencies caused by his damaged essence.
In less than an hour, Dao Ba had fully refined the medicinal energy. Though his body reeked, he paid it no mind compared to the benefits he'd gained.
After a quick rinse to wash away the impurities, Ye Wen promptly had Dao Ba consume the essence from the second jade bottle.
The essence in the second bottle was extracted from the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo. It had the remarkable effect of increasing the strength of a martial soul—in simpler terms, it enhanced the likelihood of beneficial mutations in the martial soul.
Now that Dao Ba's martial soul essence deficiency and aptitude issues had been resolved, combined with this essence that boosted martial soul strength, there was a high probability that Dao Ba's martial soul would now return to its true form.
After consuming the essence of the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, Dao Ba didn't exhibit any particularly strange reactions. However, his naturally ruddy skin took on a faintly translucent glow.
This time, the process lasted much longer—over an hour before Dao Ba slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a deep breath, and revealed an expression filled with excitement.
"Master, my martial soul has evolved!" Dao Ba exclaimed excitedly.
He raised his right hand and summoned his martial soul.
Unlike the previously broken and plain damaged blade, the martial soul Dao Ba summoned now was still a simple, unadorned longsword. However, the blade was completely repaired and noticeably more finely crafted.
The sword was one and a half meters long, with a slight artistic curve. It still lacked a guard, but the hilt appeared to be woven from some kind of special leather, offering an excellent grip.
The blade itself bore irregular, ethereal patterns. Upon closer inspection, it seemed as though countless vengeful spirits were wailing within.
Even more terrifying was the fact that the moment Dao Ba summoned his martial soul, the small chamber was instantly enveloped by an invisible killing intent.
It felt as though a supreme demon was about to annihilate everything in its path.
Ye Wen frowned solemnly and asked, "Is this a domain?"
He couldn't help but inwardly grumble: 'Isn't it rare for domains to appear? There aren't even ten people on the entire Douluo Continent with domains—why do they keep popping up around me?'
Thanks to Ye Wen's teachings, Dao Ba naturally understood what a domain was. After sensing the state of his martial soul, he confidently nodded.
"That's right, Master. My newly evolved martial soul comes with an innate domain—the Slaughter Domain.
Its effect reduces all attributes of enemies within its range by 10%. Additionally, as I kill more, it generates a special killing aura that enhances my combat power."
Though its effects were slightly inferior to Ah Yin's domain or Bibi Dong's future Death Domain, it was still more than enough to crush the vast majority of soul masters.
Moreover, this type of domain grew stronger with each battle. However, considering the side effects of his original damaged blade martial soul, Ye Wen asked gravely:
"Dao Ba, can you still resist the influence of the killing intent within your martial soul?"
Dao Ba revealed a pure smile and replied: "Don't worry, Master. Before, I didn't understand the intricacies of my martial soul. Now that I do, it can't influence me. However, it's true that my martial soul constantly tries to push me toward slaughter."
Seeing this, Ye Wen relaxed. Pure-hearted individuals were prone to extremes—they could fall from absolute goodness into absolute evil or transition from extreme madness to profound rationality.
The previous Dao Ba had been reckless and unrestrained, but after undergoing Ye Wen's mental training, he had achieved clarity of mind, enlightenment, and an unwavering resolve unaffected by external influences. This was the power of a pure heart—once it embraced a belief, it would steadfastly follow it without wavering.
Suddenly, Dao Ba glared coldly at his new, super-powered martial soul and commanded sternly:
"Silence! I am the master! Pull yourself together and stop releasing your power!"
Unlike the simple and honest Dao Ba who stood before Ye Wen earlier, he now radiated an imposing aura. The previously murderous blade abruptly fell silent.
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