Zang Wei's Progress

As Zang Wei immersed himself in the rich knowledge contained within his once-empty mini-library, a profound transformation had taken place over the past year. His study table, once barren, was now adorned with numerous books, scrolls, and notes, attesting to his relentless pursuit of wisdom.

Throughout this transformative year, Zang Wei had embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. His pursuit of knowledge and the quest for a unique path in spirit mastery had driven him to meticulously research and experiment.

The scattered notes on his table were a testament to his dedication, as he delved into the depths of spirit mastery, meticulously recording his findings.

In the time that had passed, most of his classmates had successfully absorbed their first spirit ring, marking significant progress in their journey as spirit masters. However, there was one notable exception—Bibi Dong.

Her decision to wait until Zang Wei had absorbed a spirit ring had inadvertently held her back, and she remained at Rank 10.

The reason behind her choice was rooted in her unwavering determination to keep pace with Zang Wei. She refused to accept a spirit ring younger than his, and this decision had led to her current status.

Yet, neither of them harbored feelings of anxiety or impatience about their cultivation.

Their esteemed master, Qian Daoliu, had not only supported their unique approach but had also provided them with valuable guidance and resources.

He believed in their potential to develop groundbreaking mantras through their innate talent and dedication.

In a show of confidence, he had entrusted them with the original scripture of his own cultivation technique, a rare and precious gift. This gesture was intended to inspire them, allowing them to draw inspiration from his teachings and refine their own understanding of spirit mastery.

One day, a particularly exciting discovery had been the turning point of his year-long journey. One day, buried within the pages of a dusty old tome, he had stumbled upon a revelation that left him both surprised and elated. This precious discovery held the key to translating the mysterious runes etched onto both of his martial spirits.

Months of painstaking effort and countless failed attempts had finally culminated in success. Zang Wei had cracked the code, revealing the hidden meaning behind the enigmatic runes.

Yet, the revelation wasn't as groundbreaking as he had hoped. The runes spelled out a sentence that left him perplexed, its significance eluding his understanding.

Zang Wei's thoughts drifted to the translated runes etched on both of his martial spirits, and the profound words they formed. As he read and reread the inscription, its meaning began to crystallize in his mind.

It was a poetic and somber message that seemed to convey a profound truth about life and death.

"Nothing can we call our own but death, and that small model of the barren earth.

Which serves as paste and cover to our bones.

For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground, and tell sad stories of the death of kings."

Though he still couldn't grasp the deeper significance of these words, a sudden insight struck him!

Fueled by unyielding curiosity and an insatiable hunger for knowledge, Zang Wei embarked on a relentless journey of research and experimentation that stretched for countless hours.

Armed with the invaluable original scripture bestowed upon him by his master, he dove deep into the realms of discovery and innovation. Guided by his master's sage advice and fueled by sheer determination, Zang Wei's tireless efforts bore fruit that reached the pinnacle of groundbreaking.

First and foremost, Zang Wei had succeeded in unearthing a technique that had long remained shrouded in mystery and had, until now, been a closely guarded secret known only to the echelons of Titled Douluo.

With relentless determination and an insatiable thirst for understanding, he unraveled the enigmatic process of soul core formation, a skill believed to be beyond the reach of ordinary spirit masters. 

This intricate technique hinged on the collision of his death and life auras, a fusion that would prove instrumental in refining his spirit energy to levels previously deemed unattainable. The interplay of these opposing forces birthed a transformative alchemy within him.

With each collision, the essence of his spirit energy became more dense, distilling into his reserve that set him apart from his peers. He called this technique as Yin Yang Complement technique.

The first revelation, stemming from his meticulous exploration of the interplay between life and death, led to an unprecedented breakthrough. In a stroke of profound insight, he discerned the intricate relationship that existed between these two seemingly opposing forces.

From this revelation emerged a second revelation of equal significance.

He stumbled upon the profound realization that every martial spirit harbored within itself a unique cultivation method, a sacred and deeply personal pathway to unlocking its full potential. This revelation was far than a intellectual revelation.

It was an ethereal connection, an almost mystical communion between the spirit master and their martial spirit. It was as if the martial spirit itself possessed a sentient consciousness, guiding and nurturing the spirit master throughout their cultivation journey.

However, this ethereal guidance was far from uniform, and its potency was intrinsically linked to the innate talent of the spirit master. The innate soul power, a measure of one's innate talent, played a pivotal role in determining the strength and precision of the martial spirit's guidance.

The more prodigious the spirit master, the more profound and accurate the martial spirit's counsel became. This symbiotic relationship between spirit master and martial spirit unveiled a profound facet of spiritual cultivation, adding a layer of complexity that only those with exceptional innate talent could fully appreciate.

To form this connection, the spirit masters need to manipulate their spirit energy in a particular way. So, it's not that easy to copy even if others knew about his discovery. He named this act as Soul Resonance.

To make sure these wasn't spread widely, he only shared these two discoveries with his master and his fellow disciples, Bibi Dong. 

When he told both of them what he had discovered, their jaw was hanging open for a literal minute. Qian Daouliu particularly was more surprised than Bibi Dong as he knew this was a very big breakthrough in human's cultivation method.

He agreed with Zang Wei and reminded Bibi Dong to not disclose any of these and just act as if she didn't hear anything. Bibi Dong was quite confused but she knew that his master was serious, so she just nodded and gave her thanks to Zang Wei for his trust.

After that particular day, both Bibi Dong and him aspired to get at least 10,000 years old spirit beast for their first spirit ring!

Now, they just needed to wait for a little bit more as their body will be strengthen slowly with their dense spirit energy using the Ying Yang Complement technique while their minds were honed by trying to make connection with their twin martial spirits through Soul Resonance.

As Zang Wei looked back on the past three years, sipping his self-made wine, he couldn't help but appreciate the intricate tapestry of experiences that had shaped him. The pursuit of knowledge, the brotherhood with his classmates, and the unwavering support of his master had all played pivotal roles in his journey as the Spirit Hall's Demonic Son.

The future held boundless possibilities, and Zang Wei was determined to seize them all.

...

After finishing his studies and feeling the pangs of hunger, Zang Wei made his way downstairs. His warm greetings to the receptionist, Alina, indicated the close bond they had formed over time.

To him, she felt like a newfound older sister, and he couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.

Entering the bustling dining hall, Zang Wei's keen eyes quickly landed on a group of his classmates and friends, a band of comrades he affectionately referred to as his brothers. They sat around a long table, their animated chatter and laughter filling the air.

A sense of brotherhood and shared experiences had solidified their bonds over the past three years, and their reunions were always marked by exuberance.

Not far away, Zang Wei's other close-knit group, his sisters in spirit, gathered around another table. With smiles that radiated warmth, they welcomed him into their midst.

The trials and triumphs of their collective journey had forged a deep connection, and their friendships had grown immeasurably.

As they savored their meal, the dining hall buzzed with lively conversations. Each of them shared their hobbies and pastimes, painting a vivid picture of their lives outside of the classroom.

Laughter and friendly banter punctuated the air, and the bonds of friendship were reaffirmed with every word spoken.

In the midst of the lively chatter, Yue Guan proposed a weekend camping trip, suggesting they invite the girls to join as well.

The idea resonated with everyone, and with eager anticipation, they made plans to visit a popular camping spot known for its breathtaking golden sunsets and a vantage point offering a panoramic view of the entire Spirit Hall Academy.

The weekend camping trip turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. As the sun began its descent, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, the group found themselves perched on a hill, captivated by the breathtaking sunset.

For dinner, they decided to have a barbecue, but none of them were particularly skilled at grilling. It was a stroke of luck that one of their friends, Gui Mei, possessed some barbecue expertise. 

They sat basking in the golden sunset, awestruck by the splendor of nature.

As the sun painted the sky with vibrant colors, Ling Fengzheng, with her eyes sparkling, said.

"This is even more beautiful than I imagined. It's like a painting come to life."

They shared stories and jokes, feeling a sense of camaraderie that only grew stronger with each passing moment. The aroma of the barbecue wafted through the air, tantalizing their senses.

Gui Mei, who was busy tending to the grill, grinned. "I don't know about you all, but I'm starving. Who's ready for dinner?"

They eagerly gathered around the makeshift barbecue pit, savoring the flavorful food as they continued their lively discussions.

As nightfall enveloped the campsite, they laid out on their backs, gazing up at the star-studded canopy above. The stargazing session quickly evolved into a cacophony of laughter, chattering, bickering, and playful insults.

Gui Hai, the class's gentle giant, nodded in agreement. "Nature has its way of leaving us in awe."

Bibi Dong added, "Indeed. It's a reminder of the vastness of our world and the mysteries that lie beyond."

Zang Wei, ever the joker, couldn't resist poking fun. "Hey, Bibi Dong, perhaps there's a Spirit Beast constellation up there, and it's as fierce as you!"

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes. "You're incorrigible, Zang Wei."

Yue Guan chimed in, "Speaking of Spirit Beasts, I heard a legend that each star in the sky is a Spirit Beast's eye, watching over us."

Youling Bao, who was usually reserved, joined the conversation. "If that's true, then we have quite an audience tonight."

Yue Guan, known for his light-hearted banter, teased, "Hey, Zang Wei, you probably need a telescope to see the stars up close with those tiny eyes of yours!"

Zang Wei retorted with a grin, "Well, at least my eyes aren't so big that they attract meteorites like yours, Yue Guan!"

Their playful exchanges continued, punctuated by occasional exclamations of wonder as they pointed out constellations and shared their thoughts about the universe. The night was filled with the warmth of bonfire and the magic of the starry sky, creating memories that would last a lifetime.