Chapter 15: Domain
"Spiritual Detection Sharing..."
Luoyang Lu looked at Hua Yichen with a knowing smile and quipped: "Were you jealous before?"
"I wasn't," Hua Yichen replied, rolling his eyes.
Luoyang Lu chuckled and shook his head, then stopped laughing and waited for Huo Yuhao to complete his ascension.
The two entered the room one after the other.
As soon as they stepped inside, they saw the purple soul ring beside Huo Yuhao.
Even though they had anticipated this scene, their expressions still shifted subtly.
A six-year-old with a thousand-year soul ring was rare even in the era of soul beasts, and it was even more extraordinary in today's soul age.
After all, while natural treasures that enhance physical fitness are not uncommon, those that improve spiritual power are exceedingly rare.
Such treasures are nearly impossible to find and often depend on one's own efforts.
Without sufficient spiritual power, it is impossible to elevate a soul ring to a thousand years.
Huo Yuhao stood up and stretched slightly, his body emitting a series of crisp sounds.
He seemed to have grown a bit taller.
The soul bone had belonged to him before, so absorbing it again posed no difficulty.
While the boost in soul power was secondary, the effects of the 10,000-year-old whale gum had already elevated his physical fitness to a level comparable to that of an ordinary Four-Ring Soul Ancestor.
If he were to absorb the torso bones later and utilize other heavenly and earthly treasures provided by the Spirit Pagoda, his physical strength could rival that of a Soul Emperor by the time he reached the four-ring level.
This would be a much faster progression than ten thousand years ago.
At least he wouldn't have to worry about his physical fitness holding back his mental strength.
Seeing Huo Yuhao approach, Hua Yichen quickly masked his excitement and stepped forward to inspect him, nodding with satisfaction.
"Excellent! A thousand-year soul ring at this age, you are the first."
Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power within him.
He looked at Hua Yichen, his eyes gleaming.
Hua Yichen's preferential treatment of him was not lost on Huo Yuhao.
While it might have been an investment in the elder's eyes, Huo Yuhao didn't take it for granted.
For an elder dedicated to nurturing a strong individual, there was no greater joy than seeing the fruits of their labor begin to show.
Huo Yuhao looked up at Hua Yichen and said with a smile, "I'm not ungrateful. If I'm given opportunities, I won't settle for being at the bottom. That would be a disservice to my abilities and to those who have given me these chances."
Ten thousand years ago, he had lived in obscurity for nearly a century, hidden in the shadows.
This time, he would live boldly.
After all, he had only said that he lacked the ability to protect himself as a soul master, not that he couldn't protect himself as a soul master...
Hua Yichen was momentarily taken aback, then smiled at Huo Yuhao's newfound determination.
Young people should be ambitious, shouldn't they? They should aim high and dream big!
"Also, I want to enter the Spirit Ascension Platforms and learn combat skills. I request your permission, Master Hua."
---
Hua Yichen: "Your first soul skill is not a combat type, so don't be in such a hurry. First—"
Before Hua Yichen could finish speaking, a powerful spiritual wave surged, distorting the air within a ten-meter radius.
Luoyang Lu, a Soul Emperor, couldn't help but show a slight change in expression.
Huo Yuhao had already withdrawn his soul ring, yet the range of this effect was astonishing. What kind of soul skill was this?
Hua Yichen took a deep breath and provided the answer.
"Martial Soul Domain."
Seeing that Huo Yuhao's soul ring hadn't lit up, yet he had used a soul technique resembling a realm, Hua Yichen could only think of one explanation: the Domain.
Domain-type soul skills, which allow the user to manipulate everything within a certain range according to their will, are considered top-tier control abilities.
Even 10,000 years ago, they were as rare as ultimate martial souls.
Although domain skills are no longer as uncommon in today's era at high-level, they can still be stacked, and possessing an additional domain skill is always an advantage.
Moreover, martial souls capable of carrying a Domain are often associated with one word: powerful.
For example, 20,000 years ago, the Seraphim possessed its own Angel Domain, and the strength of the Seraphim martial soul needs no elaboration.
"Top-tier Body Martial Soul, terrifying spiritual power talent, and now an Innate Domain... How many more surprises do you have in store for me?"
Hua Yichen took a deep breath and looked at Huo Yuhao with a profound gaze.
Luoyang Lu's expression also grew complicated.
Although it had only lasted a moment, and only because he hadn't resisted, during that brief period, he could clearly see Huo Yuhao's figure but couldn't sense his presence or restless soul power.
If Huo Yuhao were to use this soul skill for assassination, it would be nearly unstoppable.
"Alright, I'll arrange it for you," Hua Yichen said.
"But let me remind you of one thing, Yu Hao. Remember, when someone can pose a threat to you, even if that person is close to you, you must remain vigilant. Never reveal all your cards, no matter how much you trust them."
Huo Yuhao's expression shifted slightly. He looked at Hua Yichen with surprise in his eyes, then smiled and said:
"Master Hua, if you were to teach, you'd undoubtedly train exceptional students."
---
The three of them made their way to the lobby on the first floor, took the elevator down, and after three minutes, the elevator came to a stop.
Stepping out, they entered a spacious lobby with over a dozen staff members.
Behind the lobby was a series of metal passages.
When the staff saw Hua Yichen, they saluted one after another. "Greetings, Branch Pagoda Master."
Hua Yichen nodded with a smile. "Continue with your work. I'm taking Yu Hao to the Ascension Platform."
"Branch Pagoda Master," one staff member stepped forward hesitantly, "there are students from East Sea Academy in the Ascension Platform right now."
In the name of the East Sea City, the East Sea Academy stands as one of the top institutions in East Sea City.
The Spirit Pagoda recruits ordinary staff locally from time to time, and occasionally selects soul masters who have graduated from East Sea Academy.
As a result, the relationship between the two organizations is quite amicable.
Eastsea Academy even occasionally pays to bring its most outstanding students to the Ascension Platform for training.
Hua Yichen's eyes gleamed as he said, "That's fine. Go ahead and arrange it. Just let Yuhao enter the Seclusion area."
Seclusion?
The staff member looked at Huo Yuhao in surprise upon hearing this.
It was rumored that the Branch Pagoda Master held this new kid in high regard, and now it seemed to be true.
As the staff member entered a passage to make the necessary preparations, Hua Yichen and the other two followed.
On the way, Luoyang Lu remarked with a smile:
"Yu Hao, the soul beasts in the Seclusion area are nothing like the simulated ones. They are real soul beasts that have survived and fought in places like the Star Dou Great Forest and the Extreme North. They're experienced, powerful, and not something you can take down easily. Are you confident you can handle them?"
Huo Yuhao nodded firmly.
The Ascension Platform was designed to enhance the age of the soul, and its environment simulated the Star Dou Great Forest.
The soul beasts within were mostly creations of the Spirit Pagoda, shaped by the world's collective understanding.
However, there was another area within the Ascension Platform: the Seclusion Zone.
This was a place accessible only to the insiders of the Spirit Pagoda, for the soul beasts within were not mere simulations—they were real soul beasts... or rather, souls.