Chapter 61: Training in Heart Separation Control

"I wonder how that little monster is doing. Once I return, I must properly thank him," muttered Dugu Bo as he clasped his hands behind his back and slowly walked out of the Sunset Forest. ... At the same time, Tian Lin, having spent the entire night absorbing energy, had finally fully fused with the ten-thousand-year soul bone. Initially, Tian Lin assumed that the soul bone skill granted by the Gale Demon Wolf's soul bone would be speed enhancement, but to his surprise, it turned out to be teleportation. This was far more powerful than mere speed enhancement. Moreover, the range of his teleportation would increase as his level rose. Currently, with Tian Lin just over level 30, his teleportation range is limited to about 50 meters. For now, however, this was more than sufficient. It was worth noting that Xiao Wu's teleportation range was only 5 meters. After all, despite being a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, the Soft-Boned Rabbit was not particularly strong among soul beasts. The Gale Demon Wolf, on the other hand, ranked among the top of all agility-type soul beasts. Most importantly, the wind attribute energy within Tian Lin's body had significantly increased. It seemed he could aim to fuse a soul skill with three elemental attributes for his fourth soul ring. However, compared to his fire and wind attributes, the water-attribute energy in his body was far from sufficient. This was because it stemmed from merely a six-hundred-year soul ring. While the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass improved its quality, it did not increase its quantity. It seemed he would need to consider absorbing another water-attribute soul beast for his fourth or fifth soul ring. If Tian Lin wanted to, he could even attempt to develop his strongest sword skill, Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit Slash, with his fifth soul ring. However, could the soul skills produced by five hundred- to thousand-year soul rings compare to those produced by five ten-thousand-year soul rings? Naturally not. Therefore, major moves like Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit Slash and Ultimate Curse: Return to Yin and Yang would be best reserved for his eighth or ninth soul skills, where they could unleash their full potential. After finishing his cultivation, Tian Lin noticed that Ning Rongrong had fallen asleep on his bed. This little girl must have stayed up all night watching over him until she was too tired to keep her eyes open. Gently tucking her in with a quilt, Tian Lin left the room and headed to the Seven Treasure Hall. Since Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Yin Yang had left to hunt soul beasts, only Chen Xin was in the hall to guard it. "Master!" Tian Lin greeted with a bow. "Ah, Xiao Tian, you're here. It seems your soul bone absorption went very smoothly. Your level has even increased again—excellent." Chen Xin gave Tian Lin an approving glance. Rather than his power increase, Chen Xin cared more about his disciple. He knew his limits. Even with the aid of the Primal Chaos Immortal Grass, he might reach the pinnacle of Rank 99 Douluo, but becoming a god at Rank 100 was still unlikely. Tian Lin, however, was different. His talent was unprecedented in Chen Xin's life. He was a peerless genius with the potential to reach Rank 100 and ascend to godhood. "Master, I came this time to ask if I could learn the sect's secret technique: Heart Separation Control," Tian Lin said. "Heart Separation Control?" Chen Xin was slightly taken aback. "Why do you want to learn that? It's a skill designed for support-type and control-type soul masters. You're a power-type soul master." "Well..." Tian Lin explained the situation regarding his third soul skill. At first, Chen Xin was displeased when he heard that Tian Lin's third soul skill was a support-type ability. But upon learning of its sheer dominance, his expression immediately changed. "Flow of Wind and Water... What a powerful ability! Who would've thought that a power-type soul master could develop such an extraordinary support skill? This skill isn't a loss at all—it's a tremendous gain!" Chen Xin exclaimed. "As for Heart Separation Control, I'll teach you its training method right now. Remember, you are the future Guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In the future, you don't need to ask me whether you can learn something or not. Any soul skill our sect possesses is available for you to study." "Understood. Thank you, Master," Tian Lin said with a smile. After receiving the training method for Heart Separation Control from Chen Xin, he left the hall. His goal was to master the first level, Three Aperature Governing Heart, as quickly as possible. This would allow him to maximize his strength in future team battles. When he returned to his room, Ning Rongrong had just woken up and was frantically looking around for her Sword Brother. She thought Tian Lin had left again. "Sword Brother, I thought you'd gone back to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy," Ning Rongrong said as she clung to Tian Lin's arm, refusing to let go, afraid he might suddenly disappear. "If I were going to leave, I'd let you know first. Sword Brother would never leave without saying goodbye," Tian Lin replied with a smile, patting her head. "This time, I'll be staying longer. I'll have more time to spend with you and practice my Heart Separation Control." "Heart Separation Control? Sword Brother, you're going to train in that? Great! It's boring practicing alone anyway. Let's train together! I can even teach you—I'm almost at the level of Four Aperature Constant Heart," Ning Rongrong said joyfully. Training with Tian Lin was her happiest moment. Thanks to Tian Lin's earlier guidance, Ning Rongrong was far stronger than she was in the original story. Her mastery of Three Aperature Governing Heart had already reached perfection. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before she broke through to the second level. As the most talented disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in nearly a century, Ning Rongrong truly lived up to her reputation. "Then I'll be counting on Teacher Rongrong!" Tian Lin said with a smile, bowing playfully. Training in Heart Separation Control was an extremely tedious process, but having such a charming little girl by his side made it all the more enjoyable. ... While Tian Lin diligently trained and enjoyed his time teasing little Rongrong, major events were unfolding in the very heart of the Douluo Continent—Spirit City. In the Pope's Palace, a woman was seated on the Pope's throne. She was none other than Bibi Dong, the current Pope of Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong was dressed in a radiant golden gown that shimmered with dazzling brilliance. Adorned with over a hundred red, blue, and gold gemstones, her gown glowed like a living treasure. On her head rested the Nine-Curved Purple-Gold Crown, radiating an aura of majesty. She held a two-meter-long scepter inlaid with countless precious gems. Her nearly flawless beauty exuded nobility, elegance, and serenity. No words seemed sufficient to describe even a fraction of her magnificence. Though no longer young, time appeared to have left no trace on her. However, despite her unparalleled beauty, Bibi Dong's mood was far from pleasant. Kneeling before her in the grand hall were her two most capable subordinates, both severely injured. Ghost Douluo Gui Mei was in slightly better condition, suffering only from severe soul power depletion. But Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan had his martial soul corroded, and the poison was beginning to spread through his body. If not for his near Rank 95 soul power suppressing the toxin, he would already be dead. "What's the meaning of this? Didn't you say you were going to deal with Dugu Bo, that eyesore? How did you end up like this?" Bibi Dong demanded, her scepter striking the ground as her voice thundered through the hall. Dugu Bo had long been a thorn in her side, refusing to submit to Spirit Hall and actively assisting the Heaven Dou Empire. She had finally found an excuse to deal with him when he challenged them to a duel. Without hesitation, she sent Yue Guan and secretly had Gui Mei follow as a backup. Either of them alone should have surpassed Dugu Bo in strength. Together, eliminating him should have been a certainty. Yet, they returned in utter defeat, barely clinging to life. How could she not be furious?