Chapter 002: The Soul of the Turtle
As a lowly commoner, Fang Yan yearned to escape his status. The Han Wei Dynasty esteemed martial arts, particularly in the Duke of Zhenbei's residence, where military achievements were highly regarded and the practice of martial arts was a prevailing trend
The dog wags its tail and pats its little belly, sitting cross-legged on the bed in a manner that seems quite proper. Fang Yan smiles and also sits cross-legged on the bed, closing his eyes to sense for a moment, and suddenly feels a jolt in his heart.
"Only a fool would get upset over this fat man." Fang Yan nodded, as he too wished to return to his small room soon to carefully contemplate the matter of integrating the small cauldron into his body. After all, the Qi Sea is fundamental for a martial artist's entry into the path, and one must not be careless.
Each warrior can possess only one battle soul throughout their lifetime. From the very first day of embarking on the martial path, they can absorb the battle soul into their body, allowing for prolonged interaction and cultivation between the human soul and the battle soul. Once the warrior transitions from the acquired realm to the innate realm, the battle soul is also nurtured and cultivated to a correspondingly powerful stage, enabling it to assist its master in combat.
Damn little bastard! Fang Yan cursed inwardly
"What guidance can you offer?" Fang Yan scratched his head and replied, "What use is there in just offering a few pointers?"
What about calamity? What does it mean?
However, not every martial artist is suitable for absorbing and cultivating battle souls. Nevertheless, if the little turtle is indeed a battle soul, it has been inside Fang Yan's body for several hours without any adverse reactions. This indicates that Fang Yan's constitution is suitable for absorbing battle souls
Fang Yan listened in a daze, yet he had a vague feeling that this three-legged small ding was likely not an ordinary object
The white jade small tripod remains quietly suspended in the sea of qi, but the black little turtle of the humped tripod has disappeared
Oh! Fang Yan's eyes turned, and a hint of a sly smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He was already aware that this little turtle had a very high opinion of itself, with a proud and strong-willed temperament. Such a character is most intolerant of being provoked by others.
The integration of the divine tripod into your being may be a fortuitous opportunity for you, or perhaps a calamity
As soon as the words left Lao Gui's mouth, Fang Yan felt that this address was quite unpleasant to hear, and could only brace himself to continue, "Could you please clarify a bit more?"
Hey, hey! Hold on, hold on. Fang Yan frowned and said, "Why is your temper so irritable? I merely spoke casually, and you made such a fierce vow, saying you would jump into a cesspit and sink for three hundred years; even the immortals would be suffocated by the stench..."
After the conversation, Fang Yan had already noticed that although this dark little turtle appeared proud and had an unknown origin, it did not seem to be a malevolent creature. Thus, he felt much bolder and, picking his nose, said: "What if it doesn't work out?"
Although Fang Yan's cultivation is fraught with numerous adverse factors, it is still evident how arduous the practice is. For an ordinary martial artist, achieving the innate realm before the age of thirty is already considered fast; thus, advancing from the second layer of acquired realm to innate within three years is nearly impossible.
"Are you really a battle spirit?" Fang Yan still found it hard to believe. Battle spirits in the world come in all shapes and colors, and while there are indeed martial artists who have collected turtle spirits, the origins of this little turtle are simply too strange.
Fang Yan was deep in thought, and it was undeniable that the temptation of cultivation was indeed too great for him
Enough with the nonsense! Little Turtle's temper is indeed fierce and volatile. Fang Yan's unintentional mistake has severely wounded its pride: "I, an old man, have always been a man of my word! If I say I will elevate you to become an unparalleled powerhouse, then that is as certain as iron nails!"
In fact, warriors should begin to absorb their battle souls from a young age. Although they cannot use techniques or calligraphy to stimulate the battle soul to leave the body before entering the innate realm, the communication and integration with the battle soul is also an extremely important part of their cultivation.
Given the current environment in which Fang Yan finds himself, the only way to escape his predicament is through relentless cultivation. By excelling in martial arts, he aims to gain the recognition of several key figures within the侯府, leveraging their assistance to secure his freedom.
The so-called opportunity is the recognition of the Divine Cauldron. From ancient times to the present, the Divine Cauldron has only recognized two individuals, and you are the third. The little turtle slowly opened its eyes and said: "Your current cultivation is truly insignificant, barely qualifying you as a martial artist. The Divine Cauldron will assist you in your martial arts journey, allowing you to progress smoothly. I, the most powerful battle spirit throughout history, will also follow the Divine Cauldron and become your battle spirit. Is this not an opportunity? However, regardless of the circumstances, do not inquire about the origins of me and the little cauldron. When the time comes for you to know, it will naturally be revealed to you."
"Brother Yan, don't take Wu Liang's malice to heart," said Gou Wa, blinking his eyes. "There isn't much work left for today, let's finish it quickly so we can go back to our training"
The most common types of battle souls are human souls, beast souls, and weapon souls. In ancient times, battle souls were collected by powerful martial artists who subdued them in various places. However, with the gradual improvement of this method, specialized soul sealers have emerged, responsible for capturing and sealing certain battle souls. In other words, to obtain battle souls, one can either capture them oneself or purchase them at a high price from soul sealers
Martial arts cultivation is divided into nine levels in the postnatal realm. Only by surpassing the peak of the nine levels can one be considered to have entered the innate realm. The speed of cultivation for each martial artist is related to their personal aptitude and the environment in which they practice. Fang Yan obtained a breathing technique from his father's relics and practiced with Gou Wa for three years. As of now, he has only reached the second level of the postnatal realm.
"This is truly strange." Fang Yan faintly sensed something amiss. It was already bizarre for a foreign object to penetrate the Qi Sea, and now the little turtle had abandoned the small cauldron and slipped away on its own, which only deepened the confusion. Once there is an issue with the Qi Sea, it will undoubtedly affect cultivation.
The little turtle pondered for a moment and solemnly said, "At most forty percent"
Fang Yan was afraid that he might have been careless and misperceived the situation, so he quickly focused his mind. This time, he was absolutely certain that the small black turtle had indeed disappeared.
"Unless you are a block of wood!" Little Turtle felt that he was being looked down upon by Fang Yan, and his anger grew even more intense: "Otherwise, with my guidance, if you cannot become an unparalleled strongman, I will jump into a cesspit and sink for three hundred years..."
The two of them efficiently completed the remaining chores, then went to the kitchen where the servants dined to grab a few steamed buns, eating as they walked. By the time they returned to their usual sleeping quarters, all the buns had already been consumed.
Do not consider it! A fierce and intense flame suddenly surged within Fang Yan's heart. Although the Fang family is of lowly status and has few members, every generation of this family has consistently upheld a tenacious and unyielding belief.
"Do you look down on others, young man?" The little turtle was furious: "I, an old man, have seen the world. It is not impossible for those who receive my guidance to become top-tier strong individuals!"
The living yearn for dignity, and the deceased equally require dignity
I am not only a warrior spirit, but also the most powerful warrior spirit throughout history!
One flower, one world; one blade of grass, one paradise. All things in the world possess a soul. Since ancient times, wise and virtuous sages in the martial arts have gradually developed supreme methods to draw wandering souls into their bodies, thereby enhancing their combat power. These souls, collected by martial artists, are referred to as battle souls.
Isn't that just boasting? Fang Yan murmured softly to the book.
Fang Yan felt a surge of surprise in his heart, yet his mind remained exceptionally clear. The little turtle spoke very clearly; this was an opportunity, and it might also be a calamity.
Battle Soul! This little turtle is actually the battle soul that every warrior dreams of!
Do you acknowledge me
At most forty percent, how do you want to try? Once you take the first step on this path, there is no possibility of retreat. The divine cauldron will retaliate, and no one can stop it. Little one, you need to think carefully.
Do not search anymore, I am within you
Thus, what lies before you are two paths: one of life and one of death. If you are afraid, I can still think of a way to separate the divine cauldron from your body. However, if you insist on cultivating with the divine cauldron, then there will be no way back.
"Achieving the innate realm within three years?" Fang Yan could not help but gasp in shock
The sound rang out again, and Fang Yan immediately sensed that this sound did not seem to come from his ears, but rather from within his mind. Focusing his spirit and sensing slightly, the black little turtle from the humped cauldron suddenly appeared within his body
If I utilize Xiao Ding, what are the chances of stepping into innate opportunities within three years
Why are you scolding me
A sudden sound erupted, startling Fang Yan, who quickly opened his eyes and looked around. Apart from himself and the dog, there was no one else in the small room.
Whether it is strong or not is not the point for now, but why do you want to enter my body? And what about that small cauldron?
Fang Yan's eyes lit up: "A 40% chance?"
Little Turtle! ? '' Fang Yan almost exclaimed: `` How are you still alive! ''
Do you think I want to enter your body? I came in with the Divine Cauldron, but..." The little turtle changed the subject: "Since the Divine Cauldron has entered your body, it indicates that it recognizes you.
The outcasts are indeed a great sorrow in this world. Not only do they lack dignity and status in life, but even in death, they can only be hastily buried in chaotic graves, without the right to erect a tombstone. Over time, many of these graves have been reduced to flat ground, and their descendants can only mourn their ancestors before the endless yellow earth.
Good! You are decisive in action, daring to strive and fight; it is hard to believe that at such a young age, you possess a hint of the charm I had in my youth. Little Turtle seemed to sense this unmatched aura of strong belief emanating from Fang Yan, and silently praised him. Then he spoke, "I was born with the Divine Cauldron and will perish with it. During these three years, I shall humbly offer you some guidance."
Once one is discharged from the ranks, it signifies the ability to serve in the military like an ordinary person, to achieve merit on the battlefield through genuine skill with sword and spear, thereby liberating oneself and even one's ancestors from the status of a lowly commoner
Fang Yan is well aware of this principle. Within Yun Jing City, there are several time-honored shops that sell sealed battle souls. Fang Yan has secretly observed them a few times; each small box, intricately carved from dark wood, is adorned with a striking red soul seal, making them very eye-catching. However, the prices are exorbitantly high, far beyond what someone of Fang Yan's status can afford.
The power that a formidable battle spirit can unleash is almost beyond human imagination, and describing it as overwhelming is not an exaggeration
"You started too late." A hint of regret flashed in the proud expression of the little turtle: "If you had obtained the divine cauldron a few years ago, there would have been ample time, but now... to be frank, if you wish to use the divine cauldron for cultivation, it is not impossible. However, given your age, if you do not reach the innate realm within three years, the divine cauldron will backfire and absorb all your original essence"
"Are you alive?" Although the little turtle was unremarkable in appearance, its tone was ancient and profound. Raising its head high, it said proudly: "I am the spirit of battle; I have always been alive"
Be content, for I am of a distinguished status. If it is not recognized by the Divine Cauldron, then even if others kneel and plead earnestly, I would not bother to respond to them.