Chapter 3: Chakra and Spirit Energy

From the moment Li Xun entered the main hall, he carefully observed the shifting emotions of those around him. The disappointed expressions of Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and the others did not escape his notice. Li Xun speculated that they must have misunderstood something.

"Uncle Ning, you may call my Martial Soul the Thousand-Handed Great Buddha," he said thoughtfully. "My Martial Soul is innately gifted with the ability to control trees."

With these words, Li Xun released his right hand, which had been holding his Martial Soul. The Thousand-Handed Great Buddha naturally hovered beside him, not falling to the ground. Freed, Li Xun pressed his palms together and focused intently on the energy within his body. He was attempting to refine chakra.

In the world of Naruto, chakra originated from the Ōtsutsuki Divine Tree and later evolved into a blend of physical energy and spiritual power refined from the human body. This method of cultivation, relying solely on oneself, was unaffected by changes in the world. What was truly rare were bloodline limits—commonly known as heritage.

As his physical and spiritual energies converged, a faint blue flame flickered within him, delicate and liable to extinguish at any moment. A surge of joy rose in Li Xun’s heart. With chakra, he could wield certain ninja techniques from the Naruto universe, granting him an edge in battle over other Soul Masters.

Just as he was rejoicing, a sudden influx of energy rushed into him from outside, swiftly converging on the blue flame. Li Xun frowned at the unexpected occurrence, but before he could react, the energies intertwined with the blue flame.

"Could this be soul power?" he wondered. "I’m not sure if mixing these energies will affect my use of ninjutsu."

Slowly opening his eyes, he saw Ning Fengzhi and the others watching him expectantly. His eye twitched slightly, but he dismissed his doubts and clasped his fingers tightly, forming the Serpent Seal.

Wood Release.

With chakra flowing through him, three saplings—each about the length of a pinky finger—sprouted suddenly from the ground before him. Having performed the technique, beads of sweat covered his forehead.

Now, he understood Captain Yamato’s feelings. Wood Release was fundamentally a powerful skill; its scale depended entirely on the user’s strength. These three tiny saplings represented his current limit. His frail body, with chakra diluted by soul power, had pushed itself to the utmost.

Unlike Li Xun’s dissatisfaction with his own strength, those around him stared in astonishment at the saplings.

"To perform a soul technique without soul rings or soul bones!" Gu Rong’s face was filled with shock.

"This Martial Soul must possess remarkable abilities; its quality can’t be low," Ning Fengzhi said, beaming with delight.

"Not only that, everyone, pay close attention," Sword Douluo Chen Xin said seriously. Unlike Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, Chen Xin had profound mastery of swordsmanship and an extraordinary power of observation. With just a slight perception, he discerned the saplings’ uniqueness.

"Grandpa Sword, what are you talking about?" Ning Rongrong’s small face was puzzled as she looked at Chen Xin.

"Rongrong, be good. Grandpa Sword will explain to you later," Chen Xin smiled, gently ruffling her twin buns to comfort her.

Prompted by Chen Xin, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong swiftly focused their spiritual energy to examine the saplings carefully.

"These saplings have incredible vitality, and it seems they possess healing abilities," Ning Fengzhi noted. As the deepest Martial Soul researcher among them, he quickly detected inherent traits.

"That’s not all. Watch this," Gu Rong manipulated a slender thread of energy and drew it across a sapling.

A tiny wound appeared on the sapling’s surface, about the size of a thumbprint. Though shallow, it was unmistakable. The wound seemed to writhe occasionally, as if healing itself.

"That stubborn old bone, no wonder he’s so meticulous with life," Sword Douluo Chen Xin glanced disdainfully at Gu Rong.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong sneered in reply, "Old Sword, you can’t compare to me in this regard."

"Healing plus self-regeneration—doesn’t this mean Li Xun could develop into a healer-type?" Ning Fengzhi nodded approvingly.

Healers were extraordinarily rare Martial Soul types, and whenever one appeared, they became coveted targets for all major factions. Soul Masters faced constant dangers, and injuries were inevitable. Without timely treatment, wounds could fester into hidden illnesses, impeding future development and even threatening life and death. Importantly, healer-type Martial Souls did not conflict with support-type ones.

Chen Xin nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Moreover, I believe Li Xun’s Martial Soul could evolve toward group healing."

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, what should Li Xun choose for his first soul ring?"

"For the first soul ring, I think it’s best to focus on strengthening himself first..."

...

"Healing-type?" Li Xun rubbed his face as he listened to their discussion. This Martial Soul was one of the strongest skills from the Naruto world. If he developed into a healer-type Soul Master, he might as well ask Master Xiaogang to recommend a tree-entangling skill.

While they debated intensely, Ning Rongrong approached him. "Your name is Li Xun, right? I’m Ning Rongrong."

"I understand now—you’re a healer-type Soul Master, aren’t you?"

"Then when Rongrong falls ill, you’ll be the one to treat me, won’t you?"

Li Xun looked at the curious little face leaning in. He opened his mouth but swallowed his words.

"I’m not a healer-type Soul Master, but if you get sick, I can still help you recover," he said quietly, though not using soul techniques.

He refrained from mentioning this because, in Douluo’s conventional understanding, Soul Masters needed soul rings or soul bones to activate abilities beyond basic combat skills. Yet Li Xun could use Wood Release and some healing ninjutsu from Naruto.

"Yay! Then Rongrong won’t have to take medicine anymore," she exclaimed happily, running back to Ning Fengzhi and the others.

Li Xun fell into contemplation. He pondered whether to reveal his second Martial Soul to raise his value.

For someone who knew the storyline, entering the Martial Soul Hall was undoubtedly the easiest path to success. After all, nearly twenty Title Douluos resided there, not to mention the rising power of Qian Renxue. If he could suppress Tang San, unless the Divine Realm intervened, the Martial Soul Hall would unify the continent. The prerequisite was gaining entry to the core circle and controlling the short-tempered minds of Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.

His second option was to journey to the Sea God Island, a much safer place but far away and perilous without the vast sea shield.

Choosing a stable path meant losing many opportunities on the continent.

The third was the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Compared to the exclusivity of the Hao Tian Sect and the hollow reputation of the Blue Electric Overlord Sect, this clan was not only legitimate but wealthy.

Its two main drawbacks were vulnerability to soul-hunting operations and a failure to leverage its immense wealth effectively.

Other factions on the continent were even worse—poor and weak.

Li Xun glanced at the three who were already discussing his fifth soul ring choice, sighing inwardly.

If he chose to leave the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan now, the risks were uncertain.

He dared not gamble on whether Ning Fengzhi was truly as congenial as he appeared.

"If only the upper three sects’ views could be changed, there’d be a good chance of avoiding soul-hunting operations," Li Xun thought.

"What good has ‘shared roots and branches’ brought you in the end?" He looked at Ning Fengzhi and the others.

"When Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were shattered to pieces, who even glanced at you?"