After inspecting his soul bones, Zhu Ziyang was shocked to discover that his soul power had jumped by five levels, reaching Rank 79—just one step away from breaking into the Soul Douluo realm!
This both stunned and thrilled him. Less than a year ago, he had just become a Soul Sage. A seventeen-year-old Soul Sage was enough to make Elder Mu beam with pride before his passing. So what kind of impact would an eighteen-year-old Soul Douluo have on the old fogies of Shrek Academy's Tianyuan Pavilion?
Zhu Ziyang didn't want to speculate. He only knew one thing—he was about to break yet another record, quite possibly one that would never be matched again.
And another matter that excited him: after receiving the Ice Dragon King's bloodline, his Heavenly Frost Holy Dragon martial soul had evolved once more—transforming from a royal True Dragon into a true Dragon King, now titled the Heavenly Frost White Dragon King.
Though Zhu Ziyang's current strength wasn't yet enough to carry the Dragon King title in full, that didn't matter. Once he ascended to godhood, he would become a true Dragon King—not a false one like Di Tian, who had the name but not the substance. Of course, he didn't mean to blame Di Tian… after all, he himself was currently a pseudo Dragon King, too. He chuckled at the irony.
Having completed his personal transformation, Zhu Ziyang turned to claim the rewards for completing the Fifth Trial of the Death God.
What surprised him was that, in addition to the usual 10% god affinity and two Locking God Pillars, this time he received an extra reward: a mysterious disc.
"Heavenly Stem God-Locking Formation?" Zhu Ziyang read the name aloud in puzzlement. It was a formation disc, but apart from the name, there were no other details.
Perplexed, he called out, "Xiao Bai, are you there?"
"Speak," Xiao Bai's voice answered curtly—just one word, and filled with irritation.
Zhu Ziyang didn't mind and asked, "What does this Heavenly Stem God-Locking Formation do?"
"As you can see, it's a formation disc," Xiao Bai replied. "Drip your essence blood on it. Then you'll find out everything you want to know."
"Okay…" Zhu Ziyang nodded thoughtfully. "And what's its connection to the Locking God Pillars?"
"Once the disc acknowledges you as its master, it'll explain everything," Xiao Bai said coolly.
"Alright then, I won't bother you any further," Zhu Ziyang said mildly, sensing Xiao Bai's impatience.
He summoned a drop of essence blood and let it fall onto the formation disc. Instantly, a golden beam shot out and entered his forehead. Zhu Ziyang quickly closed his eyes and began processing the flood of foreign information.
Moments later, he opened his eyes, a look of astonishment on his face.
The Heavenly Stem God-Locking Formation was indeed connected to the Locking God Pillars—it was designed specifically for them. Using the disc as a core, ten Locking God Pillars could be arranged into a grand formation infused with the power of the Heavenly Stems, granting immense sealing capabilities. Any lifeform who entered the formation—unless at the Main God level or above—would be fully restrained and unable to use any power.
Although Zhu Ziyang had no clear idea what a Main God-level powerhouse truly meant, he could sense the terrifying might of this formation. At last, he understood the role of the Locking God Pillars—and this formation would be his ultimate trump card. Even though deploying it would consume the power of ten soul rings, it was still the perfect tool for setting up traps or ambushes.
He smiled knowingly and glanced at the eight remaining Locking God Pillars behind the Road to Godhood. If ten pillars could create such a formidable formation, then what could twelve… fourteen… sixteen… or even eighteen create?
He was eager to find out.
Climbing the steps, Zhu Ziyang reached the 60th step, where the contents of the Sixth Trial of the Death God appeared on the Locking God Pillars. One look—and he burst out laughing.
> God Affinity: 60%
Sixth Trial of the Death God: As the inheritor of the Death God, power is the only standard by which you are judged. With only four steps remaining before godhood, you must train even harder and grow even stronger!
Trial Requirement: Raise your cultivation to Rank 80 and, without attaching an eighth soul ring to your first martial soul, kill a 100,000-year soul beast.
Time Limit: One year.
Reward: Unknown.
Zhu Ziyang laughed so hard his mouth twitched.
If this had been issued before he fused the Ice Dragon King torso bone, he might've worried about how to gain six levels in a year. But now? Gaining just one level? Even if he lazed around all day, half a year would be more than enough!
As for the requirement to kill a 100,000-year soul beast without attaching an eighth ring to his Stillness Fate Ending Scythe—what a joke. He'd already been able to defeat such beasts back when he first became a Soul Sage. Otherwise, why would he have dared to venture into the Extreme North for Er Shuang's revenge?
"Alright!" Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "Let's make that Ice Demon Snow Soul King in the Extreme North the target for this Sixth Trial."
In high spirits, he left the God Position Inheritance Realm and returned to the bottom of the Extremely Cold Yin Spring. The four dragon eggs were still hatching, but not far from it—perhaps only a quarter of an hour away. Zhu Ziyang was in no rush and decided to wait.
His gaze landed on the Ice Dragon King's remains, and he felt a twinge of guilt. The indifference he had shown earlier was now replaced by respect and gratitude. After all, he had benefited so greatly from her. Continuing to treat the body carelessly would be nothing short of ungrateful.
So, after a respectful bow, he decided to bury the Ice Dragon King's remains.
Acting swiftly, he transformed his hands into dragon claws and began digging into the eternally frozen soil of the Yin Spring. Before the power of his claws, the soil had no resistance. Soon, he dug a pit large enough to house the massive corpse. He bowed deeply again, whispered an apology, and gently laid the remains inside.
After filling in the grave, Zhu Ziyang bowed a third time and said solemnly, "Thank you for your gift. May you rest in peace."
Just as his voice fell, a blue-gold orb burst out from the grave and floated before his eyes.
Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened. "Dragon Core!"
He had never expected that the Ice Dragon King had left behind a dragon core. He had assumed it had already merged into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If he hadn't buried the body respectfully, this divine treasure might never have appeared!
It was a return gift, without a doubt.
As he held the Dragon Core, an icy chill surged through his body, and the oppressive Yin Spring rules around him vanished completely. He felt a wave of relief. Gazing at the orb, Zhu Ziyang already had plans for it. He smiled and tried to store it in his Starflame Ring—but to his surprise, the divine-level Dragon Core couldn't be stored in a soul tool.
Left with no choice, he hung it around his neck.
Right then, his soul spirits hatched.
Snow Empress and Dew seemed unchanged on the surface, but their soul forms had grown more solid, and their strength had clearly improved. Ice Empress and Er Shuang, however, had undergone more dramatic changes, now manifesting human forms.
Ice Empress took the shape of a girl with long green hair, bearing a 70% resemblance to Snow Empress, though with a colder and more aloof aura. Together, the two of them formed a striking pair.
As for Er Shuang, her transformation was the most dramatic. As the soul spirit most closely tied to his Heavenly Frost Holy Dragon, and now with it evolved into the Heavenly Frost White Dragon King, she had evolved into a Dragon King-level soul spirit—her strength now on par with Snow Empress.
Her human form wasn't quite complete: two dragon horns rose from her forehead, and a dragon tail extended behind her. Yet her delicate features, slender figure, and long silver dress embroidered with silver dragons made her look like a true Dragon Princess.
Zhu Ziyang was delighted by the transformations of Ice Empress and Er Shuang—and even more pleased with the power increase they brought.
Snow Empress and Er Shuang's current strength was equivalent to 600,000-year fierce beasts. While he couldn't yet fully sustain both in their full-powered forms simultaneously, Ice Empress and Dew had strength comparable to a Soul Douluo, which he could easily support.
"Alright, everything's complete. Let's head up," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "Then we'll go to the Extreme North—and complete the Sixth Trial of the Death God!"
(End of Chapter)
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