The noonday sun shone directly above Sunset Forest, its golden light veiled by a dense white mist.
As the mist swirled in the wind, a youth with golden eyes and a cold expression emerged, striding across the air before landing steadily on a mountain hollow outside the forest.
It was Xu Zihuang, who had just left the Icefire Yin Yang Well.
Crash—
With the shattering of the last crimson crystal, the faint violet-gold radiance surrounding his body also dissipated.
That faint glow had only appeared after his spiritual power underwent a qualitative transformation.
Now, his control over soul skills had become far more precise. The most direct benefit was that he could unleash the greatest effect of a soul skill with the smallest expenditure of soul power.
In his heart, Xu Zihuang asked Tianmeng Iceworm:
"Tianmeng, what realm has my spiritual power reached now?"
"You've touched upon the level where spiritual power becomes tangible yet formless. Though you haven't fully entered it, this alone is extremely rare. For ninety percent of humans and soul beasts who use spiritual power, this threshold is insurmountable. I thought it would take you at least ten years to reach this step. Who knew that thing you swallowed would let you leap directly here."
"With your talent, truly stepping into this level is only a matter of time. Let me tell you this: once your spiritual power reaches the tangible-formless stage, you can even use it to suppress your Ultimate Lightning soul power, wrapping it during cultivation so it can no longer harm your body. Your cultivation speed will no longer be hindered at all. In fact, you'll advance even faster than ordinary soul masters. And the soul skills of your spiritual-attribute Golden Eye martial soul will grow stronger as well. When you one day reach the peak of this stage, you'll be able to break into the tangible-substantial level. Once there, very few in this world could rival you on the spiritual plane."
Tianmeng Iceworm's voice grew excited.
It was even more delighted than Xu Zihuang at the changes in his Golden Eye martial soul and spiritual power—because, dwelling within Xu Zihuang's spiritual sea, it benefited directly.
"And I also sensed that your Golden Eye martial soul itself has been sublimated. Because of that, your soul power has jumped to rank 39, nearly reaching rank 40. Could this be what you humans call the second awakening of the innate martial soul?"
Hearing this, Xu Zihuang fell into thought.
"My Golden Eye martial soul may indeed have undergone a second awakening, but I can't be certain yet."
After refining the medicinal effects of Autumn Dew Clear Sight, he had of course felt the rise in his soul power. But the earlier incident had left him with too many doubts.
The changes in his Golden Eye martial soul and spiritual power, the origin of the Silver-Scaled Whale and that silver scale, and the two giant dragons within the Icefire Yin Yang Well…
Sensing his tangled thoughts, Tianmeng Iceworm advised:
"Zihuang, you'd better find a place to quietly comprehend. Especially the transformation of your spiritual power—you'll need time to master and grow accustomed to it."
"I was thinking the same." Xu Zihuang nodded, his emotions stirred.
This was too great a surprise. The leap in spiritual power would elevate his overall strength to a whole new level.
His soul power had also risen nearly two ranks—saving him almost a year's worth of bitter cultivation.
And on top of that, the suspected second awakening of his Golden Eye.
The journey to the Icefire Yin Yang Well had been bountiful indeed.
Drawing a deep breath, Xu Zihuang looked again toward the depths of Sunset Forest, his lips curving in a cold smile.
The next time I come, it will be your end.
He had never been a forgiving person. Since Youxiang Qiluo Immortal and Liehuo Xingjiaoshu had taken the initiative to strike at him, they would have to bear his revenge.
Collecting his thoughts, he turned and vanished into a desolate valley at the forest's edge.
Icefire Yin Yang Well.
As Xu Zihuang departed, the twin elemental dragons circling above the well sank back beneath the dual-colored waters.
As dragon souls, they no longer possessed true intelligence, only primal instincts. Their sudden manifestation had been triggered by a faint resonance of bloodline aura.
In moments, the well returned to silence.
Countless plant-type soul beasts, roused by the dragons' earlier pressure, remained wordless. Even the usually talkative Youxiang Qiluo Immortal was silent.
At the center of the icy white half of the lake, opposite Liehuo Xingjiaoshu, a peculiar herb stretched its body.
It resembled a great white blossom, octagonal in form, crystalline at its core like ice, releasing no fragrance.
This was the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, companion to Liehuo Xingjiaoshu, with a cultivation of one hundred thousand years.
Its body radiated icy-blue light, rings of frosty aura rising from its roots in the soil, forming rippling halos.
Already beautiful, it now gleamed like a sculpture of blue crystal, dazzling in its splendor, like a flawless work of art.
Then, a cold voice rang out:
"Youyou, Jiao, this time you've stirred up serious trouble."
At the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass's words, the other intelligent herbs began conversing, their soul power lights flashing in many colors, adding further brilliance to the paradise-like well.
All agreed with the Ice Grass but dared not show it, suppressed by the power of Youxiang Qiluo Immortal and Liehuo Xingjiaoshu.
Without the dragons' oppression, Liehuo Xingjiaoshu's temper flared.
"Octagon, you coward—you played dead when we tried to keep him, and now you talk big."
"You acted without consulting anyone. Had I been awake, I would've stopped you," the Ice Grass retorted coldly.
The two were the strongest soul beasts here and had always been at odds—ice and fire irreconcilable.
"Hmph. Just a mere human. What's there to fear? If you're scared, play dead again when he returns. I'll handle him myself."
"But what if he summons the two Dragon Lords again? We've tried countless times and failed to call forth their souls. Doesn't his success trouble you?"
The Ice Grass's concern outweighed anger.
"Seeing him, I can't help but think of that person. As fellow hundred-thousand-year herbs, you should know the truth of fate and destiny."
"You dare compare him to that person? Impossible!" Youxiang Qiluo Immortal exclaimed in disbelief.
"Why impossible? Do you think he falls short at the same age?" the Ice Grass said softly.
This time, not only Youxiang Qiluo Immortal, but even Liehuo Xingjiaoshu fell silent.
"I think Octagon is right."
A gentle male voice spoke from nearby.
A strange herb revealed itself—a golden tulip, its roots and vines like woven curtains, its bloom radiant, rich fragrance competing with Youxiang Qiluo Immortal's scent.
It was the Qiluo Tulip, also with a hundred-thousand-year cultivation.
"You're awake, Xiangxiang?" Youxiang Qiluo Immortal said in surprise.
The Tulip gave a wry smile and sighed.
"If I didn't wake, the Icefire Yin Yang Well itself might not survive. Youyou, call everyone together—we must discuss this properly."
As the western sun sank into the starry expanse, night fell over mountains and lakes.
Time passed swiftly.
Inside a natural cavern, Xu Zihuang sat cross-legged, cultivating. In his hand was a pearl as white as snow, brimming with rich heaven-and-earth energy that filled the space.
None of it escaped, as every exit of the cave was sealed with crimson crystal.
With a sharp crack, the pearl fractured, crumbling into nothing. The energy within grew denser still.
Golden soul power surged around Xu Zihuang's body, its flickering rhythm carrying a strange charm.
Suddenly, the glow withdrew. He opened his shining eyes, deep purple now flecked with regal violet-gold. Rising smoothly, he exuded a sense of perfect harmony.
The crimson seals shattered into fragments under his precise spiritual control. Stepping out, he stood on a flat ledge halfway up the mountain, gazing at the starlit valley below.
Looking at his powerful right hand, he felt the surge of strength from his martial soul's second awakening.
Yes, his innate martial soul had undergone its second awakening.
After nearly a month of bitter cultivation, he had fully grasped the changes in his Golden Eye martial soul. Only recently had he confirmed it—he had indeed completed the second awakening and mastered its use.
Yet his awakening was unusual. Using it brought immense strain to his body, so he dared not wield it recklessly.
Though born with an innate martial soul, much of his understanding came from solitary exploration.
That was why he had a positive view of contacting the Body Sect. With their accumulated experience of countless generations, he could avoid many detours.
Stretching his stiff body, Xu Zihuang set his direction and sped toward Shrek Academy.
The second awakening had also raised his soul power by more than one level. With the aid of the silver-scaled whale's pearl rich in spiritual energy, he had smoothly broken through to rank 40. Returning to Shrek meant he could apply for his fourth soul ring.
For soul masters with ultimate attributes, cultivation slowed from rank 30 to 70, but they had one great advantage: no bottlenecks. As long as their soul power accumulated, breakthroughs were certain.
The heaven-and-earth energy of the Icefire Yin Yang Well was more than five times denser than even the Star Dou Forest's core. This showed just how potent the silver whale's pearl had been.
This breakthrough had been only natural.
As for Tianmeng Iceworm, having overused its ice power, it had fallen into deep sleep, consolidating its form after Xu Zihuang's spiritual evolution.
Shrek Academy.
It was once again the most important time of year—school opening. From early morning, crowds gathered outside. Parents brought their children to enroll and take the entrance exam, while returning students flowed back in.
The holiday had lasted twenty-six days. In four more, the new year would begin. Freshmen were busy with entrance exams, and old students with advancement exams.
Only by passing could they advance to the next grade. Those who failed would leave, like rejected freshmen.
Most had already returned, unwilling to relax during break. With exams looming, they came back early to prepare.
For most, each test was a harsh trial, and every bit of preparation mattered.
Only the strong feared no tests. Some even welcomed them, eager to prove their progress.
Like Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, and Tuoba Yu, now sitting by the East Gate, assisting teachers in testing new students.
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