"Now you can begin the fusion."
Having forged the soul core, the next step was integration.
Tai Tan pointed to three locations: the forehead (upper dantian), chest (middle dantian), and lower abdomen (lower dantian).
"Humans differ from soul beasts—we possess three dantians capable of housing soul cores. The lower dantian is easiest to use, followed by the middle, with the upper being the most difficult."
"Most soul masters place their first core in the lower dantian, and Limit Douluos typically put their second in the middle. The upper dantian is closest to the brain—if something goes wrong there, death is virtually guaranteed."
He turned to Chen Junting.
"So—where will you place yours?"
"Upper dantian."
Chen Junting had long planned this.
To ease the burden of forging a third core later, he needed to strategically assign locations now: third core in the lower dantian, second in the middle. This way, each step built logically toward the next.
"Fine."
Tai Tan showed no surprise.
He's an adult. He's made his choice. Pushing further would be pointless.
"Begin. If something goes wrong, I'll intervene—but don't expect me to save your life."
"Understood."
Chen Junting nodded—and began.
—
Meanwhile, in the Cold Jade Chamber—
Snow Empress, Huo Yuhao, and two spirit-formed figures—Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and Ice Empress—stood together.
(As for Huo Yuhao's Seven-Tailed Three-Eyed Fox soul spirit? It wisely stayed hidden in his spiritual sea, too intimidated to show its face among such powerhouses.)
From Snow Empress's account, they'd learned the full story—and Huo Yuhao had reciprocated with his own tale. The old friends couldn't help but sigh at how much the world had changed.
(Though, truth be told, Ice Empress did most of the talking.)
"Hm?"
Snow Empress suddenly voiced a note of surprise.
Before Tianmeng or Ice Empress could react, Huo Yuhao—already anxious—blanched.
"Snow Empress—is something wrong with Brother Junting?!"
"Don't worry," she replied, her voice calm as glacial ice. Yet her next words made their blood run cold:
"He's simply planning to place his soul core… in his forehead."
"He actually succeeded in forging it?!" Tianmeng gasped.
"Putting it in his forehead right away?! Is he insane?!" Ice Empress shrieked.
Their shock was palpable—though not disapproving. Just profoundly stunned.
"Bing'er," Snow Empress mused, "I think that's precisely what makes him clever."
Ice Empress fell silent, pondering.
Seeing her reaction, Snow Empress added, "I must excuse myself. Merging a core into the upper dantian is far too risky—I won't rest easy until it's done."
In a flash of white light, she vanished.
And reappeared—inside Chen Junting's spiritual sea.
BOOM—!
A volcanic surge of killing-intent-laced soul power erupted from Chen Junting's body. The Seven Kill Soul Core, previously visible outside, had vanished—successfully fused into his upper dantian.
Tai Tan couldn't help but praise: "He really did it! This talent… surpasses even Tang San's."
(The last part was too soft for anyone to hear.)
At that moment, Chen Junting's eyes snapped open—sharp as blades, radiating Title Douluo-level might.
"Many thanks to you and Uncle Tian," he said with sincere gratitude. "Without your guidance, I couldn't have forged or fused the core successfully."
"Hah! You rascal!" Tai Tan laughed heartily, clearly pleased.
"Uncle," Chen Junting seized the moment, "I have one more request."
"Speak!" Tai Tan waved grandly—his mood generous.
Chen Junting didn't mince words: "Earlier, you mentioned the Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Core method. Could you… share it with me in advance?"
"Not impossible," Tai Tan mused. "But why so eager?"
"It's for my teacher," Chen Junting explained openly. "He's on the verge of Level 99 and needs to forge his second core. From what you and Uncle Niu said, the Yin-Yang method seems far superior to standard Limit Douluo breakthroughs. For my teacher's sake, I'd like to learn it."
Tai Tan nodded approvingly.
He remembers his teacher—loyal and grateful. Good.
But then—
"If it's for your teacher… forget it."
When Chen Junting pressed for reasons, Tai Tan sighed.
"It's not that I won't tell you—it's that I won't let you give it to him. The Yin-Yang method requires sacrifice. Someone always dies."
He leaned in. "Why do only Di Tian and we brothers succeed? Because our bodies can withstand the Yin-Yang tearing forces. Your teacher? No offense—but if Snow Empress failed at it, he stands no chance."
Chen Junting remained composed.
But in his spiritual sea, Snow Empress bristled.
Oh, so I'm your measuring stick now, huh?!
Annoyed as she was, she had to admit—it was true. These two humans' physiques did surpass hers by a wide margin. In fact… she suspected they might even be stronger than Di Tian!
(Though she doubted her own senses—until Chen Junting confirmed them.)
"You're not wrong," he told her silently. "Their bodies really are that strong."
Snow Empress stared at him. "...Humans really have such powerful bodies?"
She added dryly, "Well… you might be an exception someday."
"Humans?" Chen Junting chuckled. "Who said they're human?"
"Hah?!"
If not human… soul beasts? But I sensed no beastly aura!
Chen Junting enlightened her: "Ever heard how, ten thousand years ago, before Tang San became Sea God, two Fierce Beasts of Star Dou Forest sacrificed themselves for him?"
"One was the Sky Azure Dragon—Da Ming. The other, Tai Tan (Er Ming), the Titan Giant Ape. Doesn't that sound… familiar?"
Snow Empress's eyes widened.
"Of course! So that's it…"
And in that instant, her gaze burned with renewed hope.
If they were resurrected after death… then godhood truly grants eternal life!
—
Back in the physical world—
Though Tai Tan refused to endorse the method for Chen Junting's teacher, he still explained the Yin-Yang Complementary technique in full. He even offered an alternative—a way to drastically strengthen a soul master's body without additional soul rings or bones.
The key? Near-omnipotent life energy.
But it wasn't as simple as dumping energy into the body. It required painstakingly infusing each cell, one by one—extremely time-consuming and resource-intensive. Plus, it needed a precise technique.
"Alright," Tai Tan concluded. "I've shared everything—the method, the alternative. I'm off."
With that, he turned to leave.
This kid really knows how to take advantage… but damn, he does it with such skill, you can't even be mad.
Chen Junting waved cheerfully. "See you later, Uncle!"
He made the title sound genuinely affectionate.
After all, this lesson would save him years of trial-and-error—and give his teacher a real shot at advancement.
As for the life-energy method…
"Teacher," he asked inwardly, "what do you think?"
Electrolux, deep in analysis within his spiritual sea, replied:
"The method is sound—but crude. Give me a template, and I'll refine it."
Chen Junting's real goal in asking for the Yin-Yang method had always been this: to give Electrolux a foundation to improve upon.
"Thank you, Teacher."
"Between master and student, no thanks are needed."
Chen Junting smiled, gazing at the floating Life Gold.
Not enough life energy?
With this… that's a problem that doesn't exist.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)