"Is there fate energy within the Soul-Refining Banner?"
Jiang Jue was slightly stunned when he heard that. He looked down at the banner in his hand, a flicker of recollection flashing in his eyes.
He remembered the first time, in the extreme north, when he refined the 250,000-year spiritual essence of the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm into the Soul-Refining Banner.
At that moment, something mysterious and profound between heaven and earth had descended upon him. Yet before he could even sense it, that thing had already been devoured by the banner.
Thinking about it now, it was highly likely that what he had absorbed back then was none other than the fate energy of the Douluo plane itself.
"The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm's essence was originally part of Huo Yuhao's fortune—and since the silkworm was the very beginning of Huo Yuhao's destiny, then by seizing this opportunity, that fate energy that was supposed to belong to Huo Yuhao must have transferred to me?"
Jiang Jue pondered this inwardly, his eyes gleaming sharply.
"Maybe it's just that too many souls are living inside this banner," Jiang Jue said lightly, the corner of his mouth curling as he turned toward Electrolux.
Electrolux's gaze shifted slightly. He gave a faint nod, seemingly agreeing.
"That's possible. Every living being carries fate energy to some extent. When those humans or soul beasts die and their spirits are drawn into your Soul-Refining Banner, their fate energy might not return to the world. It might have followed them into the banner."
"So that means… if you kill—or rather, invite—more people into your banner, your fate energy will become denser?"
Jiang Jue could feel Electrolux growing more and more excited as he spoke.
"Sigh, a bunch of villains we are… even I'm starting to go bad," Jiang Jue sighed inwardly, shaking his head slightly.
"Boy, never underestimate fate energy," Electrolux warned seriously. "It's important—sometimes it can even determine your future. I can sense it—this world of yours is different from mine. The gods here… are quite extraordinary."
He paused, a flash of irritation crossing his face.
In his own world, he could have become a god anytime he wished—but he hadn't wanted to. Once he became a god, he would have to return to heaven and earth itself.
That was utterly unreasonable.
"I understand, Elder Yi. From now on, I'll definitely invite more people to join the great family of 'Harmony and Friendship,'" Jiang Jue said solemnly, nodding firmly.
"Mm. I believe in you," Electrolux replied approvingly.
After all, how many twelve-year-old boys could "invite" so many humans and soul beasts into their Soul-Refining Banner?
A born villain, no doubt…
Still, Electrolux was pleased. Jiang Jue had principles—his decisiveness and ruthlessness were the marks of a true strong man.
Sigh… Elder Yi, you don't know—the majority of Douluo's fate energy belongs to Huo Yuhao, Jiang Jue thought inwardly but didn't speak aloud.
Things had to proceed slowly. His wings weren't yet fully grown, and who knew whether anyone from the God Realm Committee had already noticed him? He couldn't afford to be reckless.
"Elder Yi, why is there a wheel behind my head?"
After Electrolux finished speaking, Jiang Jue pointed behind him, where a golden wheel of light spread softly outward.
That golden radiance bathed him gently, making him look benevolent and kind—like a compassionate Buddha.
He recalled that after Huo Yuhao's "Fate Connection" with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, this golden wheel hadn't appeared.
Could it be caused by the Soul-Refining Banner?
"It's probably because your fate energy has accumulated too much—it's condensed into physical form. That's a good sign," Electrolux said.
"Who knows—if you go for a stroll now, you might even stumble upon treasures. Auspicious energy isn't something to be taken lightly."
Electrolux even cracked a rare joke.
At this rate, if Jiang Jue continued growing, he might truly live a second life—and become a free god.
"For now, let's call it the Golden Wheel of Fate," Jiang Jue said, examining it carefully.
He soon noticed that the wheel was divided into two sections: only thirty percent of it shone brilliantly, while the remaining seventy percent was dim.
"Does that mean my fate energy isn't sufficient yet?"
"It seems Huo Yuhao still has his uses. The upcoming continental unification war must be carefully planned…"
Jiang Jue's gaze grew darker, more profound.
"There are four nations on the Douluo Continent—that's far too many. Leaving one is just right."
"But that empire in the future… it mustn't bear the surname Xu…"
"Someone's coming, boy. If anything happens that you can't handle, call for me," Electrolux said, his figure flashing into a wisp of gray light that returned to Jiang Jue's spiritual sea.
Knock knock knock!
"Is Young Friend Jiang inside?" a vigorous voice called from outside.
"Please, come in."
Jiang Jue stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.
"And you are…?"
He looked at the tall, broad-shouldered elder with a face like red copper and asked politely.
"You may call me Elder Jin. The Sect Master has important matters to attend to, so I was sent to instruct you in combat techniques," the man said with a genial smile.
"Elder Jin? The Rank 96 Golden Body Douluo?"
Jiang Jue's heart stirred slightly. Before coming to the Body Sect, he had already researched all the information he could. He already knew who this man was.
"Greetings, Elder Jin," Jiang Jue said respectfully.
"Mm. Young Friend Jiang, are you free now? How about coming with me to train?" Elder Jin asked.
"I'm always free, Elder Jin," Jiang Jue replied softly.
"Good. Then follow me."
Elder Jin nodded and turned, leading the way past a cluster of buildings.
Not bad, he thought to himself. Now let's see what kind of character this boy really has.
"Young Friend Jiang," Elder Jin asked casually as they walked, "I heard your body martial soul is the Ultimate Ice. Have you ever considered adding another attribute?"
"Another attribute?"
Jiang Jue's eyes flashed. "Elder Jin, my Ultimate Ice was obtained through a stroke of fortune. Before that, I mainly cultivated my first martial soul, and I haven't really thought about this issue. But now…"
At the end of his words, his voice grew faint. Elder Jin immediately realized that Jiang Jue was recalling the incident when his first martial soul had changed abnormally.
Could that really have been caused by a soul beast? Or is he pretending before me? Elder Jin wondered, frowning slightly.
"I see. You did the right thing. It's best for Twin Martial Soul users to focus on one early on—cultivating both at once is just a waste."
With that, Elder Jin smoothly steered the topic elsewhere.
After an unknown stretch of walking, a massive cliff appeared before them. Above it, dark clouds churned endlessly, and from time to time, thick bolts of lightning crashed down, thunder roaring through the air.
"Young Friend Jiang, do you know what one of our Body Sect's greatest sacred grounds is?" Elder Jin asked, looking at the cliff.
"The Hall of Insight?" Jiang Jue guessed.
"No. Come, I'll show you."
Elder Jin smiled mysteriously. A layer of golden soul power surrounded Jiang Jue, forming a protective barrier.
Then, carrying Jiang Jue with him, he soared toward the cliff.
Boom! Boom!
Thunder echoed violently in Jiang Jue's ears. As they crossed the bottomless chasm and drew closer to the cliff, Jiang Jue's expression grew solemn, his brows knitting tightly.
"These are Thunder Hellvines?"
"No—that can't be right. Why are there so many Thunder Hellvines?"
Before his eyes stretched countless dark-blue vine-like plants intertwined together. Facing the terrifying, sky-splitting thunderbolts, they showed no fear, swaying and catching the lightning again and again.
Brilliant arcs of blue electricity flickered nonstop amid the thick clouds, the world itself seeming on the brink of apocalypse.
(End of Chapter)