"Tsk tsk tsk, it's been a long time since I've seen such an excellent corpse. This is simply the perfect material to convert into an undead creature."
"Not bad, not bad."
Inside the spiritual sea, Electrolux lightly gripped the staff in his hand, admiration filling his eyes.
"But this Water Dragon King's corpse has already become the spring eye of this ice spring. If it is removed, this blessed land may well be ruined."
After examining the surroundings, Electrolux commented.
"Elder Yi, that isn't urgent for now. Can you check whether the Water Dragon King still has any remnant consciousness left?"
Jiang Jue did not directly respond to Electrolux's proposal. His gaze swept over the Water Dragon King's remains and he asked quietly.
"There is some consciousness remaining, but it should currently be dormant. And the remaining origin power is gradually dissipating."
"Perhaps in a thousand or ten thousand years, the soul consciousness within its dragon soul will completely disappear, and this corpse will fully transform into the spring eye."
After spreading out his spirit sense to carefully investigate, Electrolux replied.
Jiang Jue's eyes scanned over the enormous remains and stopped at the dragon soul located at the Water Dragon King's head.
The dragon soul stood tall and imposing, radiating an aura of supreme dignity. Its expression was filled with innate dragon pride, its dragon eyes overflowing with dominance. Just like a miniature version of the Water Dragon King's colossal body, it was covered in deep-blue scales, lifelike and magnificent.
"Elder Yi, do you think we can awaken its residual consciousness? It plays a very important role in what we're about to do."
Jiang Jue asked inside his spiritual sea. The Water Dragon King might be small compared to greater powers, but if this step succeeded, he would have the confidence to face that existence in the Star Dou Forest.
"That's fine. Its remaining consciousness is not my opponent anyway. Let's see what its attitude is first."
Electrolux naturally understood Jiang Jue's intentions and nodded slightly. He never interfered excessively in Jiang Jue's growth — everyone must walk their own path. He would rather serve as a mentor along the journey.
Buzz—
Ripples of ice-blue water spread outward. Electrolux appeared beside Jiang Jue in his soul form. After recovering through the Golden Life Essence, he could already exert most of his former abilities.
"It's that old man again."
Snow Emperor looked at Electrolux silently, recognizing him instantly.
"Snow Emperor, you can try absorbing some of the power emitted by the Water Dragon King. Even the slightest wisp will benefit you tremendously."
Jiang Jue pointed to the white cotton-like whirlpools surrounding the dragon's body.
"Mm, I understand. You be careful as well."
The Snow Emperor nodded slightly, eyes complex.
"Elder Yi, please."
"Leave it to me."
As Electrolux's voice fell, he waved his staff, firing a violet beam of magical light at the dragon soul.
Whoosh!
Bubbles burst sharply as the purple light struck the dragon soul, producing a crisp bang that echoed endlessly.
The third horn on the dragon soul's head faintly emerged, as if breaking through its shackles.
"Roooaaar!"
A thunderous dragon roar erupted as the surrounding spring water surged wildly. The entire ice spring boiled violently as if welcoming its king's return.
"Elder Yi… is this your idea of a 'proper' awakening?"
Jiang Jue twitched the corner of his mouth.
"This dragon soul has slept far too long. Without something intense, it wouldn't wake anytime soon."
Electrolux waved casually, unconcerned.
"Look, the brat's already awake."
Seeing color return to the dragon soul's eyes and its body begin to move, Jiang Jue knew Electrolux was right.
Moments later, the dragon soul fully awakened. Its gaze swept toward the three of them and spoke in a cold voice full of authority:
"Since you stand before the king, why do you not kneel?!"
A wave of tremendous pressure burst forth, but Electrolux flicked his hand and blocked it effortlessly.
"A human god?"
The Water Dragon King fixed his eyes on Electrolux, hostility obvious.
But Electrolux didn't even look at him — he was still studying the corpse, pondering silently:
Where should I start refining it… perhaps the head would be good…
"Water Dragon King, we bear no hostility. Our purpose here concerns the future of the soul beast race."
Jiang Jue stepped forward solemnly.
"Oh?"
The Water Dragon King shifted his gaze onto Jiang Jue, filled with doubt — a human claiming to carry the future of soul beasts?
Jiang Jue said nothing. He pressed his finger to the center of his brows.
Instantly, a brilliant golden light burst forth.
The Eye of Destiny appeared.
A radiant golden wheel of fate manifested behind Jiang Jue, making him appear like a divine figure.
"This is… the fate of the soul beast race? How could it exist within a human?!"
The Water Dragon King was stunned, disbelief shaking his voice. He could clearly feel the rich destiny energy of the soul beast race flowing within the golden radiance.
"Water Dragon King, after the Dragon God lost the war against the God Realm, the gods forbade any soul beast from becoming a god."
"Since then, no soul beast has reached divinity. The soul beast race has declined and fallen from former glory. The dragon lineage was purged until almost none remained."
Jiang Jue said solemnly.
"What?!"
The Water Dragon King's soul surged violently and he rushed forward instantly, but Electrolux blocked him.
"I know you're anxious — but calm yourself first."
Electrolux said slowly.
"Our soul beast race has fallen this far? Impossible!"
"I don't believe it!"
"But it is the truth."
Jiang Jue replied quietly.
"Winners take everything; losers eat dust. Is that not normal?"
The Water Dragon King's eyes flickered, clearly shaken inside.
"Then how did you obtain the soul beast race's destiny power?"
Jiang Jue smiled slightly. The Water Dragon King had finally stepped onto the path he arranged.
"Though soul beasts cannot become gods, humans can."
"The soul beast race needs someone to speak for it in the God Realm. And I am the human chosen by the soul beasts — and already acknowledged by the gods."
"Do you have proof?"
After a pause, the Water Dragon King spoke heavily, still emanating authority. But Jiang Jue remained unfazed.
"You should recognize this, I believe."
Buzz—
A deep vibrating sound rang out as Jiang Jue revealed the ancient and exquisite rune on his hand. A terrifying aura of destruction emanated from it.
"This is… the mark of the God King of Destruction!"
The Water Dragon King was stunned, and his doubts dissipated greatly. The aura of destiny behind Jiang Jue even carried human destiny — the mark of a true chosen one.
"Water Dragon King, I can also testify. He is indeed the one chosen by our soul beast race."
"I am the ruler of the Extreme North and Jiang Jue's guardian."
Snow Emperor stepped forward, voice firm.
"Ice Sky Snow Maiden?"
The Water Dragon King murmured.
"So weak… is this what the ruler of the Extreme North is now? Truly, our race has fallen."
Snow Emperor's face darkened — even if it was true, it hurt.
Seeing the situation settle, Jiang Jue's eyes flashed. He brought Snow Emperor down here precisely for this response.
"Human, what do you want from me? So long as it is within my power, speak."
Having slept too long, his remaining consciousness would soon dissipate. Rather than fade away meaninglessly, he would rather contribute one last time to the soul beast race — and Jiang Jue was backed by the God King of Destruction.
Jiang Jue felt a surge of joy. All of that acting had been for this moment!
"Sigh, I also wish to quickly pass the god trials and enter the God Realm to fight for the soul beast race… but my cultivation speed is too slow, and I lack powerful soul bones and means…"
Jiang Jue sighed sadly.
The Water Dragon King immediately understood — he wanted benefits.
He didn't mind. He wanted to atone for the outcome caused by the Dragon God's war.
"When you reach Title Douluo, return here. I will grant you great fortune."
Jiang Jue simply stared silently, expectant. An empty promise wasn't enough.
The Water Dragon King paused, then flicked his tail.
A massive ice-blue dragon scale flew out from his remains, shrinking as it traveled until it landed on Jiang Jue's palm.
"This is my inverse scale. With it, you will receive my protection — it can block three fatal attacks."
Jiang Jue's eyes brightened. Such a life-saving tool suited him perfectly.
"Water Dragon King… do you have any soul bones left?"
Jiang Jue asked eagerly, eyes glowing.
A god-level soul bone — he wanted one more than anything.
(End of chapter)