"In this shattered fragment, there is an incomparably pure divinity contained within it — and the level of this divinity is extremely high!"
Inside the Soul Refining Banner, Electrolux's heavy voice carried a trace of excitement. After so long, he had finally lifted a corner of the mysterious veil surrounding the gods of this world.
After a brief pause, Electrolux continued:
"According to my spiritual perception, the level of divinity contained within this fragment is only slightly inferior to the two strands of divine consciousness you encountered previously in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."
"Inferior, yes — but only by a single tier."
Hearing this, Jiang Jue fixed his gaze on the floating fragment at the center of the circular altar, his thoughts surging wildly.
"For a person to become a god, the necessary and foremost condition is a god position. But in Douluo Continent, shattered god positions are extremely rare…"
The God Realm of this world could be said to be a continent composed purely of energy. The number of beings it could accommodate was limited. Powerhouses from various lower planes who wished to ascend to the God Realm had to push their own strength to the extreme of their world and comprehend the ultimate truths of heaven and earth. Beyond that, they also required a god position.
The God King of Destruction had wanted to expand the God Realm precisely to increase the number of god positions, allowing more powerhouses from lower planes to ascend.
Every god who wished to leave the God Realm also had to pass down their god position. This was not only to leave a successor for the God Realm but also to maintain its normal operation.
In Jiang Jue's memory, the only shattered god positions in Douluo Continent were the First-Class God Angel God position from ten thousand years ago, and the Love God's position within the Qiankun Wenqing Valley.
"Although the Love God has fallen, that god position should still be intact. And Elder Yi just said that the divinity within this fragment is only inferior to the God King of Destruction…"
While Jiang Jue pondered, Zhongli Wu's gaze swept across the surroundings, a hint of fanaticism appearing in his eyes.
"Disciple, do you know why our Holy Church has grown to such a scale? The reason lies entirely here. This is also the foundation of my Zhongli clan's rise."
Zhongli Wu raised his hand and pointed at the pitch-black fragment, speaking word by word.
"Disciple, aren't you curious why your master's soul rings are six black and three red? Even my first soul ring reached the ten-thousand-year level, far surpassing the so-called 'Ten Core Theories' proposed by that Shrek Academy ancestor, Grandmaster."
Turning his head to look at Jiang Jue, Zhongli Wu asked softly.
"Master, are you saying it has something to do with this fragment?"
A flash of surprise passed through Jiang Jue's eyes. He naturally played along with curiosity.
Seeing this, Zhongli Wu nodded in satisfaction, clasping his hands behind his back.
"That's right. Through this altar and the fragment floating above it, a soul master's soul ring years can be enhanced. It sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? But it is absolutely true."
"When a soul ring's years are increased, the strength of the soul skill it grants also increases."
"For example, if a thirty-thousand-year soul ring originally grants a soul master a skill that boosts all attributes by 100%, then when that soul ring is enhanced to sixty thousand years, that boost may rise to 150%, or even 200%. Naturally, the soul master's strength would increase tremendously — though the exact improvement varies from person to person."
Zhongli Wu gave Jiang Jue an example, his tone fervent. Though he did not know what this fragment truly was, it was definitely not something belonging to the realm of humans — it was very likely related to gods…
Back then, the ancestor of the Zhongli clan had discovered this fragment and altar. That was the root of their clan's gradual rise. Now, as the current leader of the Holy Spirit Church, the altar had naturally come into his possession.
"Master, are there any special requirements to enhance soul ring years through this altar? Why not raise all your soul rings to the hundred-thousand-year level?"
Jiang Jue voiced the doubt in his heart. One hundred thousand years was a threshold for soul beasts — and likewise a threshold for soul ring quality.
"There are conditions," Zhongli Wu replied. "First, suitable sacrifices must be prepared and offered upon the altar. Second, the soul master must be under twenty years old and at least a Soul Emperor in cultivation. Otherwise, their body will explode and they will die. And a soul master may only enhance their soul rings once in their lifetime."
Then Zhongli Wu sighed.
"As far as I know, this altar can raise soul rings up to ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years. As for whether it can reach one hundred thousand years — I truly do not know."
A sharp gleam flashed in Jiang Jue's eyes. The latter conditions almost seemed like they were selecting something…
"Enough. Having told you all this, you should understand. When I pass away one day, this altar and fragment will be entrusted to you."
Zhongli Wu spoke with slight emotion. Before Jiang Jue could respond, he waved his hand.
"Next, I will enhance your soul rings. Even if you had not returned, I would have gone to find you. Since you are back now — and your body is strong enough — we shall begin."
"Thank you, Master."
Jiang Jue's expression shifted, his tone sincere.
Zhongli Wu's face grew solemn. He clenched his right hand, and dozens of blood-red spheres the size of Xuanshui Pills floated in his palm. Blood qi swirled around them, reeking of iron and slaughter. Within them flickered the phantom images of soul beasts.
"Go!"
With Zhongli Wu's explosive shout, the blood spheres were arranged upon the altar in a special formation.
Immediately afterward, the fragment floating above the altar seemed to sense something and began to tremble slightly.
"Good. When the altar emits a blood light, use your soul power to guide and draw it. Once the sacrifice begins, no second person may remain in this chamber. I will wait outside for your good news."
Zhongli Wu gave Jiang Jue a quiet instruction, then opened the stone door and departed in a flash.
As for why he did not tell Jiang Jue to proceed within his limits — in Zhongli Wu's view, it was unnecessary. If Jiang Jue could withstand a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, this would be no issue.
After Zhongli Wu left, the stone door rumbled shut. Jiang Jue remained alone in the secret chamber. Dim candlelight flickered on the surrounding stands. The fragment atop the altar began to rotate slowly.
"Elder Yi, is there anything else present in this chamber?"
Jiang Jue once again swept the entire chamber with his spiritual power. Summoning the Soul Refining Banner in his left hand, he asked cautiously.
"No. This fragment has long been ownerless. Perhaps the god it once carried has already died. But… do the gods of this world also die?"
Electrolux's figure appeared beside Jiang Jue. His aged eyes examined the fragment as he spoke gravely.
"Buzz—buzz—buzz!"
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred.
The Soul Refining Banner in Jiang Jue's hand began to tremble violently.
Jiang Jue's expression shook. In disbelief, he said:
"The Soul Refining Banner… it wants to devour this shattered god position?!"
(End of Chapter)