Jiang Jue looked toward Electrolux. Seeing him give a slight nod indicating there was no danger, Jiang Jue finally reached out and summoned the separated fragment.
The thin fragment, only the size of a thumb, was held in Jiang Jue's hand. He then opened the stone door and walked out, while Electrolux returned to the Soul-Refining Banner.
"You're a bit impatient… but that actually suits my intentions."
As the stone door rumbled shut, Jiang Jue glanced back and thought to himself.
Before leaving, he had said that the secret chamber should wait for the next destined person. That statement was meant for the person hiding in the shadows—telling them that he would not return for quite some time.
As for whether that person would take the bait, it depended on their intentions.
Of course, even if the one in the shadows did nothing, once Jiang Jue became strong enough, he would come back and take away this fragment of the Angel God position anyway.
And now that he had a small fragment of the Angel God position in his possession, it would become much easier for him to search for the other scattered fragments.
"Although I don't know what you're waiting for, I believe our enemy should be the same… and your divine position is quite good as well…"
A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Jue's eyes. Under the faint candlelight, the murals on the surrounding walls became increasingly clear.
If Bibi Dong had truly not died, then the first target of her revenge would definitely be Tang San, even though he also had his own complications.
After all, back then it was Tang San who personally destroyed the Spirit Empire, killed her, and indirectly crippled Qian Renxue, leaving her stuck at level eighty-nine. That level of hatred was not something that could easily be extinguished.
"Disciple, how was it?"
A flash of black light appeared as Zhongli Wu appeared before Jiang Jue, asking expectantly.
"Thank you, Master! The harvest was quite abundant!"
Jiang Jue smiled slightly and replied respectfully.
"Good, that's good. But disciple, don't feel discouraged. Being able to raise your first five soul rings to the limit of ten-thousand-year level is already very impressive."
"As for the subsequent soul rings of the Soul-Refining Banner, your master will help you obtain them. The same goes for your body martial soul."
"As my disciple, every one of your soul rings must be at least one hundred thousand years old. As long as you want it—even the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts will not be out of reach!"
Zhongli Wu clasped his hands behind his back and spoke in a firm, powerful tone.
Hearing this, Jiang Jue's expression shifted slightly, and he thanked him once more.
"There's no need for that. Between master and disciple, such worldly formalities are unnecessary."
Zhongli Wu waved his hand dismissively, though the smile at the corner of his mouth revealed his true feelings.
The reason he said this was not only to nurture Jiang Jue. It was also because after consuming the Ten-Grade Purple Ganoderma that Jiang Jue had brought back for him, the damaged foundation within his body had actually been restored by the medicinal power.
It was even faintly pushing his cultivation toward level ninety-nine—the realm of an Ultimate Douluo. Zhongli Wu felt that after preparing for a period of time, he would be able to begin condensing his second soul core.
The medicinal effect was extremely powerful.
It was just that Feng Ling had been a bit overworked last night…
But if he was well, she was well too.
Zhongli Wu even felt that accepting Jiang Jue as his disciple had been the wisest decision he had ever made.
Jiang Jue looked at Zhongli Wu, whose face was flushed with vitality, and naturally understood what had happened.
"Master, actually… my soul rings are not merely at the ten-thousand-year limit."
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Jue spoke solemnly.
In the future he would definitely take the fragment of the Angel God position from inside. And now, there were some matters he no longer needed to conceal—especially not in front of Zhongli Wu.
"Hm? Could it be they didn't reach ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years? Impossible. The flesh and blood of the soul beasts I sacrificed should have been sufficient."
Zhongli Wu frowned in confusion.
"Master, what I mean is… my first five soul rings have also transformed into the one-hundred-thousand-year level."
As Jiang Jue finished speaking, six scarlet soul rings of one hundred thousand years rose up, circling around the Soul-Refining Banner. Their crimson light dyed the entire corridor red.
"This… how is this possible?!"
Zhongli Wu was stunned, staring at Jiang Jue's six hundred-thousand-year soul rings in disbelief.
Could it be that raising soul ring age also depended on luck?
After a long silence, Zhongli Wu seemed to think of something, and a gleam flashed in his eyes.
"Could it be that the divine fragment inside has chosen my disciple?"
The Zhongli clan had possessed this fragment for nearly a thousand years. During that time they had discovered quite a few things about it. One thing they were certain of was that the fragment was absolutely related to the mysterious gods.
Yet after circulating within their hands for so long, the fragment's only effect had been increasing soul ring age.
But now, Jiang Jue made him see hope.
It had been ten thousand years since a god appeared on the Douluo Continent. Yet the divine war of ten thousand years ago and the ascension of the Shrek Seven Devils still remained engraved in people's hearts.
"Disciple, remember what I'm about to say. Until you are truly invincible on the continent, do not tell anyone about this matter."
Zhongli Wu said solemnly, his expression extremely serious.
If his disciple could truly reach that realm in the future, then based on his understanding of Jiang Jue, he would certainly not forget his master.
Therefore, before that day arrived, he would protect his disciple.
"Understood, Master."
A hint of surprise appeared in Jiang Jue's eyes, but he nodded in agreement. He had originally thought his master would question him about the reason, but he hadn't expected this reaction.
"Disciple, your cultivation has already reached level sixty-eight. Have you thought about your seventh soul ring? The seventh soul ring concerns your Martial Soul True Body—its quality and age must not be poor."
Zhongli Wu walked upward while adjusting his mood, speaking calmly.
One of the great dividing lines for soul masters was level seventy. After reaching level seventy and absorbing the seventh soul ring, a soul master's martial soul would undergo a qualitative transformation, merging with their body and awakening the powerful Martial Soul True Body.
When a soul master used their Martial Soul True Body, they would completely transform into the form of their martial soul. Their understanding of their martial soul and soul skills would deepen, consumption would decrease, and the power of their abilities would greatly increase.
Therefore, the seventh soul ring must never be chosen carelessly. If one could obtain the best, one should never settle for second-best.
"Master, what do you think about the Evil Eye type of soul beast?"
Walking behind him, Jiang Jue asked with a smile.
"Hm?"
Zhongli Wu paused and slowly turned around, a glint flashing in his dark eyes.
"Disciple… you dare to think big."
"But it's not impossible. However, using it as your seventh soul ring is still a bit premature. Your body currently cannot withstand the soul ring of the Evil Emperor, which is close to eight hundred thousand years."
"However, you could reserve your eighth or ninth soul ring for it."
Zhongli Wu patted Jiang Jue on the shoulder in consolation.
Although their Holy Spirit Church had formed a cooperative relationship with the Evil Emperor, that was only because the church had two Ultimate Douluo overseeing it. Moreover, the Evil Emperor was about to face its eight-hundred-thousand-year heavenly tribulation.
Otherwise, the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Church would have already needed to relocate.
How could one tolerate others sleeping peacefully beside one's bed?
If given the chance, both sides would gladly eliminate the other.
"Thank you, Master."
Jiang Jue smiled lightly.
In his plans, the Evil Emperor was indeed reserved for the eighth or ninth soul ring. As for the beast chosen for his seventh soul ring, he had already made preparations.
"Alright, go wash up first. Tomorrow, I will convene a meeting and announce what we discussed the night before."
"Alright!"
Jiang Jue nodded slightly and was then led out by Zhongli Wu.
"Oh, right. When the meeting is held tomorrow, you'll also get to meet the two new Saintesses of our Holy Spirit Church."
Before leaving, Zhongli Wu patted Jiang Jue on the shoulder and said something rather cryptic.
(End of Chapter)