Inside the inn's room, Zhu Ziyang once again entered the inheritance ground of the God of Death.
The moment he appeared, he found himself standing on the fortieth step of the Road to Godhood. As always, the Soul-Locking Pillars on either side displayed the rewards of the Fourth Trial. Just like the first three, the reward was still ten percent affinity with the God of Death's divinity and another pair of Soul-Locking Pillars.
Zhu Ziyang only smiled faintly. By now, he was used to it. His divine affinity had already reached fifty percent. With light steps, he ascended to the fiftieth step. There, the Soul-Locking Pillar revealed the content of the Fifth Trial.
Divine Affinity: 50%
Fifth Trial of the God of Death: As the inheritor of the God of Death, you have already traveled half the road. Congratulations. Starting from the Fifth Trial, the content of each test will shift according to your strength and progress.
Trial Content: Complete your set of soul bones and break through the barriers between them, forging a complete Soul Bone Set.
Trial Requirement: Build upon what you already possess—first the four limbs, then the skull, and finally the torso. You must achieve this within five years.
Reward: Unknown.
"A complete set of soul bones?" Zhu Ziyang was taken aback. Then, a smile spread across his face. "That's fine. My next journey will be devoted to finding soul bones anyway."
He withdrew from the inheritance ground and returned to the inn. Immediately, Electrolux and his three spirit souls—Snow Empress and Ice Empress among them—appeared. Zhu Ziyang explained the Fifth Trial's requirement.
"Complete the set of soul bones… but what exactly does it mean to forge a complete set?" Electrolux muttered.
"It's hard to say," Zhu Ziyang admitted. "There's always been a rumor in the Douluo Continent. Supposedly, when a soul master gathers six soul bones, they will naturally merge and form a full-body armor. But for the past ten thousand years, countless strong cultivators have managed to collect six soul bones, yet none ever experienced such a transformation."
"Father, I've heard the so-called Soul Bone Set is tied to the divine," Snow Empress said thoughtfully.
"Hah, of course it's connected to gods!" Electrolux interjected. "History records only two known complete sets: the Angel God's set of divine bones, and the Sea God's set. But the true method of turning six scattered soul bones into a unified set? That remains a mystery."
"Don't rush, Ziyang," Electrolux calmed him. "As the saying goes, when the carriage reaches the mountain, there will always be a road. You haven't even gathered six bones yet. Worrying about how to merge them is pointless. Focus on collecting them first. Perhaps, once you complete the set, the path will reveal itself."
"Alright," Zhu Ziyang nodded. Though he knew Electrolux's words were mostly comfort, he truly had no better plan. For now, completing the set came first.
"So, where do we search?" Ice Empress suggested. "Hundred-thousand-year soul beasts always yield soul bones. We should head for the Extreme North. That way, you'll also gain spirit rings for your second martial soul."
"I agree!" Frost Spirit cried out eagerly. "And first, I'll make that Ice Demon Snow Soul King pay for his betrayal!"
"No problem," Zhu Ziyang grinned. Another thought flashed through his mind. "But before that, I want to visit the Yin-Yang Icefire Well."
"The Yin-Yang Icefire Well?" Frost Spirit froze in surprise. "Why?"
"You mean… the Ice Dragon King's corpse buried beneath it?" Electrolux caught on instantly, his eyes widening. "But how can you be sure the Ice Dragon King left behind any soul bones?"
"Why not test it?" Zhu Ziyang replied with a laugh. "If even hundred-thousand-year beasts create soul bones, then a god-level true dragon like the Ice Dragon King surely left something behind. Even if I can't absorb them, a god-level bone's energy could still boost my cultivation immensely."
"Ha! Fair enough," Electrolux laughed heartily.
The plan was set. Without delay, Zhu Ziyang prepared to move.
The next morning, he turned to Qian Lingyi. "Lingyi, I'm going to the Extreme North. Will you come with me, or travel on your own?"
"Huh?" Still drowsy at dawn, Qian Lingyi blinked in confusion. But at his words, she instantly awoke. "Why so suddenly?"
"I have my reasons," Zhu Ziyang said simply. His brief words carried such determination that she could not argue.
"Then I'll go with you!" she declared after only a heartbeat. "We promised to explore the continent together—you're not leaving me behind!"
"Very well. But in that case, you must promise me a few things," Zhu Ziyang said seriously.
"No problem!" Qian Lingyi agreed without hesitation.
"Good. We'll talk as we travel," he replied with a smile.
Together, they sped north. Within a single day, they reached the Heavenly Soul Empire's capital, Heaven Dou City. Zhu Ziyang, however, had no intention of entering. His target lay beside the city: the Sunset Forest.
Bringing a puzzled Qian Lingyi with him, he entered the forest and was astonished. The once toxic mists that had blanketed the area were mostly gone. The outskirts were now completely free of poison, though remnants still scarred the trees. Compared to its past, the forest was clearly reviving. Within centuries, it would once again flourish into a paradise of life.
"Why are we here?" Qian Lingyi asked, confused. "Wasn't this once a poisonous swamp?"
"Did you forget what you promised me?" Zhu Ziyang chided gently. "No questions."
"But I'm curious…" she pouted sweetly.
"Curiosity won't help you. Just follow me," he said with a chuckle. He adored her coquettish tone, but chose not to explain. Soon enough, she would understand on her own.
Before long, they reached the entrance to the Yin-Yang Icefire Well. The flower fields that once grew Blue Silver Grass had been gone for a year now. In their place, lush greenery and shrubs thrived, nourished by the remains of the poisonous flora.
At the well's edge, Zhu Ziyang said softly, "Come here, hold on to me."
"Eh? Oh!" Qian Lingyi blushed furiously, but happily wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek against his chest.
Though her embrace wasn't exactly what he expected, it was enough. Zhu Ziyang slid an arm around her slender waist, golden light flashing in his eyes. In an instant, the two vanished, leaving only fading traces of golden brilliance behind.
When they reappeared, they stood deep within the Yin-Yang Icefire Well, beside the frigid spring itself.
Qian Lingyi stared in awe. She had never imagined Zhu Ziyang possessed such teleportation ability, nor that he would bring her to such a heavenly sanctuary. The sheer density of energy here was several times that of the outside world. Surrounded by rare, otherworldly plants, she immediately understood why he had sworn her to secrecy.
This… this was surely Shrek Academy's most guarded secret!
But Zhu Ziyang paid her no mind. His gaze was fixed on the center of the icy spring, where a snow-white, crystalline plant swayed—
The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.
"You are… Zhu Ziyang?" The plant's voice trembled with both surprise and joy at his arrival.
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