34: The Outer Realm of the Phantom World and the Soul Trial

Stepping into the Illusory Spirit Realm, a completely different aura assailed them. The air was thick with a profound stillness and pure soul energy, as if one had entered an ancient soul graveyard. Beneath an dark red sky, the scorched earth was barren, with only some broken stone pillars and architectural ruins, speaking of past glory and present decay.

"Is this the outer region of the Illusory Spirit Realm?" Ya Fei looked at the desolate scene around her, her brows slightly furrowed. "It feels so oppressive."

Hai Bodong's expression was solemn: "The Illusory Spirit Realm is a soul trial ground opened by ancient mighty cultivators. It is said that countless powerhouses fell here, and their soul fragments and persistent thoughts remain, forming various strange soul illusions and traps. Everyone, you must guard your minds and not be misled by illusions!"

Mo Chen gripped his longsword, vigilantly scanning his surroundings.

Xiao Chen, however, felt his soul unusually active. Although the soul energy here was mixed, it was greatly beneficial for his cultivation of the Spirit Nurturing Art. He quietly circulated his cultivation technique, and wisps of pure soul energy were drawn into his body, nourishing his soul origin.

"System, Scan this area!" Xiao Chen commanded in his mind.

【Scan: Illusory Spirit Realm Outer Region (Damaged Area)】

【Energy Environment】: High concentration of soul energy (mixed with death qi, resentment), has a nourishing effect on soul bodies, but carries a high risk of eroding the minds of those with weak willpower.

【Hazard Sources】: 1. Soul Illusions (can interfere with perception, create fear). 2. Soul Remnants (may possess or attack). 3. Unknown spatial traps.

【Recoverable Energy】: Free-floating soul energy in the air can be slowly absorbed (extremely low efficiency).

【System Evaluation】: Low-risk area, but presents a test of willpower. It is recommended that the Host utilize this environment to temper his soul.】

Low-risk area? Xiao Chen felt a slight sense of relief. It seemed the location they were teleported to was relatively safe.

"Which way should we go?" Ya Fei asked.

Hai Bodong took out an ancient parchment map, on which a simplified topography of the Illusory Spirit Realm's outer region was drawn. He pointed in one direction: "According to the map, the core region of the Illusory Spirit Realm is to the east. We must pass through this outer region to reach the true trial grounds. But along the way, we will pass through the 'Enchanting Illusion Realm' and the 'Remnant Canyon', which are extremely dangerous."

"No time to lose, let's set off," Mo Chen said in a deep voice.

The four cautiously advanced eastward. The scorched black earth beneath their feet was extremely hard, making a crisp "crunching" sound when stepped on, as if crushing countless withered bones.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the surrounding environment began to change. A faint mist began to appear in the air, and within the mist, various distorted shadows flickered. Faint sounds of weeping, roaring, and seductive whispers also reached their ears.

"Be careful! It's the Enchanting Illusion Realm!" Hai Bodong exclaimed in a low voice, cold qi emanating from his body, dispelling some of the surrounding mist.

Xiao Chen concentrated his mind, raising his soul perception to its peak. He could "see" that the shadows in the mist were not physical entities, but illusions formed by countless chaotic soul fragments and negative emotions! They tried to bore into people's minds, stirring up deep-seated fears and desires!

"Ah!" Ya Fei suddenly cried out in surprise, her face pale, her eyes somewhat glazed, as if she had seen something terrifying.

"Guard your mind!" Hai Bodong slapped Ya Fei's back, a cool Dou Qi flowing into her, helping her stabilize her emotions.

Mo Chen also furrowed his brows, cold sweat beading on his forehead, clearly resisting the invasion of the illusions.

Only Xiao Chen, although he also felt the impact of the illusions, his soul cultivation had already reached the Spirit Movement Late-stage, and with the Spirit Nurturing Art protecting him, these outer illusions had little effect on him. He could even clearly distinguish which were illusions and which were real energy fluctuations.

"Follow me!" A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes, his soul perception locking onto a path where the illusions were relatively sparse and the energy fluctuations were stable. "The illusions are weaker here!"

Hai Bodong glanced at Xiao Chen in surprise, then, without hesitation, immediately led Ya Fei to follow. Mo Chen also followed closely behind.

Under Xiao Chen's soul guidance, the four safely passed through the Enchanting Illusion Realm. Once those terrifying illusions approached, Xiao Chen would perceive them in advance and avoid them, or they would be dispelled by Hai Bodong's cold qi.

Emerging from the misty area, a huge canyon appeared before them. The canyon's sides were steep black rock walls, and the bottom was unfathomably deep, filled with a thick grey mist. From within the mist, bloodcurdling screeches and wails continuously emanated.

"Remnant Canyon!" Hai Bodong's expression was grave. "More and more powerful Soul Remnants gather here! They will actively attack intruders! We must pass through quickly!"

No sooner had he spoken than the grey mist in the canyon suddenly churned violently! Dozens of blurry Soul Remnants, filled with venomous resentment and ferocity, rushed out of the mist like vengeful spirits, clawing and roaring as they pounced on the four!

These Soul Remnants had no physical form, but their attacks directly targeted the soul! Once entangled, one would suffer minor mental damage at best, or have their soul corroded and become a walking corpse at worst!

"Ice Seal Myriad Miles!" Hai Bodong roared, striking out with both palms. His majestic ice-attributed Dou Qi transformed into a massive ice wall, blocking the path of the group! The cold qi emanating from the ice wall had a certain suppressive effect on soul bodies.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"

The Soul Remnants crashed against the ice wall, emitting piercing sounds, but their numbers were too great. The ice wall was quickly corroded, forming gaps, and more Remnants swarmed in!

"Slash!" Mo Chen's longsword danced, sharp sword qi crisscrossing, shattering the approaching Soul Remnants! But his sword qi had limited damage to soul bodies, only able to temporarily force them back.

Ya Fei also brandished her rapier, its light flashing, but the effect was even worse, only able to protect herself.

Xiao Chen's eyes sharpened! These Soul Remnants, which were trouble for others, were... sustenance for him!

"System! Can I absorb the energy from these Soul Remnants?" Xiao Chen asked urgently.

【Warning! Target is chaotic soul energy, containing a large amount of negative emotions and impurities. Forcibly absorbing it carries an extremely high risk of soul contamination! Absorption is not recommended!】

【Possible attempts: Purify and absorb using soul power (low efficiency, huge consumption). Or: Directly defeat and recover the pure soul origin that disperses (extremely low efficiency).】

Purify and absorb? Too inefficient! Defeat and recover? That might work!

Xiao Chen no longer hesitated, concentrating his soul power, transforming it into invisible soul spikes that shot towards the pouncing Soul Remnants!

"Soul Impact!"

"Puff! Puff! Puff!"

The invisible Soul Impact had a significant effect on these formless Remnants! The struck Remnants let out agonizing screams, instantly dissipating into wisps of pure soul origin energy, scattering into the air.

【Ding! Defeated Soul Remnant x1, gained Soul Origin Energy +0.1 units!】

【Ding! Defeated Soul Remnant x1, gained Soul Origin Energy +0.1 units!】

...The system's notifications kept ringing. Although defeating each Remnant only yielded 0.1 units of soul origin, it was safe! Moreover, this soul origin was extremely pure, and absorbing it could directly enhance soul strength!

Xiao Chen's spirits soared, and Soul Impact was unleashed as if it cost nothing! He specifically targeted the weaker, isolated Remnants, and his efficiency grew higher and higher!

Hai Bodong and the other two were both surprised and delighted to see Xiao Chen so effectively dealing with the Soul Remnants!

"Good lad! Well done!" Hai Bodong laughed heartily, his pressure greatly reduced, and he focused on dealing with the more powerful Remnants.

With the cooperation of the four, they advanced step by step towards the other side of the canyon. Xiao Chen was like a tireless soul reaper, frantically defeating Remnants and absorbing the scattered origin energy. His soul strength was increasing at a visible rate!

【Soul Strength: Spirit Movement Late-stage (510/5000)... (520/5000)... (550/5000)...】

When the four finally rushed out of the Remnant Canyon, Xiao Chen's soul strength had actually increased by nearly fifty points! This was equivalent to several days of his usual arduous cultivation!

"Phew... We finally made it." Ya Fei panted, looking back at the still churning grey mist with lingering fear.

Hai Bodong looked at Xiao Chen, his eyes filled with admiration: "Xiao Chen, we owe you a lot this time! I didn't expect your soul power to be so effective against these ghostly things!"

Xiao Chen smiled, not saying much. He felt his soul was more solidified, and his perception range had expanded to about sixty meters.

After continuous battles and travel, everyone was a bit tired. Hai Bodong found a relatively safe ruin to rest.

Xiao Chen sat cross-legged, continuing to circulate the Spirit Nurturing Art to consolidate his newly enhanced soul power. He felt that the vast soul origin aura deep within the Illusory Spirit Realm was becoming clearer and clearer.

After a short rest, the four continued to advance. The further east they went, the more intact the surrounding architectural ruins became, and the concentration of soul energy in the air also grew higher and higher. Some glowing orbs and strange plants, condensed from pure soul energy, even began to appear.

"These are... Soul Essences!" Hai Bodong pointed at several milky-white glowing orbs floating in the distance, a flicker of eagerness in his eyes. "Absorbing them can directly enhance soul power! They are treasures coveted by Alchemists and soul cultivators!"

However, around those Soul Essences, there were often powerful soul guards or traps.

The four carefully avoided the dangers and harvested a few smaller Soul Essences. Hai Bodong and Ya Fei each absorbed one, and their soul powers both increased. Xiao Chen also absorbed one, feeling his soul become fuller.

Suddenly, Xiao Chen's soul perception captured a fierce energy collision and sounds of fighting coming from ahead!

"There's someone up ahead!" Xiao Chen whispered.

The four immediately concealed themselves and quietly approached.

They saw two groups of people fiercely fighting in a relatively intact square ahead! One side was from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, and the other was from the Yunlan Sect!

The two Dou Spirit powerhouses, Xie Biyan and Ge Ye, were battling fiercely in the air. Poison mist and sword qi collided, creating a terrifying momentum. The disciples on the ground were also fighting desperately, and people kept falling.

"What are they fighting over?" Ya Fei asked, puzzled.

Xiao Chen's gaze swept across, immediately locking onto a stone platform in the center of the square. On the platform, a fist-sized crystal, emitting a seven-colored glow, floated! Inside the crystal, liquid seemed to flow, giving off a soul fluctuation that made one's heart palpitate!

【Scan: seven-colored soul marrow】

【Grade】: Earth-tier Low-grade (Heaven and Earth Spirit Item)

【Effect】: Contains a massive amount of pure soul origin, can be directly absorbed to greatly enhance soul power, with a chance to awaken soul talent. Has a life-saving effect on soul bodies.

【Replicable】: No (Insufficient energy, insufficient authority)

【Recoverable Energy】: 10000 units (Warning! The energy structure of this item is extremely stable and special; forcibly recovering it will lead to an energy explosion!)

【System Evaluation】: Priceless treasure! If the Host can obtain and absorb it, his soul realm can instantly ascend to the Spirit Realm (Dou King level)! Extremely dangerous! Many contenders!】

Earth-tier Spirit Item! seven-colored soul marrow!

Xiao Chen's heart pounded! His eyes instantly filled with greed! He absolutely had to get this treasure!