36: Soul Transformation and the Beginning of the Spiritual Realm

Leaving the ravaged plaza, the four sped eastward. Hai Bodong's expression was grim; the explosion just now had been too massive, and they needed to get away from the area as quickly as possible.

Xiao Chen suppressed the urge to immediately absorb the seven-colored soul marrow origin. He knew it wasn't the right time. He had to find an absolutely safe place to make such an important breakthrough.

Along the way, they encountered several more waves of scattered soul remnants and illusory attacks, but with the cooperation of Hai Bodong and Xiao Chen, they overcame them without major incident. Xiao Chen's soul power was continuously tempered in actual combat, becoming more refined.

Finally, after crossing a desolate plain covered with giant skeletal fossils, a relatively intact cluster of ruined buildings appeared ahead. Although these buildings were dilapidated, their former magnificent outlines could still be vaguely discerned. They were constructed from dark red colossal stones, with an ancient and rugged style.

"This should be an ancient relic stronghold on the outskirts of the Illusory Spirit Realm," Hai Bodong observed, "Let's find a place to rest. This spot is relatively secluded."

The four found a stone hall that was still quite well-preserved. The hall was spacious inside, with thick walls and only one entrance, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.

"I'll stand guard. You all quickly recover," Hai Bodong said in a deep voice, standing at the hall's entrance. His Dou Qi had been significantly depleted from the continuous battles and travel.

Mo Chen and Ya Fei each found a spot, sat cross-legged, consumed medicinal pills, and circulated their cultivation techniques to restore their Dou Qi.

Xiao Chen walked to a corner in the deepest part of the stone hall, where it was relatively hidden and dimly lit. He took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and adjusted his state.

"System, retrieve the seven-colored soul marrow origin!" Xiao Chen commanded in his mind.

"Ding! The seven-colored soul marrow origin has been retrieved. Host, please absorb it with caution!"

A viscous liquid, about the size of a fingernail, emitting a soft, seven-colored glow, appeared out of thin air in Xiao Chen's palm. Within the liquid, a galaxy seemed to flow, exuding a pure soul fluctuation that was exhilarating.

Just inhaling this aura, Xiao Chen felt a surge of comfort in his soul, as if a parched land had received a long-awaited rain.

"Let's begin!" Xiao Chen's eyes were firm, and he no longer hesitated. He circulated the Spirit Nurturing Art, carefully guiding a wisp of soul power to touch the seven-colored liquid.

"Buzz!"

The moment his soul power touched the origin, the seven-colored liquid seemed to come alive, transforming into a warm yet vast torrent of energy that actively surged into Xiao Chen's Sea of Consciousness!

"Ah!"

Xiao Chen couldn't help but let out a low groan! This energy was too immense! Too pure! Like a bursting river, it instantly filled his entire soul space!

His soul, like a dry sponge, frantically absorbed this energy! His soul strength surged wildly at a visible rate!

"Soul Strength: Spirit Movement Late-stage (600/5000)... (800/5000)... (1000/5000)..."

The progress bar shot up rapidly! Xiao Chen felt as if his consciousness was about to melt into this ocean of energy, and an unprecedented sense of fullness and power surged through his entire body!

But he dared not be careless in the slightest, fully circulating the Spirit Nurturing Art, guiding this energy to circulate, condense, and compress according to the cultivation technique's path! He wanted to completely transform this external force into his own soul origin!

Time passed by minute by minute.

Inside the stone hall, Ya Fei and Mo Chen had mostly recovered. They looked at Xiao Chen, who was enveloped in a faint seven-colored glow in the deep corner, with astonished expressions.

"Brother Xiao Chen, is he... breaking through?" Mo Chen whispered. He could feel that the soul fluctuations emanating from Xiao Chen were growing stronger, even causing a slight tremor in his own heart.

Ya Fei's beautiful eyes sparkled with various emotions: "His soul power is already extraordinary. This time, he must have obtained a considerable fortuitous encounter."

Hai Bodong also glanced back, a hint of relief and anticipation flashing in his eyes. The stronger Xiao Chen's power, the more beneficial it would be for their subsequent actions.

At this moment, earth-shattering changes were occurring within Xiao Chen's Sea of Consciousness!

The energy of the seven-colored soul marrow origin was like the purest fuel, igniting the flames of his soul's transformation! His soul power continuously condensed and compressed, with quantitative change leading to qualitative change!

"Soul Strength: Spirit Movement Late-stage (2000/5000)... (3000/5000)... (4000/5000)..."

When his soul strength broke through "Spirit Movement Late-stage (4500/5000)," Xiao Chen felt an invisible barrier! That was the limit of the Spirit Movement realm!

"Break for me!" Xiao Chen roared in his heart, concentrating all his will, guiding the vast energy to launch the final Impact against that barrier!

"Boom!!!"

A colossal roar, like the creation of heaven and earth, erupted in his Sea of Consciousness! That solid barrier shattered with a bang under the impact of the immense energy!

In an instant, Xiao Chen felt as if his soul had broken free from some kind of restraint, entering a vaster, clearer world! His perception range instantly surged, expanding from sixty meters to one hundred meters! His control over energy also became more precise and subtle! A profound and mysterious "spirituality" was born within his soul!

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, your soul realm has broken through! Current Realm: Spirit Realm Soul Early-stage (1/10000)!"

"Soul Perception Range increased to one hundred meters! Soul Power recovery speed increased by 200%! Energy control precision greatly enhanced!"

"Unlocked Soul Talent: [Spirit Vision]: Can see through some low-level illusions and energy disguises."

"System authority elevated! [Scan] function precision greatly enhanced, capable of analyzing more complex item information! [Copy] function cost reduced by 20%! [Energy Absorption] efficiency increased to 0.5 units/day!"

"Unlocked New Function: [Energy Conversion] (Elementary): Can convert a small amount of soul power into pure energy to replenish the energy pool (Conversion efficiency: 10%, consumes a large amount, use with caution)."

Spirit Realm Soul! He finally broke through!

Xiao Chen was ecstatic! Spirit Realm Soul Early-stage corresponded to the soul power of a Dou Wang (King) level! This meant that, purely in terms of soul realm, he had already reached the pinnacle of the Jia Ma Empire!

Although his Dou Qi cultivation was still zero, his powerful soul strength was enough to grant him many incredible abilities! Such as more precise Scans, more efficient Copies, and... rudimentary Energy Conversion!

He slowly opened his eyes, and a seven-colored light seemed to flash in them, his entire demeanor undergoing a complete transformation, becoming deeper, more reserved, and carrying an invisible majesty.

"Xiao Chen, you... broke through?" Ya Fei asked, surprised, sensing the distinctly different soul pressure emanating from Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen nodded, smiling: "Fortunately, I made a breakthrough."

Hai Bodong also walked over, scrutinizing Xiao Chen with shock in his eyes: "Spirit Realm Soul?! You little brat... you're truly a monster!" He had lived for most of his life and had seen only a handful of Spirit Realm Soul powerhouses, all of whom were long-established old monsters. For someone as young as Xiao Chen to reach the Spirit Realm Soul was unheard of!

Mo Chen gasped, looking at Xiao Chen with reverence. Spirit Realm Soul was a realm even his master (Black Flame City Lord) had never reached!

"Congratulations, Brother Xiao Chen!" Mo Chen cupped his hands in congratulation.

"Thank you," Xiao Chen returned the gesture, feeling the surging soul power within him, his confidence greatly boosted. Now, although he still couldn't directly contend with a Dou Ling (Spirit) powerhouse, with the various methods of a Spirit Realm Soul, his self-preservation ability had greatly increased! He even had the power to fight opponents below the Dou Wang (King) level!

"Alright, since Xiao Chen has broken through, and we've rested enough, it's time to continue forward," Hai Bodong said solemnly, suppressing the shock in his heart. "According to the map, not far ahead is the core area of the Illusory Spirit Realm—the 'Illusory Spirit Palace'! That's the true trial ground and the location of the inheritance!"

Illusory Spirit Palace! Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed. There, perhaps he would find the complete soul cultivation technique he needed, and... more secrets about this mysterious world!

The four packed their belongings and set off again.

After breaking through to the Spirit Realm Soul, Xiao Chen's soul perception range expanded to one hundred meters, and its precision greatly improved. He could easily see through some low-level illusions and energy traps, and even vaguely sense the auras and movements of other teams in the distance.

"Three li to the front-left, there are energy fluctuations. It seems people are fighting," Xiao Chen suddenly stopped and whispered.

Hai Bodong's expression tightened: "Can you sense who it is?"

Xiao Chen concentrated, his soul perception extending like invisible tentacles. A moment later, his expression changed slightly: "It's people from the Mad Lion Gang! They're ganging up on... one person? No, it's that young man, Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yan? He actually came here too? And he's being besieged by the Mad Lion Gang?

Xiao Chen was startled. Xiao Yan had the aura of a Heavenly Flame within him, and his identity was mysterious; he absolutely couldn't stand by and do nothing!

"Elder Hai, Sister Ya Fei, Brother Mo Chen, a friend of mine is in danger ahead. I must go save him!" Xiao Chen said in a deep voice.

Hai Bodong frowned: "The Mad Lion Gang is not weak. Their leader, Mad Lion, is a Three-Star Dou Ling and not easy to deal with."

"I know the danger," Xiao Chen's eyes were firm. "But I can't just watch him die. You can go ahead; I'll catch up as soon as I save him."

Ya Fei gritted her teeth: "No! We're a team; how can we let you go alone to risk your life! If we go, we go together!"

Hai Bodong pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright! Then let's go together! Coincidentally, I also want to meet that Mad Lion!"

Mo Chen also gripped his longsword, indicating his agreement.

Xiao Chen was touched and said solemnly: "Thank you!"

The four no longer hesitated, speeding up and rushing towards the direction of the energy fluctuations.

Soon, intense sounds of fighting and Mad Lion's angry roars came from ahead!

"You little bastard! Hand over the item! Otherwise, I'll tear you to shreds!"

Xiao Chen's soul perception swept over, and he saw Xiao Yan, covered in blood, surrounded by over a dozen experts from the Mad Lion Gang in an open area! Mad Lion himself was wielding a giant axe, frantically attacking Xiao Yan! Although Xiao Yan's movement technique was peculiar, and his strength seemed to have improved significantly (approaching a Great Dou Master), he was in a perilous situation under the fierce assault of the Three-Star Dou Ling Mad Lion!

And in Xiao Yan's arms, he tightly clutched a faintly glowing, seemingly incomplete jade token!

That jade token... Xiao Chen's soul perceived a soul fluctuation emanating from it that was of the same origin as the Illusory Spirit Realm, but even more ancient and powerful!

"That is... the key to the Illusory Spirit Palace?!" Xiao Chen's heart trembled violently!