Chapter 4: Birth of the Soul (Part 2)

Qi Ling closes his eyes, thinking; if I die then I die.

However, not only did Qi Ling not die, he tuts many times as if seeing a treasure. After a loud bang has erupted in the air, hes been turning this way and that seeing the magnificent lion a head taller than him what appeared before him, while turning he says: So cool! I feel so proud now! And this grand lion with a body of pure silver-white fur seems to be able to understand Qi Lings words, puffing out its chest and raising its chin, looking prideful, even going as far as shaking its body as if showing off, following an ear-shattering howl, a pair of silver-white wings extend themselves from its shoulders; its as if a magical beast from the legends has appeared, shining in all its splendor.

Cang Xue Zhi Yacloses its eyes with its head raised high, lifting its large paw and extend it towards Qi Ling, as if an arrogant prince. Qi Ling quickly reaches out with both hands to shake its thick, and furry paw, Very happy to meet you!

But do soul beasts have genders? Qi Ling turns back to look at Yin Chen in confusion before turning back to look atCang XueZhi Ya, Are you male or femada-ge*! I was wrong, lets talk it out and not use our claws Qi Lings chin is raised, his eyeballs rolling down to look at the dagger-like clawCang Xue Zhi Yahas held against his throat.

Cang Xue Zhi Yaretracts its claw before grunting and turning away, lightly jumping onto a large boulder before howling into the sky under the moonlight; it turns back and looks at Qi Ling with disdain and contempt, its expression as if saying now do you know if master I am male or female.

Qi Ling rubs his throat and mumbles, What the hell, why is it like a human, even knowing how to raise its middle finger?! After saying that, he turns and yells at Yin Chen: It has the same bad habit as you, always holding sharp things against other peoples throats for no reason.

Cang Xue Zhi Yaleaps down to stand beside Qi Ling again. Qi Ling caresses the authoritative silver mane around its neck before turning to ask Yin Chen: When I saw it last time, it had been a lot bigger than now, one foot was as large as a tree, how come its like this now?

What you saw was it in battle mode, all soul beasts will transform into their most powerful state when in battle mode.

Ah Qi Ling nods, Then how does yourXue Cilook like normally? Hey dont let it out; I dont want to see it in battle mode like just now, so scary! I just want to see how it looks like normally

Yin Chen hums before unfolding his hand and extending it towards Qi Ling, in his palm is a small silver-white scorpion which currently has a small pincer raised in the air, moving it left and right, as if waving hello at Qi Ling

Well be setting off soon. Before that, I need to go somewhere to get some things done, you should wait for me here, do you want to head back to Fauser? Its just thattheres nothing much left there.

Then Ill head back to the town of FauserI still have to look at itwhen will you be back? Qi Ling looks at Yin Chen, a feeling of not wanting him to leave appearing in his heart. He feels nauseas at his own feelings and dry heaves.

Of course Yin Chen knows what hes thinking and chooses to ignore him completely before turning away, If Im quick, Ill be back this afternoon. Wait for me at Fauser, dont run around.

The word around is still echoing in the air when Yin Chen disappears, leaving behind turbulent air, causing countless golden leaves to be blown from tree branches.

[West of Aslan Empire Fortified Points of the West and SouthTiange]

The imperial capital Gelanerte has planted countless fortified points in the territory of the Aslan Empire. These fortified points are for lords and disciples, along with the soul masters of the royal family, for information communication and to receive messages. These fortified points envelop the territory of the imperial empire under a grand web, this massive information network is known the Tiange.

This is theTiangenearest to Fauser.

Yin Chen walks into the depths of the ground through an ancient looking stone door resembling a gravestone. The stone steps beneath his feet have been rubbed raw; it is obvious that this place is an underground building from ages ago. This lengthy tunnel that leads underground has a wall light placed in a stone holder on both sides. They are not lighted by fire; instead they are maintained by the brightness of soul powers. However, every single stone lamp is dim, hence, one get a general idea of what is going on in the tunnel; the end of the tunnel is still shrouded in dead silent darkness. The more Yin Chen walks, the more he feels as if hes walking towards a grave. He really doesnt understand why they constructed this tian-ge to be so eerie.

Gradually, intricate patterns start appearing continuously on the walls on both sides of the tunnel; a very typical decorative pattern of the Aslan water source.

He walks some more and reaches the end of the steps. The stone room appears to be quite sparsely decorated, no additional dcor, only a stone table is raised in it. A soul master cladded in long black robes and a black hood stands behind it. His face is shrouded in the shadow of the hood; only his lips can be seen. His lips are thin and pale, looking like a patient that has lost too much blood.

Lord to the Seventh Degree, Yin Chen. Im here for some information, I hope you can provide them. Yin Chen says passively to the black-robed person.

Lord, always willing to serve you. The black-robed persons hoarse voice echoes in the dim cave, it sounds unpleasant, as if an icy cold snake is crawling up ones spine.

Last night, in the forest outside of the town of Fauser, had there been any high-leveled soul beasts? When I say high-leveled, Im referring tothe ones at the level of the Four Grand Soul Beasts of Ancient Times

The black-robed person remains slightly. It is obvious that he had not expected such a question to come from Yin Chen.

Was it theRagnarok? As if Yin Chens irises are frozen, they emit a cold gleam.

Outside the town of Fauser last there, there had been a very high-leveled soul beast, from its soul powers, I concur that it is many times above that of the lord, so according to this, I can conclude that it is one of the Four Grand Soul Beasts of Ancient Times but whether or not it had beenRagnarok,I dare not confirm The black-robed person replies Yin Chens question with his eerie and hoarse voice.

I can affirm that. There are no other soul beasts that can howl to the point where all the soul powers will be activated and boiling in a person, under that kind of sound, any person, as long as there are using the slightest bit of soul power, or if it caught on to the slightest movement of soul powers, it will use its howl to attack the soul powers in a person until they reach breaking pint, the soul powers will be like an uncontrollable tidal wave in ones body, attacking the return circuits until they are almost completely destroyed, resulting in great harm to the soul master Yin Chen says evenly as he gauges the expression on the black-robed persons face.

The black-robed person says nothing to Yin Chens words. His expression is shrouded under the shadow of the hood; one cannot decipher his thoughts at this exact moment.

The corners of Yin Chens lips curve up, he smiles and says: I have one last question, are there any other lords nearby? If there are, what tasks are they carrying out?

There are other lords nearby. They are carrying out other tasks.

Who is it? What are they doing? Yin Chen stares intently at the persons face.

I apologise, the access authority of this information is above your level, you do not have permission to receive this information. The black-robed person replies politely but coldly.

[West of Aslan Empire Forest outside town of Fauser]

The gradually thickening colour of the night shrouds the borderless forest in a deep layer of grey, making it look quiet and gentle.

Qi Ling who has been waiting for a long time only realizes then that the sky has dimed. He lifts his head, not seeing Yin Chen. Surrounding him is the empty forest, no one else is around aside from himself, and countless towering ancient trees are like dark giants, stationed around him, looking down in pity at the lonely him.

At that moment, Qi Ling feels a sense of loneliness hes never felt before.

There arent many people left in the town of Fauser. The entire inn has collapsed, only wooden pillars and debris remain. Other parts of the town have more or less been destroyed completely, many people chose to leave Fauser, only lonely elderly remain because they have nowhere else to go.

Its as if the whole town has been through great calamity. At this moment, only a suffocating defeat and silence remain.

Im back. Yin Chens voice suddenly sounds before him.

Qi Ling leaps up and hugs Yin Chen, the smile on his face sincere; one can tell that his happiness is genuine.

I was worried that you Qi Ling stops himself mid-sentence.

Worried that Id leave you behind? Yin Chen asks.

Something like that

Then you can have a peace of mind. Once a lord bestows the lords seal to his disciple, it is reality that cannot be reversed, the seal cant be bestowed to others either, which means that, I only have you as a disciple, hence I wont abandon you. Yin Chen explains seriously.

Qi Ling nods with force before smiling.

Are you hungry? Light a bonfire and roast something for yourself and make yourself warm in the process. It will be cold later on in the night, Im too lazy to build a house for you since Id have to maintain it with soul powers through the night, its a very tiresome job.

When the sky darkens completely, the moon appears from within the clouds.

The forest under the colour of the moon seems tender and silent, like a graceful young girl.

Cang Xue Zhi Yais still strolling around Qi Ling with its chest held high, and Qi Ling matches it by praising it constantly. It lifts its furry paw, Aiya, your claws are as sharp as a double-edged sword, so cool! It releases its broad wings from its shoulders, Woah, they are like wings of an angel! Its tell sways, the three dagger like thorns on its tail easily snaps a tree trunk the circumference of ones waist, Goodness, is this the legendary double-edged sword that rids the world of evil?

The two master and servant matches each other, never ending, both enjoying

Yin Chen rolls his eyes in disdain, turning his back to them. He sits on a rock underneath a tree, tearing the bread in his hand into small pieces before feeding them toXue Ci. Xue Cis tiny mouth chews on them happily, never closing, its shining small eyes perched atop its head, its two pincers waving wildly, looking like a satisfied dog shaking its head happily.

ScreechXue Cifinishes eating and bounces to and fro on Yin Chens shoulders.

Im not hungry. Yin Chen shakes his head tenderly, using his pinky to knock on the shell of its back.

Xue Cijumps off his shoulder and disappears agilely into the dense grass.

You understand it? Qi Ling moves in from a distance and asks in confusion.

Of course, when youve interacted for a long time, youd understand it naturally. Yin Chen replies expressionlessly.

Just as Qi Ling opens his mouth, a deep gurgling sound is heard, following that, a few dozen wild fruits fly out from the darkness of the distant grass patch, dropping by Yin Chens feet like rain, the tinyXue Cibounces over after that before leaping onto Yin Chens shoulders, having its tiny pincers and chattering.

Qi Ling bends down and picks a fruit up before biting into it, the sour and sweet juice flows into his mouth, Xue Ciyoure so great Before he finishes his sentence, a dull roar can be heard from behind him, turning around, he seesCang Xue Zhi Yadisappearing into the darkness with a wave of his tail. A few seconds later, an earth-shattering roar can be heard. Qi Lings chests, he rubs his chest as he watchesCang Xue Zhi Yawalk out from between the dark trees, its silver body glowing in the darkness, it extends its wings with force, countless birds fall to the ground beside Qi Lings feet, every single one of them has blood stains at the corners of their beaks, it is obvious they died from the impact of the roar.

Cang Xue Zhi Yaholds its head high as if the world cannot touch it, but at the same time it glances at Qi Ling sneakily from his narrowed eyes, expression proud but seeking praise. Qi Ling runs over and rubs its head while saying: Youre the best, youre the best, youre the greatest It swings its tail left and right with pride, Qi Ling stares at the three daggers at the tip of its tail, he panics in his heart, Be careful with that, dont swing it at me

Xue Citurns its tiny head away from them, choosing to ignore them completely. After a while,Xue Cileaps from Yin Chens shoulders with a whoosh before running with scattered steps to the thick and meaty paw ofCang Xue Zhi Ya, he stills and lifts its head to stare at this massive creature.

Cang Xue Zhi Yalooks atXue Ciwith disdain, the tiny scorpion the size of its toenail.

And henceXue Citurns around slowly, lifts its tail, and jabs its stinger intoCang Xue Zhi Yas meaty paw

Cang Xue Zhi Yashoots to the sky with a whoosh, grabbing onto the crown of a tree and lays there, a shocked expression on its face, half of its tongue hangs out and its eyes opens extremely widely.

And the tinyXue Cistanding beneath the tree has a pincer inserted into the ground to support its tiny body, the other pincher clutching its chest, it is bent at the waist and vibrating, from the looks of it, it looks as if its laughing so hard its going to suffocate soon

Yin Chen and Qi Ling looks at each other with matching expressions of awkwardness on their faces.

Qi Ling looks at the ground filled with avian, its just nice that hes hungry, hence he picks some dead branches from the forest before taking out the firestone from his clothes and lighting a fire. He plucks the feathers from the avian and skewers them onto branches before holding them over the fire. After a while, as if not satisfied with the roasting, he turns and grabs some fragrant grass from the forest and a few wild fruits. He mashes the grass and smears the meat with their juices before pushing the wild fruits into the stomachs of the avian and setting them over the fire again. A short while later, the skin of the avian meat is covered with oil and a thick and savoury scent drifts through the air.

The fire burning in the night seems warm and bright.

The firewood burns continuously, spluttering with consistent sparks, carried by the wind and floating among the darkness of trees like fireflies.

After the fire has been ignited,Xue Cireturns to Yin Chens lords seal. AndCang Xue Zhi Yajumps onto rock far from the fire, slouching dispiritedly.

Yin Chen tells Qi Ling: You should call it back into your lords seal.

Qi Ling cocks his head and thinks before saying: Ohyeah, why do you keepXue Ciin your seal normally? Isnt it quite good if you let it out? I think that, to have such a magnificent lion following me around is such an honour.

Once a soul beast has been subdued, they are no longer able to hunt and rest to regain their soul powers like when they were free. They can only regain energy if theyre in our lords seal. If they are constantly in a physical state or battle mode, then their soul powers are consistently being used, Yin Chen lifts a finger, There, look atCang Xue Zhi Ya, if you dont let it return to your lords seal, Im pretty sure it wont be able to move by tomorrow morning.

Qi Ling stands in fright before jogging toCang Xue Zhi Ya, waving at it and points to his butt. Cang Xue Zhi Ya stands lethargically before rounding over to his back. It stands in a daze with its head low, looking at him.

Qi Ling turns and asks Yin Chen: How am I supposed to withdraw it back to my lords seal?

Gather your soul powers towards your lords seal, and then let it sense its soul powers, its pretty simple.

Qi Ling understood nothing, but Yin Chen has already closed his eyes to rest so he can only clench his teeth. Looking at the sleepy Cang Xue Zhi Ya behind him, he closes his eyes and feels his soul powers flow through his bodu.

A soft explosion sounds in the air, the massive silver-white lion flows smoothly into Qi Lings body like a cloud of white smoke.

Qi Ling stares wide-eyed, This is sobrilliant.

Qi Ling returns to Yin Chens side, sitting by his feet, he nudges his leg, Yin Chen, tell me more about your world. My favourite thing before bed when I was younger was to listen to stories

Yin Chen lowers his eyes, a look of disdain appears on his face, Who is telling stories, everything I said is true.

Qi Ling nods immediately, Yes yes, tell me more, I want to listen. Think about it, Im your disciple, next time when I meet other lords, I cant be like a fool who knows nothing right, I have to bring you honour. Although youre just a minor Lord to the Seventh Degreemaster! Please put away your icicles, I didnt mean that! Okay, what Im saying is, next time if I ever meet others, I should at least seem like a disciple in case I lose face for you

Yin Chen looks at the serious face of Qi Ling, under the light of the fire, the naivety of youth is still there, but he can see how handsome and righteous he will become in the future. He changes his posture before facing Qi Ling: Lords rarely interact with each other. Lords have always been alone with only their disciple accompanying them. Unless the Silver Priests assigned a very important mission that requires that the lord assist one another, if not, the lords do not meet at all. That is because the soul powers for one single lord is already astonishing, hence its very rare that something requires more than one lord to solve Yin Chen moves back and leans against the rock, And you wont lose face for me. He thinks back to the vast ocean-like soul powers he first sensed within Qi Lings body.

Is it? But I understand nothing, Yin Chen, your other disciples must be really powerful? Qi Ling hangs his head in despair while lifting his eyes to look at Yin Chen occasionally.

Ive already told you, one lord can only have one disciple, unless the disciple dies, if not the lord cannot bestow the seal onto the second person. And before you, I never had a disciple. Yin Chen says softly with his eyes closed.

So thats itturns out Im your first Qi Ling spreads his hands and lets out a sigh of relief.

Yin Chen maintains his quiet and noble sleeping posture, but the angry throbbing of the vein at his temple is still difficult to mask.

Qi Ling scratches his head, seeming happy for no reason, Speaking of which, what do disciples do? Do they serve the lord? Or are we like, your assistant?

Yin Chen opens his eyes to gaze at Qi Ling, the moonlight shines on his youthful and handsome face, his gaze resembles a black ocean, the sharpness of his brows compliments his handsome beauty, Disciplesthey are the next generation of lords, when I die, you will be the Seventh Lord.

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah! Qi Ling stills for three seconds before shrieking while clutching his own head of course, halfway through his yelling, his mouth becomes filled with ice shards. He gurgles them out.

After spiting out all the ice shards from his mouth, Qi Ling doesnt give up, Yin Chen, your soul bending is so awesome. How many years must I train to be like you? Teach me how to let an icicle erupt from the ground too! So awesome! Or at least teach me how to wash clothes like that? This way as your assistant Id be clean, and youd have face!

These things cant be taught, they can only be learned from constant battles and practice. The only thing lords can teach their disciples are their unique way of bending their soul powers. As to how strong the impact is, that is completely reliant on the training of the person. To put it simply, the basis of soul bending is using ones own soul powers within the body and inducing them with the elements of the outside world, a miracle that a normal person wont be able to reach with their physical bodies can be completed. As for the soul masters in the territory of Aslan Empire, they are all born with water-based soul powers, hence to things like water, ice, mist and water vapour, we have better control. The control of elements is like basic instincts such as drinking water, blinking or lifting our heads. Just like when you were born, no one taught you how to blink, but you were born known how to; no one taught you how to jump, but you were born with that ability. Soul bending is the same thing. Youd understand gradually.

Qi Ling lowers his head and ponders over Yin Chens words.

Also, as soul masters have constant control, cycle and surging of soul powers within the body, the physical body has more potential than the average human. For example, our strength, impact and ability to revive ourselves is far greater than that of humans, which is to say your chicken is burnt. Yin Chen looks behind Qi Ling and says expressionlessly.

What? Wah!! Qi Ling leaps over to grab the branch, but as it is too late, he stares at the charcoal like thing in his hand and cries

[West of Aslan Empire Abyss Corridor]

The tall and dark mountains rising on the sides squeeze the blue sky into a tiny crevice.

At the mouth of the valley, the air is impregnated with thick ivory-coloured fog. The thick fog hides the depth of the valley; nothing can be seen. Occasionally, an eerie howl can be heard echoing faintly in the air.

An explosion of bloody chunks of flesh, amputated limbs surrounds the place, along with disfigured and mutated skulls, some crushed, murky mush of brains splatter on the black rock walls, some skulls are empty, the bone marrow in them gone. Eyeballs of varying sizes are scattered across the ground, as if countless disgruntled eyes of ghouls, staring grudgingly at souls in the mortal world.

Soundless innards and intestines, covered with bloody slime hang on cliffs, on branches, in streams between the rocks, occasionally guts drift pass on the surface of the water, the whole valley is engulfed in sticky and murky stench.

A place as silent as a purgatory on earth.

The eye cannot see the end of the vast stomach of the valley engulfed in fog.

One cannot be sure of what happened here and how this peaceful and silent land in the valley became such a horrifying purgatory.

On this spread of land filled with skeletons, two small figures move out slowly from the carcasses.

Guishan Fenghun looks at the delicate and fragile face in deep slumber on his back; in his heart are feelings he cannot express.

Wewe made it out alive A smile finally appears on Guishan Fenghuns blood-splattered face, a layer of shining tears covering his stardust like eyes.

The youth cladded in silver-white robes on his back opens his amber-like eyes of shaking beauty, his soft and long lashes framing him like a god in its youth. His intricate feature, flawless skin, makes his face seem as pale as the fog, weak and lifeless.

Just as they are about to leave the Abyss Corridor, a ghoul like figure is reflected in the youths irises.

Guishan Fenghun looks at the silent ghoul-like figure that has appeared in the distance and paused his footsteps. A layer of blood thirst clouds his persistent face.

He rests the youth lightly against a rock. On the youths face is fear; it seems like a gust of wind can knock him out.

Lord to the Fifth Degree Guishan Fenghun, is that you? The ghoul asks in the thick fog.

Who are you? Countless golden patterns appear on Fenghuns body.

In the thick fog, the ghoul moves slowly over, his silhouette can be seen, as if a dead soul rising from the waters. Pitch-black roves, a hood covering his face, no life can be sensed flowing from his cold body at all.

I am Nether. The black shadow says.

Nether? Lord to the Second Degree Lord to the Second Degree Nether? A bone-chilling sharpness fills Guishan Fenghuns voice, even he himself does not realize that his voice has became hoarse and high due to fear.

The fear creeps up Fenghuns chest like a dense army of ants. When he attempts to withdraw his soul weapon from his body, he realizes that he cannot move at all.

Dont waste your energy, the voice has no emotions or tone, as if a voice coming from Hell in the fog, Before I kill you instantly, do you have anything to say?

Is this the actual strength of the Second Lord He has exhausted most of his soul powers when he was rescuing the youth from the Abyss Corridor, hence he is in a situation where he cannot use any of his soul powers and can be killed instantlydespite that, even if he is not exhausted, facing Netheran immeasurable monster. Fenghun feels the immobile soul powers that the opposite has pushed down, facing the ghoul that does not emit an ounce of soul powers, in his irises is overwhelming despair. He stiffly turns to look at the weak youth staring at him with wide and innocent eyes; bitter tears start to fall from his eyes.

Netherlisten to meyou can kill me, but you cannot kill him, he ishe is Fenghuns voice cuts off harshly in the air, the sound as crisp as a branch being broken.

A small and delicate icicle pierces from Feng Huns throat.

Following that, from his shoulders, his chest, his abdomen, icicle after icicle start to erupt from his body. The blood covers the floor.

Impossibleyou can control the water within my bodyyour soul powers are so strong that you can break through the barrier of my bodythis is impossible

Nether pulls out his pale and long fingers from his robes and waves them lightly, Fenghuns body taking air and crashes towards the cliff, with a loud bang, his body falls to the ground.

Once again, Nethers body seems to be afloat in the air, weightless, even with no thickness, his black ghoul-like silhouette turns and appears before the youth.

Nether bends down and takes off his hood gently, the ivory light from the valley covers his incomparably handsomely beautiful face, his evil smirk resembles a flash of light deep in the ocean, the deep eyes like the long valley of the mountains, his brow bones high on his forehead, matching his tall nose. His emerald irises are like vast oceans. The robe surrounding his body moves with his soul powers, lightly flowing around him like black smoke, enveloping his lean and strong body.

You better tell mewho you are Nether leans closer to the weak youth on the ground, watching his pale face, asking in a deep and magnetic voice, he rubs his strong fingers on the youths light skin, as if caressing a fresh blossom.

The youth fearfully raises his hand, his thin and pale fingers resting on Nethers forearm lightly, shivering as if he dare not touch him, filled with fear.

I am The youths voice is weak, his words hard to decipher in the fog, as if losing all his strength, he opens and closes his mouth.

Before Nether realizes what has happened, the youths cold fingers has turned into intersecting sharp knives of ice, with an invincible flash, they crawl up the length of Nethers arm, moving upwards like wild iron vines.

In an instant, Nethers right arm and his right shoulder have evaporated into the air like a scatter of dust.

The blood bubbles and splatters all around, a gush of sweet stench of blood appearing in the fog.

*da-ge means older brother, or how youd refer to someone of higher status on certain occasions.