The Level 4 flight-type soul tool measured half a meter in length and half that in width—more compact and refined than standard military models, with superior performance across all metrics.
An Zhen had acquired it from the Nine Treasures Pavilion.
To be precise, Ning Tian had prepared it for his holiday plans.
For a level 40 quasi-Soul Ancestor like An Zhen, wielding a Level 4 soul tool was effortless.
Months of 24/7 cultivation—even with reduced efficiency during certain periods—combined with innate full soul power, the virtual world's boost, and relentless training had propelled his strength far beyond his peers.
"Suddenly, I feel this brat's quite suited for soul tools."
Having left Shrek City, An Zhen soared through the sky with his flight apparatus. The unkempt Elder Xuan kept pace beside him, casually gnawing a chicken leg mid-air.
Elder Xuan recalled An Zhen's past claim: "My world's martial soul can store soul power."
"I agree," An Zhen replied.
"You favor soul tools?"
"Elder Xuan, who wouldn't prefer a more efficient tool?"
Elder Xuan fell silent, his murky eyes studying the boy who spread his arms, reveling in flight.
If all goes well, this boy could become the next—or next-next—master of the Sea God Pavilion. His stance will shape Shrek's future.
"One's own strength is paramount," Elder Xuan declared, taking a swig of wine.
"Naturally."
To An Zhen, both extremes were distorted:
Douluo Continent rejected tools, obsessing over innate power.
Sun Moon Empire fixated on tools, neglecting self-cultivation.
True perfection lay in harmonizing the foundation of self with the brilliance of crafted ingenuity.
Traveling north into the Sky Soul Empire, they reached a bustling city.
An Zhen bought candied hawthorns.
Elder Xuan trailed him leisurely.
Virtual World
"That little Yutong really can run," An Zhen mused.
Before departing, he'd asked Yi Laike to place a tracking mark on Huo Yutong. Tianmeng Iceworm's million-year spiritual power was vast, but its quality couldn't match Yi Laike's divine consciousness—especially with cross-dimensional techniques.
Now, stronger and faster than her original counterpart, Huo Yutong had raced ahead.
The ash-haired man materialized before An Zhen.
"How's your recovery, Teacher?"
"Life Gold's energy is ample—I've made it my core. But my divine consciousness remains too fragmented." Yi Laike's form radiated abyssal power beneath deathly grey light. "Otherwise, I might challenge this dimension's limits."
Dimensional limits?
Level 100 to godhood.
The God Realm. Five God Kings. The Dragon God War...
An Zhen shared all he knew—including the God of Sea, Tang San, who flouted divine laws.
"Breaking those limits would draw the God Realm's attention. But you're not native to this world—or even its cosmic sphere."
"It's a vast multiverse."
Yi Laike nodded gravely. "Then it is perilous."
At his peak, armed with artifacts, he might negotiate as an equal. Now? A wisp of divine consciousness. Surrender was unthinkable—the man who'd defied empires and popes wouldn't kneel to foreign gods.
But that crisis could wait.
"Ready?"
"Once we leave the city."
No collateral damage.
Moments later, the candied-hawthorn boy reached the outskirts.
Elder Xuan, still munching his chicken leg, raised his wine gourd—
—and lowered it to find An Zhen gone. A ripple of spatial energy faded.
BOOM!
Like a fixed-shell soul cannon detonating.
Two yellow, two purple, four black, one red.
Elder Xuan's soul power erupted, cratering the ground. The unkempt elder transformed into a primordial beast.
"WHO?!"
A roar shook the air.
A pitch-black soul ring ignited. A thirty-meter monstrosity materialized—tiger fangs, ram's body, colossal ox horns—armored in earthen light.
An Zhen—vanished before his eyes?
Bloodshot eyes scanned the sky. The Gluttony Divine Ox took flight, disregarding the nearby city as torrents of soul power and spiritual force radiated outward.
"Esteemed senior! This is Sky Soul Empi—"
A Soul Douluo rose shakily, eight rings blazing. Before he finished, the colossal beast seized him.
"Mobilize every resource in this city..."
A voice thick with fury growled.
Thirty Miles Away
"That old fellow's still lacking," remarked a handsome youth strolling through the forest. A grey figure—visible only to him—walked beside him.
"Teacher, let's head to Yutong now."
"Mn."
Operation: Raise Huo Yutong—commencing!
An Zhen ge, Wang Dong, Teacher Tang Ya, Big Brother Bei Bei, Teacher Zhou, Teacher Fan Yu—wait for me! I'll return with amazing surprises! An Zhen ge... I'll confess properly then—with the power to stand by your side!
A small figure sprinted northward, heart brimming with hope.
"Heh heh heh~"
A genderless, icy voice hissed in Huo Yutong's ear.
"Who's there?!"
The girl drew a sheathed dagger, dropping into a combat stance.
"Trouble!"
In her spiritual sea, Tianmeng Iceworm scrambled upright.
"Such a cute little boy~ Why not become this venerable one's bride?" A figure shrouded in grey mist coalesced.
"Disgusting!" Huo Yutong's face twisted in revulsion.
Tianmeng Iceworm: !
My spiritual power can't penetrate that mist!
Death energy? Soul energy? Hybrid? And that soul quality... rivals mine?
"Yutong... we're in real danger."
To encounter such an abomination right after leaving Shrek!
Wait—why does that mist look familiar?
"Huo Yutong~"
A new voice cut through the gloom—cool, crisp, devastatingly familiar.
"Didn't you say you were getting a soul ring with your teacher?"
(End of Chapter)