Chapter 197: Call Me Mo— Bah, Father God!
The two women had already skimmed through the content of the Second Nascent Soul Technique, quickly understanding its purpose.
They exchanged glances, both looking somewhat puzzled.
Wasn't the answer obvious?
Leilei spoke up first.
"So I pick lightning, and Sister Qiaolin picks fire— isn't that right?"
Jiang Zhe smiled and shook his head.
"Yes… and no. Why not switch? You pick fire, she picks lightning. Or better yet, Leilei, why not minor in spatial laws, and Qiaolin, you minor in temporal laws?"
Leilei shook her head firmly.
"Zhe, you should know, that's not exactly a good choice."
Qiaolin sighed as well.
"Zhe, our talents are limited. Dual cultivation of time and space is the privilege of geniuses like you."
Jiang Zhe chuckled.
"No, you still haven't grasped the essence of the Second Nascent Soul Technique. Keep reading—carefully."
The two women each held one side of the golden folio, poring over the script again. Soon, they discovered a crucial point.
"Huh? It's not a clone technique?" Leilei murmured. "Second nascent soul… a second me?"
Qiaolin's eyes widened.
"A completely independent me. The primary and secondary bodies don't affect each other. If the secondary dies, it doesn't harm the primary; if the primary dies, the main consciousness resurrects in the secondary body?"
Leilei pondered aloud.
"If they're truly independent, then these second selves could walk an entirely different path of law cultivation than we do."
Jiang Zhe suddenly asked,
"Leilei, Qiaolin, where do you think the ceiling of your cultivation paths lies?"
Qiaolin was quick to respond.
"Likely King level—maybe with a sliver of hope toward Venerable."
Leilei offered a more detailed analysis.
"Our fathers were among Earth's first planetary-level warriors. We were born with gifts surpassing ninety-nine percent of Earth's people, and we've since been painstakingly enhanced…
Achieving immortality as gods would be trivial for us. As for ascending to Universe Venerable, it might take countless epochs, but it's not out of the question—especially with your support, we truly have a slim chance.
Beyond that, becoming a Universe Lord… we don't even dare to dream."
Jiang Zhe's eyes sparkled.
"Leilei, what if your primary body achieves Time Venerable, and your secondary body reaches Space Venerable—then you share your insights between them? What do you think would happen?"
A knife laid bare—intent revealed!
Both women's pupils contracted sharply.
Qiaolin's hands trembled where she clutched the golden folio, barely able to contain her excitement.
"Comprehend time and space together… Universe Lord!"
Leilei clutched her chest, regulating her rapid breathing.
"A shortcut—a heaven-reaching shortcut! No wonder you said this technique isn't tolerated by the original universe's source will!"
Jiang Zhe's lips curled into a sly smile.
"So… how will you choose now?"
The two women exchanged another glance, then decisively took from Jiang Zhe the carriers that were contrary to their innate attributes.
Both were born into warrior families, unlike Xu Xin who delighted in business. They had long resolved to continue on the martial path. Since it was hard to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jiang Zhe in battle, then they would lead his future Thunder Emperor lineage instead.
But merely leading as common immortals? They would never be satisfied with that. Saint Spirit King had always been their benchmark, and like him, they yearned to step into the realm of Venerables.
Now, with the chance to brush against the threshold of Universe Lord laid before them—they would risk their lives for it.
Seven Days Later
Jiang Zhe gently roused his four little ones, who were deeply immersed in the insights of the Thunder God Codex, much like the monument guardians in Chaos City.
"Alright, observing for too long isn't good for you. Now, go memorize the other three secret techniques."
After committing the Second Nascent Soul Technique to memory, the four little ones made the same decision as their mothers, each selecting carriers with different elemental attributes than their own.
Jiang Zhe had prepared these long ago.
Jiang Yuankun took the earth-element Liyan Pearl.
Jiang Yuanzhu chose the wood-element Hu Jiao Crystal.
Jiang Yuanmiao picked the metal-element Taiyi Geng Gold.
Jiang Yuanming claimed the ice-element Xuanming Cold Marrow.
Ironically, these were all gifts from Jiang Zhe's recent wedding. This set of five-element treasures, delivered by his ninth senior sister on behalf of the Master of Shadow Watch, were top-tier materials for crafting heavy treasures. Naturally, this hadn't been a coincidence—the Dream Sovereign had already inquired about his preferences so these senior brothers and sisters he'd never met could prepare accordingly.
He noted down these debts of favor to repay in the future.
Next, the four little ones branded the Spirit Seeding Technique deep into their memories. It sounded impressive, but who knew when it would actually become useful? As a lineage nearly akin to special lifeforms themselves, they looked down on most of the other cosmic races' advantages—besides clone techniques.
Finally, they studied Mastering the Five Thunders.
They picked the Immortal Volume, which focused on fusing lower origin laws—based on the attributes of their primary bodies and second nascent souls.
Jiang Yuankun chose Earth-Thunder fusion.
Jiang Yuanzhu chose Wood-Thunder fusion…
As for the Venerable Volume, the profound mysteries of Thunder-Time fusion were too vast for them to grasp now. They could only memorize a sliver, enough to ponder once they reached Domain Lord or Sector Lord levels.
Beyond the Vortex
Jiang Zhe's family emerged into the normal region of his inner world.
The seven of them hovered above the inner sea.
The four little ones exchanged eager glances, mouths opening—only to find they couldn't utter a single sound.
They turned, stunned, to stare at their smiling father.
"I did warn you—these secret techniques aren't tolerated by the original universe's source will. Believe it now?"
Jiang Zhe's grin widened.
"You can't speak of them, even under soul search or enslavement. No one in the entire original universe or even the cosmic sea can extract these inheritances from your minds.
The only way to pass them on is through me. This is the foundation for the future rise of my Thunder Emperor lineage.
So be smart—until I gain Universe Lord strength, don't reveal too much."
Their faces grew solemn as they all nodded.
"Father, we understand!" ×4
Jiang Zhe gave a satisfied nod.
"Begin, right here in my inner world. Complete the nurturing of your second nascent souls… The final birth will still require the intervention of the original universe's source will."
Under Jiang Zhe's watchful eye, Leilei, Qiaolin, and the four little ones began cultivating the Second Nascent Soul Technique.
With will as bones and consciousness as the blade, they cut their souls.
All of them deliberately remained at ninth stage Stellar level, their soul cores externally manifest, making it easy to carve. Over nearly a century, they had diligently visualized Jiang Zhe's crafted Thunder God Visualization, building up robust soul foundations—allowing them, like Ji Ning, to avoid a period of weakness after soul division.
In truth, the Second Nascent Soul Technique wasn't all that impressive—back in the Desolate World, it was merely mid-tier at best, with training manuals common. The real challenge was acquiring a carrier for the second nascent soul.
The First to Cut
The first to slice his soul was the third son, Jiang Yuanmiao.
A wisp of soul light flew from the core at his chest into the gold lump resembling a brain before him.
Even steady Jiang Yuanmiao couldn't contain a shout of exhilaration:
"Dad, I—"
He quickly clamped a hand over his mouth at Jiang Zhe's silencing gesture, glancing around to ensure he hadn't disturbed the others before exhaling in relief, eyes sparkling at his father.
Jiang Zhe praised him with a smile.
"Excellent—worthy of a spiritual master with a mind a hundred times broader than normal. But don't just stand there. Control that soul shard. Infuse it into the life crystal, draw its stored energy, and elevate your lifeform level."
"Up to Stellar peak?" Jiang Yuanmiao asked.
"No. You've already touched the threshold of origin laws. You can advance this second nascent soul to Universe level. Once you cross the sixth floor of the Heaven-Reaching Bridge, you could even push it to Sector Lord ahead of time—huge benefits await."
"Understood, Dad." Jiang Yuanmiao nodded and promptly guided his soul shard.
One by one, Leilei, Qiaolin, and the remaining three little ones completed their soul divisions, controlling their nascent souls to grow and take form.
The source will of the original universe quietly descended, branding innate secret techniques onto these six newborn energy-type special lives.
The Road Ahead
Hanxia Calendar, Year 2400, Early July.
Jiang Yuankun, Jiang Yuanzhu, Jiang Yuanmiao, and Jiang Yuanming underwent joint evaluations by the Axe Battle Arena and Virtual Universe Company.
By late August, the tests concluded and the two-way selections were complete.
In early September, escorted by the Saint Spirit King, the four departed for Chaos City in the Initial Universe for further training.
Thirty years later—Hanxia Calendar 2500—after leaving Chaos City:
Jiang Yuankun and Jiang Yuanmiao headed to the God-Origin Secret Realm under the Axe Battle Arena.
Jiang Yuanzhu and Jiang Yuanming went to the Original Secret Realm of the Virtual Universe Company.
Thus, the path of strength for these four truly began.
At the Ancient Tree
"The differences in time flow will make you uncomfortable. Remember that jarring sensation—chase the flashes of inspiration it brings. It may lead you to breakthroughs in the laws of time."
Jiang Zhe stood with hands behind his back beneath the ancient tree, instructing the four second nascent souls meditating on stone seats.
Their primary bodies had gone to Chaos City; these were their second nascent souls, each a Universe peak energy lifeform with a hundredfold life gene level.
Jiang Zhe did not want to expose the Second Nascent Soul Technique, so these second selves remained. In time, they would assume new identities and adventure through the universe.
Just imagining the look on the Chaos City Lord's face when he found that each of these young geniuses' inner worlds held a "clone" was satisfying.
Having left them with instructions, Jiang Zhe flew up into the castle nestled among the ancient tree's branches.
In the Castle
In the master bedroom, Leilei and Qiaolin lay sound asleep on the massive bed, the sweet scent of fine wine lingering around them.
The leftover wines that had once helped refine their talents a century ago were now entirely consumed after forming their second nascent souls, nourishing their spirits.
In their dreams, they had already unconsciously stepped into Universe peak.
Meanwhile, their second nascent souls sat cross-legged in the grand hall, comprehending origin laws—also energy lives with a hundredfold life gene level.
On a meditation cushion in the hall, Jiang Zhe began cultivating the Spirit Seeding Technique.
The Reckoning of the Netherblood Egg
Target for plunder: Netherblood Egg.
Truthfully, this poor life embryo had suffered endless misfortune by becoming bonded with Jiang Zhe. First, it formed a symbiosis and was drained of energy (by Jiang Zhe). Then it was possessed (by Orianna). Now it was to be thoroughly consumed.
Step One: Spirit Extraction!
"What I want from it… first, the high-tier life level inherent to the Jiemo Egg. That surpasses perfect genes.
Then, Orianna—we'll finally become truly one.
Last, that innate mystic pattern containing the mysteries of life itself, capable of birthing all things."
Thanks to their symbiotic link, the Netherblood Egg was completely undefended against Jiang Zhe. With a thought, he drew secret patterns atop the sea of blood within his Thunder Prison Realm.
Step Two: Spirit Nurturing!
Upon the captured targets, he inscribed secret patterns to gradually harmonize them with himself—this took more time. Jiang Zhe's 181 "stars" (internal energy cores) constantly output life essence, like ink bleeding into clear water.
A New Genesis
Hanxia Calendar, 2412.
A sudden intuition struck—everything was ready.
Step Three: Spirit Planting!
Jiang Zhe drew the energy into himself, planting this alien force inside. Secret patterns he'd long etched across every inch of flesh, fascia, and marrow flared to life, making him like a sponge immersed in water, greedily absorbing.
It felt like when he cultivated the Blueprint of Life.
Without realizing it, his 182nd star was born and lit up, destabilizing his internal balance, shattering the old Blueprint constraints—yet without genetic collapse.
This was expected. The core authority of the Spirit Seeding Technique was "grafting," "stitching," and "transforming." It sounded like sinister sorcery, rife with future perils, but it also offered paths to perfect god embryos.
The post-planting metamorphosis was the true masterpiece.
And so, Jiang Zhe shed his old shell, about to forge a new divine embryo.
An Exponential Bloom
183rd star!
184th!
185th!
…
1006th!
1007th!
1008th!
At last, Jiang Zhe's life gene level surged to 10,080 times. The demonic heart's imprint that once artificially amplified his genes was purged, replaced by authentic perfection. Rich demonic power streamed out through his pores as blood-red mist.
Then all 1,008 stars split tenfold—suddenly he had 10,080 stars, each representing a unit of life gene level.
Finally, the 10,081st star formed.
Jiang Zhe shot to his feet and in a blink appeared outside the castle.
In an instant, his body swelled to full form—towering over 50,000 kilometers high (fifth-rank Sector Lord).
The six second nascent souls turned their gazes toward him, awed by the towering figure.
Jiang Zhe clenched his fist, feeling the boundless power surging within.
"Complete! Not an artificially multiplied gene frequency—this is true, authentic perfect life, like my Candlelight Clone or Demon Clone.
My slight obsessive nature is finally satisfied."
He grinned.
"Anna, how's the Netherblood Egg?"
Orianna's voice rang out warmly.
"Master, it barely lost any life essence. Even if you repeated this, drawing out its power to forge another perfect lifeform, it would be none the worse for wear."
Jiang Zhe laughed and gave a thumbs-up.
"Worthy of a famed primordial embryo—tough indeed."
Orianna urged eagerly.
"Master, now we must strip the innate mystic pattern and Jiemo Egg traits, planting them into the Thunder Prison Realm. This will evolve it into a core organ like a beast lord's realm.
Then finally, plant me inside so I can be reborn as the 'World Spirit'—or rather 'World Will'—of your Thunder Prison Realm.
I can't wait to truly become one with you."
Seeing her fervor, Jiang Zhe chuckled.
"Since you wish for it, then let's give it a try."
---
A/N: Want to read more chapters in advance?
Check out my P@treon at "DigitalToons" for early access and exclusive content!
You can read 100+ chapters there in advance.
And free members can read 2 chapters ahead of WN.