Fieobo's saying "Don't underestimate a struggling man in midlife" was because he had only advanced from a Sixth-Order warrior to an Eighth-Order warrior in his seventies.
A Sixth-Order warrior, under normal circumstances, could live to the limit of an ordinary human lifespan—about 120 years.
At seventy-plus, a Sixth-Order warrior was considered "old," but Fieobo refused to acknowledge this. In his view, old age only began at eighty. Moreover, after ascending to Eighth-Order, his lifespan surpassed normal limits, potentially reaching 300 years.
When he reached over 230 years old, Fieobo ascended to the Sanctuary stage. In his mind, no matter what level he was, he could always consider himself middle-aged.
Little did he know that this "most vivid memory" in his mind was merely a fabricated insertion forcibly placed by Locke into his soul.
At present, Locke had reached a bottleneck in analyzing Fieobo's soul. No matter how many times he probed, there were no new discoveries.
Locke had anticipated this.
From Fieobo's soul, Locke had already deepened his understanding of soul mechanics.
Having expended most of his spiritual energy, Locke withdrew from the fusion state with the ultimate laws and meditated to recover his strength.
By the time his energy fully restored, dusk had fallen.
Locke then immersed his consciousness into his soul space.
Based on the truths he had comprehended, he set up defenses within his soul space.
As a transmigrator, Locke knew his mind contained things that the beings of the Coiling Dragon Universe could neither comprehend nor accept.
Thus, he placed utmost importance on the security of his soul.
In the Coiling Dragon Universe, aside from those with profound soul mastery, most gods never used their soul power to craft soul-defense artifacts.
Even supreme deities relied more on their willpower to imbue artifacts with defensive abilities against soul attacks.
Locke was different.
After comprehending the Mystery of Illusionary Fog law within the Water Element, and gaining the ability to attack with soul power, he had never stopped studying souls.
Whether during ten years of secluded training in the Enzo Territory or over a decade in Puer Village, Locke's mastery over souls steadily increased.
The existence of Fieobo, the Radiant Temple's knight commander, had elevated Locke's research on souls to a new level.
Previously, Locke's soul research had focused on perception. His signature move, Celestial Dance Treasure Wheel, was the culmination of that study.
Now, he had touched upon memory within the soul.
Through studying memories, Locke sealed all recollections of his previous life within his soul and added a lock.
Should anyone attempt to break this lock, that portion of Locke's soul would self-destruct, leaving no chance for anyone to read his memories.
For soul defense, Locke used his understanding of the Mystery of Illusionary Fog law to surround his soul with a layer of white mist.
Any soul attack attempting to reach him must first penetrate this mist.
This mist was not mere decoration—it contained Locke's Celestial Dance Treasure Wheel soul attack.
All soul attacks entering the mist would have their senses stripped, rendering them blind and deaf, unable to locate Locke's soul.
Naturally, they would exhaust their strength in the mist and dissipate, posing no threat.
Every day, Locke's schedule was packed, yet he felt profoundly fulfilled.
"Lord Locke!"
That day, just as Locke completed his cultivation, the voice of the captain of the guards called from outside the tent.
"Captain Gasco is here."
"Gasco?"
Locke paused at the name.
Then, hearing the title "Captain," he immediately realized.
This Gasco was one of the five captains of the Tsunami Legion.
At this moment, Locke also recalled that he had become the lord of this territory—the Grand Duke of the Frost and Snow Empire.
Gasco and the others had been ordered to build a prefecture city capable of housing three million people.
Had the city already been completed?
"Let him in."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
A few seconds later, a middle-aged man with a beard entered the tent.
"Greetings, Grand Duke."
"Please, no need for formalities, Gasco."
"Yes."
Straightening up, Gasco reported, "Grand Duke, as per your instructions, the prefecture city has been completed. We are now arranging for residents to move in."
"At present, nearly 400,000 people have settled in the city."
Although the city could hold three million, only 400,000 residents had moved in—a modest start for a Grand Duke's city.
Locke was not surprised.
He had already instructed the five captains that construction should not disrupt the lives of his people.
"Very well."
"Since the city is complete, let us proceed."
"Once inside, summon all Tsunami Legion soldiers and inform them that rewards will be distributed in Locke City."
"Excellent."
High above Locke City, Locke and Fieobo stood in the void, overlooking the city below.
The city was surrounded by walls over twenty meters tall, with gates in each cardinal direction.
Nestled among mountains and rivers, the grandest and most luxurious building was Locke's lordly manor.
From the manor as the center, the city was divided into four districts. Houses nearer the manor were more lavishly decorated.
Currently, aside from the densely populated area around the manor, other districts were less bustling. Further out, homes were simple wood or clay structures rather than stone buildings.
(End of Chapter)
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