Hu~
In the quiet cave and under the light of a blue flame, Zhuo Fan sat on the bed at peace and tranquil.
He should be worried as to which Ethereal Stage expert trapped him here, though in this particular instant he didn’t, letting it all go in favor of training his heart.
It would’ve been a major concern years ago but now his heart had achieved calm even in serious matters.
Since they were looking after his best interests, everything else was moot. He might as well go with it and handle his break through.
This realization only deepened his calm and turned the azure flame into a bigger blaze.
Unlike his previous advancements, his heart was warning him for days, which only made it all the more critical to be cautious.
Zhuo Fan reckoned that the constant refining of his soul had something to do with it, as well as his heart improving here and there. All he needed was a spark to trigger this event and that was where Venerable Shi’s soul pressure came in.
This advancement had been triggered by his soul and that meant Radiant Stage was nigh.
Skipping two layers without any supplements, from the 8th layer of Profound Heaven Stage, showed he had one exquisite soul. [Kunpeng was right about one thing, azure flame is the best in refining the soul!]
Zhuo Fan broke out into a grin, no matter how suspicious he was of Kunpeng, the guy had always given him good stuff.
Crack!
The sound coming from his mind announced the expansion of the flame on his forehead.
A mighty soul power churned his mind, like a stormy sea.
Zhuo Fan was both happy and startled. It was just like he thought, the sign of entering the Radiant Stage. He has had a Radiant Stage soul for ages now and advancing to it would fill it with unseen power. He had no idea just how far it could go, and what it would become.
His joy was short lived though as the surging soul power rose and rose, threatening to burst his skull.
The pain of having his head balloon was excruciating. One more push and it would pop.
But he bore through it, pushing back against the growing soul power to get it under control no matter how useless it was.
The ever growing pressure got so big that it leaked outside and pulverized his bed and furniture.
It spread in the entire cave, with no place left to go.
Zhuo Fan gnashed his teeth, working hard to settle this. He’d never have used the azure flame if he knew that reaching Radiant Stage would make his soul power multiply to such a degree.
[What do you get by multiplying a peak Radiant Stage soul? Death…]
As he kicked himself with regret, he recalled, [Right! Ethereal Stage comes after Radiant Stage! With so much soul power, it’s gotta condense.]
Zhuo Fan worked his cultivation method into controlling the rumbling soul power while also giving it shape.
Soul forming in the Radiant Stage? It was unheard off. Then again, so was having peak Radiant Stage soul power in Profound Heaven Stage.
The soul’s form was but the next step in a soul’s strengthening, so why should he stick to the conventional stages when he had the right soul power?
Besides, not doing it would leave him splattered across the walls.
Zhuo Fan squinted and pushed his soul power with all his being. As to the form? The cultivation method would decide.
Roar~
It was now that the dragons lashed out.
[There’s still those nine earth dragon souls! I wanted the 10th to give the Ten Dragons Opening the Heavens a try and see what’s the deal with heaven dragon soul.]
[But it’s too late now.]
[Since I’m stuck with an earth dragon soul, might as well do it right.]
He blended those dragon souls with his mighty soul power. The resulting clash released an almighty aura.
Nine dragons’ roars filled the cave threatening to break it open. And as the dragon souls put pressure on the soul power, it soon took the shape of an earth dragon soul.
As the pressure ebbed on Zhuo Fan, he felt his power growing, nearing an Ethereal Stage expert’s level.
But then, as the nine earth dragons fused, a mighty draconic cry came from his Thunder Ring.
It made the nine dragons separate then and there.
Zhuo Fan eyed his ring in shock, [Since when did my ring have a dragon soul?]
The dragon soul came out as it roared, along with Dugu Zhantian’s signature weapon, Dragonslaying Crescent Blade.
Roar~
The azure blade flickered with the image of a dragon roaming over it, unable to break out, only roaring.
While the nine dragon souls were incited by it and roared as well.
“The 10th dragon soul is actually here! Talk about being a lucky stiff, heaven’s on my side! Marshal Dugu, you have my utmost gratitude for helping me even beyond the grave.”
Zhuo Fan was excited knowing the Ten Dragons Opening the Heavens was around the corner.
Whoosh~
Lifting the blade, Zhuo Fan laughed, “Dragon souls converge, Ten Dragons Opening the Heavens! Dragon power of the Heavens, form the heavenly dragon. Bow to me and turn into the heaven dragon soul!”
Roar!
The earth-shaking roar pierced the clouds and the Dragonslaying Crescent Blade exploded in a golden glow as its dragon burst out, soaring along its nine brothers.
The ten dragon souls circled overhead, their heads and tails fusing into forming a ring. With a hum, the ring shone with a blinding white light.
With a bang, the white light pierced the cave and shot for the heavens. The white beam of light connected the Ninth Heaven with the earth.
As draconic roars once again sounded, a prismatic glow rose, blending with the light beam and entering Zhuo Fan’s soul.
Zhuo Fan felt refreshed and powerful.
Before he could celebrate though, an even mightier pressure came in the form of a draconic roar like never before from the heavens above.
Zhuo Fan spat blood then and there, his mind fried. While the mighty power converted into huge dragons charging into Zhuo Fan’s soul and causing havoc.
The excruciating pain made it feel like his mind might crack, his jaw shattering from grinding, but he steeled himself through it, forcing down on his soul in an attempt to quell the dragons from the heavens.
No matter how futile it was to control even one dragon’s heavenly power.
Zhuo Fan had decided to stake it all!
Somewhere else, a huge eye opened in the darkness surrounded by flames and purple lightning, “Humph, a human dares to draw on my Dragon Tomb’s dragon power? It would rather devour you than let you form the dragon soul!”
“Master, there are oddities among humans as well. Exalted Double Dragon did form the heaven dragon soul after all!” A young voice echoed.
The huge eye mocked, “Those in this world that can actually take my dragon power can be counted on one hand. Humans never know their limits. You say Exalted Double Dragon formed a heaven dragon soul, but do you know how many countless others have tried and failed?”
“I…” The youth was speechless.
The large eye continued, “Forming one of my dragon souls is a human’s gamble with his life on the line. If it weren’t for me being trapped here, you wouldn’t even have that!”
“Yes, master, but since it’s so dangerous, do I have to go through it as well?”
“Spare me with your excuses, since you’ve caught my eye, of course you’ll succeed. Or do you compare yourself to those village idiots? Only with my help will you ever succeed.”
“Master, I’d never go against your will. I don’t want the master to burn me alive.” The youth panicked and steeled his determination.
The huge eye said, “You better have at least that much bravery or even if you flee to the Sacred Domain, I’ll even risk being found out to tear you piece by piece.”
“Now, are the ten earthworms ready?”
“Master, they’re earth dragon souls.”
“They’re nothing but earthworms to me.”
“Uh, alright. As you say…” Along with the youth’s wry smile, draconic roars echoed…
