Soul Land: Legend of Saint Seiya

Chapter 205: Soul Sage Qian Renxue

Xiao Yu, who had been silently observing the battle, immediately recognized the object as the core of Cerberus. As the mythical guardian of the Underworld's gate in ancient Greek mythology, Cerberus naturally qualified as an ancient beast. The fact that it produced a core, just like the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent, was entirely within Xiao Yu's expectations.

Extending his hand, Xiao Yu summoned the core with his soul power, and it landed in his palm.

"What is this thing?"

Qian Renxue, seeing Xiao Yu hold the orb without any caution, assumed it must not be dangerous and couldn't help but ask.

Ye Lingling and Huo Wu also looked at Xiao Yu with curiosity, their delicate faces filled with eager anticipation.

Xiao Yu explained to the three women in a calm tone, "This is the core that appears only after the death of ancient beasts. It contains a significant portion of the beast's power and energy, similar to the soul rings produced by soul beasts upon their death. However, unlike soul rings, which dissipate after half an hour, the core can be preserved indefinitely."

"I see!"

The three nodded in understanding, their faces lighting up with realization.

"Shall we proceed to the next trial?"

Having just experienced an intense and thrilling battle, Qian Renxue was eager for more. She knew that after nearly two decades of infiltration in the Heaven Dou Empire, her greatest weakness was a lack of combat experience.

"Not so fast, Xue'er. Haven't you noticed how suitable this place has become for cultivation?"

Xiao Yu smiled faintly. With Cerberus defeated, the gates of the Underworld had acknowledged Xiao Yu's status as the master of this domain. The previously thin spiritual energy in the air had started to thicken and become rich.

Prompted by Xiao Yu's reminder, Qian Renxue took note of the changes in the environment. She closed her eyes and circulated her soul power, quickly realizing that the speed of its flow had indeed increased.

"The opponents will only grow stronger the further we venture into the Underworld. Xue'er, I suggest we move forward only after you've broken through to Rank 70!"

As Xiao Yu spoke, he clenched the core in his hand. The power of the Underworld within his martial soul surged, completely purifying the dark and deathly aura attached to the core.

"Xue'er, I've removed the dark attributes from this core that conflicted with your Seraphim martial soul, leaving only the pure fire elemental energy. Its power has diminished slightly as a result, equating to about a 60,000-year soul ring. It should suffice as your seventh soul ring!"

Typically, a soul master's seventh soul ring was around 50,000 years old. However, given the strength of Qian Renxue's divine martial soul, she could easily handle the additional pressure from a soul ring with an extra 10,000 years of cultivation.

At this moment, Xiao Yu couldn't help but criticize Qian Daoliu. What was that old man thinking? Qian Renxue, with her innate Rank 20 divine martial soul, had been made to absorb two hundred-year soul rings as her first and second rings—utterly conventional and unimaginative.

"Alright!"

Qian Renxue nodded. Since Xiao Yu had broken through to Rank 70, she had been feeling anxious. Her competitive and prideful nature bordered on obsessive. Even though Xiao Yu was the one she had chosen as her lifelong partner, she didn't want to fall behind him.

Motivated by Xiao Yu's suggestion and her awareness of the environment, Qian Renxue immediately sat cross-legged and began to cultivate, following her usual method to consolidate her soul power.

"Lingling, Huo Wu, you should do the same. Cultivating here is several times more efficient than in the outside world. Don't waste this excellent opportunity!"

Xiao Yu called out to the other two women, who obediently sat down and started cultivating. With Qian Renxue as a powerful rival, the pressure on them was immense. Even the gentle Ye Lingling felt a strong urgency to improve her strength, especially since she privately regarded herself as Xiao Yu's principal wife.

Seeing the three women enter a meditative state, Xiao Yu released the Sea God's Vast Sea Cosmic Barrier, now cleansed of the Sea God's divine consciousness. Infused with his soul power, the triangular Vast Sea Cosmic Barrier expanded dozens of times, enveloping all of them within its protective shield.

Although Cerberus's demise meant that the Gates of Hell were now part of Xiao Yu's domain, there was no guarantee that something strange or dangerous from the Eight Infernal Prisons ahead wouldn't make its way here. To be safe, Xiao Yu decided to add another layer of protection.

After releasing the Vast Sea Cosmic Barrier and confirming its invisibility, Xiao Yu finally entered his cultivation state.

The Underworld was Xiao Yu's home turf. His martial soul could perfectly harmonize with the surrounding spiritual energy, making his cultivation speed the fastest among the four.

Second to him was Qian Renxue. Her cultivation aptitude was naturally superior to that of Huo Wu and Ye Lingling. Moreover, the Underworld's atmosphere was rich with dark and deathly spiritual energy, which clashed with her martial soul's attributes. The immense pressure forced her soul power to circulate faster, helping her strengthen her control over it.

About twenty days later, Qian Renxue, who had been at the peak of Rank 68, finally broke through to Rank 70.

As her soul power surged past Rank 70, her aura grew even more noble. Every movement exuded a divine presence, and even her skin seemed to become more radiant and flawless.

"Angelic Descent!"

With a soft cry, Qian Renxue unleashed her martial soul. A brilliant golden light enveloped her entire body, and two pairs of immaculate white wings unfurled from her back. Six soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—appeared in perfect order around her. She shone like the sun, bringing the purest light to the Underworld.

"Xue'er, catch this!"

Xiao Yu had been prepared. With a wave of his hand, the dark red Cerberus core flew toward Qian Renxue.

The Underworld wasn't Douluo Star, and it lacked the restrictive rules that suppressed breakthroughs. Advancing from the peak of Rank 69 to Rank 70 required only the accumulation of soul power, with no bottleneck to overcome.

Qian Renxue didn't hesitate, catching the core and immediately circulating her soul power to refine it. The core, sensing a threat, suddenly erupted with a strong red light, engulfing Qian Renxue's body in an instant.

"Will she be okay?"

Huo Wu, having noticed Qian Renxue's breakthrough, ended her meditation and couldn't help but voice her concern.

Ye Lingling, though silent, couldn't hide the worry on her face. Beyond her concern for Qian Renxue's safety, she feared the consequences of an accident. If anything happened to Qian Renxue, the elders of Spirit Hall, especially the old monsters in the Worship Hall, might fly into a rage and clash with Nine Star Hall.

"Don't worry, I have faith in Xue'er."

Xiao Yu gave Ye Lingling a reassuring look and flicked Huo Wu's forehead. "Stop jinxing her with your crow's mouth. Focus on your cultivation. Xue'er has already broken through to Soul Sage, and you're still slacking off!"

Huo Wu snorted lightly but obediently sat down to continue her meditation.

Ye Lingling followed suit, resuming her cultivation. Only Xiao Yu remained by Qian Renxue's side—not because he was worried about her refining the core, but because he was concerned that the commotion from her breakthrough might exceed the Vast Sea Cosmic Barrier's capacity and attract dangerous creatures.

(End of Chapter)

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