Soul Emperor's Inheritance, Small World, Eastern Continent
The battle continued for tens of thousands of rounds before Ji Changchen finally took them down.
Ji Changchen glanced at a young-looking woman and said calmly, "Miss Gu, do I deserve the spot now?"
Gu Xing glanced at Ji Changchen and nodded. "You deserve 20% of the region," she said as she calmly left the spot.
Ji Changchen glanced at the pond and smiled lightly. It was a Soul Spring, a treasure of immense value. However, he knew that 20% was the best he could get. Thus, he didn't push any further. In fact, this was not the only Soul Spring in this region. There were many more, and most had already been occupied by one faction or another. But none of them had the same quality as this one.
A Soul Spring contains traces of Heavenly Dao essence and Soul essence, which nourish the Soul. It has an amazing effect on increasing the Soul Cultivation of a Warrior. During the Monarch Inheritance, Li Gang improved his Soul Cultivation from Rank 1 to Rank 5 in just one year with the help of a Soul Spring.
However, it has a major drawback—it causes immense pain to a Warrior. The longer one stays, the greater the pain. Thus, one can only stay for a short amount of time! Soul Springs are also divided into various grades. A low-quality Soul Spring is useful for Intermediate Warriors from Rank 4 to Rank 6, a mid-tier Soul Spring can enhance the Soul Cultivation of Warriors from Rank 7 to Rank 8, and a high-tier Soul Spring is useful for Monarchs, capable of enhancing Soul Cultivation from Rank 8 early stage to mid or even late and peak stages, depending on the quality.
This Soul Spring was undoubtedly high-tier. There was no Soul Spring capable of enhancing Soul Cultivation to the Emperor level—one could only reach that level through sheer hard work.
Gu Xing was a Saintess of the Ethereal Sect. She was very well aware of the importance of this resource, as she possessed sufficient information. She didn't wish to share this resource with the Celestial Sect. In fact, if not for Ji Changchen personally taking action, she was confident enough to handle the rest of the Celestial Sect Warriors herself.
A few days later, a sound buzzed in Ji Changchen's ears.
Ding! The final update of the System has been completed.
Ji Changchen was surprised and excited. He murmured inwardly, "System, show me what new functions are available!"
Ding! The System has upgraded to its final version. The following functionalities are now available:
Able to hide from Little Heaven completely. Even if Little Heaven invades the host's body, it cannot detect the existence of the System.
All the information of the Divine Spirit World has been loaded into the System. This includes all history and every person ever born here.
Passively alters the memories of those who are suspicious of the System's existence.
The System is now capable of reading anyone's memory.
Can predict where opportunities lie.
Able to estimate possible futures.
Ji Changchen was shocked at the new functions! These functions now enabled him to control his own fate. He thought of something and murmured inwardly, "System, show me the status of Gu Xing."
Name: Gu Xing
Age: 94 years
Identity: Holy Maiden of Ethereal Sect, Daughter of Destiny
Physique: Yin-Yang Dual Body
Cultivation: Rank 6 Late Stage
Soul Cultivation: Rank 6 Peak Stage
Talent: A Grade
Spiritual Imprint: Grade 8 Aqua Porta
Battle Strength: Rank 6 Peak Stage (Rank 7 Early Stage within Water Region)
Cultivation Technique: Ethereal Ascendance Technique
Ji Changchen murmured inwardly, "Her cultivation speed is too slow! But with the battle strength she has within a Waterbody, I'm afraid even I would suffer under her attacks if I fought her here!"
In the last four decades, her cultivation had improved by one major stage, from Rank 5 peak stage to Rank 6 late stage. This was not a slow speed. In fact, cultivation slows down exponentially from Rank 6 onwards, especially at the bottleneck of Rank 7!
This whole region was occupied by a Soul Spring. This Spring was vast, covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometers! This region was her own turf!
Even though Ji Changchen had the support of various geniuses from the Celestial Sect, they were at most Rank 6 mid-stage Warriors who had just arrived here. If they fought against enemies already familiar with this region alongside Gu Xing, it would be difficult to say who would emerge victorious.
A few days later, three Warriors arrived at this place. They were none other than Meng Xian, Ye Fan, and Wang Xiaoyan.
They had been working together for the past few years, sharing benefits and dangers hand in hand. They had already become companions.
Meng Xian had heard of the existence of the Soul Spring here. However, he had only known some rumors and had not been able to personally visit this place in his past life. Thus, it took him a few months to reach this place. And when he arrived, he was surprised to find that it was already taken.
Meng Xian cursed his bad luck, but he didn't mind. He continued forward and soon found a few Warriors blocking his way.
"This place is already occupied by our Ethereal Sect. Please leave!"
Wang Xiaoyan glanced at Meng Xian and Ye Fan and nodded.
Ye Fan smiled at her. "Sister Yao, don't worry. The rules already state that we can have a friendly fight for the spot."
The Warrior guarding the place became angry. He couldn't see through their cultivation, thus he immediately guessed that they were stronger than him.
He said coldly, "Even if you are strong, it doesn't mean you can be arrogant here. This spot has been occupied by our Saintess."
Ye Fan said lightly, "So what?"
He immediately jumped and threw a punch.
Meng Xian facepalmed. 'As expected, he always attacks recklessly.'
However, he never tried to stop him. He was aware that even though Ye Fan looked reckless on the surface, he was actually very meticulous.
The Rank 5 Warrior was surprised and couldn't believe he had really dared to attack.
Meng Xian and Wang Xiaoyan were already used to his style, and they entered without hesitation.
At this moment, many Warriors heard the commotion. Gu Xing and Ji Changchen both arrived at the scene.
Ji Changchen immediately identified Meng Xian and Ye Fan.
He glanced at Ye Fan and smirked. "It's been a while!"
Ye Fan nodded. "Yes, it's been a while!"
Wang Xiaoyan looked at Ye Fan and asked, "Who is he?"
Ye Fan said lightly, "He is Ji Changchen."
At that moment, Ji Changchen immediately took out his sword and positioned it in front of him.
Clang!
A sudden sword strike came from the right side in a horizontal manner.
It was Wang Xiaoyan!
Meng Xian cursed inwardly. 'This braindead girl! How could I forget about her? She's even more reckless than Ye Fan. Without her Spiritual Imprint, she's a total idiot.'
Clang! Clang! Clang!
After a few continuous assaults, Ji Changchen backed off. He glanced at Wang Xiaoyan seriously and murmured inwardly, 'System, show their status!'
Name: Wang Xiaoyan
Age: 75 years
Identity: Holy Maiden of Heavenly Dragon Sect, Supreme's Successor
Physique: None
Cultivation: Rank 6 Peak Stage
Soul Cultivation: Rank 6 Peak Stage
Talent: A Grade
Spiritual Imprint: Rank 7 Crystal Clear (Suppressed State), Rank 9 Omniflow Perception (Unrestrained State)
Battle Strength: Rank 6 Peak Stage (Rank 7 early Stage in suppressed state, Rank 7 mid stage in unrestrained state)
Cultivation Techniques: Rank 9 Nine Tides Circulation Method, Rank 9 Tide of Reincarnation
Name: Ye Fan
Age: 51 years
Identity: Holy Son of Heavenly Dragon Sect, Protagonist (Luck Value: 100,000)
Physique: None
Cultivation: Rank 6 mid Stage
Soul Cultivation: Rank 6 late Stage
Talent: S Grade
Spiritual Imprint: Rank 9 Thunder-type Heavenly Dragon
Battle Strength: Quasi Rank 7 Stage
Cultivation Techniques: Rank 9 Heavenly Dragon Art, Rank 9 Ten Thousand Venom Manual
Name: Meng Xian
Age: 118 years old
Identity: Regressor, Disciple of Heavenly Dragon Sect
Physique: None
Cultivation: Rank 6 peak stage
Soul Cultivation: Rank 6 peak stage
Talent: A grade
Spiritual Imprint: Grade 8 Eternal Night Perception
Battle Strength: Rank 7 early stage
Cultivation Techniques: Eternal Night Spear Art, Heavenly Dragon Art
Heavenly Dragon Art was a unique cultivation technique that not only helped improve Warrior Cultivation but also aided in Soul Cultivation. It had two different sections—one for Warrior Cultivation and the other for Soul Cultivation.
Ji Changchen was surprised. He asked inwardly, "System, what do you mean by Supreme's Successor?"
Ding! Supremes are the strongest entities in the universe. They are second only to the Heavenly Dao. Wang Xiaoyan not only obtained the inheritance of a Supreme but also had her Spiritual Imprint enhanced by that entity.
Ji Changchen was shocked inwardly. 'We can never underestimate anyone. If I were to fight her at an equal cultivation state, I doubt I could match her!'
Another barrage of sword attacks came toward Ji Changchen.
Ji Changchen fully released his cultivation, channeled the Chaos Qi within him, and instantly attacked with immense strength.
The overwhelming force caught Wang Xiaoyan off guard, and she was blown away hundreds of meters.
She stood up calmly and glanced at Ji Changchen. She murmured, "Crystal Clear."
Her eyes turned ocean blue, and her temperament changed instantly. The bruises on her back glowed with a bluish aura and disappeared.
This was caused by the effects of her Water-related Spiritual Imprint. Water-type Imprints increased defense, durability, and stamina, while also granting a certain degree of regeneration.
She instantly clenched the sword in her hand and attacked Ji Changchen again.
Ji Changchen smiled. "Since you want to play, I'll let you!"
He drew his sword and attacked her immediately. This time, the battle was even more intense.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The continuous sounds of sword clashes were mesmerizing, and the surrounding Warriors couldn't help but admire the battle between these two geniuses.
Both of them manifested a sword and attacked each other with full force. However, Ji Changchen was slowly but surely gaining the upper hand. He kept pushing Wang Xiaoyan to her limit.
Swords clashed thousands—hundreds of thousands—of times, but neither side could gain momentum.
Ji Changchen was even more surprised by her stamina. He murmured inwardly, 'Is this the effect of having a Spiritual Imprint?'
He smiled. "You truly are remarkable. But now, it's about time I finish this."
At that moment, his momentum shifted.
Small lightning sparks flickered around the sword in his hand.
"Nine Heavenly Lightning Slash! Third Slash—Thunderclap Horizon!"