Elder Mu's words caused everyone to pause momentarily. Wasn't this already an established fact? Why was he repeating it?
Could it be... that Zhou Sichen, who was cultivating beneath the Golden Tree, had caused another commotion?
Inside the secret chamber beneath the Golden Tree.
The aura of light and life continuously washed over Zhou Sichen's body, making him feel as if his very soul was being cleansed.
Here, his thoughts became incredibly clear, and his comprehension deepened significantly.
He immersed himself in understanding his abilities—every soul skill, every ounce of power—allowing everything to elevate and reach new insights.
A Soul Master? A Soul Engineer? His Contract Book Martial Soul granted him combat strength far beyond his peers. His True Body Martial Soul already possessed a million-year-old soul ring, providing him with a solid foundation and confidence.
No, these were merely surface-level aspects.
My path has never changed.
What I have always pursued is the feeling of ruling over the world, making all beings submit, controlling everything, and possessing all that exists.
From the very beginning, I have worked tirelessly for this goal, plotting and scheming without hesitation to achieve my ambitions.
There is no grand or noble justification—only my own selfish desires.
Within the Spiritual Sea.
Tian Meng had already awakened and was joyfully swimming through the vast mental world filled with light and life energy.
Zhou Sichen, however, remained expressionless as he gazed at a tiny gray-black bead, no larger than a soybean, within his Spiritual Sea.
Tian Meng couldn't help but ask, "Sichen, that guy should be waking up soon, right?"
Zhou Sichen nodded slightly. "Let's hope it harbors no ill intent."
After a long silence, the gray-black bead began to tremble. The golden ocean-like Spiritual Sea was suddenly dyed a deep gray-black, even causing the ten golden spheres of pure energy that Tian Meng had sealed to dim considerably.
A voice, ancient and hoarse, echoed, "Thank you, child."
Before Zhou Sichen and Tian Meng, a towering figure suddenly appeared. Its aura exuded a terrifying, deathly stillness.
Yet, its words were filled with sincerity and genuine emotion.
Feigning ignorance, Zhou Sichen said, "Senior, you've awakened."
"I am Electus," the figure spoke. "Thank you for absorbing the life energy that nurtured this sliver of my weakened divine consciousness, allowing me to regain some memories and awaken, if only for a short while."
"I heard the path you wish to walk, child. You are even stronger than I imagined. Within you, I sense a familiar power... and a familiar conviction."
Zhou Sichen looked at Electus calmly. He was well aware of how powerful this existence was.
Even if it was merely a fragment of divine consciousness, it could accomplish much. Moreover, this being was once the nemesis and originator of the battle against Evil Soul Masters.
Zhou Sichen did not question Electus about his origins, as if acknowledging him by default. Instead, he asked, "Senior, what is the Necromantic Summoning Magic you mentioned earlier?"
Electus smiled faintly. "I do not belong to this world but come from another. The so-called Necromantic Summoning Magic is a power from my homeland."
"And one of your Martial Souls is quite similar to it. However, after regaining consciousness, I noticed some differences between them."
"If you trust me, you may fully release your spiritual power."
As he finished speaking, Electus extended a slender finger and reached toward Zhou Sichen's forehead.
Zhou Sichen did not evade. Instead, he actively accepted the memories Electus transferred to him.
Moments later, Zhou Sichen clearly understood the purpose and application of Necromantic Summoning Magic.
This knowledge provided him with valuable guidance and insight.
Although his Martial Soul limited the types of soul beasts he could contract, with Electus' Necromantic Summoning Magic as support, Zhou Sichen could further develop the potential of his Contract Book Martial Soul and achieve even greater feats.
Zhou Sichen gave a slight bow. "Thank you, Senior."
Electus maintained his warm smile. "It is I who should be thanking you. You have allowed me to reside within your Spiritual Sea and accepted my existence."
Zhou Sichen replied, "I can feel that you bear me no ill will. Moreover, you must have been a peerless powerhouse in life. Having someone as formidable as you guiding my growth—how many people could dream of such an opportunity?"
Electus appreciated Zhou Sichen's honesty. He had heard Zhou Sichen's declaration while he was reflecting on his inner self, which was precisely why he chose to help him.
He understood that Zhou Sichen was the kind of person who repaid kindness and sought vengeance in equal measure.
By investing in Zhou Sichen now, Electus was also securing a future for himself.
Tian Meng, though displeased with this new "competitor" for his host's attention, had to admit that Electus' spiritual energy was overwhelmingly powerful, proving his immense strength in life. Additionally, Electus had just provided Zhou Sichen with valuable guidance, so Tian Meng's attitude softened slightly.
Tian Meng chuckled, "With someone like you and a king among soul beasts like me aiding Sichen, we are bound to become legends in the world of Soul Masters!"
Electus glanced at Tian Meng. "Big insect, you are quite impressive. Even in my world, you would be considered a unique existence."
"Call me Brother Tian Meng!" Tian Meng huffed. "Don't think that just because you praised me, you can act all high and mighty! I was the first to be with Sichen!"
Electus ignored Tian Meng's petty grumbling and instead looked toward Zhou Sichen. "Child, from now on, you may call me Elder Yi. My consciousness still needs time to recuperate, but if you ever need my assistance, simply summon me."
Zhou Sichen nodded slightly. "Unless absolutely necessary, I will not waste your power, Elder Yi."
Electus nodded in satisfaction before reverting to his bead form. This time, however, the bead had grown significantly larger than before.
Watching Elder Yi enter a slumber once again, Tian Meng nudged Zhou Sichen. "Sichen, this place beneath the Golden Tree is perfect for cultivation. You should take advantage of it!"
Zhou Sichen nodded and withdrew from his Spiritual Sea.
Inside the secret chamber, Zhou Sichen's soul power surged through his body. Combined with the residual energy from the Soul Nourishing Pill he had yet to fully absorb, his cultivation began to rise rapidly.
No one knew how much time had passed, but Zhou Sichen's soul power continued to break through limits. From Rank 38, he advanced steadily until he reached the bottleneck of Rank 40.
This breakthrough was expected. After all, the rich energy beneath the Golden Tree was unparalleled in the outside world.
If he could cultivate here indefinitely, his speed of advancement would be at least twice as fast!
A faint smile appeared on Zhou Sichen's lips—he knew that Elder Mu had been monitoring him all along.
Upon reaching Rank 40, a Contract Book seemingly forged from gold appeared before him, while three purple soul rings rose around him.
As his soul power advanced, his spiritual strength and physical constitution also received slight improvements.
Now, his next step was to evolve his three contracted soul beasts to the ten-thousand-year level.
He could have done this earlier, but he had deliberately delayed it—he wanted the higher-ups of Shrek Academy to witness this moment.
Only in this way could he secure an unshakable position in their eyes and elevate his status to an unprecedented level!
The three soul rings resonated with the Contract Book in a unique synchronization. As time passed, their colors began to change.
The three purple rings gradually darkened until they completely transformed into a deep black. And the process did not stop there.
When the rings reached an inky black hue, their ages had already surged to fifteen thousand years each.
Fifteen-thousand-year soul rings—this was the limit Zhou Sichen's body could currently endure.
If he consumed more treasures that enhanced his physique or absorbed a fourth soul ring, this limit would rise even further!
Meanwhile, within the Sea God's Pavilion meeting hall, Elder Mu lay back in his reclining chair.
Seeing Zhou Sichen's soul ring transformation unfold, he couldn't help but sigh deeply before speaking those words.
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