Blade, True to His Name!

Hearing the system's absurd notification that his first soul ring had been upgraded, Blade stood there dazed for a moment after leaving.

It had been upgraded directly into a soul ring nearly sixty thousand years old—and it was his first soul ring. Based on the conversion ratio of his Portrayal Progress, wouldn't it become a million-year soul ring once he reached 100% portrayal?

And barring any surprises, every soul ring would probably be converted according to this ratio.

The system was rather interesting.

But Blade quickly gave it some more thought.

Even once he achieved 100% portrayal, with the Abundance Power, Undying Body, and other powers from the Honkai: Star Rail universe that he possessed, strengthened by the system, he would surely be able to run rampant across Douluo Continent, a bottom-tier fantasy world. He would basically be invincible.

This soul ring would merely be icing on the cake, wouldn't it?

But considering that he had only completed around 6% so far, he would certainly still need the power of soul rings.

The only thing Blade worried about now was the pain brought by his mara-struck state and Undying Body.

He could not help recalling the bone-deep agony caused by being mara-struck. It felt as though invisible insects were gnawing away inside him, forcing him to battle his own will at every moment.

After all, with his Portrayal Degree still so low, his ability to suppress the Side Effects was weak as well! If he lost control and went mad, then needed a long time to recover, that would be what worried and frightened him most—and what would be most troublesome! That madness and pain would trap him in a prolonged recovery period, something he absolutely did not wish to face.

There was no Kafka's Spirit Speech here to help him suppress it.

That was something he had to keep in mind.

He could only rely on himself. That was a taboo he had to remember, as well as a difficulty on the road ahead.

Blade soon glanced at Old Village Chief Jack, who had been waiting outside all along. He did not linger any longer and left directly. He needed to see whether a ten-thousand-year soul ring would have too great an effect on him.

In the shadow of the Holy Soul Handprint, Old Jack anxiously leaned on his cane and paced back and forth along the stone road. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his eyes were filled with expectation and concern. At last, the heavy wooden door slowly opened, and Soul Grandmaster Su Yuntao appeared in the doorway, sunlight casting a golden beam behind him.

The moment Old Jack saw Su Yuntao come out, he stopped at once, so excited that he nearly lost his grip on his cane. He hurried forward on unsteady steps, almost running toward Su Yuntao, hope sparkling in his aged eyes.

"How did it go?" Old Jack's voice trembled as he nervously grasped Su Yuntao's arm and asked expectantly, "Are there any children in our village this year who can become soul masters?"

Su Yuntao's expression was complicated. He had just experienced a violent swing of emotions, and his mood now felt like he had ridden a terrifying roller coaster. He took a deep breath, then let out a long sigh—twice in succession—as though trying to exhale the burden weighing on his heart.

"There are two," Su Yuntao said in a low voice, tinged with helplessness. "And both have Innate Full Soul Power!"

Old Jack's eyes instantly widened. His expression shifted from expectation to shock, as though he had seen something unbelievable. His mouth parted slightly as he tried to speak, but only a weak sound came out. "Innate Full Soul Power?!"

Seeing Old Jack's stunned expression, Su Yuntao could not help sighing inwardly again. He knew his next words would be like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the hope that had just risen in the Old Village Chief's heart. "Unfortunately."

Old Jack's face immediately turned pale. He stared blankly at Su Yuntao, scarcely daring to believe what would come next.

"One spirit is Blue Silver Grass, while the other is a Broken Sword." Deep regret filled Su Yuntao's voice. "Do you understand?"

After hearing Su Yuntao's words, the light vanished from Old Jack's eyes as though two lamps had been snuffed out by the wind, leaving only profound dimness. His body seemed to hunch even further in that instant.

On this land of Douluo Continent, he had seen far too much. Naturally, he understood Blue Silver Grass's status on the continent. It was like wild grass by the roadside—common and unnoticed. And that broken sword was even worse than a complete hoe made by the village craftsmen. His dreams, the village's hopes, seemed to turn into bubbles in that moment.

"Broken Sword. Blue Silver Grass? Innate Full Soul Power?"

Old Jack's voice trembled with disbelief. His brows knit tightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched faintly, as though he were chewing on the bitterness behind those words.

He raised his head and sighed deeply toward the sky. That sigh was like a heavy boulder pressing upon his heart, making his back bend even more. He felt the cruelty of fate, as though Heaven itself were mocking his expectations. Yet the resilience and refusal to yield deep within him kept him from giving up just like that.

Old Jack hurried forward with his cane, his steps urgent. He tightly grabbed Su Yuntao's arm, pleading light shining in his eyes as he anxiously asked:

"Grandmaster, is there truly no way for Blue Silver Grass to cultivate?"

Su Yuntao turned around, sympathy and understanding showing in his eyes. Though his tone was calm, every word conveyed an undeniable truth. "It is not completely impossible to cultivate. But what do you think Blue Silver Grass will evolve into as the spirit grows stronger? A Waste Spirit is ultimately still a Waste Spirit. Such Innate Full Soul Power is truly a pity. What a pity!"

After saying that, Su Yuntao did not stay any longer. He waved his hand as though bidding farewell to this regrettable conversation, then turned and left Holy Spirit Village with firm steps, leaving silence in his wake.

Old Village Chief Jack remained where he was, watching Su Yuntao's back disappear beyond the village entrance. His face was filled with disappointment and helplessness. Shaking his head, he sighed and murmured softly, "Full Soul Power, Waste Spirits." His voice was like fallen leaves drifting in the cold wind, carrying endless regret and confusion about the future.

At that moment, Tang San quietly withdrew his gaze, which had been fixed on Blade's departing figure with his Purple Demon Eye. The hostility in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by solemnity and vigilance. With steady steps, he walked over to Village Chief Jack.

Tang San knew clearly that he had to prepare as quickly as possible. The intense killing intent Blade had emitted upon leaving had been so real and powerful that it made him, someone born from an assassin's background, exceptionally sensitive and alert. That killing intent was like an invisible sharp blade pointed straight at one's heart, chilling everyone who felt it.

Although he had not crossed paths with Blade much in the past, everything that had happened today gave Tang San an entirely new understanding of him. As a Protagonist who remembered grudges but not kindness, Tang San's impression of Blade was deeply etched into his bones. At the instant Blade drew his sword, Tang San had truly felt the threat of death—a Death Approaches omen that was almost within reach.

The so-called "Death Approaches"!

And Blade, true to his name, was a weapon of slaughter!

"Blade, true to his name, a weapon of slaughter!"

Tang San repeated the words silently in his heart. A cold light flashed through his eyes, as though answering Blade's icy killing intent. From the imposing aura when he had drawn his blade, Tang San knew that Blade might not merely be a name, but a symbol—a symbol of ruthless slaughter and power.

From that moment onward, Tang San understood that an unavoidable confrontation lay between him and Blade. And he had to be prepared to face this challenge that might change his fate.