If the world of curses didn't actively change its ways, then before the day came when curse spirits were completely eradicated, humanity might be wiped out by the curse spirits first.
Sometimes, Jia Meng wondered whether using Soul Force to save humanity was the right thing to do.
If it was simply an act of self-preservation for Earth, then wouldn't that mean he was standing on the side of Earth's will?
Even so, he never dared think too deeply about it. What if he reached the conclusion that he should wipe out all of humanity? Then he'd become the villain.
"Let's take things one step at a time. My abilities aren't enough to shoulder the fate of all humanity. There's no point in worrying about it now. I should just do what I want to do."
Jia Meng couldn't share those thoughts with anyone. He could only console himself.
Jia Meng withdrew his scattered thoughts, then looked at the nineteen souls. His eyes turned serious.
"The Divine Curse Sect doesn't care whether people live or die. They might even work with the curse spirits to destroy us."
"If I can eliminate the Divine Curse Sect, I should be able to attract quite a few people."
"I've been looking into the nineteenth soul for a while. It seems to have some ties to the Black Dao's eldest sister. If you can come forward and help me deal with the Divine Curse Sect, I'm sure I can win over plenty of other people, too." Jia Meng spoke half truthfully and half deceptively.
Whatever the case, there were already people more suitable than the nineteen souls to take up the responsibility.
Nineteen You considered it for a moment, then said, "It looks like I have a choice to make, too. Since the goal is to eliminate the Divine Curse Sect, just leave this to me. I'll make sure those pests never bother you again."
Her voice carried a hint of confidence and arrogance, as though she believed the task would be easy.
Jia Meng gave Nineteen You a faint smile, showing his trust and approval.
Then, his expression turned serious.
"Since you brought up the Divine Curse Sect and the curse spirits, there are two people I have to mention."
His eyes flashed with caution as he thought about those two important figures.
"One is a curse spirit that has lived for a thousand years—the Soul Force. The other is the King of Curse, Guang."
His voice carried a hint of fear toward that powerful enemy.
"A person who's lived for a thousand years? Isn't that an existence from the same era as Lord Tianyuan? Could he also have some way of avoiding death?"
Xia Bu's voice was filled with astonishment.
"King of Curse, Guang? Didn't he die a long time ago?" The question in her voice was obvious.
Jia Meng shook his head, his expression solemn.
"Although the Soul Force possesses a way to avoid death, it seems to be able to maintain a form of immortality by continuously absorbing the energy of powerful life forms."
"So it's the same as Tianyuan. It may have been alive a thousand years ago."
"After the last Starfall incident, Tianyuan told me he suspected that the entire incident might have been the Soul Force's doing. The truth is still unclear."
Jia Meng spoke slowly. His voice held a trace of worry and concern about the unknown.
"Also, although Guang is dead, he deliberately left behind twenty fingers that were turned into special curse objects."
"Tianyuan suspects he made some kind of pact with the Soul Force, hoping to use a certain method to come back to life in the future."
All of these were Jia Meng's own speculations. Tianyuan had nothing to do with them, but citing Tianyuan's name would make people more likely to believe him. Besides, he wasn't going to seek Tianyuan out to confirm it.
Jia Meng looked at them, his eyes turning serious.
"To be on the safe side, I want everyone to be careful during your training and missions, and pay attention to anything involving those two."
Then his gaze shifted to Gray Plains and Seven Seas Builder, and his voice took on a hint of resignation.
"As for Gray Plains and Seven Seas, your abilities are limited for now. If I assign you a mission, it'll only put you in danger."
"You'll have to wait until you've absorbed the power of a curse spirit before you can take on the core missions. Until then, focus on living well, all right? Don't die before you get the chance."
Gray Plains and Seven Seas Builder both looked disappointed and unwilling.
But they knew that among the people present, four were special-grade curse spirits, and one was a controller. Only a handful of people could even absorb the curse spirits' energy.
Compared with them, the two were still far behind.
"We'll work hard to improve our abilities. Hopefully, when the time comes, we'll be able to contribute."
Gray Plains and Seven Seas Builder nodded in agreement. Their voices carried determination and resolve.
Gray Plains was naturally a very responsible person. After hearing Jia Meng's plans, he had been eager to join the operation.
And although Seven Seas Builder was a little timid by nature, he could now feel the heavy responsibility resting on his shoulders. He put aside his personal preferences and his fear of danger, and prepared to work hard alongside the others.
After listening to Jia Meng's plans, Seven Seas Builder seemed to understand something. He could clearly feel something taking root and beginning to sprout in his heart.
Perhaps his fear was just an excuse to avoid finding his true purpose.
Now, however, he had finally found the meaning of his life. His heart brimmed with strength and resolve.
"It's just a special-grade curse spirit. I'll definitely catch up with you all one day."
Seven Seas Builder made a quiet vow in his heart.
His eyes flashed with determination, as if he could already see what he would achieve in the future.
Jia Meng watched Seven Seas Builder's transformation and smiled faintly.
He took out a simple protective charm from his pocket and handed it to Gray Plains and Seven Seas Builder.
"I have high hopes for you. A special-grade curse spirit isn't your limit. Work hard and catch up!"
"Also, I heard that you're going somewhere dangerous for a mission tomorrow. I shouldn't have called you here today and made you wait. Consider this a token of my apology."
His voice was warm and gentle, carrying a quiet strength.
Gray Plains took the protective charm and smiled gratefully.
"With your protective charm, I'll feel much safer on the mission. Thank you very much. I'll work even harder."
Seven Seas Builder accepted the gift as well and expressed his gratitude.
Even so, he believed more in his own abilities than in relying on the protective charm.
Everyone finished their assignments, then left one after another to begin preparations.
Jia Meng had only provided them with the broad outline. The specific details of how to deal with their opponents depended on each person's abilities.
The courtyard fell silent once more. Only the moonlight spilled across the ground as they waited for dawn.
It seemed like an ordinary day, but in the not-too-distant future, it would be written into the history of the curse world, leaving everyone shaken.
Because on this day, a special-grade curse spirit that had been dormant for years found its true purpose.
On the road ahead, he would use his abilities and intelligence to forge his own legend.
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