Xushiki looked at Natsume, his eyes still carrying a hint of approval.
"Impressive!"
"Your soul didn't shatter outright. That was somewhat beyond my expectations."
"Let me guess, the [Heart of Daofu] bore part of the soul corrosion for you?"
"Oh! And after piercing through the defenses of the [Thousand-Lead Stone] and [Kamimusubi], its power was weakened somewhat as well..."
"Those two divine artifacts truly are troublesome."
"Not bad, deploying so many defenses ahead of time."
"Still, your soul itself is quite formidable!"
"Was that feedback from mastering the seven divine art laws of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements? And the soul tempering from frequently entering and leaving the [High-Dimensional Yellow Spring Realm]?"
Xushiki rambled on.
There was not the slightest trace of a schemer's sinister air about him; yet what he had done was more ruthless than any schemer's plots.
However.
His praise for Natsume came from the heart.
Setting everything else aside;
In terms of soul strength alone, this human was outstanding even among peak demigods.
What a pity. He was a dead piece cultivated by [Sophon].
Otherwise, Xushiki had even considered whether he should recruit and subdue Natsume...
"You...!"
King Jiaye was shocked and furious, staring fixedly at Xushiki.
He simply could not understand this old man's logic.
One moment, he had been helping that human invade the [Royal City].
Yet the very next, he had brazenly stabbed him in the back and directly nailed down that great human enemy.
Wasn't that change of face far too fast?
After being interrupted by King Jiaye.
Only then did Xushiki turn to look at him, revealing a nuclear-friendly smile.
"Wondering how I was able to seize control of the [Karma-Type Domain]?"
"..."
"This thing was created by me. Or rather, by my former self, Ryushiki."
King Jiaye trembled, though he