Four-Star Dou Zong, Shen Shisheng

Time Realm.

The pink-hued Shen Shihuang felt the surging energy within his body, his eyes brightening as the aura radiating from Shen Shihuang suddenly began to climb.

"Is this the Flame of Time?"

The black Taisui Flame upon Shen Shihuang's body grew increasingly profound. Although it remained black, the sensation it gave off was entirely different; while it had previously been merely black, the Taisui Flame was now clearly a terrifying energy, as deep as an abyss.

Two-star Dou Zong.

The pink-hued Shen Shihuang watched as Shen Shihuang's aura surged directly from a one-star Dou Zong to a two-star Dou Zong, and at the same time, the momentum of the breakthrough showed no signs of stopping.

Three-star Dou Zong.

Four-star Dou Zong!

It was not until he reached the four-star Dou Zong level that the growth finally came to a halt, though a look of confusion appeared in the eyes of the pink-hued Shen Shihuang.

Once Shen Shihuang opened his eyes, the other asked, "Is something wrong? That energy just now should have been enough to push your strength up by another two stars; why did you stop?"

Shen Shihuang smiled faintly.

The other was right. Once the Taisui Flame obtained the Fengxiao Time Flame, combined with the origin energy of the Green Lotus Core Flame he had previously absorbed, it had reached a terrifying level. If he had wanted to, he could have even broken through to around the seven-star Dou Zong level.

"It is better to keep one's own power consolidated. Although I could continue to break through, the leap would be too great, making the power difficult to control." Since he had awakened, he had been at the peak of the nine-star Dou Huang level, and it was only through consummating his marriage with Queen Medusa and the catalytic effect of the Taisui Flame that he had successfully broken through to the Dou Zong level.

However, Shen Shihuang had never progressed through these levels step by step. Even though he was powerful, he always felt a sense of being unable to truly master his strength. While he didn't understand the mechanics, he had read novels in his past life!

When breaking through in strength, the greatest taboo was instability.

"Fine, I don't understand these things anyway, you decide," the pink-hued Shen Shihuang said indifferently. He himself could not break through, and his strength would only match Shen Shihuang's after Shen Shihuang advanced. What could he say to that?

"By the way, what is your name?" Shen Shihuang looked at him and asked.

The pink-hued Shen Shihuang replied directly, "Shen Shihuang! You and I are fundamentally the same person, so naturally, our names are the same."

Shen Shihuang: "...!"

Shen Shihuang pondered for a moment and said, "Although you are my negative side, you possess your own emotions. Isn't this game you created a manifestation of your own feelings?"

"It is because of time that you and I have come to be in this state."

"How about this: from now on, you shall be called Shisheng."

The pink-hued Shen Shihuang: "Shen Shisheng?"

Shen Shihuang nodded, reached out his hand, and said with a smile, "Nice to meet you, Shen Shihuang."

Shen Shisheng also reached out his hand: "Shen Shisheng."

"However, since you brought the others here, shouldn't you let them go?" Shen Shihuang asked.

Shen Shisheng glanced at Shen Shihuang indifferently.

"As I thought."

"Without a negative side like me, I feel you wouldn't last long."

Shen Shihuang was speechless.

"Do you think that without you, my negative side, I would be left with nothing but kindness, purity, and naivety?"

Shen Shisheng replied as if it were a matter of course, "Isn't that the case?"

"You must realize that in this world, the strong are respected and the weak are prey to the strong!"

"They are neither kin nor friend to you; why should you let them go?"

Shen Shihuang exhaled.

His own negative side.

His hostility was a bit too heavy!

"I have other uses for them. The Taisui Flame requires the origin energy of other Heavenly Flames to evolve. Obtaining the origin energy of other Heavenly Flames is the fastest way for me to become stronger."

Before he could finish, Shen Shisheng interjected, "You could also absorb soul bodies. Countless people die in the Black-Corner Region every day, and among them are many experts. You could devour their soul bodies and still grow stronger."

Shen Shihuang: "...!"

Damn!

Do you take me for someone from the Soul Hall?

The Soul Hall dares to capture soul bodies without restraint because they are powerful enough themselves. Even if the Soul Hall weren't enough, they have the Soul Clan standing behind them. Who would dare to criticize them for capturing soul bodies?

As for himself?

Don't joke around. Such things are universally condemned by both gods and men. If he were to capture soul bodies, Shen Shihuang had no doubt that by the next day, the "righteous" factions would join forces to wipe him out.

It wasn't that capturing soul bodies was impossible, but that one needed the backing and the strength to do so.

Look at the Soul Hall; because they capture soul bodies, countless alchemists hate them to the bone, yet they continue to do it because their strength is sufficient. If it were him?

Heh.

To put it bluntly, if a seventh-tier alchemist wanted him dead, he likely wouldn't even have the room to resist.

A seventh-tier alchemist.

Hiring a few Dou Zun powerhouses would be no problem at all.

With his own meager strength?

Could he possibly be a match for a Dou Zun?

"One of them is the Great Elder of Jianan Academy."

In the Black-Corner Region, the only person named Su Qian who was also a Dou Zong powerhouse was the Great Elder of Jianan Academy.

"Jianan Academy happens to possess a Heavenly Flame."

Shen Shihuang looked at Shen Shisheng. "If you want to become stronger, it would be best to release the people from Jianan Academy. By taking this opportunity, I can also build a good relationship with them."

Shen Shisheng nodded.

"I understand."

"And the other one? I heard it was from some sect."

"Should I release them too?"

Shen Shihuang shook his head.

"One cannot engage in a losing business. Since they have been captured, if they want to leave, they must pay a price."

Upon hearing these words, Shen Shisheng spoke directly.

"Handle it however you see fit; I have no interest in such matters."

"I'm leaving."

As he spoke, Shen Shisheng prepared to depart.

Seeing this, Shen Shihuang asked, "Where are you going?"

Shen Shisheng replied, "I don't even know myself. Rest assured, as long as you are alive, I cannot die."

"By the way, I possess even more abilities than you do."

"If I encounter anything good, I will let you know."

"I hope you obtain the source flame of the Heavenly Flame in Jianan Academy as soon as possible. Only then will the power of my Fengxiao Time Flame be able to manifest to some extent."

Once he finished speaking, Shen Shisheng's entire body transformed into pink flames and vanished completely.

Watching Shen Shisheng leave, Shen Shihuang sighed helplessly. "What kind of situation is this? When others are reborn, how could it be this troublesome? In my case, there are actually two of me?"

Slaughter?

Shen Shihuang looked at his own hands. "Although you are my negative side, I possess these things myself as well!"

"No wonder you are an independent entity!"

Shen Shihuang waved the Taisui Flame in his hand, and the flames throughout the Time Realm vanished instantly.

Not far from him, everyone appeared.

Su Qian's aura was slightly chaotic, while Mo Tianxing looked utterly disheveled, as if he had encountered something terrible.

Those who had been bound to the pillars of fire also fell to the ground one after another.

"You..."

Su Qian caught a student with one hand and fixed his gaze on Shen Shihuang.

"You are not that person?"

Shen Shihuang nodded. "I just happen to look like him."

Great Elder Su Qian nodded. "Indeed, you are not. The aura on your body is completely different from his."

"Father, it's him!"

At this moment, Mo Ya pointed angrily at Shen Shihuang. "Father, I want him dead!!"