The Path of Extremity

A Soul Spirit crafted entirely in the mold of a spear.

By now, Xu Yuan could also guess the purpose behind the creation of this Soul Spirit.

Unfortunately, it had failed.

Fortunately, many of its technologies were useful. Xu Zhi had also entered the Spirit Ascension Platform research project through this research, securing his position as deputy director.

"Looks like you're quite satisfied with this Soul Spirit too." Seeing the gleam in Xu Yuan's eyes, Xu Shengqun smiled.

Xu Yuan nodded.

He was more than satisfied. He was thrilled beyond measure.

It could even be said that the very form in which this Soul Spirit existed had awakened him to a possibility.

If neither animal nor plant Soul Spirits were suitable choices, then he could choose purely Artificial Soul Spirits!

Artificial Soul Spirit technology was certainly immature, and the Soul Skills provided by Soul Spirits were somewhat lacking in power. But honestly, in this era, compatibility mattered more for Soul Spirits.

If they suited one's Martial Soul, then even a Soul Spirit of mediocre quality could bring enormous enhancement to a Soul Master.

The existence of the Spirit Ascension Platform also gave Soul Spirits below the ten-thousand-year level the opportunity to keep growing, which created many possibilities for Artificial Soul Spirits.

Their supposed lack of strength simply meant that the artificially created ten-year- and hundred-year-level Soul Spirits were weak.

Because they were artificial, they were products of guided cultivation. Unless they were particularly rare cases, the Spirit Pagoda would not invest too many resources in them. It would only maintain them at an age sufficient for them to serve as a first Soul Spirit—that is, under four hundred years.

The artificial aspect of Artificial Soul Spirits was weak, but if they were compatible with a Soul Master, then as that Soul Master continued advancing through the Spirit Ascension Platform, absorbing the foundation of the Soul Master's Martial Soul and their insights from cultivation, the improvement brought by those advancements would be nonlinear.

It could even be seen as this type of Soul Spirit's growth uncovering the abilities inherent in the Soul Master's own Martial Soul.

However, only a small number of Soul Masters could do this. After all, entry qualifications for the Spirit Ascension Platform were extremely valuable. Those who could enter it as casually as eating and drinking were no ordinary people.

And Xu Yuan clearly had those qualifications.

With an uncle who was a Spirit Transfer Envoy supporting him, he would not need to pay even for the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform, let alone the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform.

"This Soul Spirit is still at headquarters. I'll have it transferred over for you, though it will probably take some time. You're only Rank Eight right now anyway, so there's no rush," Xu Shengqun said.

As he spoke, his gaze turned cold. He had clearly recalled something unpleasant.

Because of Xu Zhi, he and Qian Gu Dongfeng had clashed many times.

"We'll set off tomorrow morning. Go back and rest first."

After Xu Yuan left, Xu Shengqun stood alone in the hall, staring out at the sky.

"Must I compromise after all?"

Xu Shengqun knew that transferring the Spear Soul Spirit this time would inevitably be obstructed by Qian Gu Dongfeng. However, that man would certainly relent—but the condition would be that Xu Shengqun's side would no longer hinder any work carried out on Heaven Dou Continent by personnel dispatched from headquarters.

Coincidentally, half a year ago, around the time personnel dispatched from headquarters arrived, one of Xu Shengqun's subordinates captured an Evil Soul Master. After that, Xu Shengqun intensified his scrutiny of headquarters personnel.

A Spirit Transfer Envoy could be said to rank below only the Pagoda Master and the two Deputy Pagoda Masters. Unless one of those three came in person, even specially dispatched headquarters personnel had to submit to Xu Shengqun's control if they wished to pass through the Skysea Alliance and head to Heaven Dou Continent.

As a result, because of Xu Shengqun, a certain special plan of the Spirit Pagoda for Heaven Dou Continent had been unable to truly get underway.

"Qian Gu Dongfeng, what exactly are you trying to do?" Xu Shengqun had always used the captured Evil Soul Master as grounds to make things difficult for the specially dispatched headquarters personnel. In truth, he genuinely believed the two were connected.

Unfortunately, after half a year, he had gained no further useful information.

Fortunately, he could loosen the restrictions this time as a condition and stop obstructing them. That would also make it easier to investigate along the way.

Xu Shengqun narrowed his eyes, considering the possible circumstances.

Xu Yuan returned to his room. While meditating, he also organized the information he had obtained today.

"The greatest gain lies in the choice of Soul Spirit."

If he did not want to be restricted by Bloodline Power, then an ultimate Weapon Soul seemed to be the most suitable path for him. And because of Metal Soul Spirit Technique, this path of an ultimate Weapon Soul made it possible to completely abandon plant- and animal-type Soul Spirits.

He would walk the path of a truly ultimate Weapon Soul.

A Spear Soul Spirit, a Metal Soul Spirit, perhaps even a Natural Element Soul Spirit could be added.

Of course, making all of that a reality would not be so simple.

"First, cultivate Soul Power."

With the issue of his first Soul Spirit resolved, Xu Yuan no longer needed to worry about his first two Soul Rings. Cultivating Soul Power once again became his most pressing priority.

The next day.

Xu Yuan took a Soul Train with Xu Shengqun to Heaven Dou City.

To his relief, he did not have Tang Wulin's constitution of encountering an Evil Soul Master attack every time he boarded a train. He could safely ride Soul Trains.

Heaven Dou City.

Forging Master Association.

"Xiao Yuan, this is the president of the Forging Master Association, and also the only Divine Craftsman on the continent capable of Heavenly Forging—Zhen Hua!" Xu Shengqun had made an appointment in advance. After entering the association, they were led by one of its Forging Masters to Zhen Hua's office.

"Greetings, Your Excellency." Xu Yuan bowed calmly, neither servile nor overbearing.

Looking at Xu Yuan beside Xu Shengqun, Zhen Hua could not help but praise him inwardly. What a composed child.

He shifted his gaze back to Xu Shengqun and said, "Spirit Transfer Envoy Xu, Mu Ye has not arrived yet. Why don't you wait here for a while?"

"You old fool, who says I haven't arrived yet?!"

A booming voice interrupted Zhen Hua.

Xu Yuan saw a middle-aged man in an ordinary gray robe appear behind Zhen Hua.

He was vigorous in spirit and brimming with vitality.

Compared to Zhen Hua, Mu Ye gave off an especially direct impression of overflowing vitality.

Those who achieved something in forging generally possessed exceptional strength and abundant vitality, especially a Divine Craftsman like Zhen Hua. However, because he had to perform Heavenly Forging and suffered backlash every time, although Zhen Hua was physically strong, he also carried an air of frailty.

Even though Xu Yuan's perception could not detect that weakness, when Zhen Hua and Mu Ye were placed together, he could clearly sense the difference between them.

"You're Xu Yuan?" Mu Ye's gaze fell on Xu Yuan.

"This junior is." Xu Yuan stepped forward, confident and neither servile nor overbearing.

"Not bad." Mu Ye's eyes lit up. He stepped forward and grabbed Xu Yuan's arm, sending a stream of Soul Power through his body to examine him.

Xu Shengqun frowned, somewhat displeased by Mu Ye's actions. However, having reacted too slowly, he hesitated before deciding not to stop him.

After all, they had brought Xu Yuan here to take a master, so it was only natural for Mu Ye to examine his prospective disciple's physical condition.

"Didn't you say he had a Body Martial Soul?" Mu Ye looked at Zhen Hua, his eyes filled with doubt.

Zhen Hua, meanwhile, looked toward Xu Shengqun.

Xu Shengqun stepped forward and only then told them about Xu Yuan's Martial Soul.

"A brain?" Mu Ye cried out. His gaze immediately became blazing as he stared at Xu Yuan's head.