Before everyone had even emerged from Qian Ruishan's shadow, Ming Zhen spoke up, "I heard that Zhou Yu used the Nine Abyss Silent Lightning Canon Scripture to defeat ten thousand enemies. I wonder if he can withstand the test of the Sealing Soul Tower."
--Zhou Yu.
His steps Steady as a Mountain, but his gaze was extremely reserved. Unlike Qin Yu and Qian Ruishan, he was never flamboyant or showed off his talents. But at this moment, as he stood on the Soul Sacrifice Stone Steps, the strands of soul patterns that writhed like lightning already indicated that he was about to bring about a very different trial.
⸻
Trial Begins: Lightning Soul Realm-Rending Formation
With a flick of his sleeve, Ming Yuan unleashed a "Soul Seal Lightning-Rending Formation" that rose from beneath the pool, its lightning patterns intertwined and countless lightning runes stacked, resembling an ancient bell that pierced through the void in all directions.
"This formation is called— Lightning Soul Life Return," Ming Yuan murmured, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity. "Legend has it that those whose souls enter this formation, if not born with a thunder soul, will have their souls extinguished. If their will is weak, the nine thunderbolts will scatter, and all souls will disintegrate. This formation has not been used for three hundred years."
Yao Wanqing's expression changed slightly, Qian Ruishan also showed some worry.
Qin Yu's gaze remained calm, but he did not utter a sound. He knew that Zhou Yu was no longer the Zhou Yu of the past.
"Start."
Ming Yuan a soft shout.
⸻
First Trial: Nine Heavens Tribulation Lightning
The sky roared as bolts of lightning descended from the heavens, each one like a thunder dragon soaring through the air!
Zhou Yu sat cross-legged in the center of the soul array, lightning crackling around his soul body, his eyes tightly closed.
The first bolt of lightning struck!
Boom--!
His body jolted violently, and his soul split into three: one strand of mortal thought, one strand of murderous intent, and one strand of fear.
In his mind, he recalled being neglected and ridiculed in his sect when he was young—he was neither a genius nor had a dazzling background; his cultivation relied entirely on hard work and relentless practice.
In his murderous intent, he witnessed the scene where he sacrificed his soul to protect Qin Yu.
Fear is a memory from his childhood that he doesn't want to recall—the image of the Wind Extinction God Clan killing his own kin!
Lightning exploded, and the three souls tried to pull the main soul into the Abyss of Fallen Soul.
Zhou Yu suddenly opened her eyes and whispered:
"I am who I am."
"All thoughts, whether murderous, cowardly, or purely physical, are part of my soul."
I will not run away.
In an instant, his three Return to One, and a purple-gold lightning pattern appeared on his forehead!
First level, broken!
⸻
The Second Trial: Thunder River's Return
The center of the soul array transformed into a river of thunder, which flowed like a chain, passing through eight hundred soul wheels. On each soul wheel, his past pain, regrets, and remorse appeared—even including his hidden feelings for Yao Wanqing that he dared not express.
Have you ever regretted it?
"You know where her heart truly lies, so why have you stayed by her side until now?"
"You're nothing but a discarded pawn of the Thunder Soul."
That was a thunder soul illusion, solidified in the void, yet every word it spoke pierced the soul's core.
Zhou Yu slowly opened her eyes, and lightning surged from the depths of her eyes.
He smiled faintly and said:
"If I can accompany her for a while, what is there to fear about not returning?"
"If my soul is not strong enough, then let my thunder soul Realm Breaking and be reborn!"
Boom!!!
Thunder River exploded, and in the center of the sea of consciousness, a Thunder Soul Crystal Seal rose up, all thunder returned to its core, and the Returning Life Array shattered in response!
Second level, break through!
⸻
The Third Trial: The Thunder Lord Returns to His Seat (Special Change)
Ming Yuan intended to retract the soul array, but unexpectedly, the soul array did not stop and instead, a "Ancient Lightning Soul Well" appeared on its own!
The Thousand Realms Sect Master, Qian Xuancang, narrowed his eyes slightly. "The Ancient Lightning Soul Well? This is... the secret inheritance Thunder Prison Mystic Gate Sect!"
Ming Ye suddenly stood up, muttering, "How could this be?"
Ming Yuan's expression was solemn. "He... has reached the 'Lightning Soul Master Pact' and is qualified to guide ancient souls."
The next moment, from the depths of the ancient well, nine lightning-patterned pillars rose from the ground, surrounding Zhou Yu's soul!
An ancient voice echoed from the well:
"You who wield the Nine Abyss Lightning Canon, dare you accept the Lightning Ancestor Remnant Seal?"
Qin Yu's expression changed, Qian Ruishan took a deep breath.
Yao Wanqing clenched her fists and whispered, "He... can do it."
Zhou Yu slowly rose, his soul clearly shattered in nine places, yet he quietly raised his head and spoke slowly, each word distinct:
"I dare."
Boom!!!!
A thunderous eruption occurred, and thunder resounded endlessly in the sky!
The third level, broken!
The Lightning Ancestor Remnant Seal officially fell into Zhou Yu's Soul Seal, transforming into a "Lightning Pact Soul Mark" that was deeply engraved in his soul core!
⸻
Summary of the trial:
Zhou Yu completed the three trials of the Lightning Soul Life Return Formation and successfully activated the "Lightning Ancestor Remnant Seal," demonstrating his talent enough to rank him among the first-tier Thunder Soul successors of the Nether Firmament Underworld Sect.
• Its soul core is engraved with "Nine Abyss Lightning Mark," giving it an extremely high amplification of its Thunder Soul Domain. It can draw upon the power of the Heavenly Tribulation Thunder Lord, making it truly exceptional.
The sect elders were shocked, and Ming Yuan personally named him as one of the "Sect Soul Battle Sequence," to be given priority in future training;
• Yao Wanqing's eyes were filled with undisguised affection. Zhou Yu remained silent, only smiling slightly, and said, "I did it."
Now that Zhou Yu had already done it, Yao Wanqing was not going to be outdone.
Zhou Yu quietly withdrew. Although his soul energy had not yet recovered, his eyes now held a touch of transcendence. He nodded slightly and walked back to Qin Yu and Qian Ruishan's side. At that moment, a graceful figure quietly stepped into the heart of the Soul Tower array.
Yao Wanqing.
She was dressed in a plain white dress, her face was aloof, and her expression was solemn. Her steps were silent, yet with each step, the soul patterns murmured softly, and the world fell silent.
"She chose... the 'Reverse Mark Soul Formation'?"
A rare, unusual look appeared in Ming Yuan's eyes.
"Reverse Mark Formation? That's..."
Qian Ruishan asked in a low voice, and Ming Ye solemnly replied:
"This formation is called -- 'Heavenly Soul Reverse Pattern'."
"All mortal soul embryos are born in accordance with the laws of nature, but this formation Reversal Soul embryo and forcibly reconstructs the soul veins... Those who are not of extreme qualities will not only be unable to withstand it, but will also be devoured by their own soul source, leading to eternal damnation."
Qin Yu's gaze suddenly sharpened.
Yao Wanqing, however, had already stepped into the heart of the battle.
⸻
Soul Array Activated - Reversing the Heavenly Soul
"Trial participant - Yao Wanqing."
The Ming Yuan whispered, its expression solemn:
"The Heavenly Soul Reverse Mark Formation has remained untouched for three hundred years."
"The moment this array is activated, the Heavenly Soul's inherent laws will automatically condense illusions. All your hidden emotions, memories, anger, and grief will be materialized and forcibly clashed with your soul consciousness. If you cannot withstand it, you will be devoured by your soul consciousness."
Yao Wanqing nodded gently, her eyes filled with determination. "I'm ready."
--Soul Array activated.
In an instant, a massive soul rune descended from the void like Xingyun, transforming the center of the soul pool into a reversed "Soul Realm vortex."
In an instant, everyone seemed to see countless "ancient soul patterns" emerging from beneath her skin, as if they were innately imprinted on her body.
⸻
First Illusion: A Lone Boat Amidst a Sea of Blood
A vision appeared, and she found herself in a boundless sea of blood, a lone boat adrift on the waves, surrounded by countless corpses floating with the current.
You don't belong here.
"You were nothing more than an abandoned soul from childhood."
"You cultivate yourself only to catch up with others, but you never succeed."
The echoes reverberated from all sides: the sharp words from her past Soul Realm, the mockery and contempt from the sect regarding her identity, and some even saying that her "soul embryo had mutated and she was unsuitable for cultivation."
Yao Wanqing bit her lip, her fingers trembling, but the next moment, she slowly reached out—and in that sea of blood, she raised a pure white flame!
I don't need anyone's approval.
I act only according to my heart.
"You say I can't? Then I'll brave the heavens and shatter the celestial realm to pave my way."
At that moment, the sea of blood receded, the illusion dissipated, and the soul runes beneath Yao Wanqing's feet ignited completely, their flames blazing like wheels!
First layer of illusion, broken!
⸻
The Second Illusion: The Demon's Face Revealed
The illusion reappeared, and she saw "another version of herself".
That "Yao Wanqing" was powerful, beautiful, and revered by thousands... while she stood to the side, pale, lonely, as if living in the shadows.
"You want to be me?"
But you can never.
"All your efforts are invisible to Zhou Yu, and the sect doesn't care. Who do you think you are?"
She lowered her head and remained silent—but then suddenly smiled.
I don't want to be you.
"I want to be myself."
She reached out with her right hand and touched the illusion's brow.
The illusion shattered in the next instant, and the "idealized self" crumbled inch by inch, while in Yao Wanqing's eyes, the breath of her soul rose like flames!
Break through the second layer of illusion!
⸻
The Third Illusion: The Severed Ties of Love
The last layer is a long corridor.
At the end of the corridor, Zhou Yu's figure stood quietly.
Do you think you're worthy to stand beside him?
Do you know which road he took?
Can you bear the price of following him?
In the long corridor, the light and shadow shifted, and she saw Zhou Yu step into the sea of blood, face the Realm Master alone, and have his soul shattered nine times...
If you stay with him, you might end up turning to dust.
Yao Wanqing slowly approached, but said:
I'm not afraid to die.
"I'm afraid he'll be left alone."
In the long corridor, a soft light appeared, and she reached out her hand, causing a soul flower to quietly bloom.
The third layer of illusion, broken!
⸻
Heavenly Soul Reverse Pattern - Fully Activated!
In the center of the Soul Pool, the power of reversal surged forth!
Yao Wanqing's soul embryo between her brows completely split open, transforming into a "Dual Soul Seal"!
Ming Yuan instantly stood up. "This... is Twin Soul Wheels!"
Qian Ruishan's eyes widened. "She is too?"
But Ming Ye murmured to himself:
"No, she is not Qian Ruishan's 'returned soul,' she is... a soul-born alien."
She was born with two souls, one for love and the other for longing.
The elders were shocked.
When Yao Wanqing's soul Return to One and her eyes opened again, that trace of affection was like a rebellious thunderbolt, illuminating heaven and earth.
Ming Yuan immediately announced:
"Yao Wanqing has broken through the Heavenly Soul Reverse Mark Formation, her Soul Consciousness Rank has been promoted to 'Soul King - Reversed Rank', and she has entered the sect's battle order as the top candidate!"
⸻
• Yao Wanqing successfully broke through the Heavenly Soul Reverse Mark Formation and awakened her special "Dual Soul Soul Embryo" physique;
• His talent ranks him on the Nether Firmament Underworld Sect's special order "Reverse Life" list, giving him the potential to reach the ultimate "Soul Master" rank in the future;
• Her feelings for Zhou Yu were completely settled. When their eyes met, they were already in sync. No one else spoke, but an unspoken understanding took root within them.
"I'm afraid I'll leave him all alone."
With everyone still in a daze, no one inside or outside the Nether Firmament Underworld Sect underestimated this woman from the Thousand Realms Sect.
However, at this moment--
A silent footstep slowly stepped onto the center of the sealing tower array.
Qin Yu takes the stage.
Without a word, without deliberately projecting an imposing aura, simply standing in the center, it was as if all sound had been sucked away from the world.
Ming Yuan looked at him, his eyes narrowing.
"His soul aura... is extremely strange."
Ming Ye frowned slightly. "I can't see through it."
Qian Ruishan stood below the stage, watching quietly, her heart pounding faster than ever.
At the very center of the tower formation, Qin Yu raised his eyes and looked at the array pattern destiny plate suspended in the air:
[The sacrificial ceremony begins: With one's own soul, one refines the origin; exploring the past, one awakens the True Soul.]
Beneath the array plate, nine ancient patterns slowly rotated.
--The Sealing Soul Tower is surrounded by dark energy, and the true primordial sacrificial array is about to be activated!
⸻
Step One: Offering Soul and Sacrificing Heart
"Those who enter the formation must lay down all defenses and reveal their Fate Soul consciousness so that the soul formation can discern their true intentions."
Ming Yuan warned again, "This formation is extremely dangerous. If you hold back, you will be devoured by the soul formation."
"I am willing to join the battle," Qin Yu said softly.
His voice was soft, yet everyone could hear it clearly.
In an instant, the nine soul patterns converged, and a blood-red divine chain descended from the void, wrapping around Qin Yu and forcibly pulling his entire soul consciousness into the core of the soul sacrifice.
With his soul and consciousness stripped away and his spirit exposed, in that instant, everyone saw—
Qin Yu's Fate Soul shadow was actually a void abyss of the Soul Sea, without a specific form, as if countless ancient secret rings surrounded it.
"What kind of spirit is this?"
The elders beside Ming Yuan were all startled.
"It's not a battle spirit, it's not a divine spirit... it's formless Formless?"
"He... doesn't have a soul root?"
"Wrong."
Ming Ye spoke slowly, his voice carrying an unprecedented depth and shock:
"It's not that he lacks a soul root, it's that his soul root... transcends the origin of soul laws and is not recorded by heaven and earth."
The four directions were shaken.
And at that moment—
Within the Soul Tower Array, a tattered inscription appeared atop the nine layers of light:
[This child's soul is not meant to be recorded.]
Everyone's expression changed drastically.
"The Soul Array... actually refused to record his Fate Soul Source?"
With a single palm strike, Ming Yuan raised the surrounding protective array to its Ultimate, Ming Ye instantly summoned a soul shield to protect everyone.
This phenomenon is unprecedented.
⸻
Soul Array Riot - On the Verge of Losing Control
At that moment, the entire Soul-Sealing Forbidden Tower began to tremble, large patches of dark clouds appeared in the sky, the Soul Stele resounded, and the nine layers of forbidden patterns of the Underworld Sect slowly emerged.
"The soul array is starting to repel his presence?"
Ming Yuan was shocked. "No, it's a soul array... fearing his existence."
Qian Ruishan's eyes were fixed on the field, her toes almost stepping out, but she was pulled back by Ming Ye:
"No one can interfere with him now!"
At this critical moment on the verge of life and death, a faint blue light pattern suddenly appeared between Qin Yu's brows.
--No one can see it.
That was the Azure Ring, operating silently, forcibly reconnecting him with the soul array that was about to break.
The entire formation suddenly froze!
Nine characters appeared on the Soul Array Stele:
[Let this child guide you to the core of the ancient formation.]
Beneath the Sealing Forbidden Tower, a colossal array core, dormant for millennia, slowly emerges!
⸻
Step Two: Core Resonance - Unsealing the Ancient Restriction
It was a long-forgotten "Black Gold Three Souls Formation Tower", ten feet tall, with thousands of ancient soul clan inscriptions engraved on it.
Ming Yuan was utterly moved. "That's... the Soul Array Tower of the Nether Firmament Underworld Sect from a thousand years ago, dormant for a millennium, yet he awakened it?"
The tower slowly emerged, and at the core of the array tower, a broken blood-red soul crystal dripped with crystal-red soul liquid.
An ancient, sealed voice resounded throughout the entire Underworld Sect:
"If anyone in future generations can awaken the array tower, then that will be the 'future of the Soul Realm,' and our Nether Firmament Underworld Sect will protect it with our lives."
--This is the oath that the Sect Master Grand Venerable Mingxu, inscribed a thousand years ago!
The entire sect fell silent instantly.
Ming Ye murmured, "He's not just an outsider."
Ming Yuan slowly knelt down. "We are willing to follow you to the death."
⸻
Qin Yu successfully activated the deepest layer of the Sealing Forbidden Soul Tower, the "Ancient Array Tower Core," awakening the sect's sworn soul seal from a thousand years ago;
Although no one noticed the Azure Ring, it was precisely this ring that helped Qin Yu evade the soul array's repulsion and complete the sacrifice of his essence.
• No one in the Underworld Sect dared to regard Qin Yu as an outsider disciple anymore, and his identity and status in the Soul Path were officially established in the Underworld Sect.