Reflecting the Soul's Gloom · Nether Body of the Spirit Realm

The Soul Forest Abyss is riddled with cracks, and the space itself has long been torn into fragments by secret power, creating a prison-like environment.

· Ming Kong - Soul Bone Ancient Rift Platform

Ming Kong was teleported to a desolate, gray plateau.

All around were shattered soul bones, scattered like jagged blades. Black nail marks covered the ground, and soul locks pierced the earth's veins, one end embedded in the void, the other end bound to ancient corpses on the platform.

Every breath of air carried the suppressive power of "suppressing the soul".

He tried to condense his soul energy, but found that his sea of consciousness was locked, only his divine body still burning with fighting spirit.

"This place is... the Ancient Soul Battleground?"

Ming Kong's expression was solemn. As his hand landed, the Soul Lock at his feet trembled violently, and a tiny crack appeared beneath his feet, from which a faint, eerie light emanated.

That was a sealed spatial rift. Ming Ye — Gloomy Nether Stone Wasteland

In another void, Ming Ye stood staggering.

This is a dark and gloomy place, completely devoid of light. It is surrounded by crystalline walls as black as ghost stones. Every step you take is like stumbling through a silent grave, and your soul's perception is isolated from reality.

"I can't see anything... anymore?"

Ming Ye closed his eyes, but felt the chilling sensation of "consciousness being swallowed" all around him even more clearly.

But at that moment, a section of the ground suddenly exploded.

A vortex, like a time tunnel, appeared and sucked him in.

And in the next instant, his figure was already— in the Gloomy Abyss Ancient Cave: Reunion

The crack that Ming Kong stepped on finally collapsed, and in the distortion of gravity, he was swallowed up into the deepest layer of the Soul Bone Ancient Rift Platform.

As he landed, he heard familiar panting and the fluctuations of soul energy.

A faint light, like silk, shines between the dark, rocky walls.

Ming Ye slowly emerged from the shadows, and the two locked eyes.

"You've come too..."

"It seems this hurdle... isn't one we're to face alone."

Ming Kong remained calm, while Ming Ye's lips curled into a slight smile.

The next moment, from the depths of the ancient cave, a roar that seemed to come from the Lord of the Ancient Nether Bone resounded as if tearing through the void.

A blood- Soul Stele slowly emerged from behind the stone wall, engraved with two ancient Soul Name.

"Trial participant, Ming Kong. Trial participant, Ming Ye."

"Please, here, prove the path of the soul."

Deep within the ancient cave, all light seemed to be Existence Devouring. Ming Kong and Ming Ye walked side by side, and when they entered this boundless darkness, even their soul-detecting abilities seemed to be frozen and compressed, becoming as dull as stone.

The surrounding stone walls were no longer simple rock layers, but rather like layers of dried "soul skin," densely covered with fingernail-sized cracks, with faint traces of screams remaining in the lines, as if countless souls had struggled and cried here until they were completely stripped away from existence.

The ground was sunken and filled with dark gray bone fragments—bones that were not the bodies of living beings, but rather fragments of some kind of "consciousness crystallization," like the remnants of a soul after its destruction.

Even more terrifying, intermittent "mirror-like indentations" appeared on the cave walls, like the reflections of some ancient spirit before its death. Each one whispered incessantly, echoing with indistinct and fragmented words.

"Don't go in..."

"It's still there... it... it never went out..."

"We merely... witnessed its dream..."

The deeper one goes, the clearer the purple light becomes, but it is no longer just a pure fluctuation of light; instead, it is accompanied by a "soul rhythm beat" that pulsates like a heartbeat.

Finally, they reached the deepest part.

The stone wall suddenly opened up, forming a natural circular Soul Abyss space.

In the very center, an ancient and weathered Soul Stone Lampstand stands alone.

Above it, a low-hanging, Netherworld Ancient Lamp burns.

The lamp appeared faint, but its flame was no ordinary fire; rather, it was a wisp of blue-purple ghostly flame, as if ignited by the blood of a soul.

With each flash, an invisible wave of soul power rippled out, instantly causing Ming Kong and Ming Ye to freeze in place.

Eight upside-down soul pillars surround the lampstand, each topped with a different "collapsed state" of a soul—some souls are torn apart, some turn into mist, and some shatter into countless dreams... Just like this lamp, which has extinguished the existence of eight different soul forms.

The lights flickered, as if sensing their arrival, or perhaps waiting for some kind of cyclical opportunity.

The Ming Ye whispered:

"This is no ordinary soul lamp... It is some kind of sacrificial object. It can illuminate the deepest part of the soul... the part it least wants to face."

Ming Kong clenched his fist, his gaze as cold as a blade:

"Whatever this is, we must get through it. Otherwise, we will become like the souls on these eight pillars, our names extinguished by this lamp."

Just as they approached the lampstand, the light suddenly blazed brighter, the entire ancient cave shook violently, and a faint light shot out from the depths of the flame, illuminating the feet of Ming Kong and Ming Ye—

Soul images appeared, one on the left and one on the right, which turned out to be their own shattered soul images.

The lights whispered, as if saying:

"Do you... dare to face yourselves?"

In that instant, the light of the Netherworld Ancient Lamp finally illuminated the entire cave.

It wasn't dazzling, but rather like a kind of tranquility "before the World Extinguisher".

Before Ming Kong and Ming Ye could make a move, a sharp pain suddenly shot through their souls, as if their will had been stripped away by an invisible blade!

Their bodies jolted violently, and they stood frozen in place like statues, their soul light dissipating by half an inch, and their breath seemingly drained by half.

A purple light flashed in Ming Ye's eyes, his pupils turning as dark as gray.

Ming Kong clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles had turned white, but he could no longer move them at all.

Just as they were "half dead," the flames of the Netherworld Ancient Lamp suddenly exploded!

The flames transformed into two spiraling beams of soul light, one on the left and one on the right, instantly engulfing the two completely!

The next instant—the two vanished from their spot.

The ancient cave of Soul Abyss has fallen silent, with only a single flickering lamp burning alone, as if waiting for the next soul to be illuminated.

The prison was as dark as ink, and the wind of death as sharp as a blade.

Ming Kong stood atop the gray-black earth, the sky like a still, ash-filled abyss, impenetrable to any light, his soul pressure solidified into a tangible form, as if the entire world was resisting his existence.

"This... is an illusion?" Ming Kong narrowed his eyes, the Nether Bone Blade in his palm trembling slightly, yet he could not extend his consciousness into it.

In the instant he was on guard—

A figure slowly emerged from the darkness not far away.

It was a shadowy, armored figure, his body surging with deathly intent, his head bowed, and the Soul Rend Light behind him condensed like blade wings. His steps Steady as a Mountain, but each step left a scorched mark on the ground, as if a soul was struggling in hell.

When his Ming Kong sense reached out, he was shocked to discover:

Unable to perceive the other party's soul and origin!

He was utterly shocked. What kind of secret technique was this? It could actually block out perception?!

Before the enemy could utter a word, a massive, dark bone axe cleaved down from the void!

Boom!!

Before Ming Kong could think, he raised his blade to meet the attack, his Netherflame Devouring Souls and creating a series of void shattering patterns!

"So strong..." His expression turned serious. "This is no ordinary enemy!"

The shadowy figure opposite slowly raised its head, revealing a pair of empty yet extremely familiar eyes—unfortunately, Ming Kong, isolated by the Soul Lamp, was unable to recognize that it was the body that Ming Ye had transformed into!

The battle is about to begin!!!!

In another illusion, the wind and snow were biting cold.

Beneath Ming Ye's feet lay a shattered Soul Mirror; with each step, a fragment of memory crumbled. His sea of consciousness felt like it was standing on the edge of an abyss, completely cut off from all external divine senses, as if he had been stripped of the right to "perceive himself."

Suddenly--

A figure appeared ahead!

The man was clad in the Nether Bone Soul-Locking Battle Armor, his aura was as violent as thunder, black flames rolled around him, and the void seemed to collapse as he walked!

Ming Ye's expression tightened instantly, his soul power surged, and the Frost Soul Chain swirled in his palm. "Who are you?!"

But the man did not respond. Instead, he suddenly attacked, a soul spear appearing in his hand and stabbing straight into the man's chest!

"Killing intent... absolutely pure!"

Ming Ye's eyes narrowed, and he twisted his body to avoid the first attack. He then slashed out with the Soul-Splitting Blade of Severing Intent, its cold light piercing through the domain, but it was blocked by his opponent at a precise angle!

Sparks flew, and the soul energy surged!

The battle erupted, each move deadly!

But Ming Ye never imagined that every pulse of his opponent's soul power, every trace of his fighting instinct... would be so "familiar"!

As he attacked, he gritted his teeth. "Why... does everything about you resemble the figure I once stood shoulder to shoulder with?" 'Familiar yet strangely unfamiliar.'

However, the stripping of their will by the Soul Lamp has rendered their soul recognition system lifeless.

Two illusionary realms, simultaneously engulfed in battle.

Two brothers who should never have clashed are now facing the most brutal life-or-death trials with the coldest of attitudes!

In this Eternal Silence space created by the soul lamp, there is no identity, no memory, and no way out.

Their only "rule" is:

Only by defeating their opponent will the Soul Lamp allow them to leave...

The price, perhaps, is the fall of one person to awaken another.

A gray illusion, with lightning crackling through the void like a net, and soul flames burning endlessly.

Ming Kong's eyes were cold and sharp. He held the Nether Bone Blade at an angle, and black flames extended from his arm to his shoulder and neck. A "Soul-Locking Severing Pattern" appeared on his back and suddenly exploded.

First Form: Nether Blade Soul Rend Edge!

The blade light was like the murmur of the dead slashing from the bottom of the River Styx, sweeping across and stirring up layers of soul-destroying vortexes, locking onto the enemy's Soul Sea defense line!

The shadowy creature opposite remained as steady as a mountain, its body not retreating. Instead, it instantly left a trail of afterimages, and its soul armor exploded, revealing a layer of blue-gold reverse soul shield!

Counter-Technique: Soul-Shaking Ring - Soul-Severing Intent!

"Boom--!!"

A wave of soul energy surged forth, unleashing a hundred flashes of consciousness the moment it touched the Nether Blade. This instantly forced the Ming Kong back more than ten steps, and a deep pit was created in the Nether Earth beneath its feet!

Ming Kong's eyes twitched slightly as he murmured, "What... what kind of soul skill is this? It can actually bounce back consciousness?"

He dared not be careless, and in an instant, he formed hand seals and activated his Soul Domain!

Second Form: Nether Bone Domain Slash - Lock the Realm and Seal the Soul!

In an instant, a ghostly soul domain unfolded beneath his feet, and countless chains descended from the void, like judges of the underworld, firmly sealing off the enemy's shadow!

But just as the chains were about to bind them, the opponent unleashed a stream of icy lightning, forcefully slicing through the soul domain!

The other party roared, his voice as cold as thunder!

Counterattack Skill: Heavenly Scale Instant Break - Soul Frost Pierce!

Countless tiny "Soul Ice Shattering Lightning" erupted in the air, each one seemingly containing an extremely fine soul thorn, forcibly breaking through the Ming Kong Soul Locking System and rebounding against its soul consciousness!

"Pfft--" A trickle of blood spilled from the corner of Ming Kong's mouth. He took three steps back, his expression slightly grim.

On the other side...

At this moment, Ming Ye was surrounded by a chilling aura, and the Frost-Splitting Soul Blade in his palm slashed horizontally, leaving afterimages like arcs. The blade light even created a dual realm of reality and illusion!

First Form: Ming Ye Soul-Severing Slash - Mirror Realm Blade Breaker!

The blade sliced through the void like a broken soul mirror, its shattered surfaces blocking the enemy's movement!

"This move appears to be a split, but it's actually a reconstruction of the soul's will..."

The shadowy figure opposite him, undaunted, opened its mouth and let out a low roar, gathering its soul flames before unleashing a powerful punch!

Visibility Breaking Technique·Shake Soul Fist· Sever Thought Explosion!

That was a pure soul-destructive skill; before the punch even arrived, the space itself was already torn apart by "sense lines"!

The two attacks collided in mid-air, and the Ice Soul Shards and the Explosion Wave exploded together. A crack appeared on Ming Ye's right arm, and his breath hitched!

He licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze growing even more piercing. "You... you actually managed to shatter my sword formation with your Soul Fist?!"

The eerie shadow remained silent, its form approaching like a ghost!

The third form of the Ming Kong erupts:

Netherworld Lock Refinement Domain - Endless Binding Chains!

Countless soul-binding chains transformed into a labyrinthine realm, pulling enemy souls into an "eternal prison" state.

Ming Ye Countermeasure:

Mysterious Wheel Shattered Seal - Severing Consciousness in Three Steps!

The three-wheeled consciousness seal flashed, forcibly separating itself from the chain domain, while simultaneously counteracting the enemy's soul energy.

The two clashed with their dual-soul combat techniques, transforming the void into a sea of battle formations. Soul flames, soul mist, and consciousness winds intertwined, creating countless interwoven soul battle scenes.

Both had suffered multiple wounds, yet neither could discern the other's true identity. The Soul Lamp's "Identity Stripping Barrier" completely severed the last vestiges of their connection, leaving only their fighting instincts to clash!

At this moment, deep within the ancient cave, the suspended Netherworld Ancient Lamp trembled slightly.

The lamp wick glowed dimly, illuminating two shadows— the Ming Kong and the Ming Ye.

It seemed to be scrutinizing, or perhaps waiting...

Waiting for that moment when blood ties and will awaken simultaneously--

Only then will it be decided who can survive this trial of "brotherly fratricide".

Outside the cave, in the void, a beam of light, interwoven with deep purple and gray-gold, descended from the sky, as if even time and space made way for it.

Qin Yu arrived.

His black robe remained motionless, and the [Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword] on his back was still humming slightly, as if it had sensed some ancient will that it had never encountered before, and it actually released a barely perceptible annihilation ripple.

"Here..."

Qin Yu stepped into the cave, his eyes narrowing slightly.

A wave of blue-purple soul pressure swept in from all directions, and every engraving on the cave wall seemed to be some kind of "living soul pattern," whispering and writhing.

The ground was made of broken soul stones, yet there was no dust, as if this place had been sealed for millions of years, yet still maintained the frozen state of the "judgment moment".

And in the center of the cave—

He spotted two figures at a glance.

Ming Kong and Ming Ye, like two death gods, stood silently under the blue and purple lamplight, their faces pale and expressionless, standing stiffly like corpses.

What happened?

Qin Yu murmured, then suddenly looked up at the Netherworld Ancient Lamp standing atop the Soul Platform.

At that very moment, his pupils contracted.

In the lamplight, a scene of battle suddenly appeared!

It is neither an illusion nor a magic trick, but a true reflection from the depths of the soul.

Amidst the light and shadow, the Ming Kong and the Ming Ye fought each other like strange enemies!

The Nether Bone Domain Slash shattered the soul wall, and the Mystic Wheel Rending Seal shattered the sea of consciousness. Both brothers used their Limit soul skills, and every strike was aimed at killing.

They were ruthless and emotionless, as if... they were born only to kill the enemy before them.

"It was... the Soul Lamp's Judgment, stripping them of their mutual recognition, forcing them to send each other to their deaths..."

Qin Yu slowly gripped the Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword, a cold glint in his eyes. "What a fine 'Ancient Soul Judgment Lamp'... Are you testing them? Or are you desecrating them?"

The ancient lamp remained silent, its wick trembling slightly, as if sensing an unprecedented threat due to Qin Yu's arrival.

The next moment, the Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword hummed slightly, and a deathly, abyss-like light flashed on its blade, as if it wanted to annihilate this ancient soul lamp with a single strike.

"Wait a minute," Qin Yu murmured, glancing at the lamplight still engaged in battle.

He didn't rush to attack, but slowly closed his eyes, sending a wisp of his consciousness, like a thin thread, into the Netherworld Lamp, trying to find the last remaining connection that could awaken his brother's soul.

Qin Yu beneath the Netherworld Ancient Lamp, his eyes as vast and dark as a starry sea, gazing at the scene of brothers fighting in the reflection, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Your souls have long been stripped of their 'cognitive links'... Don't you even remember the names of your brothers?"

He spoke in a low voice, his fingers twitching slightly. A pale blue soul light slowly emerged from his fingertips, coiling into an invisible wheel that pressed against his brow.

In an instant--

Azure Ring, First Form: Spirit Edge Piercing the Realm, Activate!

This move is not intended to defeat the enemy.

Rather, it is to penetrate the Knowing Realm and connect with the "existence memory that has not yet been severed" deep within the soul!

"Void-Breaking Extreme Slash, piercing through boundaries to summon consciousness."

The power of the Azure Ring gently dispersed, transforming into countless clear and sharp soul-shaped patterns, like silk threads and rain, piercing through the lamplight in the void!

Boom!

In that instant, the battle between the Ming Kong and the shadows of the Ming Ye lamp abruptly ceased!

The "Nether Bone Slashing Wheel" that Ming Kong had just condensed shattered in mid-air, and Ming Ye's "Nether Wheel Death Seal" was also forcefully repelled. Their bodies trembled, their heads shook violently, and their eyes were momentarily dazed and shocked!

Deep within my consciousness, it seemed as if a familiar, indescribable thread of my soul was being drawn back into my being—

"... Ming Ye?"

"... Brother... you are... Ming Kong?!"

The two stopped their attacks almost simultaneously, their souls began to tremble violently, and that brotherly bond returned like a flood.

The next moment, the lamplight shattered with a clatter, and the Netherworld Ancient Lamp hissed and vibrated violently, unable to withstand the repulsive force of this "soul reconnection"!

In reality, the two frozen figures suddenly awoke, causing both Ming Kong and Ming Ye to tremble violently, their breath coming in gasps as cold sweat poured down their faces.

They slowly raised their heads and immediately saw Qin Yu walking slowly towards them from not far away.

He stood before the black divine sword, a faint Azure Ring halo appearing behind him, like a deity wielding the power of judgment.

Ming Ye was stunned for a moment, then asked with difficulty, "You... are Qin Yu?"

Ming Kong suddenly knelt down, his eyes filled with a complex and turbulent expression. "We... almost killed each other?"

Qin Yu withdrew his ring power and smiled slightly:

"But you didn't. The real you never thought of killing each other. You were simply forcibly stripped of your memories and understanding."

He approached and gently placed his palm on the Netherworld Ancient Lamp.

Click--

That lamp shattered into dust under Qin Yu's grasp, forever unable to judge others.

"In this life, no one can use any power to control the souls of your brothers."

Having said that, Qin Yu turned around and looked out of the cave. "Let's go. The soul lamp has gone out. We should leave."

Just as Ming Kong, Ming Ye, and Qin Yu were about to get up and leave--

Snap... Boom--

The Netherworld Ancient Lamp, burning silently on the stone base, suddenly trembled slightly. The next moment, a deep rumbling sound came from beneath the lamp base, as if an ancient seal was slowly cracking. The entire ancient cave was affected by this mysterious power, and soul patterns appeared on the walls, shimmering with a faint light.

"Hmm?" Qin Yu raised an eyebrow, and Ming Kong and Ming Ye's expressions also changed.

At the very center of the Soul Lamp Stone Seat, a mottled and ancient stone surface began to sink. As ripples of soul power spread outwards, a deep and eerie crack slowly opened—the crack seemed to lead to a Severed Realm Abyss that did not belong to the mortal world!

Immediately afterwards--

From the depths of that soul rift, an ancient book gleaming with a ghostly blue light slowly rose.

The ancient book was entirely constructed of soul power, its appearance resembling a forbidden celestial code sealed for billions of years. Its spine was covered with cracks, yet its majesty remained undiminished. With each inch it rose higher, the surrounding space hummed softly, and soul light and soul mist began to surge toward it, as if this book were the true ruler of the Soul Realm.

Countless ethereal runes appeared in the air, like scriptures chanted by spirits, swirling and flowing around the ancient book. The next moment, before the pages were even turned, the oppressive aura arrived. Ming Kong and Ming Ye trembled, kneeling on the ground, cold sweat beading on their foreheads—it was a fear that came from the depths of their souls!

Even Qin Yu, when he felt the overwhelming soul power approaching, had to activate the Azure Ring to slightly vibrate and protect his sea of consciousness.

On the cover of that ancient book, seven ancient, ghostly characters finally appeared: Reflecting the Soul's Ghostly Aura, Corporeal Soul Realm Nether Body.

The seven characters appeared as if by divine judgment, and all the light in the ancient cave dimmed, leaving only this book shining brightly in the void!

Suddenly! A deafening roar!

The ancient book shattered into endless starlight, each wisp of soul light resembling a ten-thousand-year-old soul crystal, carrying the eternal and indestructible mysteries of the soul, and was instantly forcibly poured into the sea of consciousness of Ming Kong and Ming Ye!

The two instantly opened their eyes and roared, their Soul Sea churning and their blood rushing back. Then, as if reborn from a cocoon, their auras soared.

In an instant--

Ming Ye's cultivation level surged, directly breaking through to the Realm Consciousness Realm · Fifth Stage Perfection.

The Ming Kong consciousness solidified, instantly reaching the Realm Consciousness Realm · Fourth Stage Perfection!

In the deepest recesses of their consciousness, the faint, yet inexplicably majestic, remnants of that ancient book appeared in each of them, like a codex etched into the very depths of their souls, impossible to erase.

They finally understood that this Soul Book not only granted them the opportunity to break through their cultivation level, but also bestowed upon them three secret soul techniques:

Reflecting Soul's Ghostly Corporeal Soul Realm Nether Body: Three Soul Skills

1. Nether Reflection Nether Thorns

Soul thorns Soul Transformation shadows and hidden in the enemy's sea of consciousness. They are used to injure the enemy with a single thought and obstruct the enemy's soul sense.

2. Ethereal Soul Mirror Soul Rend Array

Constructing a mirror array to reflect Soul Arts, the stronger the enemy, the more severe the reflected damage, specifically designed to break through high-level soul consciousness interference.

3. The Nether Body Manifesting Soul Tribulation

Summon the "True Shadow of the Soul Body," which resonates with the soul consciousness of the main body to launch a joint attack, forming a dual-soul coordinated strike domain.

Qin Yu watched calmly as the turbulence in their minds subsided, then finally nodded slowly, his voice steady and composed:

"Very good... you are finally ready."

The soul lamp burned out weakly, leaving only silence and the ever-rising pressure of the soul in the ancient cave.

Just as the soul power within Ming Kong and Ming Ye's bodies completely stabilized, and the ancient book deep within their sea of consciousness slowly fell silent—

Rumble!

A violent tremor suddenly resounded throughout the entire Soul Lamp Cave!

On the surrounding soul walls, countless soul patterns began to crumble, and the original sealing barrier collapsed layer by layer, as if some unseen force had completed its mission, and the entire space began to disintegrate on its own!

What hung down from above were broken soul chains; what floated beneath their feet was soul sand turned from ashes; all the stone pillars, stone walls, and even the lampstand that bore the soul light of ten thousand years—all began to shatter, as if a soul was destined to perish!

"It's going to collapse!" Ming Ye's brow twitched, and he was about to make a move.

The next moment--

Buzz--!

Deep within the sea of consciousness of the Ming Kong and the Ming Ye, the Soul Book "Reflecting the Soul's Abyss: The Corporeal Soul Realm Nether Body" suddenly shone with intense brilliance! The ancient book opened automatically, turning its pages without wind, and three divine rays leaped out from within!

The divine radiance, like the "dawn of the soul" at the beginning of creation, enveloped Qin Yu, Ming Kong, and Ming Ye, carrying them straight upwards and avoiding the collapsing ceiling!

In that instant, the three felt their bodies being lifted into a rift passage between some kind of the Boundless Realm. All they could hear were the whispers of countless souls and the chanting of ancient scriptures, as if the Soul Realm was quietly bidding them farewell, or as if it was witnessing the true beginning of the three future rulers.

A moment later--

A divine light pierced through the cave, and the three disappeared without a trace.

And that ancient soul cave, the instant they left, completely collapsed and Annihilation!

Only that tiny, almost imperceptible wisp of ash was swept away by the wind into the depths of the void, where it remained unextinguished for a long time.