Nine-Frequency Lockdown · Azure Ring Reversal
Qin Yu sat quietly on the altar of the Main Soul Hall, his eyes closed. Within his body, the "Silent Ring Origin Soul" slowly rotated, like an ancient star wheel, silently operating in the abyss of his sea of consciousness.
But today, after a long period of silence, it shook for the first time.
It wasn't a natural enemy approaching, nor was it a breakthrough in cultivation; rather, it was... a pseudo-frequency extremely similar to "itself" that was quietly spreading throughout the various domains of the Spirit Firmament.
"... Not a ghost, but almost a ghost."
"It's not a soul skill, but it simulates a soul skill."
Qin Yu's brow twitched slightly as his consciousness sank into the "Silent Ring Source Core." In the next instant, his divine soul pierced through three layers of submerged consciousness, glimpsing the trajectory of the Silent Ring's vibrations.
Nine o'clock.
Nine frequencies.
All nine sources exhibit "mirror-image curves".
"Imitation, not imitation of the soul, imitation of the Soul Master," he murmured, his gaze growing cold.
The main soul trembled and the Soul Abyss Map appeared.
Just as Qin Yu closed his eyes, the light of the Silent Ring emerged from within him, transforming into a cyan-gold halo that floated before him.
That was the "Main Ring Projection" he brought out from the Final Silent Origin Tower, named:
[Silent Ring - Return to the Abyss Diagram]
The diagram was originally silent and dormant, but now it began to rotate on its own, and blurry soul shadows suddenly appeared in the diagram wheel, which were the outlines of nine False Silent Soul Body!
"... Using the knowledge of a ruined tower, one creates the tower's shadow; using the logic of ultimate stillness, one molds the falsehood of a ring."
"It was You Junhan's doing."
Qin Yu's eyes turned completely cold.
"These false souls are not just the remains of failed test subjects, but also a soul imprint attempting to 'replace me'."
"If left unchecked, it will become a 'circle of pollution' within the entire Spirit Firmament cultivation system."
He gently raised his right hand, and one finger landed on the Silent Ring Diagram.
"Then I will... destroy the false consciousness and purify the soul ring."
Main Ring Soul Shake, Locking onto the Source
"The Silent Ring Origin Soul is the Source of the Illuminating Soul."
As the whisper fell, the azure-gold ring diagram trembled violently, and the existence trajectories of the nine "False Silent Soul Body" lit up simultaneously in Qin Ning's sea of consciousness.
He saw it--
One disguised himself as a soul beast, infiltrated the Southern Abyss Thunder Forest, and approached Zhou Yu's battlefield;
One of them imitated the Ancient Soul Master, recreating the "Tower Shadow Dialogue" at the ruins of the Tower of the Wasteland;
One aspect directly reflects his aura, slowly approaching the Nether Firmament Underworld Sect...
Deep within the spiritual cores of the nine pseudo-soul bodies, Qin Ning finally discovered:
Their origin is not in the Spirit Firmament, nor in the Tower Ruins, but in --
In an extremely deep "extra-boundary fault".
There, a black ring-shaped soul pillar engraved with the [False Silence Inscription] was connecting the nine bodies with an aura of deathly stillness, resembling a "Soul Falsehood Chain Core."
"So... this was You Junhan's true plan."
He slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting glint of light appearing within them, and the Azure Ring chimed softly.
"If you attempt to use this falsehood to seize my path—"
"Then from this moment on, I will destroy your 'Fake Ring' and sever your 'Main Soul Shadow'."
Only Unit 6 was destroyed. The remaining eight are still infiltrating.
Now, beneath the Azure Ring, the eight soul frequency trajectories unfold one by one:
First Pseudo-Soul
The Soul-Resident Thunder Hunter Desolate Forest
Formed by the fusion of fragmented soul beast essence and Soul Pact seal, it can simulate the aura of a third-tier soul beast and mislead the contract master into believing it.
Disguised as a distant relative of Azure Thunder Lightning Hunter, they have approached the "Thunder Hunter Ancient Marsh," seemingly nearing the site of Zhou Yu's previous battle.
Second False Soul
The place of the pagoda
Formed entirely from the remnants of defeated souls, it can recreate the lower-level illusions of the Final Silence Tower, specifically designed to disturb the minds of those undergoing trials within the tower.
The "Tower Attraction Field" was rebuilt with the intention of luring the Soul Master to the test tower ruins and trapping him.
Third False Soul
Infiltrate the Severed Consciousness Soul Domain
It possesses a partial "pseudo-severance" mechanism, which can mimic the reaction after a soul skill is released, triggering a self-soul explosion.
Approaching the Soul-Sealing Ridge where Mu Qingwan resides, they seem to be attempting to trigger the "Mind Echo" killing array.
Fourth False Soul
Concealing form in Shattered Consciousness Floating Abyss
The constituent materials are unknown, and the frequency of perception is completely disconnected, allowing only perception through a "soul imbalance".
It has infiltrated the "Floating Abyss Returning Thought Altar," a sacred place of consciousness where many soul cultivators gather, posing a significant latent threat.
Fifth Pseudo-Soul
The shadow of the Netherfire Severed Abyss
After being refined thirty-three times by the Mirror Flame, its soul body is extremely stable and possesses the ability to spontaneously ignite the sea of consciousness.
Lurking in the Southern Burning Terrace of the Divine Flame Radiant Realm, it is disguising itself as a "Soul Refining Sacred Object" to lure cultivators closer.
Seventh False Soul
Soul form invisible
It has no visible form, leaving only a trace in the "Soul Name." Once the name is remembered, the consciousness of the person is polluted.
Wandering through the "Consciousness Script Stele Forest," it entices cultivators to attempt to decipher them, but in reality, it infuses them with pseudo-soul logic.
Eighth False Soul
The Soul Master the mirror image
A replica of Qin Ning's soul frequency can be created to temporarily impersonate "Qin Ning's spiritual pressure" and interfere with the sect's judgment.
Approaching the outer border of the Nether Firmament Underworld Sect, veiled by illusionary consciousness, only those with a silent soul can sense it.
Ninth False Soul
The source is deepest, the core of the chain resides there.
Among all pseudo-souls, it is the only one directly connected to the "Soul Falsehood Chain Core," possessing the most stable frequency and being extremely difficult to shake.
Stationed at the outer fault line, suspected to be the "Chain Heart Guardian," its main body remains stationary, connecting to the other eight pseudo-souls.
Qin Yu traced back through his sea of consciousness, and the Silent Ring Return to the Abyss Diagram slowly closed.
"Eight pseudo-positionings, chain core interconnected."
His gaze was as cold as ice. He turned and slammed his palm into the ground, instantly constructing a new seal centered on the Return to the Abyss Diagram—
Silent Ring Shaking Prison · Ring False Annihilation Diagram
This diagram will guide him to hunt down the eight souls. With each soul he slays, a corner of the false frequency in the diagram will disappear, until the heart of the chains is destroyed.
He whispered something:
"You Junhan... you dare to attempt to seize my soul using 'my mirror image'?"
"Then let's get ready and have a taste--"
"The price of being devoured by the silent soul."
The Southern Abyss Thunder Marsh was the place where Azure Thunder Lightning Hunter first appeared. Thunder and lightning surged here year-round, and the bloodlines of soul beasts flourished. It was also the place where Zhou Yu formed a soul bond.
Now, deep within Thunder Swamp, a pseudo-soul wave lurks—
It was a False Silent Soul Body. It used the residual soul frequency of Zhou Yu to guide the surrounding soul beasts to create a false resonance, pretending to be a "blood relative of Cang Ting".
This pseudo-soul even learned common soul beast signals such as "humming," "hiding," and "hiding its breath with lightning patterns," attempting to attract the true Soul Pact holder to approach.
Unfortunately, what it wanted to lure... was Qin Yu.
Thunderous Abyss - Azure Hunter Ancient Marsh
Thunder rumbled in the sky, Ten Thousand Souls Forest.
Zhou Yu at the edge of the swamp, his "Emperor-Charging Nether Lightning Sword" still sheathed, silent as a rock.
"... Its soul frequency is extremely similar to that of the Azure Thunder Lightning Hunter," he murmured. "If it were at my cultivation level back then, I might have actually been lured there..."
"That's why it chose you." Qin Ning stood beside him, her Azure Ring glowing slightly, and the illusory patterns of "pseudo-soul image" appearing in her pupils. "It's not just disguising your bloodline, but also that memory of when you 'hadn't yet comprehended the heart of the Soul Master.'"
Zhou Yu nodded and said in a deep voice, "Let's begin."
Qin Yu raised his hand and lightly flicked a corner of the [Silent Ring - Return to the Abyss Diagram].
Buzz--
At the bottom of Thunder Swamp, a pitch-black figure suddenly appeared!
It was a "Azure Lightning Aberrant Beast," almost identical in appearance to Azure Thunder Lightning Hunter, except that its four claws were hooked, its soul patterns were reversed, and its tail had traces of a soul lock coiled around it.
As soon as it appeared, it emitted an extremely gentle "thunderous call," attempting to awaken Zhou Yu's soul and sense of affinity.
Zhou Yu's gaze remained firm, offering no response.
At that moment, a Soul Seal light suddenly appeared in Qin Yu's hand, and he uttered a low shout:
"Silent Ring Shaking Prison - First Seal: [Soul Suppression]!"
--boom!
The silent light was like a blade, and a cyan-gold lock wheel fell from the sky, instantly freezing the false soul in the void.
It began to struggle violently, its soul shadows twisting and contorting, actually attempting to evolve "Azure Thunder Lightning Hunter - Thunderous Fury Shadow" to counterattack!
"I will slay." Zhou Yu drew his longsword, lightning flashing, and a newly formed soul skill shook the void:
[Sound Hunt: Thunder Abyss Slash Identification Map]!
The diagram wheel appeared amidst the lightning, directly shattering the reflection of the false soul's remnant consciousness. The "Alien Thunder Hunter" finally let out a mournful cry, its body collapsing with a deafening roar.
As the black mist dissipated, the false soul patterns shattered inch by inch.
Return to the Abyss Diagram--
The first soul frequency slowly faded away.
Qin Yu let out a soft breath. "The imposter has been killed."
At the edge of Raize, where there were false soul corpse marks
The shattered remains of the pseudo-soul left only a destroyed "pseudo- Soul Master seal".
Qin Yu picked up the broken seal, gently crushed it, and whispered:
"You can copy soul skills and simulate soul frequencies, but you can never copy the 'main soul's will'."
He looked at Return to the Abyss Diagram: "Next."
Spirit Firmament ·The Ruins of the Final Silence Tower
This was the starting point where Qin Yu stepped into the "Gate of the Realm Lord Realm".
Now, the desolate tower no longer stands, only broken foundations, withered souls, broken stones, and silent ashes remain. Yet, right beneath the abyss where the tower once stood, the soul frequency of the [Second False Soul] perceived by the Return to the Abyss Diagram becomes increasingly clear.
It is not an external phenomenon, but rather a residual image of the illusion of the Final Silence Tower, which has been artificially awakened, constructed, projected, and induced to reappear.
Its purpose is to mimic the Tower Master's summoning of test subjects to "re-enter" and immerse them in a false trial, never realizing it.
At this moment, Qin Yu stood atop the remnant of the shattered tower's core, gently stroking the ground—
"This is not the ruins of the tower... but rather 'Echoes of the Tower'."
A cyan-gold radiance emerged from his palm, and the Silent Ring Return to the Abyss Diagram slowly unfolded. The diagram's wheel rotated, and a faint fluctuation of the main soul flowed into the space below.
In an instant, the space beneath their feet cracked open with a "creak," revealing a whole layer of disordered illusions— the Final Silence Initial Tower Projection Field.
The Illusionary Realm Opens, the Tower's Shadow Returns
"Welcome back, Soul Master Successor."
A deep, Kong Ling voice rang out, the tower's shadow rose, and countless trial images rotated in the void: the Severed Consciousness Terrace, the Soul Mirror Hall, the Empty Consciousness Steps, the Ten Thousand Silences Gate... all of which were trials that Qin Yu had experienced.
He did not respond, but calmly raised his right hand and gently pressed the second seal of the Return to the Abyss Diagram Wheel.
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Second Form - [Reflecting Gate Tower]."
Boom--!
Within the circular diagram, light and shadow flip, and a "Mirror of Reflection" is projected onto the center of the illusion, directly dissecting this illusion of the tower's shadow inward using the "Source of Consciousness Returning" technique.
The next moment, the entire illusion distorted and trembled!
All the shadows of the trials began to "deconstruct":
The essence of the level has been dismantled;
The voice of the Tower Master revealed a flaw;
The illusion's structure was revealed to contain "ninety-three false logical chains."
"It even mimicked the Tower Master's fragmented words perfectly; I almost mistook it for the Tower Core's revival." Qin Yu's eyes were icy cold.
The Tower Shadow Master finally revealed itself: it was a pitch-black soul shadow, its face blurred, standing atop the high steps of the illusory tower, as if announcing, "The trial begins."
But as soon as it opened its mouth, it was forced to compare itself to the "true will of the tower master" reflected in the Return to the Abyss Diagram.
"False knowledge has been revealed."
Qin Yu's palm flashed with a serene light, and a Soul-Slaying strike descended:
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - First Form [Soul Suppression]!"
Smack!
The Tower of Illusion shattered, its soul fragments exploded, and it vanished silently into the Mirror Source.
Tower Dispersion - Frequency Elimination
In the second frequency band of the Return to the Abyss Diagram, the light quickly extinguished, the illusion was eradicated, and the soul frequency returned to complete silence.
The lingering illusory energy in this place was automatically absorbed by the ring map, transformed into a frequency-sealing seal, and incorporated into the chain of "pseudo-soul convergence".
Qin Yu let out a soft breath, and the mirror in his hand Returning Ring.
"'Reflecting Gate Tower' is not just about analyzing the logic of false souls... it can also reflect the origin of false images and forcefully break through the source of illusory consciousness."
He looked down at the already shattered foundation of the tower, his words calm yet chilling:
"From this day forward, any false soul who dares to imitate the places I have trod and the paths I have walked..."
"They will all be cut down one by one by this Return to the Abyss Diagram."
No. 3
Severed Consciousness Soul Domain False Body
Infiltration Site: Soul-Sealing Ridge & Forgotten Memories Valley
After inducing the soul cultivator to release their soul skill, detonate their "residual frequency of consciousness source";
Inducing the illusion of a counter-burst from a soul skill, disrupting the opponent's attack rhythm;
At the same time, it releases the "residual image of the consciousness chain" and creates a "self-illusion" that causes the soul cultivator to self-destruct.
Soul-Sealing Ridge - Before the Forgotten Memories Valley
A dark mist floated and swirled within the valley, and the wind howled like ghosts.
Yao Wanqing stood before the mist in white robes, his brow slightly furrowed.
"It's well hidden." Her voice was soft yet calm. "I can't sense the pseudo- Soul Master; I only hear a continuous echo within my sea of consciousness."
Qin Yu stood to her side and slightly behind, the Return to the Abyss Diagram hovering behind him. "This wisp of consciousness... it's a deliberate, residual frequency detour it created, attempting to induce you to release a 'consciousness-breaking soul skill.' Once you move, that 'consciousness shadow detonation chain' will detonate on the spot."
Yao Wanqing simply smiled calmly:
"Of course I know."
"So this time, let the mirror be the one to test it."
She lightly touched her brow with her slender finger, and an icy blue mark slowly unfolded:
"Mystic Mirror Ice Soul - Third Skill - [Soul Mirror Reflects Calamity]."
Boom--!
A soul mirror, transparent as a dream and with a cold, watery light, appeared in the air, reflecting the figure of a woman in white, holding an ice mirror and focusing her mind on entering the valley.
That was—the reflection of Yao Wanqing's soul in the mirror.
The next moment, the pseudo-soul moved!
From the depths of the valley, a faintly visible figure shot out—a phantom resembling Yao Wanqing!
--It disguised itself as "her reflection in the mirror" to lure the real person into attacking!
But this time, it was wrong.
The Soul Mirror is not a "projection mirror," but rather a "simulated reflection of tribulation."
It was originally a mirror reflecting a dead end – "You make a move, I reflect your skill!"
The false soul's figure had just leaped up--
The mirror reflected the exact same trajectory of its soul skill:
"Explosion Detection - Reflection Wave Chain!"
Boom--!
The "Insight Explosion" that was originally released by the false soul actually rebounded and blew itself back!
This is the true effect of the Soul Mirror Reflects Calamity.
"The soul skill you unleash will kill yourself in the mirror before it even appears."
The false soul's figure exploded, its form twisted, and it struggled wildly.
At this moment, Qin Yu gently pressed his palm against the third seal of the Return to the Abyss Diagram:
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Form Three: [Ring Descent]!"
The wheel fell, Soul Rend!
A soul lock, like an abyss, instantly pulled the pseudo-soul into the "soul frequency return abyss" constructed by the ring diagram, directly interrupting its frequency with the "pseudo-chain core".
Once the pseudo-soul chain broke, the power of the explosion repeatedly burned internally, and then dissipated with a deafening roar!
In the Return to the Abyss Diagram, the third pseudo-frequency slowly extinguished.
Yao Wanqing a soft breath, and the Soul Mirror gradually faded. She glanced back at Qin Ning and whispered:
The third one is gone.
Qin Yu nodded. "Your mirror... is colder than mine."
She didn't answer, but quietly smoothed out the mirror stain, her voice soft:
"Because I really don't want to show any mercy to things like 'false souls and false hearts'."
Shattered Consciousness Floating Abyss Body
Floating Abyss Returning Thought Altar
Without a stable soul frequency, it is extremely difficult to perceive;
It has no direct point of contact with the conscious soul; its existence is through "emotional diffraction + mental imagery interference."
They are adept at creating virtual emotional scenarios to guide soul cultivators into falling into "mental illusions."
Floating Abyss Returning Thought Altar - Present
This place was once the site where cultivators of the Spirit Firmament Divine Sense lineage meditated and attained enlightenment, sealing their consciousness and refining their senses. Now, the altar is destroyed and the monument is broken, leaving only countless "echoes of emotion" faintly lingering in the air.
As Qin Yu stepped into the altar domain, he felt the ring map tremble violently, yet no pseudo-soul trajectory appeared.
"The soul has vanished... This is an illusion that uses 'emotions' to simulate life."
He stopped, his gaze calm, and turned to say:
"Qingwan, it's your turn to make a move."
Mu Qingwan nodded slightly and closed her eyes.
She has always been adept at spiritual perception. At this moment, an "Spiritual Perception Star Ring" appeared behind her, with pale pink light spots slowly unfolding and transforming into countless threads of perception, which descended to the center of the altar.
Her voice was soft, almost dreamlike:
"It... has no name, and no soul."
"It's a thought that's most vulnerable and least willing to be faced in the depths of our hearts..."
"And it... is imitating 'yourself'."
Buzz--!
In an instant, the entire Floating Abyss Altar erupted with a powerful backflow of "mental projection"!
Countless figures of "Qin Ning" appeared in the void:
Some are like Qin Yu, wielding the Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword and fighting alone against the forces beyond the realm;
Some, like Qin Yu, turned back without saving their families, their eyes filled with remorse;
Some are the "Lords of the Final Ring," standing silently amidst Annihilation mountains and rivers.
They had no soul frequencies, yet each one seemed like a "possible version of him."
Mu Qingwan's eyes were resolute as she activated the power of her spirit ring:
"This is a fallacy of the mind! Qin Ning! Use the Return to the Abyss Diagram - Reflecting Gate Tower! Reflect them all back to their origin!"
Qin Yu did not hesitate.
The second form of the Return to the Abyss Diagram is now open!
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Second Form - [Reflecting Gate Tower]!"
The lapis lazuli mirror opened, and a "Mirror of Tranquility" illuminated the entire Returning Thought Altar!
--All the "Qin Ning illusions" were reflected in the mirror, one by one, by the "Soul Master's Will" to reveal their true and false identities!
A hypocritical heart vanishes like cracks in the light.
It's truly a pity; the map Returning Ring to silence.
At this moment, the true form of the false soul finally revealed itself under the mirror!
It was a faint, ethereal fragment of a mental image, floating in the air like an electrocardiogram, its body subtly pulsating with "severed consciousness waves" and "pseudo-emotional clusters."
It had no language, no face, but when Qin Yu looked into its eyes, a completely unfamiliar yet extremely familiar voice suddenly appeared:
You're afraid to be yourself.
Qin Yu's gaze was as cold as Silent Abyss, and he responded in a low voice:
But I have already made my choice.
He raised his palm, and the third move of the Return to the Abyss Diagram was activated:
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Form Three: [Ring Descent]!"
A single strike from the Soul Diagram Chain pierced through the core of his mind, and the false soul instantly burned away like a broken candle flame, turning into dust in the void.
Within the Return to the Abyss Diagram, the fourth pseudo-frequency signal extinguished.
Mu Qingwan slowly opened her eyes, the heart ring receding, and smiled wearily, "It seems that its last sentence was 'testing' your future."
Qin Yu remained silent, his gaze calm.
The future is in my hands; its trials are not worth my hesitation.
Pseudo-Soul Number: Five
Name: Nether Fire Severed Abyss Body
Penetration Ground: Severed Flame Soul Grotto
Its appearance is described as "the spirit of the sacred fire," making it extremely alluring;
Skilled at mimicking high-level divine flames (True Burn, Ancient Radiance, Primordial Flame, etc.) to release "Soul Weapon Resonance";
It can construct the illusion of the "Blessing Flame Trial" to lure soul cultivators into offering their souls for the Flame Refining process and actively approaching them;
Once they get close, their souls will be absorbed and sacrificed as a heat source for the "pseudo-soul mother core".
Severed Flame Soul Grotto · In front of the Fire Steps
This place was originally the trial ground for successive generations of disciples of the Divine Flame Radiant Realm to "sacrifice their souls into the fire." It was here that He Qingli awakened the "Nine Luminaries Heart-Burning Soul" and achieved the "Flame Luminary Sacred Physique."
At this moment, a golden lotus wheel of fire slowly floated deep within the Soul Cave, its flames dazzling and its divine radiance radiant. Anyone who saw it would surely mistake it for the "reignition of the Ancient Luminary Sacred Fire."
He Qingli's gaze turned serious, and she said in a low voice, "This fire isn't fake."
Qin Yu nodded. "Yes, it's really hot."
He paused, then raised his palm and shook the Return to the Abyss Diagram. The rings on it trembled, faintly reflecting the true form of a black fire spirit:
"But the spirit in the fire is false."
He Qingli's eyes turned cold, and the "Luminary Flame Heart-Burning Sword" in her hand was instantly drawn, its fierce light gathering.
False Soul in Fire - Blazing Flame Appears
As she stepped into the third level of the Fire Rank, the "Golden Flame Lotus Heart" finally opened slightly, revealing a humanoid fire spirit.
It wore the "Robe of the Flame Lord," held the "Divine Flame Sacred Scripture" in its hand, and the soul shadow behind it was clearly the form of the "Seventh Generation Holy Lord of the Divine Flame Radiant Realm."
Even its gaze is filled with "care" and "inheritance".
It reached out to He Qingli and murmured:
"Return to the Divine Flame, inherit my will."
He Qingli's expression was calm as she spoke, each word distinct and deliberate:
"You imitated it quite well--"
The longsword was slowly raised, flames surging forth.
"But I have never respected the person you imitated."
Boom!!!
The blazing flames scorched the heavens, tearing through the outer shell of the fiery soul with a single sword strike!
The false soul roared in shock and anger, and the fake "Flame Lord" transformed into a black fire phantom, its soul flames burning wildly, attempting to drag He Qingli into the "Soul Sacrifice Array".
But at this moment--
Qin Yu took a step forward, Return to the Abyss Diagram was reopened!
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - First Form [Soul Suppression]!"
The false soul was instantly nailed to the void, and its shadow dissipated in the struggle.
He Qingli showed no mercy, reversing the flaming sword and unleashing a furious slash:
"Flame Radiance - Burning Heart Technique - Fourth Form - [Luminary Breaks, God Falls]!"
Heavenly flames surged backward, golden flames filled the sky!
The entire Severed Flame Soul Grotto was shattered in a single strike, and the false soul let out a long, unwilling howl amidst the soul fire before finally turning to ashes.
In the Return to the Abyss Diagram, the fifth pseudo-frequency Ji Ran extinguished.
He Qingli sheathed her sword, her tone as usual but tinged with a hint of mockery:
"What kind of bullshit Flame Lord's Will is this? How dare you spout nonsense in front of me?"
Qin Yu smiled, but his gaze remained fixed on the shattered soul-destroying fire dust.
He already understood:
"The false souls are getting smarter... They no longer just imitate appearances, but have begun to... imitate 'beliefs'."
Pseudo-Soul Number: Seven
Name: Imprisoned Consciousness Nether Dream Body
Penetration Site: Consciousness Abyss Old Domain - Mist Dream Forest
Creating a "Shared Dream Soul Domain" to erode the soul's consciousness;
Those who are possessed in dreams share a fictional memory and are each other's motives for killing.
The cycle of consciousness within dreams is shut down, gradually erasing memories of the outside world;
It is extremely difficult to awaken oneself; only the "Ultimate Consciousness Wave Shock" or the "Seal of Allah" can break it.
Mist Dream Forest: Soul's Labyrinth
This place is perpetually shrouded in soul mist, where the "remnants of the dreams of countless ancient cultivators" linger. It was originally an abandoned testing ground for the Soul School.
At this moment, Yao Wanqing and Zhou Yu stood deep in the Dream Forest, amidst the misty fog, when suddenly their feet sank—the two figures simultaneously fell into a layer of folded consciousness.
In an instant, they found themselves in a dreamlike world that felt both real and strangely familiar:
--Yao Wanqing stood alone beneath the cold mirror, while Zhou Yu, wielding the Emperor-Charging Lightning Sword, approached with a cold smile;
What Zhou Yu saw was Yao Wanqing a false soul, raising a mirror to sever his soul between his brows!
"You've finally been exposed."
"You are not her at all."
They drew their swords and attacked almost simultaneously!
"Clang--!!!"
The collision of their soul energies erupted instantly, but neither of them was using their full strength. In that split second of impact—
Yao Wanqing's mind stirred slightly, and she whispered:
"... This is not him."
She coldly surveyed her surroundings. "The Dream Realm created a 'Zhou Yu' to kill me, but the real Zhou Yu —he would never look at me like that."
At the same time, Zhou Yu gritted her teeth and whispered:
"Her mirror-like intent couldn't possibly have broken through my perception first; she always... saw through the illusion before me."
The two forcibly stopped, but the dream realm remained unbroken.
At this time--
A cyan-gold radiance silently descended from the sky.
The Silent Ring Return to the Abyss Diagram originated from Qin Ning's suppression!
Outside the Dream: Soul Ring Fall
Qin Yu stood in the Dream Forest of Reality, his eyes closed, the Azure Ring Wheel in his palm spinning repeatedly, and he murmured softly:
"Dreams are not illusions, but rather a reversal of memories."
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Fourth Form - [Clear Seal]."
Boom!
The entire Soul Layer of the Mist Dream Forest trembled violently. The light halo of the Return to the Abyss Diagram shone into the depths of the consciousness layer, instantly constructing the "Dream Soul Root Imprint Exploration Structure," revealing the dreamscapes of the two on the ring surface!
He pressed down with his palm—
Dream Imprinted on the Soul!
The dreamlike illusion shattered instantly!
Yao Wanqing and Zhou Yu woke up at the same time, still feeling the chill, with a slight sheen of cold sweat on their foreheads.
At this moment, a blurry soul in the void, like a misty figure, was pulled out from beneath the dream layer and was struggling frantically to escape into the soul mist.
Qin Yu let out a cold snort, Return to the Abyss Diagram unleashed its first move:
"Soul Suppression!"
The Azure Ring fell, and the soul solidified!
Zhou Yu, without waiting for orders, unleashed a furious slash with his thunderous sword:
"Sound Hunt: Thunder Abyss Slash Diagram!"
Thunderous Soul Piercing!
The dream soul collapsed, the consciousness vanished, and the seventh false soul was utterly annihilated!
The seventh pseudo-frequency of the Return to the Abyss Diagram has been extinguished.
Yao Wanqing took a deep breath and whispered:
It almost made me... doubt myself.
Qin Yu glanced at her, his tone calm yet firm:
But you didn't.
So you survived.
Pseudo-Soul Number: Two
Name: Remnant Tower Soul Core Entity
Penetration Site: The Final Silent Origin Tower - Remnants of Illusory Consciousness within the Tower
Disguised as an "unfinished final tower test";
Construct a localized ring-consciousness maze using the "Soul Seal of the Ring Master's past experiences";
Possessing the memory projections of the first six pseudo-soul remnants;
Objective: To induce Qin Yu's cognitive collapse and the Ring Master's will to break down;
The true form is hidden beneath the "Pseudo- Silent Origin Master Seal".
Pseudo-Tower Fantasy World: The Reflection of Circular Consciousness
Qin Yu sat quietly in the center of the Return to the Abyss Diagram, and the azure light diagram slowly emerged from his Soul Sea.
At this moment, he did not approach any battlefield in a geographical sense, but instead actively sent his consciousness into the remnant realm of the tower—a "shattered realm of consciousness" left behind when the test was not completed at the bottom of the Final Silent Origin Tower.
"You're back."
A voice suddenly rang out.
A figure slowly emerged from the void.
He looked exactly like Qin Yu, except his face was completely devoid of emotion, and his eyes were as still and lifeless as a mirror.
That was -- the impression of a pseudo- Ring Master.
You are not me.
Qin Yu spoke indifferently.
"I am the 'perfect you' you want to be."
The fake soul smiled.
The next instant, six pseudo-soul figures emerged from the void:
The Third Soul Body, the Severed Consciousness Soul Domain, rebuked from the side, "You should have severed your emotions long ago."
The fourth soul form, Shattered Consciousness Floating Abyss, whispered, "Deep down, you actually fear Ultimate loneliness."
The fifth soul body, Netherfire Severed Abyss, asked, "You haven't even exhausted the power of divine flames."
The seventh soul form, Imprisoned Consciousness Nether Dream, chuckled and said, "You're afraid they'll leave."
The First Soul Body, Spirit Abyss Reflects Soul (Remnant Frequency), said in a deep voice, "You have never truly accepted death."
The sixth soul entity (pseudo-frequency projection) stood in the center, gazing silently.
An echo reverberated in the void, and a miniature [pseudo-ring seal] formed around Qin Yu, attempting to "envelop the true Qin Yu's" original soul frequency and trap him in "pseudo-master logic."
Qin Yu slowly opened his eyes, and the five soul patterns of the Return to the Abyss Diagram fully bloomed, their azure light as deep as an abyss:
"You are imitating me, but you will never have my decisiveness."
He raised his palm and uttered four words calmly:
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Fifth Form"
"[Seal-Breaking Consciousness Ring]."
Boom!!!
The Azure Seal Wheel rises, forcefully severing false impressions!
The six false souls were directly shredded, the false Ring Master was completely destroyed, and his consciousness and soul crumbled inch by inch.
The entire "pseudo-tower remnant world" transformed into a vortex of azure light, which was absorbed by the Return to the Abyss Diagram and turned into a speck of dust beneath the Returning Ring Abyss.
The second pseudo-soul was annihilated.
In the Return to the Abyss Diagram, the sixth Soul Frequency also became clear.
Qin Yu exhaled, stood on the circular map, his gaze calm and composed:
"No matter how well a fake soul imitates me, it is ultimately... not me."
Pseudo-Soul Number: Eight
Name: Realm Consciousness Shattered Seal Entity
Penetration Ground: Heaven-Severing Realm Steps (Former Ruins of the Realm Master)
Structural features:
Creating "realm illusion pressure" distorts cultivators' true understanding of their social class;
It can induce dislocation within the realm: for example, causing someone in the Initial Yuan Realm to mistakenly believe they are the Realm Master, or causing someone in the Silent Source Realm to perceive their own demise;
When friend and foe are confused, it can easily trigger the release of "self-destructive soul skills";
The entity is composed of nine layers of "Shattered Realm Consciousness Seals," which must be shattered layer by layer.
Heaven-Severing Realm Steps - Rending Pressure
This place was originally an altar where cultivators from all realms of the Spirit Firmament attempted to break through to the Realm Lord Realm. It was once abandoned, but now it is covered with layers of shattered realm imprints, stacked one on top of the other, forming a "Nine-Step Soul Pressure Tower Formation".
As Qin Yu and Xuan Yicang stepped into this place, the first seal exploded.
Buzz--!
An extremely realistic "realm perception" instantly pressed into Qin Ning:
--You have fallen to the peak of the Obsession Realm.
"... This is not an illusion." Qin Yu said in a deep voice.
Xuan Yicang frowned, feeling his soul chains in his body were in disarray, and segments of the laws of the "Severed Phenomena Realm" were collapsing, as if he had never touched the Silent Origin.
"It's severing our understanding of the 'realm of self'."
"The stronger a force is, the easier it is to crumble."
Boom!!
The second and third seals shattered in succession!
At this moment, Jiang Liran and other phantoms appeared in the distance, their figures exploding their souls like old comrades-in-arms, their cries of grief never ceasing!
"This isn't an enemy technique; this is—the feeling of a soul collapsing!"
Xuan Yicang roared:
"The main Soul Seal is shifting! We need to reverse the soul suppression!"
Black and gold twin soul flames ignited behind him, condensing into the [Soul Rend Realm-Severing Seal], but it still couldn't suppress the seal layers above the fifth rank!
At this time--
Qin Yu's expression was calm and composed. As the Return to the Abyss Diagram appeared, he uttered in a low voice:
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Second Form"
"Reflecting Gate Tower."
The still light is like a mirror, reflecting:
The class confusion is caused by the "original sin structure" of the Soul Sea, which is mapped from the false soul core.
"It makes you doubt whether your level of attainment is genuine."
The Azure Ring crack diagram unfolds!
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Third Form - [Ring Descent]."
A soul chain cleaved its finger and fell straight into the center of the seal array!
Buzz!
The pseudo- Soul Master core has appeared, and a fragment of Soul Seal riddled with cracks is projecting millions of cultivators' "self-awareness illusions"!
It is the source of "Soul Ring Collapse"!
Qin Yu stepped into the array, whispering:
"The Silent Origin is unfathomable, and my fall from the steps Non-Self my will."
Raise your hand and slash down:
"Return to the Abyss Diagram - Fifth Form: Seal-Breaking Consciousness Ring!"
"--You are not worthy to judge me with your Soul Seal!"
A surge of azure light erupted, and the ninefold shattered soul core was utterly destroyed in an instant!
False Soul No. 8, destroyed!
Xuan Yicang gasped for breath and said in a low voice:
"Qin Yu... if I fight alone, I'm afraid my Soul Rank will really crack."
Qin Ning looked around, the phantoms in the mirror dissipating one by one, and said calmly:
It not only severs your realm of understanding, but also your faith.
He looked down at the ring map:
"And I... do not accept Limit defined for me by others."
Pseudo-Soul Number: Nine
Name: Ring Master Simulation Entity
Penetration Ground: Central of the Return to the Abyss Diagram - Deepest Silent Mid-Level
Structural features (partially known):
It's not about impersonating someone else, but rather simulating "Qin Ning - the Ring Master's True Soul";
Possesses all combat records, soul skill traces, and consciousness reaction spectrum of the previous eight pseudo-souls;
Actively construct a "fully peer-to-peer battlefield";
Sole objective: To strip the "Ring Master" of its legitimacy;
Originating from the "Return to Consciousness Manifestation" after the Silent Origin Tower went out of control, it is the most extreme test that the final tower gives to the Ring Master.
Nether Firmament Underworld Sect, Jade Moon Hall
The Return to the Abyss Diagram spun silently in Qin Ning's palm, the eight pseudo-frequency signals had been extinguished, and everyone else remained silent.
The Grand Venerable Mingxu spoke first:
"Number nine... is yourself."
Yao Wanqing stood beside Qin Yu, silent, but her eyes were full of worry.
Zhou Yu began to speak:
"If even you can't define who you are—then who can?"
Qin Yu's expression remained unchanged; he simply raised his palm and gently Return to the Abyss Diagram.
"This is the true underlying logic of the Final Silent Origin Tower."
"When a person steps into the upper levels of the Realm Master's Gate, they are no longer merely a cultivator, but..."
The Azure Ring trembled, and the core of the nine rings glowed faintly, with a strand of dark gold thread locking it like a soul chain.
He whispered:
"... an existence configuration to be verified."
Spirit Firmament Northern Domain - Ring Master's Tremor Appears
As the Ninth Soul Frequency began to manifest, the oldest array system in the entire Spirit Firmament Great Realm trembled.
Countless soul cultivators felt a chilling will in their subconscious:
"That person—is about to be verified."
The celestial soul lamps dimmed, and several dimensional gates were locked.
The elder of the Underworld Sect exclaimed in shock:
"The patterns of destiny... have all collapsed."
Zhou Yu's expression changed drastically. "This is a sign of the 'Reboot of the Boundary Structure'!"
Behind Qin Yu, the Return to the Abyss Diagram suddenly unfurled its ninefold soul wheel, and the central dark core was finally fully activated.
A human-shaped figure slowly emerged from Tu Xin.
Clad in a dark gold robe, wielding the Returning Abyss Ring Seal, his eyes were calm and ruthless; his posture was identical to Qin Ning's, and his aura overlapped with Qin Yu's.
"--I am you, but more logical than you."
Before the Soul Battle - Yuan Tu's Musings
Qin Yu stepped forward, confronting the other party.
Two figures stood in the center of the Return to the Abyss Diagram, their nine-frequency soul light flowing in reverse.
Reality and simulation, belief and deduction, the Spirit Firmament and the outer world, will and Fate Soul—
The moment finally brought them together.
Qin Yu slightly raised his hand and said in a calm voice:
"The Return to the Abyss Diagram, ready for calibration."
Tuhun's response:
"Entering Stillness main core and enable the ninth printing layer."
The Ring Master Reflects in Silence, the Soul Domain Reflects Its Own Judgment
The Heart of the Abyss: Soul to Soul, Lord to Lord
In the center of the Return to the Abyss Diagram, two figures stand facing each other.
On the left is the real Qin Ning, Qingyi that cuts through the wind, with eyes like thunder in the abyss, his soul pressing down with a silence as vast as the sea.
On the right is the Ring Master Simulation Entity, dressed in a cold black robe, with the ring gleaming. Its body shows no emotional fluctuation, as if it were constructed from absolute logic.
The ring map roars nine times.
This is the first time since the creation of the Return to the Abyss Diagram that it has simultaneously contained the consciousness of two Ring Masters.
"Simulation complete."
The simulated entity raised its hand, its tone like that of a soul-conscious logic device. "Verification subject: Qin Yu. Basis: Whether he possesses the qualifications of Silent Source Ring Master."
"Initiate the final environmental impact assessment."
Nine-frequency blockade, Azure Ring reversal
Click!
The Nine Channels of the Return to the Abyss Diagram are completely locked!
The entire map area transformed into a closed "Soul Domain Judgment Arena".
Qin Yu's sea of consciousness was forcibly analyzed. Every soul skill he had ever used, every trace of his cultivation, and every moment of his will eruption were reproduced one by one by the simulation through "Logic Reconstruction".
He used the [Seal-Breaking Consciousness Ring] to break the eighth false soul;
He used a [Ring Descent] to suppress his dream soul;
He trusted Yao Wanqing in his dream;
He... did not choose the "optimal solution".
"Judgment: There are multiple suboptimal choices."
The simulator raised its hand and spoke in a cold voice:
Your soul is unstable.
"Your perception is influenced by emotional factors."
"Your very existence is itself a 'possibility deviation' within the Spirit Firmament Main Chain."
The Real Qin Yu: Silent Observation
Qin Yu remained motionless, only lowering his head to gently Return to the Abyss Diagram in his hand.
The next moment, he uttered a sentence calmly:
You're imitating me, but you don't understand me.
"I am not the Ring Master, because I am the strongest."
"I am the Ring Master because I am still me, even now."
[The Silent Ring Origin Soul] - Awaken!
Boom!!
His sea of consciousness trembled, and within the Azure Ring, the shadow of his original soul, like a flowing fire in the desolate sky, slowly rose.
It's not a soul skill, not a cultivation technique, but— Qin Yu's true soul!
[The Silent Ring Origin Soul - Deconstruction of the True Image]:
Using its own existential soul to confront the logic simulation system, it shatters all pretense.
"I am not the result of logic, I am the choice itself."
The Return to the Abyss Diagram: Nine Frequency Reversals!
The map has completely collapsed!
The simulated entity's expression changed slightly for the first time, its pupils trembled violently, and the illusory Azure Ring cracked inch by inch:
"Logic overflow—irreversible pollution of will."
"The Ring Master's consciousness... is unpredictable."
Qin Yu raised his palm:
"The Return to the Abyss Diagram - Final Form"
"--The Lord of Silent Ring and the Unique Soul Seal."
Snap!!
The palm was placed on the false master's forehead.
A streak of dark blue flame exploded within the simulated body's Soul Sea!
-
The simulated entity's soul instantly collapsed.
The center of the entire Return to the Abyss Diagram suddenly became empty.
The remaining eight soul frequencies quietly returned to their positions, while the ninth frequency completely Annihilation, transforming into a solitary ring of soul light standing silently at the heart of the diagram.
At this moment, the Return to the Abyss Diagram is complete.
--No more false souls, no more rivals.
The Holy Lord of the Circular Circle
Jade Moon Hall, Qin Yu opened his eyes, and a blue light slowly sank into the depths of his pupils.
The Grand Venerable Mingxu spoke softly:
"You won?"
Qin Yu looked at everyone and said in a deep voice:
"No, it's me—I've returned to myself."
Yao Wanqing took a step closer and said softly:
"Your soul... is calmer than ever before."
Zhou Yu smiled:
"Congratulations, Qin Yu. You are not anyone's projection, not the tower's choice, not the ring's logic."
"You are the only one, Returning Abyss Ring Master."