Chapter 137: The Soul of Illusions and Shadows
With the Snow Emperor accompanying them, the area was naturally not dangerous for Xiao Qiang and the others. Under her protection, the group proceeded directly into the depths of the Star Dou Forest to help Xiao Qiang find his sixth soul ring.
Having already obtained a 100,000-year soul ring for his fifth, Xiao Qiang's goal for this time was clear—he would seek out another 100,000-year soul ring.
Finding a powerful spiritual-type soul beast was a difficult task. However, when the Snow Emperor located a 100,000-year-old spiritual beast and explained to Xiao Qiang the qualitative difference between a 100,000-year and a 700,000-year soul beast, a detailed map of the Star Dou Forest's inner domain was revealed.
Thus, the group ventured toward the territory of the Fantasy Sea Dream Butterfly, a powerful mental-type soul beast.
The moment Nana and Xiao Lan stepped into the butterfly's domain, they were overwhelmed and fell into a deep sleep. Mu Qingxue didn't last long either, succumbing soon after under the immense mental pressure. Only Xiao Qiang and the Snow Emperor managed to remain conscious, with Xiao Qiang relying heavily on his ninth-level spiritual defense device, the Soul Reversal Device, to protect his mind.
"With mental pressure like this, even a Titled Douluo specializing in the spiritual system wouldn't last long," Xiao Qiang commented seriously.
The Snow Emperor nodded. "Spiritual-type soul beasts tend to be either so weak they can't even cultivate for ten thousand years, or so terrifyingly strong that few dare to challenge them—like the Slant-Eyed Tyrant. The Fantasy Sea Dream Butterfly clearly belongs to the latter category."
She continued, "In this core area of the Star Dou Forest, a 100,000-year twin from the Other Shore acts as the center, supported by other Fantasy Sea Dream Butterflies. Entering this place is like stepping into the domain of a human spiritual-type Super Douluo. Without the strength of an Extreme Douluo, it's nearly impossible to resist the illusionary entrapment."
"Stay here and don't move. I'll go find the 100,000-year twin from the Other Shore," she instructed, walking calmly into the misty dreamscape.
Moments later, a half-red, half-blue butterfly fluttered into view beside the Snow Emperor. As it approached Xiao Qiang, the vibrant colors on its wings shifted until the butterfly became pure red.
The red butterfly spoke in a melodious yet emotionless voice, "I have heard everything from the Snow Emperor. Let me see the other soul beasts that reside within your spiritual sea."
Xiao Qiang nodded and activated Spirit Sharing. At once, the figures of Tian Meng, the Ice Emperor, and the Silver Wolf manifested in the sea of his consciousness. The twin butterfly quietly observed them.
After a brief exchange with Tian Meng, Bing Di, and the others, the twin soul beast from the Other Shore finally spoke again. "I agree to join your god-making plan. Allow me to become one of your soul spirits."
"Alright," Xiao Qiang replied.
The agreement was settled quickly. Xiao Qiang began fusing with the twin butterfly to acquire its 100,000-year soul ring. Compared to the fusion with Silver Wolf, this time the process was much smoother. Having gained valuable experience, and with no resistance from the twin, the fusion proceeded without a hitch.
When he finally opened his eyes and took out his crystal ball to check his soul power, Xiao Qiang frowned.
"Only level 66?"
Tian Meng's voice echoed in his mind, filled with exasperation. "You should be content. Your ultimate martial spirit naturally cultivates slower than others, yet you're already level 66 at just 15 years old. That's unheard of. No one might ever reach this cultivation speed again!"
Xiao Qiang thought for a moment and nodded. "That's true."
He immersed his consciousness into his spiritual sea, gazing at Tian Meng, Bing Di, Silver Wolf, and now the new twin spirit from the Other Shore.
"By the way, can you two transform your forms after becoming soul spirits? It's kind of weird seeing you like this all the time."
Silver Wolf nodded. Thanks to absorbing a part of Tian Meng's origin, she had also become a 100,000-year soul spirit and could now speak fluent human language. "Yes, but I don't know what form to take."
"Same here," the twin spirit added, shifting fluidly between red and blue.
Xiao Qiang smiled and offered a suggestion. "If you don't know, then I'll decide for you."
He envisioned Silver Wolf from Star Rail and Xi'er from Honkai Impact 3rd—White Xi and Black Xi, matching the twin butterfly's dual forms.
Both spirits agreed without hesitation, transforming into adorable loli avatars. And just like that, Xiao Qiang gained two more lively companions in his spiritual sea.
After settling everything, he turned his attention to his new sixth soul skill.
Illusionary Sea Dream – Pulls oneself or others into a consciousness space. Everything in that space is controlled by the caster, and time flows differently compared to reality.
Xiao Qiang stared at the skill description. "…???"
"This is literally Tsukuyomi!"
In the past, thanks to his Sharingan's illusion talent and Tian Meng's enhancement, he could barely simulate a weaker version of Tsukuyomi. But now, with the help of this soul skill, he could wield a full illusion realm without exhausting himself.
"Not bad at all," he muttered. "And the other soul skill… Night Demon?"
Activating it, he immediately felt his strength and speed double.
A powerful amplification-type skill. While the boost isn't outrageous in percentage, its true strength lies in its duration. Similar to the White Tiger Vajra Transformation, but more comprehensive in attribute enhancement, albeit with lesser percentage values.
Xiao Qiang then took out the soul bone dropped by the twin butterfly. "Let's see what this one can do."
Tian Meng responded, "That soul bone grants Demonic Yin Body and Soul Transformation. It's also a percentage-based boost, like Karma Demon, but this one trades duration for explosive power. Stronger, but shorter."
"Also, be careful. If your willpower is weak, you'll be consumed by the Demonic Yin energy."
Xiao Qiang remained silent for a moment. "…I understand."
He glanced at the Snow Emperor. Since the soul bone carried a risk of mental erosion, Xiao Qiang had no intention of absorbing it himself—nor would he let his sister touch it. Nana and Mu Qingxue already had complicated feelings toward one another, and adding unpredictable power like this into the mix could only end badly.
"Xue Di," Xiao Qiang called. "Do you want to try absorbing it? The soul beasts in the Soul Ascension Platform during the Douluo Four period absorbed soul bones, so maybe it's possible for you too. If this boosts your percentage stats, your strength could rise to another level."
Without hesitation, he handed over the Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone and the Demonic Yin Soul Bone to her.
The Snow Emperor took both and began absorbing them.
The Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone caused no issues, and its energy merged smoothly with her. However, as she absorbed the soul bone of the twin from the Other Shore, her serene blue eyes turned crimson, and her calm, cold aura shifted to something more dangerous and unstable.
Xiao Qiang's eye twitched. "…Is she going berserk?"
His expression froze as he sensed the change in aura.
A demonic Snow Emperor… was probably not on his to-do list today.