Chaotic Soul Clouds! . . .
Erhuo had an epiphany, though it remained irate about the situation. Regardless of its anger, it felt compelled to relay the information to Cha Eun Xiao. Using a combination of gestures and vocalizations, Erhuo succeeded in conveying its newfound insights. Cha Eun Xiao, having spent considerable time with Erhuo, quickly grasped the implications.
For those unacquainted with the intricacies, the situation could indeed appear formidable. Sometimes, even the most intricate puzzles require the keen eyes of an expert to be unraveled. Although Cha Eun Xiao was unfamiliar with the enigmatic red and white clouds, he was fortunate to have Erhuo, a specialist in such matters, by his side. Erhuo had essentially unraveled the majority of the secrets concerning these peculiar clouds.
"This is the Sky Soul Power Aura, an extremely rare phenomenon," Erhuo began to explain. "This place is akin to a hellish realm within the human world. It has an innate influence on the human soul."
"People below the Dao Origin Stage, who have not cultivated any martial arts to fortify their souls, risk having their souls shattered and becoming feeble-minded. Some may even succumb instantly, with their souls fragmented. While Dao Origin Stage cultivators possess stronger souls than the average populace, they are still defenseless against this power aura."
"The closer they venture toward the core of these clouds, the more potent the influence becomes. If anyone draws near, even a supremely powerful Dao Origin Stage cultivator would see their soul vanquished in an instant."
"This power aura came into being for a reason. Over an incredibly lengthy period, countless superior cultivators once battled in this place. Many perished, and their residual soul power became an intrinsic part of this extraordinary aura. Over time, this power aggregated and transformed into these unique clouds. Crafting such clouds is no simple feat, illustrating the immense power they contain. It exceeds the tolerance of any Qing-Yun Realm cultivators."
Cha Eun Xiao was left dumbfounded. "Heavens above! Is it truly that overwhelming? Those cultivators... who died here... how powerful were they? Dao Origin Stage level nine... similar to the individuals at the Cold Moon Palace... were they strong enough?"
Erhuo, in a condescending manner, directed a disdainful gaze at Cha Eun Xiao. With a swift motion of its paw, it vocalized, "Meow... Pooooh!"
It even mimicked the sound of flatulence. The implied message was clear: "Those individuals you believe are strong enough are mere inconsequential emissions when compared to the beings who perished here, their power contributing to this magnificent aura. Your words are akin to fart..."
Cha Eun Xiao found himself temporarily silenced by this response. He had nearly suggested himself as a point of reference, and Erhuo's ensuing humiliation would have been unbearable. Indeed, he possessed a modicum of strength exceeding that of the individuals at the Cold Moon Palace. If they were comparable to mere flatulence, he feared he might be considered something even more pungent.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Cha Eun Xiao questioned Erhuo. "Wait... the ancient souls you mentioned... are they still present? Are they conscious?"
This was a pivotal concern. If these souls were still active, they could potentially engulf him without delay. Moreover, he was most concerned about Brother Li. If the souls were still sentient, then Brother Li's soul could still linger after his physical demise.
The concept of life and death, of the soul and the body, was exceedingly intricate.
Erhuo, in response, repeated a series of meows and gestures. Its message was plain: How could soul power possess consciousness? The souls present here had resided for thousands of years, and they had since merged into a state of chaos. Should they retain consciousness, the outcome would be horrendous. It was implausible for these souls to possess individual awareness within the cloud.
Cha Eun Xiao was puzzled by this term "chaotic soul clouds." It was the first time he had encountered such a concept. Erhuo proceeded to enlighten him.
"Yes, after numerous superlative cultivators perished, their souls lingered in this realm, unable to immediately transition to samsara due to their formidable power. Over the years, these souls underwent a peculiar transformation, converting into pure soul power. With time, this power amassed into what we now see as chaotic soul clouds. In essence, these clouds originated from the souls of countless preeminent cultivators."
Erhuo seemed to have developed an appetite for these formidable souls, expressing its covetousness. Cha Eun Xiao, meanwhile, grappled with the enormity of the revelation.
"How many powerful cultivators would it require to create such an immense mass of clouds?" He gazed upon the boundless red and white clouds, his body trembling with trepidation.
"Consider the expanse of these clouds here... I estimate it took no less than one hundred thousand formidable cultivators to yield such an abundance..." Erhuo waved its tail.
"One hundred thousand? One hundred thousand souls from mighty cultivators?" Cha Eun Xiao breathed deeply, profoundly shocked by the staggering number.
As per Erhuo's explanation, even Xiao Monarch, a top-tier Dao Origin Stage cultivator, was deemed to be a mere "fart" in comparison to these superlative figures. This revelation led Cha Eun Xiao to contemplate the strength of these cultivators of yore. If a thousand formidable cultivators had perished in this place...
Cha Eun Xiao was awe-struck by the staggering number of souls involved. He couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Why have these clouds manifested in the Qing-Yun Realm? Even if these exceptional cultivators had met their demise, it seems implausible that they would all end up in our realm. While it's reasonable to assume that one or two might make their way here, the presence of one hundred thousand in the Qing-Yun Realm seems implausible. It defies logic."
His trust in Erhuo was unwavering. If anyone else had presented this story, he would have dismissed it outright.
Erhuo let out a meow, indicating its ignorance of the truth. It gazed at Cha Eun Xiao as though seeking answers, its gestures betraying its frustration.
A lightbulb moment arrived for Cha Eun Xiao. He asked, "Can you absorb these clouds?"
Erhuo nodded enthusiastically. "Meow!"
In response to Cha Eun Xiao's nonchalant gesture, Erhuo appeared to regain its sense of arrogance. It queried, "Will this be beneficial for me?"
"Meow!"
"In that case, what are you waiting for? Go ahead. It's all yours!" Cha Eun Xiao waved his hand casually, a rare display of generosity.
Erhuo, bewildered by this uncharacteristic act of kindness from its master, gazed at Cha Eun Xiao in disbelief, offering a meow as if to confirm, "Really?"