"Is it you?"
The massive spiritual entity of Professor Sulo clearly recognized Chen Xiang, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. He could sense that this seemingly insignificant young man had yet to step into the realm of the extraordinary, yet the size of his spiritual entity was nearly comparable to the top extraordinary beings, just shy of that of a sage!
"Sulo," Chen Xiang awkwardly manipulated his spiritual form and waved, greeting the professor. His gaze sharpened; was the ancient altar indeed within this figure?
Sulo walked over, staring at the trembling Disaster Bull, and exclaimed, "I can't believe it! To see a legendary Disaster Bull here! It seems to be raised in the Spirit Realm."
"Spirit Realm?"
Chen Xiang's heart stirred as he surveyed his surroundings. The mist hung thickly in the air, and the sound of waves lapping against the shore could be heard in the distance. Above, the sunset was still lingering, while the moon was already rising.
"Is this really the Spirit Realm?"
"Exactly," Sulo nodded with a smile. "More precisely, this area corresponds to the bar in the Nine Rings. The Spirit Realm and reality overlap, just like the landscape there is indistinguishable from here, had the Great City not been built."
Chen Xiang pondered this, controlling his spiritual form to exhale. The mist around him dispersed, and he stood still, gazing into the distance at an extremely tall mountain.
Turning his attention back to the trembling Disaster Bull, he rubbed his hands together, "So, are we going to take this bull down?"
The Disaster Bull's legs buckled, and it collapsed onto the ground with a low moan: "Moo! Moo moo moo!"
Sulo chuckled, saying, "We can't take this one down; there are only two Disaster Bulls left in existence. One belongs to the monarch of the Eastern Hong Kingdom, and the other is in the Fallen Nation. This should be the third—unexpectedly the third."
Chen Xiang frowned. "Endangered or not, this guy has probably swallowed countless souls…"
"Not quite 'swallowed'," Sulo examined the massive red bull carefully. "The souls it has absorbed are stored in its stomach, still alive, but due to the unique properties of the Disaster Bull's stomach, the souls produce a precious essence that allows it to continuously grow stronger. However..."
He paused, seeming to contemplate. "This Disaster Bull appears a bit too weak; it seems all the essence it produced has been taken by its owner. Quite interesting."
"Moo! Moo moo!" The Disaster Bull nodded vigorously.
Chen Xiang grew intrigued. "If we were to release the souls, would they be able to live?"
"Depends on whether their physical bodies are still intact. Those whose souls have been extracted don't die; they become either 'Soulless'—acting only on instinct—or in a vegetative state. If the body remains, the soul can return without issue; if it's gone..."
Sulo shook his head. "Then they can only become wandering spirits."
Chen Xiang scrutinized the red bull, seemingly recalling something, and asked thoughtfully, "Professor Sulo, based on what you just said, isn't the Disaster Bull like a factory, and the souls it devours are like its employees?"
"That's one way to look at it."
Sulo calmly approached, towering over the Disaster Bull. "The essence produced by the Disaster Bull is extremely valuable, but by the time people discover this, the Disaster Bull has already become endangered. It's too effective at killing."
"What's the use of the essence of the soul?"
"It's naturally used to enhance one's own soul essence... The essence of the soul is different from the spiritual body. The spiritual body is merely the shell; the essence is the true inner being."
As he spoke, Sulo glanced at Chen Xiang. "For instance, you—though I don't know how you've grown your spiritual will to this extent, I can sense that your soul essence remains quite weak."
Seizing the opportunity, Chen Xiang pressed on with his inquiries. "What benefits come with a powerful soul essence?"
"Oh, there are many."
Sulo didn't seem annoyed; he smiled as he explained. "It affects the affinity with the universe and one's own limits. If you were to become a god, the soul essence would also relate to the structure of divine realms and kingdoms. Furthermore, if you reach a level where you can wield authority, the strength of your soul essence directly correlates with the extent of that authority..."
Authority?
Chen Xiang's heart stirred.
After a moment of thought, Professor Sulo continued, "You might not believe what I'm about to say, but just keep it as a reference... Assuming the ancient sovereigns truly existed, do you know why they have never descended?"
Chen Xiang abruptly raised his head, his gaze intense. "Professor Sulo, I don't know."
"Truthfully, I don't know either. However, I've perused numerous ancient texts, encountered many forbidden objects, and conversed with them to seek knowledge. Ultimately, I reached a conclusion."
Sulo's expression grew solemn. "The Outer Gods and the Three Pillars have consumed the soul essences of the ancient sovereigns, feasting upon the essence of the Emperor Titan, stealing their authority, and then imprisoning them in subspace. Without their soul essences, the ancients have lost their power and cannot break free from this subspace prison."
After a pause, Sulo turned to Chen Xiang, "Do you think what I said is absurd? Don't worry; I'm not from the Old Council. What I speak of is just a fragment of real ancient history."
Chen Xiang clenched his fists, recalling the visions from his dreams. Suddenly, he asked, "Professor Sulo, what happens if someone loses their soul essence?"
"If they lose it completely? They forget everything, become confused and blurred—essentially, their IQ drops to zero," Sulo replied nonchalantly. "In ancient times, such beings retained some essence, allowing a trace of existence. I once spoke to one of the ancients; their voice still echoes in my mind, not insane... I know you don't believe me, and if you want to report me, go ahead, but please wait until my lecture starts."
"I believe you."
Chen Xiang raised his head, hesitating momentarily before making a decision. "Messenger of the Ancients, Chen Xiang, greets Professor Sulo."
Sulo suddenly turned, astonished. "You're one of the council members?!"
Chen Xiang nodded firmly, channeling the ancient aura of dusk from deep within, wrapping himself in the essence of the olden days.
Sulo sensed the familiar scent from the altar and stared at Chen Xiang, a smile breaking across his face. "Good, very good... What a coincidence!"
His laughter grew louder. "I've searched for you for so long, but you were hidden too well. I never expected to find one of you at the last moment!"
Chen Xiang was confused. "Professor Sulo, I don't understand what you mean..."
Sulo patted Chen Xiang's shoulder heavily. "You must attend Lecture 18. No matter what happens, don't panic. After it's all over, wait ten days, return to the Nine Rings, and go to the apartment building beside Saint Luo Square to retrieve something from the basement."
Chen Xiang frowned. "Professor Sulo, I truly don't understand your meaning."
Sulo's expression turned serious as he spoke solemnly, "You don't need to understand; just follow my instructions. I'll expose the false history and reveal the truth... Remember, wait until ten days after the lecture to go to that basement."
With that, he resumed his usual cheerful demeanor. "Now, it would be a shame to kill this Disaster Bull. If the timing were different, I would've taken it... but now, it's your good fortune."
Chen Xiang's eyes widened. "You mean...?"
"It will follow me, but it won't live long. Even if it survives, it will be taken by others... Try to subdue it. As for its owner, I will handle that."
Sulo pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I can't be too close to you; it might put you in danger... Instead, I'll secretly assist you in dealing with its original owner."
Chen Xiang furrowed his brow. What did Sulo mean by putting him in danger? There was an air of fatalism in the professor's words... what was his true intent?
After a moment, Chen Xiang gazed at the trembling red bull and suddenly asked, "Professor, what level is its owner?"
Sulo placed his massive spiritual hand on the Disaster Bull's head, sensing its aura. "Not high—just a first-step extraordinary being in the secret path. But you won't be able to handle it. I'll help you first..."
"I can give it a try." Chen Xiang lowered his gaze. "If I can't win, I'll rely on you, Professor Sulo."
Sulo looked at him in surprise. "Give it a try? Are you being reckless? Your spiritual will is indeed strong, but before an extraordinary being..."
Chen Xiang thought for a moment and smiled. "The Nine Rings is chaotic, and Great City is also chaotic, with endless troubles. I despise complications... I've heard an ancient saying: 'One punch to open the way saves a hundred punches to come.' If I can confront that extraordinary being now, perhaps I can avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble..."
Sulo remained perplexed, sighing. "You've never faced an extraordinary being, have you? The gap between the extraordinary and the non-extraordinary is a true chasm. Oh, you... Very well, if you want to try, then try."
"Thank you, Professor Sulo."
"Alright, I'll take the Disaster Bull with me. You should return now."
With a puff, Sulo blew air, and Chen Xiang's massive spiritual entity lifted into the wind. As his vision blurred, he found himself back in the bar, his ethereal, invisible spirit floating above, drifting toward his own physical body nearby.
He passed through the bodies of people without form, sending chills through them as he went.
A moment later, Chen Xiang glided through the body of Li Xiaotong, who was anxiously supporting his own physical form.
He froze, experiencing a surreal vision he had never encountered before.