The moment the soul ring locked onto the Soul Refining Banner, a fierce torrent of energy surged through the banner and into Jiang Jue's body. The overwhelming force, like a flood breaching a dam, flooded his entire being in an instant.
As this energy coursed through him, it grew even hotter, like flames licking every inch of his skin and scorching his internal organs. Jiang Jue trembled violently under the intense burning sensation.
Hold on!
Jiang Jue gritted his teeth, mustering his soul power and attempting to guide this immense energy. He worked to disperse it into smaller streams, steadily breaking down its aggressive force.
Time passed second by second. Gradually, the violent energy calmed, transforming into pure soul power.
Jiang Jue guided this energy to nourish the meridians that had been battered moments ago. His body, previously aching with a fiery pain, now felt as though it were being soothed by a refreshing spring breeze, bringing great relief.
The waves of comfort revitalized Jiang Jue's spirit.
Nearby, Zhang Peng stood beside Jiang Jue, observing his reddened skin slowly return to its normal shade. A glimmer of relief appeared in Zhang Peng's eyes.
"Crack!"
A sudden, bone-cracking noise rang out.
Zhang Peng's expression shifted, and he quickly checked Jiang Jue's condition. However, he was relieved to find Jiang Jue breathing steadily without any abnormal changes.
"Enforcer Zhang, don't worry. I think this kid is about to wake up."
Turning toward the voice, Zhang Peng saw Masked Douluo gnawing on half a demonic crow, casually munching on its brain.
The cracking sound just now had come from Masked Douluo's meal.
"Get lost! Don't come near me!"
Zhang Peng shot him a glare before turning his attention back to Jiang Jue.
At this moment, however, Jiang Jue furrowed his brows tightly.
A being that should have perished—the Evil Eye—suddenly appeared within Jiang Jue's spiritual sea.
At the last moment, the Evil Eye had activated its race's innate ability, hiding most of its consciousness within the soul ring. It had done so for this very moment—revenge.
"Human! Die!"
The Evil Eye, filled with endless hatred and resentment, brandished its spectral tentacles and charged at Jiang Jue.
"In my spiritual world, you dare act this way?"
"How presumptuous!"
Jiang Jue waved his hand, summoning the Soul Refining Banner. It flew into his grasp, and with a swift motion, he unleashed it toward the remnant spirit of the Evil Eye.
What suppresses soul entities the most? The Soul Refining Banner provides the answer.
Before the Evil Eye could even reach Jiang Jue, it was enveloped by black energy swirling from the banner. The sinister energy wrapped around it tightly, dragging it bit by bit toward the banner's dark maw, rendering it completely powerless.
"No!"
The Evil Eye's agonized scream echoed as it was drawn into the Soul Refining Banner. Immediately after, a surge of pure spiritual energy infused Jiang Jue's spiritual world.
Jiang Jue felt his spiritual world become noticeably more solid and robust.
"It's time to finish this."
With a quiet incantation, Jiang Jue withdrew his consciousness and returned to his body.
His eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes, feeling the changes within his body.
His soul power had surged to level thirteen, now brimming and abundant. His meridians pulsed powerfully, and even his skin appeared smoother and glowed with a faint red sheen.
This was all thanks to Jiang Jue spreading the force throughout his body. If he had recklessly focused solely on breaking through, he might have reached level fourteen.
However, Jiang Jue understood the importance of a solid foundation. Advancing too quickly would only destabilize future cultivation.
"How's it? What's your first soul skill like?"
Masked Douluo leaned toward Jiang Jue, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
Zhang Peng frowned. In the world of soul masters, asking about another's soul skill without permission was taboo and easily invited hostility.
But Zhang Peng remained silent, as he was also intrigued. What would result from the collision of a top-tier mental-type soul beast and a supreme evil martial spirit?
Jiang Jue did not keep them guessing.
"My first soul skill—Tide of Evil Spirits!"
The Soul Refining Banner in Jiang Jue's hand emitted a low hum as a cloud of black mist began to spread. It drifted from his side, rapidly expanding outward.
The mist emanated subtle mental waves. It obscured vision and blocked spiritual senses. Within a three-meter radius, visibility with the naked eye was less than half a foot.
"This… is that it? Just this?"
Masked Douluo's uncertain voice came from within the dark fog. Zhang Peng also seemed puzzled.
Though the mist had decent obscuring properties, it hardly matched the prestige of a top-tier soul beast like the Evil Eye.
"This is just the beginning."
A sly smile appeared on Jiang Jue's lips as he poured more soul power into the Soul Refining Banner.
As his voice fell, a pitch-black silhouette emerged from the mist—it was the Evil Eye, now fully subdued by Jiang Jue.
The once-defiant creature now bowed respectfully to Jiang Jue, devoid of any prior hatred.
The reason was simple: upon entering the Soul Refining Banner, it had been branded with Jiang Jue's mark.
In other words, this Evil Eye now completely belonged to Jiang Jue.
"Elder Yue, would you like to test my first soul skill?"
As Jiang Jue's words faded, the Evil Eye waved its spectral arms, stirring the previously scattered mist. The fog became restless, surging like crashing tides.
Masked Douluo frowned as he felt the mist persistently brush against his body. Some tendrils of mist even sought to burrow into his skin.
"Interesting."
He muttered and deliberately relaxed his defenses, allowing the black mist to invade his body.
He did not believe that a newly advanced one-ring soul master could harm him in the spiritual domain.
Sensing this vulnerability, the Evil Eye accelerated its efforts, sending more mist into Masked Douluo's body. The surrounding fog visibly thinned.
The Evil Eye itself disintegrated into a dense cloud of black mist, which also entered Masked Douluo's body.
"Now the real show begins."
Holding the banner in one hand, Jiang Jue made a fist with the other and uttered a single word:
"Explode!"
In an instant, Masked Douluo felt the previously dormant mist within his body turn chaotic.
Dizziness, fatigue, weakness, sluggishness, depression, and fear all surged through his mind.
Masked Douluo snorted coldly, using his powerful mental strength to block these negative effects from advancing any further.
"Huh?"
He noticed that the mist, thwarted in one attempt, began racing toward his dantian, where his soul core resided.
The black mist, carried by his blood, moved quickly and soon gathered near his half-silver, half-green soul core, transforming into a miniature Evil Eye.
The tiny Evil Eye raised its arm and struck toward the soul core.
"Enough!"
Masked Douluo's sharp voice cut through the air. Nine soul rings appeared beneath his feet, and his soul power manifested into countless writhing worms that sought to expel the mist from his body.
Most of the black mist was instantly forced out. Yet a small portion clung stubbornly inside him, like adhesive, continuously consuming both his spiritual and soul power.
Though minuscule, the depletion was undeniable.
Just as Masked Douluo prepared to unleash a soul skill, the black mist voluntarily withdrew from his body.
"Elder Yue, I concede."
Jiang Jue's voice echoed softly.
Masked Douluo's expression shifted briefly before he looked at Jiang Jue with newfound appreciation.
You're a sensible kid.
The two exchanged a knowing smile, understanding each other without words.
Jiang Jue knew when to back down. He had sensed that Masked Douluo was about to get serious. There was no point in pushing further—he wasn't foolish enough to risk that.
Moreover, he had already reaped significant benefits from this test.
Even though the absorbed soul power and spiritual energy were only a fraction of Masked Douluo's might, a fraction from a titled Douluo was still immense.
The Evil Eye, having reformed outside the fog, now appeared noticeably more solid.
"Your soul skill is practically divine among those of the same rank!"
Masked Douluo spoke slowly.
"It's only because Elder Yue went easy on me."
Jiang Jue replied earnestly.
He meant every word. If Masked Douluo had maintained his defenses, the black mist wouldn't have even breached his body, let alone caused harm.
Furthermore, if Masked Douluo truly wished to eradicate the mist, he wouldn't have needed to expel it. His vast mental strength alone would have sufficed.
This wasn't merely going easy—it was a complete concession.
"How strong is it?"
Zhang Peng approached and asked.
"Very strong. Ask this kid for details."
Zhang Peng turned to Jiang Jue, who pondered briefly before explaining:
"My soul skill is like a mutated version of the Evil Eye race's innate ability—Mental Field."
"It suppresses anyone whose mental strength is lower than mine. Depending on their cultivation and mental strength, they may experience different negative statuses."
"But Elder Yue is right—this is only effective against those of the same rank. Against opponents with superior mental strength, its impact diminishes significantly."
"What sets it apart from the Mental Field is that the Evil Eye can control the mist, sending it into an enemy's body to inflict damage."
"This… this really is a divine skill!"
Zhang Peng exclaimed in shock.
Jiang Jue, however, withheld one crucial point—the soul skill would grow stronger as the number of spirits within the Soul Refining Banner increased.
This was a growth-type soul skill!
(End of Chapter)