"Fall!"

"BOOM!"

After the tremendous roar, the pitch-black Sea of Souls was once again filled with the dust of Mu Chen’s shattered soul. Having overcome the mental pressure and agony of the first time, his Soul Body reformed quickly and without any hindrance. The moment he was whole again, Mu Chen frowned, took a few deep breaths, and gave a wry smile. "This... This pain really isn’t something an ordinary person can endure. Damn, that hurts."

Clutching his chest, Mu Chen could sense with his phantom limbs that his body was growing more substantial. ’This feeling... it’s amazing. It’s a fundamental transformation of my soul.’

’The Senluo Saint... What a terrifying man, to create a method so thoroughly Defying the Heavens. It’s no wonder the gods wanted to destroy him. If he had continued his research, he might have even broken through the three higher, sealed Spirit Realms of humanity.’

After a moment of reflection, Mu Chen felt the pain had subsided enough, so he shouted again. Hearing the call, the Snow Qilin once more controlled the giant hammer with its will, bringing it crashing down. With a surprised cry, the Snow Qilin said, "Father’s soul defense has gotten stronger again. At this rate, I’ll have to increase my power. Otherwise, I’m not sure I’ll be able to shatter his soul next time."

"BOOM!"

Another roar shook Mu Chen’s Sea of Souls. Meanwhile, in the Outer Realm, Feng Shanshan had already regained consciousness. She suddenly heard a heaven-shaking roar emanating from Mu Chen’s mind, and her mouth fell open as she stared at him in astonishment.

"Mirror Spirit, he... what’s happening to him?"

The front of Mu Chen’s white robes was stained red with blood he had coughed up earlier, which had long since dried. His complexion, however, was unusually rosy, and he looked to be brimming with spiritual energy.

The Mirror Spirit stared at the increasingly solid and bright Soul Rune between Mu Chen’s brows and said solemnly, "Just what is this kid’s background?"

Feng Shanshan paused. "I already told you. He’s my fiancé."

"Fiancé?" The Soul Mirror Spirit took a deep breath. "In other words, he’s a friend?"

Feng Shanshan glanced at Mu Chen and nodded firmly. "He’s a friend."

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit took a deep breath and looked at Feng Shanshan with a hint of reproach. "It’s good that he’s a friend. And stop saying he’s your fiancé. Do you really take me for a fool? You think I can’t tell whether or not two people are a couple? I may not have been in a relationship, but I have loved before. I know what it feels like to fall for someone." As it spoke, the Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit shifted its gaze back to Mu Chen and noticed that the Soul Engraving between his brows had brightened. It said gravely, "It’s a good thing this kid is a friend. Otherwise, I genuinely considered killing him just now."

"You considered killing him?" Stunned, Feng Shanshan’s figure flashed, and in an instant, she appeared in front of Mu Chen, shielding him with her body. "Mirror Spirit, what are you trying to do?"

Seeing her reaction, the Soul Mirror Spirit’s heart skipped a beat. "Whoa, whoa, whoa... Calm down. I only said I considered it, not that I was actually going to do it. Besides, didn’t you say he’s a friend? In that case, not only will I not kill him, but I’ll also help him. And to be blunt, if I really wanted to kill him, you wouldn’t be able to stop me."

Feng Shanshan realized it was true and asked doubtfully, "Why would you even think that, Mirror Spirit? Did Mu Chen do something to anger you?"

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit rubbed its nose and gave a wry smile. "He’s lost in his own Sea of Souls right now, how could he possibly anger me? Just take a look between his brows. As someone from the Ninghun Family, you should know what that is."

Feng Shanshan turned to look, her expression one of utter shock. "That—That’s a Soul Engraving! Heavens! How does he have a Soul Engraving?!"

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit shrugged helplessly. "First, he’s clearly not a Spiritual Martial Artist, so he wouldn’t even know what a Soul Engraving is. Second, even if he did, he would never attempt to create one at his current Spiritual Realm. So... you get the picture."

Dumbfounded, Feng Shanshan rubbed her eyes. After confirming she wasn’t seeing an Illusion, she murmured, "It’s real... Don’t tell me he engraved his soul at the very moment it was being shattered?"

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit nodded. "I don’t understand the specifics, but from the looks of it, that seems to be the case."

"That’s even possible...?"

Feng Shanshan sank down dejectedly, no longer even paying attention to the continuous booming sounds coming from Mu Chen’s mind. "Now I finally understand why you wanted to kill him, Mirror Spirit. Even I’m incredibly jealous."

"Right? Is he even human? He’s a monster. And isn’t this first tempering session going on for a bit too long? Does he just not feel the pain from his soul being destroyed? Or is this kid just a block of wood, completely numb?" The Soul Mirror Spirit glanced at the setting sun, then sensed Mu Chen’s Spirit Realm. "He’s already compressed it down to the Early Stage of the Kan Realm. To reach such a state after just the first round of tempering... It seems I’ve underestimated him. A guy like this will one day stand at the very peak of this continent. Little girl."

Hearing the Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit call her, Feng Shanshan looked back blankly. "What is it?"

"Do you like him?"

"Uh..." Feng Shanshan was taken aback by the sudden question and didn’t know how to answer. ’Like him? I’ve only known him for less than seven days, and I spent five of those in bed.’ She looked at Mu Chen’s handsome and resolute face, frowning. ’He looks so frail, but he’s immensely powerful. And think about it, could any ordinary person just whip up the waters of Moonlight Lake with Rotational Force?’

"Do I hate him?" Feng Shanshan carefully considered her own feelings, then shook her head. "I don’t think so."

That was Feng Shanshan’s instinctive answer. The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit hummed. "If you don’t hate him, that means you like him."

"...Is that how it works?" Feng Shanshan had never experienced such feelings before, and her eyes were filled with confusion. "Then I guess I do like him. But he seems to already have a partner who’s as beautiful as a Fairy, and besides, he doesn’t like me."

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit smiled. "And does that bother you?"

Feng Shanshan thought for a moment. "A little. But if he liked me a lot, then maybe I wouldn’t mind."

"As long as you like him and are willing to try, who can say how things will end? But this young man is destined for greatness, and he probably has no time for romance right now. That being the case, why don’t you train with me from now on? Though I am only a Spirit Body, my understanding of Spiritual Power is identical to my master’s. Everything he knew, I know. And while I can never surpass his original ideas, I can use the theories I possess to guide you to become a peak Spiritual Martial Artist. When that day comes, perhaps destiny will give you a real chance to be together," the Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit said softly, gazing into the distance.

Having reached the Middle Stage of the Kun Realm in her Spiritual Realm at such a young age, Feng Shanshan was incredibly sharp. She understood the Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit’s meaning almost instantly.

"Master, please accept this disciple’s bow." Feng Shanshan knelt respectfully and performed a deep, sincere bow.

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit smiled faintly. It was a gesture it had to accept. After she finished, the Spirit gently lifted her to her feet. With a flip of its hand, it produced an ancient mirror that radiated a divine charm. "Now that the formalities are over, your Master doesn’t have much to give you as a welcoming gift. This Soul Concentration Mirror has been sitting here for thirty thousand years, practically buried by that scoundrel Changkong. Since you are fated to find it, you should be the one to bond with it."

Feng Shanshan quickly shook her head. "Mirror—I mean, Master, I can’t do that! The Soul Concentration Mirror has always been the symbol of the Clan Leader. How could I possibly bond with it?"

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit rolled its eyes. "Symbol of the Clan Leader? Did they ever ask me? I *am* the Soul Concentration Mirror. I’ll decide what happens to my own body. Now hurry up and bond with it. Refuse again and you’ll be disobeying your Master. Do you intend to betray your Master and bring dishonor to your ancestors?"

Frightened by its words, Feng Shanshan quickly waved her hands. "No, of course not! I’ll bond with it then... But what happens when the Clan Leader finds out?"

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit snorted. "That’s none of his damn business. You just do the bonding; I’ll handle everything else. Besides, if I don’t allow it, not even the Clan Leader could hope to bond with the Soul Concentration Mirror."

Seeing no way out of it, Feng Shanshan obediently walked up to the Soul Mirror, bit her already-healed finger, and let a drop of crimson blood fall onto it.

DRIP. The drop of blood was instantly absorbed by the face of the Soul Concentration Mirror. Immediately, the mirror’s surface lit up as if struck by red lightning. The blood spread rapidly, transforming into fine crimson threads that traced every rune on the mirror. Then, with a clear CHIME, the Soul Concentration Mirror unleashed an immeasurable radiance. As if brought to life, it rose into the air and began to circle rapidly around Feng Shanshan.

"What a strange feeling... It’s like I’ve become one with the Soul Concentration Mirror," Feng Shanshan said, a beautiful smile gracing her lips as she watched the mirror bobbing and circling around her.

The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit laughed. "Of course it is. It was your soul that bonded with the Soul Concentration Mirror, and there is no connection more intimate than the merging of souls."

"RUMBLE!"

Just then, a massive roar echoed from within the space. The Soul Condensing Mirror Spirit and Feng Shanshan both whipped their heads around toward the source of the sound.

But the moment they turned, three dazzling beams of white light erupted from that very spot, completely blinding them...