Chapter 619: War Soul Body

“Alright, the champion and runner-up have been decided. Now, let’s proceed with the competition for the remaining ranks…”

After calming the excited crowd, Master Hong continued to organize the competition. So far, only the first and second places had been determined; the remaining ranks from third to tenth still needed to be contested. With the earlier spectacular matches, the crowd’s interest in the subsequent competitions waned. After another hour, the top ten of this Master Teacher Tournament were finally decided.

Wei Changqing, who had suffered a crushing defeat against Zhang Xuan, performed exceptionally well in the remaining matches and successfully entered the top ten. Qin Lei, who had been eliminated by Young Master Ruohuan, also shone brightly in his subsequent matches, securing ninth place. In truth, had it not been for Zhang Xuan’s assistance, he would have likely ranked in the top five. Nevertheless, securing ninth place still guaranteed him a spot at the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, making the journey worthwhile.

“Master Zhang, here are your rewards!”

Once the rankings were confirmed, the awards ceremony began. The first-place winner received a high-grade spirit stone, an opportunity to study at the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, and three days of cultivation at the Cleansing Pool. As he handed the rewards to Zhang Xuan, Master Hong’s voice transmission echoed in Zhang Xuan’s ear: “Master Zhang, the high-grade spirit stone was personally bestowed upon the first-place winner by Hall Master Mo Gaoyuan…”

Hall Master Mo, wishing to show goodwill, naturally wanted the recipient to know; otherwise, his efforts would be in vain. Only then did Zhang Xuan realize. No wonder this year’s tournament rewards were more generous than previous years; the reason lay here! In fact, it wasn’t hard to figure out. Given the astonishing abilities displayed by “Master Yang,” it was not surprising that Hall Master Mo intended to curry favor. However, this was for the best for him. This was a high-grade spirit stone, worth ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones. If it weren’t for appearances, he would have long since opened the jade box to examine it closely. Putting away all the rewards, Zhang Xuan was filled with excitement and exhilaration. With this item, his future cultivation would be much simpler, and he wouldn’t have to worry about spiritual energy or finances anymore.

“Alright, this Master Teacher Tournament has concluded successfully. Those who made it into the top ten, please come with me to the Phantasm Feather Empire tomorrow to receive your commendations and claim your opportunity to cultivate in the Cleansing Pool!” Master Hong announced, looking around after the awards ceremony.

“Leaving tomorrow?”“So soon?”“It’s not really that urgent, but the Phantasm Feather Empire is over a million kilometers from here. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the opening of the Cleansing Pool, and that would be a disaster!”“That’s true. The Cleansing Pool opens at the beginning of each year, and there’s less than a month left. If we don’t speed up, we really won’t make it…”

Although everyone was surprised to hear Master Hong say they would leave tomorrow, they understood his reasoning. The Cleansing Pool was the Phantasm Feather Empire’s most precious treasure and a pillar of their nation, opening only once every ten years. There wasn’t much time left until its opening, and if they missed it, no one could compensate for the loss.

“Alright, everyone go back and prepare. We depart tomorrow at noon!” Master Hong waved his hand. The tournament had continued until late into the night, leaving less than a day for everyone to prepare.

“I should also prepare!” Zhang Xuan also stood up. He had many things to attend to, and a single day was indeed quite tight.

“Hall Master Kang, thank you for your care during this time. This is a cultivation technique my teacher specially wrote for you. If you cultivate according to it, you should be able to break through to the Spirit Unification Realm!” With a flick of his wrist, a book appeared in his palm, which Zhang Xuan handed over.

He owed a great deal to Hall Master Kang’s care during this period, especially regarding the Ice Origin Palace. Without his connections, Zhang Xuan wouldn’t have been able to make his soul so powerful, successfully split it in two, consolidate his clone, or create Zhao Ya’s fortunate encounter. It could be said that Hall Master Kang had helped him immensely. Therefore, during this time, Zhang Xuan had specially compiled a cultivation method suited for him, based on his deficiencies. As long as he cultivated systematically, breaking through to the Spirit Unification Realm would only be a matter of time.

“Breaking through to Spirit Unification? Written by Master Yang?” Hall Master Kang’s breathing immediately quickened, and his eyes reddened. Master Yang was a suspected eight-star master teacher; receiving his guidance was an incredible stroke of luck, a blessing across three lifetimes. Furthermore, he had even specially written a cultivation method for him—this favor was simply too immense!

*Thump!* With his knees buckling, Hall Master Kang knelt to the ground, solemnly kowtowing eight times towards Zhang Xuan’s residence before standing up.

“Master Su, Master Ling, these are yours…” Having given gifts to Hall Master Kang, he naturally couldn’t forget Master Su and Master Ling. Without their help, he wouldn’t have secured a spot and opportunity in this tournament. Upon receiving the cultivation methods, Master Su and Master Ling expressed their heartfelt gratitude. Zhang Xuan always repaid kindness and grievances clearly.

“Master Zhang, can I go with you to the Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy?” Knowing Zhang Xuan was leaving, Zhao Feiwu’s eyes reddened slightly. This young man had cured her illness, freeing her from being bedridden, which already brought immense gratitude. After spending time together in Xuanyuan Kingdom and the Witch Soul Tomb, she had long harbored indescribable feelings for him, but was too shy to express them directly. Now, with departure imminent, she could no longer hold back.

“It’s better not to. Your strength is too low, and going there rashly would be quite troublesome. Staying here, under Hall Master Kang’s guidance, would be safer!” After a moment’s thought, Zhang Xuan spoke, then looked at the old man not far away: “Hall Master Kang, I entrust Princess Feiwu to your care!”

“Haha, Master Zhang, rest assured. I will accept her as my direct disciple and guide her well, so as not to betray Master Yang’s great kindness to me!” Hall Master Kang nodded solemnly, promising.

“Many thanks!” Zhang Xuan cupped his fists. In fact, another reason he gave Hall Master Kang the cultivation method was precisely this consideration. Throughout their journey, Zhao Feiwu had also provided significant help. As the daughter of the Alliance Master, a dignified princess, she wouldn’t care for wealth or material possessions even if given to her. It was better to find her a good teacher, which would make her life much easier whether cultivating or continuing to live in Ten Thousand Kingdoms City. Hall Master Kang was the most suitable candidate.

“Yes, thank you, Master Zhang…” Hearing his arrangement, Zhao Feiwu’s eyes reddened. Though filled with reluctance, she still nodded. Master Zhang was destined to be an extraordinary individual, someone a mere princess from a small alliance couldn’t compare to. Even if she was reluctant, she had to give up.

After bidding farewell to Hall Master Kang and the others, Zhang Xuan returned to his residence. As soon as he entered, he saw Mo Hunsheng striding towards him.

“Master Zhang!” Mo Hunsheng cupped his fists.

“How is it?” Zhang Xuan looked at him. Before participating in the Master Teacher Tournament, he had asked Mo Hunsheng to investigate Lu Chong’s condition. More than a day had passed, so there should be a result.

“Reporting, Young Master, the young master just finished cultivating. I specifically observed him, and if I’m not mistaken, he possesses a special physique among witch soul masters… the War Soul Body!” Mo Hunsheng said.

“Special physique?” Zhang Xuan wondered. If he truly had a special physique, Zhang Xuan would have discovered it long ago. How could he have been completely unaware?

“The War Soul Body is formed postnatally, usually succeeding only after experiencing life-and-death situations, great sorrow, or immense joy. It’s something that cannot be sought or replicated. The young master’s should have just awakened…” Mo Hunsheng hastily explained.

“Let’s go take a look!” Zhang Xuan nodded and strode towards the inner courtyard. Not far into the corridor, he saw Lu Chong cultivating in the courtyard, his witch soul soaring in the sky, carrying a sharp aura.

“A Witch Soul at Mortal Comprehension Realm 2-dan?” Zhang Xuan’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but be stunned. When he left this morning, Lu Chong was still at the Zongshi realm. How could he have become so powerful after just one day? Witch soul cultivation, like true qi cultivation, required accumulation over time. Breaking through four major realms—Zongshi, Half-Mortal Comprehension, and Longevity Extension—in just one day, wasn’t his cultivation speed a bit too fast?!

“Flaws!” Filled with curiosity, he murmured inwardly. With a soft hum, a book appeared in his mind. He hurriedly opened it and, after reading for a while, Zhang Xuan was stunned. As Mo Hunsheng had stated, Lu Chong was indeed different from before, possessing what Mo Hunsheng called the War Soul Body. However, it seemed it hadn’t fully awakened yet.

“It’s probably the one I saw…” Recalling the scene he had witnessed in Lu Chong’s Sea of Consciousness, Zhang Xuan speculated. When using the Soul Awakening Incense to summon Lu Chong’s soul, he had seen a massive figure lying in Lu Chong’s Sea of Consciousness. Now, it appeared that was the so-called War Soul Body.

“How does this physique… fully awaken?” He couldn’t help but look at the Golden Body of the Undying not far away.

“Reporting, Young Master, a complete awakening is very troublesome. It might require going to the Ancestral Land of Witch Souls!” Mo Hunsheng said after a moment’s thought.

“Ancestral Land of Witch Souls?” Zhang Xuan was startled.

“Yes, it’s the origin of witch soul masters, containing the power of the Ancestral Witch. For the War Soul Body to be fully activated, it can only rely on this power; otherwise, there’s no other way!” Mo Hunsheng hesitated before explaining.

“The Ancestral Land of Witch Souls? Where is it?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“It’s in… the easternmost part of the continent, an unknown distance from here…” Mo Hunsheng scratched his head.

“Unknown distance?” Zhang Xuan’s expression darkened. If it was too far, how would they get there? The Master Teacher Continent was vast beyond compare. Hundreds of thousands of kilometers already required countless days of flying to reach. Judging by Mo Hunsheng’s tone, this “very far” distance must exceed tens of millions of kilometers, perhaps even hundreds of millions… If they were to go, it would be difficult to complete the journey in less than several years.

“Actually… if Young Master is at ease, I can take the young master there. This way, it won’t delay your normal cultivation, and it will allow the young master to grow quickly, without delaying either of you,” Mo Hunsheng said.

“You’ll take him?” Zhang Xuan hesitated. He was destined to follow the path of a master teacher, which meant living under constant public scrutiny. Furthermore, his life-threatening congenital fetal poison wouldn’t allow him to spend several years searching for some so-called Ancestral Land of Witch Souls. And keeping Lu Chong constantly by his side would indeed be somewhat unfair to his growth. If they could split up and go their separate ways, it would be ideal.

“Let’s see what he thinks!” After some thought, feeling he couldn't decide for Lu Chong, Zhang Xuan said. He asked Lu Chong to stop cultivating and explained the situation in detail.

“Teacher, I want to go!” After listening, the young boy nodded with a determined look in his eyes. He shared Zhao Ya’s belief that staying by his teacher’s side would always make him a burden. With this opportunity, he might eventually be able to help his teacher and truly become an asset, instead of a burden.

“Since you’ve made your decision, I won’t force you. Mo Hunsheng, I entrust Lu Chong to you!” Seeing that he had made up his mind, Zhang Xuan sighed and nodded.