Chapter 1621: Third Form Soul Hook (Wugeng)

"What about you?" asked the Tower Master of Jiangshan Yipin, curious.

Jiang Fan closed his eyes and said, "Let me calculate."

He sensed the strength of his domain and recalled the extent of consumption from its last use.

A hint of strangeness appeared on his face as he opened his eyes.

"How many times can you use it? It's not like Princess Zijiang, who can only use it three times, is it?"

Jiang Fan seemed a bit doubtful, saying uncertainly, "It seems I can use it... ten times."

The Tower Master of Jiangshan Yipin nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. "How many? Ten times?"

"More than our ordinary divine rings?"

"No, does your Dao have no negative restrictions at all?"

He couldn't figure it out. The Ancestral Dao Divine Ring was so overbearing; it should, in principle, consume more domain power with each use, like the Source of Time.

Why was it illogical when it came to Jiang Fan?

He was now even doubting his previous judgment about Jiang Fan's Heaven-Human Tribulation.

Could it be that during his Heaven-Human Tribulation, not only did he suffer no negative effects, but he was even more comfortable than an ordinary Incarnation Realm cultivator?

If that were the case, he truly would vomit blood.

This was simply too unfair!

Jiang Fan touched the full moon divine ring at the back of his head and said, "Exactly how many times I can use it, we'll only know in actual combat."

"I hope it really is ten times, to give the ancient giants a surprise."

It took the Tower Master of Jiangshan Yipin a while to recover, expressing his envy and jealousy:

"Everything good happens to you; it's truly unbelievable!"

After some thought, he took out a section of snow-white bone, filled with a holy aura, and tossed it to him.

"This is the bone of a Nine-Winged Archangel who mastered the law of invisibility."

"Carry it with you, and it can conceal your divine ring."

Jiang Fan remembered how the Tower Master of Jiangshan Yipin had successfully concealed his cultivation even in front of the Nine-Sun Giant Emperor.

He surmised it was due to the Nine-Winged Archangel bone before him.

He was full of gratitude: "Thank you, Tower Master."

He was indeed troubled by this; the full moon divine ring was too unique and would be instantly noticeable among thousands.

Encountering powerful enemies with ill intentions could easily invite trouble.

Just then.

A faint yellow halo flickered erratically, penetrating the Sky Thunder Stone and scattering outwards.

Even the Tower Master of Jiangshan Yipin couldn't help but look over: "What kind of heaven-defying treasure is this now?"

Jiang Fan's expression, however, changed slightly. With a thought, an ancient yellow token in his palm began to flash rapidly.

His face darkened slightly: "It's the Desolate Ancient Token."

"Does this mean the Desolate Ancient Hunt is about to begin, and I'm going to be forcibly teleported away?"

"Why at this critical juncture?"

If it had come earlier, he could have earned a reward for Middle-earth, exempting it from a millennium of war.

This decisive battle might even have ended directly.

Yet, it appeared on the eve of the decisive battle.

By the time he returned with the reward, it would be questionable whether Middle-earth still existed.

The Tower Master of Jiangshan Yipin, however, was calm. He patted Jiang Fan's shoulder and said:

"Adjust your mindset and participate in the Desolate Ancient Hunt with peace of mind."

"As long as you achieve a certain rank, the ancient giants will automatically retreat to the Celestial Realm, ending the war."

Jiang Fan gazed deeply at the Desolate Ancient Token.

He could only hope that the forced teleportation would come later, allowing him to contribute more to the decisive battle.

Thinking of this, he put away the Desolate Ancient Token and also the Seventh-Grade Grand Elixir.

Closing his eyes, he silently meditated on the "Three Soul-Slaying Forms."

This Earth-grade high-level cultivation technique, which had fallen from the Grand Void Ancient Tree when he formed his Core, had allowed him to learn two major soul secret arts: "Startling Soul Stab" and "Soul Imprisonment Lock."

They had played a significant role in his journey of martial arts.

Now, Earth-grade high-level might not be entirely suitable for the needs of the Incarnation Realm.

But he still wanted to try.

After all, what the Grand Void Ancient Tree provided was far superior to what existed in the current world.

He immediately immersed his mind within it. The third form, which had never appeared before, finally revealed itself as he achieved Incarnation Realm.

"The final form of the 'Three Soul-Slaying Forms'—Soul Snatch!"

"Upon achieving mastery, one can forcibly pull the soul of an opponent at the same cultivation level out of their body. The number of uses depends on one's own soul strength."

Jiang Fan frowned slightly.

Previously, "Startling Soul Stab" and "Soul Imprisonment Lock" both possessed the ability to fight opponents above one's own cultivation level.

Now, this third form could only be used against opponents of the same realm.

Ultimately, it was just an Earth-grade high-level cultivation technique. Although still useful for the Incarnation Realm, its effect was not as appealing as before.

With Jiang Fan's current strength, killing opponents of the same realm was effortless.

Why would he need to expend precious soul power to snatch souls?

Just as he was about to withdraw his consciousness and abandon cultivating the third form, he suddenly realized something was amiss.

"Wait, didn't the Lustful Sage give me a drop of Soul Origin, which could help my soul break through to the Second Heaven-Human Tribulation?"

"Wouldn't that mean I could snatch the souls of Two-Star Giant Kings?"

"And... once a Giant King's soul leaves its body, it automatically dissipates and turns into black smoke, right?"

His mind snapped back to the "Three Soul-Slaying Forms," and excitement filled his eyes.

This technique might not hold much significance for ordinary beings.

After all, even if an opponent's soul was pulled out, without a means to destroy it, it would immediately return to its body, not even counting as possession.

But Giant Kings were different; this was practically a weapon tailor-made for them.

He no longer had any doubts.

He took out the Soul Origin, swallowed it, and immediately began to comprehend the final form of the "Three Soul-Slaying Forms."

On the other side.

Grand Venerable Red Demon stood with his hands behind his back, intently watching Grand Venerable Star Abyss:

"What exactly are you up to?"

"Is it fun to create such a vast amount of righteous qi?"

"Don't you understand the consequences if any giant who mastered Confucian arts were to ignite this righteous qi?"

Grand Venerable Star Abyss stood respectfully in place, like a school child who had made a mistake.

After all, standing before him was the Confucian cultivation body of the Twin Sages from a thousand years ago.

In a sense, he was one of the patriarchs of the Confucian Dao.

He bowed deeply, his lips moving slightly as he transmitted his message through Confucian arts.

Moments later, Grand Venerable Red Demon's indignant expression transformed into profound shock.

"Are you saying this is the righteous qi you've been storing underground for a thousand years?"

"You intend to use it to..."

Grand Venerable Star Abyss smiled faintly: "It's enough that you know, Senior."

Grand Venerable Red Demon's gaze was complex: "Are you truly going to do this?"

"You will die."

Grand Venerable Star Abyss smiled slightly: "If it ensures peace for Middle-earth from now on, what does it matter if I sacrifice myself?"

"I have waited too long for this day."

Grand Venerable Red Demon's eyes held compassion. He gently patted Star Abyss's shoulder, his voice low:

"Having you is a blessing for the Confucian Dao!"

Grand Venerable Star Abyss smiled but remained silent.

He merely cast his gaze among the Incarnation Realm cultivators of Taicang Great State. Not seeing Venerable True Word, a hint of dimness crossed his eyes.

Half a day later.

Jiang Fan was suddenly awakened by a burst of brilliant iridescent light.

Opening his eyes, he saw Venerable Heart Demon not far away.

His face was full of smiles, and a transformed aura emanated from him. On the divine ring at the back of his head, two flame imprints conspicuously gleamed!

He had broken through to the Second Heaven-Human Tribulation!

Having comprehended the Dao for many years, he had long been qualified to break through to the Second Tribulation.

He had merely lacked the right opportunity.

With the aid of the Seventh-Grade Grand Elixir, he finally ascended to the Incarnation Realm once more, reaching the Second Heaven-Human Tribulation!

The surrounding Venerables showed reverence and stepped forward to offer congratulations:

"Holy Spirit State congratulates Senior Heart Demon on igniting the Flame of the Second Tribulation!"

"Great Barren State congratulates Senior on once again achieving Incarnation Realm."

"Dan State congratulates Senior on reaching the Second Tribulation!"

Congratulatory voices came from all directions.

The appellations were no longer "Venerable" or "fellow Daoist."

Instead, it was "Senior!"

This was because the gap between the Second Heaven-Human Tribulation and the First was comparable to that between the Incarnation Realm and the Nascent Soul stage.

It was a distance that most cultivators at the First Heaven-Human Tribulation could never cross in their lifetime.

Subsequently, Deputy Palace Master You, Venerable Forbidden, and other senior cultivators at the First Heaven-Human Tribulation who had received the Grand Elixir successively broke through their bottlenecks.

Six beams of iridescent light descended sequentially from the sky.

Everyone was invigorated; six people temporarily breaking through to the Second Heaven-Human Tribulation on the eve of the great battle was undoubtedly tremendous news.

Jiang Fan also showed a smile.

The Underworld King had indeed sent them a great gift.

"Are you the Incarnation Realm boy who wields the Ancestral Dao?"

Just then, an ancient, hoarse voice abruptly came from behind Jiang Fan.

All the hairs on Jiang Fan's body stood on end.

He was already in the Incarnation Realm; could someone still mask their presence from his perception and appear behind him?