Chapter 602: Battle Soul Body

"Alright, the champion and runner-up have been decided. Now we proceed to determine the other rankings..."

After calming the excited crowd, Master Hong continued to organize the competition.

Only the first and second places had been decided; the remaining third through tenth still needed to be contested.

With such an outstanding performance earlier, the subsequent matches left the audience feeling lackluster. After another two hours, the top ten of this Masters' Competition were finally all determined.

Wei Changqing, who had lost miserably to Zhang Xuan, performed outstandingly in the remaining matches and successfully advanced to the top ten. Qin Lei, who had been eliminated by Ruohuan, also shone in the remaining matches and became ninth.

In fact, if not for Zhang Xuan's help, he would have been at least in the top five. However, obtaining ninth place still gave him the opportunity to enter Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, so the trip was not in vain.

"Master Zhang, this is your reward!"

With the rankings confirmed, the awards began. The first prize included a high-grade spirit stone, the opportunity to study at Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, and the chance to cultivate in the Purification Pool for three days.

As the reward was presented to Zhang Xuan, Master Hong's voice transmission sounded in his ear: "Master Zhang, the high-grade spirit stone is a personal gift from Hall Master Mo Gaoyuan to the first-place winner..."

Hall Master Mo intended to show goodwill, so naturally he had to let the other party know; otherwise, wouldn't his efforts be in vain?

Zhang Xuan finally understood.

No wonder this year's competition rewards were more generous than in previous years—the reason lay here!

In fact, this was not hard to figure out. Given the extraordinary methods displayed by "Master Yang," it was not surprising that Hall Master Mo wished to show goodwill.

Still, this was for the best as far as he was concerned.

This was a high-grade spirit stone, worth ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones. If not for the sake of propriety, he would have long opened the jade box to examine it closely.

Putting away all the rewards, Zhang Xuan was filled with excitement and elation.

With this item, future cultivation would become much easier, and he no longer had to worry about spiritual energy or money.

"Alright, this Masters' Competition has concluded successfully. Those who placed in the top ten, please join me tomorrow as we head to the Huan Yu Empire to receive commendation and the opportunity to cultivate in the Purification Pool!"

After the awards, Master Hong looked around and said.

"Leaving tomorrow?"

"So soon?"

"Actually, it's not that urgent. The Huan Yu Empire is over a million kilometers away. If we don't hurry, we might miss the opening of the Purification Pool, and that would be disastrous!"

"That's true. The Purification Pool opens at the beginning of each year, and it's less than a month away now. If we don't hurry, it will indeed be too late..."

Hearing Master Hong say they would leave tomorrow, everyone was surprised but understood his meaning.

The Purification Pool was the most precious treasure of the Huan Yu Empire's royal family and the foundation of the nation. It opened once every ten years, and time was running short. If they didn't hurry, once they missed it, no one could compensate.

"Alright, everyone go back and prepare. We depart at noon tomorrow!"

Master Hong waved his hand.

The competition had now stretched into the dead of night, leaving everyone less than a day to prepare.

"I need to prepare as well!"

Zhang Xuan also stood up.

He had many matters to attend to, and one day was indeed a bit tight.

"Hall Master Kang, thank you for your care during this time. This is a cultivation technique specially written for you by my teacher. Cultivating according to it should help you break through to the Harmonious Spirit realm!"

With a flick of his wrist, a book appeared in his palm, and Zhang Xuan handed it over.

He owed a great deal to Hall Master Kang's care during this period, especially regarding the Ice Plain Palace. Without his favor, he would not have been able to strengthen his soul so greatly, successfully split it in two, condense a clone, nor would Zhao Ya have had her opportunity.

In other words, Hall Master Kang had been of great help to him. Therefore, during this time, based on the flaws in the other's cultivation, he had specially compiled a set of techniques suitable for him. As long as he cultivated step by step, breaking through to the Harmonious Spirit realm was only a matter of time.

"Break through to Harmonious Spirit? Written by Master Yang?"

Hall Master Kang's breathing immediately became rapid, and his eyes reddened.

Master Yang, who was suspected to be an eight-star master teacher, receiving his guidance was a once-in-a-lifetime blessing. Not only that, but he had also specially written a set of techniques for him—this kindness was simply too great!

Thump!

His knees went weak, and he knelt down. Hall Master Kang solemnly kowtowed eight times toward Zhang Xuan's residence before standing up.

"Master Su, Master Ling, these are for you..."

Having given to Hall Master Kang, he naturally could not forget Master Su and Master Ling. Without them, he would not have obtained the competition slot and opportunity.

Receiving the techniques, Master Su and Master Ling expressed their gratitude profusely.

Return kindness with kindness, and resentment with resentment—Zhang Xuan had always been clear about favors and grievances.

"Master Zhang, can I go with you to Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy?"

Knowing that Zhang Xuan was leaving, Zhao Feiwu's eyes reddened.

This young man had cured her illness, allowing her to no longer lie in bed. She was already grateful to him, and after spending time together in the Xuan Yuan Kingdom and the Witch Soul Tomb, she had developed indescribable feelings for him, but was too shy to confess.

Now that parting was imminent, she could no longer hold back.

"Better not. Your cultivation is too low; rushing over would be troublesome. It's safer to stay here and receive guidance from Hall Master Kang."

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xuan spoke, then looked at the old man not far away: "Hall Master Kang, I entrust Princess Feiwu to your care!"

"Hehe, rest assured, Master Zhang. I will take her as my personal disciple and guide her well, so as not to disappoint Master Yang's kindness to me!" Hall Master Kang nodded solemnly in assurance.

"Thank you!" Zhang Xuan clasped his fists.

In fact, another reason he had given Hall Master Kang the technique was precisely this consideration.

Throughout their journey, Zhao Feiwu had also provided great help. As the daughter of an alliance leader and a princess, she would not be impressed by wealth or material gifts. It was better to find her a good teacher, which would make things easier for her whether she cultivated or continued living in the 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 unwilling, she nodded.

Master Zhang was destined to be a dragon among men, not someone a mere princess of a small alliance could compare to. Even if she was reluctant, she had to let go.

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 over.

"Master Zhang!"

Mo Hunsheng clasped his fists.

"How is it?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

Before participating in the Masters' Competition, he had asked this man to investigate Lu Chong's condition. Now, over a day had passed, so there should be results.

"Reporting to Young Master, the young master just finished cultivating. I took a special look, and if I'm not mistaken, he should have a special constitution among witch soul masters... the [Battle Soul Body]!"

Mo Hunsheng said.

"Special constitution?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

If he truly had a special constitution, the Library of Heaven's Path would have discovered it long ago. How could it have gone unnoticed?

"The Battle Soul Body is formed postnatally, usually achieved only through life-and-death experiences or great joy and sorrow. It is rare and cannot be replicated. The young master must have just awakened it..." Mo Hunsheng quickly explained.

"Let's go take a look!"

Zhang Xuan nodded and walked toward the inner courtyard.

As soon as he entered the corridor, he saw Lu Chong standing in the courtyard cultivating, his witch soul dancing in the sky with a fierce aura.

"A Mortal Transcension realm second layer witch soul?" Zhang Xuan's eyes widened in surprise.

When he left in the morning, the other party was still at the Grandmaster realm. How had he become so powerful in just one day?

Witch soul cultivation, like true energy cultivation, required time to accumulate. Breaking through four major levels—Supreme, Half-Step Mortal Transcension, Longevity, and so on—in a single day was far too fast!

"Flaw!"

Full of curiosity, he murmured in his heart.

Hum!

With a soft hum, a book appeared in his mind.

He quickly opened it and read for a while, then froze.

As Mo Hunsheng had said, Lu Chong was indeed different from before, possessing the Battle Soul Body he had mentioned.

However, it seemed it had not yet fully awakened.

"I think it's what I saw..."

Recalling the scene he had witnessed in the other's sea of consciousness, Zhang Xuan speculated.

When he used Soul Awakening Incense to summon the other's soul, he had seen a huge figure lying in his sea of consciousness. Now it seemed that was the so-called Battle Soul Body.

"How do you awaken this constitution?"

He couldn't help but look at the Soul-less Golden Figure nearby.

"Reporting to Young Master, fully awakening it is very troublesome. It may require going to the Witch Soul Ancestral Land."

After thinking for a moment, Mo Hunsheng said.

"Witch Soul Ancestral Land?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

"Yes, this is the place of origin for witch soul masters, where the power of the Ancestral Witch resides. To fully activate the Battle Soul Body, one can only rely on this power; otherwise, there is no other way."

Mo Hunsheng hesitated before saying.

"Witch Soul Ancestral Land? Where is it?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"It's... at the easternmost part of the continent, an unknown distance from here..." Mo Hunsheng scratched his head.

"An unknown distance?" Zhang Xuan's face darkened.

If it was too far, how could they go?

The Master Teacher Continent was vast and boundless. Traveling several hundred thousand kilometers would take many days of flight. From Mo Hunsheng's tone, this distance likely exceeded tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of kilometers...

Going there would take several years, which would be hard to accomplish.

"Actually... if Young Master trusts me, I could take the young master there. That way, it won't interfere with your normal cultivation, and the young master can grow quickly—both goals achieved."

Mo Hunsheng said.

"You take him?"

Zhang Xuan hesitated.

He was pursuing the path of a master teacher, which meant living under constant public scrutiny. Coupled with the life-threatening congenital fetal poison, he could not afford to spend several years searching for some so-called Witch Soul Ancestral Land.

And keeping Lu Chong by his side would be somewhat unfair to his growth.

If they could split up, that would be best.

"Let's see what he thinks."

After thinking it over, Zhang Xuan felt he could not make the decision for Lu Chong, so he said.

He had Lu Chong stop cultivating and explained the matter in detail.

"Teacher, I want to go!" After listening, the young man nodded solemnly.

Like Zhao Ya, he felt that staying by his teacher's side would only make him a burden. With this opportunity, he might one day be able to help his teacher and truly become a support.

Rather than a dead weight.

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't force you. Mo Hunsheng, I entrust Lu Chong to you!"

Seeing his decision, Zhang Xuan sighed and nodded.