Chapter 158: Merging the Immortal Soul

“Junior Apprentice Zhong, don’t be angry. Now that you’ve met Cheng junior apprentice today, there’ll be many future opportunities to meet. Why rush?” A middle-aged man beside Zhong Zhenlong advised, signaling him to stay calm.

“We’re leaving!” Zhong Zhenlong growled, storming toward the teleportation array.

The two middle-aged men exchanged nods with Wan Fang before hurriedly chasing after him.

“Why did you stop me, elder brother?” Zhong Zhenlong roared angrily within the teleportation array.

“Listen, junior apprentice. Though Fallen God Ridge has declined, Wan Fang isn’t to be trifled with. Many of our brothers suffered under him before—he’s not as harmless as he looks.”

Zhong Zhenlong seethed silently, his hatred toward Cheng Lingyu deepening.

At the entrance of Liyun Palace, Mu Hua grinned. “Junior Apprentice Cheng, you’re brilliant! A few words were enough to enrage that arrogant fool. So satisfying!”

Cheng Lingyu sighed. “You overpraise me, Elder Brother Mu. Now I’ve thoroughly offended him. Surviving in Lou Ri City will be difficult.”

“What’s there to fear? He’s just at Blood Martial Third Level. Once I reach that stage, I’ll protect you!” Mu Hua declared boldly.

Cheng Lingyu blinked, warmth spreading through his chest at Mu Hua’s spirited words. “Thank you, Elder Brother Mu.”

Wan Fang chuckled. “You’re all Liyun Palace disciples—act like brothers, not strangers. Come inside.”

Though fuming, Zhong Zhenlong left Fallen God Ridge without incident, restrained by Wan Fang’s presence.

Cheng Lingyu stayed briefly at Liyun Palace before returning to Supreme Spirit Palace with Wan Fang, dismissing the conflict. Feixing Ridge lay far from Fallen God Ridge—Zhong Zhenlong wouldn’t dare cause trouble here.

Yet while Cheng Lingyu moved on, Zhong Zhenlong nursed his grudge. Back at Feixing Ridge, he gathered brothers to plot revenge.

In Supreme Spirit Palace, Cheng Lingyu focused on merging his Four Immortal Souls. The order mattered greatly. He chose the Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source first—a unique Source Soul attuned to mineral energies across Brilliant Star Continent.

Having absorbed two active metal sources, Cheng Lingyu felt intense allure toward this Source Soul. Their merging flowed naturally.

The Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source morphed into a seven-layered octagonal pagoda during fusion, each layer a different color representing mineral diversity. As it settled into his sea of consciousness, a vivid pagoda formed. Simultaneously, a dual-colored pagoda—silver-white and purple-gold—emerged within his Physical Body, forged from the two active metal sources.

His physical resilience multiplied tenfold, achieving true invulnerability against blades and flames.

The three-day fusion, fueled by abundant spiritual energy, elevated his cultivation level. The mental boost stood out—the radiant pagoda shielded his fragile soul.

Upon opening his eyes, Cheng Lingyu’s gaze sharpened tenfold, a faint pagoda flickering in their depths—the mark of Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source.

The Fourth Layer of Soul Refinement in his Magic Eyes advanced significantly. His Physical Body now housed the seven-layered pagoda where active metal sources once scattered through cells—solidifying his form.

For now, the pagoda remained dual-colored, mirroring its metallic origins.

The pagoda was composed of countless cells, each a miniature pagoda in silver-white and purple-gold hues, unyieldingly sturdy.

Cheng Lingyu gazed inward, clearly observing a radiant pagoda within his body. It continuously absorbed true essence while converting surrounding spiritual energy, preserving his iron-hard Physical Body.

“The first step succeeded. Should I proceed with merging the Immortal Soul or first create a cave heaven?” Cheng Lingyu muttered, contemplating the issue.

The third, fourth, and fifth stages of the Soul Martial Realm were interconnected – Soul Fusion, cave heaven formation, and Shadow Transformation formed a sequential progression.

Typically at the third Soul Martial stage, one would merge with martial souls before establishing a cave heaven. However, Cheng Lingyu’s fusion involved the extraordinary Immortal Soul rather than common Beast Souls, risking severe incompatibility between entities.

Persisting with Immortal Soul fusion might trigger dangerous rejection. Alternatively, creating a cave heaven first could isolate the existing Immortal Soul, preventing conflicts when merging additional ones within his sea of consciousness.

Testing the second Immortal Soul, Dreamy Thousand Tear Bamboo, Cheng Lingyu discovered minimal resistance toward the Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source – likely due to its plant-based nature.

This revelation decided his course: fuse with the bamboo first, then establish the cave heaven.

The Supreme Spirit Palace’s intense spiritual energy concentration proved ideal for merging Immortal Souls. His first fusion with the Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source had taken three days through natural affinity.

The Dreamy Thousand Tear Bamboo presented different challenges. Though non-resistant to the existing soul, it fiercely resisted subjugation. For seven days and nights, Cheng Lingyu battled its willpower until successful absorption.

Upon opening his eyes, his gaze shimmered with hypnotic patterns – the bamboo’s dream essence now merged with his Magic Eyes’ fourth layer, radiating bewitching charm.

“Worldly desires flow like phantom winds.” His smile carried ethereal temptation, otherworldly allure magnified by enhanced ocular magic.

Rising, he surveyed his surroundings through swirling mist-vision, perceiving the Supreme Spirit Palace’s altered aura.

“Soul Fusion’s marvels manifest through acquired skills. Perfection in merging multiplies abilities.” Cheng Lingyu appreciated his exceptional fusion quality, surpassing ordinary cultivators.

Outside the palace, his heightened senses detected new mineral resonances from Xiyun Divine Mountain via the Glowing Star source, while the bamboo soul alerted him to nearby spiritual herbs.

Activating Magic Eyes, soul swords materialized from his pupils, dancing through the void to form attack formations blending mental assaults with spatial patterns.

Seated on a cliff, he perused manuals from looted storage rings. These mid-level cultivation texts suited his current Soul Martial needs.

Having lingered half a month in Lou Ri City without organizing his spoils, the transformed youth finally sorted resources matching his evolved perception.

Wan Fang observed from afar, noting his junior apprentice’s deepened mystique before discreetly entering the palace.

An afternoon’s reading yielded valuable insights. At dusk, his ancient jade token glowed – a summons from Liyun Palace.

“Odd timing for a summons,” Cheng Lingyu mused, hastening to find Elder Brother Mu Hua at the gates.

“Feixing Ridge demands your presence at their fortnightly competition. Refusal would disgrace us.”

Cheng Lingyu’s lips curved dangerously. “Elder Brother suspects Zhong Zhenlong’s trap? Lure me beyond Fallen God Ridge’s protection to humble me?”

Mu Hua blinked at his junior’s transformed aura, now profoundly inscrutable. “Zhenlong hesitates here but grows bold there. Though with multiple branch disciples attending, he’ll likely restrain himself.”

“Then we’ll prepare surprises during these fifteen days.” Cheng Lingyu’s enchanted smile could mesmerize even men.

“You’ve strategies already?”

“First learn the competition’s specifics. Victory follows thorough reconnaissance.”