Translator: CinderTL
"Nether Fox, it's time to return," Song Wen said to the Nether Fox, who was still exploring ahead after he had finished surveying the tunnel entrance.
Having achieved all their objectives, there was no need to linger. It was best to leave as soon as possible.
They could return to brave the underwater tunnel once they were fully prepared.
"Master, I wish to stay here and break through," the Nether Fox said.
Song Wen frowned slightly. "Why?"
"The abundant Primordial Qi here will aid my breakthrough. I have a much higher chance of advancing to the fifth-tier if I do it here," the Nether Fox explained.
"Consider this carefully," Song Wen warned. "Your breakthrough will inevitably cause a significant disturbance. If it attracts resentful spirits or void fiends, you'll be in grave danger!"
"Please protect me while I break through, Master," the Nether Fox replied.
Song Wen's expression turned thoughtful as he didn't immediately respond.
Just then, the shadow void's voice echoed in his Sea of Consciousness.
"Master, I also wish to stay here and hatch. The Primordial Qi will greatly assist my hatching process as well."
Upon hearing this, Song Wen's frown deepened.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened.
"Very well, I'll allow you both to enter seclusion again."
The Nether Fox's face lit up with a smile, seemingly too excited to notice the word "both" in Song Wen's statement.
"Thank you, Master!"
"No need to thank me," Song Wen said. "To be honest, I intend to traverse this entire Primordial Qi-shrouded region. The stronger you become, the better it will serve my purposes."
"This subordinate will serve you with utmost loyalty, Master," the Nether Fox declared, eager to prove its devotion.
Song Wen nodded slightly.
"Master," the Nether Fox continued, "where do you suggest we seclude ourselves for cultivation?"
Song Wen pondered for a moment before replying, "As far as I know, this area is relatively close to the sea region, only a few thousand miles away. The sea region teems with far more life than the land, and after being saturated with Primordial Qi, it has spawned an even greater number of resentful spirits. Consequently, most of the powerful void fiends and resentful spirits dwell in the sea region. To avoid attracting their attention, your cultivation retreat should be far from the sea."
"Then we'll retreat a hundred thousand miles," the Nether Fox suggested. "What do you think, Master?"
"Agreed," Song Wen replied.
Thrilled by Song Wen's approval, the Nether Fox eagerly took the lead, heading south and clearing the path ahead.
After retreating approximately a hundred thousand miles, the Nether Fox searched the surrounding area and eventually discovered a mountain range.
These mountains appeared to be the ruins of an ancient sect. Though no valuable treasures remained, each peak was dotted with crumbling structures and caves of varying sizes.
The Nether Fox landed at the foot of a towering mountain. Ahead lay a cave, and after venturing a hundred zhang deep, they found a spacious cavern.
Upon entering, the Nether Fox asked, "Master, what do you think of this cave?"
Song Wen replied, "It's your secluded breakthrough spot. As long as you're satisfied, there's no need to ask me."
"Then I'll choose this place for my seclusion," the Nether Fox declared.
Song Wen flipped his hand, producing nine formation flags, and began arranging the formation.
Before long, the formation was complete.
"This formation is called the Phantom Sea Traceless Formation, a mid-grade sixth-tier concealment formation. It's sufficient to mask your aura fluctuations. However, it won't be able to conceal the Heaven and Earth Phenomenon that will manifest during your breakthrough. Seclude yourself here properly. I'll find another location nearby to secretly protect you. If you encounter any problems during your breakthrough, you can call for my assistance."
"Master's kindness will be forever etched in my heart!" The Nether Fox stood upright, mimicking human posture, clasped its front paws together, and bowed deeply to Song Wen.
"I hope you remember your words," Song Wen said, turning to leave the cave.
After exiting, Song Wen flew several dozen li away and landed amidst a cluster of boulders on the mountainside.
The distance was perfect—close enough to aid the Nether Fox in times of danger, yet far enough to discreetly withdraw and preserve himself should he encounter an overwhelming opponent.
He found a secluded hollow among the jagged rocks and concealed himself within.
Song Wen suppressed his aura and retrieved a Soul Bottle, slowly devouring the souls contained within.
During their two crossings of the Rotting Miasma Ridge with Ye Bing, they had slain numerous demon beasts and poisonous insects, consuming their Demon Souls. He had also devoured the divine souls of Hong Zhe and others.
These souls were sufficient to advance his divine sense to the mid-stage of Void Refinement. However, he had lacked the time for focused cultivation to absorb these soul fragments, leaving his divine sense realm stagnant at the early-stage of Void Refinement.
Though he refrained from actively cultivating to maintain his concealment, the sheer volume of soul fragments flooding his Sea of Consciousness allowed his divine soul to gradually absorb them, slowly strengthening itself.
Within the Sea of Consciousness, the shadow void watched as Soul Bodies materialized one after another, only to be devoured by the Black Hole above. It trembled in terror, fearing Song Wen might accidentally consume it as well.
When no more Soul Bodies appeared, the shadow void mustered its courage and asked.
"Master, would you please bestow some Soul Source Essence? This subordinate wishes to complete the incubation as soon as possible."
A portion of Song Wen's consciousness sank into his Sea of Consciousness, forming an illusionary clone before the shadow void.
The Black Hole released a few silver-white specks of light that fell into Song Wen's outstretched palm.
"Why do you call this Soul Source Essence?"
"Master doesn't know what this is?" the shadow void asked, surprised.
Song Wen replied, "I've always thought of them as soul fragments."
"Soul Source Essence is far superior to mere soul fragments," the shadow void explained. "It is the purest essence of the soul, refined to the utmost purity. Not only can it enhance the power of any Soul Body, but it can also repair damaged ones."
"For us Void Clan members, to strengthen ourselves, we must either refine Primordial Qi or devour other Soul Bodies. However, after consuming another Soul Body, we must slowly refine it with Primordial Qi. This process is extremely slow and fails to eliminate the useless impurities contained within the consumed soul."
"Furthermore, among the Void Clan, our physical bodies and souls are one. This means that any damage to our physical bodies will also harm our souls, making recovery extremely difficult. The same holds true for you humans—once your souls are injured, only special treasures can heal them."
"However, the Soul Source Essence can easily accomplish both of these tasks. Moreover, whether it's strengthening or repairing the soul, it leaves no hidden dangers."
Song Wen gazed at the silver speck of light floating in his palm, slightly surprised.
I never imagined this thing had such a grand origin. I underestimated it before.
Judging by Shadow Void's words and reaction, this was an exceptionally rare soul-type treasure.
"Master, could you grant me some Soul Source Essence?" Shadow Void asked cautiously.
Song Wen shook his head.
"You can't hatch yet."
Song Wen worried that if Shadow Void's hatching and the Nether Fox's breakthrough occurred simultaneously, they would be too preoccupied to monitor their surroundings. This would leave him as blind as a bat, unable to sense any danger, and vulnerable to unforeseen circumstances.
If anything went wrong at that critical moment, the consequences would be unpredictable.
(End of the Chapter)
⚡ 𝟏𝟒 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 | 𝟖.𝟓𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝟏𝟒.𝟑𝐌 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 [𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦]