How to convert yin-aspect soul power into yang-aspect soul power, and obtain substantialized yang soul power, was the key for fifth-level Radiant Moon Wizards to advance to the sixth-level Dawn Sun Throne.
The Phoenix Egg truly lived up to its reputation as a treasure of the entire Lava World. The yang-aspect power contained within could spare most Radiant Moon Wizards a century of bitter cultivation.
If those Dawn Sun Throne masters who had painstakingly advanced, or those peak fifth-level Radiant Moon Wizards still grinding away, were to see Leilin's current state, they would probably be driven mad with envy.
"However! The Phoenix Egg has been completely consumed..."
Leilin felt somewhat regretful about this outcome. Originally, the fifth-level beast soul amplification alone would have been enough to push him to the Full Moon rank, and the preserved Phoenix Egg could have been put to use during sixth-level cultivation. With the massive amount of yang soul power contained in the Phoenix Egg, it could have rapidly accelerated a Dawn Sun Throne master's advancement. Using it at the fifth level truly felt like a terrible waste.
Moreover, due to the restrictions of the bloodline curse, even though Leilin's True Spirit already showed signs of transitioning toward substantialized yang soul power, he could never succeed—unless he completely broke free of the bloodline curse.
"Sixth-level matters are still too early to discuss. What matters is what's already in hand!"
Though somewhat regretful about using the Phoenix Egg, Leilin quickly came to terms with it. This time, due to the influence of the Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents, if he hadn't used the Phoenix Egg's power, he wouldn't have advanced to the Full Moon rank at all.
Therefore, if the same situation arose again, Leilin was certain he would make the same choice.
After clearing his mind of distracting thoughts, Leilin looked at the Chip's data panel once more.
At this point, having forcefully advanced to the Full Moon rank, his body's parameters had undergone significant changes.
[Leilin Farell | Warlock Lv.5 | Bloodline: Comoin Serpent Emperor (Complete Form) | Strength: 70 (85) | Agility: 53 (66) | Constitution: 175 (200.7) | Spirit: 2315 (3001.2) | Mana: 2315 (Mana determined by Spiritual Power) | Soul Power: 232 (300) | Status: Full Moon-level True Spirit | Fourth-level Priest Power Amplification Active! | Level 5 Beast Soul Seal: Devil White Phosphorus Serpent! | Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents Outbreak Estimate: 19 Years!]
"As expected! Even with the Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents still restricting me, raising the upper limits across the board has basically restored me to my previous peak state—and even improved upon it!"
Leilin's eyes gleamed as he felt the power coursing through every part of his body. He clenched his fist involuntarily. "This kind of power! Only this is enough for me to make my move in the
"But..."
Having regained his composure, Leilin surveyed the devastated interior of the tent and couldn't help but smile ruefully. "Good thing I set up a seal beforehand. Otherwise, that would have definitely alerted
"And then... the Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents erupting, especially at a location so close to the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents..."
Leilin's expression turned extremely grave. "Chip! Activate maximum defenses immediately!"
[Ding! Task established. Commencing operation!]
Massive quantities of white serpentine scale patterns, like the most exquisite filigree, surfaced across Leilin's face. At the same time, the Devil White Phosphorus Serpent's beast soul tattoo continued to writhe across his body, emanating a distinctive soul fluctuation.
After completing these preparations, a colossal consciousness swept in from the direction of the Holy City like a tsunami.
"What is happening? Great Sovereign Mother! Who has offended your dignity, provoking such boundless fury!"
This terrifying will immediately alarmed many people. Belinda walked directly out of the tent with
"She's naturally looking for me!"
Leilin sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he similarly dropped to his knees in apparent terror, praying for the Sovereign Mother to calm her wrath. Of course, Leilin knew that before he was caught, this was practically impossible.
Feeling that colossal consciousness sweep overhead without suspecting him in the slightest, a smile appeared at the corner of Leilin's mouth.
"As expected! The dual concealment of soul and bloodline, combined with the assistance of the Feather of Chaos—as long as I'm not seen face-to-face by the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents, this kind of spiritual sweep will never discover my traces!"
For Leilin, this was truly excellent news.
Although the Filth Bird had made guarantees before, Leilin didn't dare place too much confidence in anything it offered.
At this life-or-death juncture, he didn't mind employing every means at his disposal to increase his chances of success.
"Hsss hsss!" As if realizing this approach was having no effect on Leilin, after a brief soul fluctuation, a brilliant sphere of light rose from the direction of the Holy City like a blazing sun.
Within that sun was the phantom of a massive serpent sphere, radiating like a great star, and faintly, the sound of a ritual hymn drifted over.
The song was ancient and primal, carrying strange, alien notes that threatened to lull the listener into a trance.
"This is..." Leilin's expression changed drastically after hearing just a few lines.
[Warning! Warning! Subject's Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents experiencing violent upheaval!] The Chip's voice rang out just in time, and a faint, flickering rune began to appear and disappear on Leilin's forehead.
Fortunately, Belinda and Sophia both had their heads lowered with eyes closed in prayer at this moment; otherwise, they would have definitely noticed Leilin's abnormality.
"Feather of Chaos! Crystal, burn! Get back down!"
The veins on Leilin's face bulged violently as two forces engaged in a perilous clash in the shadows.
"Chirp chirp!" At that very moment, the flame sigil on the Ten Thousand Serpent mark flickered with crimson light, and Leilin seemed to hear the ancient cry of a fire phoenix.
With their combined power, the upheaval of the Ten Thousand Serpent mark was finally suppressed.
Only after the phantom of the Holy City faded did Leilin slowly breathe a sigh of relief. He hastily reinforced his Mimicry Spell to conceal his abnormalities, preventing the later-arriving Belinda from noticing anything.
But even so, he couldn't entirely cover up everything that had happened.
Regardless of what repercussions the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents' sudden rage caused, the next day their journey had to continue.
"Nick! I..." Belinda looked at Leilin, who appeared the same as yesterday, seemingly choosing her words carefully.
"What is it?" Leilin turned around, a warm smile on his face, as if nothing had changed at all.
"Oh! No! Nothing!" Belinda's eyes looked somewhat unfocused, tinged with a hint of confusion. "I feel like you're a little different somehow, but I can't put my finger on exactly what!"
"It's his scent!" Sophia turned around from ahead, her eyes brimming with amusement. She sniffed near Leilin. "Big Brother Nick smells better and better, and he feels even closer to me now!"
"Stop that!" Belinda grabbed Sophia's little face, scrunching it up until the girl's brow furrowed into a knot.
Leilin was somewhat surprised by their perceptiveness.
"They noticed so quickly! Such a pure and acute soul is truly rare!"
Leilin understood perfectly why Belinda sensed something was off. After all, a Full Moon peak True Spirit was a complete metamorphosis compared to the day before. No matter how hard Leilin tried to mask it, there would inevitably be a subtle, lingering sense of difference.
Moreover, the fifth-level beast soul Leilin had chosen to seal was none other than Belinda and Sophia's own father! That kindred bloodline aura, along with the deep feeling of kinship, had given Sophia a remarkably acute awareness.
"However, given Sophia's experience, she probably hasn't realized the truth. If she discovered that this familial feeling came from her own father, the only thing left would be terror... After all, Kende hadn't exactly left the best impression on these two sisters..."
After a brief moment of reflection, Leilin continued onward with the Belinda sisters.
Though nothing seemed different from the previous day—Leilin was chatting and laughing as usual along the way—in secret, he watched the Chip's prompts, his mind unable to calm for a long time.
[Ding! Affected by the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents' fluctuations, the Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents has undergone changes! Devouring ability added!]
[Devouring Curse — An advanced mutation of the Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents! When entering an area under the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents' influence, the curse will continuously drain the subject's Life Energy until death! This process is irreversible!]
"So after failing to find me, you've resorted to this method—trying to force me out?"
Feeling his Life Energy being steadily drained, his body gradually slipping toward death, a smile actually crossed Leilin's lips. "But... doesn't the fact that this is the only thing you can do mean you've run out of other restraining forces?"
"Not just bloodline and soul power—now even my Life Energy will be devoured by the curse, turned into the power that suppresses me!"
Leilin raised his right hand. The skin was fair and smooth, the muscles firm, brimming with life and vitality—yet a sensation of slow, inexorable drain lingered persistently in his mind.
"Under the effects of the Devouring Curse, the Life Energy inside me is draining rapidly. Though outwardly there's no change, in just a few years it will probably make me appear as an old man... Even the Mimicry Spell probably won't be able to conceal such a change..."
"From the bloodline curse alone, I have nineteen years remaining. But factoring in this Life Energy Devouring Curse..."
A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Leilin's mouth.
He had a premonition that this compound curse would only grow more terrifying the closer he got to the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents.
Until the day the Curse of Ten Thousand Serpents erupted completely, annihilating body and soul alike, bringing about his total destruction—or the day the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents discovered him directly.
"So many restraints! So much pressure! How... exhilarating! Absolutely exhilarating!"
Leilin's lips slowly brushed across the back of his hand. "Such powerful constraints—truly exhilarating! The greater the pressure, the more violent the rebound! I can hardly wait to see the day I shatter these chains and soar to the heavens!"