https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-542-The-Shape-of-the-Soul-Sword-Forging-/13011287/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-544-Farewell-Charles-The-Reincarnation-of-the-God-of-the-Dead-/13011289/
Chapter 543: The Secret of the Heavenly Tomb! The Summoning of the Soul!
Chapter 543: The Secret of the Heavenly Tomb! The Summoning of the Soul!
Silence.
The joy of seeing Li Feng just moments ago vanished instantly, like smoke dissipating.
He finally understood how the continuous sword resonance affected Zhu Linxin.
He suddenly realized why Xiao Qing was struggling while Qian Yi seemed unaffected by the sounds within the Heavenly Tomb.
Qian Yi's soul was inherently a sword spirit.
Naturally, he wouldn't be affected by such a pounding.
On the contrary, all signs indicated that Qian Yi not only didn't feel pain but also felt extremely comfortable and relaxed.
However, what about the others?
Su Ping looked at Li Feng:
"Captain Li, what about you...?"
Li Feng's gaze was helpless, and he nodded nonchalantly.
Su Ping stood up abruptly, "No, we must find the source of the sword resonance quickly, or else..."
Otherwise, the entire Tomb Heaven Legion would undoubtedly face total annihilation!
Li Feng nodded, "Don't worry, Master Su. We need to establish gathering points in other rooms first, then use them to condense the black sword. So it's not urgent, but can you sense the specific direction of the sword resonance?"
Upon hearing this, Su Ping's brows furrowed slightly.
Indeed, he was constantly tormented by the sword resonance, but the peculiarity of this ash fog made it difficult to locate the source hidden within.
The true ultimate goal and mastermind behind this Heavenly Tomb couldn't be found in such a short time.
Something's wrong!
Su Ping's brows knitted together.
He must have overlooked something.
He looked at the world before him; the Li Feng in front of him was undoubtedly real.
However, his thoughts, his ideas, seemed inaccurate.
He sat down on the ground and fell into deep contemplation.
Li Feng, seeing this, didn't hesitate or delay. He began setting up in the ash fog, which he had designated as the central node.
Here, at the center of the spider web, they quickly obtained the black sword through the previously opened tombstone node. Then, they resolutely ventured into the periphery of the ash fog.
Only Su Ping remained, as the guardian of the central node and the protected target of the group, at the origin point.
Coincidentally, Su Ping needed time to thoroughly review everything that had happened since entering the Heavenly Tomb.
It could now be confirmed that the peculiarity of this Heavenly Tomb secret realm wasn't targeted at outsiders.
In Su Ping's opinion, this should be an extremely special spirit land!
Or perhaps, it was a spirit land formed by 'spatial characteristics' and the outside world together.
Qian Yi drew his golden sword, which once again brought out the dense death energy from the ash fog. After taking a big gulp, he belched contentedly.
Su Ping looked at the ash fog.
This pure death energy far exceeded the limit that a Monarch-rank could bear.
Then, where did this ash fog and death energy come from?
The layout of the Heavenly Tomb over the years couldn't be the continuous output of some resource or anything else. No resource could continuously generate energy for thousands, possibly tens of thousands, or even tens of thousands of years.
Su Ping thought of a possibility.
The Ghost Tide of the Northern Border.
The entire legion, including Lord Cold, was inexplicably tense, unsure why the undead around the Heavenly Tomb had been launching relentless attacks for months.
But at this moment, Su Ping had an unexpected thought.
Just like the water tide in the East Sea.
Father had also mentioned that this suicidal tide attack was likely a sacrifice of their souls.
And now, Su Ping had reason to believe that this sacrificial process might not only exist in the current era but also in the past, repeating for at least a thousand years.
The purpose was to provide energy to the main tomb of the Heavenly Tomb.
Similarly, due to a certain skill or the effect of spatial characteristics, undead creatures continuously appeared in the ash fog.
These undead, even after birth, lacked self-awareness and directly became nourishment or fuel for the main entity within the Heavenly Tomb.
Then, after being processed by this secret realm, it became the black sword.
The continuous sounds were meant to transform all the souls of living beings in this spatial region into swords.
After the sacrifice, it could also provide nourishment through this secret realm and the special spirit land outside the Heavenly Tomb, forming a massive undead cycle. This would cause the birth rate of undead companion beasts to accelerate, becoming faster and stronger!
What a terrifying spirit land! Indeed, it was worthy of its creator, and this was just one of its aspects!
Su Ping's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered his speculation.
He had a hunch, and more importantly, he suddenly remembered the situation within the Heavenly Tomb's range before entering.
Certainly, he had entered the most central and massive Heavenly Tomb.
It was the main body and core of the Heavenly Tomb.
However, if he remembered correctly, there were also tombstone countries surrounding this Heavenly Tomb.
Those should be undead spirit lands.
The countless tombstones extended for hundreds of li.
It was impossible to calculate the exact number.
If the secret realm of the Heavenly Tomb before them was arranged like the outside world, then at this moment, each corresponding tombstone was connected to the outside world, making the entire Northern Border a land of undead.
The souls that died here would ultimately be led to this place.
Just how vast was this secret realm world?
And when would they find the central tombstone point, the true Heavenly Tomb they had entered?
To find a tomb monument node and create a passage, a black sword can only be used once. Yet, with each sword's resonance, another black sword appears, with an interval of about half an hour.
Outside, the vast number of tombstones in the bone desert, not to mention the entire Northern Border, even the core group of tombstones guarding the Heavenly Tomb, number in the tens of thousands. Unless one is incredibly lucky, how can they find the central Heavenly Tomb in this corresponding secret realm?
Even if one could persist, what about the others? Li Feng, Zhu Linxin, and Liang Yifan, what about them?
The Heavenly Tomb is far more complex than they imagined. Even the battle-ready pets, with their overwhelming power, have no chance to engage the enemy. Amidst the clanging of swords, like the pounding of an anvil, they become sword spirits, ultimately sacrificing themselves to the puppet master behind the scenes.
Su Ping cannot accept this outcome. But what can he do about it?
At this thought, Su Ping's heart is buried in despair. This is the first time he has felt this way since becoming a Beastmaster.
The Heavenly Tomb has become a certain death trap. Even with the Heavenly Tomb mark, this death trap is not aimed at him, but the feeling of watching his companions' souls transform into cold, sword-like entities leaves him powerless.
This despair lasts for several hours. During this time, Li Feng and the others have been coming and going. Several new members of the Heavenly Tomb have been found, but that's all.
At this moment, Su Ping, despite his despair, continues to ponder clues and possibilities.
'Clang!'
That damnable, ever-present vibration rings out again from his earpiece.
Just then, a voice calls out.
"Little Zhu, what are you doing?"
Zhu Linxin has the most severe soul pollution. On the soul detection device's display, his soul shape is almost identical to a sword.
The sword hilt position is where Zhu Linxin's somewhat numb and stiff soul cheek is located.
The voice calling out is directed at Zhu Linxin, the pride of the Northern Province.
Li Feng looks at Zhu Linxin, who is at the center monument, the most affected by pollution.
But as the sword's resonance sounds again, Zhu Linxin, the most polluted, seems to have gone mad.
Ignoring the surrounding ever-changing undead, his eyes fixate on a pitch-black tombstone.
His palm extends, seemingly wanting to touch the strange tombstone along with the surrounding undead.
His eyes lack any glimmer, as if, at this moment, he has become a puppet of the sword.
The finally forged sword spirit is ready for its 'sacrifice'.
The sound remains piercing and sharp, and Su Ping, struggling against the painful noise, quickly grabs Li Feng:
"Captain Li, hold him tight!"
Li Feng, sensing something amiss, pulls Zhu Linxin back.
Zhu Linxin, seemingly oblivious, stares at the monument, as if something there is drawing him in.
Su Ping shouts:
"Brother Zhu, think of your family! Your parents are waiting for you to come home! When I get out, I'll give you an autograph! Then we'll go to the Northern Province..."
"Fa...ther... Mo...ther..."
A hint of confusion flashes in Zhu Linxin's eyes, for a moment, his struggling actions slow.
At that moment, the Heavenly Tomb mark appears again, and the painful noise is suppressed.
Su Ping stands up and grabs Zhu Linxin.
The Heavenly Tomb mark helps him, but it's of no use to the others.
Zhu Linxin, who had calmed down, becomes frenzied again by the sound.
And it's even worse than before.
This frenzy is beyond the pets' ability to control.
Even the Five Elements Paper Spirit and the Night Crow Puppets are dazed, looking utterly lost.
However, after tightly restraining Zhu Linxin, Su Ping suddenly has an epiphany.
He realizes he might have overlooked something crucial.
These sounds, turning all souls in the Heavenly Tomb into swords, what happens next? According to Su Ping's guess, the purpose is sacrifice or consumption.
But what happens after this final step? What becomes of these souls that have turned into black swords? As it turns out, these black swords disappear when the next sword's resonance sounds.
Why do they disappear?
Su Ping's eyes flash with understanding.
Yes!
Finding the Heavenly Tomb's master in this ash fog world, uncovering what's hidden behind it, is incredibly challenging.
Given this, why not use these rules to actively welcome the summoning?
However, Su Ping understands the terrifying risks.
After observing and thinking for some time, with this new insight, many things become clear without further thought.
(Chapter End)
Those undead bodies were directly integrated into the death energy, and the only ones taken away were the souls that had been completely transformed.
Those sword spirits were the true harvest of the Heavenly Tomb.
Therefore, to follow these sword spirits and enter the true lair of the mastermind behind the Heavenly Tomb, there was only one answer!
Souls!
At this moment, Su Ping seemed to understand everything all at once.
He rubbed his forehead.
The next moment, the grayish-white flame mark slowly appeared from his forehead.
This thing was Charles' 'gift' to him.
But it was obvious that this thing couldn't be that simple.
And leading him into the Heavenly Tomb was not just about trapping him here, it was much more complex.
Souls...
Undoubtedly, the importance of the physical body was beyond question.
Without the protection of the body, relying solely on the soul, it was like delivering oneself to the wolves.
Even this method was just his speculation, and it couldn't be certain if it was truly the case.
However, in the current situation, Su Ping had no choice.
Either he stayed trapped here, watching as each of his former teammates turned into sword spirits, or he took a risky move! Even if he failed, he still had the Indestructible Dragon Soul as a trump card! With this thought, Su Ping didn't hesitate for a second.
He looked directly at Li Feng and exhaled lightly, "Captain Li, the plan has changed! Please use the Night Crow Puppet to summon back all the Heavenly Tomb team members we've found. I have another idea!"
"Hmm?"
Li Feng was startled, but as a military man, he didn't hesitate and nodded, "Yes!"
Su Ping exhaled slowly, and at this moment, his entire attention was focused on the Heavenly Grave Mark, the root of all this.
Soul departure was not new to him.
During his time in the World Tree Sanctuary, when he was with the Spring God, he had probably experienced a dreamlike soul departure.
But at that time, he was held by a strong and sturdy thigh.
Now, he had to face a terrifying existence, perhaps no less frightening than the Spring God.
Soon, everyone returned, and Su Ping slowly spoke, "It's almost impossible to find the mastermind behind the Heavenly Tomb in this situation. I have a speculation that this Heavenly Tomb Sanctuary seems to guide souls,
So, I will perform soul departure. My soul will attach to the condensed sword spirit black sword, and following the guidance of the sanctuary, I will see what's going on.
As for you, there's no need to search further. Just stay here and protect my body."
Upon hearing this, everyone was startled, and Li Feng thought,
"Master Su, how can this be? I can do this myself! It's too dangerous!"
Su Ping shook his head, "You should understand the situation with souls. Your souls, if they haven't turned into sword spirits, probably won't be able to leave with me.
According to my speculation, once we leave our bodies, your souls will be directly transformed into sword spirits in that sound, just like those undead, without any resistance, losing self-awareness and wisdom, no different from the dead! By then, even if we leave and meet that hidden existence, it's like offering ourselves as easy prey.
But I'm different. I had to enter the Heavenly Tomb because I received the Heavenly Tomb's mark, and it's this mark that can resist the pollution of the sword resonance.
So, this time, I can go alone."
At this point, Su Ping smiled slightly, "No, there's one little guy who will accompany me."
He looked to the side, at the little paper figure, Qian Yi, who had been by his side since entering the Heavenly Tomb.
As a born sword spirit, she was naturally unaffected by the sword resonance.
Li Feng wanted to continue persuading, but Su Ping interrupted and looked at everyone,
"We can't keep waiting. If we do, you've seen what happened to Brother Xin. Soon, it won't just be him, even Captain Li won't escape! No matter what, I have to try."
His words were resolute, leaving no room for compromise! He then took out some items, "This is the advanced primordial power from Saint Dragon. If I really can't hold on, don't hesitate, just forcefully break through the space and take the team members out!"
Li Feng opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only nod and remain silent.
The next moment, Su Ping sat on the ground, and a feeling similar to meditation came over him. Su Ping's psychic energy condensed, and a strand of consciousness slowly reached his forehead. The next moment, the grayish-white flame occupied his entire field of vision.
At the same time, the grayish-white flame enveloped his soul.
Meanwhile, Qian Yi had already prepared. Through the soul pact, she understood the upcoming action.
Her sword spirit, which had been very special since before becoming Su Ping's companion, had probably experienced soul departure more than once.
At this moment, it was as easy as pie.
The grayish-white flame and a small, ethereal sword slowly detached from the duo.
They arrived at the small black sword that had formed earlier.
Ten seconds later.
As if calculated, the ancient sound rang out again:
'Clang!'
'Clang!'
'Clang!'
At this moment, all the black swords, the grayish-white flames that seemed to merge with the black swords, and the other sword spirit grasped within the flames, as expected, accompanied by the sound, disappeared without a trace...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
