Chapter 5: Soul of Virtual Martial Arts

Beyond the formation's boundaries, no one could see what was transpiring within. The entire hundred li radius was concealed, not even a trace of its existence detectable to the outside world.

"You want to suppress me? Forget it! I finally attached myself to this kid. There's no way you can stop me!" The evil spirit in Xiao Fan's body roared fiercely.

"It's futile. You're but a sliver of an evil soul, while I left behind a heart filled with part of my power. Subduing you will not be difficult," echoed a voice from the Holy Heart, reverberating so deeply that the mountains and trees seemed to tremble in response.

"I'll destroy his mind right now! Let's see how you can stop me then!" shrieked the evil spirit, attempting to shatter Xiao Fan's soul entirely. But a fierce ray of holy light shot down, piercing Xiao Fan's forehead, followed by a pained, wrathful scream.

"Curse you! I refuse to coexist with you!" the evil spirit roared. It had waited countless years to inhabit Xiao Fan's unique body, the perfect vessel for achieving its ambitions. Just as it was poised to seize control, the Holy Heart intervened, blocking its path to power.

"Puff!" Xiao Fan's body began to split apart, blood splattering. He looked like a figure bathed in blood, his skin torn and flesh exposed, with shattered organs, meridians, and bones. Only the vibrant green energy left by Shangguan Lanruo kept him clinging to life, its life-giving properties the only thing preventing his demise.

The evil spirit's anguished cries and roars continued from within Xiao Fan, who was now barely holding on, relying on his aunt-sister's life energy as his last lifeline. Gradually, gray-black flames began to flicker over Xiao Fan's body, as the evil spirit mounted a final assault, willing to defy the Holy Heart's influence at any cost. For ordinary eyes, Xiao Fan's body seemed unremarkable, yet to the evil spirit, it was invaluable—a key to cultivating a forbidden power that could one day render him invincible across the cosmos.

The malevolent flames grew more intense. Suspended above Xiao Fan, the Holy Heart trembled, pouring down holy light like a waterfall, yet it struggled to completely quench the evil flames. Xiao Fan's soul teetered on the edge of being consumed.

"This young man is indeed exceptional—not only blessed with talent but also possessing a virtual martial body. No wonder you're so intent on seizing him," murmured a voice from the Holy Heart. "Then I will grant his wish."

With that, the Holy Heart shrank to the size of a fist, glowing like a radiant star, and instantly merged into Xiao Fan's body.

"Boom!!" A powerful force erupted from within him, waves of holy light rippling outward, extinguishing the flames of the evil spirit as they spread.

"No! This can't be happening!" the evil spirit screamed, now much weaker, its strength depleted. The Holy Heart had fused with Xiao Fan's body, embedding its sacred power into every cell, imprisoning the evil spirit within Xiao Fan in a confined space, effectively caging it.

Ancient chants echoed from Xiao Fan's heart, transforming into strings of ancient characters that hovered above him. These were the Great Qing Heart Mantra, born from the resonance of his Holy Heart. The characters floated over his body, then slowly embedded into his brow, stabilizing Xiao Fan's breath as he was lifted into the air and gently carried toward the valley, where he hovered above a crystal-clear pool.

The water in the pond brimmed with vitality, its emerald-green essence winding into thin threads that flowed toward Xiao Fan, blending with the life energy Shangguan Lanruo had left within him, continuously mending his damaged organs and tissues.

Meanwhile, disciples from various sects had arrived on the outskirts of Zusheng Village, gazing up at the mountain. They could no longer sense any unusual fluctuations.

"There's just a small village here, mostly ordinary folks with only a couple of fighters. The aura we detected vanished as quickly as it appeared—this place is strange indeed."

Perched atop a small hill were a man and a woman, each appearing about twenty years old. The man was handsome, with a long sword in hand and a topknot tied above his head. He wore a black robe trimmed with yellow, his collar swaying in the breeze. True energy surged within him, revealing his mastery.

The woman possessed an exquisite beauty, her demeanor cool and refined, like a delicate frost. Dressed in snow-white robes, her sleeves fluttered elegantly. Her skin gleamed like flawless jade, and her hair, as smooth as silk, draped down her back, strands dancing in the breeze. In her eyes was a glimmer, a cold, boundless expanse, as if they held the very essence of an icy, snow-covered world.

"Qingya, let's head to that village for a closer look. Maybe there's something there for us," the handsome man suggested, gazing at the woman in white with admiration that sparkled in his eyes.

"Brother Aoi, please call me Sister Lu." Lu Qingya's response was indifferent, her voice as cold and serene as a mountain stream, without even sparing Aoi a glance.

Aoi laughed awkwardly, his smile faltering but his admiration undimmed. Lu Qingya was renowned as one of the most captivating beauties in Eastern Shenzhou on the Yanhuang Continent. Her frosty elegance had earned her the title of 'Ice Goddess' among countless admirers.

Ultimately, they didn't approach Zusheng Village. With Lu Qingya remaining resolute, Aoi didn't push further, eager to avoid displeasing her. Of course, it wasn't only the two of them from Tianxuan; disciples from the other four major sects had also arrived. Two disciples each from the Heavenly King's Palace, the Demonic Sect, the Sword-riding Villa, and the Feathered Sect had gathered, observing quietly from the hills around the village. But days passed, and no one dared to enter Zusheng Village nor discovered any new clues.

Enclosed within the boundaries of a powerful formation, Xiao Fan floated in a clear pond. His internal injuries—meridians, bones, muscles—had healed entirely, and his life force grew more potent. Slowly, he opened his eyes, greeted by a bright blue sky, with clouds lazily drifting above. The valley around him was vibrant with blooming wildflowers swaying gently, a faint fragrance carried on the breeze.

"Aunt sister…" Xiao Fan murmured, suddenly jolted back to reality as his eyes dimmed with sorrow. He knew the scenes he had seen before were mere illusions. Shangguan Lanruo had long since left; she could no longer appear before him.

He felt a little chill in the corners of his eyes, reached out to wipe away his tears, and his eyes became firm.

"Aunt Sister, Xiao Fan will not shed tears anymore. Just wait for me—I will come back to find you!"

Xiao Fan swam to the shore from the clear pond, reflecting on all that had happened since the evil spirit's awakening. Judging by his current condition, he knew he had survived; his body felt completely untroubled. Moreover, he sensed that his strength had increased significantly compared to before, his muscles fuller and more robust—he had even reached the sixth level of the Body Refining Realm.

"Young man, your name is Xiao Fan, right?" an unfamiliar voice echoed within his mind, startling him. He looked around, but no one was in sight.

"Stop searching. I am within you," the voice spoke again. Xiao Fan stared down at his chest, realizing the voice came from his heart. Shocked and confused, he suddenly saw images in his mind, fragments of events after he had fainted, piecing together a story that left him breathless.

"You're…my heart, the Sacred Heart! Could it be the legend my aunt sister once spoke of?" Xiao Fan, quick-witted, had already guessed the answer.

"Yes, I am the Sacred Heart, and now I am a part of you."

Xiao Fan's face brightened, "With a soul as eternal as yours and the strength you preserved, you must have been a remarkable force. Please teach me your ways. I want to become stronger!"

The Sacred Heart sighed, a long and mournful sound before falling silent. After a long pause, the voice replied, "I can't teach you my cultivation techniques. Your constitution is too unique. Despite your talent, my methods will not lead you to true strength."

Xiao Fan's heart sank, feeling as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. How could he ever hope to meet Shangguan Lanruo again if he could not achieve true power?

"It's because you possess a virtual martial body. When you eventually awaken your martial soul, it will be a virtual martial soul. Such a soul produces qi without characteristics, meaning that, in battles, your power will always be overshadowed."

"I don't accept that. There are no weak martial souls, only weak cultivators. There must be a way—I have to grow stronger!" Xiao Fan's resolve was unbreakable; he had to surpass his peers, or he'd lose any chance of reuniting with Shangguan Lanruo.

"Who says the Virtual Martial Soul is weak? Only the ignorant think so. The Virtual Martial Soul is distinct, granting its host several special Origin Hearts. This is its strength, unmatched by any other soul."

"What is an Origin Heart?" Hope rekindled in Xiao Fan's eyes.

"The Heart of Virtual Martial Arts, the Heart of Passion, the Heart of Swift Wind, and the Heart of Life. As you progress, these Origin Hearts will allow you to awaken corresponding martial souls. When you reach the ninth level of the Body Refining Realm, your first soul, the Soul of Virtual Martial Arts, will automatically awaken. The other hearts, in time, will unlock the Soul of Attack, the Soul of Swift Wind, and the Soul of Life. These are the innate bloodlines of your Virtual Martial Soul. Moreover, the Virtual Martial Soul can meld all souls into one, though it requires specialized skills."

Xiao Fan was struck with awe. According to the Sacred Heart, the Virtual Martial Soul was no ordinary martial soul but one that defied fate itself. With it, he wouldn't just awaken multiple powerful souls—he could unify them.

A faint voice chimed in. "He's right. To most, the Virtual Martial Soul is weak. Yet, they fail to understand its potential. Without the right techniques, however, even you would be doomed to weakness."

The evil soul's tone had grown faint and listless. Trapped within Xiao Fan's body by the Sacred Heart, it no longer held the fierce anger of before; anger was now futile in the face of suppression and near defeat.