Chapter 42: The Fall of the Soul

However, Nangong Wan failed to notice that the beast spirits he had scattered were quietly merging into this space.

At this moment, Nangong Wan was in high spirits. With each breath he took, a beast spirit dissipated into black mist.

"Hehehe, Jiang Jue, stop resisting. Surrender obediently, and maybe this elder will spare your life, letting you exist within this Soul Refining Banner."

Nangong Wan laughed wildly, as if already envisioning the wonderful life that awaited him.

Before long, all the beast spirits had been slaughtered by Nangong Wan.

Nangong Wan laughed maniacally. Although these beast spirits had caused him some injuries, they were of no real consequence, as he was about to achieve victory.

"No more beast spirits, huh? Then it's time to take your life."

"Elder Nangong, don't speak so soon."

Jiang Jue shook his head slightly, his expression as calm as ever, showing not a hint of fear.

"Snap!"

A snapping sound echoed as Jiang Jue spread his arms. Countless eerie chains flew out from behind him, shrouded in black mist.

Following this, an intense vitality emanated from Jiang Jue's body, flowing into the chains. The black mist on the chains gradually morphed into black beast spirits.

These were the same beast spirits that Nangong Wan had just killed.

"What?! How is this possible?"

Nangong Wan was shocked, feeling a growing sense of unease.

Jiang Jue smiled and said,"Elder Nangong, let's begin another round of slaughter. A bright future awaits you."

With a wave of his hands, the beast spirits surged forward once more, charging fiercely and fearlessly.

As long as the beast spirits didn't dissipate outside but inside the Soul Refining Banner, Jiang Jue could gather them through the banner, infusing them with vitality to revive them.

As long as his vitality was sufficient, these beast spirits could be resurrected endlessly.

Within the Soul Refining Banner, he was the sole master. The moment Nangong Wan entered, his fate was sealed.

Nangong Wan's face grew increasingly grim. As he fought the beast spirits, his spiritual power was continuously depleted. Not only did he receive no replenishment, but this strange space also kept draining him.

His loss was Jiang Jue's gain—he would surely be exhausted to death!

"No, I must find a way to destroy Jiang Jue's spiritual body."

While battling the beast spirits, Nangong Wan racked his brain for a solution.

He realized that no matter how many times he killed these beast spirits, it was futile. Only by attacking Jiang Jue's true form could he succeed.

Time slowly passed, and the slaughter reached the third round.

With each round, Nangong Wan drew closer to Jiang Jue's body, while Jiang Jue stood motionless as if he hadn't noticed.

"Now's my chance!"

Nangong Wan suddenly lunged, his massive centipede mouth gaping wide as he aimed to devour Jiang Jue.

"Crunch!"

A harsh sound rang out as Nangong Wan appeared where Jiang Jue had been standing, but his mouth closed on nothing but air.

Jiang Jue was now dozens of kilometers away, smiling at Nangong Wan.

"See? You got impatient again."

"Elder Nangong, haste makes waste. Everything must be done step by step."

In the Soul Refining Banner's space, Jiang Jue could teleport anywhere he wanted, making sneak attacks impossible. Moments ago, he was merely toying with Nangong Wan.

Nangong Wan's resolve began to waver as he realized he could do nothing.

Once again, the beast spirits surrounded him, and he had no choice but to continue fighting. Yet, his wounds multiplied, and his soul grew fainter.

Time continued to flow.

By the tenth round, Nangong Wan was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Jiang Jue watched calmly, even encouraging him,"Come on, Elder Nangong! You're just getting started. Keep moving! Keep fighting!"

"You're over a hundred years old—prime time to face challenges. Don't slack off now!"

Nangong Wan's vision darkened, bitterness filling his heart.

For the first time, he considered surrendering his dignity as a Title Douluo just to survive.

"Jiang… Lord Holy Son, I was wrong. I admit defeat. I'm willing to stay in the Soul Refining Banner and serve you. Just spare me."

Nangong Wan wailed desperately.

"No! You must uphold your dignity as a Title Douluo. Keep fighting!"

As Nangong Wan's pleas echoed, the smile on Jiang Jue's face vanished, his voice turning icy.

"Continue!"

At his command, the beast spirits charged at Nangong Wan once more.

Time passed relentlessly.

By the fifteenth round, Nangong Wan had reverted to human form, his body covered in wounds as he continued begging for mercy.

By the twenty-seventh round, his pleas turned into curses, but Jiang Jue remained unmoved.

By the thirty-fourth round, Nangong Wan had become numb, allowing the beast spirits to gnaw at his body as he mechanically defended himself.

In the thirty-fifth round, Nangong Wan gave up completely. Lost in despair, his inner hope was devoured by darkness.

Jiang Jue stood before the faint spirit of Nangong Wan, his voice soft,"Do you still have your so-called dignity?"

A flicker of light passed through Nangong Wan's numb eyes but vanished quickly.

Without another word, Jiang Jue commanded two chains to slowly lift Nangong Wan.

Jiang Jue turned and walked away, the beast spirits escorting him. His footsteps grew distant, and the space around them darkened.

Finally, the last glimmer of light disappeared.

Nangong Wan was plunged into utter darkness.

The chains pierced his soul, leaving a shadow at its core.

The brand was imprinted!

A once-mighty Title Douluo had lost everything in endless despair, including his soul.

"Hm? The Holy Son has broken through?"

The masked Douluo standing guard outside exclaimed in surprise.

In just two short hours, Jiang Jue's spirit power had surged to level thirty-eight, breaking through two levels consecutively.

"So this is what it means to be a genius... I'm so envious."

The masked Douluo watched Jiang Jue with wide eyes, then pulled out a rabbit head from his storage ring and took a big bite.

Within Jiang Jue's spiritual sea, he sat at its center as pure spiritual power flowed from the Soul Refining Banner like a raging river, expanding his spiritual sea at a rapid pace.

The Devouring Spirit Engraving Knife activated, infusing rich vitality alongside the spiritual power into his spiritual sea.

In an instant, his spiritual sea brimmed with life.

Half an hour later, Jiang Jue opened his eyes, a grey light flashing within them.

"As expected of a Title Douluo. Even if not a spiritual type, they still provide immense spiritual power."

He smiled with satisfaction, feeling the power granted by the Soul Refining Banner.

"Next, I'll wait for more spiritual origins to come to me."

Standing up and stretching, Jiang Jue thought,"It's been seven days since we left for the Extreme North, and Huo Yuhao should be arriving soon."

"My delivery of spiritual origins is almost here."

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