Chapter Five: Sovereign of the Soul

Bones and muscles resounded in unison, power penetrating every fiber, and he broke through directly to the second realm of martial cultivation—the Sea of Qi. Never in his wildest imaginings could Jiang Ming have foreseen that today would bring such a meteoric rise; not only had his cultivation soared, but he had also completed the system’s mission.

“Ding: Congratulations to the host for stepping into the second realm of martial cultivation within seven days. The talent of hundredfold comprehension is now permanently solidified.”

In that instant, Jiang Ming felt as if a shackle in his mind and spirit had fallen away, as though he had entirely merged with his own bloodline, this transformation branded deep within his soul.

“Ding: Host has opened the Sea of Qi, entering the second realm of martial cultivation. Temporarily solidifying the ‘Soul Sovereign’ talent.”

“Ding: Host must become the provincial top scorer in the preliminary round of the Martial Exam, or the ‘Soul Sovereign’ talent will vanish.”

Jiang Ming paid no heed to the prompt, focusing instead on expanding his dantian. He understood well the power surging forth within him; this was the awakening of his own potential. Breaking through the Sea of Qi and opening the dantian, elevating one’s realm—this, in truth, is the excavation of inner potential, naturally leading to the emergence of hidden powers within, cleansing bones and refining marrow, forging a lasting foundation.

Elder Tang’s voice sounded again.

“To open the Sea of Qi at the moment of breakthrough is a critical step. The size of the dantian’s space determines the strength of one’s future potential. Once the Sea of Qi is formed, it solidifies; even though it can be further expanded, it will never again reach a tenth or a twelfth of what’s possible at this first breakthrough.”

“If your spirit does not tire, guide the breath of heaven and earth to expand your dantian until you reach your limit, or until your mind is exhausted.”

“But you must not be reckless. At the initial stage of the second realm, your spirit and will are still fragile; should you exhaust your mind, you will damage your foundation and sever your future.”

“You must gauge your limits yourself.”

There was a trace of nervousness in Elder Tang’s voice.

Jiang Ming now stood motionless, eyes tightly closed.

Above his head, an invisible vortex was drawing in the breath of heaven and earth, merging it into his body. He could also clearly hear Elder Tang’s words.

His heart stirred.

His spirit was already formidable, and now, bestowed with the ‘Soul Sovereign’ talent, his spiritual strength had reached unfathomable heights.

Drawing upon the forces of heaven and earth became easier than ever.

As his thoughts turned and his will spread outward, his entire being seemed to meld into the very fabric of the world.

He became, for a moment, one with the universe.

“This…” Elder Tang’s eyes suddenly widened, unable to conceal his astonishment.

“Merging with heaven and earth?”

“His entire body is drawing in vital energy.”

“Even his spirit seems to have surged immensely.”

“What a metamorphosis, what comprehension, what talent!”

“Damn, this is unbelievable.”

Elder Tang clicked his tongue, his eyes gleaming more brightly than when he spotted a beauty from the Celestial Demon Pavilion.

At this moment, Jiang Ming was not merely drawing energy through the Baihui acupoint atop his head; energy was surging into him from every pore, flooding into the dantian.

He was like a black hole, devouring the vital energy of heaven and earth.

Within the Sea of Qi, as the energy of the world poured in, it was instantly assimilated and transformed into Jiang Ming’s own power; the vast majority fused into the barriers of the Sea of Qi, expanding it ever outward.

“So this is the qualitative transformation brought by Soul Sovereign!”

Jiang Ming realized this with clarity.

He had yet to examine the full abilities of Soul Sovereign, but he was certain this talent was no less than the hundredfold comprehension—perhaps even more terrifying.

Even this initial fusion allowed him to meld with the world, as if he could glimpse the operation of its laws, the infinite workings of creation.

At last, he stopped—not because his spirit was exhausted, but because the space within his dantian had reached its utmost limit.

The sun had already risen high above the sea, its rays filtering through the branches, dappling the swaying shadows beneath.

“Amazing, truly amazing!” Elder Tang could not help but exclaim in awe.

To merge with heaven and earth—what a terrifying talent!

And to absorb vital energy through every pore, endlessly, for so long—it left him shaken.

“Jiang, what is the extent of your dantian’s space?” Elder Tang could not resist asking, but then hurriedly added, “No, don’t tell me. I’m afraid I couldn’t bear the blow.”

Judging from what he’d just seen, the dantian’s space had to be at least three meters across.

Three meters? Six? Ten?

Good heavens, that would defy belief!

“The Federation once compiled the data of martial artists in the second realm from all one hundred and eight provinces. Most had dantian spaces of just one foot across. Two feet qualified as ordinary talent, three feet as elite. If the Sea of Qi reached five feet, that was the mark of a top-tier genius. Above three meters—unparalleled in the world.” Elder Tang explained simply, gazing at Jiang Ming as though he were a priceless jade.

“I am deeply grateful to you!” Jiang Ming bowed with utmost sincerity.

A single Foundation Pill had repaired his roots, allowing his fearsome potential to be fully unleashed.

“It was just a pill—no more than a meal to me,” Elder Tang said with a wave of his hand.

“But to me, it was a stroke of great fortune, especially on the eve of the Martial Exam,” Jiang Ming replied with a smile. “My dantian’s Sea of Qi is about six meters in diameter.”

In truth, it was thirty.

Precisely.

“Six meters? An unrivaled prodigy, peerless among men.” Elder Tang could not help a sharp intake of breath, then laughed with delight. “You, boy, are destined to rise.”

“Elder Tang, with my abilities, do you think I could take the top spot in the province?” Jiang Ming asked.

“The provincial top scorer? You’re dreaming!” Elder Tang laughed aloud. “Central Heaven Province has a population in the hundreds of millions, with some eight hundred thousand competing in the Martial Exam. There is no shortage of geniuses—some will have attained the third realm of martial cultivation, and you’ll face those whose Sea of Qi far surpasses your own. You broke through too late, with no accumulation, and haven’t even learned a proper cultivation method. Technique, realm, strategy—none can be lacking. Aside from your realm, you’re missing everything else: you lack experience, have no foundation in combat. To take the provincial top spot in the Martial Exam is as hard as reaching the sky. But…”

He hesitated.

Jiang Ming’s heart sank, but at that ‘but,’ his eyes lit up. “Elder Tang, is there still hope?”

“There is,” Elder Tang replied gravely. “The Myriad Worlds Tower.”

“The Myriad Worlds Tower?” Jiang Ming recalled the name.

He had heard of it—it was but a single building, controlled by the City Lord’s estate. Within it were numerous fixed entrances to world secret realms; so long as one reached the second realm of martial cultivation, entry was permitted.

The secret realms were wondrous—no matter how many years passed within, only an hour elapsed in the outside world.

Within, one could hone martial skills, elevate their cultivation, and amass experience and wisdom. However, if you failed to meet the requirements, everything you’d gained would be erased—and death within was real death.

The mortality rate was not low.

Once, when many flocked to explore the secret realms, the death rate soared to a staggering forty percent; now, most approached with caution.

Even today, the death rate hovers around ten percent.

Those who truly benefit, according to statistics, are only about five percent.

Most people dare not brave the world secret realms.

“Don’t do anything reckless!” Seeing Jiang Ming’s interest, Elder Tang hastened to warn him. “With your comprehension and the space you’ve opened in your Sea of Qi, your future is limitless. The glory and rewards for being the provincial top scorer are great, but not worth risking your life. All those benefits, you’ll obtain with ease in time. If you fear you won’t get into a good martial academy, I’ll guarantee you a place in Central Heaven Divine Martial University.”