A slumbering Thunder Beast, tethered to the earth by some unseen force, trembled as Wang Lin’s figure ascended into the void. After a moment of hesitation, it rose to its feet and followed.

Wang Lin’s ebony hair danced in the celestial winds. His gaze, devoid of joy or sorrow, seemed to pierce the veil of all existence.

This life was not merely a reincarnation for Wang Ping, but for Wang Lin himself.

His internal cultivation had surged beyond the nascent peak of the Asking stage, reaching its midpoint. His comprehension of the Dao had deepened with the simple yet profound lessons of this rebirth, bordering on the later stages of the Asking realm.

With enough celestial jade, Wang Lin was certain he could truly become a formidable power in the later Asking stage!

“Within the Shadow-Substance Boundary,” he mused, “I could overcome a cultivator of the Shadow realm, though it would be a grueling trial, each battle costing precious celestial essence. My reserves are already nearing their limit. As for those of the Substance realm, I am no match. Flight is my only option!”

A thoughtful glint flickered in Wang Lin’s eyes.

“The chasm between the First and Second Steps of cultivation is vast and treacherous. Even with my cultivation at the peak of the Asking stage, I would be helpless against Shadow-Substance cultivators without essence. But how to acquire such essence?”

Treading the void, Wang Lin swiftly pierced through the layers of gale-force winds, soaring into the star-strewn expanse toward the location where his divine sense followed the Celestial Guard construct and the errant Thunder Beast. Behind him, the Thunder Beast of the Thunder Immortal Temple trailed, maintaining a calculated distance.

“My immediate concerns are to gather sufficient celestial jade and find a means to replenish my celestial essence.”

Resolve hardening in his gaze, Wang Lin’s eyes flashed with determination.

Within the starry sea, he retrieved a Star Compass from his storage sack. Seated upon it, Wang Lin transformed into a streak of silver light, hurtling deeper into the luminous cosmos.

Trailing far behind, the Thunder Beast paused for a heartbeat before morphing into a bolt of lightning, rumbling in pursuit.

Wang Lin was fully aware of the Thunder Beast’s pursuit. He pressed onward, driving toward the location of the Celestial Guard.

The silver light streaked through the void, a vibrant comet leaving a roaring wake in its path.

Soon, a chilling light shone in Wang Lin’s eyes. From afar, he could hear intermittent thuds and crashes. He could see Lei Daozi, the envoy from the Thunder Immortal Temple, was in great distress. He was desperately trying to defend himself against the Celestial Guard construct, using the lightning that was emanating from his palms, only to be pushed backwards.

Next to him, the Thunder Beast, whose third seal was now undone, howled as it desperately charged at Lei Daozi, as the horn on top of its head emitted large amounts of lightning. Lei Daozi was forced to constantly dodge the beams, making his face turn pale as hopelessness filled his gaze.

The envoy noticed the silver flash, and saw that it was Wang Lin. His face filled with even more hopelessness, his celestial essence near spent. If he were to waste even a fraction of his energy, his cultivation would fall, and he would forever be unable to reach the realm of Substance! He was very scared, especially of the two sword qi attacks that Wang Lin could perform!

Wang Lin’s eyes were cold. Lei Daozi was someone that had to be killed. As the envoy of the Thunder Immortal Temple, it was imperative to kill him; if he were to escape, then Wang Lin would have endless problems.

Wang Lin retrieved seven magical swords. With a gleam of light, they soared through the air, assembling into the Seven Star Sword Formation. As they hurtled toward Lei Daozi, they let out a whistling sound.

The Celestial Guard’s body was glowing orange, and it sent out a fist towards Lei Daozi. The envoy raised his hands in an attempt to block the attack, and lightning burst forth as the force sent him backwards. At that moment, the Thunder Beast behind him spewed out a beam of lightning as thick as an arm from its horn, right towards Lei Daozi’s back.

Lei Daozi grimaced, this was how he was being attacked this whole time. He couldn’t find a way to escape this, even if he was able to fly through the stars without the Thunder Beast, he knew that he would be too slow.

As the Seven Star Sword Formation howled towards him, Lei Daozi retrieved a small, lightning-infused jade token. Upon smashing it, the token burst with lightning, creating a screen of electricity around him.

The Seven Star Sword Formation slammed into the screen, releasing a cacophony of crashes.

Inside the screen, Lei Daozi stared at Wang Lin, and cried out, “Fellow cultivator Xu, I was foolish, there is no need to be so merciless! Furthermore, I am from the Thunder Immortal Temple, if you were to kill me, you will find no place to stand in this Luo Tian Star Region!”

“If I don’t kill you, then I will find no place to stand!” Wang Lin replied coldly. He then retrieved a Soul Flag from his storage bag. As the 30-foot long flag unfurled, ghastly wails were released, piercing the ears and rattling the soul.

With a shake of the flag, all of the souls trapped within were released. Among the souls were Infant Transformation souls, and even some that were in the Asking stage!

Especially after the return of the fourth soul, despite not reaching 1 billion souls, the Soul Flag was more powerful than ever when he was on Vermillion Bird Star!

After all, the number of Great Divine souls was more than ever.

The souls scattered and surrounded the area. Great Divine souls fused into three Ultimate Main Souls!

The first soul was a giant Bear-Lin, its body radiating black Qi, with cold eyes and savage intent.

The second soul was a 30-foot giant wreathed in black Qi, its body filled with intense soul power. He emanated a powerful aura that could shake the very soul.

The third soul was a black needle, seemingly formless, hard to find even with divine sense. Its true form was the fourth, most mysterious soul within the Soul Flag!

These three Ultimate Main Souls were the result of fusing all the souls within the flag, allowing Wang Lin to exhibit his most powerful ability.

“Kill!” Wang Lin whispered.

The three Ultimate Main Souls rushed forward, together with the Celestial Guard, the Thunder Beast, and the Seven Star Sword Formation, launching a calamitous attack against the lightning barrier.
Raimaster Daozi’s pupils constricted to pinpricks, his face draining of all color. Despair clenched at his heart. A single golem and a Thunderbeast he could scarcely withstand, but now three powerful souls had materialized. The moment the lightning screen shattered, Raimaster Daozi knew, he would be slain within a handful of breaths.

“Xu Mu!!!” he cried, voice ragged. “Do not push me! Every Emissary of the Thunder Celestial Palace possesses a life-saving divine ability, and I will gladly sacrifice longevity to unleash it!” Raimaster Daozi’s eyes burned red, fixed upon Wang Lin. Bitter irony laced his thoughts. To invoke such an ability demanded immense celestial force. If one was depleted… it would siphon from one’s lifespan. Not only would his years dwindle, but his very cultivation would plummet back to the Nascent Soul stage of the first step.

Most pressing was the uncertainty of its effectiveness. Could he truly harm his foe with it? The man wielded a fearsome arsenal of spells and treasures, especially those two sword energies. The mere thought sent shivers down Raimaster Daozi’s spine. Even should he unleash this desperate power, was it not more likely to be a death sentence?

Wang Lin’s gaze remained serene. “You are the architect of this predicament, not I.”

“We have no irreconcilable blood feud! What must I do to earn my release?” Raimaster Daozi pleaded, his voice laced with bitterness.

Wang Lin’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the man within the crumbling lightning screen. “Submit as my thrall, allow me to brand you with my mark.”

Raimaster Daozi hesitated. The lightning screen surrounding him teetered on the brink. He bit back his pride, raising his head. “I consent!” he declared, but within his heart, venomous intent coiled. *This man’s cultivation is beneath mine. Even if I am branded as his slave, it cannot endure for long. Once my celestial force returns to me, I shall escape, and report him to the Thunder Celestial Palace! Revenge shall be mine!* “…Dispel the lightning screen.” Wang Lin commanded, his tone measured.

With a moment’s hesitation, Raimaster Daozi obeyed. The lightning screen vanished as quickly as it was made.

In that instant, Raimaster Daozi’s heart leaped into his throat. The Seven-Star Sword Formation clung to his form, the celestial golem’s fist poised a mere three inches from his face.

Beside him, the Thunderbeast crackled with barely suppressed energy, its eyes blazing with malice.

And all around, the three ultimate souls drifted like spectral predators, their gaze fixed on him.

Wang Lin’s eyes grew luminous with arcane power. He drew forth the Forbidden Banner from his storage bag, releasing its contents into the air. Before him, the shimmering glyphs of a forbidden formation coalesced.

A hand seal, and the formation burst forth in a blinding flash, streaking toward Raimaster Daozi.

The man did not resist. With gritted teeth, he allowed the formation to pierce his brow, threading through his meridians and plunging toward his nascent soul. As the formation touched his soul, it dissolved, weaving itself into a net of arcane restraint.

He inspected it, inwardly sneering. *This binding is… unusual, but no restraint can withstand the unyielding power of celestial force. Once my energies are restored, I shall shatter it with ease!* “This is but the first step,” Wang Lin declared. “There is yet a second.” He turned, stepping onto the Star Compass and vanishing in a streak of silver light.

Raimaster Daozi had no choice but to follow. With his captor’s guardians surrounding him, he moved like a puppet.

In the distance, the Thunder Celestial Palace’s beast trembled, then turned to flee.

Wang Lin’s cold voice echoed across the void, halting the creature in its tracks. It dared not disobey, falling into step behind its former master.

During their pursuit, Wang Lin had glimpsed a desolate, grey planet not far ahead. Devoid of spiritual energy, utterly lifeless.

He hurtled towards it, soon plunging into the desolate landscape. A world of ash and dust, wracked by fierce winds and choked with lethal fumes.

Landing upon the barren ground, Wang Lin slammed his foot down. Cracks shot through the surface. With a flourish, he formed a sword-finger, unleashing a stream of sword qi that snaked through the fissures.

With terrifying speed, a new cave was carved out, each strike so precise that a small cloud of debris drifted away.

Wang Lin strode within, and with no alternative, Raimaster Daozi went with him.

The cavern stretched out, a great hall with four chambers leading off from it. Razor lines sliced across the surface of the walls, while loose piles of dust fell to the floor. Wang Lin swept a wind and cleared the chamber, removing the dust.

He turned to Raimaster Daozi, the glint in his eyes more than calculating, more like he was looking at a tool. “After the second binding is placed, I will not hesitate to end you.”

Raimaster Daozi glanced around the chamber, surrounded by his captor’s guardians. At length, he nodded, and sighed. “Very well.” Wang Lin settled into a cross-legged position, his hands weaving a complex pattern of hand seals. Energies streaked out, and slammed into Raimaster Daozi. With each burst of light, Wang Lin spoke. “Do not resist as I mark you, else our bargain will be broken.”

Raimaster Daozi said nothing. Closing his eyes, his thoughts went to work. *I will see how deep these brands are placed, and rip them out at my first chance!* Wang Lin’s expression was dark. Only when he had the man as a Celestial Guard could he truly rest. Raimaster Daozi had everything he needed. Furthermore, the Thunderbeast would work wonders when merged together.

Even in failure, Wang Lin would lose nothing. Wang Lin spat out a burst of primal energy, which turned into countless runes, settling down into the flesh of the man before him.

Raimaster Daozi jerked, eyes bursting open. He glared at Wang Lin. Long moments dragged by, before the man’s inner strength returned to him. He closed his eyes once more, allowing Wang Lin to continue his dark work.
Just as his eyelids threatened to fall once more, Wang Lin’s eyes flashed with a sudden, fierce light. He struck his storage pouch with lightning speed, and the Kunji Whip materialized in his hand. With a snarl, he lashed it forward with devastating force.

Lei Daozi’s eyes snapped open, and he roared, “What madness is this!” But Wang Lin’s speed was unmatched, the crack of the whip echoing even faster. Before Lei Daozi could finish his desperate plea, a deafening **crack** resonated as the whip struck him.

Not merely a single blow, but a flurry of wrathful strikes! The Kunji Whip, a blur in the air, delivered six lashes in a tempestuous whirlwind of motion.

**Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!** The sounds reverberated through the cavern, and Lei Daozi’s body convulsed violently. His face drained of color, his eyes dimmed with a creeping despair. Behind him, his very soul was wrenched from his flesh, torn seven feet away from its mortal anchor.

He attempted to retaliate, to summon his power, but the Immortal Guardian stepped forward, a silent sentinel of implacable will. The Thunder Beast rumbled a menacing growl, a harbinger of doom. And the three ultimate souls, bound to Wang Lin, howled a chilling chorus that echoed throughout the grotto.

Simultaneously, the Seven Star Sword Formation erupted in a blinding display of power. The seven blades fused into a single, devastating beam, descending from the heavens like a vengeful god. Riding upon this wave of steel were the souls of seven corrupted beasts, their feral roars a tangible force that barred Lei Daozi’s soul from returning to its earthly vessel.

Upon Lei Daozi’s ethereal form, the forbidden seal that Wang Lin had etched upon him flared to life. A cage of crackling energy, woven with dark magic, imprisoned his soul within a network of shimmering lightning, holding him fast within Wang Lin’s grasp.