Chapter 242: Tianmeng's Revenge Begins
"Give it all to her. It's meaningless for you to use the Angel Martial Soul to improve yourself now," Tianmeng said calmly in Xiao Qiang's spiritual sea. "As someone who has condensed a soul core at level 70, what you should worry about most now is your physical strength. Once you reach level 89 or 90, the second soul core will demand extreme physical resilience, and you're still far from that standard."
"And there's no need to use up the four levels of soul power you're lacking through ordinary means. Your second martial soul hasn't even been cultivated properly. With a high-level soul ring, your soul power will naturally rise to level 89."
Bingdi interrupted with a hint of doubt. "Wait a minute, Tianmeng. With Xiao Qiang's current soul power, even a hundred-thousand-year soul ring wouldn't let him jump four levels!"
"Bingbing, you're right—normally, it wouldn't," Tianmeng responded with a smirk. "But who said we need a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?"
"…Don't tell me you're talking about—" Bingdi's voice grew sharp.
"Xiao Qiang," Tianmeng's voice turned quiet and serious. "Do you remember what I said to you when we first met?"
"To kill all the soul beasts that imprisoned you, Tianmeng, and use them as my soul rings and soul bones."
"Exactly. Although you're not strong enough to kill Di Tian right now, you can still go collect some interest."
Bingdi suddenly grabbed Tianmeng's projection by the collar. "Collect interest from Di Tian? Are you insane?! Facing his wrath directly—Xue Di might not even make it out alive!"
"Relax," Tianmeng said, chuckling. "We don't need to face him directly. Just… make him uncomfortable enough."
Xiao Qiang narrowed his eyes. "You already have a target?"
"Of course," Tianmeng said coldly. "Among those who feasted on my flesh and essence, two soul beasts received Di Tian's special protection: Bi Ji and Zi Ji. You don't have to consider Bi Ji for now—her cultivation is too high. But Zi Ji… she's just right."
"She's also a dragon-type soul beast," Tianmeng added, "and that's perfect for enhancing your martial soul through a beneficial mutation. Not to mention, dragon-type soul bones will give your body a massive upgrade. She's the ideal candidate for your fourth soul ring."
"With her soul ring and soul bone, your path to condensing your second soul core will be far more stable."
"I understand, Brother Tianmeng."
After discussing the plan, Xiao Qiang turned his attention to the captured evil soul masters. After interrogating them about their roles in the Holy Spirit Church, he ultimately decided to hand over three of the priest-level ones to Mu Qingxue to raise her strength.
The others, including Deputy Leader Feng Ling and two elders, were kept under control using Xiao Qiang's precepts. These two elders would later serve as Mu Qingxue's resources for breaking through to level 98. After she reached level 98, they could target Zhongli Wu to help her ascend to level 99.
Once that goal was accomplished, they would be in position to destroy the Holy Spirit Church and finally decapitate Xu Tianran—satisfying everyone's wishes.
With the matter resolved, Xiao Qiang used his precepts to bind all the evil soul masters except the three priests and handed those three to Mu Qingxue. After her purification process, they returned to the Sun Moon Empire.
Upon their return, Crown Prince Xu Tianran tried to maintain his composure, but fear still leaked through his eyes.
Fortunately for him, Xiao Qiang and Jing Hongchen did not act against him, nor did they lodge any accusations afterward. Feng Ling also returned safely, further easing Xu Tianran's fears—suggesting they hadn't yet turned against him.
After nearly two months of recuperation, Xiao Qiang ensured Feng Ling and the others remained undiscovered. Then, he quietly gathered all the Hongchen Family's treasures and high-level defensive soul tools from Mingde Hall. To avoid any mishaps, Xiao Qiang used every tool at his disposal to guarantee the next phase of his plan would go perfectly.
Outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest
"…It really makes me nostalgic. It's been more than four years since we first met here… huh?"
"What's wrong, Brother Tianmeng?"
"…Wait a second. Has it only been four years since we met?"
"Yes. Any problem?"
"I was your third soul ring back then—you'd just reached level 30. And in four years, you went up more than 50 levels?"
"Well, I mean, that's thanks to you and everyone else. With your god-making plan, how could my cultivation not explode? This is all thanks to your brilliance, wisdom, and divine guidance."
"Hmph… While I do appreciate the flattery," Tianmeng said smugly, "you're not wrong. I am the world's first million-year soul beast, creator of the intelligent soul ring, and now a ninth-level soul engineer. My talents are… well, basically unmatched. But still, your achievements are yours too. You've worked hard."
Xiao Qiang: "…"
He could feel Tianmeng's ego inflating, but whatever. So long as he remained useful, Xiao Qiang could tolerate it.
With a chuckle, Xiao Qiang used his simulated soul skill to conceal his aura and prepared to sneak into the forest to capture Zi Ji. But just as he was about to move, Tianmeng stopped him.
"Wait, Xiao Qiang."
"What now?"
"Let me borrow your body."
"Huh?"
"This is my revenge. If possible, I'd prefer to take it myself."
"I understand."
In an instant, golden threads shimmered across Xiao Qiang's Sharingan—Tianmeng had taken control.
Tianmeng flexed his host's limbs, then took a sword box out from the soul guide.
Inside were four ninth-level peak soul tools, crafted by Tianmeng himself: a sword, a spear, a black chain, and lastly, something seemingly unremarkable—a brick forged from a hundred-thousand-year soul bone, enhanced by Alex's magic and Xiao Qiang's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Tianmeng's fingers brushed across each weapon slowly, his voice low and resolute.
"In the past, I was imprisoned and devoured by beasts. But now, I will take back control of everything!"
"This… is the true Tianmeng—the complete Million-Year Ice Silkworm, the complete… me!"
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Pump up the power stone