274: Preparation before soul consciousness condenses

Now that you've dealt with the Demonic Body Clone, will you be able to break through to the second stage of the Martial Demon Realm?

Xiao Shi asked.

If Xiang Zizhen's strength could be enhanced, their Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect would be able to stand more firmly in Star Luo Province and undertake more actions. This was naturally something Xiao Shi was happy to see.

However, Xiang Zizhen shook his head.

"It's not that simple."

"If I were to eliminate the Demonic Body Clone now, my cultivation would essentially stop here, and I would never have any hope of reaching the Saint realm in my lifetime."

"At the same time, I would be weaker than other Martial Demons who have eliminated their Demonic Body Clones..."

Xiang Zizhen's words surprised Xiao Shi a little.

"Why is that?"

According to what he said before,

as long as one eliminated their Demonic Body Clone, they would smoothly enter the second stage of the Martial Demon Realm and become the strongest Martial Demon.

But Xiang Zizhen's current situation did not align with what he had previously stated.

"Under normal circumstances, when every Martial Demon cultivator differentiates a Demonic Body Clone, even if they have the ability to kill it, they will let it grow to a certain extent before eliminating it."

"This is because the more the Demonic Body Clone grows, the greater the improvement will be after killing it."

"Someone once tried to set up everything around them before differentiating the Demonic Body Clone, and then immediately killed it as soon as it appeared!"

"Although this method could eliminate the Demonic Body Clone the fastest, the improvement gained was extremely minimal..."

"Since then, no one has chosen to kill the Demonic Body Clone in this manner."

"They all intentionally allow the Demonic Body Clone to grow."

Xiang Zizhen's words made Xiao Shi once again lament the difficulty of the Martial Demon Realm.

In addition to facing an evil version of oneself,

one also had to compete with this evil self in terms of growth speed.

Once one fell behind the Demonic Body Clone in growth, they might be hunted down by the Demonic Body Clone instead.

"If that's the case, then why was your Demonic Body Clone so eager to kill you?"

Xiao Shi was puzzled by this.

The Demonic Body Clone should be the same as the main body.

If it killed the main body too early, even if the Demonic Body Clone could enter the second stage of the Martial Demon Realm, the improvement in strength would not be significant.

Under these circumstances,

Xiang Zizhen's Demonic Body Clone was so eager to plot his death.

This was very unusual.

"Because he's afraid of me."

Xiang Zizhen looked at the black mark in his hand.

"The Soul Body Clone has all my memories from before differentiation, so he knows... if we develop steadily together, he definitely won't stand a chance."

"The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for him."

"Of course, I initially thought he wanted to find an opportunity to suppress me and limit my growth, and I didn't expect him to be so eager to settle things with me so early."

Xiao Shi nodded.

Although Xiang Zizhen didn't explain in too much detail, he knew Xiang Zizhen's background like the back of his hand.

He knew that behind Xiang Zizhen, there was a Paladin who had been exiled and fortunately escaped the purge back then.

With this powerful Paladin as a backer,

Xiang Zizhen's Demonic Body Clone definitely couldn't compare to Xiang Zizhen in terms of development speed.

This was the difference brought about by their identities.

Although the Demonic Body Clone was the same as Xiang Zizhen in terms of strength, methods, and intelligence, he could not inherit Xiang Zizhen's identity.

This destined that he would definitely lose if he competed with Xiang Zizhen in development.

Hence, this series of actions.

"He killed Qin Mo also to destroy my identity within the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect. Only when I no longer had the identity of the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect would he have a chance to compete with me in development."

"However, after I became aware of it, I immediately cut off his connection with other members, preventing him from having the opportunity to harm other members."

"At the same time, the other members' trust in me meant no one suspected me..."

"As for me leading the blame to you, it was also to test you, not to make you a scapegoat. I hope you don't mind."

Xiang Zizhen said with a hint of apology.

Xiao Shi expressed his understanding.

The first time he met Xiang Zizhen, he felt a similar quality in him as himself.

Caution!

If it were him, he would do the same.

After all, this not only concerned himself but also the safety of other members.

"Then how do you plan to deal with this Demonic Body Clone?"

Xiao Shi asked.

Given the current strength of this Demonic Body Clone, it was clearly not yet time to kill it.

If Xiang Zizhen were to eliminate the Demonic Body Clone now, even if he could break through to the second stage of the Martial Demon Realm, the improvement would not be significant.

But it was also impossible to release the Demonic Body Clone.

"I need to consult my master on this matter..."

Xiang Zizhen said.

"No matter what, with the Demonic Body Clone in my hands now, I hold the initiative."

"This is also a good opportunity for me to learn some information from my master."

Xiao Shi nodded.

After learning about the Martial Demon Realm from Xiang Zizhen, a sense of heaviness settled in his heart.

This realm... was far more difficult than he had imagined!

At the same time, he also knew.

The reason Xiang Zizhen told him about the Martial Demon Realm in advance was partly out of gratitude and trust in him.

On the other hand, it was also to remind him that if he wanted to challenge the Martial Demon Realm, he needed to be prepared to face another version of himself.

This was precisely where Xiao Shi felt a headache and difficulty.

He was not confident that he could deal with another version of himself.

If another version of himself also hid as cautiously as he did... it might be impossible to find him in this lifetime.

Of course.

This was not what Xiao Shi was most worried about.

What he was most worried about was that his Demonic Body Clone would also drop items upon being killed, just like the main body!

If so,

it would be even harder for him to deal with the Demonic Body Clone.

Just imagine... a Demonic Xiao Shi with no bottom line, who could continuously drop items through killing, would definitely not be comparable to his main body in terms of strength improvement!

From the current conditions,

Xiao Shi felt that even if he had the ability to challenge the Martial Demon Realm, he should not easily differentiate a Demonic Body Clone.

It was too dangerous!

"To challenge the Martial Demon Realm, I must find a way to deal with the Demonic Body Clone while still in the Martial Soul Realm."

"Otherwise, I definitely cannot rashly differentiate a Demonic Body Clone."

Xiao Shi thought to himself.

Fortunately, he was still some distance away from the Martial Demon Realm.

He still had time to prepare.

Xiao Shi's actions in rescuing Xiang Zizhen this time successfully earned him Xiang Zizhen's trust.

Xiang Zizhen stated that he would enter the Dream World to clarify this matter with the other members of the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect, and would then officially accept Xiao Shi as one of them.

However, Xiang Zizhen specifically reminded Xiao Shi.

Although the two of them were together now,

when they returned, if they needed to discuss matters concerning the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect, they should still do so in the Dream World.

Outside the Dream World,

they would continue to interact as Warden and Prison Guard.

They would not discuss any topics related to the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect.

Xiao Shi also nodded in agreement.

Their identities were always sensitive in Star Luo Province.

Necessary precautions had to be taken.

"I hope you can improve your strength as soon as possible, and I will do my best to help you raise your status and position in the prison..."

"I have an incredibly important operation for our Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect."

"However, with your current cultivation and status, participating in it is still a bit difficult. You need to have a certain level of cultivation and status to participate in this operation!"

Xiang Zizhen said to Xiao Shi with a serious expression.

Although Xiao Shi had shown impressive strength this time,

he was ultimately only a Martial Soul Realm cultivator in the Soul Awakening Stage.

The reason he was able to save Xiang Zizhen

was largely because Xiang Zizhen had previously fought with his clone, and both were in an exhausted state.

There was an element of taking advantage of the situation.

If they were at their peak strength,

Xiao Shi's cultivation would definitely not have allowed him to participate.

Xiao Shi nodded.

Although he hadn't obtained any item drops by killing in the underground palace this time,

the array patterns he encountered in the palace had given him immense gains in the field of formations.

Coupled with his current contact with Xiang Zizhen, it would certainly be much easier for him to kill prisoners in the prison from now on.

He believed it wouldn't be long

before he could condense Soul Consciousness, thereby stepping into the second stage of the Martial Soul Realm, the Soul Consciousness Stage.

"Also..."

"That Soul Body is not easy to suppress. If you don't have a very good container, it's best not to try to contain it. Be careful of backlash."

Xiang Zizhen said with a serious expression.

He did not ask Xiao Shi how he managed to remain unharmed after being invaded by the Blood-colored Soul Body earlier.

He knew very well.

Everyone had their own secrets.

This was the foundation of everyone's survival.

Unless the other party wanted to speak, he would not ask.

Xiao Shi nodded.

From Xiang Zizhen, he also gained some understanding of the Blood-colored Soul Body from before.

He learned that this Soul Body was an unusual one.

The reason Xiang Zizhen entered the underground palace this time

was actually for this Soul Body.

According to his initial plan,

he knew that this sealed and imprisoned Soul Body would cause trouble in the underground palace and try to escape.

He originally intended to use a stratagem against it.

To acquire this Soul Body.

After all, with the Soul Body sealed, even Xiang Zizhen himself couldn't break the seal within its body.

He needed to wait for the other party to break the seal itself.

And escape from its body.

Only then could he find an opportunity to capture it.

He just didn't expect... this Soul Body had colluded with his Demonic Body Clone beforehand to set up a deadly trap.

Which almost caused him to perish in the underground palace.

According to Xiang Zizhen,

this Soul Body was the best choice for a weapon spirit.

Originally, he planned to acquire this Soul Body and forge it into a weapon spirit.

If he could have such a weapon spirit... his combat power would be significantly enhanced.

Then he would have more confidence when dealing with the Demonic Body Clone.

Of course.

Now that this Soul Body had fallen into Xiao Shi's hands,

he couldn't possibly ask Xiao Shi for it.

Since Xiao Shi had captured it,

then this Soul Body naturally belonged to Xiao Shi.

And after Xiao Shi communicated with the incomplete consciousness in the coffin, he learned that although the coffin had swallowed the Soul Body, it wasn't treating it as food.

Instead, it was making the Soul Body work inside the coffin!

The incomplete consciousness in the coffin stated

that if Xiao Shi needed to use the Soul Body, it could release it for Xiao Shi to command.

However, there would be a certain time limit.

The Soul Body had already been branded by the incomplete consciousness in the coffin and could not leave the coffin for extended periods.

At the same time, the incomplete consciousness in the coffin stated

that Xiao Shi didn't need to worry about the Soul Body rebelling or similar actions.

The Soul Body was now completely subdued and extremely obedient.

In this way,

Xiao Shi gained a powerful new means!

However, he still needed to further research how to use the Soul Body.

Soon,

after Xiao Shi and Xiang Zizhen had a deep conversation,

they began their return together.

Both tacitly returned to their previous mode of interaction, no longer discussing any topics related to the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect.

As if they were completely unaware of each other's identities.

And on the way back,

Xiao Shi's main body was still immersed in the immense gains brought by the interpretation of the array patterns.

The interpretation of this array pattern not only allowed him to understand the array formations in the underground palace, but the greater gain was that it gave him a deeper mastery and understanding of array formations.

To the extent that his mind was now constantly filled with various new ideas.

"I can completely transform the 'Soul Forging Art' cultivation technique into an array formation that can enhance my Soul Power!"

"This way, I can accelerate the speed of my Soul Power improvement, so that I can condense Soul Consciousness faster!"

With this thought in mind,

Xiao Shi immediately began preparing for it that very day.

He purchased a lot of materials for setting up array formations from Prison City.

He directly set up the array formation he envisioned in the courtyard where he currently resided.

This immediately caused his Soul Power to increase at an astonishing rate.

With the continuous surge of Soul Power,

the Soul Power in his mind became increasingly substantial.

In just a few days,

his entire Soul Power had doubled.

"I feel that with my current Soul Power, I can almost begin to condense Soul Consciousness..."

Xiao Shi thought to himself.

He knew very well.

The key to breaking through from the Soul Awakening Stage to the Soul Consciousness Stage lay in condensing the Soul Power in one's mind into Soul Consciousness.

This usually required a large amount of Soul Power to achieve.

Of course.

In addition to sufficient Soul Power, specific Soul Consciousness condensing cultivation techniques were also indispensable.

The Soul Consciousness condensed by different cultivation techniques often varied greatly.

The reason why some people's Soul Consciousness was born stronger than ordinary people

was because the Soul Consciousness condensing cultivation techniques they practiced were inherently stronger than normal Soul Consciousness condensing cultivation techniques.

In this regard, Xiao Shi didn't have to worry.

The cultivation method he had obtained from Qin Mo earlier already included the condensation of Soul Consciousness.

However,

the Soul Consciousness condensation of the Crimson Tiger Lineage was somewhat different from ordinary Soul Consciousness condensation.

It required more Soul Power than ordinary Soul Consciousness condensation.

And also needed some important items as aids.