"I have the feeling I'm facing another ultimate being."
Xia Qin, the Strongest One, was shocked. This was a sensation exclusive to the Strongest Ones, only experienced when confronting another of the same level.
Xia Qin would feel this way when interacting with the other eight Strongest Ones.
He would also experience it when negotiating with Strongest Ones from other races.
But now?
Lin Yuan?
A young fellow who had only just entered the tenth rank?
He was giving Xia Qin a similar feeling?
If Xia Qin hadn't been personally experiencing this, he would have never believed it.
It was too absurd.
"What's the reason?"
"Is it his soul will? Has the Lin Yuan's soul will surpassed the threshold of 18 million? No, it hasn't just surpassed it, it has far exceeded it."
Xia Qin's mind worked at lightning speed as he immediately deduced the most likely reason.
First of all, they were in the virtual world, where both Lin Yuan and Xia Qin were only present through a fragment of their soul will.
Secondly, this was Xia Qin's personal domain. Without his permission, even other Strongest Ones couldn't use any powers here.
In other words, the overwhelming sensation Xia Qin was feeling from Lin Yuan was purely the result of Lin Yuan's soul will.
Only a soul will at the level of the Strongest Ones could give Xia Qin this feeling.
But Lin Yuan?
A soul will at the level of the Strongest Ones?
Xia Qin didn't know what to make of it.
A tenth-ranked being? With a soul will on par with a Strongest One?
This could hardly be called a tenth-ranked being anymore.
Xia Qin fell silent.
"Strongest One?" Lin Yuan also noticed Xia Qin's repeated glances.
Under normal circumstances, Xia Qin would have already asked about the reason for Lin Yuan's visit.
"It seems he sensed the strength of my soul will," Lin Yuan thought to himself.
This was unavoidable. Although Lin Yuan's soul will had reached the twelfth rank, his rank was still at the tenth level, making it impossible to fully conceal it from a Strongest One.
Even if he hadn't visited Xia Qin, the Strongest One would have noticed it before Lin Yuan broke through to the eleventh rank.
"Has your soul will surpassed 20 million?" Xia Qin asked after a moment of silence.
Once the soul will surpassed the ten million threshold, it became difficult to measure precisely.
Xia Qin could only sense that Lin Yuan's soul will had definitely reached the twelfth-rank level, and not just barely.
"Pretty much," Lin Yuan nodded.
In truth, his soul will had reached 33.34 million, but it still fit within the "over 20 million" category.
"You..."
Hearing Lin Yuan's confirmation, Xia Qin was at a loss for words.
A freak.
An absolute freak.
At just the tenth rank, Lin Yuan's soul will had already entered the twelfth-rank domain. Was this something a human evolver could achieve?
Compared to other talents and traits, the soul will was the hardest to take shortcuts with. Even the unique and noble bloodlines of certain special lifeforms still had to cultivate their soul will from scratch. While a powerful body and soul might produce a slightly stronger soul will, it wasn't as overwhelmingly advantageous as in other aspects.
"I spent some time in seclusion recently and had a breakthrough in my understanding of the soul will," Lin Yuan explained, using the reason he had already prepared.
The soul will could be strengthened not only by time and experience but also through moments of "enlightenment."
This "enlightenment" referred to sudden insight into the workings of the universe and the nature of all things.
However, such moments were rare and often occurred between lower-level beings.
For example, a fourth or fifth-ranked being might experience a sudden enlightenment, causing their soul will to leap from several hundred points to several thousand.
There were also certain primitive lifeforms on wild planets that, without any evolutionary training, could have a soul will approaching ten thousand.
But for someone like Lin Yuan, whose soul will had skyrocketed beyond 20 million through such enlightenment? That had likely never happened before.
"Enlightenment..."
Xia Qin fell silent again. He suspected that Lin Yuan's recent increase in soul will wasn't just due to enlightenment.
The scale of the improvement was too great.
However, this was Lin Yuan's personal secret, and Xia Qin had no intention of prying.
Ever since Lin Yuan broke through to the tenth rank and caused the primal chaos origin to descend, tearing apart space across light-years, Xia Qin had known Lin Yuan had his own unique opportunities.
Xia Qin wouldn't ask about such things.
"A strong soul will... is always a good thing," Xia Qin finally said after some thought.
The higher one's rank as an evolver, the more they realized the importance of the soul will.
For beings ranked between the first and sixth stages, they might not even know what the soul will was.
But at the seventh rank, especially when attempting to break through to the eighth rank, one of the prerequisites was a soul will of at least 10,000 points.
Only then could they have a chance of overcoming the mental tribulations that awaited them.
From the eighth rank onward, the influence of the soul will became increasingly significant, and by the eleventh rank, a soul will of millions of points was essential for attempting the final leap to the ultimate stage.
In fact, the importance of the soul will extended far beyond that.
Although the physical bodies and souls of eleventh-ranked beings no longer decayed, they still had to rely on time manipulation to extend their lifespan.
In theory, eleventh-ranked beings shouldn't have a lifespan limit due to their physical and spiritual longevity.
Yet, the longer they lived, the more their soul will would twist and distort, eventually leading to their demise.
This was where the strength of the soul will became crucial.
The stronger the soul will, the more resistant one was to this kind of madness and distortion.
With Lin Yuan's current level of soul will, he could easily live through an entire cosmic era.
In fact, if not for the eventual collapse of the time stream when the universe itself ended, Lin Yuan could continue to live through one cosmic era after another.
A powerful soul will also provided substantial benefits in many other areas, especially in the defense of the soul. A strong soul will was often more effective than any soul defense treasure.
"Strongest One, I came here today because I'm preparing to break through to the eleventh rank."
Lin Yuan finally addressed the main reason for his visit.
"Breaking through to the eleventh rank?"
Xia Qin immediately refocused.
He had already anticipated that Lin Yuan's visit was related to this.
But when they first met, Xia Qin had been so overwhelmed by Lin Yuan's terrifying soul will that he hadn't recovered until now.
"When are you planning to break through?" Xia Qin asked seriously.
"Within the next few months," Lin Yuan replied.
He wanted to break through at his peak condition, and given his current rate of adjustment, a few months would be sufficient.
"No problem," Xia Qin nodded.
"I'll inform the others, and we'll all guard you during your breakthrough."
Xia Qin's tone became more solemn.
By "the others," Xia Qin was referring to the other eight Strongest Ones of human civilization.
A few centuries ago, when Lin Yuan broke through to the tenth rank, the commotion had been far greater than Xia Qin had expected.
If not for the combined efforts of himself and the Strongest One, Yu Die, the sheer force of the primal chaos origin would have alerted the other Strongest Ones of different races.
This time, Xia Qin planned to be fully prepared by involving all nine Strongest Ones of human civilization.
With the combined power of nine Strongest Ones, they could easily safeguard an eleventh-ranked breakthrough, or even the final leap to the ultimate rank.
"You can rest assured that my true self will be watching over the Milky Way Main Star. Just focus on your breakthrough," Xia Qin added.
Each of the nine Strongest Ones of human civilization was stationed at key points in their territory to deter the Strongest Ones of other races.
After all, the true self of a Strongest One represented the highest level of power in the universe.
But for Lin Yuan's breakthrough, Xia Qin was ready to act personally if necessary.
Ensuring Lin Yuan's successful breakthrough to the eleventh rank was currently the most important matter for human civilization, even if it meant paying some price.
Moreover, even if Xia Qin did act, it was unlikely the other races would take any drastic measures, unless they wanted to ignite a full-scale war. For now, the balance of power would likely remain stable.
"Thank you, Strongest One."
Lin Yuan expressed his gratitude.
This was the advantage of having a powerful backing. As long as Lin Yuan had the potential to grow, there would be no need to worry about external threats during his breakthrough. He could focus solely on his cultivation.
"No need to thank me," Xia Qin replied, shaking his head.
If the other peak races in the universe knew that human civilization had produced such a monster like Lin Yuan, they would likely be driven mad with jealousy.
"With your current strength, you should start considering the final leap to the ultimate stage."
"The final leap for an eleventh-ranked being is something that external help can assist with, but it will never be the decisive factor."
Xia Qin rarely offered advice.
Human civilization did possess certain treasures and techniques that could assist with the final leap, such as the "Cosmic Source."
But to break through to the twelfth rank and become a Strongest One, it ultimately came down to the individual.
Lin Yuan nodded, "Understood."
The most crucial treasure Lin Yuan had for the final leap was the "Heart of Time and Space."
This was prepared by the Master of Devil Jade Tower for his personal disciples, and it extended the duration of the final leap, allowing one to break free from the constraints of the time stream.
Compared to the "Cosmic Source," the effects of the "Heart of Time and Space" were far more powerful.
"Good to know," Xia Qin nodded.
Usually, such advice would be given to an eleventh-ranked being on the verge of making the leap.
But Lin Yuan, still at the tenth rank, was a complete exception.
"Strongest One, there's something else."
Lin Yuan spoke up again after exchanging a few more words with Xia Qin.
"Go ahead," Xia Qin said with a smile.
"I want to study that twelfth-ranked body directly."
Lin Yuan said.
In the virtual world, the projection of the body could only go so far.
To fully comprehend all the pathways of the magic evolution, he would need to study the body itself.
Before his tenth transmigration, Lin Yuan would not have attempted this. Facing a twelfth-ranked being's corpse posed great risks to anyone below the twelfth rank.
"That body, huh..."
"You... should be fine."
Xia Qin had initially intended to warn Lin Yuan about the mental pressure of the body's lingering soul will.
But then he remembered Lin Yuan's soul will was already at the level of a Strongest One. The lingering soul will in that corpse posed no real threat to beings of the same level.
This had already been confirmed multiple times by the nine Strongest Ones of human civilization.
In fact, Xia Qin himself had studied the body for a time and had comprehended most of its magic evolution pathways.
Unfortunately, the requirements for a Strongest One to join the Devil Jade Tower were vastly different from those for lower-ranked beings.
Even if a Strongest One comprehended all the evolution pathways from the body, they couldn't become even an ordinary member of the Devil Jade Tower.
For seventh- and eighth-ranked beings, the requirements were all about understanding the evolution pathways. But for Strongest Ones, the standards were entirely different and set by the Tower's Master.
However, the Tower's Master had been missing for several cosmic eras, so Strongest Ones could no longer join the Devil Jade Tower.
"But you still need to be cautious."
"If you sense anything unusual, pull back immediately."
Xia Qin thought about it carefully and, after confirming there was no real danger for Lin Yuan, nodded.
"Understood."
Lin Yuan replied.
"I've unlocked your access. You just need to head to Site 13, and someone will guide you to it."
Xia Qin closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them and looked at Lin Yuan.
Human civilization had twenty-two such restricted sites, and the twelfth-ranked body from the Devil Jade Tower was kept in Site 13 under the watch of the nine Strongest Ones.
"Site 13."
Lin Yuan nodded. He had once been to a grand hall, led by Yu Die, where he had stood before several Strongest Ones. That had been Site 3.
"How many merit points do I need to contribute?"
Lin Yuan asked.
Studying twelfth-ranked treasures always required the payment of merit points.
"That body has been there for ages, and no one's really studying it. You won't be in the way. There's no need for merit points," Xia Qin waved his hand dismissively.
Technically, Xia Qin could charge merit points for this, but with his level of authority, he could just as easily choose not to. And given how little merit points meant to him, he couldn't be bothered.
"Thank you, Strongest One."
Lin Yuan expressed his gratitude, knowing that this was Xia Qin looking out for him.
After chatting for a little longer, Lin Yuan took his leave.
As he watched Lin Yuan disappear from his personal domain, Xia Qin began to ponder.
Not long after, a figure materialized out of thin air.
It was Yu Die, the Strongest One.
"Xia Qin, have you lost your mind, allowing the Lin Yuan to study that body?"
Yu Die frowned.
Xia Qin's permission for Lin Yuan to access Site 13 and study the body had been transmitted through the virtual world.
As the creator of the virtual world, Yu Die had immediately noticed and rushed over.
Being a Strongest One herself, Yu Die was well aware of the dangers that body posed to beings below the twelfth rank.
This was evident in the fact that no eleventh-ranked evolver had dared to study it directly.
Even the seventh- and eighth-ranked evolvers were only studying a projection of the body. The mental pressure of the original body was far more overwhelming than the projection.
Yu Die couldn't understand why Xia Qin would make such a decision.
The Lin Yuan was the most talented genius human civilization had ever produced, with the potential to become the tenth Strongest One. Letting such an exceptionally gifted individual study that body?
Yu Die was baffled.
"Yu Die, there's no need to worry."
Xia Qin looked at her and began to explain, "The Lin Yuan's talent exceeds even our expectations."
"Talent is talent, but the Lin Yuan is still only at the tenth rank. Even if he has the potential to resist the mental pressure of that body, it's something he should do after reaching the twelfth rank. Have you really thought about the consequences?"
Yu Die retorted.
The Lin Yuan might have been a part of Xia Qin's evolution tower, but with such a monstrously talented genius, Yu Die wasn't going to stand by and let Xia Qin ruin him.
"The twelfth rank?"
Xia Qin's expression turned a little strange. Finally, he shook his head and said, "There's no need to wait that long. He can handle it now."
"What do you mean?" Yu Die was taken aback.
"The Lin Yuan's soul will has already reached the twelfth rank."
Xia Qin didn't beat around the bush and told her directly.
"His soul will has reached the twelfth rank?"
Yu Die fell silent.
She immediately sent a thread of her soul will through the virtual world's permissions and locked onto the fragment of Lin Yuan's soul will that had just appeared.
"It's true. His soul will surpasses 18 million. To be precise, it's over 20 million."
Yu Die's pupils contracted as she confirmed what Xia Qin had told her.
"Right?" Xia Qin smirked, sensing Yu Die's shock, just as he had been moments earlier.
"A tenth-ranked being with a soul will this strong?"
Yu Die muttered to herself.
With a soul will this powerful, there would be no problem with Lin Yuan studying the body.
After all, it was just a body, long dead for countless years. The fact that it retained any mental pressure at all was impressive. Besides, the nine Strongest Ones of human civilization had already suppressed it.
As long as Lin Yuan could withstand the mental pressure, there would be no danger.
"Who knows?"
Xia Qin shook his head, his face full of anticipation. "But now I'm even more curious to see how far this kid will go."
...
20 chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
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