Chapter 544: Fragment of the Soul Domain

Gazing at the island that flickered in and out of view within the soul mist, Hua Changxi did not dare let the Soul Turtle rashly venture deep inside; she merely had it patrol the outer perimeter of the mist.

At the same time, to test whether living beings truly existed on the Soul Island, she continued to play the Soul Ballad.

Very soon, she noticed something amiss.

At first, the outline of that Soul Island was indistinct, appearing as nothing more than an illusory silhouette deep within the thick fog.

But as the Soul Ballad she played harmonized with the faint melodies emanating from the island, the originally blurred landmass seemed infused with a certain spirituality, gradually becoming increasingly solid and clear amidst the hazy mist.

This discovery caused Hua Changxi's expression to shift.

"Little Turtle, are you certain that when your father and mother previously brought you to this stretch of the river, there was no island here?"

The Soul Turtle nodded affirmatively: "No."

The reason it remembered so clearly was that as soon as the Soul River tide began this time, its father and mother had prepared to come here to steal the Moonlight Divine Water.

Then, the family of three swam to this spot and lay in ambush for a while; after its father and mother began fighting the Moon Mirage and the Taiyin Jiao, it was washed away by the soul waves.

If an island had existed above the Soul River, its father and mother could not have failed to discover it.

Furthermore, this place is not too far from the area shrouded in moonlight; if a Soul Island truly existed, the Moon Mirage and the Taiyin Jiao would have long since occupied it.

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi fell into thoughtful contemplation.

Could it be that this Soul Island requires the ensemble of the Soul Ballad to manifest?

If so, would not this Soul Island be a fortuitous encounter tailored specifically for her?

Yet, unable to confirm whether living beings existed on the island, rashly landing might prove dangerous.

Standing on the turtle's back, Hua Changxi calmed her mind and stilled her breath, her gaze locking tightly onto the front.

She also keenly perceived that the very existence of this Soul Island seemed to carry a suppressing force.

Around the island, the Soul River waters, which had originally been surging, roaring, and filled with treacherous undercurrents, appeared forcibly smoothed over by an invisible power.

The entire island resembled a needle stabilizing the sea, firmly suppressing the turbulence and peril of this river section, compelling the surging Soul River into a patch of deathly calm water.

Although the soul mist swirling around the island was dense, it no longer darted chaotically with the wind; instead, it obediently clung to the island's edges, as if guarding this mysterious existence.

An impulse to land and explore arose in Hua Changxi's heart; after much hesitation, she still instructed the Soul Turtle to carry her closer to the island.

Since the Soul Ballad could cause the island to manifest, then for this island, the Soul Ballad must be a unique token.

The greatest danger of the island was merely that it had an owner; she and the Soul Turtle landing might be seen as intruders.

But given her ability to play the Soul Ballad, it should not invite a fatal catastrophe.

Sensing no danger, the Soul Turtle, upon hearing the order, hesitated not at all and happily swam toward the Soul Island.

Very soon, the one human and one turtle arrived before the Soul Island.

Upon arrival, they discovered that the soul light shrouding the Soul Island was far thicker than they had imagined; like a mountain-protecting barrier, they simply could not penetrate it to land on the island.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi played the Soul Ballad again and soon discovered a weak spot where the soul light flickered.

The Soul Turtle nimbly swam over, successfully passed through the soul light, and carried Hua Changxi onto the island.

However, they did not notice that at the very instant they landed, the soul mist behind them churned violently; within mere moments, both the Soul Island and the sky-filling soul mist vanished without a trace.

"Whoosh, whoosh~"

Two powerful figures flashed into existence out of thin air; gazing at the empty stretch of river before them, both displayed expressions of shock and suspicion.

The arrivals were none other than the lords of the moonlight—the Moon Mirage and the Taiyin Jiao.

The Moon Mirage glanced at the Taiyin Jiao: "You also sensed something amiss?"

Although the Taiyin Jiao spoke no words, his cold gaze fixed intently on the river stretch ahead explained everything; after a long while, he finally said in a deep voice: "Spiritual qi is reviving, the Taiyin Star is awakening, and the Soul River tides are intensifying; it seems some ancient objects have been churned up."

The Moon Mirage fell into thoughtful contemplation, a glint of sharp light flashing in his eyes: "That qi signature just now... it seems to be what ancient records describe as a Fragment of the Soul Domain."

A Fragment of the Soul Domain is formed from the soul sea of a Soul Clan deity.

Even the soul domain constructed by the weakest Soul Clan deity is a rare supreme treasure in the world.

Pity that the Fragment of the Soul Domain vanished the moment it appeared.

"Master, we have landed."

Upon landing on the Soul Island, the massive form of the Soul Turtle rapidly contracted, instantly transforming into a figure about one meter in size.

It huddled closely against Hua Changxi's side, stretching its not-particularly-long neck hard, its round little eyes full of novelty as it looked around with great enthusiasm.

Hua Changxi merely cast a faint glance at it before quickly shifting her gaze away, focusing all her attention on the island.

Worried that this Soul Island had an owner, she did not dare venture deep inside rashly.

"Is the Island Lord present?"

All around was deathly silent.

"Apologies; my soul pet and I happened to pass by this place. Seeing the soul mist on this island so dense and alluring, my heart yearned to visit, so I landed to take a look. If I have caused any disturbance, I beg the Island Lord's forgiveness."

All around remained empty; there was no response whatsoever.

Hua Changxi called out two more times in succession, yet it remained like a stone sinking into the sea.

After this, she began to cautiously extend her divine sense outward to test the surroundings.

Very soon, she discovered a lush grove of Soul Power Fruit trees on the outer perimeter of the island.

To test and provoke any potentially hidden Island Lord, Hua Changxi manipulated her soul power to deliberately shake down a large cluster of Soul Power Fruits from a distance.

After the rustling sound of fruits hitting the ground, the surroundings remained as deathly silent as before.

"This Soul Island... could it be ownerless?"

As soon as this thought arose, an insuppressible surge of greed and impulse to occupy this place welled up in Hua Changxi's heart.

"Hoo~"

While striving to calm her emotions, Hua Changxi turned her head to look at the little creature by her feet: "Little Turtle, how is your combat prowess?"

The Soul Turtle tilted its head, looking at her with utter bewilderment: "Master, I don't know how to fight."

Hua Changxi frowned slightly: "Then what will you do if you encounter danger?"

The Soul Turtle puffed out its chest and declared righteously, "Then I shall announce the names of my father and mother!"

Hua Changxi's mouth twitched involuntarily: "What if this Island Lord does not know who your father and mother are at all? If danger truly arises and I cannot protect you, what will you do?"

The Soul Turtle blinked and answered matter-of-factly, "Then I will retract into my shell and refuse to come out, dead or alive."

A flicker passed through Hua Changxi's eyes as she probed cautiously, "Then if we encounter danger, can you protect me and let me hide beneath your shell as well?"

"I will," the Soul Turtle replied without hesitation.

Upon hearing this answer, a trace of relief and warmth had just risen in Hua Changxi's heart when the Soul Turtle slowly added:

"Master, if you die, there will be no one left to feed me."

It is not easy to find a Food Master willing to raise it; as it gradually grows larger and eats more and more, even its own father and mother are reluctant to keep it.

Hua Changxi was instantly speechless. She took a deep breath, ignored the Soul Turtle, and turned her gaze back toward the depths of Soul Island: "Let's go; we will venture deeper to explore."