Chapter 135: Second Soul Transformation

"Standing on my side?"

After the Silver Star Title: Duke left, Lei En kept chewing over that last sentence in his mind.

Clearly, the "taking sides" the Silver Star Title: Duke mentioned isn't a simple allegiance. With her strength and status, she qualifies as a rival, and on the other side she would certainly also be a Holy Soul Wizard.

Lei En thought to himself, indeed, there is internal strife within the Supreme Council.

When he first heard Viola introduce the dispute over casting philosophies, he had already anticipated this.

The fact that the Silver Star Title: Duke said that shows she believes she will have the chance to grow in the future, thereby earning the right to pick a side and affect the power games among Holy Soul Wizards.

"That's a lot of confidence in me, huh?" Lei En himself found it unbelievable.

In the Empire's more than two thousand years of history, the Holy Soul Wizards that have been born, plus a few who have already died, total less than twenty, averaging less than one per century.

He is now merely a junior Wizard, yet the Silver Star Title: Duke thinks he might later ascend to a Holy Soul!

So, she gave him the Azure Sky Song, not simply out of gratitude or reward, but perhaps as an angel investment?

Lei En looked at Viola and saw that her expression was also somewhat surprised.

Viola also caught the deeper meaning of that sentence, thought for a moment, and said, puzzled, "The Title: Duke is always accurate in judging people, but I don't understand why the Title: Duke didn't take you on directly as a student?"

"Perhaps I'm unsuitable in some aspect,"

Lei En also found it odd.

Wizard apprenticeship is a common way to forge alliances; both parties are willing, and the teacher and student need not belong to the same school.

What the teacher imparts to the student is generally not a specific spell, but casting techniques and magical knowledge.

For example, among the Silver Star Title: Duke's students, there are Elemental practitioners of the Law Seal school, combat Wizards like Krifis Title: Master, and even an elf Wizard.

The Silver Star Title: Duke herself is a Ten Thousand Spirits Wizard of the Soul‑Guiding school, and also the only Ten Thousand Spirits Wizard within the Supreme Council.

When a Holy Soul Wizard seeks an apprentice, no one would refuse.

Lei En, of course, was also very willing.

Unfortunately, the Silver Star Title: Duke seemed not to have that intention.

Viola felt very regretful, but Lei En thought it was fine; such matters can't be forced. He looked at the Azure Sky Song in his hand, and excitement inevitably flashed in his eyes.

An epic‑level magical sword, a weapon many casters have dreamed of, he had obtained it himself!

He gripped the hilt, feeling the tremendous energy emanating from the blade.

Viola was a bit envious, admired it for a moment, and smiled, "Lei En, would you like to try it out in the shop's training ground?"

Violet House sells all kinds of magic‑related goods, naturally including weapons; on the lower level there is a spacious training ground where customers can test the shop's equipment.

"Fine."

Lei En followed her downstairs into the training ground.

He raised his hand and first released a Dragon Power Technique on himself; during the casting, he sensed a difference from before.

As the spell formed, the energy from the Azure Sky Song merged with his soul energy, the two fusing perfectly, triggering the Soul Element; the spell leapt up a tier in an instant, its power surging dramatically.

A clear phantom of a massive dragon head descended, covering Lei En's body with a layer of dragon‑scale skin.

At the same time, a massive force surged within his body.

His Dragon Power Technique was originally a two‑ring spell, but with the Azure Sky Song's aid, it became a three‑ring!

Lei En carefully experienced it for a while; the three‑ring Dragon Power Technique boosted his strength by roughly ten thousand pounds, nearly three times what the two‑ring version gave.

Under normal circumstances, the three‑ring Dragon Power Technique's enhancement wouldn't be this high.

But Lei En's own power is so great that the Dragon Power Technique's amplification also rose dramatically, achieving astonishing results.

Lei En also didn't know what his current strength ceiling was.

Seventh‑level strength had long surpassed the limits ordinary people can test; even the massive iron blocks once used for training, weighing up to ten thousand pounds, he could lift effortlessly.

Lei En estimated that after the three‑ring Dragon Power Technique's boost, his strength should reach fifty thousand pounds!

However, after his strength rose to seventh level and his steel body reached third tier, Lei En found his speed seemed to have actually slowed.

Because of the Willpower of Truth, his mental reactions were swift.

But his whole body was like forged metal—defense and strength were extreme, yet agility lagged, the three aspects were unbalanced, like a bucket whose wooden plank is missing half, becoming a weak board.

"In the future I must fuse speed‑type Elements, lest I lag behind."

Lei En thought to himself.

Then he continued testing spells, aimed forward, and cast a Rainbow Light Ray.

This spell was also upgraded to three‑ring by the Azure Sky Song, its range reaching a pleasing twelve meters, the beam's diameter thicker, and it gained an additional negative effect: Burn. This burn is an Arcane fire, a blue‑purple translucent flame clinging to the target, hard to extinguish; without sufficient magical resistance, one could be burned alive.

Lei En was overjoyed; at last he had a formidable offensive spell he could brandish.

Later he tried a few more times, becoming familiar with the Azure Sky Song's enchantment.

After the spell's tier was raised, its soul‑energy consumption remained the same, only the casting time lengthened.

The Azure Sky Song's tier‑up effect applies only to spells he casts himself; spells triggered from rune books or other enchanted gear do not receive the boost.

Regarding the double‑cast effect, Lei En released the Rainbow Light Ray repeatedly for over a dozen times, and finally it manifested once.

When triggered, the beam became both thicker and longer, as if two beams overlapped, its power extraordinarily staggering.

"That's a critical hit!"

Lei En originally wanted to try mastering this casting technique, but found it too difficult.

Double‑casting is the highest‑tier Arcane technique, requiring a thorough understanding of the spell, perfect mastery of the soul‑energy formation process and principles, long‑term study, proactive refinement, and any slight error could cause a casting failure, even a backlash.

Usually Wizards cast by simply using soul‑energy to trigger Arcane Element.

No need to scrutinize the spell's formation principles or finely control soul‑energy, just like driving a car with automatic transmission—if the car moves, that's enough.

Such casting involves no technique at all.

But true veteran drivers and professional racers all drive with manual transmission.

These are various Arcane techniques, including double‑casting, rapid casting, high‑efficacy casting, extreme‑efficacy casting, delay, timed, instant, silent, expansion, deflection, reflection, counter‑measure… and so on; each Arcane technique has its own merits and is difficult to master.

Powerful casters usually know at least two or three supermagic techniques.

Any supermagic technique requires a deep understanding of the spell's principles.

But the most troublesome thing is that supermagic techniques are not universal.

For example, quick casting can reduce casting time; applied to the Fireball spell, it demands research on that spell to shave off the casting duration bit by bit.

This requires long‑term training; through repeated casting and magical experiments, skill becomes instinct, the success rate rises, and a satisfactory result is eventually achieved.

But when switching to another spell, quick casting still demands in‑depth study of the new spell.

If a spell's loop count increases and the casting process changes, it must be researched again before the supermagic technique can be reapplied, though it will be easier to pick up than before.

A person's time and energy are limited; not every spell can employ a supermagic technique.

Therefore, most casters have the spells they excel at.

This is also the foundation of the Mo Du school's philosophy: few but refined spells, with one spell using multiple supermagic techniques to maximize its potency.

Lei En currently knows no supermagic techniques.

He has only had preliminary practice with the Rainbow Light Ray, having read the book "Research on Ray‑type Spells", but he lacks the time for deep comprehension, and there is no technique to speak of.

Even the simplest high‑efficiency casting he has never tried.

However, possessing the legendary Element "Truth Will" greatly aids in mastering supermagic techniques; future magical research will surely be much easier for him than for other Wizards.

Lei En, while thinking, also felt out the function of the Song of Azure Sky.

Viola had stepped away for a moment earlier; now she returned to the training ground, holding a black leather sheath.

"The shop sells sheaths; this one fits perfectly."

Lei En took it and saw that the sheath was made of tough hide from some magical beast, its appearance plain and of little value, but its size matched the Song of Azure Sky exactly.

He sheathed the sword; the leather sheath has a hook on one side that can clip onto his dragon‑skin strap, very securely.

The blade of the Song of Azure Sky is short, hanging at the waist just right, not hindering daily activities.

"Hehe, not bad…"

Lei En, satisfied, patted the sheath, exposing only the sky‑blue hilt; anyone seeing it wouldn't think it was an epic‑level weapon.

If he were to get a robe as well, he'd be just like an ordinary caster.

He enjoyed admiring it for a while, pleased.

Lei En then remembered the matter at hand, turned and asked, "Does the shop still have Soul‑devouring elixir? I'd like to buy a dose."

"You're going to perform a Soul Transformation ceremony today?" Viola couldn't help but worry, "Isn't that too hasty? Should you wait a few more days until your soul state is at its best?"

"No need, I'm at my peak right now," Lei En shook his head.

His energy was full yesterday; the recent casting drained some, but it will recover quickly, and he can undergo Soul Transformation at any moment—he's already impatient.

Seeing his determination, Viola stopped urging him and immediately sent someone to prepare the Soul Transformation ceremony.

What she called preparation was merely mixing the Soul‑devouring elixir.

Lei En had experienced a Soul Transformation ceremony before; this time, he had already lifted the Blood Soul Curse, so he didn't need a spiritual protection scroll or any other aids.

He only needed to borrow a Soul Transformation rune platform.

The Soul‑devouring elixir was prepared quickly; the same formula is used for every Soul Transformation, even after reaching legendary rank.

Lei En entered the room and lay down on the rune platform.

This Soul Transformation ceremony was hosted personally by Viola; she didn't trust anyone else.

Viola secured Lei En's limbs.

She picked up the syringe, looked at Lei En on the platform, her face solemn, feeling more nervous than when she performed her own Soul Transformation.

Lei En, however, was very relaxed, smiling, "Let's begin."

Viola nodded, thrust the syringe needle toward Lei En's neck; his steel body automatically activated, and the needle was instantly repelled.

"You're that rigid!" Viola was taken aback.

"Hehe, aren't you aware whether I'm rigid or not?" Lei En teased, deliberately controlling his steel body to deactivate a small patch of skin on his neck, "Try again."

Viola chided him with a pat before continuing the injection.

This time, the needle barely pierced in, advancing slowly, delivering a third of the elixir.

The elixir took effect instantly, a chill surged to his brain, tearing his soul, producing an unspeakable agony.

"Um…"

Lei En let out a muffled hum, gritted his teeth, and took a deep breath.

He had pre‑opened his phone interface, located the music player, turned on music, and melodious singing rang in his mind.

The pain quickly subsided, Lei En's expression relaxed, and his breathing became steady.

Viola had seen his Soul Transformation ceremony before, so she wasn't overly surprised, but she stared intently to prevent any mishap.

Second by second, the injected elixir was nearly all consumed.

This Soul Transformation's efficiency was far greater than the first.

Lei En opened his eyes and said, "Continue."

Viola complied, injecting another third of the elixir—ten gigaliters. Not long after, Lei En urged her to continue, so she injected the final portion as well.

Viola stood beside the rune platform, watching the relaxed Lei En, feeling an unknown amount of envy.

She knew well the pain of a Soul Transformation ceremony, yet seeing Lei En's demeanor, unlike the struggle and screams of others, was entirely different.

Recalling her own mishap during her last Soul Transformation in front of Lei En, she still feels a bit embarrassed.

After a little more than half an hour.

Lei En opened his eyes and softly said, "All right, you may release me now."

She quickly unfastened the leather clasp; Lei En sat up, feeling no discomfort at all, as if he had simply taken a nap, not even a drop of sweat.

Viola gasped in amazement; clearly, this was another flawless Soul Transformation!

Seeing Lei En's gaze a bit absent, Viola knew he was experiencing the changes after Soul Transformation, did not disturb him, and therefore voluntarily left the room.

Lei En sat on the sofa beside him, silently waiting.

When the ceremony completed and the soul metamorphosed, as expected, the MutatedPhone rebooted.

Although the MutatedPhone was briefly lost, Lei En did not become weak; the fused demon soul and Element that had merged before were still present, and defense, strength, and spells could be used normally, just like any other ordinary battle Wizard, and he was even stronger than before the Soul Transformation ceremony.

It was just that without the phone's assistance, he felt very unaccustomed.

After waiting a moment, finally, a Little Red Flower appeared in his vision, and the boot interface showed up.

Ten minutes later, the boot completed.

The illusory interface unfolded before his eyes, and Lei En hurriedly examined it, immediately noticing some changes.

Originally there were three rings of battery, now only one remains, same as the first Soul Transformation, representing a level, only the rank differs. This remaining ring is currently filled just over twenty cells, meaning the previous full battery equates to only one-fifth of the current.

Lei En stood up, looked at the mirror on the wall, and opened his Soul Eye.

In his mind, a powerful soul, its volume expanded to nearly five times its former size, feeling also more resilient. A sturdy World Tree stood within the soul, at least three times taller, with three branches and seven leaves, all emitting golden light.

He advanced from the initial stage to Mid-stage; the soul's growth and enlargement far exceeded that of ordinary transcendents.

Normally, a transcendents' Soul Power can at most double with each Soul Transformation, which is already good.

Lei En knew clearly in his heart that this was the effect of a perfect Soul Transformation.

The soul metamorphosis strengthened, and also enhanced some Elements; Lei En checked his Elements and found that Dragon Power Technique and Rainbow Light Ray progress bars were both over half!

The Steel Body and Strength, having already been reinforced to an extreme degree, showed little improvement.

Nevertheless, Lei En was very satisfied.

He did not force the Elements to advance during the Soul Transformation ceremony; after all, he could actively strengthen them by absorbing souls. He cared more about whether the MutatedPhone had gained new functions.

But Lei En was a bit disappointed; this Soul Transformation did not produce any new icons.

Only a few existing icons appeared, seemingly a bit different from before.

(End of chapter)