Chapter 893: Holy Soul Wizard

The convoy drove into Marlinge Manor and stopped in front of the villa's main gate.

Lei En could see from afar a crowd gathered on the lawn before the gate, led by the female steward Abigael, who brought dozens of servants and guards, a resident squad of Extreme Warriors, and over a hundred fully armed elite superhumans, forming a formation to welcome their master home.

These superhumans wore uniform enchanted armor; among them someone bore a square banner on a spear shaft, embroidered with a double‑headed eagle.

The eagle wore a crown, had two talons beneath—one clutching a longsword, the other a scepter—golden wheat sheaves encircled its sides and base, three holy emblems topped it, the central hexagonal star symbolizing the God of Magic, the left a life vial of the Earth Mother, the right a law scale of the Justice God.

This is the double‑headed eagle flag of the Oriense Empire.

Now, wherever the eagle flag flies, it represents the Empire's Consul, and they are the Rick Guard.

Commander Hai Si Ke Tuo stood beneath the eagle flag; towering over two meters, he wore black armor, his expression solemn and austere, and the aura of a Saint Rank strongman made the manor's servants fall silent as if chilled.

"He did arrive rather quickly," Lei En said, shaking his head.

Viola discovered that both inside and outside her manor, Rick Guard figures were everywhere, on high alert, with more superhumans hidden in the shadows.

"What a grand spectacle!" the Half‑elf sighed, "Lei En, will you always have to bring so many people wherever you go?"

"Perhaps."

Lei En also felt a slight headache; he disliked traveling with a large entourage, yet it wasn't without a solution.

As soon as the car stopped, Hai Si Ke Tuo hurried forward and opened the door.

"Consul."

Lei En stepped out, and Hai Si Ke Tuo greeted him respectfully; though he strained to preserve his dignity as a Saint Rank strongman, a trace of deference showed on his face, and he then turned to Viola, who had also alighted, saying, "Viola, your Majesty."

"Honored Consul, I have seen you!"

The surrounding Rick Guard troops saluted in unison, formally greeting the newly appointed Consul.

"Thank you all for your efforts."

Lei En's face broke into a smile, appearing very approachable.

The primary duty of the Rick Guard is to protect the Consul, and it is the only Imperial legion the Consul can personally command; this superhuman force must be firmly held in his grasp.

"Not at all!" Hai Si Ke Tuo replied immediately in his capacity as commander, "To follow the Consul is an honor for us brothers."

Lei En nodded.

His gaze lingered on Hai Si Ke Tuo for a moment; whether to replace Hai Si Ke Tuo, he had not yet decided.

"Come in."

Lei En let Viola slip her arm through his, and together they entered the villa's gate.

Stewardess Abigael and Hai Si Ke Tuo followed, while the Rick Guard dispersed to resume their posts within the manor.

"Hai Si Ke Tuo," Lei En halted, saying, "I don't need excessive protection. From now on, the Rick Guard need only handle outer perimeter watch; you may walk beside me, but I will entrust the innermost defense to the Extreme Warrior Corps."

"Sir, that conflicts with Rick Guard regulations," Hai Si Ke Tuo replied, looking troubled.

Lei En said calmly, "My word is the rule."

"But…"

"There is no but," Lei En cut him off, "I'm not as easy to assassinate as Ge Niu Si; you've seen the strength of the Extreme Warriors, so I need not elaborate. From now on, your most important task isn't protecting me but managing the Rick Guard. I need an absolutely obedient army, understand?"

Hai Si Ke Tuo caught Lei En's implication.

If he fails to manage the Rick Guard and something goes awry, this guard commander will be replaced.

"Yes, Consul," Hai Si Ke Tuo accepted with mixed relief and worry.

He was pleased that Lei En had no immediate plan to replace him, granting him a chance to continue; he was worried that his position was unstable, as Lei En's regard for the Guard was far less than that of former Consuls, and his authority was tied to the Guard, so he might become marginalized.

"I have matters tonight; you need not follow."

Lei En tossed the words and then used a mind leap, vanishing from sight.

Hai Si Ke Tuo was momentarily stunned; Lei En hadn't even taken office, yet on his first day of victory he posed a dilemma for him and the Rick Guard.

If even the Consul's whereabouts are unknown, does the Rick Guard still have a purpose?

"Madam?" Hai Si Ke Tuo could only turn to Viola for help.

The Half‑elf dared not delay a Saint Rank strongman, explaining for Lei En: "Lei En indeed has very important business; rest assured, Commander, he is safe. You must adapt to Lei En's habits—he dislikes restraints but will not disappear without cause; when needed, he will certainly appear."

Hai Si Ke Tuo sighed, "Very well, thank you, madam."

Lei En teleported from Marlinge Manor to Ge Lamogen, continued teleporting without pause, returned to Gotham City, mind‑leapt to the top level of the Highland Fortress, looked toward the bay, saw the statue of the God of Magic standing in the distance, and silently prayed with a gesture.

After the prayer, a burst of magical radiance fell from above, invigorating him.

The God of Magic's wisdom blessing!

Lei En immediately returned to the teleport array, teleported again into the Dark Realm, and appeared in the top‑level hall of the Obsidian Tower.

A mind leap carried him to the ninth floor.

The entire floor was unobstructed by walls, offering a view of a space spanning over a thousand square meters, empty and vast; the floor bore a massive rune array, lines etched densely and intricately, dazzling to the eye.

Hes Magic Array!

Lei En intends to use the Hes Magic Array to strike the Holy Soul Wizard.

Although its primary function is to aid in constructing spell models, it also provides secondary effects: stabilizing soul structures, reducing impact intensity, and drawing energy from the Mage Tower to accelerate recovery of mana or soul power.

Lei En walked to the core of the Hes Magic Array and sat cross‑legged.

Simultaneously, two figures appeared outside the array: a gaunt one wielding the Endless Storm, Reslin, and a tall, robust one bearing the Ashen Holy Sword, Sheng Jilesi. Both avatars were Saint Rank strongmen, ready to protect him while he struck the Holy Soul Wizard, just in case.

Lei En took out a heap of items from the Nebula Ring.

First, a high‑grade Soul Stone containing the demon soul of an ancient dragon;

A batch of 'Soul‑Devouring Elixir' amounting to three hundred gigaliters; other superhumans use it in soul‑transformation rites, it being indispensable. He had not needed it after lifting his own soul curse, but this time it was different—he required intense pain to the soul to fully awaken humanity's unique fusion talent.

Then several top‑grade demonic potions for restoring soul power and stamina, healing wounds; each bottle was extremely costly.

An eight‑ring 'Soul‑Calming Technique' Divine Technique scroll, crafted by the Life Archon of the Earth Church, capable of continuously and rapidly repairing soul injuries, valued higher than 'Resurrection of the Dead', obtained at an auction in Mo Du two years ago.

Lei En prepared many items for striking the Holy Soul Wizard.

The most precious item came from Aoroan, obtained from the elven Grand Mage Taikulis; it is a bottle of demonic herb, housed in a clear crystal flask, the liquid crystal‑clear, faintly glowing golden, containing boundless vigorous life.

This is a bottle of Eluna's Tear!

Its main ingredients are the World Tree's golden seed and the essence spring water of the Moon Lake; these two materials were already rare treasures, and after the Dark Moon Goddess Eluna's moon priest crafted them into a magical elixir, they possess an incredible effect.

Eluna's Tear can protect the soul during Soul Transformation, and even if it fails, the soul will not deteriorate and leaves no aftereffects.

There is no need to worry about Soul Transformation failure; it lets one strike the Holy Soul Ascension with the best mindset, effectively raising the success rate.

The reason there are so many Grand Mages among the elves is first the assistance of the Hes Magic Array, and second the effect of Eluna's Tear. Its value is self‑evident, countless people dream of it, but the elves produce very little, almost all for personal use, with none flowing outward.

Lei En originally did not press the matter, but Master Ouyinluo revealed that Eluna's Tear is the best magical elixir for a combat Wizard breaking through a bottleneck.

The reason is simple: its ingredients include the World Tree's golden seed.

The most important Soul‑Melding Seed for a combat Wizard is made from the World Tree's seed, and a combat Wizard also cultivates the World Tree Meditation Method!

For Wizards of other schools, Eluna's Tear only guarantees that a failed Soul Transformation leaves no aftereffects.

For combat Wizards, Eluna's Tear's effect goes far beyond that; it reduces demonic soul conflict, increases fusion degree, and raises the fusion success rate!

According to Master Ouluo, the success rate can increase by at least thirty percent.

Lei En has kept in contact with Grand Mage Taekris, learned of Eluna's Tear's function, and immediately requested a trade with Grand Mage Taekris; unexpectedly, the chief Grand Mage of the Hes White Tower was very generous and sent a bottle a few days later, emphasizing that he himself had forged it.

This great favor Lei En could only keep in his heart.

Moreover, for this Holy Soul Ascension of the Wizard, he had the Thundercast Celestial Soldier sweep the Remnant Sun Plane, filling the Soul Power Reservoir, with a full reserve of three thousand energy cells.

The Holy Blood Amber also stored five thousand units of Holy Light Power.

With so much preparation, Lei En did not believe he could still fail. He did a final inventory of items, ran through the process in his mind once more, took a deep breath, and began.

Buzz—.

Reslin activated the Hes Magic Array, and the ninth floor of the Mage Tower gently trembled as energy flowed along the rune‑etched lines on the ground, converging onto Lei En, forming a transparent shield that merged with his body and penetrated his soul to establish a connection.

Sheng Jilesito, holding the Holy Blood Amber, continuously released "Dawn Will" and "Morning Light Technique", bestowing blessings upon Lei En.

Lei En tore open the "Soul Soothing Technique" scroll, and the light of the Divine Technique merged into his soul.

Then he grabbed the crystal bottle, unscrewed the cap, and without hesitation drank Eluna's Tear in one gulp. A calm, fresh feeling rose to his heart, his thoughts became crystal clear, and every leaf of the World Tree in his soul space glowed, its roots were nourished, and began to grow.

Next came the Soul‑Eating Elixir.

This elixir itself is a potent toxin targeting the soul; a Transcendent needs only ten gigalons for the first Soul Transformation, and the stronger the soul, the larger the dose, administered bit by bit during the transformation.

But Lei En was different; he injected the entire three hundred gigalons of Soul‑Eating Elixir at once.

Without doing so, his own soul strength would have rendered it ineffective.

"Um…".

Lei En pulled the injector off his neck and let out a muffled hum.

Seconds later, he finally felt the Soul‑Eating Elixir take effect; a searing pain shot straight into the depths of his soul, as if trying to tear his soul apart, immediately repaired by the Soul Soothing Technique, the two effects alternating, pulling like two great beasts battling within his soul.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Lei En pressed the soul stone to his brow and unhesitatingly activated his Soul‑Melding Seed ability.

Huh!

In an instant, the Ancient Dragon Demon's demonic soul entered the soul space.

Unlike the previously fused demonic souls that appeared on the World Tree's trunk, it stood beneath the World Tree, looked up at the unfathomably tall tree, its eyes filled with endless rage, spewing blood‑colored light, and opened a massive gaping maw.

"Roar…".

A "shrill roar" reverberated through the soul space, the Saint Rank demonic soul's terrifying aura raged like a twelve‑level hurricane, shaking the entire World Tree.

Just that roar nearly caused Lei En's soul to collapse.

Truth Will can only guard against external attacks and is useless against attacks originating deep within the soul.

The Ancient Dragon Demon's soul rank is too high; aside from Soul Power, Element and other abilities, it only contests the essence of the soul, and even the strongest legends find it hard to match the Saint Rank.

That is why Transcendents never fuse demonic souls across ranks, and also why the Ancient Dragon Demon can maintain its form in the soul space.

Fortunately, Lei En's preparation was more than sufficient!

The soul space only trembled briefly before recovering, the Soul Soothing Technique scroll repaired the soul wounds, and seeing this, the Ancient Dragon Demon's upper body formed a gigantic war hammer with both hands, its four limbs sprinted, massive lightning crackled along its scaled body, and it launched a frenzied charge at the World Tree.

It intends to smash the World Tree before it.

Lei En had no direct means to stop it, and his reaction was too slow; he watched helplessly as the Ancient Dragon Demon's hammer struck the base of the World Tree.

Bang!

A silent thunder echoed in his mind; the World Tree shook violently, every branch trembled as if trying to shed its leaves.

The hammerhead of the Ancient Dragon Demon erupted with countless bolts of lightning, filling every corner of the soul space.

Lei En inhaled a cold breath, feeling his head about to explode.

"Damn!".

The World Tree merged with his own soul; when it was attacked, his soul suffered severe damage. Had it not been for the simultaneous effect of the Soul Soothing Technique, Dawn Will, and the Hes Magic Array, which reinforced the soul's structure, that hammer would have almost scattered his soul.

The Ancient Dragon Demon roared again, swung its massive hammer, its body suddenly swelled twofold, its arm muscles bulged, and blinding lightning gathered on the hammerhead.

The gap torn in the World Tree's base was instantly repaired.

Eluna's Tear caused its energy to surge, constantly nourishing the tree's body, then it flickered lightly.

Buzz—.

The World Tree shone with endless brilliance that poured down; though light as nothing, it fell upon the Ancient Dragon Demon with the weight of a mountain, instantly crushing it, even the giant hammer in its hands could not be lifted.

At the same time, every branch of the World Tree rapidly elongated and draped down like vines, wrapping the Ancient Dragon Demon and binding it like a huge dumpling; each leaf on the branches glittered, Elemental runes formed an invisible chain, jointly suppressing the demonic soul's eruption.

The Ancient Dragon Demon could not move.

Lei En immediately activated his Soul‑Melding Seed, causing his soul to violently oscillate, releasing a shockwave that suppressed the Ancient Dragon Demon and weakened its Soul Power.

"Roar…".

After a few seconds of silence, the Ancient Dragon Demon struggled wildly, breaking free from the vines and leaves, and launched another attack on the World Tree.

It was like a beast trapped in a cage, angry and frantic.

Lei En withstood the impact, promptly controlled the Ancient Dragon Demon, and restrained it.

Binding, suppression, weakening, breaking free, rampage!

Repeatedly.

In the past, Lei En could use Soul Vibration at most twenty times before his own soul could no longer hold out. But this time, the effects of various auxiliary methods caused the number of Soul Vibrations to surge to over a hundred, perhaps even more.

Lei En repeatedly intimidates the ancient dragon demon, trying to make it surrender and merge into his own soul.

Time passes.

Lei En does not know how long has passed; the ancient dragon demon's demonic soul grows weaker, the time it is held under control lengthens, each attack's power gradually diminishes, while the World Tree remains as ever mighty and lush, as if it could endure indefinitely.

Gradually, the ancient dragon demon's resistance is no longer so fierce.

Lei En feels great joy, knowing victory is within reach, but he does not become careless; he patiently triggers Soul Vibration again and again, enduring excruciating soul pain.

Finally.

After one Soul Vibration, the ancient dragon demon fails to break free of the binding.

Its massive body is dragged by the World Tree's vines to the base of the tree, allowing a bit of merging with the trunk, but instead of climbing up the trunk, it forms a huge root that extends downward, deeply anchoring into the depths of Lei En's soul.

The moment the root forms, the World Tree erupts wildly.

Lei En's soul also begins to transform.

After a long while, Lei En, seated in the Hes Magic Circle, opened his eyes, stood up, and whispered, "Holy Soul Wizard, so this is the feeling!"

(End of Chapter)