Lu Changsheng readjusted his soul frequency, hoping to align once more with the souls of other dimensions and draw upon soul essence to strengthen his own.
Yet such an opportunity was entirely a matter of chance.
He had no idea when that resonance would occur again. For now, he was simply trying his luck.
As time slipped away, Lu Changsheng sat motionless, seemingly lost in deep thought over the soul diagrams yet unable to piece even one together.
Fang Chuan had originally harbored high expectations for him, finding him distinct from the rest. But seeing Lu Changsheng fail to assemble a single soul diagram after several years, he lost interest and stopped paying attention to him.
With the passage of time, the century-long deadline was drawing near for many cultivators.
Among them was Lin Qingluan.
In her final year, she finally pieced together another soul diagram.
Whoosh.
Lin Qingluan opened her eyes and stopped.
"Seven soul diagrams... This is my limit. What a pity I couldn't assemble nine. I wonder if I can become the Sovereign's personal disciple..."
Regret lingered in her heart. In truth, several days still remained before her century expired, but it no longer mattered. A few days was far from enough to assemble another soul diagram.
Just then, Fang Chuan walked up to Lin Qingluan, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on assembling seven soul diagrams. At present, you have pieced together the most diagrams of anyone here. Even if Master does not take you as a personal disciple, becoming a named disciple should pose no problem at all," Fang Chuan said with a smile.
Seven soul diagrams was indeed an impressive feat.
Whether one could become Sovereign Feilong's personal disciple actually came down to luck.
Yes, sheer luck.
During the second trial back then, Fang Chuan had only managed six soul diagrams, slightly inferior to Lin Qingluan. Yet his fortune had been exceptional; Sovereign Feilong had taken him directly as a disciple, and he had even grown into a mighty figure of the second realm today.
Logically, since Lin Qingluan had performed even better than he had, she should become a personal disciple. Yet Fang Chuan had witnessed far too much over the years. Never mind seven soul diagrams—even Transcendents who pieced together eight had failed to become personal disciples, receiving only named disciple status.
Therefore, whether the Sovereign took someone as a personal disciple truly depended on his whim.
Unless, of course, someone could assemble nine soul diagrams.
Those who managed nine were, virtually without exception, taken as personal disciples. But in all these years, not a single person had succeeded.
"Right, the century limit is almost up. Where is Changsheng?"
Lin Qingluan immediately looked around, sweeping the area with her consciousness. The Soul Staircase had already vanished, signifying that the first trial had concluded.
Her expression shifted anxiously. But when her gaze swept through Tianlong City and caught sight of a familiar figure, a smile returned to her lips.
She saw Lu Changsheng.
He was currently striving to assemble a soul diagram. Though he remained motionless, Lin Qingluan knew he was sensing the diagrams. Sensing them was the most fundamental step; if one could not sense the fragments, assembling them was out of the question.
Everyone had their own century-long limit.
"Senior Fang, when did he pass the Soul Staircase?" Lin Qingluan asked, pointing toward Lu Changsheng.
"Him? About ten years ago, I believe. He was rather interesting—he suddenly burst into a full sprint on the Soul Staircase and actually charged his way into Tianlong City. Sadly, this second trial seems to be far too much for him. Piecing together a soul diagram appears entirely beyond his reach..."
Fang Chuan shook his head. He still remembered Lu Changsheng.
"Why, do you know him?" Fang Chuan inquired.
"Changsheng is my Dao companion," Lin Qingluan answered openly and naturally. She had no intention of hiding it; after all, there was nothing to conceal.
"Your Dao companion?" Fang Chuan was taken aback.
In the boundless Great Universe, cultivators were countless, yet very few possessed Dao companions. "Walking the Great Dao alone" was the universal norm. Who would burden themselves with another person while pursuing the Great Dao? A true Dao companion was someone with whom one had to support each other through thick and thin.
"Your Dao companion is no ordinary Transcendent, is he?" Fang Chuan asked.
"Indeed. Changsheng is a World Master."
"A World Master? Ah, that explains it..." Fang Chuan was struck by realization.
World Master was an exalted cultivation system within the Great Universe. Even in the first realm of Transcendence, their status was revered. Naturally, as a mighty figure of the second realm, Fang Chuan did not particularly care whether Lu Changsheng was a World Master; it held no sway over him. Even knowing Lu Changsheng's identity, it was merely noteworthy, nothing more.
When a Sovereign selected disciples, they did not look at whether a candidate was a World Master. In fact, being a World Master placed one at a disadvantage when seeking apprenticeship under a Sovereign. To this day, Sovereign Feilong possessed quite a few personal disciples and countless named disciples, yet not a single one among them was a World Master.
A few days later, Lin Qingluan's time ran out.
She had assembled seven soul diagrams in total, an outstanding accomplishment. However, the second trial had not fully ended. She still had to wait until everyone finished before discovering whether Sovereign Feilong would accept her as a disciple.
Naturally, Lin Qingluan focused all her attention on Lu Changsheng.
Yet Lu Changsheng remained sitting in meditation with his eyes closed, utterly unmoving.
One year, three years, five years, eight years, ten years...
Ten years passed, and Lu Changsheng still did not stir.
Ten years, twenty years, thirty years, forty years, fifty years...
Fifty years passed, and he remained entirely motionless.
Even Lin Qingluan, who held immense confidence in Lu Changsheng, furrowed her brows in concern. Clearly, he had run into trouble. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for fifty years to elapse without him making a single move to assemble a diagram.
If things continued like this, Lu Changsheng might not even become a named disciple of Sovereign Feilong.
Even so, Lin Qingluan did not panic. Regardless of whether he became a named disciple, he had ultimately passed the first trial on the Soul Staircase and earned the right to remain in Tianlong City. That was enough. So long as he stayed in Tianlong City, they would not be separated.
In truth, nobody knew that Lu Changsheng had been maintaining that special soul "frequency" the entire time, all for the sake of aligning with souls from other dimensions at any given moment.
Yet when would that resonance happen? How long would it last? How efficient would the connection be? Lu Changsheng could not control any of it. Perhaps he might master it in the future, but for now, it was beyond his reach. Maintaining that special soul frequency was already his current limit, a rare and precious achievement in itself. As for the rest, he could only rely on fortune.
Sixty years, seventy years, eighty years...
For eighty years, as steadfast as a single day, Lu Changsheng maintained that fixed soul frequency.
Finally, he felt that familiar sensation once more. There was no difference from the previous experience.
Evidently, his soul frequency had aligned with souls of other dimensions at last. His soul was currently fusing with the soul essence of another dimension, and he could feel his soul expanding rapidly.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths, four breaths, five breaths, six breaths!
Lu Changsheng felt immense excitement.
Six breaths of time! This resonance had lasted for a full six breaths!
The last time, his soul alignment had endured for merely three breaths. Yet even those three breaths had elevated his soul strength by an entire tier, enabling him to scale all one hundred steps of the Soul Staircase. Now, his soul had resonated for a full six breaths—nearly twice as long as before! And the longer it lasted, the stronger his soul became!
Lu Changsheng immersed himself completely in this state. He could feel his soul advancing every single moment at an astonishing speed.
Unfortunately, it lasted only six breaths.
Once six breaths passed, the sensation of alignment faded away. Lu Changsheng could no longer feel his soul expanding. Even so, his current soul strength far exceeded what it had been before. Fragments of the soul diagrams that had previously been invisible now appeared vivid and distinct within his perception.
"My soul strength..."
Lu Changsheng was inwardly shaken. His soul strength had surged dramatically.
Without hesitation, he summoned his attribute panel.
Host: Lu Changsheng
Comprehension: Top-Tier Comprehension
World Master: First Realm
True Realm: 100% (115 expansions)
Soul: 9% (Incomplete)
A new attribute labeled "Soul" had indeed appeared on his panel, currently showing a progress of 9%. However, it was followed by the word "Incomplete."
Did this mean his soul was still fundamentally incomplete?
Lu Changsheng's mind stirred. Having integrated so much soul essence from other dimensions, he could already detect subtle, profound transformations within himself—especially regarding his comprehension.
Previously, his comprehension had already reached top-tier comprehension, unable to advance any further. But things were different now. After fusing with the soul of another dimension, he clearly sensed a substantial surge in his comprehension.
After all, in this dimension, he possessed top-tier comprehension. What about other dimensions? Was it possible that his soul in those dimensions also possessed top-tier comprehension? Soul, comprehension, consciousness, and willpower were all intricately intertwined. Once the souls fused, the comprehension and willpower embedded within them fused as well, prompting a massive leap in his abilities.
This was an incredible boon!
As for the 9% progress, Lu Changsheng calculated the time. His first alignment had lasted three breaths, and the second had lasted six. Together, the two instances totaled nine breaths, perfectly matching the 9% figure.
Was it a coincidence? Lu Changsheng felt it was unlikely. If it was no coincidence, then it meant that each breath of soul resonance increased his soul progress by 1%.
Of course, this was merely a deduction for now. He would have to wait for the next alignment to confirm it. If there was another resonance, comparing the elapsed time would allow him to map out the underlying rule.
For now, his soul had gained 9% in progress. Though it was a mere 9%, Lu Changsheng felt rapid, immense improvement.
Now, it was time to see how many soul diagrams he could assemble.
Twenty years remained, giving him ample time to piece them together step by step.
With that, Lu Changsheng made his move.
He began taking fragments of the soul diagrams and piecing them together directly. Through repeated trials, repeated failures, and steady assembly, he finally pieced together the first soul diagram. Furthermore, it felt remarkably effortless.
"Changsheng assembled his first soul diagram!"
Lin Qingluan noticed immediately. Though Lu Changsheng had shown no movement for eighty years, the moment he started, he was unstoppable.
Attempt after attempt, deduction after deduction. Piecing together a soul diagram required deduction as well, which demanded time.
In the first year, Lu Changsheng assembled the first soul diagram.
In the third year, he assembled the second.
In the fifth year, he assembled the third.
In the eighth year, he assembled the fourth.
In the eleventh year, he assembled the fifth.
Fang Chuan had not paid much attention to Lu Changsheng initially. But as time went on and Lu Changsheng assembled diagram after diagram, Fang Chuan noticed him again—and found himself unable to tear his eyes away.
To Fang Chuan, Lu Changsheng could be described in a single word: steady!
He deduced the soul diagrams steadily, pieced them together steadily, and completed them with steady success. What seemed profoundly difficult—even harder than scaling the heavens—to others appeared completely methodical and effortless to Lu Changsheng.
This sight drew the attention of many onlookers. After all, Lu Changsheng had already assembled five diagrams, and the interval between each completion was practically a mere three years.
"This man's consistency is terrifying. That's five soul diagrams already. I wonder if he can assemble the ninth?"
"Hard to say. Maybe he can, or maybe he'll fall just short."
"The later diagrams become exponentially harder, draining immense mental energy. He can't possibly maintain this steady pace all the way through."
"I heard his Dao companion was the first Transcendent to clear the Soul Staircase and even assembled seven diagrams. Could he manage seven as well?"
"Truly incredible..."
Numerous gazes converged on Lu Changsheng. With the century deadline drawing near, he was undoubtedly the sole focal point.
Yet no matter how the Transcendents in Tianlong City gossiped, Lu Changsheng remained completely unaffected.
In the fourteenth year, he assembled the sixth soul diagram.
In the seventeenth year, he assembled the seventh.
In the twentieth year, he assembled the eighth.
Time was up.
Precisely one hundred years had passed, and Lu Changsheng had completed his eighth soul diagram.
Many onlookers sighed with regret on his behalf.
"What a pity! Just a little bit more. It feels like if he had three more years, he would have finished the ninth diagram."
"Indeed. If he had started piecing them together earlier, he definitely would have assembled the ninth."
"Just three years short! Lu Changsheng was only three years away. Sadly, the century limit has arrived, and he has no more chances..."
"If he had assembled the ninth, Sovereign Feilong almost certainly would have taken him as a personal disciple. But with only eight, it's hard to say..."
Murmurs echoed everywhere, with most people feeling sorrow on Lu Changsheng's behalf. Even Fang Chuan felt pity.
He shook his head and said, "It seems he fell slightly short after all, failing to assemble the ninth diagram. Still, eight diagrams is exceptionally brilliant. If Master learns of the circumstances, he might still take Lu Changsheng as a personal disciple..."
In Fang Chuan's eyes, catching Master's eye truly came down to luck. There had been candidates in the past who assembled eight diagrams yet were still denied personal disciple status, receiving only a named discipleship.
Boom!
At that very moment, a vast, majestic aura permeated the entirety of Tianlong City. High in the void, a colossal illusory figure faintly materialized.
Seeing this figure, numerous cultivators in Tianlong City immediately bowed in profound reverence.
"We pay our respects to the great Sovereign Feilong!"
This phantom was none other than Sovereign Feilong.
Fang Chuan hurriedly bowed as well. "Greetings, Master."
Sovereign Feilong's phantom gazed at Fang Chuan and spoke in a calm voice: "Grant him an additional three years to see if he can assemble the ninth soul diagram."
Fang Chuan's heart trembled.
"Three more years? Understood, Master."
Fang Chuan did not bring up the "rules." After all, the rules of the trial had been established by Sovereign Feilong himself. For Lu Changsheng to alarm Sovereign Feilong and receive an extra three years granted specifically to him—what an immense honor that was! This alone set him apart from countless Transcendents; even Fang Chuan had never received such treatment back then.
"What? His Majesty the Sovereign granted Lu Changsheng an extra three years?"
"It seems His Majesty truly cherishes his talent."
"Three years... I wonder if Lu Changsheng can seize this opportunity to soar to the heavens in a single bound!"
"I heard Lu Changsheng is a World Master. But even a World Master is insignificant in the eyes of a Sovereign. It must be his sheer efficiency in assembling the diagrams that earned His Majesty's appreciation..."
Many Transcendents looked on with envy, but envy was all they could muster. They could only admire the fact that Lu Changsheng had drawn Sovereign Feilong's attention. As for whether he could actually assemble the ninth diagram, none of them were certain.
Lu Changsheng seemed entirely oblivious that the original time had expired. Since Sovereign Feilong had granted three additional years, Fang Chuan did not interrupt him.
Day after day went by.
One year, two years, three years...
Finally, with only a few days left of the three-year extension, Lu Changsheng lived up to expectations with a stability that stunned everyone. Exactly three years later, he successfully completed the ninth soul diagram.
The moment the ninth diagram materialized, Tianlong City erupted into pandemonium.
Boom!
Everyone stared fixedly at Lu Changsheng amid a deafening clamor of voices. Shock gripped the crowd.
"The ninth soul diagram! It really is the ninth!"
"Three years—he actually took only three years again! How on earth did he do that? Isn't it said that each subsequent diagram becomes far harder? Why did Lu Changsheng spend merely three years on every single one?"
"Truly terrifying! Every diagram took three years without fail. If he were given more time, could he assemble a tenth, an eleventh, a twelfth, or even more?"
"Indeed, there are more than nine soul diagrams."
"There's no need for that. Whether it's nine or a dozen, it's merely a benchmark. For His Majesty Sovereign Feilong, catching his eye and satisfying him is all that matters..."
Many understood what this portended for Lu Changsheng. It meant soaring to the heavens in a single leap!
"Very well. Lu Changsheng, are you willing to take me as your master?"
At that moment, Lu Changsheng "awakened." His consciousness returned to Tianlong City, where a booming voice resonated from the colossal phantom in the void.
Lu Changsheng immediately realized the speaker's identity.
Sovereign Feilong! A magnificent being of the third realm, perched at the pinnacle of the Great Universe, looking down upon all living beings!
Before such an existence, what did it matter if he was not a World Master?
"Disciple Lu Changsheng pays respects to Master!" Lu Changsheng bowed immediately to acknowledge him as master.
"Hahaha, wonderful! Lu Changsheng, you shall be my personal disciple."
"Hmm, as for the others... Is that your Dao companion? She has integrated a Divine Tree of Fortune into her body; no wonder she could assemble seven soul diagrams. Though she relied on an external item, a Divine Tree of Fortune is exceedingly rare and unique. To integrate one into herself can be considered a blessed gift of heaven and earth.
"In that case, Lin Qingluan, you may also take this seat as your master."
Lin Qingluan was overjoyed.
"Disciple Lin Qingluan pays respects to Master!"
Lin Qingluan and Lu Changsheng exchanged a glance. She truly had not anticipated that she would become Sovereign Feilong's disciple alongside him. And not just any disciple—a personal disciple of a Sovereign!
Evidently in high spirits after accepting Lu Changsheng and Lin Qingluan, Sovereign Feilong accepted several other candidates as named disciples.
"Make your way to the Feilong Divine Palace first."
"Yes, Master."
After speaking, the colossal phantom slowly dissipated.
Fang Chuan looked at Lu Changsheng and Lin Qingluan with a broad smile. "Splendid! Master has accepted fine disciples and is in high spirits. Junior Brother Lu, Junior Sister Lin, and all fellow named disciples, follow me to the Feilong Divine Palace."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
With that, Fang Chuan led Lu Changsheng and the others directly into the air, flying from Tianlong City toward the Feilong Divine Palace.
Watching this, countless cultivators in Tianlong City burned with envy.
"Who could have imagined that Sovereign Feilong would accept two personal disciples this time, and that they would happen to be Dao companions?"
"That Lu Changsheng is truly remarkable. I hear he is a World Master—the very first World Master disciple under Sovereign Feilong!"
"Indeed. In truth, Sovereign Feilong clearly valued Lu Changsheng more, even making an unprecedented exception to grant him three extra years so he could assemble the ninth diagram."
"And that Lin Qingluan actually possesses a Divine Tree of Fortune! That is a supreme treasure capable of drawing endless fortune, yet she carries one within her."
"Heh, with Sovereign Feilong present, who would dare covet the Divine Tree of Fortune on Lin Qingluan?"
Though many Transcendents in Tianlong City felt disheartened, they soon collected their emotions. After all, they had still achieved success of a kind. Being able to reside in Tianlong City and remain on Mount Feilong was already an immense stroke of luck; over ninety percent of applicants never even had the chance to stay on the mountain.
Lu Changsheng and Lin Qingluan arrived at the Feilong Divine Palace.
As they entered, countless gazes fell upon them from within the palace. Most of these onlookers were Sovereign Feilong's named disciples. Personal disciples were present as well, though relatively few in number.
Inside the Feilong Divine Palace, Fang Chuan smiled and said, "Junior Brother Lu, Junior Sister Lin, there are numerous independent cave dwellings within the divine palace. By rule, each of you should be assigned your own. However, since the two of you are Dao companions, there is no need for such hassle. How about I assign you a larger cave dwelling to share?"
Lu Changsheng and Lin Qingluan nodded. "We shall defer entirely to Senior Brother Fang's arrangement."
Fang Chuan then led the two of them to an enormous cave dwelling.
"This cave dwelling is quite extraordinary, ranking among the largest allotted to disciples in the Feilong Divine Palace. Junior Brother Lu, Junior Sister Lin, you may reside here for now.
"You are already personal disciples, giving you a status higher than the named disciples in the palace. If there is anything you require, you may instruct the named disciples to handle it.
"Master preaches the Dao on occasion, and only personal disciples have the privilege to attend. However, under ordinary circumstances, you must never disturb Master unless you have a matter of supreme importance.
"Having just become personal disciples, Master will grant you a private audience once. Simply wait here quietly for his summons."
After detailing various matters concerning life in the Feilong Divine Palace, Fang Chuan took his leave.
Lu Changsheng and Lin Qingluan looked at each other.
"Changsheng, how... how were you able to assemble nine soul diagrams?" Lin Qingluan asked.
She could tell that Lu Changsheng had grown from weak to strong. Yet wasn't soul talent innate? Even she had only enhanced her soul talent with the assistance of the Divine Tree of Fortune. At the start, Lu Changsheng had been unable to pass the Soul Staircase, reaching his limit at the forty-second step. Yet later, he had made a sudden, astonishing leap, ascending the staircase in one go and even assembling nine soul diagrams.
This was an unmistakable growth in soul strength. How could his soul have enhanced itself time and again in just two centuries? Lin Qingluan was thoroughly curious.
Lu Changsheng looked at her and said solemnly, "Qingluan, since you ask, do you know what a soul truly is?"
"A soul?"
Lin Qingluan shook her head. Though she had assembled seven soul diagrams and passed the Soul Staircase, she had relied entirely on the Divine Tree of Fortune's soul enhancement. As for what a soul actually was, she had no idea.
"In truth, there may be many dimensions containing many versions of 'ourselves.' Other aspects might differ, but the essence of the soul is identical..."
Lu Changsheng explained his understanding and deductions regarding the soul, even mentioning the matter of soul frequencies. If there was one person in this world he trusted above all others, it was unquestionably Lin Qingluan.
"Soul frequencies..."
A strange light flashed in Lin Qingluan's eyes. She truly had not expected that Lu Changsheng, purely through his own comprehension and deduction, would achieve such a profound understanding of the soul.
As for herself? Even with his detailed explanation, not knowing was still not knowing. Though she understood his meaning, she could not experience it firsthand and therefore could not truly grasp it. Yet this did not hinder her absolute faith in Lu Changsheng. She believed his deduction was correct; otherwise, he could never have strengthened his soul so drastically in just two hundred years relying on that unique frequency.
"Changsheng, what practical use does the soul actually have?" Lin Qingluan asked with slight hesitation. "Even though your soul grew so much and I strengthened mine through fortune, our strength hasn't increased at all. When I tried to comprehend the Great Dao, I couldn't grasp a single one either..."
What was the use of the soul? Up until now, enhancing their souls seemed to offer no help whatsoever to their cultivation or combat strength. Passing the Soul Staircase and assembling the soul diagrams were merely Sovereign Feilong's tests, bearing no relation to their cultivation or power.
"Perhaps it is related to the third realm of Transcendence, or even beyond..."
"Let us wait quietly for Master's summons. When the time comes, we will naturally learn what purpose the soul serves."
Lin Qingluan nodded, and the two of them settled down inside the cave dwelling to wait in silence.
Chapter 504