A thought formed in his mind. Once it took root, it refused to leave. For the next period, he dedicated all his energy to this pursuit, striving to find a way to merge the Heavenly Fire with the Soul Radiance.

This was an immensely difficult process!

For the Heavenly Fire and the Soul Radiance to fuse, two major obstacles had to be overcome first.

The first lay in the execution of the two Soul Skills: the forms of his divine soul were incompatible. In the process of refining the Heavenly Fire, his divine soul form had to be three separate flames; only in this state could he successfully conjure the Heavenly Fire.

The second was that the Heavenly Fire was simply too tyrannical. The wild, blazing power of the Heavenly Fire, upon contact with the Soul Radiance, would instantly dissolve it, making any form of fusion exceedingly difficult.

These two insurmountable hurdles plagued him. If he wished to combine the Heavenly Fire and the Soul Radiance, leveraging the strengths of both to maximize the potential of the Heavenly Fire, he absolutely had to solve these two problems; otherwise, his ambition was mere fantasy, with no possibility of ever being realized.

Meng Gang was lost in his own cultivation, wholly absorbed, paying no heed to what Ji Changkong was doing.

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He had no idea that Ji Changkong, right beside him, was constantly refining the Heavenly Fire, manipulating it over and over, all in an effort to unleash its full power.

To search for any possibility of successfully merging the two, Ji Changkong consumed more than half of his mental energy in a short time, solely on refining the Heavenly Fire.

Once the Heavenly Fire was manifested, he immediately shifted his divine soul form, transforming it into a nebular shape to begin condensing the Soul Radiance, testing every conceivable method to force the two energies into a union.

The three flames would momentarily form, then shift into the nebula shape. As he repeatedly refined the Heavenly Fire and gathered the Soul Radiance, his soul form kept shifting—moving from one spiritual configuration to another required a tremendous drain on his mental power.

After an indeterminate time, Ji Changkong suddenly felt a dizzying sensation sweep through his divine soul. Startled, he instantly realized his mental energy depletion was catastrophic.

A quick inspection revealed that he had unknowingly expended nearly seventy percent of his total mental power; his divine soul now possessed barely thirty percent remaining.

Thirty percent mental power was perilous on the surface of the Sun. Ji Changkong knew this path was unsustainable; he decisively halted the continued cultivation of his divine soul and abruptly snapped out of that deep state of concentration, turning his attention to solving his current predicament.

With only thirty percent mental energy, he absolutely could not risk entering the Moon’s core for adventure, especially since his divine soul had not fully acclimated to the Sun’s environment, nor had he repeatedly tempered his soul using the Sun's immense power.

At this juncture, let alone rushing into the Moon’s core to retrieve the Nine Lumina Life Tree, he would struggle to handle even a powerful Eighth Trigram Celestial Master in a direct confrontation.

What should he do? Should he retreat to the Five Elements Continent first, use his true essence and primordial energy to restore his mental strength, and only return once it reached its peak again?

This was the safest course of action currently available. However, the travel time back and forth would consume significant time—an eternity, it seemed, for one eager for rapid progress like him.

If he did not return to the Five Elements Continent, there was only one option: forcibly seize the mental energy of others!

Only by doing this could he replenish his mental reserves in a short span and remain on the Sun to pursue the Nine Lumina Life Tree.

Possessing only a meager thirty percent mental power, attempting to snatch another's energy, while not entirely impossible, would be exponentially harder. He would need to find an isolated Eighth Trigram Celestial Master, engaging in one-on-one combat where he could rely on the unpredictable strangeness of his Soul Skills for defense.

If luck turned against him and he encountered allied Eighth Trigram Celestial Masters, like himself and Meng Gang, victory would be far from assured, and injury a high probability.

Because the Nebula Soul Refining Art possessed the power to split the divine soul, he wasn't overly concerned about being assassinated. However, in his current state, initiating the soul-splitting technique would consume another ten percent of his mental power, forcing him to retreat immediately to his main body, as excessive depletion would render the splitting technique ineffective.

Without a means of self-preservation, and with mental energy barely reaching one or two tenths of his usual capacity, he would be no match for any other Eighth Trigram Celestial Master. Staying on the Sun now would truly be courting death.

This chain of thought raced through Ji Changkong’s mind as he wrestled with indecision over his next move.

Just then, Meng Gang seemed to notice his unusual stillness and awoke from his cultivation trance. Meng Gang glanced at him and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, what’s wrong? You didn't go out looking for a fight while I was meditating, did you?"

Clearly, Meng Gang had perceived the severe drain on Ji Changkong’s mental energy.

If Meng Gang hadn't stood unflinchingly by his side at a crucial moment before, Ji Changkong would immediately distance himself now, recognizing that in his current state, he was no match for Meng Gang, and if Meng Gang entertained treacherous thoughts, escaping his clutches would be impossible.

However, trusting Meng Gang, Ji Changkong did not leave. Instead, he managed a wry smile and explained, "I was wildly cultivating for a while and burned through almost all my mental power. Now I'm in a real mess."

Meng Gang paused, looking at him with utmost curiosity, and murmured in admiration, "Brother is truly formidable. Such profound mental exhaustion from just a brief period of soul cultivation! No wonder you’ve always been unstoppable; you must be practicing an extraordinarily terrifying Soul Skill, eh?"

If it had succeeded, even expending seventy percent of my mental power would have been worth it, Ji Changkong thought ruefully. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "Meng Gang, how are you faring now?"

Meng Gang instantly grasped the intent behind Ji Changkong's question, his expression sharpening with confidence. "I believe I can contend with most masters on the Sun right now. Yes, one-on-one, I have about an eight-tenths chance of winning. If you add me, facing one opponent, it’s a sure thing!"

Hearing this, Ji Changkong made a firm decision. "In that case, let’s search around and find someone 'killable.' I need a portion of that energy to recover."

"Everyone here, besides you and me, is killable!" Meng Gang chuckled darkly. "On the Sun, there are no rules. As long as your fist is strong enough, you can target masters from any other continent. If you can kill them, you inherit everything they possess! Brother, you’ve killed before; why the sudden adherence to rules?"

"I have my own moral bottom line," Ji Changkong countered, shaking his head, disagreeing with Meng Gang’s stark pragmatism.

"Alright, alright, I'll accompany you around to look for your so-called 'killable targets.' Let's hope you find one," Meng Gang conceded. Although he didn't fully endorse Ji Changkong’s method, he respected his decision. After a brief complaint, he set off with Ji Changkong.

Even with only thirty percent mental power, it didn't impede the uncanny sensory perception of his divine soul. Deploying this meager reserve, his soul's perceptive ability still surpassed Meng Gang's, allowing him to detect subtleties Meng Gang missed.

Having finally resolved himself, Ji Changkong no longer resisted proactively consuming souls. Guided by his acute senses, the pair bypassed the most dangerous masters and sought out targets who were isolated and clearly not 'benevolent.'

They bypassed about ten Celestial Masters and evaded seven or eight groups of enemies they couldn't afford to provoke for the time being. Just as Ji Changkong’s mental power dipped another level, persistence paid off; he finally located a target.

This individual had just partnered with an accomplice to dispatch three Eighth Trigram Celestial Masters, absorbed their mental energy, and then immediately split ways. This target's actions clearly marked him as someone 'killable' in Ji Changkong's estimation. Thus, having fixed his target, he stealthily led Meng Gang in pursuit.

They waited in ambush, patiently anticipating the precise moment to strike.

The strength of that 'killable' individual was slightly superior to Meng Gang’s, and Ji Changkong’s remaining mental energy was now only two-tenths. Slaying this man would not be easy without employing some unconventional tactics; otherwise, he risked his plan backfiring disastrously.

Finally, when the Eighth Trigram Celestial Master encountered a scorching vortex of elemental wind, Ji Changkong found his opportunity. As the man panicked, focusing all his effort on evading the raging gale, he and Meng Gang struck together, exploiting the target's distraction to eliminate him using less-than-honorable means.

As hoped, Ji Changkong acquired the majority of the man’s mental energy.

The black hole ability of the Nebula Soul Refining Art, much like Meng Gang’s Soul Storm, possessed the capacity to directly devour divine soul energy. Unleashing this secret technique, Ji Changkong claimed the bulk of the man’s mental essence after death. His previously exhausted divine soul instantly felt reinvigorated.

Through this encounter, Ji Changkong’s mental power rebounded to seventy percent!

Though not yet fully restored, this was sufficient for Ji Changkong. His mental foundation was naturally deeper than others, and the dual forms of his nebular shape and the three flames offered infinite utility. With the knot in his mind untied, the subsequent steps became much simpler.

Joining forces with Meng Gang, they openly sought out those Ji Changkong deemed 'killable.' With seventy percent mental energy restored, he could now effectively command his Soul Skills. Paired with Meng Gang, as long as the opposition didn't exceed five opponents, the duo could handle them with ease.

Soon after striking down six 'killable targets' in quick succession, Ji Changkong and Meng Gang stood at the zenith of their mental power! On the Sun, their collective mental energy was not only sustained but actually beginning to grow.

Once his mental power hit its peak, Ji Changkong informed Meng Gang and redirected his focus back to amplifying the power of the Heavenly Fire, hoping to harness the advantage of the Soul Radiance to magnify the fire's destructive force.

Armed with the lessons from the previous attempt, he proceeded with far greater caution. Whenever his mental energy dropped to fifty percent, he would awaken from his cultivation. He and Meng Gang would then work together to find more 'killable targets,' and only after his reserves were fully replenished would he bury himself back in deep practice.

His singular focus was channeling his energy into enhancing the Heavenly Fire. He lost all track of time, indulging rapturously in the path of cultivation, fueled by the ample mental energy he could now expend.

He continued this mad pursuit across the surface of the Sun.

Although Meng Gang remained ignorant of Ji Changkong's specific goal, he recognized that his own divine soul had progressed immensely during this period. With sufficient mental reserves to draw upon, he could cultivate continuously on the Sun, tempering his soul again and again.

Several major battles had provided him with deeper comprehension of his current realm, and gradually, Meng Gang’s strength soared. Unbeknownst to him, the depth of his mental power now rivaled that of Li Yan’er, perhaps even surpassing most elders cultivating on the Sun!

Having reaped such significant benefits, Meng Gang regarded Ji Changkong as his most steadfast comrade. Together, they had faced life-and-death situations, and on the Sun, they gradually carved out a reputation.

Many Eighth Trigram Celestial Masters from the various continents orbiting the Sun had heard the names of Ji Changkong and Meng Gang. Meng Gang unapologetically used his true name; everyone knew of his ferocity and ruthlessness. Ji Changkong, however, maintained his moniker, "Number Twenty-Four."

Yet, the fame of this number-named "Number Twenty-Four" far outstripped "Meng Gang." In numerous battles, it was Ji Changkong who took the lead, often turning the tide at the most critical moment to shatter the enemy's core strength.

In the surrounding regions, no other Celestial Masters dared to operate. If word spread of where he and Meng Gang were frequenting, others would swiftly vacate that area, fearing they might become the next targets of these two terrors.

A faint, diminutive flame flickered to life slowly in his palm. Ji Changkong’s expression was grave. With a single thought, his three-flame divine soul shifted into the nebular form, and the mental energy concentrated on the Heavenly Fire instantly split apart using the Soul Splitting Art!

That tiny flame vanished instantly, as if dissolving from his palm.

A triumphant smirk touched his lips. His mental energy surged outward violently, and his divine soul abruptly transformed—at a speed nearly invisible to the naked eye—back into the shape of three flames, then shifted again into the nebular form. In that instant, his soul form cycled between configurations at a speed several times faster than normal.

In a profoundly uncanny manner, the Heavenly Fire that had just vanished materialized instantly far ahead. The split soul essence and mental power enveloped the fire, which had been divided countless times, and the energy gathered, condensing once more into the Heavenly Fire!

With a low chuckle, Ji Changkong gestured with satisfaction, and the Heavenly Fire instantly vanished again, reappearing mysteriously in his palm.

During this process, Ji Changkong’s divine soul, due to the rapid, continuous shifting of forms, was a blur, almost imperceptible.

"Success!" Ji Changkong laughed heartily, shouting towards Meng Gang, "We can go settle scores with the Soul Hunting Squad now!"

Over the recent period, the pair had engaged in dozens of battles, most of which they had dominated.

", of course, there were exceptions.

On one occasion, they were intercepted by members of the Sun's Soul Hunting Squad. After a fierce struggle, they were overwhelmed and forced into a hasty retreat.

Now that his Heavenly Fire technique was perfected, Ji Changkong’s confidence surged instantly.

"I’ve been waiting for you to say that!" Meng Gang roared with laughter, rousing himself from his cultivation state.

"The two of you, you’ve made me search quite a while," just then, Li Yan’er slowly approached from the distance.

By now, Li Yan’er's mental energy was at its peak. Trailing behind her was the contingent from the Soul Hunting Squad—all standing silently and respectfully behind her. For more chapters and to know what happens next, please visit Ji

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