The Holy Spirit God shrieked, continuously unleashing waves of soul energy from within the dragon bone, attempting to turn the tide.

Those Ice Bone Crystal Dragons, bound within Shi Yan’s Sea of Consciousness, suddenly struggled fiercely, their soul power gradually strengthening.

However, it had still underestimated Shi Yan's attainment in matters of the soul.

In the Abandoned Land, Shi Yan had intensely studied the various profound soul arts of the Yin Wraith Clan, even conducting experiments on living subjects like Pan Zhe. While his comprehension of the soul might not yet match that of Yi Tianmo or others, his grasp of soul profundities far surpassed that of ordinary people, even many members of the Yin Wraith Clan themselves.

After all, not every member of the Yin Wraith Clan had the opportunity to access the clan's most esoteric and profound Soul Scripture.

On one hand, his deep comprehension of soul profundities allowed him to know all Yin Wraith soul techniques like the back of his hand. On the other, the Five Demonic Souls within his Sea of Heart, originating from the Blood Vein Ring, were extraordinarily bizarre and mysterious, possessing an evil might that shocked even Yin Wraith commanders skilled in soul profundities, like Yi Tianmo.

Under these circumstances, the Holy Spirit God treating Shi Yan as a mere human martial artist was naturally destined to suffer a great loss.

“You have no say in this!”

Shi Yan roared coldly, and from his eyes shot out streaks of brilliant, sharp light. An aura as cold as an ice cavern spewed forth from every pore of his body in wisps of milky white smoke.

This was the Profound Ice Cold Force infused into his body by the Profound Ice Cold Flame. Those wisps of smoke coiled around him, naturally forming a chilling barrier, subtly resisting the Holy Spirit God’s next wave of attack.

Returning from the outside, the Five Negative Demonic Souls—with their green faces and exposed fangs, revealing their fierce natures—pounced viciously upon the small, entangled Ice Bone Crystal Dragon.

One by one, the Ice Bone Crystal Dragons, upon seeing the Five Negative Demonic Souls surge into the Sea of Consciousness, struggled desperately, attempting to break free from the power within that inner sea.

Nevertheless, Shi Yan’s Main Soul within the Sea of Consciousness continuously released resilient forces. These powers surged into the beams of light restraining the Ice Bone Crystal Dragons, making those beams ever tighter and stronger. No matter how hard the Ice Bone Crystal Dragons struggled, they could never break free.

“No!”

The Holy Spirit God shrieked, attempting to fly out of the Dragon Crystal, but it was ensnared by the fire servant power of the Ten Thousand Year Earth Core Fire.

Waves of even more violent soul energy suddenly shot out from within the Dragon Crystal. These soul energies transformed into illusory forms of various monstrous beasts—powerful in build, howling and roaring as they charged toward Shi Yan’s Sea of Consciousness.

Just then, the souls of Yi Tianmo, Zhameng, and Kaba erupted from the chilling dragon bone!

Shi Yan's divine sense spread out, his Heaven Eye bright, and he saw Yi Tianmo, Zhameng, and Kaba manifest in soul form, immediately moving to intercept the illusory beast forms released by the Holy Spirit God.

Seizing this opportunity, the Main Soul in his Sea of Consciousness exerted its utmost effort, tightly binding the dozens of crystalline Ice Bone Crystal Dragons.

Shi Yan understood clearly in his heart that these dozens of Ice Bone Crystal Dragons were the pure soul power crystallized by the Holy Spirit God. This soul power was indestructible and capable of shattering and collapsing his Sea of Consciousness, containing extremely terrifying might.

However, this formidable soul power seemed to be consumable by the Five Demonic Souls...

When the Five Demonic Souls displayed intense greedy desire, he realized that these crystalline Ice Bone Crystal Dragons were absolutely the elixir for the Five Demonic Souls' evolution and breakthrough. Devouring them would surely make the Five Demonic Souls more powerful, causing their soul force to surge.

A rare opportunity once in a millennium!

The Five Demonic Souls soared and shrieked like fierce ghosts lunging for prey. They swarmed forward, tearing the dozens of Ice Bone Crystal Dragons to shreds, devouring them as if they were physical entities into their massive, fang-filled, ghastly maws, chewing with immense relish until ice shards flew everywhere—a truly satisfying feast.

In the Sea of Consciousness, as the Five Demonic Souls consumed these dozens of Ice Bone Crystal Dragons, their bodies began to change.

The originally indistinct phantom bodies of the Five Demonic Souls grew clearer, and one could gradually see the strange demonic patterns on their bodies, as well as the faint dark light flowing within their phantom forms. Even their size seemed to have become sturdier.

In a mere ten breaths, the dozens of Ice Bone Crystal Dragons were completely devoured by the Five Negative Demonic Souls.

After finishing the Ice Bone Crystal Dragons, the Five Demonic Souls seemed unsatisfied, actually flying out of the Sea of Consciousness again. They transformed into ferocious demonic monsters, each ten meters tall, circling the Holy Spirit God and searching for another chance to strike.

Closing his eyes and sensing the surroundings with his divine sense, Shi Yan saw Yi Tianmo and the other two jointly handling the Holy Spirit God’s soul impact.

As the three great commanders of the Yin Wraith Clan, the soul attainments of Yi Tianmo, Zhameng, and Kaba were indeed extraordinary. Even though the Holy Spirit God claimed to be a god, facing the soul defense constructed by the three, it showed signs of being somewhat overtaxed and unable to cope.

Furthermore, the Ten Thousand Year Earth Core Fire was continuously burning the Dragon Crystal, preventing its power from being fully released, and the dozens of streams of pure soul energy transformed into Ice Bone Crystal Dragons had already been devoured by the Five Demonic Souls.

The Holy Spirit God’s strength was greatly depleted, and it was becoming increasingly unsustainable.

The Holy Spirit God clamored within the Dragon Crystal, using its own power to confront the soul defenses of Yi Tianmo, Kaba, and Zhameng, while simultaneously having to distract itself to contend with the Ten Thousand Year Earth Core Fire—a testament to its immense power.

Unfortunately, it was ultimately not a true deity.

Finally, after its prolonged assault failed to yield results, the Ten Thousand Year Earth Core Fire condensed its power once more, elevating the flame power of the Sun Essence within the Earth Core Fire by another notch.

The Earth Core Fire entwined around the Dragon Crystal suddenly seemed to become the midday sun, releasing an overwhelmingly intense heat. This heat merged with the inherent flame power of the Earth Core Fire, causing the fire power of the Earth Core Fire to triple!

“Kaka-kaka!”

The Dragon Crystal suddenly emitted strange sounds.

The strange liquid within it flowed sluggishly, and more and more bubbles formed.

“We can actually discuss this calmly. You certainly don’t want anything to happen to me, right? If I cease to exist, the ambient spiritual energy here will naturally dissipate. I know that the ambient spiritual energy is extremely important for your cultivation; you wouldn't want to see this island turn into a barren wasteland, would you?”

The Holy Spirit God moved within the Dragon Crystal, slowly transforming. The liquid gradually solidified, finally congealing into a vague facial outline.

“Five Demonic Souls, return.”

Shi Yan called out with his mind. His Main Soul continuously released silken threads of soul energy in the Sea of Consciousness—threads like soulful tentacles stabilizing the turbulence within, rapidly calming the twisted and surging inner sea.

The Five Negative Demonic Souls, which had been circling the Dragon Crystal greedily, reluctantly withdrew from the Dragon Crystal upon Shi Yan’s call, transforming into beams of dark light that vanished above his head, reappearing in his Sea of Consciousness, where they gradually calmed down.

The Five Demonic Souls returned, but Shi Yan did not relax. He looked coldly at the Holy Spirit God, which had condensed a vague face within the Dragon Crystal, and sneered: “What? Now you’re scared? Weren’t you just trying to forcefully possess my body?”

“I now realize it’s impossible to succeed,” the Holy Spirit God sighed. The vague face shook slightly, tapped the crystal wall inside the Dragon Crystal, and said urgently, “Withdraw this damned Heavenly Fire. If the cold energy in the Dragon Crystal is entirely depleted, I will be completely exposed. I will be finished, and the rich ambient spiritual energy here will vanish. You definitely don't want that.”

“No, I don’t care,” Shi Yan shook his head coldly. “At worst, we’ll find another island. There are plenty of islands rich in spiritual energy. I don’t care about moving; in fact, I care more about destroying you.”

The Holy Spirit God trembled and fell silent.

“Those dozens of Ice Bone Crystal Dragons condensed from your pure soul power just now were truly a great tonic for the soul. If I burn away this shell of a Dragon Crystal and your soul is completely exposed, perhaps I can refine you with Heavenly Fire while absorbing your soul. I think that would be more worthwhile for me than acquiring a cultivation ground rich in spiritual energy.”

Shi Yan sneered, completely unconcerned with the Holy Spirit God’s fate, adopting an attitude solely focused on self-interest.

The Holy Spirit God trembled even more violently.

“Keep burning! Burn that Dragon Crystal to ashes!”

Shi Yan commanded the Ten Thousand Year Earth Core Fire entwined around the Dragon Crystal with an expression of ferocity.

Receiving Shi Yan’s instruction, the Earth Core Fire became even more zealous. Clusters of flames, scorching hot like molten iron, poured onto the Dragon Crystal, causing the icy barrier on the surface of the Dragon Crystal to slowly dissolve.

If this trend continued, the Dragon Crystal would completely melt before long.

Yi Tianmo and the other two understood Shi Yan’s intention. They coldly enhanced their soul defenses, constructing layers of brilliantly colorful soul barriers, obstructing the Holy Spirit God at every turn, preventing it from launching a desperate, suicidal final charge in its moment of impending death.

“Why must you all force me? I only wish to live, to become a being with flesh and blood, not some vague deity. I don’t want to be used, or become a supplement for others’ breakthroughs, only to be mercilessly devoured in the end. I only... I only want to live!”

The Holy Spirit God roared hysterically, and waves of soul power, sharp as flying blades, showed signs of becoming uncontrollable.

Shi Yan’s expression remained unchanged, but he quietly released his divine sense to probe, sinking his mind into the vicinity of the Dragon Crystal, carefully trying to gauge the Holy Spirit God’s actions from the soul fluctuations emanating from it.

Is it going to self-detonate its soul...?

Shi Yan’s heart clenched; he suddenly realized something. After a moment of contemplation, he commanded, “Fine, we can talk things over. Stop acting like you want to die.”

While speaking, he secretly sent a divine sense message to Yi Tianmo and the other two, and softly reprimanded the Earth Core Fire: “Stop applying power.”

The scorching flames covering the Dragon Crystal suddenly weakened.

The soul forms of Yi Tianmo and the other two slowly retreated behind Shi Yan. The soul-crushing force that had been slowly closing in on the Dragon Crystal gradually weakened, all of it being converted into defensive power.

The Holy Spirit God’s agitated soul emotions slowly stabilized after Shi Yan showed signs of backing down.

“What do you want? Didn't you want to kill me?” it observed Shi Yan from within the Dragon Crystal. “Are you just trying to calm my emotions first, so that when I stop preparing to detonate my soul, you can take advantage of the moment to strike unexpectedly and absorb the maximum amount of my soul power?”

Shi Yan’s expression did not change, but he was inwardly startled.

The Holy Spirit God had spoken his true intention word for word.

He had indeed planned to coordinate with Yi Tianmo and the Earth Core Fire to launch an all-out attack the moment the Holy Spirit God let its guard down, instantly subduing it, and before it could self-detonate its soul, seize everything it possessed, control its soul, and let the Five Demonic Souls slowly devour it.

Soul self-detonation was a method of mutual destruction, instantly creating a soul black hole that would shred and swallow every living soul nearby.

Once a soul self-detonated, all its aura would vanish, and all its soul energy would be lost—no one could gain the slightest benefit from an exploded soul.

If the Holy Spirit God self-detonated, Shi Yan would not only gain nothing but might also be sucked into the soul black hole created by the detonation, causing unpredictable peril.

This was not what he desired.

“Actually, we can indeed discuss this properly. You are useful to me alive as well.” Shi Yan suddenly smiled, extended the Blood Vein Ring, and remotely beckoned to the Earth Core Fire.

The Earth Core Fire was connected to his mind and naturally understood his intention. As his hand waved, the Earth Core Fire transformed into streams of flame, like molten juice and threads of fire, drilling into the Blood Vein Ring.

As the Earth Core Fire disappeared, the unbearable high temperature within the dragon bone immediately vanished.

The chilling cold air of the ice cavern once again permeated all sides of the dragon bone. The Dragon Crystal, free from the entanglement of the Earth Core Fire, shone brightly again. The chilling energy within the dragon bone transformed into points of crystalline, bright cold light, fluttering down onto the Dragon Crystal like snowflakes, absorbed by it. This made the Dragon Crystal brighter and the cold energy heavier.

The Holy Spirit God gave no further reaction. It silently watched Shi Yan’s every move, daring not to relax in the slightest.

It seemed to have experienced too much deceit and understood the treachery of human hearts. Shi Yan’s ruthless coldness, in particular, left a deep impression on it. It simply did not believe that a cruel character like Shi Yan would suddenly develop a benevolent conscience.

It still expected Shi Yan to strike unexpectedly. It waited, ready to defend with all its might.

“You all go up,” Shi Yan pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled, addressing the soul phantoms of Yi Tianmo, Kaba, and Zhameng.

“Master…” Yi Tianmo showed a look of disagreement, transmitting his thought via soul link.

“It’s fine,” Shi Yan’s expression was calm. He waved them off, signaling them to relax. “I will handle things here; there won’t be any problems. You may go.”

Yi Tianmo and the other two hesitated, but seeing his apparent confidence, they slowly withdrew. The three soul phantoms gradually faded, eventually dissolving into countless specks of light, vanishing into thin air.

At the peak of Snow Dragon Mountain,

The physical bodies of Yi Tianmo, Kaba, and Zhameng suddenly shuddered, and all three opened their eyes simultaneously, taking a deep breath.

“How was it?” Yu Rou hurriedly asked.

Di Shan also frowned slightly.

Cao Zhilan bit her lower lip, her beautiful eyes full of curiosity. She quietly moved a step closer to the three, her small, jade-like ears wiggling mischievously, clearly very interested in Yi Tianmo’s reply.

Yi Tianmo frowned and glanced at Cao Zhilan.

Cao Zhilan chuckled softly and stepped back a few paces, showing no fear, but smiling sweetly: “I guessed your relationship with him long ago. I know there is some kind of agreement between you and him, and as long as that agreement remains unbroken, you will respect him deeply, even obeying his commands.”

Di Shan’s eyes suddenly narrowed, a chilling light flashing deep within his pupils.

Cao Zhilan’s pretty face changed, a chill rising in her heart, her delicate body trembling slightly. She quickly raised her hand to state her position: “I have no ill intentions. Towards him, I will only pursue a friendly alliance; I believe this senior should understand that.” Cao Zhilan pointed at Yi Tianmo.

Yi Tianmo could not help but recall her bold declaration of affection for Shi Yan. Under the gaze of Di Shan and Yu Rou, he nodded with a strange expression, saying indifferently: “This girl actively requested to marry him; her vision is quite accurate, capable of seeing his boundless potential.”

Yu Rou’s beautiful eyes lit up, and for the first time, she seriously assessed Cao Zhilan, nodding subtly as she watched. Her smile was enchanting and full of meaning. “The little girl has an excellent appearance; she seems interesting and quite bold. Not bad. However, to make him moved and satisfied, you will need to put in a little more effort…”

“Please advise me.” Cao Zhilan’s expression became serious, adopting a posture of sincere inquiry.

Yu Rou smiled and shook her head faintly. “We’ll see how you perform in the future.”

“Tell me. When he comes up later, if he doesn’t want this girl to know, erase her memory,” Di Shan said impatiently, his tone cold. “For you three, that should be an easy task.”

Yi Tianmo nodded, then stopped beating around the bush, stating gravely: “We joined forces and nearly destroyed the Holy Spirit God, but when the fellow realized the danger, it attempted a soul self-detonation to destroy us all. At that point, the Master… Shi Yan stopped applying further pressure and told us to come up first, staying below alone to resolve the situation.”

“He alone can handle that creature?” Yu Rou was stunned, an underlying hint of calculation in her tone.

Yi Tianmo shook his head. “I don’t know, but he has many unique items on him. I assume… it shouldn't be a major problem, as the Holy Spirit God has already been thoroughly scared.”

Hearing his explanation, Di Shan and Yu Rou, though still somewhat uneasy, did not press the matter further.

“Boom! Rumble!”

Not long after, earth-shattering roars echoed again from beneath Snow Dragon Mountain.

A new passage split open in the area where Shi Yan had originally fallen. It was covered in icy rock, and extremely dense ambient spiritual energy permeated from within.

Di Shan and the others stared in astonishment, focusing their attention on the newly opened passage, watching the situation below while remaining secretly vigilant.

A magnificent figure slowly ascended from the passage below, seemingly lifted by the icy rock from beneath its feet, floating effortlessly upward.

“He’s out,” Yi Tianmo uttered sharply, his eyes filled with confusion.

Soon, supported by the chilling energy, without wasting much effort, Shi Yan emerged from the abdomen of the Ice Bone Crystal Dragon, a faint smile on his lips, appearing to be in excellent spirits.

“How was it?” As soon as he emerged, Kaba rushed forward, unable to help asking.

“Done. It agreed to work for us, helping us gather ambient spiritual energy, aiding us in rebuilding Snow Dragon Island, and providing us with an inexhaustible source of power.”

“Ah? How did it become so obedient and well-behaved?”

“I promised it I would help refine a suitable physical body for it. That’s all.”