You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

"My lord, please first stabilize your soul, gather all distracting thoughts, and condense a drop of the purest 'soul blood' deep within your spiritual center. This is the essence of your soul's origin, the key to establishing the initial connection with the spirit of the realm."

The voice of the woman's lingering spirit echoed softly in the quiet room, carrying a calming power.

Chen Yang did as instructed.

His mind was clear, his consciousness was focused inward, and he sank his entire being into the depths of his sea of ​​consciousness. There, his illusory soul sat cross-legged, and as his will moved, strands of pure soul power were slowly peeled away, compressed, and condensed... This process was extremely slow and mentally taxing, like performing the most delicate surgery deep within the soul.

After an unknown amount of time, a drop of liquid light, resembling the purest ruby ​​and radiating a faint golden glow, finally slowly took shape at the fingertip of his illusory soul—soul blood!

"very good!"

The woman's voice, still carrying the spirit of her spirit, was approving.

"Now, do not use your divine sense to directly explore the Spirit Orb. Use your magic power to gently envelop it, like warm water soaking a stone, slowly and patiently permeating it. Try to 'infuse' it with your aura, letting it become familiar with your power frequency."

At the same time, slowly send the drop of soul blood you've condensed onto the surface of the World Spirit Orb through a magical connection. Don't rush to merge it; first, establish a faint connection.

Chen Yang carefully manipulated the subtle magical power within his body, transforming it into a soft yet resilient energy mist that completely enveloped the Spirit Pearl in his palm. The magical power attempted to seep into the seemingly smooth surface of the pearl, but encountered an invisible resistance, as if separated by a tough thin film.

He patiently maintained the output of his magic power, unhurried and calm, like a stream washing over pebbles. At the same time, the drop of soul blood suspended in his sea of ​​consciousness, guided by him, flowed along the "channel" connected by his magic power.

It slowly drifted out of the sea of ​​consciousness, along the meridians, and finally attached itself to the magical mist that enveloped the World Spirit Orb, like a tiny dewdrop radiating soul fluctuations, gently touching the surface of the World Spirit Orb.

The moment the Soul Blood made contact with the World Spirit Orb!
"Om-!"

The Spirit Orb trembled violently! Inside the dark red orb, the slowly rotating nebula suddenly accelerated, erupting with a strong wave of resistance! A cold, chaotic, and repulsive spiritual force surged forth like a tide, flowing through the connection between the soul blood and magical power, and crashing against Chen Yang's soul!

Chen Yang was prepared. He focused his mind and activated the Qingwei Yuanjiang Great Art at full power. Layers of clear light rippled in his sea of ​​consciousness, protecting the core of his soul like a dam.

At the same time, he felt a gentle yet resilient soul force intervene from the side, like the most skillful Weaver Girl, shuttling between his soul defenses and the shockwave of the realm spirit, guiding, dispersing, and dissipating most of the sharpness of that impact force—it was the remnant spirit of that woman who was helping him!
"Hold on! This is the spirit's instinctive resistance! Don't fight it head-on. Guide your magic power, in conjunction with the connection of your soul blood, like mercury flowing across the ground, to find the 'cracks' in its defense! Wash away the remaining, chaotic 'old marks' on its surface!"

The voice of the woman's lingering spirit rang out at the right moment, carrying encouragement.

Chen Yang gritted his teeth and persevered, fine beads of sweat already forming on his forehead.

He no longer tried to force a breakthrough, but instead manipulated the magic power surrounding the World Spirit Orb, making it vibrate at a specific, slow, yet rhythmic frequency as if it had a life of its own. At the same time, the drop of soul blood also emitted stable soul fluctuations, gently knocking on the core of the World Spirit Orb like a door knocker.

"Flush! Keep flushing!"

The woman's remnant spirit provided guidance.

"Use your magic to refine it again and again! At the same time, keep the soul and blood connected and transmit your will—'surrender,' 'fusion,' 'rebirth'!"

Time passed slowly. In the quiet room, only Chen Yang's heavy breathing and the occasional, reluctant hum of the Spirit Pearl could be heard.

The woman's remnant spirit's figure became increasingly transparent, clearly indicating that she had expended a great deal of energy.

The resistance of the Spirit Orb gradually weakened, and the invisible "film" on its surface began to loosen slightly, almost imperceptibly, under the continuous cleansing of Chen Yang's magic power and the resonance of his soul blood.

"It's now!"

The woman's voice, still lingering in the air, suddenly rose in pitch, carrying a hint of urgency.

"Pour all your divine will into this 'crack' opened by the soul blood and magic power! Don't hold back! This is the most crucial step. Either you will successfully imprint it, or all your previous efforts will be in vain, and it may even trigger the final, frenzied backlash from the realm spirit!"

Chen Yang's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he let out a low roar.

"Open it!"

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, his illusory soul suddenly stood up, pressed his hands down, and his entire soul erupted with dazzling light!

All the divine power, all the will, and all the insights gained from cultivation transformed into a torrent of intent condensed to the extreme. Following the subtle yet real connection channel opened up by the drop of soul blood and magical power, it fiercely rushed into the interior of the World Spirit Pearl!

"boom--!"

Chen Yang felt as if a thunderbolt had exploded in his mind! Countless bizarre, fragmented, and distorted images and pieces of information rushed towards him like a flood bursting its banks!
There were scenes of mountains collapsing, the mournful cries of palaces crumbling, the flickering of unfamiliar runes, and even the phantom of the twisted, maniacal laughter of the "Liyue" woman from before... This was the final counterattack of the remaining chaotic memories and fragments of rules of the World Spirits!

The enormous impact shook Chen Yang to his core, his vision went black, his ears rang incessantly, and he almost fainted!

"Stay true to yourself! Remember who you are! Remember what you are meant to do!"

The woman's lingering spirit's sharp cry resounded like thunder deep within his consciousness, while at the same time a cool soul force once again enveloped his dissipating soul core, like the most resilient armor.

With unwavering willpower, Chen Yang stubbornly held onto the last vestige of clarity in his mind.

He ignored the chaotic shocks, with only one unwavering thought in his mind.

"I, Chen Yang, the leader of the Qingwei Sect, a righteous god of the underworld! This spirit of the realm shall belong to me! Be used by me! Reshape! Be reborn!"

His will, like the sharpest carving knife, with unquestionable domineering power and majesty, fiercely "carved" into the chaotic core of the World Spirit Orb!
"Shoot-"

It was as if something had been completely torn apart and covered up. The violent and chaotic impact inside the Spirit Orb suddenly paused, and then quickly dissipated like a receding tide.

Those fragmented images and distorted illusions, like ice and snow under the sun, quickly melted and vanished.

Instead, there was a pure, blank, primordial chaos, as if it were the beginning of time. At the core of this chaos, a mark of Chen Yang's soul shone like a star, stable and unwavering.

"Success! Quick! Now, inject your essence blood! Stabilize the imprint and establish a blood-and-flesh connection!"

The woman's voice, though weary, was filled with barely concealed excitement.

Chen Yang dared not be negligent. He forced out a drop of vital blood containing surging life force from his fingertip, flicked it, and accurately landed it on the surface of the World Spirit Pearl.

"Zi-"

The essence blood was absorbed instantly. The original dark red World Spirit Pearl began to change color rapidly, first turning crimson, like a red-hot iron, with boiling water surging inside;
Then, the crimson faded, gradually turning into a deep, clear, pale blue, as if blue light was slowly rotating inside! On the surface of the bead, extremely subtle natural patterns emerged, faintly resonating with Chen Yang's aura.

"The final step! Inject your stabilized divine soul power once more to completely refine it and solidify your absolute control over this newly born 'chaos'!"

The woman's voice grew weaker and weaker.

Chen Yang did as instructed, slowly channeling his divine soul power, which had become even more refined after the recent impact, into the bead that had changed color. This time, there were no obstacles.

His divine soul power flowed smoothly into the World Spirit Orb as if returning to its mother's womb, establishing an unbreakable connection with the chaotic space within it.

He could clearly "sense" that inside the bead there was a tiny, empty "point" that was completely under his control—the embryonic form and core of his little world.

As the last wisp of divine soul power was injected, Chen Yang let out a long sigh and slowly opened his eyes. It was already late at night, and all was quiet outside the window.

He looked down at his palm. The World Spirit Pearl had completely changed its appearance. It was a warm, light blue color, with flowing light inside, as if it contained a small galaxy. It lay quietly in his hand, radiating an intimate wave that connected him by blood and soul.

The refining was successful!

Beside him, the figure of the woman's remnant spirit had faded to almost invisible, clearly indicating that she had consumed a great deal of her original soul power in order to assist Chen Yang.

She gave Chen Yang a weak smile.

"Congratulations, sir... on successfully refining the Spirit Core..."

Chen Yang was moved and said solemnly.

"I am deeply grateful to you. I cannot thank you enough. You should return to the camp and rest well. Once you have recovered, I will repay you handsomely."

The woman's remnant spirit nodded, her figure transforming into a ray of light as she voluntarily returned to the procession banner.

Chen Yang put away the parade banner and then turned his gaze back to the light blue World Spirit Orb in his palm—now, it should be called "his World Spirit."

"Next... is to try to take control."

Chen Yang was filled with anticipation.

He recalled the guidance given by the woman's remnant spirit, and his mind sank into his sea of ​​consciousness, attempting to communicate with the core of the realm spirit that had already imprinted his mark.

In the first few attempts, the sensations were very vague, as if viewed through frosted glass. Although the spirit of the realm had been refined, controlling it was like controlling a newly acquired, incredibly sophisticated magical artifact, requiring familiarity and practice.

Chen Yang remained calm and patient, trying again and again to gently "touch" and "call" the "spot of light" in his sea of ​​consciousness that represented the core of the realm spirit.

After dozens of attempts, the feeling of resistance suddenly disappeared! A smooth, seamless feeling welled up inside me.

He "saw" it! In his consciousness, the tiny chaotic "point" inside the Spirit Pearl clearly opened its door to him.

Chen Yang had a sudden thought and tried to imagine it.

In the quiet room, open a portal to that "point".

A strange thing happened!

Above the open space in the center of the quiet room, the air was slightly distorted, rippling like water.

Immediately afterwards, a "door" about seven feet high and three feet wide, with edges emitting a soft, pale blue light, like a water curtain, silently appeared! Behind the door, a hazy, empty, chaotic scene could be vaguely seen.

"It's done!"

Chen Yang was overjoyed.

From within the procession banner, the weak but smiling voice of a woman's lingering spirit could be heard.

"Congratulations, sir! Congratulations! To be able to successfully summon the gate so quickly is truly astonishing. Your talent and comprehension are remarkable."

Chen Yang smiled.

"If it weren't for your wholehearted help and meticulous guidance, how could I have succeeded so smoothly? I will remember this kindness."

The woman's residual spirit said.

"You flatter me, my lord. It is my honor to be able to do my bit for you. My lord, now that the gate to the realm has opened, would you like to go in and take a look? That place is now your own private, original little world."

Looking at the dimensional gate radiating an alluring light, Chen Yang felt a surge of intense curiosity and excitement. His own little world… even if it was still a blank, chaotic void, it was still his territory!
"Of course we have to go in!"

Without hesitation, Chen Yang took a step forward, his figure disappearing into the pale blue portal. The portal flickered slightly after he entered, but did not close immediately, remaining quietly suspended in the quiet room.

Stepping into the pale blue gate, Chen Yang felt a swirling light and shadow before his eyes, as if he were passing through a thin film of water. Then, his feet touched solid ground.

He stared intently, looking around.

What he saw instantly dampened his excitement and anticipation, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.

Is this... his "little world"?
The space was indeed small, roughly the size of a standard basketball court, about 28 or 29 meters long and wide. Underfoot was solid but dull, lifeless gray-black soil, cracked with tiny fissures and rough to the touch.

Looking up, what appeared above was not the sky, but a chaotic, grayish-white "dome" that slowly rolled like a thick fog, emitting a constant but weak light that barely illuminated this small area.

The surrounding "boundaries" were also filled with that swirling, chaotic mist, enveloping this small piece of land and giving people a sense of invisible oppression and limitation.

The only sign of "life" in the entire space was a sparse patch of seven or eight withered, thin, half-dead weeds near the center, drooping listlessly in the stifling air.

"This...this is the 'small world' I refined?"

Chen Yang couldn't help but mutter to himself, his disappointment evident in his tone.

"This is so different from what I imagined... It's nothing compared to the fairyland-like Xuanyou Cave Heaven and Hanhai Ruins Palace that I saw before. It's even far inferior to a slightly decent cave! This... this is just a... bare pit!"

Just as he was feeling down, the voice of the woman's remnant spirit rang out behind him, carrying a hint of laughter.

"My lord, do not be disappointed. What you see now is only the initial 'Sumeru Space' formed after you refined the World Spirit Core. It is not a complete world, but a 'seed' or 'foundation space' with the potential to grow into a world."

Chen Yang turned around and saw that the woman's remnant spirit had followed him in at some point and was floating not far behind him.

Her soul still appeared somewhat transparent, but it seemed to be in better condition than before. (End of Chapter)