While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Chapter 371 Entering the Soul Realm

The Soul Realm is completely different from the gloomy and eerie impression that many people have of it.

When Chen Xiao truly stepped into this small world, what greeted him was not a biting chill, but rather a vast and boundless expanse that seemed to encompass the universe. The sky was clear and expansive, and even the air seemed to flow with vibrant life, exuding a touch of thriving warmth.

In addition, the energy of heaven and earth in this small world is so rich that it is outrageous, nearly twice as powerful as that of the ancient world. Compared with the thin energy of the Central Plains outside, it is worlds apart.

"Born and raised here, it is no exaggeration to say that the upper limit of cultivation has been raised by a whole realm out of thin air. No wonder Bodhi chose this place to cultivate."

Chen Xiao raised his hand and made a grasping motion. The dense energy swirling around his fingertips almost condensed into water droplets, and he couldn't help but sigh softly.

The same person, if born and raised in this Soul Realm, will inevitably achieve vastly different results than if born and raised in the Northwest Continent or even the Central State.

After all, in the path of cultivation, the better the start and the faster one grows, the sooner one can set foot in the vast world to seek opportunities and seize the initiative.

Step by step, step by step!

Therefore, this statement is by no means an exaggeration.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Xiao suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his mind. His powerful soul perception surged out like a tidal wave. In just a moment, a faint smile appeared on his lips. With a movement, he transformed into a streak of light and sped towards the vast plains where the Soul Clan descendants lived.

Along the way, four or five powerful members of the Soul Clan passed by Chen Xiao without noticing his presence at all. It was as if the space-time he was in had been completely stripped away and concealed from this world, leaving him silent and insignificant.

On the edge of the vast plain, at the foot of the mountain adjacent to the core mountain range of the Soul Clan, a quiet little courtyard stands alone.

It stands alone in the vast天地 (heaven and earth), yet it has become the only vibrant embellishment in this nearby area.

The courtyard is tightly surrounded by a wooden fence, the fence bars are exquisitely woven, and the fence is so seamless that it seems to have grown naturally from this land.

The courtyard is not large. A gravel path leads from the gate to the house. On the left is a stone table and four stone chairs. The stone surfaces are smooth and warm, as if the edges have been worn down by time. On the right is a small tree less than three meters tall, with its branches and leaves spreading out, full of vitality.

At this moment, a figure was already sitting quietly in front of the stone table.

.

He was a handsome and refined man. A long robe with gold trim and green accents made him stand tall and straight. He slowly poured two cups of tea with his fingertips, his movements gentle and elegant. He seemed to be in harmony with the world around him, exuding an indescribable sense of leisure and transcendence.

Suddenly, light footsteps sounded, and Chen Xiao's figure slowly appeared at the courtyard gate, without causing the slightest ripple.

Looking at the man in front of the stone table, a smile appeared on Chen Xiao's face.

"You arrived at the perfect time, and it seems you're recovering well."

Chen Xiao's arrival went completely unnoticed, even by the Soul Emperor. Yet Bodhi was able to serve him tea and wait for him. This small glimpse into the situation reveals a lot!

Bodhi looked up at the sound, a gentle smile spreading across his eyes. He gestured towards the stone chair opposite him, saying, "You've misunderstood this time. I have a branch on you, and I can only track you by relying on it. Sit down and try this Cloud Mist Tea, a specialty of the Soul Realm. It loses its flavor if left out for too long."

Chen Xiao didn't stand on ceremony. He strode into the courtyard, sat down, and as soon as his fingertips touched the warm teacup, he smelled a refreshing tea aroma that filled his nostrils. Even his soul felt a sense of comfort, which showed that this tea was not so simple.

Unfortunately, its effects were negligible to the two people present; they could only try it out of curiosity.

"You have quite the refined taste, finding such a quiet place in the heart of the Soul Clan. No wonder there's been no news of you for the past few years."

Bodhi chuckled and shook his head, his voice as light as tea smoke: "The hustle and bustle of this world is simply a reflection of the heart's desires. If the heart is at peace, where is not a place of tranquility?"

Look, look, that's why it's called the Tree of Wisdom and Reincarnation; even its casual remarks are so philosophical.

Unlike Chen Xiao, who was an ordinary person, even when he was trying to break through to the Dou Di realm, he was still often dragged around by Zi Yan in his spare time. During the day it was fine, but at night he was either worrying about her or about his master.

"In the past few years, I have traveled all over the wild plains and yellow sands of the northwest of the Dou Qi Continent, the raging waves of the East China Sea, and the miasma and poisonous swamps of the southern continent. After seeing so much, I have lost the sense of novelty I had when I was a human."

Before Chen Xiao could even ask, Bodhi began to speak slowly, his fingertips gently caressing the warm teacup, his tone calm and even. "However, thanks to the opportunity of my travels, I managed to seize many of the opportunities I knew of before, and finally regained some of my strength."

"I originally intended to go to Dragon Island to find you, but then I thought about it again. This vast Dou Qi Continent is home to many powerful forces. In terms of the concentration of heaven and earth energy, I'm afraid no place can compare with the Soul Realm. So I simply changed my route and came here."

The two didn't have much interaction, but sitting opposite each other now, there was no awkwardness at all. What flowed between their brows was a tacit understanding and trust that was hard to explain to outsiders.

After all, with their level of strength, how many people on the entire continent could they find who were truly on par with them?

It's really not easy to find fellow Daoists who can chat and laugh freely without having opposing stances.

"I must say, your idea is quite unique, and it has given me a new perspective." Chen Xiao nodded slightly, opened his palm, and let the rich energy of heaven and earth flow into his meridians, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

Just as Bodhi said, this Soul Realm is truly a sacred place for cultivation, and it is the perfect place for secluded cultivation.

Although Dragon Island is currently experiencing rapid growth and has numerous powerful formations to absorb the energy of heaven and earth, it is ultimately no match for the foundation of the Soul Realm.

If he stays here in seclusion, perhaps Chen Xiao can shorten his time by another three to five months!

"Then let's go together." Bodhi drank the slightly cooled tea in his cup in one gulp, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the stone table. "I saw the Soul Emperor leading a group of elders in a hurry to leave the Soul Realm, but when he returned, his face was ashen and he was filled with murderous intent."

Bodhi changed the subject, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, "Later, after some investigation, I learned the reason for the uproar outside and guessed that it was you who quietly took away the Void Devouring Flame. You were able to prevent the Void Devouring Flame from even having a chance to ask for help. I knew that you must have had another opportunity and your strength had improved rapidly. Now that I see you, it's even faster than I expected."

Chen Xiao could sense that Bodhi's condition had not yet recovered to its peak.

However, it was more than enough to deceive the Soul Emperor.

With Bodhi's insight, he could easily see Chen Xiao's situation at a glance.

"Haha, lucky me, lucky me."

Chen Xiaolang chuckled and asked with some curiosity, "Bodhi, you have existed since ancient times and even participated in the battles between Dou Di powerhouses. At that time, the Origin Qi in the world was still abundant. You experienced that era. If you were to attempt to break through to Dou Di now, would you be able to succeed?"

Hearing Chen Xiao's words, Bodhi chuckled and shook his head. "I think you have some misconceptions about me. I was originally at that level, so what is there to talk about trying to break through again?"

Seemingly noticing Chen Xiao's surprise, Bodhi pointed to the threshold of the room behind him and explained, "My situation is very special. Take this threshold for example. Outside the threshold are Dou Sheng, and inside the threshold are Dou Di. As for me, I am the kind of person who stands on the threshold."

"Before being affected by the negative emotions of a Dou Di, I already possessed some of the skills of a Dou Di powerhouse, but I did not master them all."

"So, whether you call me a Battle Saint, a Battle Emperor, or even a Half-Emperor, it doesn't really matter; they all make some sense."

"But one thing is certain: I don't need to climb this hurdle again. Once I recover to the level I was at before being affected by negative emotions, I will be able to overcome it naturally in my current state."

"And you, you've now reached about four-fifths of the threshold, and you'll be very close to actually taking that step."

Hearing Bodhi's words, Chen Xiao was somewhat taken aback.

But upon further reflection, it seemed to be true. However, Chen Xiao remembered something: when Bodhi first took human form, he clearly stated that he could recover to his peak within three years.

Time is almost up, but Bodhi's condition is clearly still some distance from his peak.

"When I first heard you say you could recover within three years, I didn't think of it as a Dou Di. After all, even the Soul Emperor took a thousand years to recover from his severe injuries. You are far ahead of him. Even with countless opportunities, recovering in three years doesn't seem like the performance of a Dou Di. But seeing it today, I was indeed misled by that number. Could it be because of those opportunities you remembered during that time—"

Once their minds are opened, many people instantly understand.

As expected, Chen Xiao saw the only helpless expression on Bodhi's face since he transformed into human form.

"Natural treasures and worldly opportunities are for those who are destined to possess them. Before they are obtained, they are like orchards by the roadside, bearing fruit once and being picked by passersby, which is normal. I just didn't expect that many passersby would have such peculiar ideas, actually uprooting the fruit trees and taking them away, making a complete mess of the orchard!"

That's a very apt analogy.

Seeing Bodhi's helpless expression, Chen Xiao knew he shouldn't laugh, but he still couldn't help himself.

This whole thing sounds pretty ridiculous.

Chen Xiao and Bodhi chatted for a long time, then suddenly, they both looked up and turned their gaze to the sky above the Soul Realm.

High above, a vast and chilling aura surged forth, intertwining and spreading like maggots clinging to bones. In an instant, the black mist churned and surged, swallowing up all the light in the sky.

The temperature between heaven and earth suddenly plummeted to freezing point, and the biting cold air was penetrating everywhere, making even the air seem to freeze into frost.

After this group of powerful Soul Clan members appeared, not one of them spoke. The surroundings were deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The vast Soul Realm seemed to have been put on hold.

Just then, a middle-aged figure dressed in a plain white robe slowly materialized from the black mist.

The man in the white robe was tall and slender with a handsome face and exceptionally bright eyes that seemed to see right through people. Yet, he had a gentle and refined appearance, like a scholar.

He stood with his hands behind his back, the black mist around him daring not to touch him in the slightest. His handsome face carried an icy coldness that kept people at a distance, and when his eyes swept down, even the space seemed to tremble slightly.

"Soul Emperor—"

Chen Xiao gazed at the figure from afar, his expression calm.

Things are different now. This big boss of the Dou Qi Continent no longer poses a threat to him.

However, it must be acknowledged that this is a remarkable person!

"Why have so many powerful figures been dispatched? I had a strange feeling that I had deliberately called these people to ambush you." A hint of doubt flashed across Bodhi's face, but it quickly disappeared as he smiled and made a joke.

He doesn't usually care much about what's happening in the outside world, nor does he have any intention of getting involved. If Chen Xiao weren't here today, Bodhi might have curiously inquired about it.

"I am aware of this matter. Just a few days ago, the three ancient races of Gu Lei Yan—" Chen Xiao briefly explained the ins and outs.

Today is not yet the agreed time between the four clans, but the Soul Clan is missing Void Devouring Flame, three of the Four Demon Saints, and one Soul Void Child, resulting in a significant loss of combat power. It is normal for them to set off early to prepare.

Soul Emperor is always confident in his strength, but he is by no means a rigid person. It is not surprising that he would make some changes to his tactics in order to increase his chances of winning.

"I see. Does that mean we can absorb more energy from this place during this time?" Bodhi wasn't interested in the impending war between the four races. He preferred to focus on recuperation. "That's true, but there's no rush. Since we're in the Soul Realm today, I'll save an old friend later." Chen Xiao nodded with a smile.

Under the watchful eyes of the two, the Heavenly Emperor of Souls in the sky did not hesitate. He glanced around and immediately waved his sleeve.

"Let's go, Burial Sky Mountains!"

The Burial Sky Mountain Range is located in the northwest region of Zhongzhou. People in Zhongzhou may be unfamiliar with this area now, but for some old monsters among the ancient races, it is still a well-known name.

This is because that is where the Soul Clan and the Xiao Clan fought a thousand years ago, a battle that once made the entire Central Continent tremble.

Deep within that mountain range lies an ancient battlefield, its vast expanse burying countless powerful warriors of the Xiao and Hun clans.

And this time, the blood of three ancient races will once again be shed!

Watching the Soul Emperor lead his men away, Chen Xiao slowly stood up.

"I'll show you around too. I'm more familiar with this Soul Realm than you are now," Bodhi said, following closely behind.

Chen Xiao didn't refuse. After all, this was no different from taking a leisurely stroll. When the Soul Emperor was around, the difficulty was still very low. Now that the Soul Emperor was gone, it was no difficulty at all.

Inside the dimly lit prison, Xiao Zhan sat in a corner with his hair disheveled and his head hanging down. His limbs were bound by specially made shackles and chains, and he sat lifeless. If it weren't for the obvious presence of life force, people would believe he was a corpse.

Just as Xiao Zhan closed his eyes and awaited death, a voice that sounded somewhat familiar yet he couldn't quite place suddenly rang in his ears.

"Nearly twenty years have passed since we parted, Clan Chief Xiao Zhan, do you still recognize me?"

Hearing the voice so close to his eyes, Xiao Zhan slowly raised his head, his withered hands struggling to brush away the messy hair that was obscuring his vision.

Two tall, upright figures suddenly entered his clouded vision.

Bodhi's appearance was completely unfamiliar to him, but Chen Xiao's face, even after many years, was still deeply imprinted in his memory and he had never forgotten it.

But when he looked up at Chen Xiao in front of him, he couldn't believe it for a moment.

Compared to their last meeting, Chen Xiao has long since shed his youthful naiveté and arrogance. His eyes now hold a deep sense of pride, and he exudes an indescribable aura of confidence, as if he has everything under control.

Xiao Zhan had only ever felt this kind of confidence emanating from within the Soul Emperor before.

Who is the Heavenly Emperor of Souls?

That was a powerful figure who had already stood at the top of the Dou Qi Continent's pyramid. Only after thousands of years in a high position had he cultivated that almost innate demeanor.

But Chen Xiao—

How old is he? How could he possibly have that kind of strength?

Moreover, it wasn't just Chen Xiao; the same was true for the stranger beside him.

It was all an illusion, an illusion. Xiao Zhan preferred to believe that his eyesight was failing him.

"You—you are Chen Xiao?"

Xiao Zhan's voice was dry and hoarse, with an undisguised tremor. His withered hands clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white from the force, making the chains rattle.

Chen Xiao chuckled and nodded. Seeing Xiao Zhan's state, he immediately raised his hand and channeled a gentle stream of fighting spirit into Xiao Zhan's body.

"broken."

At the same time, as Chen Xiao finished speaking, without any other movement, the shackles binding Xiao Zhan's limbs shattered instantly with a crackling sound.

This seemingly magical ability to make one's words come true caused Bodhi to glance at him again.

"No fluctuations of battle aura—"