Soul-Slaying Maiden: Master Of Ancient Divine Weapons

Han Zhen returned to Deep Blue City aboard a military transport ship.

Onboard, besides him, there were also many spirit contract masters and contracted spirits returning home.

Everyone was happily chatting, completely relaxing their fatigued bodies and minds, basking in the joy of victory.

From time to time, they cast their gazes toward Han Zhen, sitting at the end. This youngest recipient of the Purple Heart Medal had destroyed most of the serpent tide, prevented the juvenile serpents from joining the main forces, and made outstanding contributions to the victory on the frontline battlefield.

This honor was arranged for Han Zhen by Wei Qing and Lin Jingxuan.

The bigger the tree, the more it catches the wind, not to mention the ever-watchful Dawn organization.

This was already the highest honor they could bestow upon Han Zhen.

Otherwise, with Han Zhen's achievement of slaying a ninth-rank Heaven Serpent, he would have been awarded the highest honor medal of Great Xia, which might cause a nationwide sensation—something not necessarily beneficial for Han Zhen.

Even with the Purple Heart Medal, Han Zhen's age still made all the frontline warriors glance sideways, their gazes filled with respect.

Han Zhen felt the eyes of these warriors and lightly stroked the sword case behind him.

These achievements should all be credited to Gongyang Jin.

'Don't worry, I'll awaken you again soon. Trust me.'

The transport ship stopped at docking ports in various cities, and by the time it reached Deep Blue City, it was already evening.

Having received the news in advance, Li Shutong was already waiting at the port.

Standing with him were Xia Youwei and Li Lingzhen, whom Han Zhen hadn't seen in over half a month.

The moment they saw Han Zhen disembark, they rushed over, one on each side, hugging his arms.

After reuniting and comforting the two, Han Zhen walked to Li Shutong and respectfully greeted him.

"Teacher."

"Hmm. It's good you're back."

Li Shutong spoke as his gaze fell on the sword case behind Han Zhen.

"Lin Jingxuan has already reported the frontline matters to me. This time, we owe it to you and Gongyang Jin. If there's anything you need for recovery, just let me know."

"You've… already reached the fourth rank?"

Li Shutong suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"Breaking through from the third rank to the fourth requires an enormous amount of spirit energy. You managed to reach the fourth rank after just half a month at the frontline?"

It wasn't Li Shutong making a fuss. Throughout Great Xia's history, there were hardly any who could advance as quickly as Han Zhen, like riding an airplane.

"For spirit contract masters, the third rank is a hurdle. The first three ranks are foundational, but starting from the fourth rank, it's a whole new landscape."

"Since you've already stepped into the fourth rank ahead of time, you should familiarize yourself with this realm."

Han Zhen nodded in agreement.

Regarding this, Lin Jingxuan's meticulous notes had already recorded such details.

For both spirit contract masters and contracted spirits, the fourth rank marked a brand-new beginning.

Advancing from the fourth to the fifth rank required not only spirit energy but also something special: spirit remains.

Spirit remains were incredibly rare and could only be obtained by defeating high-rank Zerg, with a probability of appearance.

These remains contained the purest essence of spirit energy within the Zerg. Different spirit remains could grant spirit contract masters or contracted spirits random enhancement effects.

At this, Li Shutong produced a smooth, glossy orb from his hand.

"This is…"

"A ninth-rank spirit remain."

A ninth-rank spirit remain. Han Zhen couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, feeling overwhelmed.

He had considered the idea of using spirit remains, knowing that higher-ranked remains provided greater benefits. But a ninth-rank remain? He had never dared to imagine it.

"This is the spirit remain of the ninth-rank Heaven Serpent from the Izanagi clan. After I slew it back then, I kept it all this time. Now that you've slain it again, it's rightfully yours."

"The Heaven Serpent was resurrected by the grand sacrificial array of life and death, but only its physical body was revived. Its powerful innate talents were preserved in this spirit remain and couldn't manifest. Otherwise, the battle wouldn't have been so easily won."

So that's how it was.

The spirit remains of Zerg contained their innate talents, which was why humans sought them so desperately.

Who wouldn't want more innate talents?

"Teacher, don't you need it?"

This was a ninth-rank spirit remain, priceless and fought over by countless people.

Li Shutong shook his head. "It's useless to me unless I can break through the so-called ninth rank to a transcendent realm."

'So Teacher's strength had already reached the level of a ninth-rank spirit contract master?'

'It made sense. A century ago, he had slain three ninth-rank Zerg emperors. How could he not be ninth rank himself?'

Since that was the case, Han Zhen accepted it without hesitation, reaching out to take it.

Having just entered the fourth rank, Han Zhen had one opportunity to consume a spirit remain. Without delay, he swallowed the ninth-rank spirit remain.

The remain melted instantly.

Soon, he completed the fusion, and the power of the ninth-rank spirit remain activated within him, granting him a new innate ability.

[Serpent Sovereign's Body]:

[1. Greatly enhances defense, speed, and strength. 2. Grants control over elements, increasing elemental resistance.]

The description was simple, but the effect felt anything but ordinary to Han Zhen.

With Eight Locks Fist and Dragon Flight Technique already boosting his speed, strength, and defense to levels comparable to fifth-rank close combatants, the Serpent Sovereign's Body doubled his combat prowess again.

As for elemental control, it was self-explanatory.

Being associated with the Izanagi Serpent, wielding the powers of earth, wind, water, and fire was only natural.

With the Fuxi Zither's Heavenly Will of the Four Symbols enhancing him and this new augmentation, Han Zhen's mastery over elements would become even more refined.

"Fourth-rank spirit remains serve as the foundation, determining the growth potential and future of your spirit remain. Using a ninth-rank remain as your fourth-rank base, your future will be limitless," Li Shutong said.

"Back in my day, I barely managed to find a seventh-rank remain for my fourth rank. Even with my best efforts to nurture it later, its potential remained limited."

"The future is bright."

Li Shutong patted Han Zhen's shoulder with a smile.

"Thank you, Teacher!" Han Zhen said gratefully.

He was fortunate to have awakened an SSS-level innate ability and to have a teacher like Li Shutong, who stood at the pinnacle of human spirit contract masters. This saved him countless detours.

"Enough said. You've just reunited after a long time—pour your hearts out. Those who get it will understand. I'll stop getting in the way here."

With that, Li Shutong turned and left decisively.

Leaving time and space for Xia Youwei and Li Lingzhen.

"I heard from Teacher that you contracted a new spirit at the frontline battlefield," Xia Youwei began with a resentful look.

"A three-timer scumbag," Li Lingzhen added, already incorporating this into the setting for her new novel's protagonist.

"Ahem. It's not what you think."

Han Zhen quickly explained his story with Gongyang Jin in detail.

Only then did the two let it go, skipping the reproach phase and jumping straight to the interrogation phase…

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