Chapter 183: Why Can't It Be Me?
Jiang Zhe's current will attack was only a high-level imitation—far from the genuine article.
True will attacks had strict prerequisites: one's will had to fuse with their body, taking root. Only then could a single movement unleash a true will impact, unrestrained and devastating. That was the real, undiluted power of "will utilization."
So Jiang Zhe couldn't yet display the terrifying might that a being with Sovereign-level will should have.
Even so, for the countless mediocre immortals scraping by in the Cosmic Nation, it was already a nightmarish weapon.
—
After the second wave of will shocks…
The once-dignified marquises of the military collapsed, tumbling from their high-backed chairs and sprawling across the floor in awkward heaps.
Two who were barely at the king level, sitting closest to Jiang Zhe, were hit the hardest. Their eyes rolled back as they fell unconscious on the spot.
Jiang Zhe lightly tapped the armrest of his throne, glancing at the wrecked Hall of War. He couldn't help clicking his tongue.
No wonder City Lord Luo relied on this so much against the beasts in the later arcs. It's too much fun.
When I get back, I'll ask the Seraph how to truly fuse my will with my body to unleash proper will attacks… or better yet, hurry up and attain Universe Master-level will, and complete the "Sin Chapter's" absorption technique.
—
Because his will attack wasn't at full power, the marquis immortals didn't stay unconscious for long.
Within a few breaths, they began waking up one after another.
Afraid of suffering another blow, they hastily dropped to one knee in reverence.
"Greetings, Commander!"
Seeing that the situation was settled, even the two vice-commanders, both barely at king level, no longer dared maintain their lofty airs. They stood and gave Jiang Zhe respectful bows.
"I, Sky Azure King / Flame Blaze King, greet the Commander!"
Jiang Zhe gave a slight nod and waved his hand. "Sit. I have a few things to say."
The 52 legion masters sat back down with uneasy hearts. Jiang Zhe swept his gaze over them as if memorizing each face.
It's over. Is he going to settle scores now?
Cold sweat slid down the temples of many marquises.
None of them here were exactly "clean." While the Commander might not have enough leverage to topple them outright, he could still make them miserable.
In reality… Jiang Zhe was simply putting on a show.
Aside from the two barely king-level vice-commanders, he didn't care in the slightest who these cannon fodder were.
Marquis immortals? So what?
Did they forget how, during Luo Feng's first mission, a single king with teleportation led a squad of marquises only to be chased like rats by a Zerg Queen?
If I ever get assassinated and have to rely on these 52 legion masters for protection, I'd be better off finding a rope and hanging myself first.
Taking them to battle? They wouldn't be protecting him—he'd probably have to protect them instead.
Compared to Luo Feng's desperate desire to curry favor during his domain lord trial, Jiang Zhe's attitude was completely different. He didn't need to flatter anyone. That was the confidence born of power.
His 180,000-times strengthened domain lord soul force and Sovereign-level will were all the backing he needed!
—
The Hall of War fell silent.
Under the solemn gazes of the marquises and the two kings, Jiang Zhe finally spoke.
"During my tenure, when it comes to matters of our race's wars, I expect all of you to stand united with me. That is our duty as the cosmic army of the human race. Dereliction will not be tolerated."
"For other affairs, continue as usual. I won't interfere."
"Also, during my time in this post, I will be focusing on comprehending the fundamental laws. Unless it's an emergency, do not disturb me. Once I complete my top-rank merit task, I will apply to resign and return to Chaos City for seclusion."
"So, I won't be in this position for long."
"I hope that during this period, working with you will be pleasant for me—because if it is pleasant for me, it will be pleasant for you as well."
"Finally, and most importantly—my bottom line is quite broad, but there is absolutely no tolerance for betrayal of our race. Consider yourselves warned."
"That's all. Dismissed."
The moment his words ended, Jiang Zhe's figure vanished from the throne.
—
Outside the hall, Black Abyss Marquis stood frozen for a second. When she came to her senses, she hurriedly teleported away to chase after Jiang Zhe.
But by the time she returned to Amethyst Island, she discovered that Jiang Zhe hadn't even bothered to teleport back to the Dry Witch branch base—he had simply logged off right there.
"Ay… Commander, there are still other matters…"
The veiled girl stomped her feet anxiously and quickly sent Jiang Zhe an email.
The reply came not from Jiang Zhe, but from Orianna on his behalf—very simply stating: All affairs delegated to Luo Feng.
If not for the fact that he had to personally appear for this initial meeting, Jiang Zhe wouldn't have wasted time playing these political power games with these weaklings.
He'd rather spend that effort mastering the Laws of Thunder and Earth.
As for dumping it all on Luo Feng? That wasn't a trap—Jiang Zhe insisted it was to let Luo Feng experience the heat of power, which would be good for tempering his heart. (Totally not because he was too lazy to socialize!)
—
Back in the Hall of War.
The throne that had radiated such oppressive might moments ago was now empty.
The marquis legion masters and the two kings exchanged looks, their minds briefly blank. Only one thought remained:
It's… over?
A stick in one hand, a carrot in the other? This new Commander was unexpectedly easy to get along with?
Not sure yet. Better wait and see.
All fifty marquis legion masters turned their eyes toward the two kings on the high platform, waiting for their guidance.
Sky Azure King stroked his chin and tentatively said, "It seems… this Commander doesn't really care to bother with us?"
Flame Blaze King nodded, though his expression still lingered on the feeling from earlier. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Azure, did you feel that? The pressure of a high-level marquis's consciousness!"
"I felt it. This Commander is extraordinary!" Sky Azure King's gaze grew serious as he reasoned,
"Consciousness strength is closely tied to physical strength. It means his body's combat power is definitely at the marquis level. Yet according to company records, he's merely a domain lord, and only broke through to the domain lord pinnacle a little over six months ago!"
Sky Azure King's face grew apprehensive. "Blaze, there's something very deep at play here. We might be in trouble."
—
Was it really so impressive that they could deduce his physical power from the pressure in the virtual universe? Not at all—that was just foundational knowledge.
Anyone with proper training in the cultivation system of the Original Universe could make that deduction.
Because for flesh-and-blood life, the soul was divided into soul strength, consciousness strength, and will strength.
Will strength, Jiang Zhe's main crutch, could be raised infinitely. Even a mere apprentice, if their heart was strong enough, could possess Sovereign-level will.
But soul strength and consciousness strength couldn't be forcibly elevated across tiers. They had to match one's physical level, bound by the limits of the body.
That's why all those transmigrators loved talking about "body snatching." In the world of Swallowed Star, most body snatching only worked if it was same-level or weaker-to-stronger.
A higher-tier soul trying to occupy a weaker body would find the body unable to withstand the enormous soul, resulting in collapse.
For instance: a human expert at peak world lord (level 9) had a standard 1x world lord soul force.
If he wanted to seize a body, that body had to be at least world lord level 7. Anything weaker, and it would be crushed by the sheer force of his soul.
So it was only natural that the two kings deduced Jiang Zhe's body strength from the pressure he unleashed.
—
Of course, learning such secrets also meant new dangers.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding—
All 52 legion masters received a flagged red email.
Upon reading it, the fifty marquis masters paled. Sky Azure King and Flame Blaze King both wore bitter smiles. From now on, their lives would be little different from imprisonment.
They all wanted to slap their past selves.
Why couldn't we have just obediently followed the Virtual Universe Company's orders? Why did we have to test the new Commander's patience for a bit of pride?
They'd just been slapped twice—once by Jiang Zhe, now by the Virtual Universe Company. Feel good about that?
Flame Blaze King swept a cold gaze around. "Everyone, today's incident must not be leaked. When you return, lock these memories away. If even a word slips out, it will be treated as treason against our race. You all know how ruthless the company can be. Take care of yourselves."
"Take care of yourselves," echoed Sky Azure King, sweeping the hall with heavy eyes. "Dismissed."
—
Lanling City, Jiang Family.
In the study of Jiang Zhe's private courtyard, he sat across from his demon avatar.
The demon Jiang Zhe, with blood-red horns on his forehead, held a heavy tome, lightly brushing its crimson cover.
A glow arose.
Strands of radiance wove into a sacred figure that gradually solidified—an archangel.
The Seraph gazed at Jiang Zhe and spoke softly.
"You've called me forth. What is it? I see your will hasn't reached Universe Master level yet."
"Ahem. Only a step from Universe Overlord—I'm not far from Universe Master," Jiang Zhe shamelessly exaggerated before getting to the point.
"I'm just… highly motivated. Could you improve my current will attack method? Teach me the true techniques so I can fully wield my Sovereign-level will?"
The Seraph replied calmly,
"Your existing will attack is a clever shortcut, but it strays from the proper path. Without returning to it, there's no room to improve."
Jiang Zhe frowned. "The proper path? Can you teach me to plant my will's 'roots' throughout my flesh and blood?"
Will rooting in the body was the foundation of all will techniques!
The Seraph answered,
"First, cultivate the absorption secret technique. Once successful, you'll naturally return to the correct path.
Second, during your breakthrough to immortality, experience the soul's shattering and fusion with the god-body. Given your talent, there's perhaps a one-in-a-billion chance you'll comprehend how to manifest will throughout your body."
Jiang Zhe's eyes widened. "How much? One in a billion?"
"You find that too low? It's already fortunate to have any chance at all. With your knowledge of the 'upper realms,' you should know at what level you can actively command will, yes?"
Chaos Dominator, Jiang Zhe muttered inwardly, but didn't say aloud.
"Seraph… there really isn't any other way?"
"I am merely a spirit of secret techniques. How much more do you expect me to know?"
Jiang Zhe sighed, then changed the subject. "Alright then. Seraph, recommend me a few 'original sin' type secret techniques."
"I'll be staying on Earth for a while. It's the perfect time to settle down and round out all my methods."
The Seraph nodded.
"My master's 'Sin Chapter' is a soul-path tome. Naturally, you should specialize in soul cultivation.
First, practice a soul amplitude secret technique to fully reach the hundredfold limit set by the Original Universe.
Second, study soul enslavement techniques. Delve into the mysteries of the soul and master this crucial power.
That's it for now.
With your special soul and formidable will, if you don't become what these natives call a 'soul master,' it would simply waste your gifts."
"OK! OK!" Jiang Zhe nodded eagerly.
From the Seraph, he received a direct hundredfold soul amplitude technique, plus over a hundred soul enslavement techniques of varying profundities.
These had all manifested as innate talents among the demons of the Abyss World.
As Jiang Zhe skimmed through the 147 soul enslavement techniques, he couldn't help clicking his tongue.
Each one surpassed Huyan Bo's "Soul Seal." About 20% could rival the "Myriad Heart Soul Control" created by Luo Feng's senior brother.
Three were specially marked by the Seraph as Universe Master level.
Given the Original Universe's cautious temperament, the Seraph only dared break off talent fragments at that level—any stronger and she'd risk being sealed away.
Two of these were brute-force enslavement techniques, while one used illusions.
The Seraph didn't intend for him to pick among them—she wanted him to learn them all, understand their core principles, and master the essence of soul enslavement.
—
"A pile of secret techniques… my eyes hurt." Jiang Zhe massaged his brow. "I'll work on these later. The most urgent task is to fully comprehend the Laws of Thunder and Earth."
He handed the primal core to his demon avatar and was about to dive into his inner world to study the Thunder God Diagram when Orianna suddenly said,
"Master, wait. Someone's come to see you. She just greeted Old Master Jiang in the main hall and will be here shortly."
Jiang Zhe reached out with his senses and instantly knew who it was—and roughly guessed her reason for coming.
Soon after, Lei Lei was ushered into the study.
The once stubborn, shy girl in his memory had long since grown up.
Youthful innocence had been replaced by cold beauty. Her cultivation of heart and mind gave her an aloof, otherworldly aura. The trace of Thunder Law she'd comprehended lent a sharp edge to her near-immortal grace.
Jiang Zhe instantly saw through her cultivation and couldn't help remarking,
"Over two hundred years without meeting. Looks like you haven't slacked off at all—ninth stage star-level warrior, just stepped into domain lord-level will, and already sensing the Laws of Thunder. You're not far from truly stepping into that path."
"I've used the resources provided by the Jiang Family—bloodline potions, law tomes, mental tempering, life-and-death trials, marquis mentors… enjoying the best training conditions on Earth. With all that, such progress is only right.
As for breaking through in will—it came naturally after letting go of some burdens."
Lei Lei locked eyes with Jiang Zhe, unwavering.
"Twenty years ago, I learned from my father about your mission back on Earth… I've waited here in the Jiang Family for over two hundred years. Since you have to make a choice… why can't that choice be me?"
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