Zhangting's first major obstacle was the Ten-Thousand-Year Three-Eyed Demon Ape. A creature of high intelligence and mental prowess, the ape attempted to use the terrain to neutralize Zhangting's plant control. It was a tactical move, but it underestimated the sheer versatility of the Major Achievement physique.
1. The Violence of Water
Switching to his Water Element attribute, Zhangting demonstrated that "gentle" water can be more destructive than a hammer.
The Strike: He manifested water columns that hit with the force of his Coiling Dragon Rod.
The Rupture: Upon contact with the Ape's arm, Zhangting used the "burst" command, causing the water—and the ape's blood—to explode from the inside out.
2. The Mental Backlash
In a desperate final move, the Demon Ape unleashed its strongest pupil technique: Soul Shock. It was a fatal mistake. When it peered into Zhangting's Spirit Abyss Realm sea of consciousness, it didn't find a human mind—it found an endless abyss.
The Abyss: Deep within the darkness, the massive eye of Iks appeared. The Ape's mental force collapsed instantly under the divine weight of the abyss. It died not by the staff, but by the shattering of its own soul.
Chapter 50: The Seven-Tentacled Evolution
For three days, Zhangting carved a path through the Mixed Zone. He systematically dismantled a troop of Crimson Fire Monkeys, absorbing their spiritual energy until his four spirit rings turned pitch black—a sign they had reached the 50,000-year mark.
Iks: The Multi-Tentacled Horror
The growth of the Evil Eye Tyrant is measured in its tentacles.
The Milestone: At 10,000 years, Iks had three tentacles. Now, at 50,000 years, seven pitch-black tentacles float behind its giant central eye, moving with the precision of a thousand ethereal hands.
The Miracle: Most soul spirits or beasts cannot speak human tongue until they cross the 100,000-year threshold. However, Iks's exceptional talent has allowed him to speak early.
The Human Form Question
With Iks now communicating in human language, Zhangting posed a daring question: "Can you transform into a human after the 100,000-year breakthrough?"
Typically, land-dwelling beasts require 200,000 years (Great Beast/Vicious Beast rank) to achieve a human mimicry form. But Iks is no typical beast.
The Logic: As a Five-Elemental Evil Eye Tyrant with Spirit Abyss mental strength, Iks is breaking every known law of biology.
Zhangting's eyes narrowed as he considered the implications. If Iks can take human form at 100,000 years, he won't just be a soul spirit; he will be a sentient, multi-elemental partner capable of walking beside Zhangting in the physical world.
Progress Report: The Forge of the Spirit EmperorAttributeCurrent LevelGoalSpirit Rank50 (Peak)60 (Spirit Emperor)Iks Age50,000 Years100,000 YearsTentacles710+Mental RealmSpirit AbyssDivine/Origin (Future)Export to Sheets
Zhangting felt the surging power. The black rings pulsing around him were proof that his body, reinforced by the Major Achievement runes, could handle even more. He isn't satisfied with 50,000 years. He is hunting for the ultimate prize to fuel the final leap.
"We don't just want a spirit ring," Zhangting told Iks. "We want to rewrite the rules of what a Soul Spirit can be."
Expert Guide: Iks is halfway to the 100,000-year goal. To complete the evolution, Zhangting must find a "Sovereign" of the core zone. Should he hunt a Light-attribute beast to complete the elemental cycle, or should he seek out a Mental-type beast to ensure Iks can maintain his human consciousness after the transformation?