Chapter 418: Chapter 234: Initial Success of the Experiment; News from the County Town

Half an hour later, at the entrance of the marketplace hut in the Wilderness World.

Three corpses were neatly arranged at the entrance of the hut.

Luo Dingran watched Cheng Zongyang place a Soul Crystal Stone before the three corpses. He knew this was the stone Cheng Zongyang had specifically ordered them to prepare.

One of the souls within it was He Shujun’s.

After He Shujun died, Cheng Zongyang had collected his soul with a Soul Crystal Stone. Subsequently, this stone wasn’t used to gather the souls of Martial Artists; instead, it was given to Ma Yue specifically to collect souls from villages and other such places.

The goal was to test whether He Shujun’s soul, when placed among the souls of ordinary people, would prove dominant enough to be selected for reconstruction and regeneration.

If this experiment worked, it would mean that in the future, specific individuals could be targeted for reconstruction and regeneration, effectively resurrecting them in the Wilderness World.

Although this was just a single attempt, it at least showed the theory was viable.

With a few more attempts, they could determine a rough probability. Then, the Middle Tier Soul Crystal Stone could be used for the targeted resurrection of much-needed, talented individuals.

Cheng Zongyang walked over to Luo Dingran, his expression tense. "This is the moment of truth," he said. "The power one had in life does not equate to the power of their soul. An ordinary person’s soul can overpower that of a Martial Artist. It all comes down to the degree of resentment the soul held before death."

Luo Dingran nodded in agreement. There were many such cases, so he wasn’t overly optimistic. "We’ve done all we can," he said. "The rest is up to fate."

Next, with a thought from Cheng Zongyang, the familiar process began again.

The three corpses were enveloped and then devoured by a red mist, and new bodies appeared in their place.

A moment later, as Cheng Zongyang looked at the reconstructed Soul Slave, its Attribute Interface appeared.

——

Name: He Shujun (Unmodified)

Physique: 60

Power: 40

Endurance: 60

Agility: 60

Grade: Seventh Grade

Skills: None

Talent:

Insect Control Technique: The user’s own blood possesses a natural attraction and affinity for insects. By using their blood to nurture them, the user can control various types of insects and even raise their Grade.

Unallocated Attribute Points: 20

——

"He actually appeared." The moment Cheng Zongyang saw the name, his eyes lit up. He laughed and said, "My experiment is a success!"

Luo Dingran couldn’t see the new Soul Slave’s attributes, but hearing Cheng Zongyang’s words, he knew the experiment had succeeded. He immediately clasped his hands in a salute and smiled. "Congratulations, my lord, on your success!"

Cheng Zongyang waved his hand. "It’s just one attempt. I’ll need to try a few more times to be certain."

Luo Dingran said, "Indeed. But at least this first attempt was a success."

Cheng Zongyang nodded. He then allocated He Shujun’s Attribute Points, distributing the twenty points evenly between his Physique and Endurance.

This brought both attributes to 70. He then copied the Medicine Skill onto He Shujun.

Once the changes were finalized, He Shujun slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Cheng Zongyang, a tremor ran through his gaze. He moved naturally before Cheng Zongyang, knelt on one knee, and said, "He Shujun greets you, my lord."

He didn’t understand why he was saluting Cheng Zongyang. ’I should hate him, but I don’t. There’s only this deep, instinctual obedience!’ At the same time, he could also perceive the changes within himself.

’Such power is beyond my comprehension!’

"Rise." Cheng Zongyang looked at He Shujun with a faint smile. "How do you feel?"

He Shujun clasped his hands in a salute. "Thank you, my lord, for granting this subordinate a new life. I feel even more powerful than before!"

After speaking, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "My lord, are you an Immortal?"

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "You can think of me that way for now. In the future, you will establish your own post, dedicated to researching and cultivating Gu Insects and other related work. If you need personnel, submit a request to Steward Luo. This is Luo Dingran, Steward Luo. He is in charge of all matters here."

"This subordinate greets Steward Luo." He Shujun turned to Luo Dingran and clasped his hands in a salute. But a moment later, he seemed to recall something, and his face filled with astonishment. "You... you were the County Magistrate of Jade Peak County Town?"

He finally remembered who Luo Dingran was. The name was very familiar.

Luo Dingran nodded matter-of-factly. "That’s right. I, too, received the lord’s grace and was granted a new life in this world to manage some trivial affairs for him."

It all made sense now.

He looked at Cheng Zongyang again and gave a wry smile. "No wonder your methods are so uncanny. Since you have the power of an Immortal, why not just take over the County Town directly?"

Cheng Zongyang replied, "That will happen sooner or later. A meal must be eaten one bite at a time, mustn’t it?"

"Understood." He Shujun clasped his hands again.

Cheng Zongyang suddenly asked, "You called me an Immortal the moment you opened your mouth. Why? Have you seen one before?"

He Shujun said without hesitation, "I haven’t seen one. But I’ve heard of them."

Now it was Cheng Zongyang’s turn to be stunned. "Tell me in detail," he urged.

As a Soul Slave, He Shujun was incapable of keeping secrets. He naturally began to answer Cheng Zongyang’s query:

"It’s only a legend. They say there is a dwelling of Immortals out on the sea. It is said that the previous Clan Leader of the Ji Family—one of the Thirteen Royal Families—went to sea in search of Immortals after stepping down from his position. He became lost, and just as he was on the brink of death, he was saved by an Immortal and was able to return home safely. He later tried to find that place again, but he was never successful. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"But it’s just a legend. No one truly believes it. That’s because everyone—the Thirteen Royal Families, the great nations of the land, various Noble Families, even the Da Yi Commerce Association—has scoured the seas and found no trace of any immortal dwelling. And yet, Demon Beasts do come from overseas. For that reason, all the major powers believe the ocean is home to Demon Beasts, not Immortals."

"But after seeing you, I believe it now. You are an Immortal!" He Shujun said with immense respect.