Chapter 1558 A Stronger Soul
After having devoured Pandemonium's Lung, I forced my soul to transform into countless chains that chained down the rest of the Lung's powers. However, after forging my Demonic Physique, rising my Demon King Seed Rank, and cultivating my Demonic Energy, Divine Power, and Spirit Essence further, I was able to breakthrough once more.
My soul expanded, resembling hundreds of rivers of gold, rainbow essence that constantly flowed upwards. The demonic soul energy that had been assimilated into my wounded soul slowly started to meld better, although it still remained restrained. I was slowly unlocking its powers. However, the chains disappeared, melting into this sea of gold and rainbow essence. It felt as if I had broken through a shell, and the System messages really took that literally.
[Your Soul has broken through its former shell and has progressed to the next stage.]
[Your Soul Ether Stat has increased from S+++ to SS-!]
[Your Soul Strength, Soul Vitality, Soul Stamina, and Soul Aura have increased greatly.]
[The Demonic Soul Essence sealed within your Soul is slowly releasing. The amount of Demonic Energy you regenerate over time has been increased by +100%.]
[You gained an additional +100.000.000 Demonic Energy.]
"This is good… I can keep gaining more Demonic Energy over time like this! There's still left at least eighty percent of that Sealed Power…" I felt accomplished.
[If you keep it up and manage to get to a higher Soul Ether Stat, you will most likely be able to unlock all of the Pandemonium's Lung Power.]
[I feel like you might even acquire a Demonic Ability out of it that cannot be purchased with Demonic Energy!]
"Ooh, I see. I have to keep working hard then." I nodded, as I was about to continue my cultivation, before I was startled by a mischievous fox.
"Well done." Belle suddenly appeared behind me. "It is incredible that you've not only managed to dominate a Demonic Sin, but you've also attained the power to control Demonic Energy. You're quite the crazy bastard."
"Is that all you have to say to me?" I sighed. "Come on, is it that painful to praise me every now and then?"
"I've already praised you enough. And don't think I am still not pissed off for what you did to my inheritance, Drake." She said angrily. "Ahem! Anyways, it seems your soul has grown stronger already. I guess letting demonic energy flow inside is even more painful than any soul torture. Hahaha!"
"Ugh, I hate that you're right." I sighed. "It is indeed very painful, but the power is worth it."
"If it wasn't for your special body, you wouldn't have even gotten this far though. I doubt any body that is not a Demon King has ever managed to control demonic energy this much…" Belle said.
"And even then, those that have are Demon Kings consumed by their sins." Suddenly, another old lady appeared, the Frost Queen. "Demon Kings usually become deadly calamities because they let their Sins devour their minds, they become their embodiments. This is but another of the terrible curses left behind by Pandemonium."
"I remember hearing that it was part of Yggdrasil too?" I asked.
"It is, and also of Pandemonium." Nodded Belle. "The Demon left behind these Seven Deadly Sin Curses in the world before he was cut down and sealed away. His influence was so powerful it changes the Laws of this world, which ended incorporating this power. Yggdrasil does it against her will, but she must grant this curse to seven unfortunate vessels every now and then. If not, the sins themselves will simply fly around, destroying and devouring everything. I am sure you already saw the true shape of Gluttony, right?"
"I did… So if there are no vessels for them, the Deadly Sins simply return to their primordial forms and go on a rampage?" I asked. "That's… fucked up."
"It was a way for Pandemonium to be sure he would still destroy this world. But even then, Yggdrasil has worked hard to prevent that… Well, even now, I can't say that what she has done is completely good. But it has kept the world alive." The Frost Queen said. "You're free to hate her or not… But I fervently believe she has done the right thing."
"Of course you do, you righteous woman." Laughed Belle. "I believe she should just burn to death… But I suppose that would destroy the world, and that would be counterproductive."
"What are even your goals anyways, Belle? Oftentimes, you simply feel detached of all things." The Frost Queen said. "What is your end goal after reviving? Will you protect this world or…?"
"Come on, are you really asking that?" Belle asked. "After I've heard my original world is still in such peril. If there's a way, I'm returning to Zipangu. I have little else to do in this damned world. I've suffered enough here. I've lost friends, my family, everything… The only thing left I had was strength, and even that was taken away from me once my lifespan ended. When the time to revive comes, I will get my power back and return to my world."
"Belle…" The Frost Queen sighed, her expressions changing after she heard Belle's heart.
"I suppose you didn't come here just to fight or something, right?" I asked.
"Ah… Yes. Well, the training of your people is almost done. Everyone has showcased amazing growth." The Frost Queen smiled. "But there are two months left for their training, right?"
"Yes, continue helping them progress if you can, please." I nodded. "And Belle?"
"My batch has already almost mastered Divine Soul Radiance… Should we switch groups, youngster?" She asked the Frost Queen.
"Ah, I guess that's fair enough." The Frost Queen nodded. "Anyways, Drake… There's something else you need to do now, cultivating like this is not bad but… You've been trying to evade me, isn't it?"
"Ah…"
"You can't keep feigning ignorance. It is time for us to train. I will teach you more of the way of Ice. You've learned a lot, but there's always more room to improve." She said.
"I thought I've already mastered all of what ice can do, no?" I wondered.
"Oh, perhaps the initial stages, but what comes next will blow your mind…" She said, smiling.
