Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

”Sigh...”

The Demon Lord exhaled, a familiar doubt resurfacing in his mind—Why on earth did I pick this guy?

”So-called skills are actually just a means of utilizing energy, like some kind of fixed program. With a mere thought, you trigger the skill’s activation, and it takes effect.”

”It’s a simple way to release skills, yet few delve into or research their true essence.”

”In my view, these so-called skills are essentially programs. After using a skill scroll, this program is directly imprinted onto the host’s body, becoming a part of it.”

”And where is this program imprinted?”

Hearing the Demon Lord, Wen Yu’s gaze fell upon the five small orbs circling his Soul Body.

”Beside the Soul Body?”

”Yes, right beside the Soul Body!”

”The five small orbs circling beside your Soul Body are the five skills of your Soul Beast.”

”Although the Soul Master profession differs slightly from common ones, the general principles are similar. The Soul Beast is an extension of the Soul Master. When you enter a combat state, the Soul Beast’s skills effectively become your own...”

”Now, look at your first skill—Soul Strike!”

At the Demon Lord’s words, Wen Yu focused his intent, and the orb of light symbolizing Soul Strike instantly magnified in his vision.

”Soul Skills are distinct from skills of any other type. This is because the Soul itself is an aspect that, throughout history, only one professionist has ever fully comprehended.”

”The Dominator?”

”No, it was the Demon Lord! But that’s not important. Don’t interrupt; let me finish!”

”According to my research, the primary distinction between Soul Skills and skills of other types is their ability to perfectly integrate with the host’s Soul—Soul Strike, for example!”

”Now, use your intent to control the Soul Body before you! Start with simple movements, like wiggling your fingers...”

The Demon Lord’s explanation was detailed and comprehensive; for the finer points, it was practically hands-on instruction.

However, controlling the Soul Body with his intent wasn’t as simple as the Demon Lord had described...

Nearly an hour later, as Wen Yu maintained intense focus, the Soul Body before him finally twitched.

Then, an unprecedented sensation flooded Wen Yu’s mind...

It was as if he suddenly possessed a carbon copy of himself. On one hand, Wen Yu could clearly perceive his physical body in the outside world. On the other hand, within this strange space, he could also feel that his Soul Body and his own consciousness were now linked!

”It worked!”

”Yes, I saw. Your speed is quite good. Now, command your Soul Body to open its eyes!”

As the saying goes, ”everything is difficult at the start.” Once Wen Yu took that first step, the rest became considerably easier.

Over the next few hours, Wen Yu’s Soul Body progressed from wiggling its fingers, to opening its eyes, and finally to standing upright. Throughout this process, Wen Yu felt the connection between his will and his Soul Body growing ever stronger!

Until the two merged completely!

Instantly, everything before him transformed.

Wen Yu felt his will surge into his Soul Body. Subsequently, his perspective, initially like God’s Vision, rapidly shifted, centering on the Soul Body.

The boundless, white space before him was empty, save for his Soul Body and the five small, hovering orbs of light.

”So, this is it?”

”Yes, this is merely the first step. You’re currently relying on my power to observe your Soul Body and Soul Space. In the future, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with this sensation. Once you are, things will become much simpler.”

”What’s next?”

”Control your Soul Body and seize the orb of light symbolizing Soul Strike!”

Slowly extending his right hand, Wen Yu tentatively touched the orb of light symbolizing Soul Strike.

However, the next second, perhaps sensing the Soul Body’s movement, the orb suddenly trembled and darted aside—moving so quickly that Wen Yu, at his current speed, couldn’t possibly catch it!

”What’s happening?”

”Well, as I mentioned, a skill is merely a program. This program grants you the right to use it, but not ownership. This is partly why the Dominator can arbitrarily strip professionists of their skills and physical attributes. What we’re doing now serves two purposes: one, to enhance your combat capabilities, and two, it’s the very first step toward fully claiming these abilities as your own!”

Wen Yu’s hand froze. The Dominator controls the life and death of professionists, and their skills. I thought this tutoring session was just to enhance my abilities, but I’ve unexpectedly found a potential way to break free from the Dominator’s control... Even if the chance is slim and it might seem futile, this is indeed a promising start.

With this realization, Wen Yu’s mind raced. He manipulated his Soul Body to accelerate continuously, his hands a blur as he relentlessly tried to capture the orb of light symbolizing Soul Strike before him!

Although the orb moved quickly, it was bound by an invisible constraint—it couldn’t escape Wen Yu’s Soul Body. No matter how fast it darted, it could only circle around him.

Thus, the simple chase soon concluded.

When Wen Yu finally grasped the orb symbolizing Soul Strike, he felt a surge of Tremendous Strength from his right hand. The intense Oscillation of the orb made his Soul Body tremble. Pain, nausea, Dizziness—a wave of negative sensations washed over him.

”Hold on! Next, swallow the orb...”

”This...” Wen Yu stared at the orb in his hand, his expression grim. Merely holding this thing was already excruciatingly uncomfortable, and now he had to swallow it... Isn’t this like swallowing poison?

However, he didn’t hesitate for long. After a few seconds, a look of grim determination filled Wen Yu’s eyes. Gripping the orb, he swallowed it without a second thought!

Instantly, Wen Yu felt an excruciating pain erupt from his abdomen and spread rapidly throughout his entire being, as if he were constantly enduring a Soul Strike. The intense agony forced a sharp cry from him.

Perceiving everything within the Soul Space, the Demon Lord, who was in the outside world, slowly approached Wen Yu and once again placed his hands on Wen Yu’s head.

An exceedingly dense Soul Power flowed from the Demon Lord’s hands into Wen Yu’s body, continuously reinforcing his Soul Body’s strength.

This continued until the light of the orb symbolizing Soul Strike dimmed and its struggles grew fainter and fainter.

An unknown amount of time passed. Waves of intense pain washed over him before Wen Yu’s consciousness gradually returned.

The physical pain was subsiding. Looking down, he saw that the Soul Strike orb, once radiant within him, was now dimming. Simultaneously, streams of unknown energy flowed out from the orb, rapidly twining around his Soul Body.

The orb grew smaller and its light fainter. As it did, a large amount of energy surged forth from it, converging on his left hand where a complex and bizarre pattern gradually took shape.

”Did it work?”

The Demon Lord’s voice echoed again.

”Yes, it worked. The Soul Strike ability now belongs entirely to you. The steps you just took have effectively granted you ownership of it.”

”That simple?”

The Demon Lord was speechless. If I hadn’t been here guiding and supporting him, even supplying energy to stabilize his Soul Body, Wen Yu wouldn’t have been able to achieve this even in tens of thousands of years!