C41 Martial Soul Condensed

While Peng Gengkun had gauged the capabilities of Ruan Lang and Wu Longbin, he remained vigilant. It was clear to him that they hadn't shown all their cards and likely had hidden strengths up their sleeves.

Beyond Wu Longbin and Ruan Lang, the elite disciples included other formidable figures. Peng Gengkun vividly recalled Cao Manzhu from the King of Beachdenn's Mansion and Yan Xiongxiao, the undefeated disciple of the Flying Cloud Sect's Outer Sect. For his own security, Peng Gengkun understood the importance of gathering more intelligence.

"Why should I wait until next year to become an Inner Sect disciple if the opportunity presents itself now? Moreover, in this world, one's status seems to be of paramount importance..."

Having spent considerable time in this new world, Peng Gengkun had come to realize the critical role of identity. Without demonstrating his prowess, he would have remained unnoticed and friendless. The rigid class system here created a vast chasm between the Humble and the Aristocratic, nearly impossible to bridge.

"Since I have the potential to become an Inner Sect disciple, I must elevate my status! We may not all aspire to greatness, but settling for mediocrity is not an option. I must seize this chance at all costs!"

With these thoughts, Peng Gengkun focused inward, observing the baby Leviathan within his Qi Sea, before embarking on his cultivation practice.

This time, however, Peng Gengkun's focus wasn't on Martial Arts or absorbing Spiritual Energy; he was intent on forging his Martial Soul!

Peng Gengkun's strength had surged to more than tenfold that of a High-Rank Qi Refiner, qualifying him to advance to the Soul Refining Stage and forge a formidable Martial Soul. The system's records were clear: reaching the Qi Refining Stage would grant him Leviathan-roc Astral Energy, and upon entering the Martial Soul Stage, he could forge the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul.

While the exact prestige of the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul in this world was unknown to Peng Gengkun, it was indisputably leagues beyond the lowly Soldier Martial Spirit.

"According to the system, I can manifest a phantom of the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul, which will significantly enhance the power of my Martial Arts! Moreover, the obliteration power of the Leviathan-roc Astral Energy will be amplified. I might even manage to extinguish an opponent's Astral Energy before they have a chance to act. It's akin to having a 'Silence' ability in a video game!" Peng Gengkun mused, then started to channel the Astral Energy within him, attempting to condense his Martial Soul. A neat array of Spirit Stones lay before him, ready for use at a moment's notice.

As the system operated, Peng Gengkun could feel the Astral Energy coalescing into a sphere, almost as if it were on the verge of becoming a sentient entity.

Yet, a Martial Soul is lifeless. The gathering of Astral Energy was merely a preparatory step for its formation.

Simultaneously, Peng Gengkun noticed his Astral Energy rapidly depleting, slipping beyond his control.

"Of course! To forge the Martial Soul, my body's Astral Energy will disperse swiftly. I need to replenish it without delay!"

With this realization, Peng Gengkun swiftly grabbed a Spirit Stone before him, crushing it and consuming the essence within.

Thanks to the presence of the baby Leviathan, the Spirit Stone's essence was instantaneously absorbed by Peng Gengkun. Others might need time to refine a Spirit Stone's Spiritual Energy, but Peng Gengkun was spared that hassle.

Reinvigorated by the influx of Spiritual Energy, his Astral Energy was swiftly restored.

Yet, as the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul took shape, his reserves of Astral Energy were depleted once more.

Unfazed, Peng Gengkun reached for another Spirit Stone and resumed absorption.

He lost count of how many Spirit Stones he had shattered in the process, unconcerned with their consumption.

Despite his efforts, the Martial Soul within him remained elusive, still unformed.

"Though the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul seems incredibly powerful, it's proving to be a real challenge to condense! How many Spirit Stones have I consumed by now? Roughly two hundred! Even the scions of noble families couldn't produce that many Spirit Stones on a whim!"

Peng Gengkun was using Spirit Stones provided by a mysterious benefactor, yet the substantial depletion still left him feeling sour.

What astonished him even more was that despite exhausting his supply of Spirit Stones, the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul had yet to take shape!

With the last of the Spirit Stones spent, Peng Gengkun's Astral Energy vanished in an instant, devoured by the nascent Leviathan-roc Martial Soul.

Subsequently, with no further aura to consume, the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul began to wither, eventually fading into oblivion.

Peng Gengkun's investment of hundreds of Spirit Stones had been for naught.

He was decidedly unhappy, shaking his head in frustration.

"No, I can't see this as a total loss. It's taught me that forging the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul demands an enormous amount of Spiritual Energy. It might even take thousands of Spirit Stones! I guess it's time to tap into the reserves of the Cultivation Room."

Mulling over his next steps, Peng Gengkun resolved to make use of the Spiritual Energy within the Cultivation Room.

"With the Inner Sect disciple trial half a month away, I can seize this chance to undertake some Sect Missions and earn my way into the Cultivation Room!"

As Peng Gengkun strategized, he was caught off guard by an alert from the system.

"To enhance your chances of successfully condensing the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul, you must acquire the following treasures."

"Soul Fixing Fragrance!"

"An incomplete Martial Soul Core!"

"A Space Ring."

"Securing any one of these treasures can boost your success rate! Possessing all three could guarantee a 100% successful condensation of the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul, along with an enhancement of its powers."

Peng Gengkun paused, then couldn't help but swear under his breath.

"Why didn't you inform me sooner? Had I known, I wouldn't have attempted to condense the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul in the first place! Well, no use dwelling on it—I need to figure out how to get my hands on these items."

Peng Gengkun mulled over his situation, only to come to the disheartening realization that all he possessed was a Space Ring, a gift from a mysterious Inner Sect disciple.

"I lack the Soul Fixing Fragrance. Rumor has it that this fragrance is an exceedingly rare treasure, one not even the scions of noble families might possess! And the incomplete Martial Soul core? That's even more elusive! My only option is to extract it from a deceased Soul Refining Stage warrior. Thankfully, these are just ways to boost my chances, not absolute necessities."

There was a hint of relief in Peng Gengkun's heart. With sufficient Spiritual Energy and the fulfillment of just one of the three conditions, he was confident he could forge his Leviathan-roc Martial Soul.

After some contemplation, Peng Gengkun crafted his course of action. Should fortune smile upon him and he stumble upon these three materials, he would then forge an advanced Leviathan-roc Martial Soul. But even if they eluded him, there was no cause for concern; the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul alone was a formidable force.

Deep into the night, Peng Gengkun felt no urgency to visit the Mission Hall. Instead, he lay in bed, surrendering to sleep's embrace.

Come morning, Peng Gengkun rose and made his way to the Mission Hall, intent on undertaking a Sect Mission that would grant him access to the Cultivation Room.