Two months had passed since the events that unfolded in this very cave — the arrival of multiple clans, the claiming of the Green Emerald Bow, the departure of Shi Feng, and the mysterious soul of Shi Ming attempting to possess the Shdaow Soldier.
Yet, the Shadow Soldier had remained motionless ever since.
Xiao Wei, however, had not remained idle.
During this two months, Xiao Wei alchemy skills had taken a major leap forward.
Over the past two months, Xiao Wei had tirelessly practiced his pill refining techniques. In past Xiao Wei could produce a single High Grade Tier 1 Pill per batch, now he could confidently refine two High Grade Tier 1 pills in a single attempt. It was a sign of significant progress. In alchemy, quantity was one thing — but quality, that was where the true skill of an Alchemist was judged.
From a single batch of ingredients, the theoretical maximum was three pills. Few could ever reach that level of mastery. Xiao Wei, despite still being a Martial Apprentice, had already managed to refine two High Grade Tier 1 Pills per batch, something even experienced Tier 2 Alchemist would not be able to do.a
Stacks of refined pills, neatly sealed in jade bottles, now was stored in his Storage Ring. Spirit Recovery Pills, Healing Pills, Cultivation Pills — each carefully labeled, each a testament to his persistence and focus. It wasn't just a hobby anymore. Alchemy had become a secondary path for him, after Martial Arts.
But Xiao Wei had not limited his cultivation to just alchemy.
Each day, after refining pills, he spent long hours Cultivating the Spiritual Energy energy within his dantian, cycling it through his meridians, gradually condensing and strengthening his Martial foundations. After weeks of diligent Cultivation, his efforts bore fruit — he broke through to the Eighth Layer of the Martial Apprentice Realm.
Even more notable was the progress in his Martial Techniques.
His once crude and wild execution of the Mountain Fist had now become refined, stable, and devastating. This technique, which has grounded might of a mountain, emphasized steady force and unshakable defense. Day after day, Xiao Wei had practiced the form repeatedly against the stone walls and floor of the cave until cracks and imprints formed all around the chamber. Now, his Mountain Fist had reached Small Perfection, allowing him to release more power with less effort, each strike carrying the weight and pressure of an entire boulder.
With this advancement, his combat strength had increased once again.
In the quiet, still air of the cave, Xiao Wei sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, his breathing deep and steady. Spiritual Energy flowed through his meridians like a gentle stream, nourishing his Cultivation and calming his mind.
Suddenly, a wild, triumphant laugh echoed through the cave, breaking the serenity like a stone tossed into still water.
"Hahahahahahahaha…"
Xiao Wei's eyes snapped open.
The sound had come from the direction of the Shadow Soldier.
As he turned his gaze, his eyes narrowed in surprise. The once-dark figure, whose form had always been like the Cultivator from the Mo Clan, was no longer the same. The figure now stood tall and proud, his body much more refined and defined than before. The Shadow Soldier body becomes just like Shi Ming .
The eyes, however, were what truly held Xiao Wei's attention. No longer pitch black, they now gleamed with a deep, piercing blue — the same color Xiao Wei remembered from the powerful Shadow Soldier, Ignia, in his previous life. A spark of eerie familiarity ignited in his chest.
"Why are you laughing so hard, Shi Ming?"Xiao Wei asked, slowly rising to his feet and walking toward him with an air of calm confidence.
Shi Ming, or rather the Shadow Soldier now possessed by his soul, smirked as his laughter faded. His aura had changed dramatically — his cultivation had risen to the Sixth Layer of the Martial Master Realm. The pressure coming off him was enough to shake the air in the cave slightly.
"Brat, I've already taken over this body!"This body… it's even better than I imagined. You should have never let me near it. But now, since you dared to disrespect me earlier… I'll show you what it means to anger someone like me!"Shi Ming declared proudly, his voice booming.
Without another word, he stepped forward and launched a powerful punch directly at Xiao Wei's chest. A gust of force surged through the air.
But instead of impact… his fist passed straight through.
Xiao Wei didn't even flinch.
Shi Ming's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?!"Shi Ming muttered.
"You really think, that I wouldn't prepare for this moment?"Xiao Wei said, his tone flat but calm.
Shi Ming's expression twisted with confusion and frustration.
"How… how did you do that? I hit you dead on!"Shi Ming muttered as he punched again.
Xiao Wei didn't bother to dodge the next punch, which again went right through his body like smoke through the air. Then another, and another. Shi Ming's strikes came rapidly now, filled with fury and disbelief, but not one landed. Each attempt dissolved into useless effort, as though Xiao Wei's very being had become intangible.
In truth, Xiao Wei had spent the last two months carefully considering this exact scenario. He knew Shi Ming's cunning — knew that the soul of a former Martial King wouldn't simply sit idly within a powerful new vessel without attempting to seize control. And so, alongside his Cultivation and Alchemy training, Xiao Wei had worked tirelessly to recall every detail about the Shadow Soldiers from his past life.
One memory had surfaced — a critical detail.
In his past life, the Shadow Soldiers, despite their immense strength and loyalty, could never harm their master. In fact, they couldn't even touch him unless he explicitly allowed it. It was a restriction built into their very nature — perhaps one that stemmed from the source of their creation. At the time, Xiao Wei had taken it for granted. But now, it was his shield.
"You can't touch me, Shi Ming. Not unless I allow it."Xiao Wei said coldly, watching as the Shi Ming's frustration grew.
"No… that's impossible!"Shi Ming growled as he threw another punch, then a kick, then a palm strike infused with Spiritual Energy — but all of it passed harmlessly through Xiao Wei as if he were a ghost.
A moment passed in silence. Then Xiao Wei said calmly.
"Try to touch me now."
Shi Ming blinked, confused, then extended his hand slowly, cautiously. This time, unlike before, his fingers didn't phase through Xiao Wei. Instead, they made contact—solid and unmistakable.
Shi Ming jerked his hand back in surprise, then looked at his palm.
"How… how can I touch you now? Wait… I can feel it now… there's a connection between us."Shi Ming said as he paused, narrowing his eyes.
Xiao Wei nodded slightly. His curiosity burned beneath his composed expression. Shi Ming is the second Shadow Soldier who can talk after Ignia, so he has many questions for him.
"Shi Ming, tell me how you feel in this body"Xiao Wei asked.
But Shi Ming crossed his arms, a smirk playing across his face.
"You think I'll follow your every command like some servant?"Shi Ming scoffed.
With that, he flexed his aura and pushed off the ground in an attempt to fly. However, the moment his feet left the floor, he wobbled midair like an unbalanced kite and promptly crashed back to the ground with a dull thud.
"Idiot, you're in the Martial Master Realm. You can't fly until you reach the Martial King Realm"Xiao Wei said, suppressing a sigh.
Shi Ming groaned and pushed himself up.
"Tch. I knew that…"Shi Ming said.
Still determined to assert his will, Shi Ming turned away and began walking toward the cave's exit. His steps were confident, heavy with intent.
"Stop, Shi Ming"Xiao Wei said firmly.
Shi Ming didn't even glance back.
"Why would I stop? You can't control me forever."Shi Ming said.
Xiao Wei's eyes narrowed. His tone didn't rise, but the edge in his voice was cold and lethal.
"Shi Ming, if you don't stop… I will erase your soul."Xiao Wei threatened.
The cave fell into silence. The air itself seemed to pause in suspense.
Shi Ming slowed slightly, but he kept walking, laughing darkly.
"You're bluffing, boy. You think I'll be scared of some empty threat?"Shi Ming said.
Xiao Wei raised a single hand, his palm glowing faintly with a strange darkness. Then he uttered one word:
"Releas—"
Before he could finish, Shi Ming froze. His eyes widened in sheer horror.
"STOP!"Shi Ming screamed.
Xiao Wei immediately lowered his hand and stopped speaking.
For a moment, Shi Ming didn't say anything. His chest heaving as if he had just survived a near-death experience.
"How… how did you do that? Just now I could feel it. My soul was unraveling, like I was being torn apart from inside. I've never… never felt such fear in my whole life."Shi Ming asked in a hoarse whisper.
Xiao Wei didn't answer right away. He watched Shi Ming with a serious gaze, his mind already turning over the implications of what had happened. So, even after Shi Ming soul possessed the Shadow Soldier, the Shadow Soldier can't escape from Xiao Wei authority because he is the one who formed this Shadow Soldier body.