Douluo Dalu 2: I got Kidnapped into Holy Spirit Cult

But the fusion continued.

The wound on Jiang Jue's forehead squirmed constantly, with flesh and bones undergoing repeated cycles of flipping outward and contracting inward.

Jiang Jue's body trembled slightly. He had anticipated pain but never imagined it would be this excruciating.

Every tear and reconstruction of his muscles was visible to the naked eye, repeating over and over again.

Soon, however, the cyan-gold light gradually stabilized. Right at the wound on his forehead, a small gray bead emerged, fusing seamlessly with the surrounding torn tendons, muscles, and bones.

At that moment, Jiang Jue's soul felt as if it had plunged into an abyss of eternal ice, an unbearable piercing pain consuming him. Everything was dragging him downward—his spiritual essence was being torn apart bit by bit.

He knew he had reached the final step: fusing the Soul-Devouring Carving Knife with his spiritual essence.

He had to hold on. This was the final hurdle, and he absolutely could not give up.

"Impressive perseverance—you can endure even this level of pain."

Elekes hovered above Jiang Jue's Sea of Consciousness, observing him withstand indescribable agony. A flicker of appreciation flashed in his deep-set eyes.

It was unclear how much time had passed. Just as Jiang Jue was growing numb under the intense suffering, a warm light seeped through.

He knew—he had succeeded!

A gentle golden radiance enveloped his soul, as though he had fallen into a serene, golden lake. His spiritual essence was gradually restored.

The lake shimmered with gold, simultaneously healing his spirit and infusing it with a mystical power.

Jiang Jue's brows twitched, his consciousness gradually recovering. As his eyes slowly opened, a hint of emerald green flickered deep within them.

He felt an unprecedented surge in his spiritual power, as if he had touched the threshold of the Formless Yet Substantial realm.

Now, all he needed was to accumulate more spiritual energy. Once it reached the required level, he could step directly into that realm.

Jiang Jue activated his spiritual energy, enveloping his entire body. He clearly saw that a peculiar vertical eye had appeared on his forehead.

This vertical eye had a gray pupil, surrounded by an emerald hue, with faint specks of golden light shimmering within. It exuded an indescribable aura of vitality and purity.

This was the Eye of Life!

Even when observing it with spiritual energy, Jiang Jue could sense its profound depths.

Jiang Jue delved into his Sea of Consciousness once more, finding that it had undergone a complete transformation.

The entire space was now a milky white expanse, stretching infinitely in all directions. As he entered, the first thing that caught his eye was a vast emerald-green lake.

The lake brimmed with boundless life energy, its surface smooth and mirror-like, its rich aura nourishing the very foundation of his Sea of Consciousness.

If Jiang Jue's spiritual domain had once been a mere lake, it was now expanding towards a true ocean. Once his spiritual energy reached an infinite sea, he would step into the Formless Yet Substantial realm.

Moreover, he sensed that his spiritual power was now growing at three times its previous speed.

Above the emerald lake, a bead hovered, emitting a soft azure glow. When Jiang Jue focused on it, the bead transformed into an eye.

A flicker of gray light—Electrolux appeared beside Jiang Jue.

"Boy, are you satisfied with this opportunity?"

Elekes' ancient voice rang out.

"Satisfied. Very satisfied. Thank you, Elder Electrolux."

Jiang Jue deeply sensed the immense enhancement of his Sea of Consciousness.

"This… is the most fundamental power of life itself," Electrolux sighed in admiration before continuing.

"I have sealed the Life Essence Power of the Life Gold within your Sea of Consciousness. As long as your mind remains intact, no matter how severe your injuries, you will recover."

"And one more thing—your carving knife hasn't disappeared. Whenever you need it, just focus your spiritual energy, and you can summon it."

"Understood, Elder Electrolux."

Jiang Jue could now feel the constant nourishment of his Sea of Consciousness by the Life Gold.

"However, there is something I'm curious about, and I hope you can clarify it for me."

Electrolux's deep gaze fell on Jiang Jue.

"Please ask, Elder."

"That banner of yours—the one shrouded in black mist—I cannot fully discern its nature."

Jiang Jue's expression stiffened. This Soul Refining Banner was the reason he had arrived in this world. Even Elekes, now a spiritual consciousness, was unable to see through it?

"This is my Martial Soul. It allows me to refine souls and use them as my own."

As he spoke, Jiang Jue summoned the Soul Refining Banner, releasing the Evil Eye within it.

Earlier, he had only detonated the more ordinary beast souls to convert them into spiritual energy. High-quality souls, like the Evil Eye, he had chosen to keep.

The Evil Eye appeared dazed at first, then clung tightly to Jiang Jue, its two translucent tentacles swaying nervously.

Jiang Jue found the sight amusing. The Evil Eye was pleading with him, expressing its value and begging not to be detonated.

As a spirit beast specializing in spiritual energy, the Evil Eye had nearly reached a thousand years of cultivation and had developed a rudimentary consciousness. Due to its prolonged exposure to Jiang Jue's life energy, its fledgling awareness had grown.

Now, seeing its fellow captives suddenly explode, it was understandably terrified and pleaded repeatedly for mercy.

"Hmm? How peculiar."

Elekes observed the released Evil Eye and let out a soft exclamation. He reached out, grabbing it effortlessly.

Sensing danger, the Evil Eye emitted black smoke, its ghostly tentacles lashing at Electrolux outstretched hand.

But it was futile—Electrolux seized it with ease.

He injected a stream of gray energy into the Evil Eye. Moments later, Electrolux's usually calm eyes flashed with shock.

"The souls you refine… are completely obedient to you?"

Electrolux asked in amazement.

"Hmm? Of course, they obey me."

Jiang Jue was puzzled. These souls had been refined by him—shouldn't they be under his full control?

Electrolux shook his head slightly and explained,

"Ordinarily, souls that are enslaved would develop resentment. This resentment makes them stronger but also plants the seeds of rebellion. If the controller ever loses grip, these souls will retaliate."

"However, within the souls you have refined, I sense a dominant, unyielding imprint that utterly subjugates their consciousness. It prevents any resentment toward you, making them willingly serve you."

"Even I would struggle to break this imprint without destroying the soul itself."

Jiang Jue was momentarily stunned before an ecstatic realization dawned upon him.

He had always known that the Soul Refining Banner was powerful, but not to this extent!

"However, my refined souls have a weakness—they fear the Light attribute."

Jiang Jue sighed, concern flickering across his face as he looked expectantly at Electrolux.

"That, I can solve."

Electrolux dismissed the concern casually. Beyond his title Calamity of the Undead, he also bore the name Child of Light.

His mastery of the Light attribute was supreme, far beyond the limits of this world.

"Elder Electrolux, you have a way?"

Jiang Jue's eyes gleamed with excitement. This was exactly what he had been hoping for!

"Now that my spiritual consciousness has a stable foundation, I can attempt it."

Elekes understood Jiang Jue's intentions perfectly. Since he resided within Jiang Jue's Sea of Consciousness, their fates were intertwined—helping him was in his best interest.

Jiang Jue immediately took out the Soul Refining Banner, allowing Electrolux to cast his enchantment.

Electrolux chanted an incantation, a six-pointed star array appearing beneath his feet. A pure Light energy drifted toward the Soul Refining Banner.

Under Jiang Jue's control, the banner did not resist but instead absorbed the Light energy.

The Light energy seeped into the refined souls, igniting sacred flames within their eyes.

"It's done. Your refined souls now bear the Light attribute. Unless someone surpasses my comprehension of Light, Light-based attacks will be significantly weakened against them."

In an instant, the Soul Refining Banner radiated a divine and sacred aura.

Jiang Jue was thrilled—this was no longer a Soul Refining Banner.

This was practically a Holy Sovereign Banner!