Rise of The Demon General Chapter 794. Trapping a Captured Soul

With Bo Wu’s soul ensnared, his spectral form dissipated. The previously ethereal orb, bound by luminous tendrils, adopted a somber, grey hue. Upon its surface, his visage materialized.

"Your move was anticipated for an extended period," Amon's voice resonated within the energy-infused space. "My hope was that feigning defeat would diminish your vigilance, prompting further revelations concerning Hai Di. Alas, my discovery is that you are but a disposable instrument."

"To hell with you! I've stated this before! I am no pawn!" Bo Wu retorted vehemently.

"Hmm... I am inclined to believe you. Now that I have made contact with your soul, I have uncovered something quite astonishing. Your soul exhibits a mental linkage. However, the connection is tenuous... No, to describe it as weak might be inaccurate; it seems only a fragment of your soul is linked. Most intriguing... Still, I ponder this mental tether. Are you Hai Di's subjugated creature? That would readily explain your unwavering devotion to him."

"Hmph! Do not delude yourself into thinking you will extract information from me," Bo Wu declared defiantly, erupting into a chilling laugh. "Hehehe... Hahaha! Do you truly believe you have emerged victorious? Since events have escalated to this point, I have nothing left to lose! I shall unleash my soul and engage you in a mental confrontation! Only a single soul can inhabit a body. We shall ascertain whose mental fortitude prevails!"

Upon uttering these words, the grey orb representing Bo Wu’s soul began to expand. The luminescent bindings struggled to maintain their hold. Wisps of vapor started to emanate from it. Simultaneously, Bo Wu's mental essence surged outwards, resembling billowing smoke, only to be met by an overwhelming pressure.

Following this oppressive force, Amon's voice posed a chilling question: "Are you certain this is your desired course of action?"

Bo Wu perceived the surrounding energy field constricting. The environment seemed to close in upon him. Amon's formidable presence descended, bearing down on him.

Bo Wu stammered, his voice trembling. "You... This is impossible! How can you possess such immense mental power...?"

Amon's sinister chuckle echoed once more. "Did you truly imagine I was unaware of your probing of my mental strength during your parasitic occupation of my body? If your intention is to clash with me through sheer mental prowess, you will undoubtedly be the one to face profound regret."

The expansion of Bo Wu's soul core ceased abruptly. The outward seep of vapor from the core also came to a halt.

"Do you presume to deceive me?" Amon inquired. "I have been aware of your hidden agenda from the very outset. I am an individual capable of formulating strategies to overcome any adversary, regardless of their power, given sufficient time. Do you genuinely believe I would not make preparations for the moment you would inevitably betray me?"

Amon's mental oppression continued to envelop Bo Wu's soul core. The glowing ropes tightened their grip. Bo Wu's core progressively compressed until it was entirely encased within the shimmering bindings.

"Seal!" Amon proclaimed with authority. The flowing ropes pulsed with light, transforming into an inscribed sphere adorned with potent symbols. Bo Wu's core became trapped at its very center.

Bo Wu’s smoky manifestation erupted from the core, violently striking the sphere's barrier.

"Release me!" he shrieked.

Amon let out a low chuckle, offering no verbal response. He departed, leaving the imprisoned Bo Wu to futilely struggle against the confines of the sphere.

Amon reestablished dominion over his physical form. His gaze fell upon his left arm. The tattoo that once marked Bo Wu's presence had vanished. In its stead, a prominent black dot was now centered on his forearm.

"Are you unharmed, brother?" Lin Li's voice, laced with concern, reached him.

"Did I not assure you that everything would proceed without issue?" Amon responded calmly.

Lin Li had remained incommunicado during Bo Wu's possession of Amon's body, as Amon retained the ability to communicate with her throughout the ordeal.

Amon first surveyed the inscriptions etched onto the wall, then the fractured sword lying on the ground. Both held a certain allure, yet he resisted the urge to act on impulse. Accessing his interspatial ring, he retrieved the prison box. After manifesting its portal, he stepped through.

Dao Su was diligently engaged in his work when Amon entered. He remained entirely unaware that they were confined within an inescapable pocket dimension.

"Greetings! How fares your day?" Dao Su greeted Amon cheerfully. Spread across his workbench was a large cylindrical vessel containing a verdant liquid. Suspended within this fluid was a form resembling an underdeveloped fetus.

"Your tone suggests great optimism. Is your research yielding favorable results?" Amon inquired in return.

"The progress is most promising. I possess a strong conviction regarding this particular endeavor."

"You conveyed a similar sentiment regarding the preceding three experimental attempts, all of which concluded in failure."

"I am confident that this instance will prove different!"

"Yet, you expressed the very same assurance the last time."

"Have you arrived solely to mar my optimism, or is there another purpose?"

"Do you recall the task I assigned you concerning the imprinting of souls?"

Dao Su's facial expression shifted as if he were straining to recall something. His countenance then brightened with dawning realization. He moved to another section of his laboratory and began searching through the clutter. After a moment, he produced a sizable black jewel and presented it to Amon.

"I must admit, despite that gluttonous fellow's rather grating disposition, he undoubtedly possesses considerable skill."

Amon meticulously examined the jewel, its surface covered in potent inscriptions. This artifact was the creation of Zee Whang, utilizing a Tainted Aetherium Crystal. Renowned as a master puppet maker, Zee Whang also possessed formidable smithing skills. The intricate words of power adorning the jewel were the work of Dao Su.

"Are you certain this can contain a soul securely?" Amon inquired, a hint of doubt in his voice.

Dao Su responded, his tone laced with a challenge, "Of course. Do you harbor any doubts about my abilities?"

Amon chose not to engage with the retort. He grasped the jewel firmly in his left hand and gestured towards the dark mark on his arm. "Proceed as planned," he instructed Dao Su.

Dao Su extended a finger, lightly touching the mark on Amon's arm. He recoiled as if burned, exclaiming, "That was one furious soul!"

Turning to gather his implements, Dao Su instructed, "Take a seat. This process will require considerable time."

Amon complied, settling into the nearest chair and placing his left arm on the table. Dao Su returned, tools in hand. He dipped a fine needle into an exotic liquid and applied it to Amon's forearm. His movements resembled those of a tattoo artist, yet instead of ink, he was etching words of power, starting from the location of the dark mark and progressing towards the hand that held the jewel.

Dao Su continued his work until Amon's entire forearm was a canvas of arcane symbols. He then employed a remarkably long talisman, wrapping Amon's arm as if it were a bandage. Following this, he scooped more of the peculiar liquid into a bucket and submerged Amon's hand, complete with the jewel, into the mixture.

He chanted an incantation and activated the lengthy talisman. A synergy occurred between the talisman and the engravings on Amon's arm. Amon experienced an agonizing sensation, akin to being simultaneously scorched and tormented by a myriad of biting insects. He bore the agony stoically, betraying no outward sign of distress. He noticed Dao Su observing him, perhaps anticipating a cry of pain. A flicker of disappointment crossed the face of the flesh-alterer.

The dark mark on Amon's arm fractured, dissolving into wisps of smoke. Like a current through a riverbed, the smoke coursed along the inscriptions on Amon's arm, flowing towards his hand. Upon contact with the liquid in the bucket, the smoke dispersed, causing the water to react as if subjected to intense heat, beginning to bubble furiously.

The jewel within Amon's grasp started to radiate a brilliant light. The words of power etched upon its surface pulsed with energy. The smoke surrounding the liquid was rapidly drawn into the jewel. Soon, all traces of smoke vanished. The jewel continued to emit a steady, powerful glow.

The long talisman that had encased Amon's arm disintegrated into dust. Amon observed that the intricate inscriptions Dao Su had carved into his skin had also vanished without a trace.

He could no longer sense the oppressive presence of Bo Wu within him.

Lifting the jewel, Amon scrutinized it, captivated by its mesmerizing radiance. The light emanating from within shifted and swirled, and within these currents, Amon thought he could discern the faint silhouette of Bo Wu.

"Is it still aware within there?" Amon inquired of Dao Su.

Dao Su confirmed with a nod, "Indeed."

"May I converse with it?"

"I have implemented multiple layers of seals. We can access its consciousness by temporarily deactivating one of them. Allow me to demonstrate," Dao Su explained.

Dao Su manipulated the jewel, and almost immediately, Bo Wu's enraged voice echoed forth. "...I will tear you limb from limb when I escape this accursed prison! You, worthless scoundrel, you wretched maggot! Filthy canine excrement! Release me! Let me out of..."

Amon brought the jewel closer to his lips and stated calmly, "We shall speak again when you have regained your composure."

It remained uncertain whether Bo Wu registered Amon's words, as his torrent of curses continued unabated. Amon returned the jewel to Dao Su, who promptly resealed it. Bo Wu's furious tirade abruptly ceased.

"Examine its soul," Amon instructed Dao Su. "I suspect it maintains a psychic connection with Hai Di."

Dao Su questioned, astonished, "What? Are you implying it is Hai Di's controlled beast?"

"No, the mental link I perceived was exceedingly faint. I confess, I do not fully comprehend it myself. I doubt it is Hai Di's tamed creature. If it were, it should possess the ability to share its senses with Hai Di. In that scenario, Hai Di would have been alerted when I rescued you from him. Yet, he made no move to pursue me."

"I see. How intriguing. I shall certainly dedicate my efforts to studying this fascinating specimen... Oh, by the way, the preparations for the alteration you requested are complete. Shall we commence the procedure?"

"... Postpone it for a few more days. There is a matter I must attend to first."