The True Soul - the core essence of any soul, where spiritual power runs deepest. Unlike other soul fragments, it doesn't collapse into the reincarnation cycle when its host dies.

That's why so many Lv8 and Lv9 powerhouses can recover their past-life memories after rebirth - they've copied those memories into their True Soul.

As long as the True Soul isn't completely destroyed, they have a shot at coming back.

...

"Well, it's not that the kid forgot to store memories in her True Soul... she's just so scatterbrained that she accidentally put them in the wrong place. Otherwise, Yumo, you wouldn't have forgotten everything."

Maya waved casually at the serious-faced Yumo, looking completely relaxed.

"If you remembered anything, we wouldn't be dealing with this mess."

Maya's golden eyes held a flicker of regret as she surveyed the hellish battlefield around them.

Meanwhile, after the Guiding Saint confirmed it, Yaohuaba stared at Yumo in complete disbelief and unprecedented shock.

"No, how is this possible? The Judgment Saint... the Creator's messenger... she's slaughtering the coalition forces without restraint... and she even has Shadow power?! What the hell is going on?!"

Yaohuaba clutched his head, completely breaking down. For a moment, this mentally shattered clan leader actually gave off a pitiful vibe.

However, Maya didn't seem inclined to answer Yaohuaba's question, instead turning her indifferent gaze toward him like he was some beaten dog.

"That's none of your business. Besides..."

Maya's eyes narrowed slightly as the air temperature around them plummeted.

"I want to have a private chat with Yumo. You treacherous bastard who tried to harm the Judgment Saint - time for you to exit the stage."

"?!!"

At those words, Yaohuaba's whole body trembled.

The silver-haired woman's eyes were clear as water, filled with the same gentle warmth as before, yet they contained an indescribable pressure that seemed to see right through him.

Beneath that tenderness lurked a bone-chilling killing intent.

The moment their eyes met, Yaohuaba felt his heart skip a beat, as if she held his very heart in her grip. His body shook as he sensed death's approach, involuntarily stumbling backward several steps while an unspeakable terror washed over him. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead.

No... this is bad?!!

She wants to kill me?!!

"Also, thanks for that testimony just now. Those parasites buried within the Alliance - I'll make sure they join you. So then, farewell~"

With a slight smile, Maya slowly raised her hand and extended her index finger.

Dense golden spiritual energy rapidly gathered and compressed at her fingertip.

Sensing that terrifying golden energy, Yaohuaba's face went pale. He could clearly feel that once that power was released... he was dead for sure.

Damn it!!!

Huh?!

Wait, wait?!

Staring at the silver-haired woman before him, Yaohuaba's eyes suddenly contracted, his terror and shock laid bare. As the power that had been clouding his mind dissipated, scattered images began echoing in his vision. After a brief moment of confusion, hysterical rage like a bursting dam suddenly flooded Yaohuaba's heart.

That's right - the power that had been clouding his mind earlier?!

How was it so similar to this divine power?!

"You!! It was you! You were using me!!! You bastard!"

With a ghostly wail of fury, Yaohuaba ignited his own soul. Sea-blue light blazed brilliant and scorching, like a raging flame wrapping around his body.

Yaohuaba knew the Guiding Saint would never let him go. Trying to escape was a pipe dream.

In that case, might as well go all out one last time!

Even if I died, will give this bitch something to remember!

So Yaohuaba gritted his teeth and directly burned his soul.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

In that earth-shaking roar, a sea-blue light suddenly charged toward Maya. Yaohuaba's body convulsed wildly in the blue radiance, like a wild beast trapped in raging flames, struggling to deliver one final strike at his enemy. His gaze was filled with despair and unwillingness, yet also carried a trace of madness.

All his power concentrated in his fist, Yaohuaba roared as he swung at Maya.

Unfortunately, even at full strength Yaohuaba was no match for Maya. Now, half-crippled as he was, trying to hurt her was pure fantasy.

Facing Yaohuaba's desperate last stand, Maya shook her head helplessly.

As if anticipating his move, Maya tilted her head slightly and easily dodged Yaohuaba's full-power punch.

At the same time, an obscure and difficult incantation began rapidly flowing from Maya's lips.

"Emperor-Slaying Sword - Saphito"

With those words, a long sword fusing destructive and holy energy was instantly summoned to Maya's hand amid a cluster of golden runic light.

When the golden holy sword appeared, the surrounding space immediately warped as if pulled by invisible forces. The air filled with a sacred yet oppressive atmosphere that inspired both solemn reverence and an irresistible urge to kneel.

"Pitiful fool..."

Calmly watching Yaohuaba, the golden holy sword in Maya's hand radiated incomparable sacred light.

Yaohuaba's soul-burning impact was like a tiny ripple before the golden holy sword - utterly insignificant. The sea-blue spiritual aura around him completely collapsed the moment it was touched by the golden light.

In the next instant, amid flashing golden light, the silver-haired woman moved with ethereal grace, elegantly swinging her hand. The golden holy sword cut through the night like lightning, its brilliant radiance like something from beyond this world.

"You bitch!!"

Facing the oncoming sacred light, Yaohuaba felt death's call but couldn't resist the holy sword's power.

The strength Yaohuaba gained from burning his soul seemed so pathetically weak before this Emperor-Slaying Sword – Saphito... In an instant, it was completely vaporized.

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

In a spray of blood, the golden holy sword split Yaohuaba's body in two. A streak of blood cut through the black night. With one final scream, Yaohuaba's vision darkened and he finally plunged into the endless abyss, carrying infinite unwillingness and resentment.

Under Maya's indifferent gaze, both Yaohuaba's body and soul turned to ash in the golden light. As the dust settled, only deathly silence and emptiness remained.

...

After casually disposing of the troublesome Yaohuaba, the golden holy sword in Maya's hand suddenly disintegrated under Yumo's wary watch, transforming into countless pure golden spirit particles... These golden particles quickly regathered toward Maya's slender fingers, condensing into a golden ring on her finger.

Staring at that ring, a trace of gravity flashed through Yumo's crimson eyes.

That aura was somewhat similar to the Judgment Temple... and it could kill a soul-burning Lv9 with one strike...

It should be a divine artifact on par with the Judgment Temple.

However, Yumo didn't have time to think about it further. Because at this moment, the Guiding Saint who should have been in the eastern Source Star Universe facing the Abyssal Demons was watching her with considerable interest. Although Yumo had planned to meet this woman from the beginning, when she appeared directly before her...

Even Yumo instinctively felt nervous.

From the way she'd just instantly killed Yaohuaba and the residual aura she'd released, this woman's power was probably more terrifying than the previous ten Lv9s combined.

Walking slowly toward Yumo, a benevolent smile gradually appeared on Maya's exquisite face.

"Now that the troublesome guy is gone... let's have a chat. Let's talk about what exactly you want to do now."

With those words, Maya's perpetually gentle golden eyes showed anger and cold light for the first time...

"Are you trying to defy me?"