CHAPTER 220: SOUL TEMPERING

Finally, as he reached the last page, Nash gained a clearer understanding of the unregulated zone where they’d be competing.

From what he had read in the library, Nash learned that an unregulated zone was simply a place not yet conquered or distributed.

Each zone carried a danger rating and a resource rating, ranging from one to ten stars, indicating dark beasts and resources from tier one to tier ten.

Their competition zone was rated five stars for both danger and resources, a balance between danger and resources.

"Challenging enough..."

With the strongest dark beasts and resources at tier 5, it was ideal for newbies like them, who still hadn’t grasped the laws.

Having read the rules thoroughly, Nash turned his attention to the sixteen individuals eager to join his team.

"Alright, I understand the situation. For the next three months, you’ll live with me and follow my orders."

"You can also leave any time if you think I’m wasting your time..."

Seeing no one complain, Nash nodded, satisfied, and issued his first task.

Pairing the team, he ordered them to spar without using void energy.

To accurately record changes in their runic programs, fighting was the most effective method.

"Begin. Don’t stop until I say so. If you’re injured or tired, use potions," Nash said, his voice flat like an emotionless machine.

At this moment, his consciousness was already in the runic space, racing to deduce the infinite soul tempering manual.

---

Soon, as days and nights of relentless sparring passed by, most of the seeded talents began doubting their choice of joining Nash’s team.

What was the point of this training?

Though sparring slightly sharpened their fighting skills, advancing to a higher tier would give them a better chance in the cosmic competition.

Still, seeing Nash constantly watch them and didn’t leave, they pressed on.

---

Soon, taking healing potions when they’re injured and energy potions when they’re exhausted, they continue to fight for days and weeks.

During this time, some talents also began leaving.

Though they endured more brutal training before, like the dark beast tower and the extreme zones, this was still enough to drive them crazy.

Facing the same sparring partner for weeks, they had already grown numb.

By now, they could already guess their moves, thoughts, even their breathing.

It felt like they could predict their partner’s next action with their eyes closed.

---

Two weeks later, with twelve of the original sixteen left on the field, Nash, who had been silently observing, finally stirred.

"Alright, stop for a moment..."

At Nash’s call, all twelve people halted, staring at him numbly.

Could they finally rest? Or at least switch sparring partners?

Facing the same partner for two weeks straight was enough to give them nightmares.

"Rest for now. I’m giving you a day to relax. Come back tomorrow."

"Huh? Rest?"

"We can finally rest!"

"Damn, I thought we’d fight for three months straight!"

"Captain Noir, what’s the next training? More fighting?"

"Don’t worry about it. Just rest your body and mind," Nash said with a smile.

"Oh... never mind."

"I hope it’s different next time..."

"Captain Noir, do we really only have one day of rest? Can’t we have a week?"

"No, a day is plenty. Go on, be back here tomorrow on time." Nash urged them to leave.

After two weeks of intense deduction, he finally completed the soul-tempering Chapter of the Infinite Soul Manual and engraved it into the [Training Module System].

Eager to test the new manual, Nash set aside recording their runic programs.

As if pardoned, the twelve hurriedly left, not wasting a second.

"Tsk, these twelve should last until the end."

Having endured two weeks of gruelling numbness, the next two and a half months should be manageable.

Standing up, Nash noticed a message from Camilla that she was in Auralis III, polishing her soul.

"Perfect..." Packing up, Nash headed to Auralis III to test the soul tempering manual.

---

Auralis III, Soul Crucible:

Walking to Camilla’s coordinates, Nash found himself in a soul obelisk radiating up to 10,000 soul pressure.

"Camilla!" Nash greeted, hugging her from behind.

Recognizing his familiar scent, Camilla relaxed and turned around.

"What are you doing here? Aren’t you training those guys?"

"I missed you, so I gave them a break."

"Cheesy! You can’t fool me!" Camilla pinched his nose.

Knowing Nash’s nature, she doubted he would pause training just because he missed her.

If she didn’t take the initiative, this stone-hearted man might even forget her.

"Alright, I’m indeed here to train."

"Ready to advance to Void Commander?"

"Hmm, just my soul for now. I haven’t deduced the void-tempering manual yet."

"Hiss! A monster! You really created the manual you gave me?"

"Who else would be so good to you?"

"You!"

After flirting and catching up for the weeks they had been apart, Nash sat down and activated the [Training Module System].

Saturation was different from tempering. If saturation is mere absorption, tempering is like adding fire to forge stronger steel.

This meant the elemental crystals he absorbed weren’t just an addition but a component to strengthen his soul.

As the [Training Module System] activated the Infinite Soul Tempering Manual, a vortex of energy began to squeeze his soul.

Feeling a faint, indistinguishable sting, Nash frowned.

Not wanting to endure such a discomfort, he returned to the runic space.

"Huh, much better here."

Though he could tolerate the pain, why suffer if he didn’t have to?

Feeling refreshed, he opened the training module panel to check the efficiency of the Infinite Soul Tempering Manual.

[Training Module System: Infinite Soul Tempering Manual

Current Soul Tempering: 1%

Efficiency: 1000 Attributeless Elemental Crystals/Percentage

Absorption Speed: 500 (300) Attributeless Elemental Crystals/second]

"So fast!" Nash’s eyes lit up.

Tempering was indeed different from saturation; the efficiency alone was ten times greater.

With a base absorption speed of 300 elemental crystals, boosted by the soul pressure, he could absorb 500 crystals per second!

Watching his soul tempering percentage rise every two seconds, a glint flashed in his eyes.