Chapter 1266: Further Growth
As the nineteenth prince, Xiang Shaoyun had a personal palace assigned to him. Under Ming Cigeng's guide, Xiang Shaoyun and Ming Fu arrived at their assigned palace.
There, Ming Fu sighed and said, "I never expected this palace to still be empty."
This was the same palace she used to stay in, the best palace available to the princes and princesses. It had a unique architectural design and was shrouded in rich devilish energy.
"Princess, you are familiar with the clan rules. I'll have to trouble you to tell the nineteenth prince them. I'll be taking my leave," said Ming Cigeng before leaving.
As a God Realm expert, he was already showing them plenty of respect by doing this much for them. There were trained servants and guards in the palace waiting to serve Xiang Shaoyun and Ming Fu. When the two entered the palace, the servants greeted them respectfully.
Among the servants, Xiang Shaoyun saw a familiar face. That person bowed and said, "Ming Helian greets the prince and princess. Helian will be serving all your needs from now on."
Xiang Shaoyun had never expected the person who had captured him to turn into his butler. The change was truly too dramatic. In fact, not even Ming Helian himself had seen that coming. He wasn't supposed to be qualified to serve a prince. Upon receiving the assignment, he was both joyful and worried. He could finally step foot into the clan's important areas, which would help his future prospects. However, he was also worried that Xiang Shaoyun would dislike him and make things difficult for him.
Xiang Shaoyun couldn't be bothered about their previous conflict. He went along with Ming Fu and picked their rooms. One ought to admit that the Imperial Nether Clan's living space was quite similar to that of the humans. Although the construction style was different, there were still individual spaces for each resident. Xiang Shaoyun would probably be able to adapt to life here.
Xiang Shaoyun and Ming Fu spent a lot of time together, seemingly trying to make up for their lost years. Ming Fu gave Xiang Shaoyun an explanation of the simplified version of the clan rules.
Xiang Shaoyun memorized everything. So long as he did not touch upon the clan's few, he was basically free to do as he wished. If he committed grave crimes that couldn't be forgiven, he would be executed.
Xiang Shaoyun did not intend to stay here forever. He looked at his mother and asked, "Mother, do you have any idea how we can leave this place?"
Ming Fu shook her head and said, "I'm a sinner. It is impossible for me to leave. As someone captured and brought back here, it's also impossible for you to leave unless the Nether Monarch allows it."
"Is there really no other way?" Xiang Shaoyun frowned.
Ming Fu held his hand and said, "Just be calm and stay here for a bit with your mother. Just wait and see. Perhaps an opportunity will come up in the future."
Xiang Shaoyun also knew that this wasn't an easy issue to solve. He could only nod in agreement. In the coming days, Xiang Shaoyun stayed in the palace obediently. Apart from spending time with his mother, he spent his remaining time cultivating. He wanted to grow stronger and leave. His women, his son, his brothers, and his subordinates were waiting for him outside. He did not want to be trapped here forever.
His astral energy cultivation had reached peak third-stage Soul Foundation Realm. He wasn't that far from another breakthrough. Even in the Devil Domain, with his nine-star physique, he could still absorb astral energy from his surroundings. The pressure to escape caused Xiang Shaoyun to use up his spirit crystals and some sovereign-grade items to push his cultivation to fourth-stage Soul Foundation Realm.
With his breakthrough, he could no longer keep his saint soul suppressed. It broke through into second-stage Saint Realm. After all, his saint soul had also benefited greatly when he gained his devil cultivation. He had only been suppressing its growth. Now that his astral energy cultivation had also broken through, it was only natural that his soul grew further.
On the sparkling four-layered soul foundation, more profound soul marks appeared. An even deeper connection formed between his soul foundation and the Imperial Nether Domain. The connection was so strong that he had a feeling he could control the soul marks and use them to attack through his Imperial Nether Domain. If he could do that, the chains in his domain would reach an entirely new level.
The moment he thought of that, he decided to put it to the test. He released the Imperial Nether Domain and activated his soul foundation within it. However, the soul foundation was still concealed and wasn't easily detectable.
He spread his will to the soul marks. The soul marks were essentially a representation of the many powers and techniques he had cultivated. In the form of soul marks, they fused and merged with the soul foundation.
The soul marks flickered and appeared in the domain. They appeared in many forms, such as a bolt of lightning, a blazing inferno, and a sharp golden needle. As Xiang Shaoyun hadn't perfected his control, the manifestations seemed chaotic.
However, he was still the master of his domain. It wouldn't be that hard for him to control all that was happening within. After several attempts, he could finally make use of different soul marks to launch different attacks. These attacks weren't any weaker than the chains.
One could say that the domain had transformed into an independent world. Xiang Shaoyun could freely attack any intruder with the nine different powers he cultivated. If this was to be exposed, it would be an extremely shocking discovery for the Imperial Nether Clan.
Xiang Shaoyun had basically pioneered an entirely different path, granting his Imperial Nether Domain an even greater strength. As he practiced, he manifested numerous different soul marks, creating fists, palms, sabers, swords, and the like.
Under his control, the soul marks engulfed a boulder and blasted it into fine powder. This attack was equivalent to his full-powered attack. The moment someone entered his Imperial Nether Domain, he would be able to do more than attack with the chains. He could also utilize his soul marks and pulverize his opponents.
In fact, these soul marks were even more destructive than the chains. Not even opponents good at countering soul attacks could easily escape his domain now.
Xiang Shaoyun ended the cultivation session. A smile formed on his face as he muttered, "With the strength of my Imperial Nether Domain, I won't fear anyone below the Great Saint Realm."
Before he had the chance to wash up, he found that there were some visitors in the palace. He would naturally welcome visitors, but these particular visitors seemed to be scolding his mother. It angered him.