Awakening：The Infinite Evolution of My Talent as a Low-Level Awakener

Sterl spoke loudly.

"Master Edward, I have long heard of your reputation."

"If you don't mind, I would like to become your disciple and serve you."

He repeated earnestly.

The main reason for his eagerness was that among the several skills Edward had displayed, while they were all of golden quality, players who could join the Hall of Valor wouldn't typically seek to become disciples just for that.

However, there was one skill that left Sterl quite astonished--

[Method of Soul Refinement (Special)]

[Description: A special gateway from the Nether Soul tribe that possesses the unique effect of tempering the soul.]

[Effect: This skill is an introductory level, allowing you to convert soul experience into soul levels.]

Sterl was primarily interested in this particular skill.

"Soul experience and soul levels--these are entirely new concepts..."

Yet, Sterl felt that these two terms were quite understandable.

He had been questioning whether players entered the game world with their physical bodies or something else entirely.

Those who logged into [Transcendence] through the game pod could easily see their physical bodies in the outside world, which were in a state of slumber.

A reasonable conclusion was that it was the players' souls that were acting within [Transcendence].

Soul experience and soul levels, as the names imply, were about enhancing the strength of the soul.

Very easy to grasp!

And Sterl felt...

"Once the soul level is raised, there might be special benefits."

In the world before his transmigration, the power of the "soul" was extremely important in both Eastern and Western cultures.

Thus, Sterl feared that if he defeated Edward too quickly, this special skill might not drop, so he decisively chose to become a disciple!

Upon hearing this, the sisters Sosia and Sonis exchanged surprised glances.

If their master chose to submit to Edward, their fates would surely be quite tragic! However, out of loyalty to Sterl, they said nothing and continued to stand by quietly. It seemed to them that if Sterl truly needed to become a disciple to achieve some goal, they would willingly become nourishment for the Nether Soul tribe.

As for Edward, he was taken aback.

Goodness, he hadn't even said anything yet, and someone was already coming to him!

"That's fine!" Edward's eyes flashed with delight.

He looked at the immense soul power radiating from Sterl and felt a surge of excitement!

"In that case, the resources for nurturing the Fire of Ten Thousand Souls just got a significant boost."

Edward thought joyfully.

It was important to note that, according to information gathered by their Nether Soul tribe, no other races within the Crystal Barrier Galaxy possessed the ability to refine souls.

Generally speaking, all living beings start at the initial soul level of one, and their innate soul experience is quite low.

Even with the Method of Soul Refinement, they could only elevate their soul levels to a relatively low standard.

This included legendary and demigod-level beings as well.

As a result, Edward had to constantly take on disciples to teach them the Method of Soul Refinement, only to later sacrifice these apprentices by casting them into the flames.

However, since these disciples could only reach a maximum of level two soul levels, the rate of nurturing the Fire of Ten Thousand Souls remained painfully slow.

Edward had been surviving on this volcano for nearly 50 years, and he had only just about managed to nurture the Fire of Ten Thousand Souls.

But he never anticipated that the two toys from the Red Falcon tribe would bring him such a significant surprise today.

He discovered that Sterl, this seemingly weak player, actually possessed an incredibly rich soul power!

If he were to practice the Method of Soul Refinement, he could potentially elevate his soul level to four or five!

Was this not a windfall from the heavens?

It's worth noting that normally, only beings who had ascended to godhood could reach a soul level of five!

They became aware of their inexplicable weakness in the realm of the soul and began to spend Divine Power to refine their souls!

However, Edward and the Nether Soul tribe clearly did not have the ability to turn gods into nourishment.

So, despite his suspicions that Sterl likely had ulterior motives, what could a third-class player possibly achieve?

Edward was incredibly excited: "Once I complete the Fire of Ten Thousand Souls, I will be able to..."

His eyes sparkled as the group of apprentices nearby also began to glow with joy.

They had all practiced the Method of Soul Refinement, and they knew that with a newcomer filling the ranks, their chances of being sacrificed by being pushed into the flames had significantly decreased.

"Everyone, welcome our new junior brother!"

"Hello! Hello!"

"We're all family from now on!"

"If you need anything, just come to us!"

At this moment, scattered applause erupted, gradually growing louder!

All the apprentices wore strange smiles, clapping enthusiastically, creating a scene of joy and inspiration.

However, the dark tones of the palace combined with the deep, rumbling sounds of the molten lava below created an eerily uncanny atmosphere.

Sterl stepped closer and voluntarily stood on the disk filled with lava.

"You haven't formally become a disciple yet..." Edward frowned, still cautious.

He knew he could not let this newcomer discover his secrets before the "formal initiation."

The expressions of the "apprentices" nearby varied, but suddenly everyone felt as if their thoughts had come to a halt.

When they came back to their senses, they noticed that nothing seemed to have changed...

"I'm sorry, Master."

"I just want to make progress."

"I wanted to see what our training environment is like," Sterl said casually.

At that moment, Edward stepped forward two paces, and an eerie soul fire ignited in his palm as he pressed it against Sterl. "Do not resist."

"Otherwise, I will have to kill you on the spot."

The strange figure smirked as he extended a purple-black tongue, licking Sterl's face.

He was too lazy to dwell on this new disciple's bizarre behavior; first, he needed to establish control.

Sterl felt slightly dazed, as this scene seemed oddly familiar; it was similar to when he had coerced the Sosia and Sonis sisters.

The wheel of fortune turns.

At this moment, Sosia and Sonis could no longer contain themselves, but just as they were about to act, they felt their master's command emanate from a distance, forcing the sisters to freeze in place, unable to move.

They could only watch with faces filled with panic and unease.

Fortunately, Edward and his apprentices were entirely focused on Sterl, and they did not find anything unusual in Sosia and Sonis's expressions.

"Have the two toys from the Red Falcon tribe realized the danger?"

"Too bad, it's utterly useless."

"Heh, your fate is to serve as fuel for my tribe, isn't it?" Edward sneered.

At that moment, he sensed that the control mark had fully taken root in the powerful soul of the third-class player.

He immediately shifted to a pleasant demeanor and said, "I will impart the Method of Soul Refinement to you."

"You just need to follow the steps, and you can enhance your soul experience and soul level."

"However, with your current soul experience, you can directly raise your soul level to five, but reaching level six will take a very long time. For now, just focus on leveling up."

As he spoke, Edward's gaze had already landed on an apprentice who had just reached level two soul level.

He had already planned that if this new apprentice was disobedient--say, if he wanted to learn a golden-quality skill first--Edward would simply sacrifice another "apprentice" to make his point.

After all, once this new disciple raised his soul level, he could be directly used to contribute to the Fire of Ten Thousand Souls.

To Edward's surprise, however...

This new disciple showed no intention of asking to learn any golden skills. Instead, he eagerly inquired, "Master, this Method of Soul Refinement is truly remarkable. Is there a continuation? I would like to take a look."

Edward was momentarily taken aback, then couldn't help but snicker coldly in his heart. A continuation? That was the fundamental arcane skill of his tribe; did this newcomer really think he could stake a claim on it?

Well, why not! He had initially wanted to give this new disciple a lesson anyway. Whether it was a golden skill or an arcane skill from the tribe, it made no difference.

"Of course not," Edward said coldly.

His tone grew severe: "Impudent!"

"You're of no use to me!" Unfortunately, before the powerful Nether Soul tribal leader could finish his sentence, he was interrupted.

His new disciple wore a cold, indifferent expression, brimming with murderous intent!

Huh?? Edward was stunned.

"???" The other apprentices were equally dumbfounded.

How dare this newcomer challenge him? He had already inscribed a seal on his body, allowing him to live or die at his whim.

And yet, he dared to retort?

No, this was no mere retort; this was a direct personal threat to Edward.

Was he in a hurry to meet his end??

Edward's expression changed dramatically, but as a being composed of strange hues that formed a shadow, no one else could perceive his fury.

A peculiar light flashed in his eyes as he snapped his fingers.

"Feel the pain!"

Then he looked at Sterl.

"Reflect on your actions."

With this simple gesture, every one of Edward's apprentices felt their hair stand on end!

They remembered the last unfortunate soul who had suffered this way, how he had howled in agony for three days and nights, eventually throwing himself into the lava to escape!

It's worth noting that this apprentice had been a player capable of adjusting his pain threshold, yet he couldn't endure it--what kind of cruel torture could this be?

However...

Gurgle...

The surroundings fell silent, the only sound being the flow of molten lava.

Sterl remained standing there, wearing a mocking expression.

"How is this possible? Is the master's soul curse ineffective??"

"He must be enduring it!"

"Even enduring shouldn't leave him completely expressionless..."

All the "apprentices" wore strange looks on their faces.

And Edward's heart sank.

Something was off!

Extremely off!

At this moment, he couldn't care less about refining the Fire of Ten Thousand Souls; he acted decisively.

"Which faction sent you?!" His tone was filled not only with anger but also urgency.