Buzzing! Buzzing! Buzzing!

The vibrations of the chain slowly stopped, the black mist emerged and dissipated, but when the black mist cleared, the chains on Zhou Wanchen's body showed no signs of change, leaving everyone stunned.

"Young Jiang, what's going on? It's not undone?" Elder Qing exclaimed.

Jiang Chen looked up at Elder Qing, confused: "Undone? I wasn't trying to undo the Divine Lock Chain."

"You weren't trying to undo it!?"

"What!?"

"This..."

Everyone froze, staring at Jiang Chen in astonishment.

Elder Qing, with a peculiar expression, asked, "If you weren't undoing the Divine Lock Chain, then what were you doing just now?"

"I just wanted to cut off a section to study it. Who told you I was undoing the Divine Lock Chain? Don't let your imagination run wild," Jiang Chen replied, glaring at Elder Qing.

"This is the Divine Lock Chain, capable of binding the souls of Saint Realm Experts. Do you think it can be undone with just a slice? What are you even thinking?"

Everyone froze again, their expressions becoming increasingly awkward.

Whew!

The Grand Sovereign let out a long breath, feeling his confidence return.

Alright, my earlier words weren't nonsense.

A bit of dignity restored!

Turning to Supreme Long Huang, the Grand Sovereign spoke again in a calm tone: "Did you hear that? The Divine Lock Chain can't be undone by such means!"

"Yes, yes!"

Supreme Long Huang nodded repeatedly. The corners of his mouth curved slightly but returned to normal immediately.

Ancestor Yue and the others smiled amusingly at the Grand Sovereign, sensing his effort to save face from his previous embarrassment!

"Why not study it directly rather than cut it off?" Elder Qing asked innocently like a curious child.

Among those present, Elder Qing was the closest to Jiang Chen, so upon realizing Jiang Chen wasn't trying to break the Divine Lock Chain, he asked his question without reservation, knowing it wouldn't disturb him.

Elder Qing's curiosity echoed the same doubts in everyone's hearts, so they all turned to Jiang Chen in unison.

"The composition of the Divine Lock Chain is clear to me now. It contains the soul imprint of my ancestor. As long as my soul probes into it, I can grasp the method for creating the Divine Lock Chain," Jiang Chen explained as he continued examining the cut section of the chain. "However, this chain was modified by the Eight-Headed Serpent. I need to thoroughly study what alterations were made. If I don't cut it off and just leave it hanging on Elder Zhou, how can I study it?"

"Couldn't you just study it without…"

Elder Qing still didn't entirely understand, but before he could finish asking, he fell silent, as Jiang Chen's next move provided the answer!

Buzzing! Buzzing! Buzzing!

Jiang Chen gripped the severed section of the chain with both hands. A tri-colored luminous glow emanated from his palms, enveloping the chain.

Immediately afterward, a strand of Soul Power emerged, connecting Jiang Chen's head with the tri-colored glow, directly pulling the chain into Jiang Chen's head!

"Ah!"

As soon as the chain entered Jiang Chen's head, his eyes widened sharply, letting out a piercing scream of agony!

"Mr. Jiang!?"

"Young Master!"

"Young Jiang!"

Everyone was startled and prepared to rush over.

"Don't come near! Stay back! I need to release my soul!" Jiang Chen suddenly shouted.

Shockwaves rippled through everyone's hearts!

Releasing the soul—this was a technique only possible for Venerable Realm experts.

However, this technique had never truly been used before. At most, Soul Power was utilized for communication or specific investigations.

The soul is highly fragile and cannot withstand any form of attack; even the aftershocks of a battle between two Royal Realm Martial Artists could easily tear apart the soul of a Venerable Realm cultivator.

Human souls reside within the Soul Origin, undetectable to ordinary people. Only upon reaching the Venerable Realm and undergoing the Xiang Yun Baptism can one become aware of their own soul!

Released souls can only extend within a limited radius. During this time, the soul's perception grows exponentially.

For this reason, unable to fully decipher the modifications made to the Divine Lock Chain by the Eight-Headed Serpent and unwilling to leave Zhou Wanchen in his predicament, Jiang Chen was left with no choice but to take a gamble!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Upon hearing Jiang Chen's decision to release his soul, two figures instantly darted within ten meters of him, turning their backs to Jiang Chen and vigilantly monitoring everyone present, even guarding against the five figures in the air!

The Grand Sovereign and the others were about to intervene, but after recognizing the duo, they refrained.

These two were Yan Hu and Spirit You. Among all present, they were the only ones who would unhesitatingly risk their lives for Jiang Chen. As such, the Grand Sovereign and the others unequivocally trusted them not to harm Jiang Chen!

Buzzing! Buzzing! Buzzing!

Exchanging glances, the Grand Sovereign and the others intensified the release of their aura, expanding a zone ten meters around Jiang Chen and isolating it with overwhelming pressure spanning from ten to a hundred meters to prevent anyone from approaching him.

Being aware of Yan Hu and Spirit You's watchdog-like vigilance over everyone present, the crowd understood the reasoning: with the soul released, even an accidental sneeze could damage Jiang Chen's soul.

As such, everyone—even at a considerable distance—held their breaths!

Whew!

A wisp of green smoke rose from Jiang Chen's head—a thumb-sized ethereal figure hovered above him, and through this figure's body threaded a chain.

"His Soul Strength… so formidable!" Supreme Long Huang exclaimed in shock.

Jiang Chen's soul already faintly resembled his physical appearance, complete with discernible facial features and body contours. Supreme Long Huang realized that if his own soul were released, it would likely appear as little more than a hazy puff of smoke!

"This boy possesses endless potential!" The Grand Sovereign praised.

Hearing this, Ancestor Yue and the others nodded heavily in agreement.

"Ah!"

Jiang Chen's agonizing scream rang out once more.

Everyone focused their gaze on the thumb-sized ethereal figure above Jiang Chen's head—its sporadic spasms drew the crowd's attention. Each spasm expelled a puff of black mist from the chain, which was then neutralized by tri-colored light energy.

Witnessing this, all fell silent. Supreme Feng Luan and the members of the Zhou Family showed expressions of deep gratitude in their eyes.

Jiang Chen was enduring the soul-piercing torture of the Divine Lock Chain to investigate the modifications made by the Eight-Headed Serpent.

During this process, Jiang Chen would perpetually experience relentless waves of soul-tearing pain.

Watching Jiang Chen writhe in agony, observing the spasming ethereal figure above his head, Zhou Wanchen's eyes filled with profound guilt and gratitude. A surge of warmth coursed through his being, tears of emotion streaming down his face.

A young stranger enduring soul-shredding torment for his sake.

At this moment, Zhou Wanchen's admiration for Jiang Chen reached unparalleled heights. This immeasurable act of kindness, Zhou Wanchen vowed to repay with the rest of his life!

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