Chapter 335: Armed Soul Body

Unfortunately, whether Saul’s theory was correct or not, this power could not currently be applied to any other consciousness.

But this gave Saul a new line of thought.

“From my current experimental results, the body rejects any soul that doesn’t belong to it. This rejection isn’t isolated to any single part, but happens across the entire body—every inch of skin, every bone. It’s as if the memory of the original soul is etched into the genes.”

This was a theory Saul had previously recorded in his notes.

However, it wasn’t an easy theory to verify. Even Master Gorsa might not be able to investigate information on the genetic level.

What’s more, Saul couldn’t even confirm whether “genes” truly existed in this world.

He was merely using the term from his previous life to label the foundational data stored within cells.

While he couldn’t verify the theoretical mechanism behind it, he could summarize the physical feedback based on this hypothesis.

“If I can determine the characteristics of a soul that a given vessel can accept—let’s call it a soul parameter—then could I perhaps coat the soul in an external shell adjusted to match that parameter, allowing it to reside peacefully in the vessel?”

Like giving an outsider a key to open a door.

As long as he could determine the shape of the lock, he could craft the corresponding key—then anyone could enter the room.

That was the experimental approach Saul derived from his own experience.

Only, he wasn’t like everyone else.

Others had to match the key to the lock. But he held a master key.

Such experiments, focused on both the soul and the vessel, were clearly not something Saul could complete alone.

But he had an entire team behind him.

As long as he submitted the initial experimental design and got Master Gorsa’s approval, he could apply for personnel and funding.

He might even have other mentors join his project, following his instructions…

Just imagining it made him feel exhilarated!

Saul calmed himself, bringing his mind back to the present. For now, everything was still just theory—he at least needed some preliminary data to persuade Master Gorsa.

“There’s still one major problem—I’m out of Grinding Sound Fruit. If I can’t find any in storage, or a substitute, I won’t be able to access the mental realm again anytime soon.”

Thinking of this, Saul asked Penny, “Since you know about the mental battlefield, you must also know about the realm. I’m currently lacking the Grinding Sound Fruit, which is key for stabilizing emotions. If you possess some of Penny’s memories, do you know of any places that still have it?”

But to Saul’s surprise, Penny flapped her wings and flew up, stopping at eye level with him.

Her voice was full of joy and a little smug.

“Brother Saul, why would you still need Grinding Sound Fruit when you have me? Don’t forget, I’m best at controlling others’ emotions!”

“Oh?” Saul raised his eyebrows. He could tell this was the second time the Nightmare Butterfly was displaying her abilities, so he deliberately acted skeptical. “Didn’t you say you lost most of your powers? Didn’t you say you couldn’t influence perception anymore? So why can you now? Were you lying to me?”

“N-no, Brother Saul, I wouldn’t dare lie to you…”

Penny’s voice suddenly dropped several notches.

“I’m restricted by your diary, remember? Some of my abilities were sealed by it. But if—if you loosen the restrictions just a little bit, I’ll be able to use some of my powers again. Just a tiny bit will do…”

Then she quickly added, “But don’t loosen it too much! I’m afraid if all my memories return, I’ll die again!”

Was that her begging Saul to keep her sealed?

Saul nodded with understanding. “I see. As long as you weren’t lying to me. I can’t tolerate my possessions deceiving me.”

“I-I wouldn’t dare.”

“Now then, back to the topic. If I ease the restrictions on your power, you help me stabilize my emotions. How does that stabilization work? And how long does it last?”

Penny answered a bit nervously, “You just have to take a short dream. As for how long it lasts… with my current state, maybe… ten minutes?”

She was afraid Saul would think it was too short.

But Saul nodded. “That’s enough.”

Right now, he just needed to stably enter the mental realm to retrieve people or replenish their energy.

That was the top priority. The other experiments could wait.

“Next, let’s go check the lakeside cottage—see if they caught the person behind that house. After that…”

Saul thought for a moment. “Let’s head to Bluewater Bay. My stockpile of soul fragments is running low, and I’m quite curious about the phenomenon known as the soul tide. Could there be surprises among the dead from a hundred years ago—like Morden?”

…

Half a month later, Bluewater Bay.

Saul stood on the deck.

The wind was strong today. Ordinary passengers were no longer allowed on the open deck.

They had all been herded into designated crystal glass domes, craning their necks cautiously to peer at the sea of clouds beyond the railings.

Yes—sea of clouds, not ocean waves.

Saul was currently aboard an airship.

The airship’s propulsion and lift came from a propulsion formation at the front and back of the vessel, and from the giant balloon above.

The propulsion formations weren’t unusual. Even the Land Drifters Saul had captured before had these mechanisms. Some magical enchanted tools for fast travel also bore such formations.

What was rare was the balloon above.

It was a massive balloon crafted from leather and embedded biological film. It didn’t float using heated air from combustion, nor did it use hydrogen.

Instead, it was filled with a special gas invented by wizards. This gas had an extremely low density and was inert—non-flammable and non-explosive. Its only drawback was its high cost.

As a result, only the wealthy or noble could afford to travel by airship. Even wandering wizards usually couldn’t bear the cost.

They preferred primitive, slow, but cheap alternatives—like carriages.

Saul was only able to ride this airship thanks to his master, Gorsa.

This vessel was manufactured by the Bayton Academy in the southwestern part of the Western Continent, and the balloon above was their exclusive technology.

Yet, the people of Bayton Academy always reserved a spot on every airship for Gorsa—whether he used it once a year or not. They would never sell that spot to anyone else.

With a handwritten note from Gorsa, Saul could board this airship for free and cross half the continent.

In just three days, he could cover a distance that would normally take a month.

Also, as a Third Rank apprentice, he didn’t have to worry about the weather. He could roam the outer deck freely.

Due to energy consumption concerns, the airship wasn’t particularly large. Even its most luxurious cabin was small, and the excessive decorations only made it feel more cramped.

So, day or night, Saul stayed on deck nearly the entire time, savoring the true power of wind and clouds. He let the gales whip his cloak into a frenzy, never once retreating into the warm glass chambers.

Naturally, such a Saul had not gone unnoticed.

A middle-aged man in a sharp blue-and-white uniform braved the fierce wind, gripping the handrail with one hand and pressing down on his hat with the other, slowly approaching Saul.

“Hello!” the man opened his mouth and struggled to speak without choking on the wind. “I’m Captain Harry of the Bluebird. I noticed you’ve been watching the balloon above—are you perhaps curious about the gas inside?”

(End of Chapter)

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