Chaotic Sword God Chapter 3975: Identities

Following that, all seven souls took oaths of ways, pledging eternal loyalty to Jian Chen just as he required.

For the moment, Jian Chen lacked a superior method to dominate the seven individuals. After all, they weren't ordinary people; each was a late Grand Prime with remarkable powers. Conventional techniques simply wouldn't suffice to bind them.

Though they had sworn oaths of ways, Jian Chen remained somewhat wary. In their current debilitated state, the oaths might hold them fast. Yet, upon regaining their full might, he couldn't be sure if they possessed ways to circumvent the oath's bindings.

Still, this remained his only viable option at present.

“Sigh, destiny truly plays cruel tricks. I never imagined I'd find myself enslaved right from the instant I regained consciousness…”

“Who could have foreseen encountering such an anomaly? His soul carries a thread of true Chaotic Force woven in, which nullifies my innate ability outright. Without that, none of this would have transpired…”

Having bound themselves with oaths of ways, the seven powerhouses resembled punctured sacks, utterly dejected and spiritless.

As late Grand Primes, they harbored immense pride, scorning even Chaotic Primes as beneath them.

No matter their arrogance, under the looming shadow of death, they had no choice but to bow their exalted heads.

“Tell me your names. How should I address you all? And what was the pinnacle of your cultivations?” Jian Chen inquired, his spirits high.

Through brief introductions from the seven powerhouses, Jian Chen at last obtained a full picture of their prowess.

The winged woman who roused first went by Su Le. At her zenith, she had reached the Eighth Heavenly Layer as a Grand Prime.

The Origin Composition Daemon Exalt, who had unleashed the Shared Fate technique upon him, was a Seventh Heavenly Layer Grand Prime during his prime.

The other five consisted of Bai Jinchi, another Seventh Heavenly Layer Grand Prime.

The Eternal Peace Daemon Exalt, an Eighth Heavenly Layer Grand Prime.

The Might Venerable, an Eighth Heavenly Layer Grand Prime.

The Red Phosphor Grand Prime, an Eighth Heavenly Layer Grand Prime.

The Unparalleled Emperor, an Eighth Heavenly Layer Grand Prime.

Among these seven souls, only the Origin Composition Daemon Exalt and Bai Jinchi fell short; the rest five stood at the Eighth Heavenly Layer!

Jian Chen also discovered from them that each bore an exceptional bloodline heritage. They hailed from formidable lineages, granting them the prowess to challenge superiors. Seventh Heavenly Layer Grand Primes could confront those at the Eighth, and Eighth Heavenly Layer Grand Primes could battle Ninth Heavenly Layer foes.

It was precisely their unique bloodlines that drew the gaze of the supreme experts among the Ancient Great Apes, ensnaring them into traps and dooming them as offerings for Gusta’s corporeal form.

“And I figured master would need considerable effort to force their submission. Never did I expect they'd yield so swiftly. Against the other powerhouse, you seven are downright gutless.” The twin swords' voice echoed forth. In a brilliant flare of violet and azure light, they materialized before the seven powerhouses.

Upon catching the twin swords' mocking tone, the seven powerhouses' expressions darkened. Just as fury bubbled up for retorts, a sudden realization hit them, and they gazed at the sword spirits with trembling awe. Waves of astonishment crashed through their minds.

“T-this is the artifact spirit of a sovereign god artifact?”

“How can this be? What stroke of fortune does this youth possess? To command such a treasure…”

“Even at our strongest, we'd scarcely dare to hope for such blessings. He's merely a Chaotic Prime—how did he acquire something so extraordinary?”

The sword spirits' emergence instantly stunned the seven powerhouses. Envy twisted their features into shades of pale green.

“Hehehehe, you've all finally stirred. You've kept master in suspense long enough.” An aged voice resounded. The Primeval Divine Hall's artifact spirit manifested, taking the form of a diminutive elder who appeared amid the seven souls.

“A-another sovereign god artifact…”

The seven powerhouses' faces twisted in shock. Disbelief etched across their countenances.

If the sword spirits had sparked jealousy, the Primeval artifact spirit's arrival left them utterly dumbfounded.

Yet soon after, an even greater marvel unfolded. The Source of Life emerged quietly, drawn by intrigue.

They maintained their suppression over the Ancestor of the Clear and Cloudy, though now with far less exertion.

The revelation of three sovereign god artifacts rendered the seven powerhouses speechless. They struggled to regain their composure.

“They're far too feeble. Reviving them will demand a hefty toll in resources. Jian Chen, your responsibilities have mounted once more.” The Source of Life floated with arms akimbo, chiding Jian Chen sternly.

“Master, what are your intentions for these individuals?” The Primeval artifact spirit queried, eyes gleaming eagerly.

“Primeval, supposing I allow them to inhabit the generals' bodies, what if betrayal crosses their minds? Could they simply flee with those forms?” After deliberation, Jian Chen voiced his lingering concern. Years prior, he had resolved the fate of these seven souls. Yet this doubt persisted, haunting him with fears of catastrophic repercussions.

The Primeval Divine Hall housed numerous mighty generals, bereft only of potent souls. Procuring fitting souls as replacements would swiftly transform them into invaluable allies.

The seven souls presented the perfect opportunity.

In this manner, he bypassed the arduous tasks of body reconstruction and cultivation restoration. He could harness their full capabilities in the briefest span.

“Rest assured entirely, master. Once their souls merge with the generals' bodies, betrayal becomes impossible. Only by ascending to Sainthood could they break free from your grasp,” the Primeval artifact spirit assured confidently.

With that, Jian Chen's anxieties faded. He grasped that the Saint of Grand Clarity had embedded safeguards within the generals. Absent Sainthood, no escape from such bonds was feasible.

Tension lifted from him at once, bringing a sense of tranquil certainty.

It wasn't disbelief in the oaths of ways; rather, the seven souls' past might loomed too vast. He couldn't gauge the oaths' hold over them, nor rule out secret evasions of their penalties. Should they rebel upon empowerment, the fallout would prove devastating beyond measure.

The seven souls remained oblivious to Jian Chen's exchange with the Primeval artifact spirit. This transpired within his sea of consciousness, conveyed silently beyond words.

Beyond Su Le, the first to awaken, the remaining six souls swiftly drifted back into dormancy. Their recovery remained incomplete; Su Le's compulsion had roused them prematurely, limiting their vigilance. They had now resumed their prior torpor.

Should Jian Chen desire, he could hasten the awakening of the other six souls through resource expenditure, but urgency escaped him. The Primeval Divine Hall's generals awaited unsealing. These souls weren't immediately required.

“H-how did you ever subdue three sovereign god artifacts?” Amazement flickered in Su Le's gaze as she fixed Jian Chen with incredulous eyes.

“That's not your concern. You imprinted the Laws of Strength within one of the seven golden cores of laws, correct?” Jian Chen probed.

Su Le affirmed with a nod.

Jian Chen offered a subtle smile. “I've already attained Infinite Prime in the Laws of Strength. With personal instruction from an Eighth Heavenly Layer Grand Prime, my advancement will surge. Su Le, starting now, you'll mentor my practice of the Laws of Strength. Any qualms?”

Bound by her oath of ways, Su Le lacked the boldness to protest. “My current frailty limits me to sharing insights and wisdom through words alone. Should you enable my restoration, I could vividly demonstrate the ways' enigmas and impart them directly. I'd even reveal potent secret techniques from my arsenal, withholding nothing.”

“Potent secret techniques? You refer to those embedded in your golden cores of laws originally?” Jian Chen remarked with an enigmatic air.

“You can't fault us. Your power was so modest then, after all. The golden cores of laws we provided were calibrated to propel you to Infinite Prime at best. Thus, the secret techniques suited that level. In your state, grasping deeper mysteries would have proven arduous even if we offered them,” Su Le explained.