His only life-saving measure at the moment was the Tier 4 wondrous item, the Wind-Rolling Grass. This item wasn’t very reliable and came with a great deal of uncertainty. Besides, it was only Tier 4. If he encountered a truly powerful enemy, he might not be able to escape.

But resurrection... that was definitely the best life-saving measure of all.

However, Su Ze couldn’t help but feel that having a method of resurrection was like a curse. When you didn’t have one, you might not necessarily die, but once you did, death was never far behind!

’I hope I don’t fall for that curse.’

"Boss, where are you planning to place the statue?" Mr. Ya asked.

"We’re heading to the Miracle Oasis anyway, right? Is there any place more suitable than that?"

With the Mother Tree, a being comparable to a legendary powerhouse, protecting the statue day and night, it would be in the safest place Su Ze knew.

...

After saying their goodbyes, Su Ze and Mr. Ya headed straight for the Miracle Oasis.

The two of them went directly into the Oasis’s inner ring and made their way to the foot of the Mother Tree.

"Speak. What is it this time?" The Mother Tree knew Su Ze wouldn’t come unless he needed something, so it sent the inquiry telepathically.

"I mostly came to see you, but I also wanted to ask for your guidance on a few things," Su Ze said with a smile.

"What things?" The Mother Tree automatically ignored the first part of his statement.

Su Ze took out the Soul Nourishing Jade Stone. He recounted the story of the Shepherd King’s awakening and asked the Mother Tree to inspect the jade and the state of the remnant soul within it.

The Emerald Spaceship on the Mother Tree’s trunk cast a beam of light that enveloped the Soul Nourishing Jade Stone. The remnant soul within seemed to sense something, and a phantom-like image of it manifested and began to drift about inside the stone.

After a long moment, the Mother Tree retracted the light and sent its message: "The seal is very stable. You don’t need to worry about him escaping. He cannot perceive anything in the outside world.

"The soul’s state is indeed not very active, which matches your description. The original Consciousness Body of the soul is likely still in a half-dormant state. However, this slumber won’t last long—two or three months at most."

Su Ze nodded. ’So the Shepherd King only has two or three months at most. No wonder he’s so anxious.’

Next, Su Ze listed the materials the Shepherd King had asked him to collect for the Mother Tree. He had two reasons: first, to ask if she knew their specific effects, and second, to see if the Oasis had any of them.

"Of these materials, the few I know all have the effect of damaging or destroying consciousness. One of them, the Spirit-Eroding Fruit, is in the spaceship’s cultivation chamber. I will go and ask for some for you in a little while," the Mother Tree said.

’A fruitful visit, as expected.’ Su Ze thought to himself. ’I definitely came to the right place.’

Next, Su Ze explained that he wanted to enter the spaceship for a period of intensive, secluded training, and the Mother Tree naturally agreed.

Before entering the spaceship, Su Ze sent a message to Chen Suifeng, letting him know he was at the Miracle Oasis. That way, Chen Suifeng could come find him directly upon his return.

Afterward, he and Mr. Ya entered the spaceship together.

Su Ze still didn’t go to communicate with the Shepherd King right away, planning to let him stew for a few more days. First, he and Mr. Ya spent several days practicing the Swan Dance in the spaceship’s training room.

The Purple Bloodline Crystal in his body wasn’t too difficult to absorb now, so he planned to digest it on his own as much as possible. This would allow him to save the Sands of Time, which contained a golden energy, for later use.

A few days later, the Mother Tree gave Su Ze a fruit. It was dark red, almost black, and shaped like a mangosteen.

"This is the Spirit-Eroding Fruit. It damages both the soul and the consciousness, so be careful," the Mother Tree advised.

"Understood." Su Ze put away the Spirit-Eroding Fruit and, after a moment of thought, took out the Soul Nourishing Jade Stone.

He extended his Spiritual Power into the Soul Nourishing Jade Stone. Before he could even speak, the Shepherd King asked impatiently:

"Well? Have you collected the materials I asked for?"

"You seem to be in a hurry," Su Ze said with a slight, unreadable smile.

"I am a bit anxious," the Shepherd King admitted.

"As far as I know, all the materials you asked for are harmful to the soul. What’s the matter, in a hurry to kill yourself?"

The Shepherd King knew he couldn’t hide this from Su Ze and had already prepared his story. "I’ve told you before, the Racial Talent of my Nian Race is a tenacious consciousness, one that’s difficult to extinguish. It’s what allowed my own consciousness to survive. However, the original owner of this remnant soul is also of the Nian Race and possesses the same Racial Talent.

"Although I took the upper hand while he was dormant, I still can’t completely erase his consciousness. That’s why I need these materials—to help me obliterate the last trace of it!

"If this drags on for another year or two, his consciousness might grow stronger and fight me for control of this soul."

"Is that so? A year or two? Then there’s no rush." ’I trust my own judgment far more than the Shepherd King’s story,’ Su Ze thought.

’If I treat the Shepherd King’s words as a lie, it’s probably a mix of truth and falsehood. The first part is likely true, but he doesn’t have as much time as he claims. Two or three months is his absolute limit.’

’Furthermore, the consciousness of that dormant Nian Race commander is hardly just "a trace." In fact, the Shepherd King is the weaker one. Once that commander’s consciousness fully awakens, the Shepherd King will likely be powerless to resist.’

"Still, the sooner the better. I’m worried that if we wait, unforeseen complications might arise," the Shepherd King said hastily.

"The materials you want are all rare and hard to find. I know you’re anxious, but you’ll have to be patient. I asked a friend, and he said he might be able to get me a Spirit-Eroding Fruit in about three or four months."

’Three or four months?’

’By then, I’ll be long dead...’ The Shepherd King knew Su Ze had probably figured out his predicament. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have timed it so perfectly to three or four months—just long enough to seal his fate!