Soul Flame [II]

Future Edward has already created a few applications for the Soul Flame. For example, it is possible to separate a small piece and store it, similar to Horcrux, and a part of the soul.

And according to the latter's research, Horcruxes made using the Soul Flame are even more indestructible. They would require one Tier 1 above their power to destroy them. For example, a Horcrux made by a Tier 6 Arcanist would require the strength of Tier 7 to destroy.

Based on Future Edward's research, this fact remained true for Tier 8. However, because he did not have access to the Floating City, he could not make Tier 9 Horcrux and test whether Tier 10 strength is required to destroy it.

Other important information is the Immortal or Indestructible Characteristics of the Soul Flame. Most energy discovered by the Empire–mana, divine energy, solar energy, cosmic energy, elemental energy, Chakra, and multiple others–have no effect on the Soul Flame.

Only two energies can influence it–Soul Strength and Negative Energy. Soul Strength makes sense since it involves the soul. Simultaneously, Negative Energy originated from death and decay.

'Some Skeleton Undead have a flame in their eyes. Does it have anything to do with the Soul Flame?'

Edward searched the crystal and found the answer. Their soul is indeed a manifestation of their Soul Flame. With this knowledge, Future Edward recommended giving more resources to the Necromancy Department to encourage them to study the Soul Flame.

'Duly noted,' thought Edward before continuing.

Most energies cannot directly extinguish the Flame, making it virtually indestructible. After countless trials and errors, Edward discovered three ways to extinguish the Soul Flame.

The first and easiest way is to destroy the soul, then the flame will follow soon. The second method is using Void Energy. So far, it is the highest form of energy discovered by Edward and the Empire.

Lastly, it is the power of Authority or Rules. However, not all rules can influence the Soul Flame–only two: Death and Destruction Rules. Time-Space Rules do not affect it since it cannot age forward or backward and is immune to the constraint of space.

So far, Curse Rule cannot directly affect it unless indirectly through the soul.

The destruction of the Soul Dimension will not affect the flame. In fact, the first three layers can be destroyed, but the fourth one is infinite, and Edward has no way of destroying it.

'This thing is truly miraculous,' thought Edward. The more he read about this flame, the more he felt he was discovering the mystery of life, the truth of what makes a person alive, the essence of existence itself.

He shook his head to continue.

The discovery of the Soul Flame will accelerate the Empire's decoding of the Soul Section of the Life Code. After deciphering so much of it, there are still so many unknowns left to uncover.

Subsequently, the crystal showed the Soul Flame cannot be used as a way of direct attack. It has no burning effect on the physical body or the soul. However, Future Edward did discover it could radiate a unique power.

He believed that power was a higher form of Soul Strength. Future Edward even theorized that using this power to control mana and other energy might make Arcanist even more powerful.

Unfortunately, he did not yet grasp how to properly control and exert this power.

Future Edward experimented if something would happen after fusing the Arcane Flame–used to purify mana–with the Soul Flame. The result was they could not be fused, and nothing happened. The Arcane Flame passed through the Soul Flame as if it was a ghost. And no matter what method he used, he could not make them interact.

The result was the same for things like his Phoenix Flame.

Edward sighed, his mind fascinated by the mystery of this flame. Then, he focused on two most significant discoveries regarding this flame.

"The Gods' mystery of immortality," muttered Edward, his eyes twinkling. The Gods are one of the most extraordinary creatures in the Harry Potter Universe, and maybe the Omniverse, because of their immortality and undying nature.

As long as even one of their followers exists, they will not die and can revive themselves after their bodies, souls, and Divine Kingdoms are destroyed.

Now, Edward knew the truth behind this mystery: their believer's faith directly powered their Soul Flame. So, as long as one of them is alive and keeps providing them with faith, it does not matter whether their souls exist.

Their Soul Flame can remain in existence and not extinguish. Then, they can revive themselves.

'This means as long as I eradicate their Soul Flame, I can grant True and Absolute Death to these Gods.'

For a moment, Edward could not contain his excitement. One of the things he worried about was how to deal with these Gods. Even if he killed them, they could revive later in the future and continue becoming enemies with the Empire.

The answer to this problem seems simple: kill all their believers. Unfortunately, this method is not as simple as it seems on paper. Most powerful Gods will have believers scattered in different planes, so it's a problem to find them and eradicate their believers.

And knowing their life and death relied on their believers, the most powerful Gods will hide their believers in special dimensions or unique locations that are unknown and difficult to find, turning them into cockroach-type enemies.

These Gods will use Anti-Divination to prevent people from finding their secret believers.

After his last voyage and discovering the Power of Karma, Edward also plans to develop this magic to deal with this issue. However, Cause and Effect Magic is in the early stage and needs more time to develop.

Another method he recently thought of was using his Curse Rule. He could find these secret believers through spells like Bloodline Curse or Tracking Curse.

However, these Gods are not stupid and actively block these methods after suffering a few losses from powerful magical civilizations.

Luckily, these methods were no longer necessary. As long as he found the Soul Flame of these Gods, he could ensure their true death.

"Boss, this is great news. We can finally deal with these parasites."

"Indeed," nodded Edward. "However, we have to keep this information at the highest level of security."

Morgana nodded as she knew the consequences if the Gods knew the Arcane Empire knew the secret to their immorality and could kill them. The Empire would become the enemy of all Gods that exist in the Cosmic God Plane and all other planes.

After reviewing this information, Edward walked to his Soul Flame and saw other things. The first noticeable aspect was the slight silver in the middle of the purple flame.

According to his future self, this aspect was unique only to him. At least, he has not discovered anyone else with a tint of silver. Future Edward speculated this might be the reason for his Extreme Magic Talent after reincarnating in this world from Primordial Earth.

Edward took a deeper look and found a few tiny runes inside the flame. According to his future self, these runes might be Origin Runes, and they might be from the Akashic Records.

These runes are how the Titles granted to him by the record give him special boosts or increases in talents. Unfortunately, this theory has yet to be verified, and Future Edward could not even properly record these runes because of a mysterious and incomprehensible power.

He even guessed their purpose in the first place because the number of runes was the same number of titles he had.

Future Edward tried to get answers from the Akashic Records, but the number of points required was so enormous that he knew he was in the right direction.

'So, the Soul Flame is the source of things like Magical Talents,' muttered Edward as he soon found information from the crystal. According to one study, the Soul Flame's color will change after a person drinks a Dragon Potion to increase talent.

"I've always wanted to give people Titles with abilities or stats boost. Maybe I can recreate the Akashic Record's method."

Edward did not expect to give people permanent Titles, but temporary ones that lasted a few months to a few years would suffice.

'Let's leave that for another day.'

He took a moment to review all the information about this epoch-making magic discovery. He was excited by how much the Empire would develop with this discovery alone, not to mention all the benefits he received from the Naruto World.

'Alright, let's test this Domain Expansion Method.'