Ten Thousand Arrows Firing

A cluster of purple mist slowly rose from the Ice Armored Thorn Beast's corpse, gradually condensing into a ring that emitted a faint purple glow.

Looking at the Thousand-Year Soul Ring, Xiao Han felt somewhat excited.

But Lin Zhiruo was still worried.

This would be the second Soul Ring Xiao Han absorbed, and its age had already exceeded the limit an ordinary Soul Master could endure.

"Xiao Han, have you decided to absorb this Soul Ring?"

"Of course. Mom, you don't need to worry. I can handle it."

Xiao Han was full of confidence.

It had taken him half a year to finish that high-quality Thousand-Year Whale Rubber, and his body had gradually become tougher.

That was enough to prove that eating Whale Rubber was useful.

Xiao Han knew that the limit an ordinary Soul Master could endure for their second Soul Ring was a little over seven hundred years.

The Thousand-Year Soul Ring before him was only a little over two hundred years beyond that.

He was confident he could absorb it.

Seeing that Xiao Han had made up his mind, Lin Zhiruo said nothing more. She merely stood quietly to one side, guarding him as he absorbed the ring.

Xiao Han sat beneath the purple Soul Ring, preparing to first bring himself into peak condition before absorbing it.

Shui Bing'er sat cross-legged in the snow and cultivated, taking the opportunity to recover.

She had also expended quite a bit of Soul Power in the battle just now.

But it had also awakened her potential, allowing her to break through level twenty. That meant she could obtain her own second Soul Ring as well.

After adjusting himself to his best state, Xiao Han began absorbing the Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

The surging energy within the Soul Ring slowly flowed into Xiao Han's body.

This energy was far more domineering than when he had absorbed his first Soul Ring. Like a ceaselessly rushing river, its powerful force sought to crush the defenses within his body.

Fine beads of sweat formed on Xiao Han's forehead, but he kept his eyes tightly shut and gritted his teeth. Every cell in his body seemed to awaken, fiercely resisting and merging with the foreign energy.

As time passed, that frigid power gradually became gentler. Guided by Xiao Han, it slowly flowed through the meridians in his body and merged with his original Soul Power.

Xiao Han's breathing gradually evened out, and his expression calmed.

During this time, Shui Bing'er had already recovered to her peak condition.

"Dean Lin, Xiao Han is amazing. He's already subdued that energy."

"Mm. That brat is really too reckless. Good thing he pulled through."

Only then did Lin Zhiruo finally relax.

"Dean Lin, I've also broken through level twenty."

"Really? That's wonderful! Once Xiao Han finishes absorbing this Soul Ring, we'll find a suitable Soul Beast for you and help you obtain your second Soul Ring."

"Mm."

The two exchanged smiles as they waited for Xiao Han to awaken from absorbing the Soul Ring.

Time passed second by second.

When the final trace of energy had been completely absorbed, Xiao Han slowly opened his eyes.

Absorbing this Thousand-Year Soul Ring had taken longer than last time, a full eight hours.

By then, night had fallen.

Even in the dim light, Xiao Han could see farther and more clearly than before.

Clearly, after absorbing this Thousand-Year Soul Ring, his spiritual power had also improved considerably, and his senses had grown sharper.

"Xiao Han, you've finally finished absorbing the Soul Ring."

"Mm. Mom, I succeeded!"

Xiao Han stood up and felt the surging power within him, unable to stop a confident smile from curling across his lips.

He looked at Lin Zhiruo, who had guarded him all this time, his eyes full of gratitude.

Without his adoptive mother's support and trust, he could never have absorbed this Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Lin Zhiruo nodded in satisfaction, her eyes slightly moist.

"Not bad. My money wasn't wasted."

Feeling the powerful aura emanating from Xiao Han, surprise and envy flashed through Shui Bing'er's eyes.

She knew she would have to work even harder if she wanted to catch up to this companion who was always ahead of her.

"Xiao Han, congratulations on obtaining a Thousand-Year Soul Ring."

"Hehe, no need to envy me. You'll soon have your own second Soul Ring too."

"That's right. Bing'er has already broken through level twenty."

"That's great! Once it's light out, we can find a suitable Soul Beast for Bing'er."

Shui Bing'er smiled and nodded, then asked:

"Xiao Han, how many levels did your Soul Power increase?"

"More than two levels, nearly three."

Shui Bing'er froze for a moment, then joked:

"I'm afraid it'll be even harder to catch up to you from now on."

"It's still too early to say that. Maybe after you absorb your Soul Ring, you'll catch up."

"So what is your second Soul Skill?"

"It's similar to the Ice Armored Thorn Beast's ice spike attack. I call it Ten Thousand Arrows Firing."

After saying that, Xiao Han released his martial soul and Soul Rings.

As the second purple ring suddenly lit up, his second Soul Skill, Ten Thousand Arrows Firing, activated.

In an instant, countless ice-blue arrows shot from the True Ice Bow, piercing toward the target like a meteor shower.

Xiao Han explained:

"This Soul Skill can be used as an area attack, but I can also control it as I wish, combining ten thousand arrows into one for a concentrated attack on a target."

"That's amazing!"

Shui Bing'er praised him from the bottom of her heart.

Lin Zhiruo nodded in satisfaction as well.

"This Soul Skill isn't bad. All right, it's getting late. You two should rest. I'll keep watch tonight."

"Mom, you and Bing'er should rest. I'll keep watch."

Lin Zhiruo knew Xiao Han was concerned for her. Though she felt gratified, she was still somewhat worried.

"This is no longer the outskirts. It's dangerous here, so I should do it."

"No! You go rest and let me do it. I'm a Soul Grandmaster with strength close to level twenty-three now, after all. I can handle keeping watch. If anything happens, I'll wake you immediately."

"This brat has really grown capable. Fine, then give it a try."

"Don't worry. I can do it."

After saying that, Xiao Han helped set up the tent, then leaned against the same large tree from before.

He then had Lin Zhiruo and Shui Bing'er go inside to rest.

Having just absorbed the Thousand-Year Soul Ring, Xiao Han was in excellent spirits. He sat beside the tent and kept watch until the sky began to brighten.

Fortunately, no Soul Beasts came to disturb them throughout the night.

Lin Zhiruo quietly stepped out of the tent and gently patted Xiao Han on the shoulder.

"Xiao Han, you did very well for your first time keeping watch. It'll be dawn soon. Go inside and sleep for a while."

"Mom, I'm not tired."

"We still need to search for a Soul Beast today, so you need to rest properly. Go sleep for a bit. I'll wake you both in an hour."

"All right."

Xiao Han quietly entered the tent.

At that moment, Shui Bing'er was sleeping soundly.

Looking at her rosy little face, Xiao Han was afraid of waking her. He carefully lay down beside her and fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

The sky gradually brightened.

Shui Bing'er groggily opened her eyes and was surprised to find Xiao Han beside her.

Looking at the sleeping Xiao Han, a gentle smile appeared on Shui Bing'er's face.

Before she knew it, she had known Xiao Han for three years.

The little boy who had once seemed so immature had gradually become responsible, a companion she could trust and rely on.