Ye Lingling, Don't Even Think About It

Sure enough, being in danger was better at bringing out one's potential.

After returning from the Ice Sealed Forest last time, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu had begun researching their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but they had made no breakthrough.

Facing the Bluefin Sawtooth Fish swarm's siege, their teammates' Soul Power and stamina were gradually running out.

At this critical moment, Shui Bing'er erupted and completed the Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Xue Wu.

Xiao Han knew that their Martial Soul Fusion Skill had another form as well, turning ice and snow into an Ice and Snow Vortex that dealt relentless cutting attacks to their opponents.

The lake surface froze over, and even their teammates could feel the bone-piercing chill.

Such a powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill consumed a great deal of Shui Bing'er's Soul Power. Besides, this was her first successful use of it, and she had not yet fully adapted to it.

"Hairou, hurry and kill it."

"Okay!"

Only then did Yu Hairou snap back to her senses.

Under Shui Bing'er's control, the frozen Bluefin Sawtooth Fish had only its head exposed.

Yu Hairou condensed a sharp Water Blade with her Soul Power and struck its head with perfect accuracy, killing it.

A wisp of purple mist slowly rose from the Bluefin Sawtooth Fish's corpse.

Only after confirming that it was completely dead did everyone finally let out a breath of relief.

But their crisis was not over.

Having expended a great deal of Soul Power, Shui Bing'er's face was somewhat pale.

After being besieged by the fish swarm, the weaker members of the team—Shen Liuyu, Qiu Ruoshui, and Shui Yue'er—had all sustained minor injuries to varying degrees.

Absorbing that Soul Ring on the lake was far too dangerous.

Xiao Han said:

"Bing'er has used too much Soul Power and can't hold on for long. The target soul beast has already been killed, so let's go ashore. Sister Hairou, draw the Soul Ring to the shore before absorbing it."

"Alright."

"You go first. I'll cover the rear."

"Xiao Han, be careful."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Shui Bing'er released the Freeze and flew toward the shore with Xue Wu.

Yu Hairou, Shen Liuyu, Qiu Ruoshui, and Shui Yue'er released their respective martial souls and swam rapidly toward the shore.

The instant Shui Bing'er released the Freeze, the largest Bluefin Sawtooth Fish seemed to come back to life.

It opened its enormous mouth and roared furiously, unwilling to accept its clan's defeat.

Its massive jaws had suffered a heavy blow from Xiao Han. Many of its teeth had broken, and its mouth was full of blood.

Yet it still launched a Water Blade at Xiao Han.

Xiao Han calmly fired an arrow, striking the Water Blade dead-on.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the Bluefin Sawtooth Fish stopped attacking.

Xiao Han looked down at it from the air and said coldly:

"You fool who doesn't know when to quit. I'll spare you for now. One day, I'll return to take your life and make you my senior sister's Soul Ring!"

After saying that, Xiao Han spread his wings and flew away, returning to the shore.

Lin Zhiruo smiled.

"You did very well against the fish swarm's siege. You remained calm in the face of danger. Not only did you successfully hunt the target soul beast, but Bing'er and Xue Wu also completed their Martial Soul Fusion Skill in the process."

The girls were all delighted.

"The two captains' Martial Soul Fusion Skill is finally complete. It will definitely become a great asset to our team."

"Yeah, its power is incredible."

Lin Zhiruo looked at Shui Bing'er, her eyes full of satisfaction.

"Bing'er, you've consumed too much Soul Power. Sit down and recover your condition quickly."

"Mm."

"Hairou, draw that Soul Ring over here. Recover your condition as well and prepare to absorb it."

"Alright."

The Thousand-Year purple Soul Ring had already condensed into form. Under Yu Hairou's guidance, it slowly drifted to the shore.

Gu Qingbo suddenly said:

"Xiao Han, you're hurt?"

During the battle with the Bluefin Sawtooth Fish leader, Xiao Han's arm had been cut by the dense barrage of Water Blades, and blood seeped from the wounds.

Xiao Han replied calmly:

"It's just a minor injury. I'm fine. Aren't you all hurt too? You're all so delicate—don't let any scars remain. I'll treat your injuries first."

As he spoke, Xiao Han took out some homemade medicated plasters from his Storage Device.

Shen Liuyu and Qiu Ruoshui also had cuts on their arms, and Xiao Han treated their wounds.

Gu Qingbo and Shui Yue'er were agility-attack types and faster, so they had suffered only a few scrapes.

After Xiao Han finished treating Gu Qingbo's injury, Shui Yue'er extended her fair little hand toward him.

Xiao Han took Shui Yue'er's small hand and said teasingly:

"Little Senior Sister, for such a minor injury, all I need to do is blow on it."

"Ah, you're so annoying!"

"Alright, no more messing around. I'll put some medicine on it so it won't scar."

After treating everyone's wounds, Xiao Han finally tended to the injury on his own arm.

Liu Yan said:

"Good thing Xiao Han knows medicine. He can ease everyone's pain."

Xiao Han sighed.

"Unfortunately, I'm not a healer, and my medical abilities are limited. If we encounter serious or critical injuries, I won't be able to do anything either. It would be great if our team had a healer like Ye Lingling."

When healing abilities were mentioned, Xiao Han blurted out the name.

"Ye Lingling? Who is that?"

Everyone was rather curious.

Xiao Han had an idea and explained:

"Last time at the palace, I heard the Crown Prince mention that the Royal Academy's team for this year has a Soul Master with exceptionally strong healing abilities named Ye Lingling. Her martial soul is the Nine Heart Begonia."

"So she's a Nine Heart Begonia Soul Master. No wonder."

Lin Zhiruo continued:

"The Nine Heart Begonia martial soul can be said to be the rarest martial soul on the entire Douluo Continent. It is passed down through a single bloodline, and only two Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters can exist at the same time. Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters are also unique. No matter how many Soul Rings they possess, they have only one healing soul skill. As a result, their healing abilities are extremely powerful. No matter how severe the injury, it can be healed. As long as someone still has a breath left, they will not die."

After hearing Lin Zhiruo's explanation, the girls were utterly shocked.

"Taking a single healing ability to the absolute extreme is truly powerful."

"Indeed. Although Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters have powerful healing abilities, their offensive power is lacking. That is why they are protected by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and employed by the imperial family. It is hardly surprising that Ye Lingling is part of the Royal Academy's team."

Xiao Han suddenly said:

"I heard that Ye Lingling is water-attributed as well."

"Sigh, so what if she is water-attributed? We can't possibly compete with the Royal Academy, so don't even think about it. There is no healer on our team, so you must all be more careful in actual combat from now on and avoid getting injured."

"Understood."

"Alright, while Hairou is absorbing her Soul Ring, you should sit down and cultivate as well. Recover your condition."

"Alright."

Afterward, they sat down to cultivate.

Three hours later, Yu Hairou completely absorbed the Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Her Soul Power rose by one level, and she gained her Third Soul Skill—Serrated Water Blade.

Lin Zhiruo gathered everyone together.

"Our team has gained another Soul Elder. We now have four Battle Soul Elders. Qingbo, Liuyu, Ruoshui, Yue'er, the four of you should strive to break through as soon as possible."

"Mm, we'll work hard."

"Next, I'll take you to the Soul Fighting Arena for training to help you improve your actual combat experience."

PS: The Soul Fighting Arena arc will be over soon. Three chapters today in a row. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone!