Frost Shot

Lin Zhiruo quietly watched Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er absorb their Soul Rings from the side, both nervous and expectant.

The two were enduring the impact of the Soul Ring energy, sweat continuously beading on their foreheads.

These were the first Soul Rings they had absorbed, yet they were already four hundred years old. It was somewhat of a risk.

But Lin Zhiruo still chose to believe in the two children.

She believed Shui Bing'er, who possessed the Top-Tier Beast Spirit, the Ice Phoenix, could do it. She also believed the powerful strength left behind by Xiao Han's parents would protect him in secret.

As time passed, Xiao Han felt the once-violent energy within him gradually become docile, slowly merging into every cell and every meridian in his body.

The process was both painful and wondrous, as though his body were undergoing some kind of transformation at that very moment, becoming tougher and stronger.

Suddenly, Xiao Han felt a warm power rise from his dantian.

It was his own Soul Power. During its fusion with the foreign energy, not only had it not been suppressed, but its vitality had instead been stimulated to become even stronger.

The two forces intertwined, ultimately forming a new balance within him—a unique power that belonged to him alone.

"I did it!"

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

Dawn was breaking, and everything before him had become clearer.

Xiao Han felt a significant increase in his Soul Power, as though he had crossed an entire realm overnight.

On the other side, Shui Bing'er had also successfully absorbed her Soul Ring.

Lin Zhiruo stood nearby, watching the two children complete their respective Soul Ring absorptions, her heart filled with relief.

"You two have finally finished absorbing your Soul Rings."

"Mom, you stayed up all night. You must be exhausted."

"Dean Lin, thank you for your hard work."

Lin Zhiruo was delighted and said with a smile:

"I'm fine. How do you two feel? How much did your Soul Power increase?"

Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er exchanged smiles before Xiao Han said:

"Only after gaining my first Soul Ring do I feel like a real Soul Master. My Soul Power rose by two levels. Bing'er, what about you?"

"Mine also rose by two levels."

"Wonderful. You're both level twelve now."

"Mom, I told you—the bigger the risk, the greater the reward. If we had absorbed Soul Rings that were only one or two hundred years old, we might have only gained one level of Soul Power."

Lin Zhiruo lovingly poked Xiao Han on the head.

"You brat, all you know is how to show off. What Soul Skill did you get?"

Xiao Han chuckled and released his Martial Soul and Soul Ring.

"Mom, my First Soul Skill comes with a slowing effect and boosts my own attack. I call it 'Frost Shot.'"

After speaking, Xiao Han drew his bow to its fullest and fired an arrow straight ahead.

The True Ice Arrow was wrapped in a layer of ice-blue light, leaving behind a misty layer of frost everywhere it passed.

Xiao Han explained:

"When I use this Soul Skill, opponents within my attack range will be slowed by twenty to fifty percent, depending on their Soul Power. In addition, my attacks deal an extra one hundred and twenty percent damage to opponents affected by the slow, with a freezing effect."

"That's amazing!"

Shui Bing'er clapped her little hands in praise.

Lin Zhiruo smiled.

"You brat, that Soul Skill is quite good. Bing'er, what Soul Skill did you get?"

"Dean Lin, my First Soul Skill is similar to the Freeze Soul Skill you used before. It is an area control skill, and I call it 'Freeze.'"

After speaking, Shui Bing'er released her Ice Phoenix Martial Soul and Soul Ring, demonstrating it for the two of them.

The instant the Freeze Soul Skill activated, everything within fifty meters of her was frozen beneath a layer of solid ice.

It was a Soul Skill with powerful control capabilities, capable of instantly restricting an opponent's movements and creating a favorable combat environment for herself and her teammates.

Once an opponent was mentally locked onto, they would find it difficult to escape and would need to expend a great deal of Soul Power to resist the invading chill.

"Bing'er's Soul Skill is good. It's very useful for team battles."

Lin Zhiruo looked around.

"It's almost dawn. We should head back as well. Eat something, pack up, and then we'll leave."

"Dean Lin, you haven't slept all night. Don't you need to rest for a while?"

"No need. I'm fine."

The three replenished some nutrients, packed up their things, and set off.

On the way back, all three of them were relaxed.

Xiao Han gathered some herbs that could only be found in extremely cold regions.

The three left the Ice Sealed Forest.

"Bing'er, Xiao Han, this Extreme North Journey went fairly smoothly. You both obtained your First Soul Rings and have grown stronger. Once we return, cultivate diligently and strive to obtain your Second Soul Rings as soon as possible."

"Mm, we'll work hard."

Xiao Han suddenly said:

"Mom, before we return to Skywater City, could we make a trip to Sunset Forest?"

Hearing this, Lin Zhiruo frowned in confusion.

"Sunset Forest? What are we going there for?"

"I want to gather some herbs. Those herbs only grow in warm environments."

Lin Zhiruo was only half-convinced by Xiao Han's words.

"Xiao Han, you are already a Soul Master. You should spend more time cultivating and not waste too much energy on medical research."

"Mom, I'm a Soul Master, but it will always be useful to keep some herbs on hand."

Xiao Han was unsure whether Dugu Bo had discovered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well at this point in time.

If Dugu Bo was already there, he would certainly have set up the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array. The moment Xiao Han saw that poison array, they would have to retreat immediately.

If Dugu Bo had not discovered it yet, Xiao Han could get there first and pick the Immortal Herbs clean. He might even be able to obtain the Ice and Fire Dragon King Bone at the bottom of the spring.

Immortal Herbs were immensely helpful to a Soul Master's cultivation.

The increase in strength that god-level Ice and Fire Dragon King Bone could bring to a Soul Master was even more immeasurable.

The plants in this world differed greatly from those in his original world. Xiao Han had begun studying the "Herbal Compendium" long ago, but he had yet to see the "Immortal Herb Compendium."

There were very few people in this world who understood Immortal Herbs. Even Dugu Bo, who had studied herbs for many years, knew only a limited number of them.

Based on the descriptions in the original work, Xiao Han could identify supreme Immortal Herbs such as the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot, and Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

As for the ordinary Immortal Herbs, he did not know much about them either.

To truly understand them, he would need an "Immortal Herb Compendium." It seemed that only Spirit Hall possessed such a book.

According to the original timeline, Tang San still had nine years before entering the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Xiao Han had thought it through. Before then, he had to take the supreme Immortal Herbs there first and prevent Tang San from gaining immunity to ice and fire.

Lin Zhiruo pondered for a moment before ultimately agreeing to Xiao Han's request.

"Xiao Han, we'll go and return quickly. We mustn't delay for too long."

"Mm, got it."

Lin Zhiruo glared at Xiao Han. She always felt that as this child gradually grew up, his ideas were becoming stranger and stranger.