First Soul Skill: Netherworld Transformation

Seeing that Xia Liang had already grown to chest height, Teacher Mo stood completely stunned. At that moment, he no longer saw Xia Liang as the eight-year-old child who had been searching for Soul Beasts with him earlier.

Such exaggerated physical development was clearly a benefit brought by absorbing a Soul Ring of an exceptionally high age.

But why did Xia Liang, after absorbing his First Soul Ring, give off such a lifeless feeling?

Especially his face. Some of its childishness was gone, replaced by the pallor of someone terminally ill.

"A Liang. Are you really okay?" Teacher Mo watched Xia Liang suspiciously, who did not seem to possess a trace of vitality. "You don't look like you're okay."

After hearing that, Xia Liang immediately took a mirror out of his Silver Bracelet.

Only when he saw his reflection did he understand why Teacher Mo had kept asking whether he was alright.

Pale-faced, with a darkened brow and a withered complexion. Was this the negative effect brought by the Skeleton Martial Soul's Undead Attribute growing stronger? Or was he himself a Living Dead?

As his Martial Soul drew closer to the form of a Martial Soul Avatar, would the characteristics of a Living Dead become more obvious? At that thought, the images of Ghost Douluo and Bone Douluo from the anime surfaced in Xia Liang's mind. Perhaps those two Titled Douluo were what he would look like in old age.

Still, it seemed that only his appearance and demeanor gave people a listless, deathly impression. His physical condition was excellent, and his Spiritual Power was stronger than before.

"A Martial Soul is a very special kind of existence. Not only does it possess certain specific abilities, it also affects its owner's temperament and physical condition. I think my current appearance is probably the result of the Skeleton Martial Soul becoming stronger."

After hearing Xia Liang's explanation, Teacher Mo nodded in full agreement.

"The greater a Martial Soul's influence on its owner, the stronger its abilities." Xia Liang put the mirror back into his Silver Bracelet and said gratefully, "Teacher Mo, thank you so much. You helped me find a Soul Ring with such a high age and such excellent compatibility."

Teacher Mo waved a hand. "Why thank me? You're joining my Mercenary Group anyway. Consider this First Soul Ring a congratulatory gift. Maybe I'll even help you with your Second Soul Ring later. Hurry and tell me. What is your First Soul Skill?"

"My First Soul Skill is called Netherworld Transformation. Unlike the Netherworld Ghost Bear's Paw Attack and physical defense, Netherworld Transformation is a buff-type skill. After activating it, it can increase Strength and Defense Attributes by fifty percent."

As he spoke, Xia Liang released his Skeleton Martial Soul. Ribs burning with Black-Purple Ghost Fire enveloped his entire body.

At the same time, a Yellow Soul Ring slowly rose from beneath his feet. It was the Netherworld Ghost Bear's Soul Ring, with an age of 560 Years.

"I'm curious." Teacher Mo suddenly asked. "Is the Black-Purple Flame burning on every rib the Ghost Fire you summoned before?"

Xia Liang nodded.

"Other than increasing your Strength and Defense Attributes by fifty percent, does your First Soul Skill have no other buff effects?" Teacher Mo pressed.

"It seems there is one more buff effect." Xia Liang concealed part of the truth. "Although the Skeleton Martial Soul still only has the Rib Portion, after activating the First Soul Skill, aside from the Ribs, the Skeleton Martial Soul will also grow the Netherworld Ghost Bear's Entire Right Arm Bone."

As he spoke, Xia Liang's First Soul Ring lit up, and his First Soul Skill, Netherworld Transformation, activated.

Behind him, a Giant Netherworld Ghost Bear Phantom raised both arms and let out an earth-shaking roar.

Roar—

The soundwaves stirred up by the roar spread outward along with Black-Purple Ghost Fire, and a cold, eerie Black-Purple Aura covered an area ten meters wide.

The instant the Giant Netherworld Ghost Bear Phantom vanished, a strange scene appeared.

The Black-Purple Ribs enveloping Xia Liang's body began to gather the Ghost Fire burning on every bone toward the right side of the Ribs, gradually forming a thick Black-Purple arm.

The chilling Ghost Fire burned over the Black-Purple arm, reducing its flesh to ash and exposing the bones of an entire arm.

This series of changes occurred within two seconds.

After the third second, Xia Liang's entire body was already wrapped in Black-Purple Ribs that had grown an Arm Bone.

At this sight, Teacher Mo froze in place. The changes in the Ribs just now were like a Skeleton Frame coming to life, growing the bones of an entire right arm out of thin air.

The Palm Bone of this Right Arm Bone spread two meters wide, enough to hold an adult in its palm.

With the Ribs' defense and this Right Arm Bone added on top, didn't the Skeleton Martial Soul now combine attack and defense into one?

"Teacher Mo, I'm going to attack you."

After that simple warning, Xia Liang suddenly reached forward with his right hand. The Skeleton Martial Soul's arm stretched out like rubber and swiftly grabbed toward Teacher Mo.

Teacher Mo instinctively retreated several steps. Once he clearly saw the incoming Skeleton Arm, he continued retreating at a steady pace until he was ten meters away.

At that moment, the Skeleton Arm's Extension abruptly stopped.

Looking at the enormous Palm Bone suspended before him, Teacher Mo smiled knowingly. "A Liang. If I'm not mistaken, your Skeleton Arm only has an attack range of ten meters, right?"

"Yes. But you only guessed half of it correctly."

As he spoke, Xia Liang took a large step forward. The ten-meter Skeleton Arm advanced another meter with him, grabbing Teacher Mo's body and lifting him high into the air.

Teacher Mo had not expected that the attack range could be artificially extended in this way. Held by the Palm Bone of the Skeleton Arm, he was suspended in midair with no point of leverage.

Moreover, with only his normal strength, he seemed unable to shatter the entire Skeleton Arm.

"Teacher Mo, you should still activate your Martial Soul. This Skeleton Arm inherited the Netherworld Ghost Bear's Arm Strength. With the fifty-percent boost to strength and defense from the First Soul Skill, Netherworld Transformation, you simply can't break free in your normal state."

As he spoke, Xia Liang also used his mind to increase the Skeleton Arm's Grip Strength.

Teacher Mo, tightly held within the Skeleton Palm, suddenly felt as if his body was about to be crushed.

Only then did he realize that although the Skeleton Arm gripping him looked slender and thin, its bone was extremely tough. With the dual enhancement of strength and defense, it truly was difficult to break free in his normal state.

If Xia Liang truly harbored killing intent, this Skeleton Arm alone could easily crush an ordinary person to death.