First Soul Skill

The Jade Scale Python did not counterattack immediately. Instead, it repeated its old tactic. Just as it had done against Wang Xing before, it slowly coiled its body, then suddenly burst forward.

Just as Wang Nan prepared to dodge, the Luminous Orb that had remained out of control within his Spiritual Sea finally stirred. The Jade Scale Python in midair suddenly changed direction and plunged headfirst into the Luminous Orb. After a flash of white light, it fell completely silent.

Before he had time to consider what had happened, a surge of pure Soul Power flowed into his body through the Coiling Dragon Staff. Wang Nan could only set aside what had just occurred for the moment, return his consciousness to his body, and focus on absorbing the Soul Ring.

Soul Masters could not actually make full use of a Soul Ring's power while absorbing it, but that was not the case for Wang Nan. It seemed that the battle in his Spiritual Sea had completely erased the Jade Scale Python's consciousness from the Soul Ring, making his absorption process unexpectedly smooth.

Unlike the berserk resistance he had learned about before, this Soul Ring seemed as though it had always been part of him. The power contained within it merged smoothly with his own. Moreover, although it was merely a hundred-year Soul Ring, the Soul Power it provided far exceeded expectations. Under the Soul Ring's effects, his Soul Power Level continued to rise, only gradually stopping at level 13.

"Did you succeed?" Wang Xing asked when he saw Wang Nan rise to his feet.

"Mm, I succeeded." Wang Nan released his Martial Soul as he spoke. A Yellow Soul Ring slowly rose, pulsing up and down around the Coiling Dragon Staff.

"Do you feel any discomfort?"

"No. Everything went smoothly. It's just that I'll need some time to get used to the Soul Power I gained so quickly." As Wang Nan answered his father, he thought about what had just happened—the Spiritual Sea, the Jade Scale Python, and that mysterious Luminous Orb.

"That's no problem. When we get back, I'll practice with you more." Wang Xing glanced at the sky as he spoke. It was already dusk, and the sun was nearly out of sight. "Let's leave first. The forest will be more dangerous at night."

Upon hearing this, Wang Nan seemed to truly sense a Fierce Beast watching him from the shadows. He suppressed the doubts in his heart, gathered up the Jade Scale Python's corpse, and left with Wang Xing.

A few days later, Star Luo City.

Wang Nan was sparring with his father in their courtyard. Two Coiling Dragon Staffs crossed repeatedly, occasionally ringing with the sound of metal striking metal.

"How is it, Nan'er? Have you gotten used to your strength?"

"Mm, I've got it under control."

"Good. Now try using your Soul Skill."

"Alright. Watch out." As Wang Nan spoke, the Yellow Soul Ring he had obtained not long ago flashed. Light cyan streams of light covered the entire Coiling Dragon Staff, then spread from his hands across his entire body.

First Soul Skill—Wind Control.

It was not truly the ability to control the wind.

Wang Nan's First Soul Skill made his movements more agile, while also making the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hands much lighter. Whether it was the speed of his swings or his control over his Martial Soul, both had improved by at least thirty percent compared to before. Every move felt as though the wind were aiding him, which was why Wang Nan had named it that.

Normally, a Soul Master's first two Soul Rings would not exceed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Only from the third Soul Ring onward could one withstand a Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Therefore, when Wang Nan attached his Soul Ring, he had not chosen an offensive skill for his First Soul Skill. Instead, he chose a Soul Skill that focused on supporting himself, saving the slot for an offensive Soul Skill for later. The Soul Rings he obtained later would be older, so their Soul Skills would naturally be more powerful.

Watching Wang Nan skillfully use his First Soul Skill, Wang Xing nodded in satisfaction. Not yet eight years old, yet already possessing level 13 Soul Power and looking quite capable in battle—Wang Xing was even a little envious of such talent. As expected of someone with level-seven Innate Soul Power.

However, the gap between a Soul Master and a Soul King was not something talent alone could bridge. Although Wang Nan had used a Soul Skill, Wang Xing still dealt with him calmly. His Coiling Dragon Staff whirled so tightly that not a single opening was left for Wang Nan.

Wang Xing deliberately tested Wang Nan's limits. The force behind his swings gradually increased, and his aura grew ever stronger, steadily forcing Wang Nan into a corner.

There was no path of retreat behind him. Watching his father continuously close in, Wang Nan instinctively recalled the time he had absorbed the Soul Ring, when that Jade Scale Python had compressed its body before launching a sudden attack...

Within Wang Nan's Spiritual Sea, the Lake below suddenly rippled. Waves crashed layer upon layer against the shore, splashing up sprays of water. The Luminous Orb hanging in midair shone brightly, and within it, a slender shadow could vaguely be seen.

A thought suddenly came to Wang Nan. He bent his legs and lowered his stance, holding the Coiling Dragon Staff at his waist with both hands. The next instant, his legs exploded with force. His previously coiled body stretched out in an instant, immense power surging from his legs through his waist and into his arms. The Coiling Dragon Staff stabbed forward, striking straight at Wang Xing's chest like a python flicking its tongue.

When Wang Xing saw Wang Nan's Coiling Dragon Staff thrust toward him, he actually seemed to see a python lunging at him.

No! This is the effect of Spiritual Power!

Wang Xing reacted swiftly, but it was already too late to dodge. In his haste, his Second Soul Ring lit up, and the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand swept out a semicircle, barely deflecting Wang Nan's attack to the side. The strike landed on the ground and blasted a half-meter-deep pit into the courtyard.

Wang Nan's courtyard had been specially reinforced, comparable to a small arena. Otherwise, ordinary materials could never withstand the punishment of Soul Masters. Yet even so, he had still blasted a pit into it, showing just how powerful that blow had been.

After delivering that strike, Wang Nan felt that more than half the Soul Power in his body had been drained, along with a considerable amount of his Spiritual Power. He stopped and did not pursue further.

Wang Xing also withdrew his Martial Soul. Looking at the large pit left in the courtyard, he recalled what he had felt while facing that attack. Besides its considerable power, the strike had also carried the influence of Spiritual Power, making him genuinely believe at first that a Jade Scale Python was pouncing toward him.

"Nan'er, did you learn that from the Jade Scale Python?"

The surprise in Wang Nan's heart was no less than Wang Xing's. During his battle with the Jade Scale Python in the Spiritual Sea, that move had been swallowed by the mysterious Luminous Orb. He had never expected to use it himself now. Judging by its power, it was already comparable to an ordinary Soul Skill.

On Douluo Continent, Soul Masters could indeed master abilities beyond Soul Skills. The staff techniques Wang Nan was currently practicing could barely count as one such ability. However, creating an additional skill separate from Soul Skills required both cultivation and knowledge...

So this is how my "talent" is used!

Thinking this, Wang Nan shamelessly nodded, treating it as a response to Wang Xing. Though the process had been somewhat different, the result was that he had indeed learned it from the Jade Scale Python.

"Haha, good. As expected of my child. Come on, continue. Get familiar with your new move." Wang Xing laughed twice, summoned his Coiling Dragon Staff, and took up position on the other side of the courtyard, smiling at Wang Nan.

Looking at the unchanged smile before him, all sorts of thoughts surfaced in Wang Nan's heart, only to be quickly suppressed again.

"Okay, Dad."