Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo

"Yao, now that you've absorbed this Thousand-Year Soul Ring from the Dark Jade Bamboo, what effect does it grant your first soul skill?"

Seeing the surging aura around Lin Yao and how much better his condition was than before, Chen Xin finally could not suppress his curiosity and asked about the details of the soul skill.

"Yes, Teacher. This disciple's first soul skill is called Ink Star Sword Shadow."

Lin Yao answered, the Star Sword in his hand trembling faintly as though resonating with the soul skill.

"This skill has two methods of use. The first is to attach Wood Attribute Soul Power to the blade. Every strike carries an endless vitality, yet conceals the power to steal life force.

"The second is to condense Dark Jade Sword Qi into a single point before unleashing a fierce slash. Its power can increase with the depth of my Soul Power and the precision of my control."

On Douluo Continent, Soul Masters had always avoided revealing the details of their Soul Rings. However, given the close relationship between Lin Yao and Chen Xin, there was naturally no need for concealment.

Besides, in Lin Yao's view, fixed soul skills would inevitably be figured out after being used two or three times. There was no point in trying to hide them.

So-called concealing one's trump cards was nothing more than self-deception—a true but useless statement.

In the early stages of Soul Master battles, the gap was mostly created by the advantages of Soul Ring age, Martial Soul grade and traits, as well as control over Soul Power and the application of soul skills.

As he spoke, Lin Yao's grip on the Star Sword tightened, while the pale purple Soul Ring outside the sword suddenly lit up.

His first soul skill, Ink Star Sword Shadow, had been unleashed.

In an instant, the phantom of the Dark Jade Bamboo coiled around the Star Sword like a spirit serpent. Dark jade streams of light intertwined with specks of starlight across the blade, making for a dazzling sight.

Lin Yao gave a light forward swing. As he swung his sword, the dark shadow spread and extended like vines, easily wrapping around the century-old tree ahead and restraining it.

The starlight fell along with the sword qi, silently increasing the blade's sharpness and his sword-swinging speed. With one strike, he split the tree into two sections.

With a rumble, the tree crashed to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. Yet this had merely been a casual strike from Lin Yao, all thanks to the skill's mechanics.

Every move retained the nimble restraint of the Dark Jade Bamboo while incorporating the starlight enhancement of the Star Sword, fully displaying the wonder of softness concealing strength.

As Chen Xin listened to Lin Yao's explanation and watched his initial use of the soul skill, he could not help nodding with a smile.

"Not bad. This soul skill is outstanding even among Thousand-Year Soul Skills. Its two methods each have their own focus, laying a fine foundation for you to develop new soul skills in the future.

"How you use it in actual combat will depend on your proficiency with the soul skill and your imagination for adapting on the spot.

"Especially since it can derive sword qi, it will benefit you greatly. Your Martial Soul nurtures sword intent, and your soul skill derives sword qi. Boy, you truly are born for the sword path."

"Then, Teacher, now that I have obtained my first Soul Ring, should we return to the sect?"

Lin Yao asked.

Chen Xin shook his head. "There is no need to rush. Although I was a little hasty when I came, it was only so that you could break through sooner and make later cultivation easier.

"Now that you have broken through, your most urgent task is to familiarize yourself with the Soul Power in your body, the coordination between your soul skills and Soul Ring, and then learn some swordsmanship fundamentals.

"I can teach you while you familiarize yourself with your newfound strength. That way, you will integrate everything more thoroughly."

Seeing how Chen Xin had considered everything for him, warmth surged through Lin Yao's heart, and his respect for this teacher deepened.

Thus, one taught earnestly while the other learned earnestly, and the two slowly headed toward the Outer Zone of Sunset Forest.

"I didn't expect to encounter one here as well..."

As they traveled, Chen Xin sensed an aura of Soul Power at the same level. His expression suddenly shifted as he looked toward a dense forest in the distance, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.

As he murmured, the rustling of a snake-type soul beast moving swiftly through the undergrowth came from ahead, accompanied by the foul stench of venomous fangs opening and closing.

The smell was so pungent that it choked the throat, leaving a sickly sweetness in one's mouth.

Behind it came a young girl's sharp cry.

"Poison Fang Snake, you soul beast actually dared toy with me! No matter what, today you will become my second Soul Ring, Dugu Yan's!"

"Dugu Yan? She's actually a character from the original story."

Hearing the name, Lin Yao's heart stirred.

But upon further thought, this was Sunset Forest, the territory of Dugu Bo. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, where Tang San would later take all the treasured herbs and turn it into his ancestral treasure land, was also here.

With that in mind, encountering Dugu Yan here was only natural.

Judging by Dugu Yan's age and Soul Power in the original story, this was probably when Dugu Bo had brought her here to obtain her second Soul Ring.

Given how troublesome this pursuit was, Dugu Bo clearly had not acted. Otherwise, he would have dealt with this insignificant foe long ago.

And with Dugu Yan's pride, along with her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul that lay between high-grade and top-grade, it suited her temperament to want to hunt an injured six- or seven-hundred-year soul beast alone without relying on her grandfather's strength.

However, judging from the current situation, that snake beast was extremely fast and was about to escape Dugu Yan's tracking range.

"Teacher, it seems someone over there is hunting a soul beast, and that soul beast is about to escape. I'd like to lend a hand. It would be good to make a friend as well."

Lin Yao's thoughts stirred. He wanted to get acquainted with Dugu Yan, the vice-captain of the Heaven Dou Team in the original story and a victim whose family property would be seized by Tang San after her grandfather's death.

This six- or seven-hundred-year snake beast was also perfect for testing the power of his first soul skill.

"Go ahead."

Chen Xin nodded in approval.

He had already withdrawn the wisp of Soul Power that had clashed with the person hiding in the shadows. After their brief exchange, he had recognized the other party as Dugu Bo, the man Spirit Hall had mockingly dubbed the "weakest Title Douluo." The outcome had already been decided, so he naturally felt at ease.

Moreover, he was happy to let Lin Yao use this opportunity to display his talent and become acquainted with Dugu Bo's descendant.

"Then this disciple will go. I ask Teacher to judge whether my use of the first soul skill is appropriate."

Lin Yao tightened his grip on the Star Sword, tapped off a nearby branch with the tip of his foot, and leaped up like a light swallow. After a few rises and falls, he caught up to the fleeing soul beast.

At this moment, a yellow Soul Ring circled Dugu Yan's body as she used her first soul skill, Jade Phosphorous Red Poison, on herself.

This soul skill stimulated the nerves, increasing her attack power and speed by twenty percent.

It was precisely with this enhancement that she could suppress this six- or seven-hundred-year soul beast with only level twenty Soul Power.

Even though the Poison Fang Snake had already been injured, its age was still there. An ordinary level-twenty Soul Master would find it extremely difficult to handle, and even a Soul Grandmaster with two Soul Rings might not gain the upper hand.

But at this critical moment, the Poison Fang Snake also understood its situation. It completely abandoned resistance and focused solely on escaping.

Facing such a slippery target, Dugu Yan had been unable to kill it with a single blow. Seeing that the Poison Fang Snake was about to leave her sight, she was already tempted to ask her grandfather hidden in the shadows to act.

However, remembering how confidently she had just declared that she could handle it herself and did not need her grandfather's help, she gritted her teeth and decided to persist a little longer to see if she could successfully hunt it.

In that moment of hesitation, the Poison Fang Snake was already about to vanish at the edge of her vision, and the unwillingness in Dugu Yan's heart grew stronger.

Just then, Lin Yao's figure leaped like a ghost into the path of the fleeing Poison Fang Snake, steadily blocking its way.

"First soul skill, Ink Star Sword Shadow!"

Facing Dugu Yan ahead, the pale purple Soul Ring behind Lin Yao suddenly lit up. The Star Sword in his hand seemed to be coated in a layer of dark jade, becoming even sharper and tougher.

It radiated vigorous vitality, yet also carried a chilling aura that plundered life.

With a flick of his wrist, Lin Yao thrust the Star Sword forward. A fierce sword qi clung to the blade, and wherever it passed, the vegetation on the ground instantly withered, all life force stripped away.

The Poison Fang Snake was first frozen for an instant by the sword qi's intimidation. Then the Star Sword sliced its body into two as easily as cutting cheese.

Before the Star Sword enhanced by the power of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, the Poison Fang Snake's once fairly tough scales offered no resistance at all.

"A top genius hunting soul beasts under the protection of a Title Douluo even stronger than me... Hiss, something isn't right. But this genius's first Soul Ring is actually thousand-year? How is that possible?!"

Dugu Bo instantly appeared from the shadows and shielded Dugu Yan behind him. His gaze landed on the purple Soul Ring around Lin Yao, his pupils shrinking as shock surged through his heart, and he could not help drawing in a sharp breath.

Compared to the Thousand-Year Soul Ring, a First Ring Soul Master severely injuring a poorly conditioned seven-hundred-year Poison Fang Snake through a surprise attack was still understandable.

Geniuses were rare, but if they had no backing, they could simply be brought under one's command.

If such a top genius joined the Dugu Clan, then within a century, the clan's prestige would rise to another level and it would become one of the continent's foremost families.

However, Chen Xin standing behind Lin Yao placed immense pressure on Dugu Bo. He did not dare show the slightest disrespect, and many thoughts were extinguished the moment they arose.

With Chen Xin backing him, Lin Yao did not care about the complicated look in Dugu Bo's eyes as he appeared. He merely called out to Dugu Yan.

"Hey, aren't you going to absorb the Poison Fang Snake's Soul Ring? If you wait any longer, it'll be too late."

Earlier, Dugu Yan's attention had been entirely fixed on the Thousand-Year Soul Ring behind Lin Yao. Her gaze was slightly vacant, as though she wondered whether she was hallucinating.

"Absorb the Soul Ring?"

Hearing that, she came back to her senses and remembered the second Soul Ring she had been determined to obtain. She immediately looked toward the Poison Fang Snake that had been cut into two.

Seeing that no Soul Ring had yet emerged from its body, she was filled with surprise.

It had clearly been cut in half at the vital point seven inches below its head, yet the Poison Fang Snake was not dead? She had never heard of this type of soul beast having such tenacious vitality.

"The Poison Fang Snake is still alive. I did not come to steal your soul beast, so naturally I would not deal a fatal blow."

Lin Yao explained.

"Besides, snake-type soul beasts are naturally tough to kill. Combined with the Wood Attribute Soul Power on my blade, while it steals its life force, it also preserves its life.

"Now is the perfect time for you to act. If you wait any longer, even if you want to absorb this soul beast's Soul Ring, you won't be able to."

Dugu Yan listened in a daze. When she came back to her senses and remembered the importance of the second Soul Ring, she instinctively said, "Thank you."

Then, she quickly walked to the Poison Fang Snake's side. With Martial Soul Possession, she flicked her finger, and her fingertip pierced straight into the snake's head.

Watching the dark yellow Soul Ring slowly rise, Dugu Yan looked back at her grandfather. Seeing no objection from him, she knew that there was no danger.

She took a deep breath, instinctively glanced at Lin Yao and Chen Xin standing quietly in the distance, then sat down cross-legged and began absorbing the Soul Ring.

"Your Excellency, are you Sword Saint Chen Xin? I am Dugu Bo. Greetings, Your Excellency."

After observing for a moment and recalling the domineering sword intent he had sensed when their Soul Powers briefly tested each other earlier, Dugu Bo had already guessed Chen Xin's identity. Seeing that the other party had no hostile intent, he stepped forward to greet him.

"Yes." Chen Xin responded indifferently and said no more.

Dugu Bo did not take Chen Xin's indifferent attitude to heart. It was best that no conflict had occurred, and he turned to thank Lin Yao instead.

"Young brother, thank you for stopping that soul beast and helping my granddaughter."

"Greetings, Your Excellency Dugu Bo. I am Lin Yao. I came out with my teacher to obtain a Soul Ring. It was merely a small effort, so Your Excellency need not take it to heart."

Lin Yao did not become arrogant just because Chen Xin was backing him. He gave Dugu Bo the respectful salute of a junior, his manner humble.

Dugu Bo finally confirmed his thoughts. The two before him truly were master and disciple.

No wonder. Such a gifted youth possessed a powerful Sword Martial Soul and had a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his first Soul Ring. No major power would let a talent like that slip away.

Furthermore, Sword Douluo was publicly recognized as the number one Title Douluo with a Sword Martial Soul on the continent. Being personally taught by him was certainly no disgrace to such a genius.

However, with such a genius among them, the position of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as one of the Upper Three Sects would probably remain secure for another thousand years.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Dugu Bo was full of curiosity about Lin Yao's many unusual traits. But with his granddaughter absorbing her Soul Ring, that was the foremost priority, so he returned to Dugu Yan's side to stand guard.

"Teacher, was there anything improper about that strike just now? Please instruct me."

After Dugu Bo walked away, Lin Yao asked Chen Xin about the gains and shortcomings of his earlier attack.

Chen Xin first shook his head, then nodded, saying with a smile, "

"It was already excellent. You only recently obtained a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, yet you can already use its power to let the Star Sword unleash a full-force strike no weaker than that of an ordinary Soul Elder. You also have enormous room for further growth, enough to take pride in yourself.

"However, at your current Soul Master realm, using such a powerful attack must consume a great deal of Soul Power, correct?"

"Thank you for your praise, Teacher. But your judgment is slightly off. That strike did not consume much."

Lin Yao answered truthfully.

"Perhaps because I chose a plant-type soul beast, I can recover a small amount of Soul Power both during and after attacking.

"And as long as I stand upon the earth, a faint stream of Soul Power continuously enters my body. It seems that the path of the Five Elements I chose was the right one."

Lin Yao had never hidden anything from Chen Xin.

This teacher's position in his heart was second only to his parents, Lin Yuyang and Zhao Wan, and the old village chief Jerry.

The more his elders understood him, the more they could offer precise guidance through their profound cultivation and broad knowledge.

"To gain such a soul skill truly exceeds my expectations. Congratulations."

Chen Xin was not displeased. Instead, he was happy for Lin Yao's fortunate opportunity, before offering another reminder.

"However, the sword path ultimately takes one's own strength as its foundation. While digging into the potential of your Soul Ring, put more effort into sword qi.

"The day you can condense sword qi without using a Soul Ring, your strength will surely surpass your current state, where you can only mechanically rely on Soul Rings.

"You must not become proud and complacent. Keep striving."

The Star Sword had limitless potential. Even basic swings could unleash formidable power. His disciple absolutely could not become a mediocre person who only knew how to rely on soul skills; that would be the greatest waste of this top-tier Sword Martial Soul.

At the same time, Chen Xin had already decided that after becoming a First Ring Soul Master, Lin Yao was qualified to learn the Seven Kill Sword Art, which normally required the realm of a Soul Elder or even a Soul Ancestor to study.

Such potential was truly astonishing.

After the master and disciple finished speaking, they walked near Dugu Yan, who was absorbing her Soul Ring.

Seeing her body tremble slightly as she absorbed the Soul Ring and an unusual flush spread across her face, Chen Xin frowned slightly and said in surprise.

"This... this girl seems to be poisoned..."