Advance to Soul Master

That slash plunged the surroundings into dead silence!

Who could have imagined that Fang Xuan would suddenly strike at the girl he had just saved? Even the girl he killed wore a face full of confusion, unable to understand why the man before her was so decisive and ruthless!

"Damn it, how did you see through..."

The girl's exquisite face stiffened. A sharp dagger slipped from her sleeve, and a flash of venomous resentment appeared in her eyes as she collapsed to the ground, dying with deep unwillingness.

"Your eyes gave away your greed!"

Fang Xuan's gaze was icy as he looked down coldly, fixing his eyes on the dagger that had fallen from the girl's sleeve. Its gleaming blade had been coated in Purple Venom.

In this world, danger lurked at every moment. Repaying kindness with enmity, killing for treasure—he had long seen such things countless times, and had grown used to guarding against everyone.

He turned around and saw a Yellow Soul Ring emerge from the Nether Wolf's corpse.

"Alas..."

After a long silence, Fang Xuan stared at the precious Hundred-Year Soul Ring and finally let out a slow sigh. He could only watch helplessly as the Soul Ring dissipated, his eyes filled with helplessness and regret.

He had no Martial Soul and could not obtain Soul Rings. Even with a Hundred-Year Soul Ring right before his eyes, he could only let it vanish with the passing of time.

But because of this, he had no so-called leveling bottleneck. As long as he had enough Soul Power, he could increase his level.

Now, his Soul Power Value was 100/100—exactly full!

"Level up!"

Fang Xuan sat cross-legged on the ground calmly and began to raise his level.

A surging warm current spread through his body, transforming into vast Soul Power that continuously nourished his limbs and bones...

[Ding dong~]

[Level-up successful. Congratulations, you have advanced to Soul Master!]

"I've finally become a Soul Master."

Joy appeared on Fang Xuan's face. He could clearly feel that his Soul Power had risen by a great deal. It was no longer as thin as a thread, but gradually condensed into a stream, becoming three to five times stronger!

At the same time, another notification sounded in his mind.

[Congratulations, host, on becoming a Soul Master. A new talent has been unlocked!]

"Eh? A new talent?!"

Fang Xuan froze slightly and opened his Personal Panel, only to discover a new attribute section.

[Strongest Blade Drawing System]

[Host: Fang Xuan]

[Level: LV11]

[Title: Soul Master]

[Soul Power: 0/110]

[Proficiency: Basic Blade Drawing Technique (88/100)]

[God-Bestowed Blade: 1]

God-bestowed?

What was that?

Just as Fang Xuan was feeling puzzled, he noticed the note at the bottom of the panel.

[Note: A God-Bestowed Blade is rewarded every ten levels and can copy a Soul Master's Martial Soul!]

Copy a Martial Soul?!!

Fang Xuan's eyes widened. He stood there stunned for a moment, then his face broke into wild joy.

Martial Soul! Martial Soul!

This was the most powerful force on the Douluo Continent, the foundation upon which Soul Masters relied to become strong. The type and quality of a Martial Soul would directly determine a Soul Master's strength and future achievements!

Fang Xuan had no Martial Soul. Although he could use the system to raise his Soul Power, as his level increased, the weakness of lacking a Martial Soul would gradually be exposed.

Once he reached higher levels, this flaw would be magnified without limit.

That was because after Level 70 or 80, the power of Martial Souls would undergo earth-shaking changes. Top-tier Martial Souls in particular possessed such terrifying power that they could destroy heaven and earth.

At that level, no matter how exquisite Fang Xuan's Blade Drawing Technique was, it would be difficult for him to resist a Martial Soul!

But now, the newly unlocked talent could actually copy a Soul Master's Martial Soul. It was truly unbelievable.

And according to the note, a God-Bestowed Blade was rewarded every ten levels. Didn't that mean he could copy multiple Martial Souls?!!

Fang Xuan was incomparably excited, yet also somewhat puzzled, unsure what form this Martial Soul would take.

Boom!!

A tremendous explosion instantly jolted Fang Xuan awake from his pleasant dream.

Flames soared into the sky from the forest ahead. Violent Soul Power churned, and terrifying Killing Intent swept toward him, making Fang Xuan shudder as every hair on his body stood on end.

This aura is... a Soul Elder!

Fang Xuan's expression grew grave as he sensed the pressure of an expert above Level 30.

Though he had just advanced, he was still only a Level 11 Soul Master, one of the lowest-ranking beings on the Douluo Continent. In the cultivation ranks of Soul Masters, Level 30 was another dividing line in strength. Once Soul Power reached above Level 30, it would undergo earth-shaking changes. One could absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, and their strength would become even more formidable.

Upon detecting the presence of a Soul Elder, he immediately raised his vigilance to the utmost, warily watching his surroundings without daring to let down his guard in the slightest.

"Over there!"

Fang Xuan's eyes turned cold as he noticed the forest ahead burning furiously, while strands of ice crystals condensed upon the branches and leaves.

One icy and one fiery, two powerful streams of Soul Power collided incessantly, causing even the earth to tremble.

He pushed off the ground with the tip of his foot, and his body leaped lightly into the air. Like an agile ape, he darted through the ancient trees.

Before long, Fang Xuan reached the battlefield. Looking out, two figures engaged in fierce combat gradually came into view.

The first to catch his eye was a young man in his twenties. He had sword-like brows, starry eyes, and handsome, dignified features, but a sinister smile now rested on that handsome face.

His burning gaze roamed recklessly over the girl opposite him.

She was an exceptionally beautiful girl of sixteen or seventeen, with long water-blue hair draped over her fragrant shoulders. Her features were exquisite, her skin as fair as snow, and she radiated a cool, aloof aura, like an elegant green lotus that could only be admired from afar and never defiled.

Yet now, a flush had appeared on the girl's cheeks. Her clear eyes had become somewhat clouded, her body swayed unsteadily, and something seemed strange about her condition.

"Shui Bing'er!"

Fang Xuan was stunned. As a devoted fan who had thoroughly read the Douluo novels and watched one hundred episodes of the anime, he recognized at a glance that the blue-haired girl before him was Shui Bing'er, captain of Skywater Academy's team and owner of the top-tier Martial Soul, the Ice Phoenix.

Although Shui Bing'er had appeared only rarely in Douluo's story and had little presence, whether in Martial Soul, strength, or beauty, she stood among Douluo's very best. In the future, she would definitely have the potential to challenge for the rank of Titled Douluo.

"Li Lingtian, I always considered you a friend. You actually poisoned me—you're utterly despicable!" Frost covered Shui Bing'er's beautiful face as she glared furiously at the young man opposite her. Dense sweat appeared on her forehead, and her delicate body trembled uncontrollably.

"Bing'er, it's all because you're too alluring!"

Li Lingtian gave a wicked laugh, his eyes burning as he walked toward the girl step by step. "Hehehe, how does Passionate Rose feel? I know you're suffering right now. Stop holding back. Come! Let me help set you free!"

Whew!

This scene... was a little exciting!

Fang Xuan hid in a tree, quietly observing the scene.

Mm, a very clichéd story was unfolding.