First Martial Soul, Ice Phoenix

Afterward...

"You... you cut me?!"

After quite a while, Shui Bing'er finally came to. Her pretty face was filled with disbelief, anger stirring in her beautiful eyes as she glared fiercely at Fang Xuan, who stood beside her.

"I already cut you. What are you going to do about it? Don't worry, I won't take responsibility for you."

Fang Xuan wore the expression of someone who had drawn his blade and turned heartless.

Just now, he had used the God-Bestowed Blade he had just obtained.

The God-Bestowed Blade was a one-time consumable, also known as the Copy Blade. When it struck an opponent, it would not harm them. Instead, it could copy a Soul Master's Martial Soul and grant him a talent ability.

Fang Xuan had only learned all this after cutting Shui Bing'er...

Ignoring the frantic Shui Bing'er, he quietly sat down cross-legged. As he meditated to recover his Soul Power, he examined the ability he had just gained!

[Ding dong~]

[Copy successful. Congratulations, you have obtained: Ice Phoenix Soul]

[New talent unlocked: Blade of Glacial Cold]

[Ice Phoenix Soul]

[Grade: Top-tier Martial Soul]

[Attribute: Ice]

A series of notifications rang out in his mind.

Fang Xuan was overjoyed and hurriedly checked his current attributes.

[Strongest Blade Drawing System]
[Host: Fang Xuan]
[Level: LV11]
[Title: Soul Master]
[Soul Power: 1/110]
[Proficiency: Basic Blade Drawing Technique (90/100)]
[God-Bestowed Blade: 0]
[Martial Soul: Ice Phoenix Soul (Beginner 0/100)]
[Talent: Blade of Glacial Cold]

He had consumed a God-Bestowed Blade given as a reward for leveling up and successfully copied Shui Bing'er's top-tier Martial Soul—the Ice Phoenix. He had even unlocked an ice-based talent.

This trip to the Soul Beast Forest had truly been fruitful!

Fang Xuan was somewhat excited as he looked down.

Within his Dantian, a lifelike Ice Phoenix floated quietly. Its Wind Eyes were closed, its posture proud. Holy light radiated from its blue feathers, making it seem incomparably noble and otherworldly.

A Martial Soul!!

I never thought I'd have a Martial Soul too!

Fang Xuan stared at the Ice Phoenix dormant within his body, overwhelmed with excitement. He mobilized his Soul Power and eagerly tried out the might of the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul!

"Come out, Ice Phoenix!"

He muttered in his heart, beginning to summon the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul within him.

However, even after a full ten minutes, no matter how he summoned it, the Ice Phoenix inside him kept its Wind Eyes shut and continued sleeping quietly, giving no response to Fang Xuan's call.

"What's going on?!"

Fang Xuan frowned, utterly confused. He had no idea what had gone wrong with this copied Martial Soul.

"Hey, you over there! One moment you're grinning like an idiot, the next you're sighing. What wicked thoughts are you having?!"

Shui Bing'er's blue hair cascaded down as she approached Fang Xuan with light steps, carrying a faint fragrant breeze. With her hands on her slim waist, she eyed him suspiciously.

Ever since Fang Xuan had inexplicably slashed her with his blade, whatever favorable impression she had of him had vanished completely.

Although she had carefully examined herself afterward and found that not even a single strand of hair had been harmed, the resentment in her heart simply would not fade.

"No matter what, this guy really did cut me with a blade!"

Shui Bing'er pouted slightly and glared fiercely at Fang Xuan.

"Tch..."

Fang Xuan curled his lip and gave Shui Bing'er an indifferent glance. Her noise had irritated him enough that he felt the urge to cut her again.

Roar! Roar!

Just as the two were at odds, a black shadow suddenly shot out from the grass. A deep roar rolled through the air, making the ground tremble violently.

It was a Dark Demonic Tiger. Its eyes were crimson, and its massive body towered in the forest like a small mountain, radiating a terrifyingly savage aura!

"A Five Hundred Year Soul Beast!!"

Fang Xuan's expression sharpened as his face instantly grew grave at the sight of the Dark Demonic Tiger that had suddenly appeared.

A five-hundred-year-old Dark Demonic Tiger possessed strength equivalent to a Soul Grandmaster above Level 25. If they fought head-on, Fang Xuan, who was only Level 11, would have a hard time defeating this Demon Tiger!

He might even end up dying in its jaws...

"This is bad. What should we do?!"

Shui Bing'er's pretty face turned pale as she fearfully pressed herself against Fang Xuan's back. If she had been at full strength, she would only have needed one strike to deal with this Dark Demonic Tiger. But now, her Soul Power had yet to recover, leaving her with virtually no combat ability.

"What else can we do? We fight!"

Determination surged in Fang Xuan's eyes as he coldly locked onto the Dark Demonic Tiger. His spirit, energy, and focus became one, Soul Power racing through his body as his long, powerful fingers reached toward the blade at his waist.

He lowered his body into a bow-like stance, his left hand bracing the scabbard and his right gripping the hilt. His strength erupted like a volcano as he launched toward the Dark Demonic Tiger like an arrow loosed from its bow.

Only when he came within one meter of the Dark Demonic Tiger did Fang Xuan finally draw his blade!

The moment the long blade left its sheath, the Ice Phoenix that had been sleeping within him abruptly opened its eyes. Icy light burst forth as it awakened in an instant!

"This... this is..."

Fang Xuan was startled by the disturbance in his Martial Soul. He felt a terrifying power of ice continuously pouring out from the Ice Phoenix.

In an instant, thick frost formed over the surface of the previously ordinary blade, radiating a dreadful chill that seemed capable of freezing heaven and earth!

Blade of Glacial Cold!

An ice-blue blade tore through the air and slashed straight across the Dark Demonic Tiger!

"Roar..."

The Dark Demonic Tiger let out a miserable roar. Its enormous body rapidly froze, and before long, it had turned into an ice-blue sculpture, sealed completely in ice.

Boom!

The moment Fang Xuan sheathed his blade, the frozen sculpture of the Dark Demonic Tiger suddenly shattered!

A five-hundred-year-old Dark Demonic Tiger had been smashed to pieces on the spot!

"S-So strong!"

Shui Bing'er stared at the scene in shock. With only one slash, Fang Xuan had instantly killed a five-hundred-year-old Soul Beast. In her eyes, he became increasingly mysterious.

First, he had killed Li Lingtian with one slash. Now, he had slain a five-hundred-year-old Soul Beast with another. Throughout it all, he had not even revealed his Martial Soul or Soul Ring. Just who was this guy?!

It was not just Shui Bing'er—even Fang Xuan himself was somewhat stunned!

He had not expected the icy slash drawn with the aid of the Ice Phoenix Soul to possess such terrifying power, enough to forcibly kill that Dark Demonic Tiger!

Fang Xuan was deeply shaken, while wild joy surged through his heart.

At that moment, he finally understood. This copied Martial Soul could not be used as a weapon like an ordinary Martial Soul. Instead, it functioned as an ability that enhanced the Blade Drawing Technique!

The way this copied Martial Soul existed was similar to... a weapon spirit!

That was right. A copied Martial Soul infused an ordinary blade with soul and life, greatly strengthening the power of the Blade Drawing Technique!

No matter when or where, what the Blade Drawing System pursued was naturally the flawless Ultimate Blade Drawing Technique!

Fang Xuan could not help nodding solemnly.

"Buzz~"

The next moment, a Yellow Soul Ring appeared out of thin air, radiating an enticing glow.

As his gaze swept over the five-hundred-year-old Yellow Soul Ring, Fang Xuan's eyes suddenly blazed with fervent light, and Desire rose in his heart.

I wonder whether my copied Martial Soul can absorb a Soul Ring...