Soul Ring Returns to Its Origin

The Earth Vein Spring's Eye lay at the center of the Secret Chamber. Its waters were still as a mirror, faint blue ripples spreading across the surface as though countless tiny specks of light swam beneath it. The stone walls around the spring were carved with ancient Runes, their edges gleaming with faint Golden Patterns. They were seals Yang Zhen had carved with Soul Bone Shards years ago to guide the Earth Vein Power. Several glowing Vines hung from the ceiling of the Secret Chamber, bearing Pale Purple Fruit. Their fragrance mingled with the aura of the Earth Vein Spring, forming a fresh field of energy.

Yang Jun pressed the Ice Soul Heart against the Earth Vein Spring's Eye. Blue Crystal light spread through the spring water, bathing the entire Secret Chamber in a pale blue glow. He turned to look at Bibi Dong, who was leaning against the stone wall. Her Silk Soul Crystal was flickering with unstable purple-black light, while black qi crept from her wrist across her body, cold sweat beading on her brow as her breathing turned rapid and ragged.

"Bibi Dong, hold on a little longer." Yang Jun's voice carried a trace of gentleness as he walked to her side and took her hand. Bibi Dong's hand was freezing, as though it had been submerged in ice water. Yang Jun poured his Soul Power into her body, and Blue Crystal light flowed from his fingertips into her wrist, temporarily suppressing the spread of the black qi.

A flicker of struggle passed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She gritted her teeth and murmured, "Yang Jun, I... I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself." Memories from her time as an Evil Soul Master surfaced in her mind. Back then, in her desire to grow stronger quickly, she had absorbed an Evil Soul Master's Soul Ring and condensed this purple-black Soul Ring herself. At the time, her eyes had been filled with obsession and anger. She had believed that only power could protect her. She remembered binding an innocent villager with spider silk, intending to absorb his Soul Power, only for Yang Zhen to stop her in time. Yang Zhen had told her then, "Bibi Dong, your kindness is more important than power."

"Bibi Dong, look at me." Yang Jun's voice suddenly became clear. He held both of Bibi Dong's hands and pressed the Ice Soul Heart against her Silk Soul Crystal. Blue Crystal light surged violently, merging with the purple-black Soul Ring to form a blazing pillar of light that shot straight into the Earth Vein Spring. The Earth Vein Power within the spring flowed up the pillar and into Bibi Dong's body. Her body trembled faintly, as though countless tiny needles were piercing her skin.

At that moment, Su Li's voice came from the entrance of the Secret Chamber. "Yang Jun, Bibi Dong, you need to guide the Earth Vein Power into the core of the Soul Ring while keeping your minds clear." Holding an incense burner, Su Li approached with concern in her almond-shaped eyes. She walked to the spring and poured the Purification Incense from the burner into the water. The Blue Crystal light in the spring grew denser, sending rings of golden ripples across its surface.

"A clear mind?" A trace of confusion flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She looked into Yang Jun's eyes and saw no fear, no disgust—only unwavering trust. She suddenly recalled Yang Zhen's words from years ago: "Bibi Dong, your kindness will become the key to saving the continent. Do not be swayed by the evil thoughts of others. Hold fast to your true heart."

"Yes, hold fast to my true heart..." Bibi Dong murmured. She closed her eyes and began recalling her former self. At the orphanage as a child, she had used spider silk to bind children who bullied those younger than her, protecting them. After joining Spirit Hall, she had willingly endured the scolding of other elders to protect Yang Zhen. In the Star Dou Forest, she had used her own body to shield Yang Jun from Abyssal Black Qi. These memories flowed into her heart like a warm current, gradually calming her.

"Bibi Dong, I'm with you." Yang Jun's voice sounded beside her ear. He held Bibi Dong's hand and poured his Soul Power into her body. Blue Crystal light merged with the purple-black Soul Ring, forming a purple pillar of light that shot straight into the Earth Vein Spring. The Earth Vein Power in the spring flowed through the pillar into Bibi Dong's body, gradually driving away the black qi within the Soul Ring. The black qi shrieked within the pillar before finally turning into black smoke and dissipating into the air.

"The Soul Ring... has stabilized!" Su Li exclaimed in delight. She walked to Bibi Dong's side and enveloped her body with the Purification Incense from the burner, thoroughly clearing away the remaining black qi.

Bibi Dong opened her eyes and looked at her Silk Soul Crystal. The black qi within the purple-black Soul Ring had completely vanished, replaced by a pale purple halo. The Soul Ring's glow had become gentle and stable. She tried activating it, and a blazing purple radiance burst from the Silk Soul Crystal. Purple sharpness gleamed at the tips of the Eight Spider Lances, as though they had been infused with new power.

"This is... the purification of a Self-Condensing Soul Ring?" Surprise flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She felt warmth coming from the Soul Ring, as though the evil intent of those Evil Soul Masters had never existed.

Yang Jun put away the Ice Soul Heart and nodded with a smile. "That's right. Your Soul Ring has returned to its origin. Yang Zhen once said that the key to a Self-Condensing Soul Ring lies in one's 'heart.' If the heart is clear, the Soul Ring becomes a power of protection. If the heart is twisted, the Soul Ring becomes a weapon of destruction."

A gentle light flickered in Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. Looking at Yang Jun, she said softly, "Thank you, Yang Jun. Without you, I might never have escaped the corruption of evil thoughts."

Yang Jun shook his head and held Bibi Dong's hand. "We saved each other. Without you, I might never have found my father's Soul Bone Shards, nor uncovered the secret of the Abyssal Mother Nest."

Su Li walked over to them, and the Purification Incense from her burner spread through the air, completely dispersing the black qi within the Secret Chamber. There was a trace of relief in her almond-shaped eyes. "Yang Jun, Bibi Dong, your bond has surpassed that of ordinary companions. Next, you must head for the core of the Abyssal Mother Nest and seal the Abyssal Tide completely."

"The core of the Abyssal Mother Nest?" Determination flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She looked at Yang Jun. "Yang Jun, let's go."

Yang Jun nodded and slung the Hoe-Sickle across his back. Blue Crystal light intertwined with purple radiance, forming a blazing pillar of light that shot straight toward the exit of the Secret Chamber. Standing at the entrance with the incense burner in hand, Su Li watched the two leave, anticipation in her almond-shaped eyes. "Yang Zhen, your son and Bibi Dong have grown into warriors capable of protecting the continent."

In the forest outside the Secret Chamber

Yang Jun and Bibi Dong advanced under the guidance of the Earth Vein Power. The surrounding soul beasts retreated one after another, as though they sensed the powerful aura emanating from the two. Within Bibi Dong's Silk Soul Crystal, the purified Self-Condensing Soul Ring glowed with a pale purple halo, its Soul Power fluctuations stable and powerful.

"Bibi Dong, what effect does your Soul Ring have now?" Yang Jun asked. His Ice Soul Heart sensed that Bibi Dong's Soul Power had become far purer.

Bibi Dong tried activating her Soul Ring. A blazing purple light erupted from the Silk Soul Crystal, and purple sharpness gleamed at the tips of the Eight Spider Lances. Her voice held a trace of delight. "My spider silk can now carry Earth Vein Power. Not only can it bind enemies, it can also purify their Soul Power."

"Earth Vein Power?" Surprise flashed through Yang Jun's blue eyes. He infused the Earth Vein Power from his palm into Bibi Dong's spider silk. Blue Crystal light merged with purple radiance, and pale blue ripples spread through the silk. "It seems your Soul Ring has already resonated with the Earth Vein Power."

A smile flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She swung her spider silk, and a strand of pale purple silk wrapped around a tree ahead. The black qi on the tree was instantly purified, restoring its original vitality. "Yang Jun, your Earth Vein Power is truly useful."

Yang Jun smiled and shook his head, taking Bibi Dong's hand. "Our powers were connected from the start. Earth Vein Power is the foundation of the continent, while your Soul Ring is a force that protects it. Naturally, they would resonate with each other."

Just then, a disturbance rose from the forest ahead. A group of soul beasts corrupted by Abyssal Erosion charged out of the trees, their eyes glowing red as they roared and pounced at Yang Jun and Bibi Dong. These soul beasts were twice the size of ordinary ones, their bodies covered in black patterns and reeking of decay.

Determination flashed through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She swung her spider silk, and a pale purple strand wrapped around the necks of the soul beasts. Earth Vein Power flowed through the silk and into their bodies, thoroughly purifying the black qi within them. The soul beasts' eyes gradually regained clarity. They retreated one after another and vanished into the forest.

"Bibi Dong, your Soul Ring is really incredible," Yang Jun said with a smile. His Ice Soul Heart sensed that the Earth Vein Power around them had become far more active.

Gentleness flickered in Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. She looked at Yang Jun and said softly, "All of this is because of you, Yang Jun. Without you, I might never have found my true heart."

Yang Jun held Bibi Dong's hand. Blue Crystal light merged with purple radiance, forming a blazing pillar of light that shot straight into the sky. "Bibi Dong, let's protect this continent together, all right?"

Tears glimmered in Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes as she nodded. "All right. Together."