Incense Burner Soul Master

The morning mist over Star Dou Forest had yet to dissipate when Yang Jun carried the severely wounded Bibi Dong on his back, racing along the route marked on the Secret Chamber map toward the entrance of the Abyssal Mother Nest. The meridians in his left arm had burst from overusing Earth Vein Power. Though the wound was temporarily suppressed by Soul Bone Shards, corrupted black qi still slithered through his meridians like venomous snakes, and every breath sent piercing pain through him. Bibi Dong leaned against his shoulder, spider silk wrapped around his wrist. Her violet glow was faint yet steady as it poured strands of Soul Power into him, easing his pain.

"There's a Soul Power fluctuation ahead." Bibi Dong suddenly murmured, her Violet Eyes sweeping over the dense forest ahead. A faint fragrance drifted through the mist, intertwining with the corrupted black qi to form a strange balance. Yang Jun extended his earth vein senses, Golden Patterns spreading across his palm as they pointed deeper into the woods—toward a valley covered in Golden Patterns. Within it grew a peculiar kind of soul grass, its leaves glowing an eerie green. The scent it released was actually devouring the surrounding black qi.

"That's... Purification Grass?" Yang Jun's pupils contracted as he recalled the soul grass his father had once mentioned, a plant capable of purifying Abyssal Erosion. At the entrance to the valley stood a woman in a pale purple dress. A bronze incense burner hung at her waist, its surface engraved with intricate Runes as it slowly released a pale purple fragrance. Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, adorned with an icy crystal hairpin. A faint Golden Pattern mark rested between her brows, sharing the same origin as the Earth Vein Power in Yang Jun's palm.

Sensing their approach, the woman turned to look at them. Her almond-shaped eyes were as clear as autumn water, though they held a trace of wariness. "Who's there?" Her voice flowed like a clear spring, carrying a hint of chill.

Yang Jun stopped, gently setting Bibi Dong down before clasping his hands in salute. "I am Yang Jun, and this is Bibi Dong. We are searching for the entrance to the Abyssal Mother Nest and happened upon your valley along the way. May we speak with you?"

The woman's gaze fell upon Bibi Dong's wrist wrapped in spider silk, and surprise flashed through her Violet Eyes. "You are... Spirit Hall's Spider Emperor?" Her fingers brushed the incense burner. The Runes upon it flickered, and the fragrance it released grew stronger, dispersing some of the black qi around Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong barely opened her Violet Eyes, her voice hoarse. "I have nothing to do with Spirit Hall anymore. Your incense burner... can purify Abyssal Erosion?"

After a moment of silence, the woman nodded. "My name is Su Li. I am a disciple of the Ancient Soul Beast Sect. This valley is a sanctuary guarded by my sect. With Purification Grass and the Incense Burner Soul Skill, we can temporarily suppress Abyssal Erosion." Her gaze shifted to Yang Jun, noticing the Golden Patterns in his palm and the corrupted wound on his left arm. Sympathy flickered in her eyes. "Your injuries require the Ice Soul Heart and Purification Grass together before they can be relieved. Follow me."

Su Li turned and walked into the valley, the fragrance from her incense burner spreading out and driving away the surrounding black qi. Yang Jun carried Bibi Dong on his back and followed behind her. The Purification Grass within the valley grew even more luxuriantly, its fragrance so dense it nearly took physical form. Yang Jun felt a trace of coolness in his wound, and the corrupted black qi was suppressed somewhat.

"Miss Su Li, your Incense Burner Spirit... seems to be related to Ancient Soul Beasts?" Yang Jun asked tentatively.

Su Li's steps paused as her fingertips brushed the Runes on the incense burner. "My sect's inheritance comes from Ancient Soul Beasts. The Incense Burner Spirit was formed from an Ancient Soul Beast's Soul Crystal. It can release Purification Incense to resist Abyssal Erosion. Twenty years ago, my grandmaster took part in the operation to seal the Abyssal Mother Nest. But later, Spirit Hall encircled and exterminated my sect, leaving only me to guard this valley." A trace of sorrow colored her voice, and hatred flashed through her eyes.

"Spirit Hall?" A complicated expression flickered through Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. "During the sealing operation, a Spirit Hall Emissary once tried to sabotage it. Could it be..."

Su Li nodded and removed a stalk of Purification Grass from the incense burner, handing it to Yang Jun. "Yes. My grandmaster personally witnessed your father, Yang Zhen, use Soul Bones as the catalyst to seal the Abyssal Rift. But the Spirit Hall Emissary launched a sneak attack and stole some of the Soul Bone Shards. My grandmaster fought desperately to protect them, preserving this Purification Grass and the Incense Burner Soul Crystal." Her gaze fell upon Yang Jun's Ice Soul Heart, and surprise flashed in her eyes. "Your Ice Soul Heart... shares the same origin as the Soul Crystal left behind by my grandmaster. Could you be the Child of the Earth Veins?"

Yang Jun nodded and pressed the Ice Soul Heart against the Purification Grass. Blue Crystal light merged with the eerie green glow, forming a pale blue pillar of light that shot straight into the sky. Within it appeared a memory remnant of Su Li's Grandmaster: she stood shoulder to shoulder with Yang Zhen, holding an incense burner as she inserted Purification Grass into an altar. She released Purification Incense, assisting Yang Zhen in sealing the Abyssal Rift. Within the remnant, Yang Zhen's voice was low. "Su Li's Grandmaster, should the abyss return, please protect the Child of the Earth Veins. He will inherit my oath."

Tears welled in Su Li's almond-shaped eyes. She placed the incense burner in Yang Jun's hand as violet light intertwined with Golden Patterns. "Since you are the Child of the Earth Veins, I am willing to help you. The Incense Burner Soul Skill can purify Abyssal Erosion and detect hidden Abyssal Rifts. My sect left behind a Map marking the hidden route to the Abyssal Mother Nest entrance. It may be of use to you."

Bibi Dong struggled into a sitting position, gratitude flashing through her Violet Eyes. "Miss Su Li, thank you for your help. We... truly need it."

Just then, a wave of roars came from outside the valley. Black qi surged in like a tide as a pack of corrupted soul beasts charged out of the forest. Their eyes glowed red, and Abyssal Runes coiled around their claws. Su Li's incense burner suddenly erupted with intense violet light, releasing dense Purification Incense that formed a barrier and blocked the corrupted soul beasts outside.

"They are soul beasts affected by the tide from the Abyssal Mother Nest!" Su Li murmured, her fingers brushing the incense burner. "Yang Jun, Bibi Dong, recover your strength quickly. I'll hold them off!"

Yang Jun gritted his teeth and pressed the Ice Soul Heart against Bibi Dong's wound. Blue Crystal light devoured the corruption while he also guided the fragrance of the Purification Grass into her meridians. Clarity gradually returned to Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes. Spider silk wrapped around Yang Jun's wrist as violet light surged. "I'll help you!"

Su Li's Incense Burner Spirit erupted, and the incense burner transformed into a massive Purple Crystal Furnace. It released countless streams of Purification Incense, forming a pillar of purple light that enveloped the corrupted soul beasts. The beasts howled within the light as the black qi was gradually purified, restoring their original forms. Yang Jun's Hoe and Sickle Spirit burst forth with Blue-Gold Light, cleaving toward the remaining corrupted soul beasts. Bibi Dong's Spider Emperor Spirit erupted, and the Eight Spider Lances pierced the beasts' bodies. Violet light intertwined with Blue Crystal light, forming a blazing pillar that utterly destroyed the corrupted soul beasts.

After the battle, the light of Su Li's incense burner dimmed. Panting, she returned it to her waist. "These soul beasts were affected by the tide from the Abyssal Mother Nest. It seems the tide is drawing ever closer."

Yang Jun handed the Purification Grass to Su Li, Blue Crystal light merging with its eerie green glow. "Miss Su Li, your incense burner can purify Abyssal Erosion. Could you help Bibi Dong completely remove the Corrupted Soul Erosion within her body?"

Su Li nodded and pressed the incense burner against Bibi Dong's wound. Violet light merged with Blue Crystal light, releasing dense Purification Incense that completely cleared the Corrupted Soul Erosion from Bibi Dong's body. Warmth appeared in Bibi Dong's Violet Eyes as she softly said, "Thank you."

Su Li smiled and removed a yellowed Map from the incense burner, handing it to Yang Jun. "This is the Map left behind by my sect. It marks the hidden route to the Abyssal Mother Nest entrance. The entrance is protected by an Abyssal Seal and can only be opened with Earth Vein Power and the Incense Burner Soul Skill."

Yang Jun accepted the Map, his gaze falling upon its markings as determination flashed in his eyes. "Miss Su Li, can we... travel to the entrance of the Abyssal Mother Nest together?"

Su Li nodded, a smile flashing in her almond-shaped eyes. "I have guarded this valley for twenty years, all to wait for this day. Child of the Earth Veins, I will help you fulfill your father's oath."