Soul Suppression's Third Ring, Undercurrents Stir Again

Deep within the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest, ancient trees towered overhead, and the atmosphere was oppressive.

Qin Mo suppressed the sudden, inexplicable unease in his heart. His Spiritual Power spread out like an invisible spiderweb as he searched even more carefully for traces of a suitable soul beast. Huo Yun followed closely behind, the needle of the specially made compass in his hand trembling faintly as it pointed the way. Ning Rongrong looked around nervously, clutching her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda tightly, ready to provide support at any moment.

"Soul beasts with suppression and confinement attributes usually prefer shade and avoid sunlight. They are skilled at hiding, either living underground or concealing themselves in secluded valleys," Qin Mo explained as they walked. "The energy within their soul rings is often condensed and heavy. When absorbing them, you must guide it with your will and proceed gradually. Do not be impatient, or you may suffer backlash and damage your Martial Soul Origin."

Huo Yun carefully committed this to memory, admiring the dean's vast knowledge even more.

Suddenly, the compass needle in his hand froze, pointing toward an area to their left where massive jagged boulders stood amid numerous cracks in the ground.

"Dean, over there," Huo Yun said softly.

Qin Mo swept his gaze over the area and nodded. "It should be there. Conceal your auras."

The three silently approached the stone forest. The closer they came, the more they could feel an invisible force field filling the air, heavy enough to make their minds sluggish.

"It's an Earth-Splitting Rock Beast," Qin Mo quickly concluded. "This soul beast is born from the rocks of earth veins. It has a calm temperament and extremely strong defenses. It excels at controlling gravity and creating bogs to bind its enemies. Its innate soul skill, Rock Suppression, is quite formidable and suits you perfectly."

Before long, they discovered a sleeping soul beast deep within a massive ravine. It resembled an armadillo enlarged several times over, its entire body covered in thick blue-gray armor like granite. Its limbs were short, stout, and powerful, and it radiated an aura as steady as a mountain. Judging by its age, it was likely between fifteen hundred and two thousand years old. That was slightly high for a Third Soul Ring, but given its defensive strength and attributes, it was entirely within Huo Yun's limits.

"This is the one," Qin Mo decided. "Huo Yun, you'll be the main attacker. Rongrong, the moment anything goes wrong, immediately boost his speed and Soul Power. End this quickly."

Huo Yun took a deep breath, a fierce glint flashing through his eyes. Two yellow soul rings lit up beneath his feet, and the Soul Suppressing Bell Martial Soul floated before him.

He did not launch a direct assault. Instead, following the combat methods Qin Mo had taught him, he cautiously approached and waited for the best opportunity.

The instant the Earth-Splitting Rock Beast seemed to sense something and raised its head slightly!

"First Soul Skill, Soul Shock Wave!"

Huo Yun attacked without warning! The invisible soundwave did not strike its hard shell directly, but instead blasted precisely toward the relatively vulnerable sensory organs on its head!

Caught off guard, the Earth-Splitting Rock Beast let out a muffled roar of pain. Its movements visibly stiffened, and the gravity field around its body fell into momentary disorder!

"Now! Second Soul Skill, Soul Suppressing Sound Field!"

A small soundwave force field spread outward, further disrupting and suppressing its movements and the circulation of its Soul Power!

"Seven treasures turn to glazed light, first: speed! Second: soul!" Ning Rongrong's Light of Assistance descended at once, and Huo Yun's speed and Soul Power surged instantly!

His body flashed like lightning as he rushed toward the relatively weak point on the Rock Beast's flank. He gathered all his Soul Power into his palm and struck down fiercely!

"Break!"

Boom!

The vibration from his palm strike penetrated the shell and slammed directly into its internal organs! The Earth-Splitting Rock Beast let out a miserable shriek, its enormous body rolling violently as it tried to burrow underground.

But Huo Yun pressed his advantage relentlessly. The Soul Suppressing Bell rang again and again, disrupting its ability to use its skills. At the same time, his fists and palms struck in rapid succession, targeting its joints and the cracks in its shell caused by the earlier attack!

There was no suspense in the battle. Under the fierce assault of a peak Soul Grandmaster supported by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the soul beast renowned for its defenses finally collapsed in defeat, barely clinging to life.

Qin Mo stepped forward and signaled for Huo Yun to prepare.

Huo Yun sat cross-legged, the Soul Suppressing Bell floating above his head. Qin Mo raised two fingers like a blade and finished the Rock Beast. A deep purple soul ring slowly condensed into existence.

"Focus your mind and guard your intent! Guide the soul ring's energy to resonate with the origin of suppression within your Martial Soul, rather than merely absorbing its Soul Power!" Qin Mo shouted sternly.

Huo Yun remembered his teachings and circulated his cultivation method with all his strength, cautiously guiding the vast, heavy energy into his body. The process was painful, and the impact of the energy was extremely fierce, but his will remained firm. He never forgot to resonate with his Martial Soul Origin. Gradually, the energy was truly absorbed and transformed by the Soul Suppressing Bell, becoming tame.

In the end, he successfully absorbed the 1800-Year Third Soul Ring! His Soul Power also broke through to level thirty-one in one leap!

When he opened his eyes again, two yellow and one purple soul rings shimmered beneath his feet. The third purple soul ring in particular radiated a steady, weighty aura. He felt as though his Soul Suppressing Bell Martial Soul had undergone a cleansing, becoming more solid and substantial. His understanding of the true meaning of "suppression" had deepened countless times over!

"Try your Third Soul Skill," Qin Mo said.

Huo Yun nodded, and the purple soul ring beneath his feet lit up!

"Third Soul Skill, Rock Domain!"

Buzz!

A pale yellow force field ten meters in diameter suddenly expanded around him! The air within its range seemed to become thick and heavy, while the ground sank slightly. Ning Rongrong, standing inside it, immediately felt her body grow heavier. Her movements slowed considerably, and even the circulation of her Soul Power was significantly suppressed!

"What powerful suppression!" Ning Rongrong cried out. This domain was far too restrictive for a Support Type Soul Master like her!

Huo Yun's eyes were filled with delight. The effect of this soul skill far exceeded his expectations!

"Not bad." Qin Mo nodded slightly. "Area control and group suppression suit your Martial Soul's development perfectly. Familiarize yourself with it properly."

After a brief rest, the three prepared to return to the academy.

However, not long after they left the stone forest, Qin Mo's expression changed slightly again. A Jade Talisman used for emergency communication in his robes was growing warm—this was the academy's highest-level warning signal!

"Something happened at the academy!" Qin Mo's gaze turned sharp. "Return at full speed!"

The three did not delay any longer. Qin Mo used his Soul Power to carry Huo Yun and Ning Rongrong, racing toward the academy at maximum speed.

When they saw the intact Nine-Colored Light Screen from afar, they felt somewhat relieved. But upon drawing closer, they immediately noticed the still-unrepaired corrosion mark at the northwest corner, along with the lingering evil aura that made them profoundly uncomfortable!

"What is this?!" Ning Rongrong's face went pale.

Huo Yun's expression was equally grave. That aura made the Soul Suppressing Bell within him tremble faintly on its own in warning.

Qin Mo descended, staring coldly at the damaged area. Qin Yuan and the four women, including Bing'er, immediately came forward.

"Grandfather, what happened?" Qin Mo asked in a low voice.

Qin Yuan recounted the previous attack by the shadow creature in detail, emphasizing the strangeness and corrosive nature of its energy.

"An abyssal aura?" Qin Mo frowned deeply. He crouched down and carefully sensed the lingering traces. His Nine-Story Demon Pagoda Martial Soul transmitted a clear feeling of disgust and rejection.

"Such a thing should not have appeared in the main material plane of its own accord..." Qin Yuan said gravely. "Its target was very clear: the academy. Either it was commanded by some evil existence of an extremely high level, or... it was strongly drawn here by something within the academy."

Qin Mo rose to his feet. His gaze swept across the entire academy before finally settling on the towering Myriad Manifestations Pagoda, his eyes profound.

Drawn by something? His Nine-Story Demon Pagoda? Or... the ultimate attributes of Bing'er and Yan'er? Or... Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia, which contained Life Origin? Perhaps even his unawakened Second Spirit, Ice Soul?

All of those were possible. Myriad Manifestations Academy had gathered too many "anomalies." To certain evil beings, it was like a beacon in the darkness.

"Strengthen the defenses and completely repair the formation. I will add some targeted purification runes to the formation core," Qin Mo swiftly arranged. "Also, spread the order: for the time being, no students may leave academy grounds without necessity. All outside missions are suspended."

"Yes!" everyone answered.

Although they had repelled this strange attack, an invisible gloom now hung over the academy. Everyone understood that the real trouble had likely only just begun.

The enemy lurking in the shadows was stranger and more difficult to deal with than they had imagined.