Absorbing the First Soul Ring

After passing through layers of dense forest, the light filtering through the trees gradually softened. Moist vapor drifted on the wind, carrying the lake's distinctive coolness. Chen Xin stopped, turned to Wang Chuan behind him, and confirmed once more, "Xiao Chuan, are you sure you want to choose a water-attribute soul beast? Once you decide, the direction of your First Soul Skill will be set."

Wang Chuan nodded firmly, his gaze resolute. "I'm sure, Master. Water's gentleness can help me control Nothingness's tyranny, and it can overcome strength with softness. It's what I need most right now."

"Good. Then we'll go to Mirror Moon Lake ahead." Chen Xin turned and continued onward, anticipation entering his voice. "I have thought of a soul beast that suits you well. It is called Bing Yi. It is a born water spirit with extremely powerful control over water. It can draw lake water into a shield, or turn water into ice and condense it into ice arrows and blades for attack. It will complement your Nothingness perfectly."

He paused before adding, "However, Bing Yi is quite rare. Not only is it powerful in battle, but it is also intelligent, far wiser than ordinary soul beasts. Fortunately, we are looking for one around a hundred years old. If it were a thousand-year Bing Yi, taking it down would not be so easy."

Along the way, although Chen Xin did not fully release his Soul Power, an invisible pressure still radiated from him. Combined with the sharp sword aura he had cultivated through years of sword practice, it sent the soul beasts in the forest fleeing the moment they sensed him from afar. Whether it was a hundred-year Gale Wolf or an Ironclad Bear nearing a thousand years, they all fled into the depths of the woods without looking back, not daring to entertain even the slightest thought of provocation. Following behind him and looking at the unobstructed path, Wang Chuan could not help thinking, With Master here, this Soul Hunting Forest really is as safe as our own backyard.

Before long, a broad lake came into view. Its surface was like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds overhead. Blue waterbirds occasionally skimmed through the reeds along the shore, while several hundred-year Jade Water Crocodiles basked lazily on the bank. Upon seeing Chen Xin and Wang Chuan, they merely shifted their bodies sluggishly and did not dare make any rash moves.

"Master, is that one?" Wang Chuan pointed at a silver-glinting flying fish in the lake. It was half a meter long and was nimbly leaping across the surface, its scales shimmering under the sunlight. "It's water-attributed too. It looks powerful."

"That is a Silver Scale Flying Fish. It is fast, but its attack power is too weak. It does not suit you." Chen Xin shook his head, sweeping his gaze across the lake with certainty in his voice. "Bing Yi is a water spirit. It can take human form and controls water as nimbly as its own arms. It also loves to attack with ice. That is how it got the name Bing Yi."

Before his words had even faded, a faint piercing sound suddenly cut through the air!

Wang Chuan saw only a flash of cold light. An ice arrow as thick as a finger shot from the reeds at the center of the lake, moving so fast it nearly became a white streak. Before he could react, it had struck the Silver Scale Flying Fish with perfect accuracy. The fish did not even have time to struggle before it floated to the surface belly-up. Immediately afterward, a pale-blue ripple rose from the lakebed like an invisible hand, carrying the fish slowly toward the reeds.

"What incredible speed! What precise aim!" Wang Chuan's eyes lit up as he exclaimed.

A smile curled at Chen Xin's lips, and his gaze sharpened. "That's it. Its age is just right as well. This Bing Yi's Soul Power fluctuation places it at just over four hundred years. It is the most suitable First Soul Ring for you. Xiao Chuan, your Soul Ring has arrived."

Before he finished speaking, he lightly raised his right hand. A strand of gentle Soul Power flew out like silk threads, wrapping precisely around the reeds. The pale-blue ripple suddenly froze. Then, a semi-transparent blue figure emerged from the water. It stood about half a person tall and seemed to be formed from condensed water. Its features could not be clearly seen, save for a pair of glittering eyes filled with vigilance and hostility. Yet before it could launch an attack, Chen Xin's Soul Power had already enveloped it. With a light tremor, the blue figure swayed, lost consciousness, and was slowly lowered before Wang Chuan by the Soul Power.

At close range, this Bing Yi looked even stranger. Its body rippled like flowing water, and a pale-blue Soul Core could vaguely be seen within. Its form lay somewhere between a human and a water beast, indistinct and ethereal. Chen Xin explained, "The older a soul beast is, the closer its appearance becomes to that of higher life forms. This Bing Yi's blurred form shows that it is around four hundred years old, perfectly matching the limit of what you can bear."

"Quick, Xiao Chuan. Kill it, then absorb the Soul Ring immediately," Chen Xin urged.

Wang Chuan took a deep breath and clenched his right hand. The Nothingness Martial Soul instantly appeared. He did not draw the blade. Instead, gripping the hilt, he used the force of his body turning to hurl the sheath fiercely at Bing Yi. Wrapped in a faint layer of Soul Power, the sheath left an afterimage as it struck Bing Yi's Soul Core with pinpoint accuracy. With a soft crack, Bing Yi's body instantly collapsed into a puddle of clear water. Only the Soul Core remained where it was. Soon, a pale-yellow Soul Ring rose from it and slowly began to spin.

Wang Chuan immediately sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, following the method he had learned yesterday as he guided the Soul Ring toward himself. The pale-yellow Soul Ring seemed to come alive. It slowly descended onto the top of his head and gradually entered his body through his meridians.

Chen Xin stood guard beside him, focusing intently on Wang Chuan's condition, afraid that something might go wrong. Yet before long, his expression suddenly changed. The puddle of water that Bing Yi had dissolved into began to gather once more, and it gathered faster and faster. Gradually, it formed the vague outline of a strange, unidentifiable creature. The Soul Power fluctuations around it also grew stronger and stronger, abruptly rising from just over four hundred years to nearly a thousand years!

"Not good!" Chen Xin's heart dropped, and regret instantly flooded his mind as it buzzed. This Bing Yi had just completed a breakthrough and had not yet had time to manifest its new form, which was why its Soul Power fluctuation disguised itself as just over four hundred years... This is actually a Bing Yi nearly seven hundred years old!

A seven-hundred-year Soul Ring was no different from deadly poison to Wang Chuan, who had only just awakened his Martial Soul! Chen Xin wanted to step forward and interrupt the absorption immediately, but the Soul Ring had already connected with Wang Chuan's meridians. If he forcibly stopped it, Wang Chuan would suffer severed meridians at best and explode to death at worst. Chen Xin could only clench his fists and stare fixedly at Wang Chuan, his heart lodged in his throat.

At that moment, Wang Chuan was enduring unimaginable pain. Violent Soul Power rampaged through his meridians like countless fine needles stabbing into his bones. Every circulation brought tearing pain. He gritted his teeth as cold sweat streamed down his forehead like beads from a snapped string. His fingernails dug deeply into his palms, drawing blood.

It hurts... How much longer... His consciousness began to blur, yet the smiling faces of his father and mother flashed through his mind, along with the hopeful looks in their eyes. I can't die... Father and Mother are still waiting for me... I still have to protect them...

Years of being bullied had made him more resilient than ordinary children, but the power of a seven-hundred-year Soul Ring was simply too violent. His endurance soon reached its limit. Fine cracks had already begun to appear in his meridians. If this continued, he truly would not be able to hold on.

Just then, the Ambrosial Arbor Martial Soul within him suddenly stirred.

In his left palm, the little sapling that had remained dormant slowly lit up with green light. A tender green leaf grew from one of its branches, brimming with vigorous life. It gently drifted down, entered his body through his meridians, and fused into him. Instantly, a gentle yet powerful force spread through him like spring rain nourishing parched earth. It not only stabilized the meridians that were on the verge of breaking, but also suppressed the restless Soul Power and gradually smoothed it out. At the same time, an endless stream of life force poured into every part of Wang Chuan's body, easing his pain and guiding his body to slowly absorb the violent Soul Power.

Wang Chuan's tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed. The pain on his face also eased considerably, and his breathing slowly steadied.

When Chen Xin saw this, he was first stunned. Then he let out a long breath, his eyes filled with amazement and relief. "Is this the power of a God-Tier Healing Martial Soul? It can actually protect its master on its own when its master is in danger, without needing to be actively activated... For Xiao Chuan to possess Twin Martial Souls like these truly is an immense blessing."

Suppressing his lingering fear, he resumed his vigilant guard and silently made a vow. From now on, he would be more cautious in everything he did. He would never allow Xiao Chuan to fall into such danger again.

An hour later, Wang Chuan slowly opened his eyes. He stood and stretched his limbs, feeling strength fill his entire body. His Soul Power was several times more abundant than before, and even his mind felt much clearer. The pale-yellow Soul Ring slowly revolved beneath his feet, emitting a gentle glow.

"Finally, it's complete!" Wang Chuan clenched his fists, sensing the surging Soul Power within him and the ice-attribute power closely connected to his Nothingness Martial Soul. A relieved smile appeared on his face.