Level Sixteen Soul Power, the Trait Chosen for the Second Soul Skill

Lou Gao remained where he stood, one hand still raised to shield himself. Several faint white marks, scraped by the high-speed sand grains, were even visible on the back of his callused hand.

Shock, bewilderment, and disbelief froze upon his weathered face like a statue. A few grains of sand still clung to his thick beard, trembling slightly with his heavy breathing.

Those eyes, usually as blazing as a furnace and filled with wisdom and strength, were now wide open as they stared fixedly at Lin Xia, who stood at the center of the sandstorm as though he had merely done something trivial, and at Larvitar by his feet, who was casually pawing at the sand with his Small Claws.

The apocalyptic scene spanning five hundred meters had been caused merely by the First Soul Ring that one man and one beast had just obtained?

"Th-this was the Soul Skill you wanted before?"

Lou Gao's voice seemed squeezed out from the depths of his throat, dry and carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

Lou Gao forcibly suppressed the raging waves in his Inner Heart and looked at Lin Xia with blazing eyes.

"Sand Raising? You... you already knew it would have this effect?!"

Lin Xia dispelled his Soul Power and felt the surging new strength within him, intimately connected to Larvitar. A frank yet slightly mysterious smile appeared on his face.

Lin Xia nodded and answered,

"Yes, Teacher. Larvitar and I share a peculiar connection. We have a vague instinct for the type of Soul Ring we need."

"What I needed was not merely a Soul Skill, but an innate trait capable of drawing upon the power of 'sand' and 'rock.' This Yellow Storm Rat Leader's Soul Ring perfectly matched our needs."

"A vague instinct..."

Lou Gao repeated softly, the shock in his eyes gradually replaced by deep understanding and gratification.

Lou Gao Slapped His Thigh hard, producing a crisp smack. A delighted smile bloomed across his face, and his booming voice echoed through the empty desert.

"So that's it! This Old Man was wondering! You Kid had so many requirements before—controlling sand, rocks... Earth Attribute... Sand Control... Sandstorm. So this was where it all came from! Good! Excellent! This instinct is practically guidance bestowed by heaven!"

Lou Gao laughed heartily, his laughter filled with the relief of casting aside his doubts and immense pride in his disciple's talent.

As a master, Lou Gao knew well that the path of a Soul Master was full of strange variations, and everyone had their own encounters and secrets.

Lin Xia had no shortage of mysteries surrounding him: his inconceivable method of growing stronger by eating Mineral Ore, Larvitar, his unheard-of Soul Beast companion, and this heaven-defying instinct for choosing Soul Rings.

Yet Lou Gao had no desire whatsoever to pry. All he felt was pure trust and the desire to protect him.

If his disciple wished to speak, he would listen. If he did not, Lou Gao would never ask.

After laughing, Lou Gao rubbed the stubble on his chin. His eyes gleamed with intense curiosity and concern as he raised another crucial question.

"This Old Man has seen the might of that Soul Skill. It truly opened my eyes! But what about your Soul Power? You absorbed a full fourteen-hundred-year Soul Ring. How much did your Soul Power rise? Let this old man be happy too!"

At that, Lin Xia immediately calmed his mind and looked inward at his dantian.

The Soul Power Vortex, once only in its infancy, had now become solid and expanded, slowly rotating like a miniature nebula. Pure Soul Power flowed endlessly within it, countless times stronger than before he absorbed the Soul Ring!

A surging Sense of Power filled his Limbs and Bones.

Lin Xia raised his head, a Flash of Light gleaming in his eyes. His voice carried excitement that had not yet fully subsided as he answered decisively,

"Teacher, my Soul Power has already reached Level Sixteen!"

"L-Level Sixteen?!"

The smile on Lou Gao's face instantly froze, then erupted in an even more exaggerated and bold display!

"LEVEL SIXTEEN!!! Hahahahahaha—!!!"

Lou Gao vigorously patted Lin Xia's shoulder. The force was so heavy that Lin Xia could not help baring his teeth slightly as his body swayed.

"Good! Good! Excellent!!"

Lou Gao's face was flushed with excitement, his thick brows dancing as wild joy gleamed in his eyes.

"A Thousand Years for the First Soul Ring! And after absorbing it, you jumped straight to Level Sixteen! This old man has lived so many years, yet I've never even heard of such a thing!"

"As expected of my disciple, Lou Gao's disciple! A Monster! You and this Little Monster are both Monsters rarely seen in all eternity! Hahahaha! Splendid! Absolutely splendid!!"

Seeing his Teacher even more excited than he was, to the point of seeming somewhat unrestrained, Lin Xia felt both helpless and warm inside.

Lin Xia knew this was not merely an increase in strength. It was recognition of his choice, praise for his breakthrough beyond his limits, and an emotional release from his Teacher.

This unreserved joy filled Lin Xia's Inner Heart with an enormous Sense of Accomplishment and satisfaction as well.

Multi-Characteristic Soul Ring!

The Great Power of Sandstorm!

The Huge Soul Power Increase brought by Over-level Absorption!

This proved that the path he had envisioned was truly possible!

"Enough, enough, Teacher. If you keep patting me, this body of mine that just leveled up is going to fall apart again."

Lin Xia smiled as he rubbed his shoulder, his tone lighthearted.

"Haha, you brat, still putting on an act!"

Lou Gao withdrew his hand, still grinning from ear to ear. The satisfaction in his gaze toward Lin Xia could not have been greater.

"Let's go! We're going home! Today is a day of great joy, so we must celebrate properly! Have the kitchen prepare more dishes! No, this Old Man will cook personally and show you what I can do!"

Lou Gao's bold enthusiasm infected Lin Xia and Larvitar alike.

The Little Guy seemed to understand that his Master had achieved tremendous success. He cried out, "Yō Jī Yō Jī," and rubbed his little head against Lin Xia's leg.

"Alright, let's go home!"

Lin Xia replied with a smile, bending down to pick up Larvitar.

The carriage drawn by the Thick-skinned Camel Beast had long been waiting at the edge of the sandy ground.

Lou Gao was the first to jump into the carriage, with Lin Xia carrying Larvitar close behind.

The wheels rolled over the soft sand, producing dull rumbles.

Inside the carriage, Lou Gao still could not hide his excitement. From time to time, he patted Lin Xia's shoulder and sighed in amazement.

The Association Backyard was as it had always been, with several chunks of half-chewed Mineral Ore still scattered across the Stone Table.

The moment Lou Gao entered the courtyard, he shouted for Si Di and the others at the top of his lungs. His voice boomed like a bell as he announced the good news that Lin Xia had successfully Obtained Soul Ring and greatly increased his Soul Power. Several Senior Brothers rushed out of the workshop at once, surrounding Lin Xia with astonishment and congratulations. The atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

Sure enough, Lou Gao personally went to the kitchen. Before long, the tempting aroma of Dishes drifted through the air.

The Backyard was brightly lit. A large round table had been set out, and Lou Gao personally brought over several huge plates of generous Hearty Dishes. The five master and disciples sat around the table, raising their cups amid endless laughter and cheer.

Lin Xia became the absolute center of attention as his Senior Brothers took turns toasting him. Larvitar also received a large chunk of Purple Lightning Iron ore and happily gnawed away at it.

The gathering continued until midnight. After using Soul Power to stimulate his brain and sober himself up, Lin Xia finally began thinking about how he should proceed on the road ahead.

Especially the trait he should choose for his Second Soul Skill!

Brothers, please give it more Follow-up Reading, boohoohoo.

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