"Looks like I won, Tang San. Let's end it here."
Yu Cheng's tone was calm.
Tang San had the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and he had his own Ash Box.
Everyone had a bright future ahead of them.
As long as Ash Boxes kept appearing and he inherited the legacies of the future, Yu Cheng could continuously increase his strength.
For now, he was slightly stronger than Tang San. In the future, perhaps he would surpass him by even more.
Tang San knelt on one knee and pulled the tile shard from his shoulder.
Seeing Yu Cheng's composed expression, Tang San's face instantly flushed red.
Damn it!
Among all the students at Nuoding Academy, his Soul Power Level was far ahead of everyone else's. He was an undisputed young genius.
Other than Xiao Wu, Tang San looked down on no one.
Yet today, he had lost.
He had lost to Yu Cheng, who possessed Innate Level Two Soul Power and the same Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
His Soul Power had even exceeded Yu Cheng's by ten full levels!
In the end, Tang San managed to console himself.
It was only a spar.
Besides, if the pebbles he used had been replaced with real Hidden Weapons, Yu Cheng probably would not have lasted ten exchanges.
"Yu Cheng, I'll let you have this Soul Ring! Next time, I'll definitely win!"
Tang San said with feigned nonchalance.
Of course he was unwilling to accept it!
However, a loss was a loss.
Tang San was not about to cry and make a scene over a Soul Ring.
The gap in Soul Power was an insurmountable chasm. Once he absorbed his Second Soul Ring, Yu Cheng would not have the slightest chance of winning!
"Here, this is the blueprint."
Tang San took out a piece of parchment from his Soul Tool, tossed it to Yu Cheng, and turned to leave.
Watching Tang San's departing back, Yu Cheng smiled faintly.
After the City Lord's Mansion incident, Tang San's protagonist halo had already shattered completely in Yu Cheng's mind.
So what if he was the protagonist?
If Xiao Dachuan had been a little more ruthless, Tang San would have been dead long ago.
Now, even Tang San's Second Soul Ring had been taken from him. As for what would happen in the future, they would just have to wait and see!
The Red-haired Soul King looked at Yu Cheng with undisguised admiration in his eyes.
"That was an excellent battle! Yu Cheng, your combat ability far exceeds that of ordinary Soul Masters."
Yu Cheng hurriedly waved his hands. "Elder, you flatter me. I don't even have a Soul Ring yet."
The Red-Haired Soul Master smiled warmly. "I'm not joking. Although many people have high Soul Power, it was all piled up through resources. They grew up in privileged conditions and know almost nothing about the outside world, let alone combat."
Su Yuntao scratched his head at that.
He felt that he probably was not one of those people, since his family was not particularly well-off.
"Xiao Cheng, hurry and absorb the Soul Ring."
Su Yuntao spoke up.
Yu Cheng nodded, gripping his short blade as he walked up to the Ghost Vine.
After wasting that short while, Yu Cheng was surprised to find that the Ghost Vine's aura had actually stabilized somewhat.
What incredible vitality. It seemed this Soul Beast had been the right choice!
Screech!
The short blade stabbed into its roots, and a bright yellow Soul Ring rose up.
Yu Cheng sat cross-legged as Soul Power surged through him, drawing the Soul Ring above his head.
The Red-haired Soul King took out a stone from his robes and infused it with Soul Power.
This was a Recording Stone, capable of briefly recording what happened in the outside world.
Another Soul Ancestor took out a notebook and began recording Yu Cheng's reactions.
He missed neither the changes in Soul Power, the rhythm of his breathing, nor even the subtle expressions on his face.
The others formed a circle and used their Soul Power to create a protective barrier, ensuring that not even a wisp of wind could enter.
Everyone surrounded Yu Cheng.
At that moment, Yu Cheng had become connected to the future of every Soul Master across the continent.
Time passed second by second.
Yu Cheng's breathing remained steady throughout.
In truth, after Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng's sacrifice, combined with two and a half years of cultivation, Yu Cheng's physical strength was far beyond that of his peers.
Even without Whale Rubber's assistance, he was confident that he could absorb this Soul Ring.
However, Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng's example was a warning.
The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.
Revealing the secret of Whale Rubber could certainly undermine Yu Xiaogang's theories. But more importantly, Yu Cheng wanted to protect himself.
As long as everyone could absorb Soul Rings beyond their level, he could safely absorb a Thousand-Year Second Soul Ring.
With the Blood Sacrifice Array, Yu Cheng could devour blood to improve both his Soul Power and physical condition.
His Soul Ring configuration would only become more outrageous with time.
As for whether others could do the same?
That had nothing to do with him.
After all, he had already made his theory public. Everyone could rely on their own abilities.
If they could not absorb Soul Rings beyond their level, then perhaps they should ask themselves whether they had simply not worked hard enough in cultivation.
About half an hour later, Yu Cheng opened his eyes and slowly rose to his feet.
"Yu Cheng, you really succeeded!"
Su Yuntao rushed over in a single stride and excitedly hugged him.
"Cough, cough, Brother Tao, you're going to suffocate me."
Su Yuntao released Yu Cheng and impatiently asked, "Yu Cheng, how do you feel now? Is there any discomfort anywhere?"
"Not at all. I feel great right now!"
Yu Cheng smiled as Soul Power surged, and his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul rose from his palm.
Compared to before he absorbed the Soul Ring, the branches of the Blue Silver Grass had become thicker, while its emerald-green leaves were covered with a grayish layer.
"Your Martial Soul has grown much sturdier, and your Soul Power fluctuations are stable too. This is wonderful!"
Su Yuntao jumped excitedly.
He had merely acted as a guide on this trip, but Su Yuntao knew that his name would be written into the history books as one of the "guides"!
"Your Martial Soul does resemble the Ghost Vine somewhat."
The Red-haired Soul King stroked his chin and said with a smile.
He took out a Crystal Ball. "Test your Soul Power. Let's see what surprise this Soul Ring, absorbed beyond your level, has brought us!"
The others also laughed.
Everyone knew that after absorbing this Soul Ring, Yu Cheng's future would be brilliant.
He was a pioneer. Calling him "Master Yu" would not be excessive at all!
Honor, status, wealth...
He had truly embarked upon the peak of life!
Yu Cheng placed his hand on the sphere, and a dense blue light shone forth.
"Level Thirteen!"
Everyone cried out in unison.
At that moment, they were certain that Yu Cheng's future was unstoppable.
In truth, the Ghost Vine had provided Yu Cheng with roughly two and a half levels of Soul Power. The extra half-level came from the energy he absorbed from inside the Ghost Vine.
Of course, it was not the Blood Sacrifice Array. He could not simply do as he pleased in full view of everyone.
That half-level of Soul Power came from the effect of his First Soul Skill.
Frenzied Seed.
It released seeds that attached themselves to a Soul Beast or Soul Master, increasing all attributes by 30% for half an hour while drastically reducing their perception of pain.
Judging from that alone, this Soul Skill was remarkably powerful.
Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, hailed as the continent's greatest support Martial Soul, only provided a 20% boost with its First Soul Skill, and that enhancement applied to a single attribute.
However, Yu Cheng's Soul Skill had one small side effect.
After half an hour, the enhanced target would enter a weakened state. All attributes would decrease by 50% for roughly two to three hours.
As for why there was a side effect...
Naturally, while the seeds parasitized another's body, Yu Cheng absorbed a portion of their vitality and Soul Power.
In a sense, the seed's true purpose was to absorb the host's life force.
The attribute boost existed to numb the host, while the reduced pain perception prevented them from resisting.
"Yu Cheng, Spirit Hall will hold a celebration for you once we return!"
Su Yuntao said excitedly.
Everyone laughed as they strode toward the edge of the forest.
After they left, the Ghost Vine's towering body collapsed with a crash. Clumps of Blue Silver Grass sprouted and soon covered the entire corpse.
If an outsider passed by, they would probably sigh, "The Blue Silver Grass grows so lushly here!"
Before you continue