Meanwhile, earth-shaking changes were taking place within Xue Nianbing's Sea of Consciousness as countless ice-blue rays converged toward the center.
In an instant, an ice-blue sphere of light formed at the center of his Sea of Consciousness. Ice Blue Mist swirled around its surface, concealing whatever lay within.
"Buzz."
Suddenly, the Ice Blue Mist on the sphere's surface extended toward Xue Nianbing.
As if guided by a clear purpose, the Ice Blue Mist directly enveloped the Extreme Cold Ice Spear Martial Soul that was absorbing the Soul Ring.
Under the mist's effects, the Soul Ring's aura gradually grew stronger.
"This is..."
Outside, Snow Empress and Ice Empress stared in shock at the changes occurring on Xue Nianbing's body.
The deep yellow Soul Ring was steadily deepening in color, with more and more purple appearing across its surface. It stopped only after reaching a certain limit.
"Nine hundred and ninety-nine years!"
Snow Empress saw through the Soul Ring's current age at a glance.
Ice Empress froze, then asked instinctively, "Snow Empress, what's going on? Can a Soul Ring that's still being absorbed increase in age?"
"This..."
Snow Empress was equally puzzled.
She had never heard of such a situation.
"Perhaps Nianbing knows what is happening. We can ask him in detail once he finishes absorbing the Soul Ring," Snow Empress said.
"Alright."
Ice Empress nodded, her eyes never leaving Xue Nianbing.
About the time it took for an incense stick to burn passed.
Clang!
The Extreme Cold Ice Spear seemed to let out a crisp chime. The deep yellow Soul Ring, now tinged with purple, gradually transformed into energy and merged into the Martial Soul.
The Soul Ring absorption had succeeded!
Xue Nianbing opened his eyes. His golden pupils gleamed, and a trace of dominance appeared within his cold gaze. As his eyes opened and closed, an air of nobility emerged.
"level 14." Xue Nianbing sensed his Soul Power Level.
With the successful absorption of this nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine-year Soul Ring, his Soul Power rose along with it, reaching level 14.
The nearly thousand-year Soul Ring, coupled with his affinity for the Ice Attribute, had raised his Soul Power by four levels at once. The gains were far from insignificant.
Xue Nianbing stood up and stretched, thinking to himself, A nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine-year Soul Ring is the current limit of my physical body.
And not only can it continue to grow, but its age can also be changed.
The ice-blue sphere of light in his Sea of Consciousness was immensely mysterious. The mist on its surface could increase a Soul Ring's age.
As long as his physical strength improved and his body could withstand more Ice Blue Mist, the age of his Soul Rings would rise accordingly.
At the same time, within the range of a Soul Ring's age, it could be freely altered and disguised.
What exactly is inside that thing?
Xue Nianbing could not help but grow curious.
The Ice Blue Mist on its surface alone could increase a Soul Ring's age. Just how terrifying, then, was the thing hidden within?
"Nianbing, how do you feel?"
Ice Empress asked repeatedly.
Snow Empress studied Xue Nianbing for a moment before asking, "The unknown power in your body increased your Soul Ring's age. Do you feel any discomfort?"
"Sister Xue, Sister Ice, I feel great."
A faint smile curved Xue Nianbing's lips. "The increase in the Soul Ring's age stopped right at my physical limit, and it seems it will slowly increase as my body grows stronger."
As soon as he said this,
Snow Empress and Ice Empress were both startled.
Increasing a Soul Ring's age was already astonishing, yet it could apparently continue increasing.
For now, it seemed that it was not the Soul Ring limiting Xue Nianbing, but Xue Nianbing's physical condition limiting the growth of his Soul Ring's age.
This was completely the opposite of other Soul Masters.
"Nianbing, what is your First Soul Skill?" Ice Empress asked curiously.
Xue Nianbing smiled. "My First Soul Skill is called Frosty Slash: Ice Mark. I sweep with the Frosty Ice Spear, increasing attack power, attack Speed, and attack range by roughly fifty percent. It lasts for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
"What about the consumption?"
Snow Empress asked.
"With my current Soul Power, using it continuously twelve or thirteen times won't be a problem," Xue Nianbing said with a smile.
"Not bad."
"With your current cultivation as a First Ring Soul Master, using Mark of Ice along with Extreme Ice, dealing with most Second Ring Great Soul Masters will not be difficult. You may even be able to fight some Third Ring Soul Elders."
"Furthermore, this Soul Skill's power depends on your use of the Frosty Ice Spear. The better your spear technique, the more of your strength you can bring out."
Snow Empress immediately saw through Xue Nianbing's situation.
A blacksmith needed iron of his own.
Between Soul Skills and spear technique, Xue Nianbing needed to focus on his spear technique. Soul Skills were more like a form of enhancement effect.
If he merely swept crudely and blindly, he would undoubtedly be wasting the strengthening effect this Soul Skill provided.
"Wielding a spear..."
Xue Nianbing murmured, seemingly deep in thought.
Snow Empress and Ice Empress watched quietly without disturbing him.
A moment later,
Xue Nianbing's eyes brightened slightly. He had clearly found some direction for his path of cultivation.
Snow Empress spoke at the right moment. "From now on, in addition to cultivating Soul Power and learning to identify Soul Beasts, your training will include actual combat against Soul Beasts."
"Try not to use your First Soul Skill. Fight with the most basic Ice Spear Martial Soul. Once you figure out a spear technique that belongs to you, combine it with your Soul Skill. That will yield better results."
Hearing this, Xue Nianbing nodded. "Sister Xue, I understand."
"Mm."
Snow Empress nodded faintly, her shallow smile captivating.
"Nianbing, since your Soul Ring's age can be increased, why not add a Soul Ring to the Proud Snow Cold Bow Martial Soul as well?"
At that moment, Ice Empress made a suggestion.
The usual cultivation method for Twin Martial Souls was to cultivate one while leaving the other untouched, saving the latter for higher-aged Soul Rings in the future in pursuit of greater strength.
But since Xue Nianbing could increase his Soul Ring's age himself, was there still any need to cultivate one and leave one behind?
"No."
Before Xue Nianbing could answer, Snow Empress shook her head in refusal. "Bing'er, we still do not know Nianbing's exact condition. What if the age increase only works on this one Soul Ring?"
"One must always leave room for contingencies. If Nianbing has no need to increase his Soul Ring's age, he can add one in the future all the same."
As soon as she said this,
Xue Nianbing nodded as well.
Before he completely figured out the thing in his Sea of Consciousness, he could not place too much hope in it. He had to leave himself a way out.
Ice Empress carefully considered Snow Empress's words and found them very reasonable.
"True. I was only focused on how quickly Nianbing's Soul Power is increasing. If both Martial Souls could gain Soul Rings at once, his level would definitely rise quickly," Ice Empress said.
"Raising Soul Power too quickly is not necessarily a good thing."
Snow Empress shook her head slightly. "Nianbing has yet to become familiar with his own strength. Blindly raising his Soul Power would ruin his future and waste his talent of Twin Ultimate Ice."
What she valued had never been Xue Nianbing's Soul Power Level, but his actual combat strength.
If she wanted to help Xue Nianbing increase his Soul Power, she could easily pile Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures onto him.
But would that be useful?
What if he had the level of a Titled Douluo, yet only the combat strength of a Soul Saint?
Strength was the foundation, not Soul Power.
"Nianbing, let's go."
"Your cultivation task begins now. Today's task is simple as well: return alone from here to the Core Area of the Far North."
Snow Empress's lips curled upward, revealing an innocent-looking smile.
Before you continue