Lightning Battle Qi

"To be honest, besides our usual training, we do have a specific task here in the Star Dou Great Forest."

Teacher Shen glanced at Shui Bing'er beside her.

"Bing'er has reached level twenty and needs to obtain her Second Soul Ring."

"We're looking for a suitable Ice Attribute Soul Beast. If you're willing, you can travel with us for a while. Think of it as a joint training exercise. What do you say?"

Lin Ming knew full well that Teacher Shen's so-called joint training was mostly a kind gesture meant to keep him safe.

A ten-year-old who had just absorbed a Soul Ring and hadn't fully recovered yet would still be taking a considerable risk by crossing the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest alone.

The quiet thoughtfulness warmed his heart.

"It would be an honor to travel with all of you. If I can be of any help, I'll do my best."

Lin Ming didn't point out her real intentions. He simply accepted her offer with a solemn nod.

After a brief rest, the group set out again, heading deeper into the forest toward an area where Ice Attribute Soul Beasts were active.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through layer upon layer of tree branches, casting bright patches through the gaps.

The group stopped to rest, and Shui Yue'er was busy handing out the candies she had brought. Their sweetness filled the air.

"Bing'er."

Shui Yue'er sat down beside Shui Bing'er and offered her a pale blue candy.

"You've decided what kind of Second Soul Ring you want, right? I'm sure Teacher Shen has already helped you plan it out."

Everyone turned their attention to her at the question.

Shui Bing'er took the candy but didn't unwrap it right away. She sat up straight, her hands neatly resting on her knees. Her ice-blue eyes wavered for a moment, then filled with resolve as she spoke.

"I've decided to choose a Group Defense Soul Skill."

Her voice rang clear, every word spoken distinctly.

The air seemed to fall silent for a moment.

"Defense?" Qiu Ruoshui blinked.

"Bing'er, your Ice Phoenix makes you a top-tier Control System Soul Master."

Shui Bing'er pressed her lips together.

"I've thought about it for a long time. If we're going to compete in the Soul Master Competition someday, our team will need someone to take on the defensive role. A Control System Soul Master is best suited for that."

Her reasoning was clear, but Lin Ming noticed that her hands, resting on her knees, had clenched slightly.

Xue Wu crouched in front of Shui Bing'er, meeting her gaze.

"Bing'er, you're only nine. This decision could affect the path your development takes."

"I know."

Shui Bing'er nodded, her small face tense.

"But the team needs it. If we lose the competition because we lack defense, I'll regret it."

The solemnity in her voice as she said "regret" left everyone present stunned for a moment.

Shui Yue'er suddenly hugged Shui Bing'er, her voice choked with emotion.

"Silly Bing'er! You're so young. Why are you thinking about all this?"

Shui Bing'er looked a little uncomfortable in her embrace, but she didn't struggle. Instead, she gazed seriously at Shui Yue'er with her ice-blue eyes.

"Sister Yue'er, I'm a Control System Soul Master. In battle, I'm the only one who can keep track of how things are going at all times."

Teacher Shen had remained silent. She watched Shui Bing'er, her expression complicated.

There was pride, heartache, and deep guilt in her eyes.

As a teacher, she naturally wanted her students to choose the path most beneficial to their individual growth.

But as the instructor of Skywater Team, she knew better than anyone how precious it was to have a core Soul Master willing to make sacrifices for the team.

"Bing'er."

Teacher Shen finally spoke, her gentle voice slightly hoarse.

"Are you sure? This decision means your strength will develop more slowly than your peers'. And a defensive Soul Skill might not reach its full potential until you become a Soul Ancestor or even a Soul King."

"I'm sure."

Shui Bing'er answered without the slightest hesitation.

As she spoke, that maturity beyond her years returned.

But Lin Ming saw a hint of weariness in her eyes.

This nine-year-old girl was already weighing the pros and cons like an adult and making sacrifices.

The others had clearly been moved by her determination. Their eyes were all red.

Shui Yue'er suddenly giggled and reached out to ruffle Shui Bing'er's hair. Her eyes reddened as she said,

"You're just a little squirt, but you always have to act like a grown-up."

"Sister Yue'er..."

Shui Bing'er's hair was now a mess. Embarrassed, she tried to smooth it down, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.

For a moment, she finally showed the childishness of her age.

Watching the scene, Lin Ming felt something stir inside him.

He thought of Nuoding Academy. No one there had ever treated him with such affection.

Wang Sheng and the others were friendly, but there was always an indescribable barrier between them.

And Tang San and Xiao Wu's mother-and-son-like interactions made him instinctively want to keep his distance.

Just then, a thought surfaced before he could stop it.

Lin Ming knew he shouldn't interfere. Choosing a Soul Ring was the most personal decision a Soul Master could make.

Besides, he had known these people for only a few hours.

But looking at Shui Bing'er's earnest little face, so clearly saying, "I have to take responsibility for the team," he thought of his own resolve to risk going out alone in search of a suitable Soul Ring.

In a way, they were alike.

Or perhaps the kindness in his heart hadn't completely faded.

"If..."

Lin Ming spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the quiet forest.

"If you only want to achieve the effect of an Ice Attribute group defense, you might not need to use up a Soul Ring."

Everyone turned to look at him.

Teacher Shen's gaze sharpened.

Confusion flashed in Shui Bing'er's ice-blue eyes.

"Without using a Soul Ring? How is that possible?"

Lin Ming extended his right hand and closed his eyes. His Soul Power began to circulate along the path of Lightning Battle Qi.

At first, nothing happened.

Shui Yue'er was about to say something when her eyes suddenly widened.

A layer of pale golden light appeared over the surface of Lin Ming's right palm.

Fine golden arcs of electricity danced across the glowing layer, crackling softly.

"What is that...?"

Xue Wu instinctively took half a step back.

Teacher Shen had already risen and walked over to Lin Ming in a few quick strides.

She focused her mental power on the structure of the glowing layer. After a moment, she abruptly lifted her head and looked at Lin Ming.

"You created this yourself?"

Lin Ming let the Lightning Battle Qi fade and nodded.

"Lei Xiaoyi and I figured it out together. I call it Lightning Battle Qi. The idea is to weave Lightning-Attribute Soul Power into a protective layer in a specific way. Soul Power of other attributes should be able to do something similar."

He looked at Shui Bing'er.

"Ice Attribute Soul Power can definitely form Ice Armor over the body or condense Ice Shields in the air. Its strength might not match a dedicated defensive Soul Skill at first, but it doesn't use up a Soul Ring, and it'll grow stronger as your Soul Power Level increases."

The air fell terrifyingly silent.

Shui Yue'er was the first to break the silence.

"My goodness... a Self-Created Soul Skill!"

Shui Bing'er had already stepped in front of Lin Ming. She stood very close, her ice-blue eyes fixed on his hand as if she could see through his skin and observe the path of his Soul Power.

"Without using up a Soul Ring..."

She murmured the words, then raised her head, her eyes brightening.

"Then what should I choose for my Second Soul Ring?"