It seemed that because of what had happened today, Lin's relationship with Lao Yao had eased considerably.
The bond between master and disciple had also grown deeper.
"Kid, now that you've obtained the soul bone, how do you plan to absorb it?"
Lao Yao changed the subject and stopped bringing up the vice captain. He did not continue probing for secrets either; he already knew enough.
Enough was enough.
"Later. My Soul Power is already at level 20."
"Next, while refining the soul bone, I plan to convert most of the Soul Power contained within it into Ghost Power for cultivation."
"My Ghost Power has yet to break through to the threshold of Ghost Power."
"Even with Master's suppression, it feels very uncomfortable for the two energies to be out of balance in my body—one low and one high."
Lin briefly explained. He had originally planned to use the soul bone to break through to level 20, but he had not expected the Ice Emperor's Soul Power to directly push his Soul Power to level 20.
Fortunately, Master had told Ice Emperor to first raise his Soul Power to level 20. Otherwise, it would have taken much more effort.
Lao Yao nodded. It was more or less what he had expected.
"Kid, what are your plans next?"
Lao Yao asked directly. Now that he knew how things had developed, what came next was important.
"First, I'll take a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest to look for the Auspicious Beast. Then I'll go to the Haotian Sect and have my martial soul undergo its second awakening."
Lin had a clear plan and knew what he needed to do. (P.S. The little author did not forget about Huo Yuhao. This is not just to set up the later part where Xuan Zi gets beaten up.)
Lao Yao nodded slightly. As long as there was a plan, it was fine.
Lao Yao did not worry about Lin either, transforming into a white light and entering the ring.
After tidying himself up, Lin headed toward where the Sky Soul Empire was located.
By this point, Huo Yuhao should have finished Shi Luo Ke's assessment.
Lin remembered that Huo Yuhao had escaped from the White Tiger Duke's estate until the end of the first semester, a span of one year. (There is a reference in Chapter 49 of the original.)
Shi Luo Ke held its assessment three months after enrollment. During the period after it ended, Huo Yuhao went on vacation to the North Pole. By now, Huo Yuhao's assessment had surely ended, and with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao around, the remaining matters would naturally fall into place.
Now, Xiao Xiao had spent a month entering the Star Dou Great Forest with Huo Yuhao, spent another month in the Star Dou Great Forest, and would need another two months to travel to the North Pole.
Without realizing it, nearly half a year had passed. Time truly flew.
No matter. The Ice Emperor had already been taken by him. Huo Yuhao, what would you use as your second martial soul now?
Lin was rather curious.
Still, as long as it was ice-attributed, his Frostmourne Ice completely suppressed it. There was nothing to worry about at all.
Inside the ring, Ice Emperor's Soul Body greedily absorbed the abundant energy around it.
When she saw Igor's gray ball of energy, she could not help but shudder. That was another terrifying powerhouse.
So strong.
"Little girl, since you've come here, we're family. Don't be restrained."
Igor's voice rang out. He seemed quite friendly toward Ice Emperor.
"My name is Igor. You may call me Grandpa Igor."
Lao Yao's figure appeared inside the ring, smiling at Ice Emperor.
"Grandpa Lao, this grandpa didn't bully me. I was simply too weak."
Ice Emperor hurriedly explained. Saying she was not afraid would be a lie. These two were super powerful figures; if she offended them by accident, what could she do?
Lao Yao smiled. "No need to be restrained. Just call me Grandpa Lao. As for that fellow, suit yourself."
"Just call me Old Igor. Being called Grandpa Igor feels strange."
Igor quickly spoke up. It had not been easy to gain another person here, and this was much more interesting than having only Lao Yao.
Ice Emperor nodded obediently. "Grandpa Lao, Old Igor."
Ice Emperor was sweet-talking them, which delighted both elders.
"You can stay here from now on. Go out whenever you want."
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me or those two old fellows."
Lao Yao spoke kindly and reached out to rub Ice Emperor's head. Ice Emperor was currently in the form of a little girl, looking rather well-behaved.
Ice Emperor nodded. These two grandpas were so nice.
Outside, Xiao Xiao had already left the borders of the North Pole and set foot on the road to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Two months later, a relatively safe place within the Star Dou Great Forest.
At this moment, Lin was surrounded by icy mist. Ice Emperor nestled lazily on his lap, comfortably absorbing the Ghost Power radiating from him.
The warm Ghost Power made Ice Emperor extremely happy.
Within Lin's body, Ghost Power continuously surged, allowing the Ice Emperor's soul bone to slowly imprint itself into his body.
He had not allowed Ice Emperor to reshape his bones and body as Huo Yuhao had. His own body was naturally the best.
As the torso bone gradually fused with him, the icy aura radiating from Lin's body grew denser. The cave froze over, and ice crystals bloomed one after another around him.
Lin continuously converted the Soul Power contained within the soul bone into Ghost Power. Following the cultivation method described in the Flame Mantra, he kept refining his Ghost Power.
Day after day, Lin's cultivation steadily rose. Ghost Power cultivation was unlike Soul Power; there was no ten-level limit.
As long as he had enough time, Lin could cultivate in peace until the world was invincible before emerging again.
That said, Ghost Power cultivation was a hundred times harder than Soul Power cultivation.
It was not easy to reach the third level of Ghost Power in such a short time.
Lin could not absorb all the energy within the soul bone. Some of the energy produced during conversion flowed into the ring and was stored away by Lao Yao.
And so, Lin immersed himself in cultivation.
A month later, Lin awakened from cultivation. The energies within his body seemed unbalanced once more, with Ghost Power surpassing Soul Power.
"Ghost Power, third level!"
Lin took a deep breath and sighed. He had finally reached the third level of Ghost Power. Hahaha!
Ghost Power cultivation was indeed difficult, but once he succeeded, the rewards were immense.
Lin's face was full of smiles. The soul bone had been successfully refined, he had reached the third level of Ghost Power, and his Soul Power had also reached level 20.
This wave of improvement was truly enormous. He had already caught up to Yan Li's level. Wonderful!
Ice Emperor was awakened by Lin's loud shouting.
"Kid, you're only at the level of a Soul Elder. What's so exciting about that?"
Ice Emperor rolled her eyes at Lin. Was reaching Soul Elder really enough to make him so happy? His temperament still needed work.
Lin was too lazy to explain the sensation of this improvement to the little girl. She would not understand.
"Ice Emperor, you're saying that I'm now at the level of a Soul Elder?"
Lin quickly grasped the key point. The aura he was giving off was that of a Soul Elder, meaning his Soul Power was level 20.
In other words, the third level of Ghost Power corresponded to a Soul Elder.
Lin had already made an estimate in his heart.
"Yes, Soul Elder," Ice Emperor replied.
The energy contained in Ice Emperor's forty-thousand-year soul bone was indeed substantial.
After stretching, Lin shattered the frost sealing the cave with one palm and stepped out to greet the long-absent sunlight.
Before you continue