Deceptive Soul Skill

The process of absorbing the Soul Ring went smoothly. It took only about an hour for Lin Ye to finish absorbing it.

When he stood up again, he could already feel the changes in himself. His Soul Power had shot up to level 18.

His Mental Power had also increased considerably. He didn't need to focus on sensing anything; a casual glance was enough to make the tiny specks of dust in the air and the movements of mosquitoes' wings as they flew appear crystal clear. All physical motion seemed dozens of times slower to him. Within a hundred meters, even the slightest stir of wind or grass was now perfectly clear.

The significant increase in his Mental Power put Lin Ye at ease. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion really hadn't lied to him.

First Soul Skill: Void.

Once activated, the Void skill allowed its user to enter the Void State. In this state, they were immune to all physical attacks.

Soul Skills and Mental Power attacks reduced the duration of the Void State and could even break it outright.

However, as long as the Void State remained intact, the user would suffer no actual harm.

And this Soul Skill could be cast not only on oneself, but on others as well.

Most importantly, the Void State was practically equivalent to becoming a Soul Body. In this Soul Body state, one could invade another person's Physical Body.

Once the invasion succeeded, one could take over the other person's body and control it temporarily. The other person's Martial Soul and Soul Skills could also be used.

The only pity was that he couldn't occupy the other person's Physical Body indefinitely, since the Soul Skill couldn't last very long.

After learning what the Soul Skill could do, Lin Ye's eyes grew brighter and brighter, like two glowing light bulbs. This Soul Skill was practically made for messing with people!

From now on, if there was someone he couldn't stand, he could use the Void skill to possess them, then use their body to stir up trouble, act recklessly, and make enemies to his heart's content. Heh heh heh...

The person Lin Ye couldn't stand most, of course, was Tang San. A treasure of a Soul Skill like this had to be enjoyed by Tang San first.

Tang San would arrive in a while. When he did, Lin Ye would control his body and help him absorb his First Soul Ring.

But since it was for Tang San, he'd just settle for finding him a ten-year Soul Ring. Heh heh heh...

At the thought, a broad smile spread across his face. Tang San, I'll take care of your Soul Rings from now on.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion tilted her head, utterly puzzled. What was this two-legged beast grinning about?

After laughing for a while, Lin Ye finally calmed down. He vigorously rubbed the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's big head and smiled. "I'm heading back now. Thanks for all your help this time. I'll bring you something tasty next time."

He had accomplished what he'd come for, so naturally, it was time to head back.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion had been getting a little irritated by all the rubbing, but the moment she heard about tasty food, her mood brightened. "Take me with you. I'm coming along."

"Huh? What did you say?" Lin Ye thought he'd misheard.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion snorted. "Can't I go out and see the human world?"

Oh, so that was it! Lin Ye understood. It was perfectly natural for the Auspicious Beast to want to see the world beyond the forest.

"It's not that you can't come with us, but Soul Beasts shouldn't walk around in the human world. How about you take human form?"

As he spoke, Lin Ye's gaze held a hint of something unusual. He was secretly looking forward to it. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion would be a cute little beauty in human form, too. Heh heh heh.

Normally, a Soul Beast could choose to take human form only after reaching a hundred thousand years of cultivation. But that meant giving up those hundred thousand years and starting over.

Few Soul Beasts chose to do that.

Once a Soul Beast's cultivation exceeded a hundred thousand years and reached two hundred thousand, it was known as a Ferocious Beast. Ferocious Beasts could also take human form, just like the Ice Empress.

But that was only an outward appearance; in essence, they were still Soul Beasts.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion was an exception. Even though her cultivation was nowhere near a hundred thousand years, she could still take human form, and could possess both human and Soul Beast forms, switching freely between them.

That was the Emperor Auspicious Beast for you. There was no denying how incredible she was.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion shook her big head. "No. I haven't decided what I want to look like yet."

Taking human form wasn't something to do carelessly. She would have only one chance to choose in her life, and once she did, there would be no going back.

Lin Ye's eyes lit up. From what she'd said, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was willing to take human form; she just hadn't decided what she wanted to look like.

That was more than enough. There was no point rushing. Some things had to be worked toward little by little.

"Then can you make yourself a little smaller?" Lin Ye kept his expression under control, so no one could see the little scheme he had in mind.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion answered with actions. Golden light flowed over her body, and she quickly shrank until she was only about forty centimeters long, even smaller than a tabby cat.

Lin Ye couldn't hide his delight. He bent down, picked up the kitten-sized Three-Eyed Golden Lion, and rubbed her round head.

"Put me down! Put me down!" The Three-Eyed Golden Lion felt she'd been insulted and stamped around angrily.

Lin Ye chuckled, paying it no mind. "How about I give you a name?"

Without even waiting to see whether she agreed, he went on, "Let me think... How about Da Huang? What do you think?"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion: "..."

Did he really think the Auspicious Beast didn't understand anything?

She glared fiercely at Lin Ye, parting her lips slightly to reveal a mouthful of sharp teeth.

"Okay, okay, I was just kidding. Why get so worked up?" Lin Ye hurriedly soothed her.

After a pause, he continued, "Why don't you take my surname? As for your given name, let's call you Qiu'er. Lin Qiu'er. It's settled."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's expression softened. The name sounded acceptable, at least. It wasn't as ridiculous and stupid as the previous one.

She turned her head haughtily, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Lin Ye took that as her approval.

Proud as an Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion wasn't about to let someone carry her around like a pet. She leaped up and landed steadily on Lin Ye's shoulder.

And so, Lin Ye and Lin Qiu'er set off back with the Snow Empress. The three of them and one cat began their journey home.

Just as they were about to leave the Star Dou Great Forest, a Soul Beast suddenly appeared and blocked their way.

The Soul Beast was more than five meters long and exceptionally sturdy. It looked somewhat like a lion, but its most distinctive feature was its three identical heads. Each head was over a meter in diameter, and its terrifying fangs gleamed a reddish gold.

"Scarlet King, what are you doing?" the Snow Empress asked with a frown.

The Soul Beast that had appeared out of nowhere was called the Scarlet King. Its true form was a Three-Headed Red Demon Mastiff, and its cultivation had already reached three hundred thousand years. It was one of the rulers of the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Snow Empress, I mean no offense." In front of the Snow Empress, the Scarlet King lowered its proud head.

Then it glanced at Lin Ye before quickly turning its attention to Lin Qiu'er. "Auspicious Beast, let me go with you. You need someone to protect you."

"No," Lin Ye blurted out before Lin Qiu'er could even respond.

He had his own reasons for taking Lin Qiu'er along. How could he let the Scarlet King, that huge third wheel, ruin his plans?