Long Chen and Ye Tianming carefully approached the Green Turtle Beast, trying not to make a sound and alert it.
The Green Turtle Beast had three thousand years of cultivation and was highly alert.
Just as the two of them drew closer, it suddenly opened its eyes. A glint of wariness flashed in its pair of cloudy eyes.
The next moment, the Green Turtle Beast seemed to realize something was wrong. It quickly withdrew its head and limbs into its thick shell, leaving only its indestructible carapace exposed.
Ye Tianming said softly,
"This Green Turtle Beast is pretty alert, but it won't get away."
Long Chen smiled faintly, confidence shining in his eyes.
"Uncle Ye, let me handle this Soul Beast on my own."
"Sure. I'll stand by and watch your back."
Ye Tianming knew that Long Chen's Martial Soul and Soul Skills were extremely unusual.
What's more, Long Chen's strength and mental fortitude far surpassed those of his peers. Letting him face a Green Turtle Beast with three thousand years of cultivation on his own would be an excellent chance to train.
Long Chen's body gave a slight shudder, and the Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul appeared in his hands.
The pitch-black Demon Lute glowed faintly, as if it contained an endless, mysterious power.
Then Long Chen lightly plucked the strings, and his first Soul Skill sprang into action.
A shadow leaped from the Demon Lute and transformed into a gigantic Taotie Phantom, which lunged at the Green Turtle Beast with claws bared.
The Taotie Phantom was enormous, almost blocking out half the sky.
It opened its gaping maw, revealing sharp fangs, and pinned down the Green Turtle Beast just as it was about to flee into the river.
Though the Green Turtle Beast had astonishing defenses, it was powerless under the Taotie Phantom's suppression.
It tried to struggle, but whenever it attempted to stick out its limbs or head, the Taotie Phantom's terrifying strength forced them back into its shell.
Just then, Long Chen plucked the strings again.
His Second Soul Skill—Demon Sound Summons Nine-Tailed Fox—activated.
A dazzling light burst from the Demon Lute, taking the form of a demon beast with nine fox tails.
The Nine-Tailed Fox moved lightly, its nine tails swaying slowly behind it.
As it let out a series of soft cries, a strange wave spread through the air.
The Green Turtle Beast seemed affected by the Nine-Tailed Fox's Illusion Sound. Its tense, wary expression gradually turned dazed.
As if it had entered some kind of illusion, it willingly extended its head and limbs. Its mouth seemed to be chewing something, and its eyes grew unfocused, as though it were lost in the joy of savoring a delicious meal.
"Now!"
Long Chen's expression tightened, and he plucked the strings once more.
A sharp note sliced through the air, aimed straight at the Green Turtle Beast's weak point.
"Pfft!"
With a soft sound, an invisible Sound Wave Blade pierced the Green Turtle Beast's neck.
The Green Turtle Beast, still lost in the illusion, suddenly shuddered violently. Its eyes turned bloodshot, and it let out a deafening roar.
But the next moment, it collapsed and soon stopped breathing.
Wisps of purple mist slowly rose from its massive corpse.
Long Chen had killed the Green Turtle Beast, which had three thousand years of cultivation, with ease.
Ye Tianming was once again stunned.
The Nine-Tailed Fox summoned by Long Chen through the Demon Lute Sound was just as powerful.
The Green Turtle Beast had been completely helpless against its mental attack.
Ye Tianming walked over to Long Chen.
"Xiao Chen, you did it—and even more easily than I expected."
Long Chen withdrew his Martial Soul and smiled faintly.
"Uncle Ye, the power of this Second Soul Skill exceeded my expectations too."
"Mm, it really is powerful. I told you before—even a Soul Master at the Soul King level would probably struggle to resist the Nine-Tailed Fox's control."
Before long, the Purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring had fully formed.
"Xiao Chen, get yourself ready and prepare to absorb the Soul Ring."
"Okay."
Long Chen steadied himself, closed his eyes, and focused completely on absorbing the Soul Ring.
The air around him seemed to tremble under the immense energy of the Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
This was Long Chen's first time absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
The energy inside the Three-Thousand-Year Soul Ring surged like a wild horse, violent and difficult to control.
But thanks to the strengthened body he had gained from consuming Whale Rubber, Long Chen easily withstood the impact of the energy.
His body seemed like a sturdy dam. No matter how fiercely the energy surged, he steadily guided it into every corner of his body.
Time passed quietly. Long Chen's expression gradually eased, and a faint glow appeared on his face.
As the Soul Power within him mingled with the Soul Ring's energy, it was continually refined and strengthened until the two fully merged.
When the last trace of energy had been absorbed, Long Chen suddenly opened his eyes, their light brighter than before.
Seeing him wake, Ye Tianming asked eagerly,
"Xiao Chen, you've finally finished absorbing the Soul Ring. How do you feel?"
Long Chen rose to his feet and smiled.
"My Soul Power has increased by two ranks, bringing me to the Thirty-second Rank. And I feel like I'm filled with tremendous strength."
"Excellent. Your new Soul Skill should be related to defense, right?"
"That's right. It's an Offense-Defense Integration Soul Skill."
As Long Chen spoke, he slowly raised his right hand, and the Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul appeared once more.
As his fingertips touched the strings, the third Soul Ring shone brightly, and a mysterious, solemn aura spread through the air.
As Long Chen played, the Demon Lute Sound transformed into ripples invisible to the naked eye and spread in every direction.
In the blink of an eye, a gigantic phantom with the body of a turtle and a snake slowly appeared.
It bore a heavy shell on its back, while its massive, powerful snake body coiled and its tail whipped through the air. Its lithe snake head bared sharp teeth and flicked its tongue, its eyes filled with boundless majesty.
The enormous phantom enveloped Long Chen and his Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul, as if forming an indestructible fortress around him.
"Is that... Xuanwu?"
Ye Tianming stared at the scene in astonishment.
Xuanwu had not only formidable defenses but also devastating offensive power.
Long Chen nodded.
"Uncle Ye, it is Xuanwu. It's an Offense-Defense Integration Skill."
Ye Tianming looked at Long Chen, his eyes filled with pride.
"Excellent. This Soul Skill is incredibly powerful! You're only at the Thirty-second Rank, yet you already have Soul Skills for powerful offense, strong control, and strong defense. You can attack, defend, and control all at once. I dare say no Soul Master of the same rank can match you. Even Soul Ancestors and Soul Kings would struggle to pose a threat to you."
Long Chen smiled.
"Uncle Ye, this Soul Skill doesn't seem quite that incredible. Can I go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy now?"
"You can. But remember what I told you: don't use the Devouring Power of your first Soul Skill in public."
"Mm, I understand."
Before you continue