"Thanks, Yanyan."
Chen Jieqi nodded. A fierce blaze of light gathered in Ashbringer and gently settled over the Light Bird's corpse, granting it its final rest.
A moment later...
A pale purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring slowly rose from the Light Bird's corpse. It carried a distinctive pressure and gleamed brilliantly in the gilded sunlight.
Chen Jieqi sat cross-legged beside the Light Bird's corpse. The Heart of the Naaru between his brows floated above his head as he called out softly,
"Draw it in!"
Unlike the ferocity and tearing sensation that accompanied absorbing other Soul Rings, this Light Bird Soul Ring was astonishingly docile.
As soon as it neared Chen Jieqi, it turned into a warm current that flowed through his meridians and slowly into his body, like the gentle sunshine of spring.
There was no agonizing clash of Soul Power, no discomfort from conflicting attributes—only an overwhelming sense of comfort and nourishment.
Chen Jieqi's brow relaxed slightly. The Holy Light around him grew denser, intertwining with the Soul Ring's light energy to form a golden cocoon that enveloped him.
The Light Bird's Soul Ring energy flowed slowly through his body, merging deeply with the Holy Light Power of the Heart of the Naaru.
The Light Bird's Purification Power washed through his meridians like a clear spring, further enhancing the Evil-Breaking effect of the Naaru Holy Light.
Its Light Element Control also gave him finer command over the Holy Light.
Throughout the process, the Light Bird's residual soul briefly appeared within the cocoon. It showed no trace of ferocity,
only a hint of gentle acknowledgment, as if recognizing an inheritor who shared its sacred light.
Chen Jieqi could clearly sense its will—to protect the light and dispel the darkness.
This will perfectly matched the mission of the Heart of the Naaru. It became an invisible force that merged into his Martial Soul, lending his Holy Light even greater sanctity and resolve.
As time passed, the cocoon slowly faded. Chen Jieqi opened his eyes.
A golden glimmer flashed through his calm gaze, then vanished, leaving his eyes clear once more.
The pale purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring settled firmly around his waist, rotating alongside his first Soul Ring.
The two yellow and purple Soul Rings shone in harmony with the Holy Light around him, gleaming brilliantly beneath the gilded sunlight of the Yaori Forest Zone.
Chen Jieqi could clearly feel his Soul Power surging, as well as the changes in his Martial Soul.
The Holy Light of the Heart of the Naaru had become purer and more powerful. Its abilities to purify, dissolve, burn, and break evil had all undergone a qualitative improvement.
Chen Jieqi lowered his head and said calmly,
"My second Soul Ring is complete!"
Just as he was about to stand, golden light burst around him.
A dazzling golden orb of light gathered at his shoulder blades, so bright it nearly hurt to look at. Even the sunlight in the Yaori Forest Zone seemed dim by comparison.
The orb slowly gathered and solidified, finally transforming into a pair of miniature, translucent wing-shaped bone plates—
the very form of an External Soul Bone. Each plate shimmered with sacred patterns of light.
Chen Jieqi immediately held his breath and carefully extended his Soul Power toward the wings.
The moment the Soul Bone sensed his Soul Power drawing it in, it turned into scalding golden liquid and surged toward his shoulder blades like a living thing, following the flow of his Soul Power.
Wherever the liquid passed, his skin tingled with a soothing numbness, as if countless tiny particles of light were burrowing beneath it and taking root. Even his meridians were gently widened by the power of light.
A surge of pure, warm energy imbued with a sacred aura rushed along his meridians straight to his dantian.
It collided with and merged into Chen Jieqi's Soul Power. The Holy Light of the Heart of the Naaru surged as well, resonating with the power of the Soul Bone.
Then the liquid gathered at his shoulder blades and solidified, beginning to reshape his bones. A fierce pain swept through his entire body.
"Ah!!!"
Chen Jieqi couldn't help groaning aloud.
He could clearly feel his shoulder blades swelling, stretching, and reforming. Excruciating pain and intense relief mingled together—
his body was accepting an entirely new "organ," and every inch of bone was being renewed under the cleansing power of light.
As Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan watched in astonishment, the golden light on Chen Jieqi's back flared again.
A pair of pure golden wings, more than two meters long, burst from his shoulder blades.
Fine golden flecks shimmered along their edges. Every feather was clearly visible, and they shared the same origin as the Thousand-Year Light Bird's wings,
yet they were more condensed and more sacred, as if they had been formed from light itself.
This was the External Soul Bone he had dreamed of—and an exceedingly rare flying-type Soul Bone at that!
Before Chen Jieqi could admire it, Dugu Yan's voice rang out.
"Xiao Qi, are you okay? How did you turn into a birdman?"
Her eyes were full of surprise and concern.
Dugu Bo heard her and chuckled, unable to resist saying,
"Yanyan, you're so worried that you can't think straight. Xiao Qi's just been given an incredible opportunity.
"That's an External Soul Bone! It ranks just below a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, second on the list of every Soul Master's dreams!"
Chen Jieqi had been overjoyed, but Dugu Yan's words left a dark shadow over his thoughts. He silently grumbled,
What do you mean, birdman? These are Wings of Light!
Still, he couldn't hide his delight as he said,
"Grandpa, Yanyan, this is indeed the Light Bird's External Soul Bone. I've named it Wings of Light!"
With a thought, he slowly folded the golden wings behind him and drew them into his body.
Only a pair of symmetrical golden markings remained on his back. They stayed hidden beneath his skin most of the time, appearing as soon as he summoned them.
"Xiao Qi, don't tell anyone about the External Soul Bone you obtained while Soul Hunting today.
"Although External Soul Bones can't be absorbed by others like ordinary Soul Bones—"
Dugu Bo's smile faded, and his tone turned serious.
"Still, as the saying goes, the tallest tree catches the wind. Until you're strong enough to protect yourself, it's best to let as few people as possible know you have an External Soul Bone, lest someone target you out of jealousy."
"Thanks, Grandpa. No one's better at keeping a low profile than me!"
Chen Jieqi nodded in thanks.
As far as he was concerned, quietly building up his strength was the key to surviving on the Douluo Continent.
"But don't we still have you to protect us, Grandpa? There's no need to be so serious."
Dugu Yan linked her arm through Dugu Bo's and playfully coaxed him, instantly dispelling the tense atmosphere.
"Of course, of course!"
With his granddaughter looking up to him, Dugu Bo couldn't keep the corners of his mouth from rising. The dignity of a Titled Douluo had vanished entirely, leaving only affection on his face.
"Xiao Qi, hurry and test your Soul Power. Then tell us what your Soul Skill does.
"You might be the only one on the continent with a Thousand-Year second Soul Ring."
Dugu Yan immediately turned to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.
Even Dugu Bo's smile faded as he watched Chen Jieqi intently, ready to witness the fruits of this extraordinary opportunity.
At her words, Chen Jieqi took out the Spirit Power Crystal. It immediately blazed with light.
"Level 23!"
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan exclaimed in unison, their eyes full of shock.
"What a monster!"
Dugu Bo couldn't help muttering to himself, though his tone was full of admiration.
Chen Jieqi wasn't surprised. He had already estimated it:
The Light Bird had been around 1,200 years old. Absorbing its Soul Ring had raised his Soul Power to level 22, and fusing with the External Soul Bone had pushed him all the way to level 23.
It made perfect sense!
As soon as the two of them finished speaking, Chen Jieqi smiled slightly.
"Yanyan, if your little brother weren't a bit of a monster, how could I dare say I'd protect you?"
Then he raised both hands above his head. The Heart of the Naaru between his brows blazed with golden light, and fierce, scorching Holy Light surged from his body.
[Second Soul Skill · Holy Light Praise] Consumes 20% of base Soul Power to increase all attributes by 50% and the user's sacred attribute by 100%. Increases resistance to abnormalities such as darkness and corrosion by 100%. Lasts for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn.
"It's enough to make you sick with envy! A 100% attribute boost would be incredible on its own, but it boosts all your attributes!
"And on top of that, it increases your resistance to other abnormal effects and debuffs. It's practically the perfect counter!"
Dugu Bo remarked, his eyes full of admiration as he looked at Chen Jieqi.
"Xiao Qi, you're truly amazing. This is already as good as my Third Spirit Ability."
Dugu Yan said admiringly, looking at Chen Jieqi with even greater respect.
Chen Jieqi ignored their remarks and continued,
"My External Soul Bone, Wings of Light, grants me the ability to fly. Its speed increases as the Soul Bone's age grows.
"As my attributes improve, the wings become more condensed, allowing them to absorb the surrounding light energy and reduce Soul Power consumption. This effect is especially noticeable in sunlight!"
"There's another, even more important ability: enhanced purification. It further strengthens my Holy Light Domain.
"Within the domain, I can gradually dispel all negative conditions affecting my teammates, such as poison, confusion, curses, and paralysis."
As soon as Chen Jieqi finished speaking,
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan's pupils contracted. Their voices trembled as they exclaimed,
"We thought your External Soul Bone only let you fly. We never imagined it could strengthen your Holy Light Domain too!"
"Such astonishing luck would drive countless Titled Douluos across the entire Soul Master World wild with envy!"
This time, Chen Jieqi didn't downplay it. He nodded at their words.
Even with his strong will, he was shaken to the core. Joy surged through him like a tsunami.
It took them a long while to calm down. As the bright moon rose overhead, they began preparing camp for the night, and planned to try the taste of roasted bird meat while they were at it.
The bonfire crackled, its warm glow lighting their faces and softening the nighttime chill of the Yaori Forest Zone.
Chen Jieqi turned the bird meat on the rack. Fat dripped along its grain into the fire, sparking tiny embers. The aroma, mingled with the crisp purity of light energy, drifted far away.
Dugu Yan crouched beside him, clutching a sharpened twig and gazing eagerly at the sizzling meat, her nose nearly touching it.
"Xiao Qi, do you think eating the Light Bird's meat will let us absorb a little of its light energy too?"
"Silly girl, a Soul Beast's power disperses after it dies. There wouldn't be much left."
Dugu Bo sat nearby, teasing her.
"But the meat is tender, and it really does taste good roasted. Back when I was in the Extreme North, I even roasted Ice Jade Scorpion legs..."
"Grandpa, stop making things up!"
Dugu Yan pouted and turned to Chen Jieqi, her eyes sparkling.
"Xiao Qi, are you coming with me to the Tiantou City Royal Academy, or...?"