"Teacher." Lin Yi rose and bowed respectfully, his expression unchanged.
"Mm." Chen Xin nodded slightly and got straight to the point. "After a long search, we found a suitable Soul Beast near the edge of God-Burial Ice Valley, seven hundred li to the northwest.
"It's around nineteen thousand five hundred years old, an Extreme Cold Dragon Lizard with a trace of dragon blood. The ice-element energy contained in its Soul Ring is exceptionally pure and overbearing. If you absorb it successfully, it will greatly benefit your Snow Lotus Martial Soul and may grant you a powerful area-control or defensive Soul Skill."
Nineteen thousand five hundred years was already the upper limit Chen Xin was willing to accept, based on Lin Yi's previous performance. It even exceeded that limit slightly, showing just how high his expectations were for this disciple.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's lazy, slightly haughty voice rang out in Lin Yi's Sea of Consciousness. "Tsk, nineteen thousand five hundred years? A little lizard? Kid, you're seriously underestimating the benefits my million years of cultivation have brought you!
"Your body has been cleansed by my origin power, increasing its strength by at least fifty percent! Your meridians are far more resilient, and your Soul Power capacity is on an entirely different level! And your Spiritual Power—hmph, even an ordinary Soul Douluo might not be stronger than you in that regard now!"
"With your current condition, absorbing a Soul Ring of around thirty-five thousand years will be a sure thing! You could even try for thirty-seven thousand years if you really pushed it, but there's no need to take that risk. Thirty-five thousand is just right. It'll improve your strength as much as possible without leaving you with any hidden problems."
Lin Yi's mind reeled.
Thirty-five thousand years! That was a full seventy-five percent higher than the twenty-thousand-year limit he had originally estimated! Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's sacrifice hadn't just transformed his Ice Phoenix Martial Soul; it had elevated the very foundation of his body in every way!
He drew a deep breath, tamped down his excitement, and looked up at Chen Xin, his gaze clear and resolute. "Teacher, there's something I must report."
"Go ahead."
"After breaking through to level sixty, I feel that my Spiritual Power has grown far beyond expectations, perhaps because of my Twin Martial Souls." Lin Yi chose his words carefully. He couldn't reveal Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's existence, but he needed to make a reasonable case for asking for more. "I'm confident I can try absorbing a Soul Ring with a higher age."
For the first time, a hint of surprise appeared on Chen Xin's placid face. "Higher? How much higher?"
Meeting Chen Xin's sharp gaze, Lin Yi slowly answered, "I believe I can withstand one of around thirty-five thousand years."
"Thirty-five thousand years?!" Even Chen Xin's composure wavered, and his voice rose. His eyes filled with disbelief. "Lin Yi, do you understand what a thirty-five-thousand-year Soul Ring means? That's the kind of age that most peak Soul Emperors, or even Soul Masters who have just entered the Soul Saint rank, would dare attempt! Its energy and Soul Shock far exceed those of a twenty-thousand-year Soul Ring! You're exceptionally talented, but you've only just entered the Soul Emperor rank!"
"Please judge for yourself, Teacher." Lin Yi didn't panic. He knew words alone wouldn't convince him. "I wouldn't make such a claim lightly. Please examine the resilience of my meridians with your Soul Power, then test the strength of my Spiritual Power with your Sword Intent before making your decision."
Chen Xin studied Lin Yi deeply. Seeing his open, confident gaze, he didn't think the boy was bluffing. After a moment's thought, he reached out and gently touched Lin Yi's forehead.
A pure, gentle Soul Power, carrying an unmatched sharpness of intent, carefully entered Lin Yi's body and traveled along his meridians.
At the same time, a faint trace of Seven Kill Sword Intent, fine as a silver needle, prodded at the edge of Lin Yi's Sea of Consciousness.
The more Chen Xin examined him, the more astonished he became!
He could clearly feel that Lin Yi's meridians were broad and resilient, like dark iron conduits coated in ice crystals. They were far stronger than those of an ordinary Soul Emperor, even comparable to those of some Soul Saints who specialized in body refinement! Soul Power surged through them, dense and powerful.
What shocked him even more was Lin Yi's Sea of Consciousness! The moment his probing Sword Intent touched it, it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, swallowed by a vast, icy Spiritual Power that seemed to belong to a higher order of life.
Chen Xin abruptly withdrew his finger. The look he gave Lin Yi had changed completely, filled with shock, confusion, and a hard-to-describe sense of relief.
"Your foundation... when did it become so powerful? And this Spiritual Power..." he murmured, as if he were seeing his disciple for the first time.
He knew that Twin Martial Souls could enhance one's Spiritual Power, but there was no way that alone could bring it to such a terrifying level at level sixty! This boy must have encountered some opportunity he knew nothing about.
But Chen Xin wasn't one to pry. He cared only about the result.
Lin Yi's physical and mental state had indeed reached an incredible level. In theory, absorbing a thirty-five-thousand-year Soul Ring was not impossible!
He fell silent for a long time. Only the howling wind in the ice cave broke the stillness. At last, he looked up, his gaze once more sharp and decisive. "Are you certain you want to take the risk?"
"I'm certain!" Lin Yi replied firmly. "The path of a Soul Master is one of defying heaven in the first place.
"If there's a stronger path, I don't want to settle for the safer one. Please grant me this, Teacher!"
Looking at the unshakable conviction in Lin Yi's eyes and his determination to grow stronger, Chen Xin thought he saw his younger self. He slowly exhaled and nodded. "Very well! Since you have the resolve and the foundation for it, I'll join you in taking this gamble!"
He turned his gaze northwest, his tone murderous. "Deep in God-Burial Ice Valley lives an Extreme North Ice Spirit Deer whose cultivation is exactly what you're asking for—around thirty-five thousand years! It isn't a Soul Beast built for direct assault, but it's highly intelligent, commands extreme cold with consummate skill, and moves incredibly fast. It also excels at spiritual attacks and illusions, making it extremely difficult to deal with.
"Its Soul Ring may grant you even more powerful area-support, purification, or even soul-defense skills. It's worth far more than that Extreme Cold Dragon Lizard!"
"Then this beast shall become your Sixth Soul Ring!"
"Thank you, Teacher!" Lin Yi's heart settled, and a surge of pride welled up in him. A thirty-five-thousand-year Extreme North Ice Spirit Deer! This would be another solid foundation stone on the Snow Lotus Martial Soul's path to the peak!
"Let's go." Chen Xin said no more. Sword Intent surged around him, enveloping Lin Yi as they became a streak of light that tore through the howling snow and rushed toward the more perilous depths of God-Burial Ice Valley.
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