Another Effect of the Second Soul Skill

Lin Yi maintained the output of his soul skill, but sweat had already begun to bead on his forehead.

The consumption is greater than I imagined...

But that makes sense. Drawing out my Soul Power and converting it for her was never going to be easy.

No wonder those top-tier Support Spirit Masters in the original story were all supported by their teams. At this rate of consumption, who could afford to keep one without a solid fortune?

No, I need to stop. Otherwise, I'm really going to be done for.

With that thought, Lin Yi withdrew his Soul Power.

The instant he did, his entire body went limp from exhaustion.

Fortunately, a stone wall stood behind him to support him. Otherwise, he would have collapsed to the ground.

"Lin Yi?" Xiao Wu opened her eyes, her gaze falling on his pale face.

"I'm fine." Lin Yi waved a hand. "Just a little tired. I'll be okay after resting for a while."

Words spoken are like water spilled—impossible to take back. I need to use this soul skill more sparingly from now on.

It can work as a power bank in critical moments, but being a daily nanny is absolutely out of the question.

Otherwise, the enemy won't even need to attack before I squeeze myself dry.

Seeing that he was exhausted but his breathing remained steady, Xiao Wu was finally somewhat relieved.

Just as she was about to say something else, she suddenly froze.

Something was wrong.

The Soul Power inside her body... seemed a little different.

She instinctively circulated her Soul Power. That familiar force flowed through her meridians, half a beat faster than usual, carrying a faint sense of restlessness, as though it were on the verge of a breakthrough.

Though the feeling was extremely slight, it was undeniably there.

Xiao Wu stood rooted in place.

She had been stuck at level twenty-nine for some time. Although she cultivated every day, the opportunity for a breakthrough had never come.

She had thought she would need to wait a while longer, yet Lin Yi's soul skill had actually cracked that barrier to breakthrough?

Zhu Zhuqing saw that Xiao Wu seemed to want to say something but had remained silent, and confusion rose in her heart.

She asked, "How do you feel?"

Xiao Wu came back to her senses, her tone uncertain. "It seems... I feel something."

Lin Yi was leaning against the stone wall. Hearing that, he raised his eyes toward Xiao Wu. "What kind of feeling?"

"It's just..." Xiao Wu carefully sensed the changes within her body before slowly saying, "My Soul Power is circulating more smoothly than before. The barrier at level twenty-nine seems to have loosened."

She paused, then added, "It's very slight, but there really has been a change."

Lin Yi fell silent.

It actually worked?

I was only planning to be a mobile power bank, but this soul skill can actually help someone break through?

No, it probably doesn't cause a direct breakthrough. It replenishes Soul Power and regulates its circulation, indirectly helping to overcome an obstacle.

The effect is limited, but it really is useful.

He suppressed the surprise in his heart and kept his expression calm. "That's good, then."

Xiao Wu looked at him and suddenly felt somewhat guilty.

Although Lin Yi's goal in helping her reach level thirty as quickly as possible was to let her obtain her Third Soul Ring and then ditch her, it was still embarrassing that merely a few dozen seconds had nearly drained all his Soul Power.

"You should rest first." Rarely, Xiao Wu did not say much. She merely looked at Lin Yi with an unusual expression in her eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing watched this scene thoughtfully.

She had encountered quite a few support-type Soul Masters, including top-tier support specialists from major clans.

Yet she had never heard of a support soul skill that could directly help a Soul Master break through a bottleneck.

The Support Spirit Master beside Dai Weisi was said to be the strongest among Star Luo Empire's younger generation. Even he could only greatly amplify combat strength; Zhu Zhuqing had never heard that he could help anyone break through a level.

And this Lin Yi before her, who claimed to be level nineteen but whose true level was unknown—his second soul skill actually had such an effect?

This person's background, aside from his Heart Voice, was likely far more complicated than it appeared.

Though curious, she did not question him or show any surprise.

She merely sat quietly to one side, wiping the dagger she carried with her as though nothing had happened.

After resting for a while and taking a drink of water, some color finally returned to Lin Yi's face.

I need to take it easier next time.

Helping people break through bottlenecks may be an absurdly powerful ability, but the cost is far too high. One use nearly squeezed me dry.

And the effect is limited. Xiao Wu merely loosened the barrier; she didn't break through directly. If I really want to help her reach level thirty, it'll probably take several tries.

Still, this counts as a life-saving skill. If I run into some big shot in the future, I can use it as a bargaining chip.

But only if I don't get captured and raised like some rare treasure.

He rubbed his brow, pushed those thoughts aside, then glanced at the two girls and smiled. "I've rested enough. Let's go."

Xiao Wu raised her head to look at him. "Are you sure? Do you need to rest a little longer?"

Lin Yi shot her a glance. "If we rest any longer, it'll be dark."

Actually, I just want to get you to Erming as soon as possible so I can retire with my mission accomplished.

But according to the original story, Erming only acted because Spirit Saint Zhao Wuji made him feel threatened...

Now that things have completely departed from the plot, I wonder whether Erming will still make a move.

Hearing this, Xiao Wu's gaze dimmed briefly, but she soon raised a smile. "Then let's go. I feel especially good today. Maybe a few more charges and I'll break through."

Lin Yi's mouth twitched.

Again? Are you really trying to drain me dry?

"We'll see," he replied vaguely.

The three packed up their camp, extinguished the fire, and continued deeper into the forest.

Zhu Zhuqing still did not speak much, merely following quietly at their side.

Her gaze swept over Lin Yi from time to time, neither overly probing nor deliberately avoiding him.

Lin Yi noticed her gaze, but he could not quite figure out what this girl was thinking.

Why exactly is she following us?

Could it really be because my personal charm is so great that she's fallen for me?

Forget it. If she wants to follow, let her. Once I send Little Rabbit off, I'll find a way to slip away.

Hearing this Heart Voice, the corners of Zhu Zhuqing's lips could not help but curve upward.

He still wanted to ditch them, just as always.

But she wanted to see exactly how he planned to do it.

Unaware of her thoughts, Lin Yi shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He took the lead, each step extremely cautious as he avoided areas where soul beasts gathered as much as possible.

According to the original story, even if the timing is different, as long as Xiao Wu enters a certain range, Erming should be able to sense her presence.

But just how large is that range?

I can't exactly drag Xiao Wu around the forest at random, can I? We'd be like headless flies.

Lin Yi grumbled inwardly, but his feet did not stop.

Xiao Wu followed half a step behind him, hearing every word of his Heart Voice without missing a single one.

She lowered her lashes, a complicated emotion stirring in her heart.

She truly did want to go back and take a look.

But not for the Third Soul Ring Lin Yi had mentioned. After all, the cultivation method of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast after taking human form differed from that of humans. Soul rings were merely supplementary, not essential.

She wanted to return because that place was her home.

But she knew that now was not the time to go back.

At the very least, she had to wait until she truly possessed the power to change her fate.

At the very least, she had to wait until...

Xiao Wu drew back her thoughts and did not dwell on them further.

However, at that moment, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stopped and said, "There's a soul beast ahead."