As Xiao Yi Xian cultivated, Xiao Yan also began practicing this soul technique.
Xiao Yan closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing, quickly calming his mind.
Guided by his thoughts, the Dou Qi within him began to flow slowly, like a clear mountain stream, steady and orderly.
When he followed the incantation and began to channel his soul power, everything felt so natural and smooth.
His soul power seemed to respond to a familiar summons, reacting swiftly without the slightest resistance or obstruction.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth around him seemed drawn in, gathering toward Xiao Yan and forming circles of visible energy vortices.
A faint spiritual glow enveloped Xiao Yan. His expression was relaxed and content, as if he weren't enduring arduous cultivation but enjoying a feast for the soul.
His aura blended perfectly with the surrounding environment, as if he had become part of the forest.
As he cultivated, Xiao Yan's soul perception kept reaching farther outward. He could clearly sense the veins of every leaf and the gentle caress of every breeze.
This intimate connection with nature greatly nourished and enhanced his soul.
As time passed, Xiao Yan's soul power grew stronger and more stable.
The spiritual glow around him gradually grew denser, forming a layer of light like a shield.
When Xiao Yan completed the final step of cultivation, he slowly opened his eyes, a brilliant glint flashing within them.
He rose to his feet and stretched, feeling lighter and more refreshed than ever.
Xiao Yan's soul power had already been formidable, so cultivating this soul technique was easier for him than it was for Xiao Yi Xian.
Seeing how smoothly Xiao Yan was cultivating, Yao Chen felt greatly reassured.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully taught your disciple the Yellow Tier Advanced Soul Technique, Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon. Reward triggered!"
"Randomizing return multiplier..."
"Ding! The return multiplier is 5,800 times. Reward: Earth Tier Low Grade Soul Technique, Ghost Shadow Soul Devouring Method."
"Since both disciples successfully learned the same soul technique, the system's reward will only be issued once."
Yao Chen had planned to exploit a bug, but he hadn't expected the system to be so intelligent.
"Forget it. I'll cultivate the Earth Tier Low Grade soul technique the system gave me, Ghost Shadow Soul Devouring Method."
Yao Chen drew a deep breath and slowly raised his hands, beginning to channel his abundant soul power.
As he moved, the air around him seemed to tremble faintly.
A faint glow gradually appeared around him, flickering in and out, mysterious and profound.
At first, Yao Chen's expression was still fairly relaxed, but as his soul power surged, his brows gradually knitted together.
The Ghost Shadow Soul Devouring Method was far more difficult to cultivate than he had imagined. Controlling his soul power required extreme precision and accuracy.
Fine beads of sweat began to appear on Yao Chen's forehead, and his breathing grew somewhat labored.
But he didn't give up. Instead, he focused even harder, devoting his entire attention to guiding his soul power.
His hands danced, tracing one strange pattern after another. The glow gradually converged with his movements, forming mysterious runes that floated around him.
The runes shimmered with an eerie light, as if they possessed the power to devour everything.
Yao Chen's body trembled slightly as he endured tremendous pressure.
But he gritted his teeth and kept adjusting the flow of his soul power, trying to arrange the runes in a specific sequence.
As time passed, Yao Chen's aura grew increasingly chaotic, but his gaze only grew more determined.
Suddenly, a powerful surge of soul energy burst from him. The runes instantly joined together, forming a massive black vortex.
The vortex gave off wave after wave of powerful suction. The surrounding plants, trees, grass, and stones were dragged into it and instantly ground to dust.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian were also pulled by the suction. They quickly used Dou Qi to shield themselves and managed to steady their footing.
Once they had regained their balance, the two looked at Yao Chen in unison. They didn't dare disturb their teacher's cultivation, so they could only wait anxiously nearby.
Yao Chen's face had turned pale, but he continued to control the vortex with all his strength, preventing it from spiraling out of control.
A moment later, Yao Chen let out a shout and abruptly brought his hands together. The black vortex vanished in an instant, and the glow around him gradually faded. Though utterly exhausted, Yao Chen's eyes were filled with joy and accomplishment.
"Teacher, did you succeed?"
Seeing that Yao Chen had returned to normal, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian immediately spoke to their teacher.
Hearing his disciples' worried calls, Yao Chen looked at them with deep reassurance and replied gently.
"Girl, Little Yan, I'm all right now."
By now, three days and nights had passed since Yao Chen and the others had arrived here.
After a brief rest, Yao Chen thought for a while and decided it was time to head to Maple City and seek revenge on Han Feng.
Yao Chen had also found a map to Maple City in Mo Tianxing and the others' Storage Rings.
"Girl, Little Yan, now that we've rested, we should set out for Maple City."
"All right, Teacher!"
With that, they headed together for Maple City, where Han Feng was.
Yao Chen led the way, with Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan following close behind.
Yao Chen held an ancient map tightly in his hand, his gaze fixed firmly ahead as he followed its directions toward Maple City, where Han Feng was.
Xiao Yan wore a solemn expression, his heart full of nervousness and anticipation at the thought of facing a powerful enemy.
Xiao Yi Xian, meanwhile, looked calm, her eyes betraying a hint of cool resolve.
The howling wind roared in their ears, and their clothes snapped in the gale.
Yao Chen's white robe billowed in the wind. Every so often, he glanced back at Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian to make sure they were keeping up.
As they flew, the clouds streamed past behind them.
As they drew closer, Yao Chen sped up, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian summoned their strength to keep close behind.
Maple City's outline appeared and disappeared in the distance. They were drawing ever closer to their destination.
After a full day's travel, Yao Chen and the others finally reached Maple City's gates.
The city gate was tall and imposing, built from enormous blocks of blue-gray stone. Weathered by the years, the stones were covered in mottled marks.
The gate was dozens of meters wide, wide enough for several carriages to pass through side by side.
The city walls soared high, seeming to reach the sky. Flags lined the walls, snapping in the wind.
On either side of the gate crouched a huge stone lion. They looked mighty and lifelike, as if guarding the city.
The stone lions' eyes were bright and imposing, enough to make anyone feel intimidated.
Beneath the gate, crowds bustled back and forth. Merchants drove their carriages, adventurers carried their packs, and ordinary townsfolk came and went.
Before entering Maple City, Yao Chen, Xiao Yi Xian, and Xiao Yan all changed into black robes and put on masks to conceal their faces.
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