Memories and Soul Skills

Star Dou Forest, core area, beneath the Lake of Life.

Inside an incomparably vast, emerald-green space, a lotus platform floated in mid-air. A white-clad figure sat atop it—a woman with skin like snow and a peerless face. Seven-colored light shimmered around her, while the emerald crystals surrounding the space constantly emitted rays of light that bathed her form.

"My Lord, are you truly not going to bring him here? Leaving him outside alone—if he were to encounter any misfortune, it would be a tremendous loss for us."

The black-robed figure who had assisted Su Zhen stood beneath the lotus platform, offering his counsel.

"Di Tian, are you questioning my decision?"

The woman spoke, her voice ethereal and cold, carrying a majesty and loftiness that looked down upon all things.

"This subordinate would not dare."

The black-robed figure hurriedly knelt on one knee, bowing his head to show his stance.

"I know you harbor doubts about my decision, but I am also in a helpless position. He is human by nature, merely having awakened that kind of Martial Soul. If he were to come to the Star Dou Forest, those little ones would go mad. You must know there is a difference between Soul Beasts and Martial Souls, not to mention that existences above have already taken notice of him."

The woman explained patiently, her tone filled with helplessness. A few days ago, she had been awakened from her slumber by an aura. In that aura, she had glimpsed the future of the Soul Beast race, but she had also captured the gaze cast down by an existence from above. She had immediately dispatched Di Tian to assist Su Zhen.

"Above, you say?"

Di Tian awoke from his memories, his hands clenching within his sleeves until they creaked.

Di Tian looked at the figure of Su Zhen absorbing the Soul Ring with deep regret.

The hope of the Soul Beast race? If only you were a Soul Beast.

Su Zhen felt as though his body were about to burst. The moment the energy of the Soul Ring entered his body, it rampaged through his limbs and bones. Just as he managed to circulate his meditation technique to guide the energy and scour his meridians, the remnant soul of the Thunderstorm Winged Lion King lunged toward his spiritual sea of consciousness, intending to extinguish Su Zhen's consciousness. That vast spiritual power was not something the current Su Zhen could withstand, and he was powerless against it.

Just then, a majestic beast roar erupted from the depths of his consciousness. The phantom of the Thunder Prison Qilin emerged, bit down on the neck of the Thunderstorm Winged Lion King, and with a slight exertion, annihilated it. It dissipated into tiny purple light spots, which were then absorbed by the Thunder Prison Qilin. Nourished by these light spots, the Qilin phantom showed faint signs of solidifying.

Su Zhen did not witness this scene; he was currently exerting all his strength to guide the energy of the Soul Ring to scour his meridians. Thanks to his previous body tempering and the massive consumption of Whale Rubber, his meridians were already capable of withstanding this torrential energy. Now, he only needed to proceed step by step, refining the Thunderstorm Winged Lion King's immense Soul Power bit by bit.

Outside, Golden Crocodile watched Su Zhen's aura stabilize and finally eased his heart. Today, he would witness the birth of a first Soul Ring absorption limit that was unprecedented in the Soul Master world and would be extremely difficult for future generations to surpass. Moreover, this peerless genius belonged to their Martial Soul Hall.

Two and a half hours later, the Soul Power on Su Zhen's skin had been fully retracted into his body, signifying that the Soul Ring absorption had concluded.

Su Zhen slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of purple lightning flashing through his pupils.

"Xiao Zhen, how do you feel? Is there any discomfort?"

As soon as Su Zhen stood up, Golden Crocodile hurried to his side to ask, his words filled with concern.

"Second Grandfather, I am fine—better than ever. My Soul Power level has broken through to level 13, and I am not far from level 14. I apologize for making you worry, Second Grandfather."

Seeing the anxious Golden Crocodile, a warm current flowed through Su Zhen's heart. These adorable old men were among the few family members he had left.

"It's fine, it's fine. Xiao Zhen, you have truly created a miracle in the Soul Master world. When we return, I will have the Grand Pontiff record you in the annals of Martial Soul Hall."

Golden Crocodile laughed heartily. The appearance of Su Zhen had given these old fellows holed up in the Worship Hall a new direction.

After comforting the excited Golden Crocodile, Su Zhen turned to Di Tian and bowed in gratitude.

"Thank you, Senior. Without you, I could never have obtained such a perfect Soul Ring. If you ever have need of me in the future, please do not hesitate to command me. As long as it is within my power, I will give it my all."

"Enough, there is no need for thanks. There will be plenty of times I will need you in the future. I have nothing else to do, so I am leaving. In the future, do not easily release your Martial Soul in the Star Dou Forest. Even with the protection of my dragon scales, a trace of your Martial Soul's aura will still leak out."

"Understood, Senior. I will remember that. Before you go, may I know your name?"

"Di Tian."

Di Tian vanished the moment he finished speaking, as traceless as when he had arrived.

It really is him!

Su Zhen had long guessed his identity, but only after hearing the name from his own lips did Su Zhen confirm his suspicions. Di Tian, known as the Beast God, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, a pure-blooded descendant of the Dragon God, and wielder of the Dragon God's own Dragon God Claw, was a peerless powerhouse comparable to a second-tier god—the true number one beast of the Douluo Continent.

Seeing Di Tian depart, Golden Crocodile breathed a sigh of relief. This person was extremely strong; he had no confidence in defeating him, especially with Su Zhen by his side.

"Xiao Zhen, since the Soul Ring hunt is complete, let us return. The others will surely be looking forward to seeing your Soul Skill."

After saying this, Golden Crocodile used his Soul Power to envelop Su Zhen and flew out of the Star Dou Forest.

Golden Crocodile flew quickly, arriving at Martial Soul City in twenty minutes, and then ascended to the Worship Hall with Su Zhen.

Inside the Worship Hall, the seven great Pontiffs surrounded Su Zhen. Everyone except Golden Crocodile curiously sized him up. At this moment, Su Zhen was in the state of Martial Soul Possession, and a purple Soul Ring slowly emerged beneath his feet.

"Tsk tsk tsk, a thousand-year first ring. Second Brother, you really dared to let Xiao Zhen take such a risk."

Falling Devil stroked his chin, teasing his second brother.

"The situation was special at the time; only that thousand-year Soul Beast was suitable for absorption."

"Since it has already succeeded, let us not discuss this further. Xiao Zhen, what is your first Soul Skill?"

Qian Daoliu interrupted their conversation and looked at Su Zhen to ask.

"Grandfathers, my first Soul Skill is an augmentation-type skill called Thunderstorm Shocking God Transformation. After activation, all attributes are increased by 150 percent, thunder-attribute immunity is increased by 50 percent, and thunder-attribute Soul Skills are enhanced by 100 percent."

As soon as Su Zhen finished speaking, he saw the Pontiffs looking at him in astonishment.

"The effect of this Soul Skill is truly heaven-defying; it is even more monstrous than the third Soul Skills of some Soul Elders. This Soul Ring absorption was absolutely perfect."

"Indeed, my third Soul Skill is like trash compared to Xiao Zhen's."

"Second Brother's decision was indeed correct."

The Pontiffs gathered together to discuss the Soul Skill, leaving Su Zhen aside.

It took quite a while for the titled elders to finally quiet down.

"Xiao Zhen, from now on, you must not tell anyone about your soul skills. We will completely seal off all information regarding you. Until you have the ability to protect yourself, you are not permitted to act alone. Whenever you go out, you must have one of the elders protecting you by your side."

Qian Daoliu announced the arrangements he had made for Su Zhen.

"Yes, I unconditionally obey the arrangements made by Teacher and the grandfathers."

"Regarding your contribution of the Whale Rubber, we have unanimously decided to allow you to select one 70,000-year-old lightning-attribute soul bone from the Martial Soul Hall treasury. You may choose whichever part you desire."

Su Zhen was very satisfied with this reward; such a soul bone prize was the highest level of reward within the Martial Soul Hall's system of merits and demerits.

"Go back and rest for now. Starting tomorrow, we will begin devilish training for you."

Su Zhen left with a heart full of joy, leaving only the elders in the hall to discuss the training program for him.

On the other side, within the Crown Prince's Residence in Heaven Dou City of the Heaven Dou Empire, a beautiful maid with long golden hair tucked a letter into her Soul Tool.

"A thousand-year first ring? This child is somewhat interesting. It seems I need to accelerate the plan and find time to focus on my cultivation, otherwise, I will be surpassed by my little brother."

The maid whispered to herself in the corner.

"Xue'er, His Highness the Crown Prince wants you to go and select an outfit for tonight's banquet."

"Coming."

The maid walked out of the corner and headed toward the Crown Prince's bedroom.

Outside the window, the cocoon on the tree branch slowly split open from within. A pair of wings with purple patterns stretched out, and the body inched its way out bit by bit. The butterfly that had broken through the cocoon stretched its body, spread its wings, and flew toward the distant sky.