Rendezvous!

The wood at the cross-section had been completely carbonized.

It was charred black.

At the slightest touch, it crumbled into powder.

This was the result of Light Element burning pushed to its extreme.

It had not merely burned the surface.

It had completely destroyed the wood's structure from within.

"Not bad." Flender rarely gave such a positive assessment.

"This soul skill has great potential.

As your Soul Power increases.

The Light Spear's range, speed, and penetrating power will continue to grow.

At higher levels.

Piercing through a city wall with a single spear won't be impossible."

Ma Hongjun firmly committed Flender's words to memory.

"Teacher, there's one more thing," he said.

"After absorbing this Soul Ring.

I feel... the Wings of Light have grown stronger too."

"Try it."

Ma Hongjun activated his first Soul Ring.

Pale golden Light Wings spread behind him.

Sure enough.

The size of the Light Wings had changed.

Their span was nearly half again as wide as before.

Their radiance had also become richer.

The wings were no longer simply pale gold.

They had taken on a faint golden-red hue.

The same color as his flames.

He pushed off with both legs.

His Light Wings beat once.

His whole body shot into the sky like an arrow.

He was so fast that even Flender narrowed his eyes slightly.

Ma Hongjun circled once in the air.

Feeling the changes in his Light Wings.

His flight could last longer.

Previously, he could only fly at full speed for less than two minutes.

Now, it felt as though he could last at least three minutes.

He could fly higher.

Previously, he could only reach around thirty meters at most.

Now, he easily broke past fifty meters.

He was faster.

Previously, his speed in the air had been roughly fifty percent faster than running.

Now, it felt nearly twice as fast.

He dived down.

Then abruptly stopped less than a meter above the ground.

The airflow stirred up by his Light Wings scattered the fallen leaves across the ground.

"My first soul skill has been strengthened too." Ma Hongjun landed on the ground.

He could barely contain his excitement.

"The Holy Light Falcon's Soul Ring enhances the Wings of Light."

Flender nodded.

"As expected.

The Holy Light Falcon is an advanced form of the Holy Light Sparrow.

Soul Rings of the same origin naturally bolster one another.

Your first soul skill came from the Holy Light Sparrow.

Your second soul skill came from the Holy Light Falcon.

They share the same roots.

It is only natural that they would strengthen each other."

He paused.

Then added, "This is good news for you.

If you can find higher-tier Light Element avian soul beasts in the future.

Your earlier soul skills will all be strengthened to varying degrees."

Joy rose in Ma Hongjun's heart.

This meant his growth curve was not linear.

It was exponential.

Every Soul Ring of the same origin he obtained.

Would benefit all of his previous soul skills.

That was the true advantage of the Light Phoenix path.

"Alright, time to head back." Flender turned and walked toward the edge of the forest.

"Zhao Wuji and the others are still waiting for news.

Now that your second Soul Ring is settled.

We can have a good meal tonight."

Ma Hongjun followed behind him.

His steps felt as light as though he were walking on clouds.

Golden-red flames danced in his palm.

The mark of Light Pierce was etched into his Soul Ring.

Ready to be unleashed at any time.

His first Soul Ring had been strengthened.

His second Soul Ring was secured.

Level twenty-two.

Two Soul Rings.

A Soul Grandmaster.

He was one step closer.

To his goal.

Ma Hongjun followed behind Flender, his steps as light as though he were walking on clouds.

His second Soul Ring was secured, and the mark of Light Pierce was etched into it, ready to be unleashed at any time.

His first Soul Ring had also been strengthened, making his Light Wings larger, faster, and more enduring.

More importantly, his Martial Soul had changed.

It was no longer that plump Turkey, but now carried a faint trace of a Phoenix.

They returned along the stream the way they had come. After about an hour, they reached the rendezvous point they had agreed upon with Zhao Wuji.

It was a relatively open clearing in the forest.

Zhao Wuji and the others were already waiting there.

"What took you so long?"

Zhao Wuji came forward, his gaze falling on Ma Hongjun before suddenly pausing. "Huh?"

He looked Ma Hongjun up and down, his casual expression turning serious.

"The color of these flames..."

Golden-red flames danced over Ma Hongjun's body. Dark red formed the base, while gold made up more than sixty percent.

Compared to the flames before they had set out, which had been mostly dark red with only scattered golden streaks, the change was enormous.

"You got it?" Zhao Wuji asked.

Flender nodded. "An eight-hundred-year Holy Light Falcon. Its age was somewhat higher than expected, but Hongjun endured it."

"Eight hundred years?" Zhao Wuji raised his brows. "An eight-hundred-year second Soul Ring? Is this kid trying to get himself killed?"

"He knows his limits," Flender said calmly.

Zhao Wuji glanced at Ma Hongjun and said nothing further.

From the first day this child had arrived at Shrek, he had shown a steadiness far beyond his age. If Flender said he could do it, then he could do it.

Oscar poked his head out from behind Zhao Wuji, his eyes sparkling.

"Hongjun! Hurry, let me see your second soul skill!"

Ma Hongjun did not refuse.

He walked to the center of the clearing and raised his right hand. His deep-yellow second Soul Ring lit up.

Golden-red flames suddenly surged, and the Phoenix phantom behind him became clearer.

A slender neck, spread wings, and forked tail feathers.

Though it lasted only an instant, it was undeniably the outline of a Phoenix.

A golden ray shot from his palm.

The Light Spear carved a straight path through the air, moving so fast that it was nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye.

Boom!

A tree as thick as a water barrel at the edge of the clearing was pierced through by the Light Spear.

A fist-sized hole appeared in the trunk. Its edges were charred black, and the wood had been completely carbonized.

Oscar's mouth fell open.

Shao Xin's hand holding his cup froze in midair.

Li Yusong and Lu Qibin had seen it before, yet even now, a flash of amazement crossed their eyes.

Zhao Wuji walked over to the pierced tree and touched the edge of the blackened hole. A layer of black ash stuck to his fingertips.

"It comes with a burning effect," he concluded. "And it isn't surface burning—it destroys from within. If someone gets hit by this thing, the wound won't heal at all."

He turned around, and the look in his eyes as he regarded Ma Hongjun had changed.

It was no longer the gaze he used for a junior.

It was the gaze he used for a true warrior.

"Kid, that attack of yours can already injure a Soul Elder."

Ma Hongjun was slightly stunned.

Injure a Soul Elder?

He was only level twenty-two now, while Soul Elders were above level thirty. There was an entire major realm between them.

An ordinary Soul Grandmaster basically had no ability to fight back before a Soul Elder.

Zhao Wuji's words were the greatest affirmation of his second soul skill.

"However..." Zhao Wuji abruptly changed tack. "Injuring one is one thing. Winning is still a long way off. A Soul Elder has several times your total Soul Power, and is stronger than you in defense, speed, and reaction. Your Light Spear may have powerful penetration, but it is useless if it cannot hit the target."

Ma Hongjun nodded and firmly committed Zhao Wuji's words to memory.

"Alright, don't just stand around here." Flender spoke up. "Hongjun's Soul Ring is settled. We'll camp at the edge of the forest tonight and head back first thing tomorrow morning."