The rabbit Yan Shaozhe had brought along was eagerly volunteered for and roasted by Huo Yuhao. The aroma made Yan Shaozhe look at Huo Yuhao in a new light, and after chatting with him, he learned a little about Huo Yuhao's circumstances.
"There are students from the White Tiger Duke Mansion at Shrek Academy too. But if they're the ones who start trouble, the academy won't take their side."
Yan Shaozhe thought it over, then said to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao nodded. After the three of them rested for a while, Yan Shaozhe led Lin Yun and Huo Yuhao farther through the outer region, searching for a Soul Beast suited to Lin Yun.
Whether Huo Yuhao had asked the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm for help, or the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm simply wanted to wrap up their business in the forest as soon as possible, Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, right. I think I saw a black Sub-Dragon over there earlier. I don't know whether it'd suit Brother Yun's Martial Soul."
Yan Shaozhe still hadn't decided what Soul Beast to find for Lin Yun next. He nodded and said, "No harm in taking a look. We'll see what it is when we get there. Lead the way."
Huo Yuhao led Lin Yun and Yan Shaozhe in a clear, fixed direction. The three of them crossed a small hill in the forest and came upon a pool.
A pitch-black creature stood there, its body covered in long, narrow dragon scales. It looked like a lizard enlarged several times over.
A pair of black wings rose from its back, their edges ringed with golden scales.
Yan Shaozhe recognized it at once and said quietly, "This is a good Soul Beast too: an Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon with dark attributes. Its eyesight is relatively poor, but it has extraordinary stamina and explosive power. It's an exceptionally well-rounded Soul Beast."
Lin Yun looked at the Soul Beast ahead, then said, "Might as well take a shot, whether it bears fruit or not. This is the one."
Yan Shaozhe said, "You're a Soul Master now. Go on. I'll stand guard here. Don't worry."
Lin Yun glanced at Yan Shaozhe, realizing he wanted to determine whether his Martial Soul was an Evil Martial Soul. He nodded, then immediately summoned the Skeletal Bone Dragon Martial Soul.
A yellow Soul Ring appeared at Lin Yun's feet.
Lin Yun moved with wild, direct force. He pushed off with both legs, spreading a pair of bone wings. As he flew, a layer of bone formed over his left hand, shaping it into a dragon claw. He lunged straight at the Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon.
The Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon raised its head. Only then did it notice Lin Yun. It was about to fight back when it suddenly froze in place.
Bloodline suppression existed among Soul Beasts. For example, the more powerful bloodline of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear could make a whole pack of Flame Lions too afraid to resist.
Now Lin Yun released the aura of his Skeletal Bone Dragon—a presence belonging to the Undead Monarch that pressed down on the Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon before him, leaving it too afraid to fight back.
"Rrrip!"
The sharp bone claws tore through the Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon's hide and flesh. Dragon blood spilled out, and Lin Yun opened his mouth.
His first Soul Skill activated: Breath of the Underworld Lord. Dark green nether ghostfire shot from Lin Yun's mouth, following the wound and scorching the Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon.
The Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon began thrashing violently, letting out one scream after another. Lin Yun followed up with another swipe, flipping the unlucky Sub-Dragon's head upward.
"Haah, haah..."
Lin Yun released his grip. At this stage, he still couldn't control the strength of his Soul Skills or the amount of Soul Power he used with any real proficiency.
On top of that, as someone who had crossed into this world, he still hadn't adapted to such high-intensity slaughter. He'd barely managed to overcome his arachnophobia and step on a spider before. This time, he'd gone straight to beheading a Soul Beast.
The stench of blood made Lin Yun's throat move unnaturally. He was already fighting desperately to suppress the urge to vomit.
By accident, Lin Yun's reaction put Yan Shaozhe at ease. From Yan Shaozhe's perspective, the less Lin Yun was accustomed to this, the better. Otherwise, he might become hooked on the feeling, and Yan Shaozhe would have to cure him of it later.
Lin Yun took a minute to catch his breath and force himself to calm down. The Underworld Brilliance Sub-Dragon's head had stopped moving completely, and a pale purple Soul Ring appeared.
Yan Shaozhe clicked his tongue and called to Lin Yun. "That's a Thousand-year Soul Ring. You're not suited to absorbing it yet. Let's go find another Soul Beast."
Lin Yun studied the purple Thousand-year Soul Ring and hesitated before saying, "Teacher Yan, I think I can absorb this Soul Ring. Let me try. Even if something goes wrong, it'll be my choice."
Lin Yun wasn't recklessly courting death, either. Electrolux had used the undead aura of the Skeletal Bone Dragon to stabilize his soul, becoming one of the undead under the Skeletal Bone Dragon's command.
After carefully sensing the changes in Lin Yun's meridians and the rules governing Soul Rings, Electrolux said Lin Yun could try to master the power of this Thousand-year Soul Ring.
Lin Yun was confident in his own circumstances. After all, he had the Skeletal Bone Dragon as his Martial Soul. Even if he didn't believe in the cheat of being a transmigrator, he ought to believe in his Martial Soul.
Yan Shaozhe's thoughts were even more straightforward. Lin Yun was an Evil Martial Soul to begin with. Although their time together that day had changed his opinion somewhat, if this promising Evil Soul Master got himself killed, it would save Yan Shaozhe a lot of trouble.
He could give Lin Yun some money to buy a house near Shrek City. Then, when Lin Yun was old enough, Yan Shaozhe could find him a wife. That would be a good deed done and dusted.
With that mindset, Yan Shaozhe agreed to let Lin Yun try, setting him on the path to becoming a mighty powerhouse who would one day turn the world upside down.
"Failing to absorb a Soul Ring beyond your level could leave you with shattered meridians and no Soul Power at best. At worst, your body could explode, and even the gods couldn't save you. If you've really made up your mind, go ahead. I've already told you the consequences."
When Huo Yuhao heard what might happen if Lin Yun tried to absorb the Soul Ring, he grew anxious and said to Lin Yun, "Brother Yun, let's keep looking. Even if we don't find anything suitable, I can come back with you next time."
Lin Yun cupped his hands toward Huo Yuhao and said, "Just hearing you say that means that if I succeed today, I'll count you as a friend. My family's been fishing for generations, and we know one thing: the bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish!"
Yan Shaozhe looked at Lin Yun with a little more admiration in his eyes. Lin Yun had an Evil Martial Soul, but this kind of courage to burn his boats was exactly what people at Shrek admired.
Lin Yun said no more. He sat cross-legged on the ground, took a deep breath, then reached out and guided the purple Soul Ring toward himself.
At the same time, deep within the Star Dou Forest, in the depths of that lake brimming with life, a silver-white figure rose to its feet.
Di Tian, king of the Star Dou Forest, had taken human form. He knelt on one knee, lowering his head respectfully before the white figure in the lake.
"Di Tian, did you feel it too? That unfamiliar dragon aura..."
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