It was as if his consciousness had risen from the depths of the sea. After a brief spell of dizziness...
Lin Ciyan once again felt the warm, rich light elements of the Glazed Light Realm.
Everything around him remained absolutely still. In the distance, clusters of light crystals were frozen in the act of scattering motes of light.
Time seemed to have stopped at the moment before he used the Slacker Paradox Simulator.
He quickly gathered his thoughts and immediately summoned the system interface.
[Current Slacking Value: 13527 points]
Seeing this reassuring number, Lin Ciyan didn't hesitate for a moment.
He fixed his thoughts on the crucial item in the [Slacker Shop (Intermediate)].
"Purchase: Soul Hyperion!"
[Ding! 8888 points of Slacking Value consumed. Successfully purchased "Soul Hyperion"! Remaining Slacking Value: 4639 points]
Even after spending a fortune, Lin Ciyan felt completely at ease.
A miniature ship model appeared in his system storage space. It gave off a soft white glow, had a peculiar shape, and seemed to be made of countless light sigils. Profound ripples emanated from it.
"Xiyao," Lin Ciyan thought as he looked at the peerlessly beautiful Light Maiden standing frozen before him.
"We can begin."
At the urging of his will, the [Soul Hyperion] was activated.
The tiny ship model turned into a streak of light and soundlessly sank into Lin Xiyao's brow.
In an instant, the stillness broke!
Lin Xiyao's body trembled slightly. A glimmer of understanding and wonder flashed through her pure golden eyes. She
felt the presence of that peculiar "vessel."
It was like a warm, sturdy harbor, perfectly capable of holding the origin of her soul.
It also connected her to another soul—Lin Ciyan's—in a symbiotic bond beyond the ordinary.
"This feeling... is so strange." Xiyao's ethereal voice held a hint of surprise.
"It protects me and connects us... Ciyan, you really did it."
This wasn't a sacrifice in the traditional sense of burning one's life and soul. It was more like a leap of the soul, made possible by absolute trust and a high-level contract.
The vast stores of light-attribute energy Xiyao had accumulated over more than three hundred thousand years began to boil.
Yet, escorted by the [Soul Hyperion], the core imprint of her soul was calmly separated from her.
It became the purest essence of light and flowed along the newborn connection toward Lin Ciyan's brow, ready to enter his Sea of Consciousness.
At the same time, her vast Soul Power and life essence began to condense into a Soul Ring and Soul Bone, following the laws of the Douluo World.
"Xiyao, can you choose where the Soul Bone forms?" Lin Ciyan asked through their mental link.
"I can," Xiyao replied. "My energy core leans toward a fusion of the mind and light. The best place is... the head."
"Good! Then a Head Soul Bone!" Lin Ciyan agreed without hesitation.
Head Soul Bones were the rarest and often related to mental power. It was just what he wanted!
Brilliant light burst forth around Xiyao, illuminating the entire Glazed Light Realm like a divine kingdom.
A golden Soul Ring speckled with star-like red flecks slowly took shape.
It seemed woven from liquid dawn and starlight.
Countless tiny light runes flickered to life and faded within it.
It exuded an ancient, sacred, and boundless aura—the Soul Ring of a Ferocious Beast more than three hundred thousand years old!
At the same time, an exquisitely crafted skull phantom appeared beside the Soul Ring, as if carved from divine light crystal.
Its whole surface shimmered with flowing colors, radiating a gentle glow that calmed the mind.
[Skull of Radiant Dawn]
[Soul Bone Skill One: Heart of Dawn]
Greatly increases the host's mental power purity and capacity.
Grants powerful resistance to mental attacks, illusions, charms, and similar abilities.
The stronger the light attribute, the higher the resistance.
A heart like dawn, clear and untainted.
[Soul Bone Skill Two: Radiance Pulse]
Active Skill: Converts light-attribute energy absorbed and accumulated over time—including energy released by the host or absorbed from outside—into a pure mental shockwave.
It rattles and purifies the enemy's soul. The longer it is charged, the greater its power.
"It's starting, Ciyan. Accept my power." Xiyao's voice rang in Lin Ciyan's mind, offering gentle encouragement.
The Soul Ring, a thing beyond all common sense, slowly descended and settled around Lin Ciyan.
The violent surge of energy he had expected never came. The immense power contained in the Soul Ring—
tempered by the [Soul Hyperion] and guided by Xiyao as she actively compressed it—
flowed into him like a docile river, surging forward in an orderly torrent.
His meridians steadily widened and strengthened. His Soul Power skyrocketed at an unprecedented rate!
Level 21, level 22, level 23... It finally came to a steady stop at level 26!
The [Skull of Radiant Dawn] also turned into a streak of light and perfectly melded with his skull.
In an instant, Lin Ciyan's thoughts became incomparably clear and keen.
His mental world felt as if it had been cleansed and expanded several times over. A reassuring sense of "a heart clear as a mirror, untouched by outside evil" welled up within him.
Then, information about the two skills of his Second Soul Ring naturally surfaced in his mind.
[Second Soul Skill: Light Domain: Holy Radiance Sky Curtain]
Unfolds a light domain centered on the user, greatly increasing the activity and concentration of light elements within it.
Continuously gathers nearby light-attribute energy to replenish the domain and the user's energy.
Once activated, the strength of the light elements within the domain gradually increases over time.
Indirectly strengthens the light-attribute skills of the host and their allies.
Currently lasts up to 10 minutes; duration increases as cultivation advances.
This domain can be used simultaneously with other Soul Skills.
[Second Soul Skill: Grace of Bathing Light]
Releases healing radiance imbued with sacred and life-giving energy, rapidly restoring the injuries, stamina, and Soul Power of the user or their allies.
When used on targets with dark or evil attributes, the healing radiance transforms into powerful light-attribute purification damage.
Also inflicts burning and suppression effects.
"Perfect!" Lin Ciyan was overjoyed.
This was exactly the combination he'd wanted!
A top-tier, sustainable enhancement domain, paired with an all-purpose support skill that combined healing, endurance, and a specialty against evil.
Together with the powerful attacks of his first Soul Skill, "Dawn Break Fist," and the mental defense and counterattack of his Head Soul Bone,
his combat system had instantly become well-rounded and powerful!
He could clearly feel that after absorbing Xiyao's essence,
his Holy Radiance Qilin Martial Soul had become more solid and noble, its sacred, auspicious aura even more intense.
At the same time, in his Sea of Consciousness,
a miniature Lin Xiyao, made of pure light, was curiously looking around her new home.
She sensed Lin Ciyan's joy at growing stronger and sent back feelings of security and trust.
"We did it, Xiyao," Lin Ciyan said through their mental link.
"Mm. It's so warm here, and your light makes me feel so comfortable."
Xiyao replied, her voice tinged with laziness and contentment.
"And through your senses, the world seems... more interesting."