Shadow leopards were known for their speed and excelled at stealth and ambush. They were among the forest's top predators!
"Careful!" Lin Qingmo's eyes narrowed as he saw the shadow leopard speeding toward them. He hurriedly warned his precious grandson.
But Lin Ciyan remained calm, even wearing a smile that said, "Just what I wanted."
"Grandpa, let me use it to test out my newly acquired Soul Ring." Before Lin Ciyan had finished speaking, the deep purple Second Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up.
"Second Soul Skill, Light Domain: Holy Splendor Canopy!"
Buzz—!
A gentle, holy golden curtain of light instantly spread out from Lin Ciyan, covering a fifteen-meter radius.
Within the domain, the light elements grew unusually lively. Even the faint glimmers in the air seemed to come alive.
They leaped about gleefully, gathering toward the center of the domain.
The moment the shadow leopard entered the Light Domain, its speed visibly slackened.
Its body, attuned to darkness and shadow, felt intensely uncomfortable and suppressed within this pure domain of light!
"Roar!" The shadow leopard let out an agitated growl. Despite its discomfort, it still swiped fiercely at Lin Ciyan with its claws.
Yet Lin Ciyan's movements seemed as casual as ever. He shifted his step.
His figure seemed to merge with the light, effortlessly and gracefully dodging the ferocious attack.
With the aid of the Skull of Radiant Dawn, his reactions and senses had become extraordinarily keen. The shadow leopard's movements seemed almost slowed in his eyes.
"First Soul Skill, Dawn Break Fist!"
The instant he dodged, brilliant light burst from Lin Ciyan's right fist, like the rising morning sun.
Ultimate Light gathered, carrying the power to pierce and purify, and slammed toward the shadow leopard's vulnerable lower back!
But the shadow leopard was, after all, a Soul Beast of nearly nine thousand years, renowned for its speed.
At the critical moment, it forcibly twisted its body, gathering shadow energy across its hide in an attempt to withstand the blow and counterattack.
"You want to take it head-on? Then here's a little something extra!" Lin Ciyan's thoughts raced. In an instant, he gained a fresh insight into how to use his two newly acquired Soul Skills.
He didn't pull back his fist. Instead, he pushed the effects of Light Domain: Holy Splendor Canopy to their limit!
The light elements gathered within the domain seemed to answer his call, surging into his oncoming Dawn Break Fist like a hundred rivers rushing into the sea!
The already brilliant light of his fist suddenly blazed even brighter!
It was as if a miniature sun had condensed around his fist! In that moment, he forcibly and briefly "grafted" the Light Domain's continuous-gathering effect onto his attack Soul Skill, achieving a kind of "fusion"!
"Dawn Break: Light Resonance!"
With a low shout, the light of his fist—charged with the domain's power and the full might of his First Soul Skill—
struck the shadow leopard's hastily gathered shadow defense before it could react, like the first beam of ultimate light tearing through the dawn, accompanied by a hum that shook the soul!
Sizzle—!
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a sound like a hot knife slicing through butter.
The shadow leopard's tough hide and gathered shadow energy were utterly defenseless before the Ultimate Light empowered by the domain!
The light of the fist pierced its defenses with ease, and the power of holy purification invaded its body in an instant!
"Awoooo—!" The shadow leopard let out an unbearably shrill wail. Its massive body was blasted away, snapping several trees before crashing to the ground.
Its lower back was scorched black, wisps of dark smoke rising from it. Holy light continued to rampage through its body, completely shattering its ability to fight.
It struggled to get back up, but could only let out helpless whimpers, staring at Lin Ciyan in terror.
Lin Qingmo stood watching, dumbfounded.
He knew his grandson had gained a great deal, but he hadn't imagined his combat ability would improve so drastically!
Against a Power Attack System Soul Beast nearly nine thousand years old, he had made it look effortless.
He had even managed to fuse his newly acquired domain Soul Skill with an attack Soul Skill, creating such terrifying destructive power!
"Now that's something. This prototype of a 'Soul Skill amplification skill' is practically a developer-approved cheat!" Lin Ciyan himself was surprised by the result of his spur-of-the-moment idea, and secretly delighted.
He dispersed his Soul Skills, and the Light Domain vanished with them, restoring the surroundings to normal.
Only the barely breathing shadow leopard remained as proof of the battle that had just taken place.
"Looks like the eight-thousand-year Soul Ring and Soul Bone improved you even more than I'd expected."
Lin Qingmo walked over and looked at his grandson, whose breathing was steady, as if he'd merely finished warming up. His voice was complicated.
Lin Ciyan chuckled and clapped his hands. "Not bad. Mainly, this place"—he pointed to his head—"works a lot better now. My reactions are quicker."
He pointed to his Head Soul Bone.
Grandfather and grandson wasted no more time. They continued on and soon returned to Shrek Academy, on Sea God Island.
Inside Sea God Pavilion, Mu En listened to Lin Qingmo's vivid account, colored with lingering apprehension,
as well as Lin Ciyan's explanation that "the eight-thousand-year gift from the Light Maiden caused his Martial Soul to mutate and awaken a domain after he absorbed it."
Even Mu En's usually placid face showed rare astonishment.
"Glazed Light Realm... In my younger days, when I traveled across the continent, I did see related accounts in ancient fragments."
"I thought they were nothing more than an ethereal legend. I never imagined it truly existed—and that you'd find it." Mu En sighed.
Mu En's gaze burned as he looked at the deep purple Soul Ring beneath Lin Ciyan's feet and the increasingly pure, profound aura of light surrounding him.
"An eight-thousand-year Second Soul Ring, an awakened domain through mutation, a Head Soul Bone, and twenty-six levels of Soul Power..."
"Ci Yan, your fortune is a gift of heaven." Mu En's voice held both comfort and a hint of expectation he could scarcely conceal.
"The favor shown by a top-tier light-attribute Soul Beast toward a Martial Soul of Ultimate Light may exceed our understanding. That's a good thing."
He pondered for a moment, then said to Lin Ciyan, "You've gained a great deal this time, and your Soul Power has risen rapidly. You'll need to let it settle."
"I'm granting you half a month off. Use it to fully stabilize your current realm and familiarize yourself with your new powers."
"Especially the power of the domain. Its mysteries are endless, and you'll need to study it carefully."
"Yes, Teacher," Lin Ciyan replied respectfully.
Mu En nodded and continued, "Once your Soul Power has stabilized, you'll need to begin preparing for your Third Soul Ring."
"Your target then will be—a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."
Although Lin Qingmo had been mentally prepared, hearing Mu En say it aloud still made his heart skip a beat.
A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring for the third ring! This was an achievement worthy of the history books!
"Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings contain violent energy and inflict an especially tremendous shock on the absorber's mind." Mu En looked at Lin Ciyan, his expression grave.
"So your next round of training will focus on improving your spiritual power."
"You must temper it until it far surpasses that of others at your level. Only then can you withstand the Soul Shock of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."
He paused, then added, "There's something else I should tell you in advance."
"Once you break through to Soul Elder, the advantages of your Ultimate Attribute will become even more pronounced, but they'll also bring a 'side effect'—Soul Power compression."
"The quality of your Soul Power will far exceed that of others at your level..."
"But the total amount of Soul Power you need to advance will also become much greater."
"Your cultivation speed will slow considerably."
Seeing that Lin Ciyan showed no concern, Mu En's approval only deepened. "But there's no need to worry. Shrek's foundations run deep."
"We have ways to help you build up your reserves faster and lessen the impact of this growth stage for those with an Ultimate Attribute."
"Sea God Pavilion will be your strongest support."
Lin Ciyan understood. This was the benefit of having a powerful backer.
He bowed again. "I understand, disciple. I won't let down you or the academy."
"Go and get some rest. Come see me again in half a month." Mu En waved his hand, closed his eyes, and continued his seemingly eternal doze.
As he left Sea God Pavilion, Lin Ciyan felt the surging power within him and the warm pulses Xiyao sent from his Sea of Consciousness. He was full of anticipation for the future.
Third Soul Ring, Ten Thousand Years! Special training for spiritual power!
This laid-back path was getting more and more thrilling!