Absorbing a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!

In the memories of Lin Ciyan, the Golden Hawksbill Turtle was a soul beast that appeared very late in the original work.

It seemed to only emerge in the latter stages of the second era, renowned for its unparalleled defensive capabilities and a trace of divine beast bloodline.

Unexpectedly, it had now become his target for his third soul ring.

This was a case of the plot advancing ahead of schedule, but it was not a major issue.

Just as his thoughts drifted, Mu En had already made his move.

Without any earth-shattering momentum, he simply pointed a finger from afar at the Golden Hawksbill Turtle, which was still leisurely "sunbathing."

A streak of pale golden soul power, condensed to the extreme and seemingly capable of piercing through the void, shot forth.

It arrived before the sound, striking with precision at the head of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle, which was tucked away inside its shell.

That turtle shell, hard enough to make even a Soul Douluo feel troubled, acted like paper before this pale golden soul power, failing to provide the slightest resistance.

The massive body of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle stiffened abruptly, and the heavy, mountain-like aura surrounding it dissipated instantly.

The gentle peace in its eyes was replaced by a vacant haze—it had fallen into a deep coma without even realizing what had happened.

When a Limit Douluo strikes, it is always this simple, unadorned, and dull.

Following this, Mu En flicked his sleeve again, and an invisible force of space enveloped the three of them along with the massive Golden Hawksbill Turtle.

The surrounding scenery twisted like water ripples once more, and the next moment, they had returned to a sealed chamber on Sea God Island specifically designated for soul ring absorption.

"Ciyan," Mu En looked at Lin Ciyan, his tone calm.

"Its shell defense has been temporarily dismantled by my soul power. With the penetrating power of your Dawn Break Fist, it is enough to pierce through its flesh."

"Aim for its head and end it once and for all."

Lin Ciyan took a deep breath and walked up to the mountain-like Golden Hawksbill Turtle.

Even in its comatose state, this soul beast still exuded a heavy presence that made one's heart tremble.

He did not hesitate; his first soul ring lit up beneath his feet, deep purple light swirling around him.

"First Soul Skill, Dawn Break Fist!"

However, he did not choose to strike in close quarters. Instead, he condensed his highly compressed Ultimate Light soul power onto his fist and then blasted it out through the air!

A solid, brilliant light fist, resembling a miniature rising sun, flew from his hand.

Carrying the properties of purification and penetration, it struck precisely at the vulnerable junction between the Golden Hawksbill Turtle's head and its shell!

"Puchi!"

The light fist hit home. There was no violent explosion; instead, it was like a hot knife cutting through butter.

It easily melted through the flesh and bone at that spot, and the highly compressed light energy erupted instantly within its skull, releasing—the Light Shock effect triggered!

The massive body of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle twitched violently, and then its life force receded like a tide, dissipating completely.

At the same time, a majestic surge of energy began to gather from its corpse, and a soul ring slowly condensed and rose.

The color of that soul ring was so deep, so black, that it seemed to swallow the surrounding light.

And at the edge of that dense black, one could faintly see a trace of an extremely faint, noble golden thread winding around it.

It signified the extraordinary nature of its bloodline and a quality far exceeding that of an ordinary ten-thousand-year soul ring!

Twenty-eight thousand years, Golden Hawksbill Turtle soul ring!

"Begin." Mu En's voice carried a hint of imperceptible concern.

Lin Ciyan nodded heavily, sat cross-legged, and used his own soul power to draw in the deep, gold-tinged black soul ring.

The moment the soul ring touched his body, it felt as if a ten-thousand-foot mountain had crashed down upon him!

Soul power, vast as the sea, surged into his limbs and bones like a burst dam, violently scouring and expanding his meridians.

A sharp, bloated pain struck him instantly.

Had his body not been subtly transformed by the Great Dream Freedom Scripture and his dual soul bones, far exceeding his peers, he would have likely been burst apart by this violent energy at the very first moment.

This feeling was even more agonizing than working seventy-two hours of overtime in his previous life.

But this was merely an appetizer.

Following this, a heavy, barbaric spiritual pressure, filled with unwillingness and the vicissitudes of time, slammed into his Sea of Consciousness like an invisible giant hammer!

The soul shock unique to a ten-thousand-year soul ring had arrived!

Lin Ciyan only felt his head "buzz."

His consciousness was instantly pulled into a golden ocean—his Sea of Consciousness.

The once-calm surface of the sea was now churning with monstrous waves, howling winds, and thunder and lightning.

A phantom of a Golden Hawksbill Turtle, smaller in size but clear in form, appeared, its entire body looking as if it were cast from gold.

It let out a silent roar, carrying monstrous resentment and heavy mental pressure, wreaking havoc within his Sea of Consciousness.

Every soul shock made Lin Ciyan feel as if his consciousness were being hammered repeatedly on an anvil; his vision went black in waves, and cold sweat instantly soaked his robes.

Damn it, the intensity of this soul vibration is a bit beyond my estimates!

As expected, absorbing a ring above one's level isn't a guaranteed win!

Just as he focused all his mental power, preparing for a grueling tug-of-war against the remnant soul of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle—

"So noisy."

A crisp, feminine voice, tinged with laziness and dissatisfaction, rang out clearly within his Sea of Consciousness.

It was Xiyao!

The Light Spirit, who had always remained quietly in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness like a goddess, slightly furrowed her brows.

She didn't even rise, merely lifting her slender, jade-like hand, formed of pure light elements, in a casual gesture.

She pressed it gently downward toward the churning sea surface and the roaring phantom of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, no dazzling light.

It was as if a mute button had been pressed, or an invisible hand had smoothed out a wrinkled piece of silk.

The monstrous mental waves instantly subsided.

The roaring phantom of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle, like ice cast into a scorching sun, didn't even manage to stir a ripple.

It dissolved and annihilated without a sound, transforming into the purest mental energy that merged into this golden ocean.

The wind ceased, the waves stilled, the clouds parted, and the mist dispersed.

The Sea of Consciousness returned to its former tranquility, and because it had absorbed the mental essence of that remnant soul, the golden surface seemed even broader and deeper, shimmering with peaceful, rippling light.

Xiyao: Done, clocking out.

Deeply hidden merit and fame.

In reality, Lin Ciyan's body suddenly relaxed, and the pained expression on his face instantly smoothed out.

Only the pure, bloated ache from his soul power scouring his meridians remained. The pressure on the mental level had vanished entirely!

Damn, I've become the one being carried! Xiyao, besides being my clingy girlfriend, is also my exclusive soul shock absorber!

Outside.

Mu En keenly sensed the change in Lin Ciyan's aura.

One moment he was like a small boat tossing in a storm, and the next, he had suddenly become as steady as Mount Tai.

Although the absorption of soul power remained turbulent, the disorder and struggle on the soul level had disappeared.

A flash of realization and amazement crossed his cloudy eyes: "As expected... soul vibration is no longer a difficult task for Ciyan."

Bei Bei, standing to the side, watched with his heart in his throat.

He had just personally experienced the soul vibration of a ten-thousand-year soul ring and knew full well how terrifying it was.

Seeing Lin Ciyan's pained appearance earlier, he had broken into a cold sweat in empathy.

But in the blink of an eye, Brother Lin seemed... fine? Just focused on absorbing soul power?

"Mystic Ancestor, Brother Lin, he..." Bei Bei couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Mu En smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of inscrutability: "Ciyan's path is different from yours. Just watch; this is also cultivation for you."

Bei Bei nodded, seemingly understanding, and as he watched Lin Ciyan, whose aura grew increasingly thick and whose Soul Power Level began to climb steadily, his eyes held not just envy, but a sense of determination.

It seems I have to work even harder!

Nearby, the massive carcass of the Golden Hawksbill Turtle lay quietly.

Its shell, once brilliant as gold, had dimmed significantly in luster after the loss of life.

Yet, one could still feel its astonishing hardness and the heavy aura that lingered.

The mysterious, archaic patterns on the shell seemed to tell the story of its long life.

The wound caused by the kill was small, not destroying the overall integrity of the body.

One wondered if the body of this top-tier defensive soul beast would yield other benefits?

Everyone's gaze was focused on Lin Ciyan, whose aura continued to climb as he launched his final assault toward the Soul Elder realm.