Star Soul: Fire and Light, Incarnations of Good and Evil

"What was that?"

Bai Yuan stared at Dawnmaker in his hand, his brows knitting slightly.

When he had unleashed that strike just now, he had felt it clearly.

It was not just the power of his soul skill, nor just the Golden-Haired Mastiff's enhancement. Something else had surged up from deep within him and poured out along the blade.

That was not Soul Power.

It was... something more fundamental, more primal.

Leng Yaozhu, who had been about to leave, paused and turned around. "What is it?"

Bai Yuan looked up, a peculiar light glinting in his eyes. "Teacher, I want to continue with the second round of testing.

"I discovered... something else within my Martial Soul."

"Hmm?"

Leng Yaozhu raised an eyebrow and looked Bai Yuan over for two seconds.

She did not ask further, merely nodding to the attendant nearby.

Understanding her meaning, the attendant turned and operated the Soul Guidance Screen, bringing up a higher-level testing option.

"The second round's target is a two-thousand-year Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear cub." There was a note of warning in the attendant's voice.

"Young Master Bai Yuan, Soul Beasts of this level are already quite aggressive. If you find it difficult, you may call for the test to stop at any time."

Bai Yuan did not respond.

He returned to the center of the room. The six silver-white pillars lit up again, and the surrounding scenery began to twist and change.

This time, a deeper, gloomier forest appeared before him.

The trees were taller, their branches and leaves denser, and the air was filled with a stronger stench of blood.

Fifty meters ahead, a Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear the size of a small mountain stood with its back to him, lowering its head to gnaw on something.

Its massive body was covered in dark-gold scales, and the claws on its forelimbs were over a meter long, gleaming with icy light.

A two-thousand-year Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear cub.

Though it was called a "cub," its size was already enough to crush the vast majority of adult Soul Beasts.

Bai Yuan took a deep breath and tightened his grip on Dawnmaker.

The Golden-Haired Mastiff's phantom emerged at his side. Every strand of its golden fur stood on end, battle intent blazing in its vertical pupils.

"Go."

Bai Yuan stamped his foot and shot forward like an arrow.

Then he froze.

Too fast.

That was not an exaggeration. It was truly too fast.

The instant he pushed off the ground, his body seemed to break free from gravity's restraints.

At a speed even he could not react to, he crossed the distance and appeared directly before the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear!

The fifty-meter gap vanished in practically the blink of an eye.

Bai Yuan's pupils contracted.

What was going on?

Since when had he become this fast?

The Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear also seemed stunned. How had this tiny human suddenly appeared in front of it?

But it was, after all, a two-thousand-year Soul Beast, and its reaction was incredibly fast. Its enormous bear paw came crashing toward Bai Yuan with a howling gust of wind!

Bai Yuan had no time to think and swung his sword on instinct.

Dawnmaker slashed out.

Golden sword light tore through the air and collided with the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear's paw.

Boom—!!!

With a thunderous crash, the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear's huge body was forced three steps back!

Bai Yuan also retreated several steps. He lowered his head to stare at the sword in his hand, his eyes going wide.

It was not just his speed.

Even his power had increased by a huge margin.

He had not used a soul skill in that strike, nor had he drawn upon the Golden-Haired Mastiff's power. It had been nothing more than an ordinary slash.

Yet it had unleashed power comparable to his first soul skill from before?

The Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear roared in fury, seemingly enraged, and pounced again.

Bai Yuan had no time to think further. He pushed off again, dodging like a phantom.

He was so fast that the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear could not even brush the corner of his clothes. Every swing of his sword left a deep gash in its scales.

Three minutes later, the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear's enormous body crashed to the ground.

Bai Yuan stood where he was, gasping for breath as he stared at Dawnmaker. His mind raced.

What was this?

His speed had increased.

His power had increased.

And also...

He closed his eyes and felt the power still surging within him.

It was coming from the depths of the Core Flame.

Was it the power of the Path of Destruction? Or something else?

Bai Yuan abruptly opened his eyes as a thought flashed through his mind.

Star Soul?

Fire and light, incarnations of good and evil.

For every enemy target eliminated in a single battle, his speed increased by an additional 1.5%, up to a maximum of 84%.

The key was that the final effect could function even in his normal state—critical damage increased by 50%!

If the Worldbearing Coreflame had truly brought even something like this with it...

Bai Yuan looked down at his hands, his heartbeat quickening.

Most importantly—

He was only in his normal form right now.

He had not used the Core Flame or entered any special state.

Yet those enhancements had undeniably been there.

In other words, were these benefits permanent?

Bai Yuan took a deep breath, and the corners of his mouth slowly spread into an uncontrollable grin.

He was invincible.

How was anyone supposed to compete with this?

Even in his normal form, he was stronger than other people in their burst states. If he really developed a "Calamity Form" in the future...

Wouldn't he turn the entire Great God Circle upside down?

"The test is over."

The attendant's voice came from the void as the surrounding illusion began to fade.

Bai Yuan stood there, still wearing that slightly foolish grin.

Leng Yaozhu walked over. Seeing his expression, she raised an eyebrow slightly. "What did you discover?"

Bai Yuan turned to her, his eyes frighteningly bright.

"Teacher, I think I... discovered something incredible."

Leng Yaozhu looked at him in silence for two seconds, then the corners of her lips curved faintly upward.

"Then study it carefully. Do not waste it."

Bai Yuan nodded forcefully, already making plans in his heart.

If he could enjoy the Star Soul's enhancements even in his normal form, then his future cultivation path would likely need to be replanned.

What first soul ring was this?

This was clearly a cheat code.

Leng Yaozhu looked at Bai Yuan with satisfaction. "Keep working hard. There is still plenty of training waiting for you when we get back."

"Understood, Teacher." Bai Yuan nodded.

She turned to the attendant beside her and instructed, "Do not let the exaggerated parts of this test data leak out."

The attendant immediately understood. "Understood. I will clean it up thoroughly."

"Good." Leng Yaozhu said calmly, "Once you finish this term, you will be transferred back to headquarters.

"A new position will be waiting for you there.

"Do your job well. The Leng Family will not forget you."

The attendant bent over excitedly. "Understood. Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Afterward, the group set off back to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters.

On the way, Bai Yuan leaned against his seat, feeling puzzled.

They had already reached the East Sea Spirit Pagoda, settled the Soul Spirit, and fused his first soul ring.

Why had that "fixed NPC" he was supposed to run into not respawned yet?

Where were my legendary appetite and legendary wisdom?

They had not shown up at all!

Although that guy's "wisdom" was often offline, he was still an important member and a key figure in driving the plot forward.

Forget it. No point overthinking it.

Following his teacher's cultivation properly and unlocking Xiao Bai's other abilities were what mattered for the future!

On the return journey, the soul guidance car traveled smoothly onward.

Bai Yuan leaned against the seat, drifting in and out of sleep.

The lights outside the window swept past one by one, casting shifting patches of light and shadow over his face.

In his haze, a voice came from somewhere unimaginably deep and distant.

It seemed to pierce through endless space and time before falling beside his ear.

The voice was clear and resolute, carrying an unquestionable, blazing intensity.

"Become a hero with me!"

Bai Yuan's eyelids trembled, but he did not wake.

Within him, the Worldbearing Coreflame that had remained dormant all this time suddenly flickered faintly.

A flash of golden light pulsed once in depths unseen by anyone.

Then it returned to silence.