Ma Hongjun's trial ended with him being sent flying by the Blazing Lion King.
The time within the Mysterious Yellow Merit Pagoda was limited, after all.
Ma Hongjun, who had been blasted away, scrambled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Yet a satisfied smile hung on his face.
"Boss, that battle was truly exhilarating! What a rush! It's a pity I wasn't its match."
Ma Hongjun grinned as he came to Ye Ruilin's side, looking at the Blazing Lion King before them, which had been thoroughly enraged.
"Old Wu, make your move."
They still had a chance against ordinary Blazing Lions, but this Blazing Lion King remained exceptionally formidable even with its flames suppressed.
At most, they had only obtained their First Soul Rings. They were not yet qualified to contend with this Blazing Lion King.
Upon receiving Ye Ruilin's command, Old Wu's figure swiftly appeared beside the Blazing Lion King.
His withered palm struck down fiercely. The Blazing Lion King's entire body took the heavy blow and crashed to the ground, its limbs and bones shattered, though it still retained its final breath.
"Hong Jun, do it."
"This Blazing Lion King is only five hundred years old. Although that exceeds the maximum age a First Soul Ring can absorb—"
"You cultivate the Nine Heavens Burning Fire Art, so you are naturally far stronger than ordinary people."
"A soul ring of over five hundred years should be absorbable."
Ye Ruilin tossed an exquisite little knife to Ma Hongjun, signaling for him to act quickly.
Ma Hongjun caught the knife and, with a swift rise and fall of his hand, cleanly finished off the Blazing Lion King on the ground.
A soul ring slowly emerged, radiating a faint, ghostly glow. Ma Hongjun did not waste any time and immediately began absorbing it.
While Ma Hongjun absorbed the soul ring, Ye Ruilin stretched his body as well.
After being tempered by the Blazing Lion King's flames, he felt that the impurities in his physical strength and the surface of his skin had seemingly been burned away.
His body's defensive power had increased somewhat.
Unfortunately, the flames were not powerful enough to completely temper his entire body.
To thoroughly temper and strengthen his body, he would likely have to rely on Bingyang True Fire.
At that thought, Ye Ruilin quickly began considering suitable soul beasts.
Ever since absorbing a ten-thousand-year fire-attribute soul bone, he had awakened the power of the Rooster.
The awakening of the Rooster's power had not only allowed him to grasp Rooster Thunder-Cry.
It had also greatly enhanced his control over the fire attribute.
If he could quickly awaken the powers of the Xu Dog and Hai Pig, he would be able to fully control the Power of the Seven Mansions of the Vermilion Bird.
What flame in the world could surpass Innate Li Fire?
Unfortunately, with his current cultivation, he could only separately control Bingyang True Fire and Dingyin Spirit Fire.
Even controlling those two flames with divided attention was somewhat difficult, much less bringing them into a delicate balance.
Thinking of a method for divided attention control, Ye Ruilin looked toward Ning Rongrong beside him.
Every soul master in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect whose Martial Soul was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda knew Heart Separation Control.
If he could learn Heart Separation Control, he would be able to more skillfully bring those two flames to a balance point.
Ning Rongrong seemed to notice Ye Ruilin's gaze and walked over curiously.
"Brother Ye, what is it?"
The little girl asked with a cheerful smile.
That battle just now had also been her first time making a move.
She was still a little excited, her cheeks flushed red, making her look especially adorable.
"Rongrong, how is your cultivation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's Heart Separation Control going?"
Ye Ruilin asked.
Ning Rongrong froze, not expecting Brother Ye to know about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Heart Separation Control cultivation method.
Then an embarrassed expression appeared on her face.
She had been playful in the past. Even though her father had taught her seriously every time, she had only managed to split her mind in two.
Compared to some of her brothers and sisters in the sect, she was already considered rather poor.
"Brother Ye, I didn't expect you to know about that."
"However, I can currently only split my mind in two."
Ning Rongrong scratched her head awkwardly, regretting why she had not cultivated properly back then.
If she had cultivated diligently, she could have confidently told Brother Ye about her strength now.
"That is already very impressive."
Ye Ruilin did not show the disappointment Ning Rongrong had expected. Instead, he wore a faint smile.
"Once you have two soul rings, you will be able to support both Hong Jun and me with different effects at the same time. That is already quite good."
"Oh, right, Rongrong."
"Can outsiders learn the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Heart Separation Control?"
Ye Ruilin asked.
Ning Rongrong was stunned and looked toward Sword Douluo in confusion.
If Heart Separation Control was considered rare, then perhaps only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the entire world specialized in cultivating it.
Yet if it was not considered rare, even if it were brought outside, other soul masters would dismiss it with disdain.
After all, only a unique support-type Martial Soul like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda would need it.
Ning Rongrong had never encountered anyone who wanted to cultivate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Heart Separation Control.
Sword Douluo sized Ye Ruilin up.
"You want to cultivate it?"
He spoke, though his tone was full of certainty.
Ye Ruilin nodded.
"Senior knows that I can control flames. If I can cultivate Heart Separation Control, it will certainly improve my control over fire."
It would naturally be better if he could learn it, but if not, he would not force the matter.
"Heart Separation Control is not some rare treasure. If you want to learn it, just find Fengzhi when we return."
Since he could build a connection with Ye Ruilin, Sword Douluo naturally would not refuse.
If it had been some other rare item, he might have given it some thought. This required no consideration at all.
Ning Rongrong raised her fair, tender finger and scratched her forehead.
"Brother Ye."
"It's all because I haven't learned enough. Otherwise, I could teach you directly."
There seemed to be a trace of regret in the little girl's voice.
Sword Douluo watched the willful little girl he had spoiled since childhood now acting so obediently.
He smiled helplessly.
"Kid, can you tell us your purpose for coming to Sunset Forest now?"
Bone Douluo spoke from the side, his shadowy gaze falling directly on Ye Ruilin.
During this time, he had patiently followed behind these three youngsters.
Now, Rongrong and this kid had obtained their soul rings.
It was time to discuss the real matter, wasn't it?
"Please do not be impatient, Seniors. This trip to Sunset Forest is mainly to find a Title Douluo."
"Only by finding him can I obtain what I seek."
Ye Ruilin looked toward the deeper reaches of Sunset Forest.
That place was shrouded in mist, its trees tall and dense. Sunlight could not penetrate the heavy fog, making the entire forest appear dim.
Even the air was filled with a rotten stench.
This was also the most dangerous and central region of Sunset Forest!
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