Absorbing a Soul Ring, Five-Thousand-Year Demon-Devouring Mosquito

"Ability?"

Ban Shu closed the book in his hands and smiled slightly. "The ability of the Demon-Devouring Mosquito is quite simple. Their long, needle-like beaks can drain the soul power from the bodies of soul masters or soul beasts."

"The victim won't even feel a thing, but once their soul power is drained, a series of negative reactions will follow. That is why both soul masters and soul beasts alike despise this species."

"Ew~ what a strange ability. I'd hate them too."

Bibi Dong rubbed her arms with a look of disgust. "So, Xiao Ban, is that why you're looking for this soul beast? Because you've taken a liking to their soul-draining trait?"

"Exactly."

Ban Shu nodded. "In my previous battles, I discovered my own weakness: my soul power reserves are relatively low. Once I get caught in a group fight, there's a high chance I'll be swarmed to death."

"To compensate for this, I spent time searching the Spirit Hall library until I found this soul beast."

"Your soul power is not low at all, okay?"

Bibi Dong, standing to the side, was speechless. Ban Shu was simply talking nonsense; she had never seen anyone with such immense soul power as him.

Usually, soul masters at the second or third rank don't have much of a soul power reserve, and the number of soul skills they can unleash is very limited. How could he be like Ban Shu, who could squander soul power so recklessly?

If everyone were like him, they would exhaust their soul power in no time and become lambs waiting for slaughter. How could he possibly be unsatisfied?

"Alright, it's time for us to head out."

Ban Shu unfolded a map and took a look. "We're still quite a distance from our destination. I'm afraid we won't arrive until this afternoon."

"But there's no need to rush. The Demon-Devouring Mosquitoes only come out to forage at night."

At night, the group arrived at the habitat of the Demon-Devouring Mosquitoes.

Because the Demon-Devouring Mosquitoes were quite dangerous, Golden Crocodile Douluo prepared to capture one himself, while Ban Shu and the others waited where they were.

"Grandpa Golden Crocodile."

At this moment, Ban Shu called out to Golden Crocodile Douluo. "According to my own estimates, I should be able to absorb a third soul ring of over four thousand years. With my martial soul, five thousand years shouldn't be a problem either."

Hearing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo frowned. "Are you sure? Xiao Ban, you need to think this through."

Based on past experience, the highest limit for a Soul Elder's third soul ring was only about seventeen hundred years. For Ban Shu to jump straight to five thousand years was, to say the least, an exaggeration.

"Yes."

Ban Shu nodded. "I trust my judgment. I haven't been wrong before."

During this period, Ban Shu had been tempering his body day after day, supplemented by Whale Glue and precious medicinal herbs. The toughness of his body was currently extremely high.

Coupled with the Painted Halberd's ability to absorb excess soul power, a five-thousand-year soul ring was not impossible.

Golden Crocodile Douluo fell silent. Unexpectedly, Qian Xunji, who was standing to the side, spoke up. "Uncle Golden Crocodile, let him try. I believe in Xiao Ban."

"Oh?"

Golden Crocodile looked at him with some surprise. One had to know that whenever Ban Shu wanted to absorb a soul ring beyond his limit before, Qian Xunji was the first to stop him. He hadn't expected him to agree so readily now.

"I believe in him."

"Very well."

Golden Crocodile Douluo finally agreed. He and Qian Xunji headed into the depths to search for a suitable soul beast.

"Teacher, Grandpa Golden Crocodile, for every thousand years added to the age of a Demon-Devouring Mosquito, its beak grows ten centimeters longer."

"Understood."

Qian Xunji replied and vanished into the woods.

After a while, two powerful auras suddenly erupted from the forest. It seemed Qian Xunji and Golden Crocodile had made their move.

Sure enough, not long after, the two returned carrying a giant mosquito over a meter long.

Seeing the giant mosquito before her, Bibi Dong instinctively hid behind Ban Shu, burying her head into his shoulder.

"It's alright. This mosquito has already been taken down by Teacher and Grandpa Golden Crocodile, hasn't it?"

Ban Shu patted Bibi Dong and then stepped forward.

"Xiao Ban, hurry and absorb it."

Qian Xunji tossed the mosquito at Ban Shu's feet.

"Right."

Ban Shu did not hesitate. He summoned his Painted Halberd and killed the Demon-Devouring Mosquito with a single strike. A deep purple soul ring slowly rose.

Ban Shu hurriedly sat cross-legged and guided the soul ring toward himself.

Qian Xunji and the others stood guard for him.

The moment the soul ring entered his body, a powerful force surged out instantly. Ban Shu's expression changed; he had underestimated the might of a five-thousand-year soul ring.

Although the Demon-Devouring Mosquito was unique, it wasn't exactly a powerful soul beast, or it wouldn't have been ostracized to this extent.

However, the five-thousand-year age still put immense pressure on Ban Shu. Countless strands of powerful soul power rampaged through his meridians, as if trying to tear him apart.

Fortunately, Ban Shu's martial soul, the Painted Halberd, began to exert its power. Tiny purple lightning bolts enveloped Ban Shu, beginning to grind down the excess soul power within his body.

Before long, Ban Shu's expression gradually calmed, and the absorption of the spirit ring began to proceed smoothly.

Just like that, through the concerted efforts of Ban Shu and his martial soul, the five-thousand-year spirit ring was successfully absorbed.

Standing to the side, Qian Xunji kept his eyes locked on Ban Shu, instinctively wanting to intervene the moment he saw the boy's face contort in pain.

However, based on Ban Shu's previous two experiences absorbing spirit rings, he knew there would be no issues at this stage, so he forced himself to hold back.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Ban Shu regained his composure.

Qian Xunji let out a sigh of relief; it seemed there were no problems after all. At the same time, he felt a flicker of curiosity. Ban Shu's martial soul avatar was truly miraculous, capable of assisting its master in absorbing spirit rings—he wondered what its true origins might be.

Time ticked away, and the process of Ban Shu absorbing the spirit ring gradually drew to a close. No accidents occurred; everything fell into place as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

Absorbing a five-thousand-year spirit ring took a long time. Several hours passed, and it wasn't until near dawn that Ban Shu finally exhaled softly, opened his eyes, and smiled at the three of them: "Teacher, Grandpa Golden Crocodile, Sister, I succeeded."

"What are the results?"

Bibi Dong asked curiously, "Did you get the spirit skill you wanted?"

"Yes."

Ban Shu's face was beaming with a smile: "Not only that, but there was an unexpected surprise."

"My third spirit skill is called Demon Devour. As the name suggests, as long as my skill hits the enemy, I can seize their spirit power for my own use. Furthermore, as long as I can withstand it, there is no upper limit to the amount of spirit power I can seize."

"Moreover, after the opponent has their spirit power drained, it will cause their spirit power circulation to malfunction, leading to a state of paralysis. It can be considered a minor crowd-control skill as well."

Ban Shu was very satisfied with this skill. To put it bluntly, it was like gaining resources upon hitting a target, but in reality, it was a rare and divine ability.

He had spent a long time searching through ancient texts before finally finding a suitable spirit beast.

"What a terrifying spirit skill. It combines sustainability and crowd control into one. It is truly worthy of a five-thousand-year spirit ring," Qian Xunji remarked with a sigh.

"Yes."

Ban Shu nodded, his smile widening: "Not only that, there was another unexpected gain."

"An unexpected gain?"

Hearing Ban Shu's words, the three of them were momentarily stunned.