The third Soul Ring corresponded to "energy."
It only gave him one passive effect: Energy Siphon.
It automatically absorbed all ambient energy in the surrounding environment and efficiently converted it into the most fundamental "Holy Spirit Power" to replenish him.
As long as he didn't absorb destructive energy beyond his limits in a single instant, he had almost unlimited Soul Power to draw on!
The fourth Soul Ring was "life."
Active Soul Skill—Light of Resurrection: It could rapidly heal any physical injuries he or his allies had sustained and dispel negative effects.
As the Soul Ring's age increased and his understanding of the laws of life deepened, he might even one day touch the forbidden realm of "resurrecting the dead and restoring life to the deceased."
Passive effect—Blessing of the Holy Spirit: When he suffered a fatal injury powerful enough to break through "Void" and Elemental Resistance, it would trigger automatically, consuming Holy Spirit Power to "revive him on the spot in peak condition" in an instant!
It was downright shameless.
The fifth Soul Ring was "Samsara." Unlike the "energy" Soul Ring, which only granted a passive effect, "Samsara" did the opposite: it only granted one active Soul Skill.
Active Soul Skill—Mark of Samsara: It could place an invisible "Mark of Samsara" on a target.
Anyone marked would fall into a "Samsara Dream," constructed and guided by the caster's spiritual power, where they would experience a brief yet incomparably real century-long life.
The course of the Samsara could also be guided.
Used well, it could temper someone's spiritual power. Used poorly, it could destroy another person's spiritual power outright. Pretty handy.
Aside from the astonishing Soul Skills granted by those five Soul Rings, the effect of the "Holy Spirit Domain," which he had acquired when his Martial Soul first awakened, was also simple and brutal.
Within the Holy Spirit Domain: All of his attributes increased by 100%, while the attributes of all "people, spirits, and beasts" in the domain whose life level was lower than his were unconditionally suppressed by 50% (multiplicative, unlike Dai Mubai's, which might be additive).
"I seem to be a little short on offensive Soul Skills..."
After inspecting everything, Zhao Linchuan rubbed his chin and pondered.
"'Elemental Control' sort of counts. Mostly, I rely on the 'stats' my Martial Soul provides and these utility and survivability skills to crush my opponents... Hmm, combined with those Soul Bone Skills and Self-Created Soul Skills, it should be enough."
"Against ordinary opponents, it'll probably be like a max-level player in divine gear returning to the starter village in a game from my previous life. Even a basic attack would crush them."
His mind flashed to the powerful skills granted by his Soul Bones, along with several "Self-Created Soul Skills" he had come up with over the past few years, such as the simple, brutal, and unfailingly effective "Left/Right Fist Warning."
"But..." Zhao Linchuan sighed softly, his face bearing a touch of "humblebragging" distress. "The Puni Martial Soul is perfect in every way, except it takes too much 'skill' and 'understanding.'"
"These Soul Skills are powerful, but knowing how to combine them, when to use them, and how to counter different enemies all require precise 'control' and 'prediction.'"
"Is there a Martial Soul that's... well, simpler and more brainless to use? One where you meet your opponent and immediately unleash a combo, or just stand there and make them despair?"
Just then, the door clicked open.
Xiao Wu pushed in an elegant silver serving cart. She had changed into a pink-and-white dress that day, and her long scorpion braid was neatly combed. With a sweet smile on her face, she looked especially charming.
Seeing that Zhao Linchuan had woken up and was sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes lit up. She called softly, "Young master, you're awake? I picked out your breakfast for you. It's all the things you usually like..."
"...Thanks for the effort, Xiao Wu. Come, let's eat together."
After breakfast, the four of them met up at the hotel entrance.
Zhu Zhuqing was still dressed in black. She stood quietly to one side, her head slightly lowered.
Ning Rongrong wore a pretty, pale-yellow dress, but her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
Her lively eyes darted back and forth between Zhao Linchuan and Xiao Wu, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of excited gossip.
Zhao Linchuan felt thoroughly uncomfortable under her gaze and glared at her irritably. "Hey, what are you looking at?"
"Have Xiao Wu and I grown flowers on our faces or something?"
Ning Rongrong extended a fair finger and pointed vaguely at the two of them. Her little face looked extremely "serious." "Me? I'm conducting a very serious observation!"
"I'm checking whether you've... um, 'devoured' my little Xiao Wu!"
"What kind of nonsense is a young girl like you thinking about all day?" Zhao Linchuan shot her a disapproving glance, though the corner of his mouth twitched despite himself. "You're completely unreasonable!"
Just then, the steady rumble of wheels drew nearer.
A carriage that looked plain but was sturdily built, exquisitely crafted, and exuded an air of understated composure slowly pulled up in front of the hotel.
The two fine steeds pulling it were magnificent, their coats glossy and their steps steady and powerful.
The driver was a burly, powerfully built man.
He wore dark-gold half-armor and no helmet, revealing a square face with resolute features. His gaze was as still as an ancient well, and his aura was restrained to the extreme.
At first glance, he seemed like nothing more than an ordinary man with a sturdier build.
But seated there, he was like an immovable little mountain, giving off a mysterious sense of security and pressure.
The carriage came to a steady stop.
The burly man nimbly leaped down from the driver's seat and strode to within three paces of Zhao Linchuan. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee, clasped his fists, and said respectfully:
"Your subordinate Jin Da greets the young master!"
Looking at the man before him, who seemed to have been cast from gold, a flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Linchuan's eyes. "Jin Da? What brings you here?"
Jin Da raised his head, his face wearing an honest, loyal expression, and reported truthfully, "In reply to the young master, this was ordered by Lord Yue Shen and Lady Yan Fei."
"Although the two lords know of the young master's might, when traveling away from home, someone still needs to take care of the little things and ensure your safety."
"So they ordered me to accompany you, await your commands, and protect you."
Zhao Linchuan understood and nodded. "They were thoughtful. Since you're here, come along with us."
"Thank you, young master!" Jin Da rose and respectfully stepped aside, opening the carriage door as he did.
Zhao Linchuan climbed into the spacious, comfortable carriage first, followed by Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
Ning Rongrong's eyes darted about. Without hesitation, she followed them in with a grin and made herself at home, finding a good seat by the window.
Through a gap in the lifted curtain, she curiously studied the tall figure driving the carriage.
"Young master, where are we going?" Jin Da's steady voice came from the front.
Leaning against the soft cushions, Zhao Linchuan thought for a moment, then replied casually, "No rush. Let's head toward the Star Dou Great Forest and look around."
"No need to hurry. We can enjoy the scenery along the way and take it slow."
(The next one I summon will be Young Master of Fate or Great Master of Fate.)
Many of you may not know that Puni's Seven Seals aren't the full extent of his power.
Because the Great Universe couldn't contain his body, he sealed himself, separating the seven laws—including Void—from his body.
As for those active skills (Holy Spirit Magic Flash), he'll get them once his Soul Rings level up.
Finally, Puni is still only a beam of light for now, so his stats have a lot of room to grow. There's no need to pay too much attention to his current stats.
Before you continue