"Thank you, Lord Soul Master."
Bai Shu shook his dizzy head from the rapid movement and forced himself to stand steady. He first thanked Tang Hao, then picked up the dagger.
Although he did not recognize this so-called Nine-Leaf Lotus, he could sense the life aura contained within the white lotus. Though faint, it was clearly a Spirit Beast with the Life Attribute.
Moreover, it was also a lotus, so Bai Shu did not feel much resistance toward it. Of course, even if he resisted, it would be useless. He would only be the one to suffer in the end.
Without the slightest hesitation, Bai Shu raised the blade and brought it down. The sharp dagger instantly severed the lotus's stem.
After its stem was cut, the lotus petals withered at a visible pace. Before long, a bright yellow soul ring slowly rose from where the lotus had been.
Bai Shu immediately sat cross-legged and took a deep breath. The Chaos Green Lotus Spirit emerged in his palm, while his Soul Power cautiously reached out like tendrils to draw in the century-old soul ring.
The bright yellow soul ring trembled slightly before flying straight toward the Chaos Green Lotus.
At the same time, Bai Shu clearly felt a massive, scorching force surge forth within his body.
This is bad!
Bai Shu's face instantly flushed crimson, and beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolled down his forehead.
Only then did he remember a crucial problem: he did not know any meditation technique!
Although Spirit Masters could absorb soul rings even without a meditation technique, without its assistance, the Soul Power within their bodies could only operate on instinct.
Not only would the absorption speed be slow, but without the ability to guide the Soul Power in time, there was even a risk of exploding to death.
If it had been a ten-year Spirit Beast, that would have been manageable. He could have endured the impact of its Soul Power through his body alone.
But this was a century-old Spirit Beast, and Tang Hao had deliberately selected it. It was most likely a Spirit Beast around three or four hundred years old.
Even with his physique, he was having trouble enduring it at this moment.
However, Bai Shu could no longer speak, nor did he dare hope that Tang Hao would save him.
Clenching his molars, Bai Shu mobilized every trace of his meager Soul Power, trying to carve out a channel through which the raging torrent could flow into his dantian.
But Soul Power was not so easily guided. Because he knew nothing about meridians, although part of the Soul Power flowed into his dantian through this attempt, some of his finer meridians were also damaged.
No, if this continues, I'll definitely explode and die. I have to make Tang Hao notice something is wrong.
His thoughts raced. Bai Shu gritted his teeth and prepared to forcibly guide the Soul Power into his internal organs. As long as they were injured, he would surely cough up blood. Then Tang Hao would definitely intervene and stop his soul ring absorption.
But just as Bai Shu resolved to act, the Chaos Green Lotus, which had been quietly spinning in his hand, suddenly moved.
The Green Lotus actually left his palm of its own accord, turning into a streak of green light that merged into his dantian!
Using the inward vision brought on by absorbing the soul ring, Bai Shu could clearly see the Chaos Green Lotus slowly turning within his dantian. Faint, indistinct patterns suddenly appeared upon its petals.
The next instant, the violent Soul Power ravaging his body became as docile as subjects before an emperor. Drawn by an invisible force, it flowed like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, rushing of its own accord toward the Chaos Green Lotus in his dantian.
As the Soul Power poured in, the patterns on the petals gradually faded away, as though they had never appeared.
The sun sank westward, and the lingering glow of sunset illuminated the forest. After a full four hours, Bai Shu finally succeeded in absorbing the Nine-Leaf Lotus's soul ring.
He opened his eyes wearily. Although the Chaos Green Lotus had handled almost all of the latter half, he had remained alert to the condition within his body the entire time. Four hours of intense concentration had exhausted him mentally.
Tang Hao's figure appeared like Gui mei, his scrutinizing gaze carrying a trace of inquiry as it settled on Bai Shu.
Bai Shu knew what Tang Hao wanted to ask. Before Tang Hao could speak, he stood up and said respectfully:
"My lord, I have successfully advanced to become a Spirit Master. I can now condense lotus seeds with stronger effects, but..."
He paused at just the right moment, revealing an expression of difficulty mixed with a hint of unease, as though he did not know how to continue.
"Speak."
Tang Hao's voice remained calm, but Bai Shu could sense his displeasure. Still, that only proved Tang Hao truly needed the lotus seeds, which meant Bai Shu could delay a little longer.
"It's like this, my lord." Bai Shu arranged his words and said in a respectful yet sincere tone, "The lotus seeds are condensed from my Martial Soul Origin. With my current Soul Power, condensing such a large amount of origin will require at least a month."
As though afraid Tang Hao would become angry, Bai Shu quickly added:
"But please rest assured, my lord. This batch of lotus seeds will definitely be far more effective than the last one. I absolutely will not disappoint you."
Tang Hao said nothing. Beneath his hood, his brows furrowed slightly.
Tang Hao did not entirely believe Bai Shu's words. However, if the lotus seeds really were condensed from Martial Soul Origin, then taking longer to produce them was understandable.
It was like the Great Sumeru Hammer, the ultimate technique of their Clear Sky Sect. Each use would also shake the Martial Soul Origin. That was why Ring Detonation required three months of recuperation after every use.
"Hmph. I can give you one final month." Tang Hao's tone was icy. "If, after one month, you cannot satisfy me..."
He did not finish the sentence, but the undisguised killing intent made everything clear.
Before his words had even faded, Tang Hao seized Bai Shu by the shoulder again and took him out of the Soul Hunting Forest. After tossing him at the entrance of Holy Soul Village, he vanished without a trace.
A short while later, Bai Shu returned home alone. In the courtyard, Old Jack sat on a wooden stool, gazing at the waning moon on the horizon and sighing heavily.
"Grandpa, I'm back!"
Bai Shu hurried over. Under the moonlight, Old Jack's face was somewhat pale, and his eye sockets were deeply sunken. He had clearly spent the entire night in fearful worry.
"It's good that you're back... It's good that you're back, Little Shu!"
Old Jack abruptly rose to his feet, his voice trembling with excitement as he pulled Bai Shu over and examined him from all sides.
Warmth filled Bai Shu's heart.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa. I made you worry."
Seeing Old Jack's concerned expression, Bai Shu did not explain much. Instead, he took half a step back and summoned his martial soul.
The Green Lotus bloomed in his palm, while a yellow soul ring slowly rose from beneath Bai Shu's feet.
"First Soul Skill, Life Link."
As the soul ring lit up, a green vine climbed up Old Jack's arm. Gentle, pure life force flowed continuously along the vine and into the old man's frail body.
This was Bai Shu's first soul skill, Life Link. It could connect two targets and allow one side to pour life force into the other.
This soul skill was not merely for healing. It could also forcibly drain an enemy's life force to replenish himself!
Moreover, life force differed from conventional healing abilities. A small amount could ease fatigue and heal the body; in greater quantities, it could even strengthen one's foundation, nourish one's essence, and extend one's lifespan.
It could be said that with this one soul skill alone, if Bai Shu had ill intentions, he would be more than qualified to become an Evil Soul Master.
Considering that his grandfather was old and could not withstand excessive nourishment, Bai Shu withdrew his martial soul after channeling the energy for only a moment.
After patiently comforting Old Jack and explaining the "origin" of the soul ring, he helped the revitalized old man back inside to sleep.
After washing away the filthy blood and sweat covering his body, Bai Shu returned to his room and collapsed onto the wooden bed, the killing intent in his eyes no longer concealable.
Tang Hao's threat hung over his head like a sword. This month was likely his final deadline. He had to find a way to deal with Tang Hao.
Fortunately, now that he had obtained a soul ring, the system could generate another mission.
System, set the reward as a Guardian at the level of a Limit Douluo and generate a mission.
Before you continue