First Soul Skill, Next Mission

"Many thanks, My Lord."

Bai Shu shook his head, which was dizzy from the rapid movement, and forced himself to stand steady. He first thanked Tang Hao before picking up his dagger.

Although he did not recognize this so-called Nine-Leaf Lotus, he could feel the life force contained within the white flower. While faint, it was clearly a spirit beast with the life attribute.

Furthermore, since the target was also a lotus, Bai Shu did not feel any resistance. Of course, even if he had resisted, it would have been useless; in the end, he would only be the one to suffer.

Without the slightest hesitation, Bai Shu brought his hand down, and the sharp dagger instantly severed the lotus's stem.

Once the stem was cut, the petals withered at a speed visible to the naked eye. Before long, a bright yellow spirit ring rose steadily from the spot where the lotus had been.

Bai Shu immediately sat cross-legged and took a deep breath. His Chaos Green Lotus martial soul appeared in his palm, and his spirit power carefully guided the century-old spirit ring like a tentacle.

The bright yellow spirit ring trembled slightly and headed straight toward the Chaos Green Lotus.

At the same time, Bai Shu clearly felt a massive, scorching force surge within his body.

Oh no!

Bai Shu's face instantly flushed red, and beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down his forehead.

Only then did he remember a critical issue: he didn't know any meditation techniques!

Although a spirit master could absorb a spirit ring without knowing meditation, without its assistance, the spirit power within the body would only follow its own instincts.

Not only would the absorption be slow, but the inability to guide the spirit power in time could risk his body exploding.

If this were a ten-year spirit beast, it would be manageable; he could rely on his physical constitution to withstand the impact of the spirit power.

But this was a century-old spirit beast, and since Tang Hao had specifically selected it, it was highly likely a three-to-four-hundred-year-old specimen.

Even with his constitution, he was struggling to hold on at this moment.

However, Bai Shu could no longer speak, and he dared not count on Tang Hao to save him.

Clenching his back teeth, Bai Shu used all his strength to mobilize his meager spirit power, attempting to carve a path for that torrent to reach his dantian.

But spirit power was not so easily guided. Because he did not understand his meridians, this operation, while allowing a portion of the spirit power to flow into his dantian, also caused damage to some of his smaller meridians.

This won't work. If this continues, I'll definitely explode and die. I have to make Tang Hao notice my distress.

His thoughts raced. Bai Shu gritted his teeth and prepared to forcibly guide the spirit power to strike his internal organs. As long as his organs were injured, he would surely vomit blood, and Tang Hao would certainly intervene to interrupt his spirit ring absorption.

However, just as Bai Shu resolved to act, the Chaos Green Lotus that had been quietly rotating in his hand suddenly moved.

The green lotus actually detached from his palm and transformed into a streak of green light, merging into his dantian!

Through the introspective state of absorbing the spirit ring, Bai Shu could clearly see the Chaos Green Lotus rotating slightly within his dantian, with faint, shimmering patterns suddenly emerging on its petals.

The next moment, the violent spirit power rampaging through his body acted like subjects seeing their emperor; it instantly turned docile, guided by an invisible force, and flowed like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, actively surging toward the Chaos Green Lotus in his dantian.

As the spirit power poured in, the patterns on the petals gradually faded, as if they had never appeared.

The sun sank in the west, and the afterglow of the sunset illuminated the forest. After a full four hours, Bai Shu finally succeeded in absorbing the Nine-Leaf Lotus spirit ring.

He opened his eyes, feeling somewhat exhausted. Although the Chaos Green Lotus had handled the latter half, he had kept a constant watch on his internal state. Four hours of intense concentration had left his mind utterly drained.

Tang Hao's figure appeared like a ghost, his scrutinizing gaze landing on Bai Shu with a hint of curiosity.

Bai Shu knew what he wanted to ask. Before the other could speak, he stood up and said respectfully:

"My Lord, I have successfully advanced to a spirit master. I can now condense lotus seeds with stronger effects, but..."

He paused at the perfect moment, his face showing a look of difficulty mixed with a touch of trepidation, as if he didn't know how to bring it up.

"Speak."

Tang Hao's voice remained calm, but Bai Shu could sense the man's dissatisfaction. However, this also proved that the man truly needed the lotus seeds, which meant he could stall for a bit longer.

"It is like this, My Lord," Bai Shu organized his words, speaking in a tone that was both reverent and sincere. "The lotus seeds are condensed from the origin of my martial soul. With my current spirit power, it will take at least a month to condense such a large amount of essence."

As if afraid that Tang Hao might fly into a rage, Bai Shu added immediately:

"But please rest assured, My Lord, the effect of these lotus seeds will definitely far exceed the previous one. I will certainly not let you down."

Tang Hao did not speak, his brows furrowing beneath his hood.

Tang Hao did not entirely believe Bai Shu's words, but if the lotus seeds were truly condensed from the origin of his martial soul, it was normal for it to consume a significant amount of time.

Just like the Clear Sky Sect's ultimate technique, the Great Sumeru Hammer; using it would shake the martial soul's origin, which was why the Ring Detonation skill required three months of recovery after each use.

"Hmph, I can give you one last month." Tang Hao's tone was icy. "If you cannot satisfy me after a month..."

He left the rest unsaid, but the undisguised killing intent said everything.

Before the words had even faded, Tang Hao grabbed Bai Shu's shoulder again, took him out of the Soul Hunting Forest, and dropped him at the entrance of Holy Soul Village before vanishing without a trace.

A moment later, Bai Shu returned home alone. In the courtyard, Old Jack was sitting on a wooden stool, sighing as he gazed at the waning moon in the sky.

"Grandpa, I'm back!"

Bai Shu walked over quickly. Under the moonlight, Old Jack's face was pale and his eye sockets were sunken; he had clearly spent the entire night in terror.

"It's good that you're back... it's good that you're back, Little Shu!"

Old Jack stood up abruptly, his voice trembling with excitement as he pulled Bai Shu over to look him up and down.

Bai Shu felt a warmth spread through his heart.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa, for making you worry."

Watching the concerned expression on Old Jack's face, Bai Shu didn't say much more, instead stepping back half a pace and summoning his martial soul.

A green lotus bloomed in his palm, and simultaneously, a yellow soul ring rose slowly from beneath Bai Shu's feet.

"First soul skill, Life Link."

As the soul ring lit up, a cyan vine crept up Old Jack's arm, and a gentle, pure vitality flowed through the vine, pouring continuously into the old man's frail body.

This was Bai Shu's first soul skill, Life Link; it could connect two targets, allowing one side to infuse the other with life force.

This soul skill was not merely for healing; it could also domineeringly drain an enemy's life force to nourish oneself!

Moreover, life force was different from traditional healing abilities. A small amount could relieve fatigue and heal the body, while a large amount could even strengthen one's foundation and prolong life.

It could be said that based on this single soul skill alone, if Bai Shu were ill-intentioned, he would be more than qualified to act as an Evil Soul Master.

Considering his grandfather was elderly and unable to handle excessive replenishment, Bai Shu withdrew his martial soul after infusing energy for only a moment.

After patiently soothing Old Jack and explaining the "origin" of his soul ring, he helped the now-invigorated old man back into the house to sleep.

Washing away the filth of blood and sweat from his body, Bai Shu returned to his room and collapsed onto the wooden bed, the killing intent in his eyes no longer able to be hidden.

The threat of Tang Hao hung over his head like a sword; this month was likely his final deadline, and he had to find a way to deal with him.

Fortunately, now that he had obtained a soul ring, the system could generate another mission.

System, set the reward to a Limit Douluo-level guardian and generate a mission.