Self-Created Soul Skill?

Yin Chen listened to Xu Jiujiu's detailed, patient explanation and nodded along obediently.

Although he had already learned this information from the original work, hearing it from Xu Jiujiu herself better suited his current persona as a six-year-old child and improved his impression of the princess somewhat.

She was indeed earnestly fulfilling her duty as a guide.

"I understand, Your Highness. I'll stay close to you."

Yin Chen replied obediently.

At that moment, Nebula Douluo Manyi silently arrived beside them as well. Her seemingly clouded old eyes swept across the forest ahead, and an invisible, reassuring force faintly radiated from her.

"Let's go, Your Highness, little Yin Chen. I hope we can find suitable Soul Rings for you soon."

Manyi spoke calmly and unhurriedly.

Uncle Hui was advanced in years, and his cultivation was only that of a Soul Elder. Entering the perilous Star Dou Great Forest would not only be of no help, but might instead become a burden.

He remained at the forest's edge with the other guards, watching over the carriage and silently praying that his young master would return safely and successfully obtain a Soul Ring.

Nebula Douluo Manyi, meanwhile, led Xu Jiujiu and Yin Chen one step into that primordial realm where the canopy blotted out the sky.

The moment they entered the forest, the light abruptly dimmed.

The crowns of ancient towering trees overlapped in layers like a vast green dome, allowing only scattered flecks of light to stubbornly filter through and cast swaying patches of brightness upon the thick humus that had accumulated over countless years.

The air became damp and stifling, filled with the complex scent of earth, rotting leaves, and all manner of strange plants. Mixed within it was a faint, almost imperceptible musk belonging to Soul Beasts.

Beneath their feet lay tangled roots and soft moss, making every step require extra caution.

The surrounding silence concealed a clamor—distant growls from unknown Soul Beasts, nearby insect chirps and birdsong, and the rustling of wind sweeping through the forest all wove together into the unique background sound of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Thick vines hung down from the branches, some bearing brilliantly colored flowers that might contain deadly poison.

Strangely shaped fungi grew quietly beside the tree roots, giving off a faint glow.

Nebula Douluo Manyi walked at the front. Though her steps appeared unhurried, an invisible spiritual awareness had already spread outward like spilled mercury, vigilantly monitoring every movement around them.

Xu Jiujiu followed closely behind, caution in her violet eyes as she periodically surveyed their surroundings.

Yin Chen walked in the middle, his white hair especially conspicuous within the dim forest.

To adapt to the environment as quickly as possible and deal with any sudden danger, Yin Chen stirred his thoughts. He did not fully release his Spirit, but the clock-like markings deep within his eyes had silently appeared, while an almost imperceptible strange ripple lingered around him, as though resonating with the flow of time.

After they had carefully advanced for about half an hour, a rustling suddenly came from the bushes ahead and to their side.

"Careful."

Manyi gave a low warning, yet she herself made no move.

The next moment, a swift azure figure shot out. It was a Wind Wolf with a nimble build, sleek fur, and a single horn growing from its forehead.

Judging by its aura, it had roughly five hundred years of cultivation. It was extraordinarily fast, baring its fangs as it pounced at Yin Chen, who appeared to be the weakest.

Because Nebula Douluo Manyi had concealed her aura, this hundred-year Soul Beast had dared to attack.

As for why she had concealed it, they had come to hunt Soul Rings, not show off. If they did not hide a Title Douluo's aura, the Soul Beasts would flee before they even got close. How would they obtain Soul Rings then?

"Courting death."

Xu Jiujiu snorted coldly. Her dazzling Star Crown Spirit had already appeared above her head, and specks of starlight began to gather.

However, Yin Chen moved even faster than she did.

Facing the charging Wind Wolf, Yin Chen advanced rather than retreating, his small body astonishingly agile.

He did not use any Soul Skill. Of course, he had no Soul Skills to use. He merely raised his right hand and swept it through the air at the charging figure.

Something strange happened.

The air around him seemed to be stirred by an invisible force. Wisps of flowing wind, difficult to detect with the naked eye yet carrying the rhythm of time passing, formed from nothing. They were not violently fierce, but possessed a binding force, like countless fine threads of time cleverly wrapping around the Wind Wolf's limbs and joints.

"Wooo—!"

The Wind Wolf's forward momentum abruptly stalled, as though it had fallen into an invisible swamp. Its movements instantly became sluggish and awkward. It let out a frightened whimper as its previously fluid pouncing trajectory was completely disrupted.

This was one of Yin Chen's Spirit talents—Wind of Time.

It was not wind-element manipulation in the traditional sense, but an ability that influenced movement itself through the flow of time, indirectly interfering with air currents and creating what appeared to be wind.

Just as fire-attributed Soul Masters could innately control flames, this was the instinct of one who possessed the Archon of Time Spirit.

Almost at the same time, the hands within Yin Chen's clock eyes trembled slightly, and he felt a faint drain on his spiritual power.

Within his field of vision, the trajectory of the Wind Wolf's next pounce, now even more ferocious after being thwarted—the points where its muscles exerted force, the angle of its claws swinging—appeared in his mind with the clarity of a rehearsal.

Future Sight, another powerful Spirit talent.

With this advance glimpse of a fraction of a second, Yin Chen shifted his feet and precisely avoided the Wind Wolf's following bite, launched in fury from a more treacherous angle, in a manner that appeared dangerous but was actually perfectly timed.

"Starfall Art."

At that moment, Xu Jiujiu's Soul Skill was ready as well. A brilliant beam of starlight descended from above and struck the Wind Wolf precisely. Already thrown into disarray by Wind of Time, it was blasted back and briefly stunned.

Only then did Nebula Douluo Manyi, who had been watching from the sidelines, wave her arm. A chain formed from starlight bound it tightly.

The reason she had not restrained the Wind Wolf immediately was to see Yin Chen's response, while also giving Xu Jiujiu some practical training.

After all, Soul Masters were tempered through battle. A mere ornament could not grow stronger, and even if one did, they would instantly reveal their true nature upon encountering an opponent of the same rank.

Xu Jiujiu's performance was within her expectations. After all, Xu Jiujiu had been raised and taught by her. But Yin Chen had given her a surprise—or rather, a fright.

At this moment, both Xu Jiujiu and Nebula Douluo Manyi looked at Yin Chen, their faces unable to hide their shock.

"What was that just now... a Self-Created Soul Skill?!"

Xu Jiujiu's voice was filled with incredulous astonishment.

The only kind of Soul Skill she could think of that could be used without Soul Rings was a Self-Created Soul Skill.