Second Soul Skill

No one knew how much time had passed.

The first ray of sunlight streamed in through the window.

When Yue Ling woke up, he found himself in a green medicinal bath. On the table beside him lay a set of white robes and a small ring.

Just as he tried to move, the tearing pain in his flesh and meridians made him suck in a sharp breath.

Forcing himself to absorb a thousand-year Spirit Ring with only twenty levels of Soul Power had still been a huge strain. Fortunately, he had succeeded.

Yue Ling felt a lingering sense of dread as he looked around.

"By the way, where am I?"

As he pondered this, Xuan Zi walked in from another room. Stretching lazily and narrowing his eyes, he clearly had just woken up as well.

The wooden cabin was extremely simple in design, without even any proper furniture.

"Ha... smack, smack."

"Kid, you scared this old man to death. You nearly exploded while absorbing that Spirit Ring. The pain of having your body torn apart wasn't pleasant, was it?"

"Teacher, why are you here?"

"Nonsense! This is this old man's home. You'll cultivate here from now on. Once you're old enough, you can enroll. If you need anything, find Zhang Lexuan on the other side."

"Oh, right. Can you cook?"

Yue Ling proudly patted his chest, only to bare his teeth in pain the moment his hand landed.

"Don't worry, I can cook. Master, what do you want to eat?"

Xuan Zi's eyes lit up, though he looked somewhat regretful. Then he pointed toward the main house.

"Next time. There are ingredients in the Soul Tool in the kitchen, and there's rice and flour there too. Cook for yourself when you're hungry. I'll come back once a month to see how your cultivation is going. If there's anything you don't understand by then, come find me."

"Alright, Teacher!"

Xuan Zi carefully examined Yue Ling's body, then waved his hand.

"Recover properly. Don't ever do something like that again. This old man doesn't want the disciple he just accepted to die in an accident!"

Yue Ling nodded heavily, a trace of regret and lingering fear rising in his heart.

Indeed, he had exceeded the limit by a full five hundred years this time. His body had only been strengthened by the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and his physique was still far too frail.

Carefully sensing the fullness within his body and Soul Power, he found that the medicinal power of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum had allowed his Soul Power to break through to level twenty-three. Ignoring the pain in his body, he was eager to try out his second Soul Skill.

After all, he had only barely absorbed that Spirit Ring after nearly exploding from a moment of carelessness!

Yue Ling struggled into his clothes and put on the storage Soul Tool ring. Only after carefully checking it did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The things his parents had given him were still there. Huh?

His eyes widened. He had not expected there to be a Spirit Bone as well.

Heh, no wonder that Evil Soul Master had said he would give him a Spirit Bone and let him go. Too bad—even without letting him go, there was still a Spirit Bone.

"Teacher, did you give me this Soul Tool?"

Xuan Zi glanced at the Soul Tool.

"Oh, that? Zhang Lexuan gave it to you."

Sister Lexuan?

A strange feeling rose in Yue Ling's heart. She and his teacher had saved him back then, and she had gently told him about Shrek.

She really was such a gentle person.

After shaking off that warmth, he considered it for a while before deciding to give the thousand-year Spirit Bone to Xuan Zi.

"Teacher, please take this Spirit Bone!"

"This is yours. Why give it to me?"

Though he said that, Xuan Zi did not refuse. He placed the thousand-year Spirit Bone Yue Ling handed over into his own Soul Tool, planning to exchange it for some Gold Soul Coins from Shrek for his disciple, or choose a suitable Spirit Bone for him from Shrek's treasury.

"No, it's fine." Yue Ling scratched his head awkwardly. "Actually, I don't really think much of this Spirit Bone. Its age is too low, so it doesn't suit me very well."

"Teacher, if you have time, could you help me test my second Soul Skill? I want to see what's special about the Soul Skill I obtained by risking my life!"

Xuan Zi's eyes widened at that, and he burst into laughter as though he had heard something amusing. Then he nodded and stroked his beard approvingly.

"Mm, not bad, not bad. You haven't been blinded by hatred, and your temperament is especially good. You really are a fine seedling."

"Then let this old man test your second Soul Skill!"

With that, Xuan Zi unhurriedly walked out, while Yue Ling followed closely behind him.

This display immediately caught the attention of Zhang Lexuan in the distant independent courtyard, as well as Mu En and Bei Bei, who were sunning themselves in the main courtyard halfway up the mountain.

"It's been a long time since this place was this lively. Come, let's take a look."

"Okay!"

Mu En tightly held Bei Bei's small hand. A flash of light later, he had brought the child outside Xuan Zi's courtyard in the blink of an eye. He stopped by that chair and let Bei Bei carefully support him before slowly sitting down.

Zhang Lexuan, in the independent courtyard not far away, knew that some excitement was not meant to be casually joined. Curious, she quietly probed the scene with her Soul Power.

"Grand Ancestor, look! That handsome big brother with orange hair is going to fight Elder Xuan!"

Mu En looked kindly at the orange-haired boy and gently stroked his beard. "Hehe, interesting."

In the distance.

Xuan Zi stood on the ground like a sturdy tree, his aura steady and his sharpness restrained.

"Brat, come on. Don't hold back. Use all your strength. If you can make me take even half a step back, you win!"

"Alright!"

Yue Ling nodded heavily. Without another word, he immediately summoned his Martial Soul.

A tall chrysanthemum, golden on the outside and purple within, appeared in his hand. Looking closely, one could see a trace of sharpness in the petal patterns. It must have perfectly absorbed the Golden Winged Eagle's traits.

Yellow and purple Spirit Rings slowly appeared beneath his feet.

Under the Golden Tree, Mu En lay on a reclining chair, his gaze deep as he looked at the chrysanthemum in Yue Ling's hand with surprise.

"Mm... is that the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Martial Soul? That truly is rare."

"His second ring is even a thousand-year Spirit Ring. Not bad, not bad!"

Bei Bei stomped his feet, his eyes brimming with excitement. Aside from cultivation, there was practically nothing to do in Sea God Pavilion. This rare chance to have fun with someone his own age immediately awakened his playful spirit.

Zhang Lexuan quietly watched from outside the courtyard, equally curious about Yue Ling's second Spirit Ring.

"Heavenly Chrysanthemum Domain."

Yue Ling murmured softly, and little chrysanthemums instantly appeared across the ground, swaying in the breeze.

"So beautiful..."

Meanwhile, Mu En beneath the Golden Tree frowned in thought, unable to make sense of it.

Mm... that shouldn't be possible... Normally, those with the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Martial Soul wouldn't possess an innate domain. There had been people with that Martial Soul in history before.

Only when Mu En coated his eyes with Soul Power and looked more closely did realization dawn on him.

A faint golden glow shimmered around Yue Ling's body.

"Indestructible Diamond?" Mu En blurted out without thinking, looking in surprise at Yue Ling as he faced Xuanzi.

"Grand Ancestor, what is Indestructible Diamond?" Bei Bei asked curiously as he looked at Mu En.

"Indestructible Diamond is an exceptionally powerful physical constitution that can reduce the damage attacks inflict upon the body. For a plant-type Spirit Master, it allows him to balance offense and defense, making it extremely domineering."

"Although this child's Indestructible Diamond is still only in its infancy, once it is cultivated to completion, his talent will truly reveal itself."

Bei Bei listened with a confused expression, but he still obediently nodded. His adorable appearance made Mu En smile and rub his head.

That said.

This child had surely consumed a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and awakened this domain by chance, but that should only happen after level ninety... Mm... let's keep watching. Perhaps the answer will reveal itself soon.

In the courtyard.

The little chrysanthemums gave off a floral fragrance, attempting to distract Xuan Zi.

Yet he was completely unaffected.

"Hurry up and begin. How much longer do you intend to make this old man wait?"

Yue Ling sighed and stopped wasting words.

"Second Soul Skill, Falling Blossom Storm!"

The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in Yue Ling's hand suddenly tore apart and erupted. Its petals spun at high speed like blades, charging toward Xuan Zi.

"My second Soul Skill can turn the petals into blades. I have to thank Sister Lexuan for that. If not for her, I never would have obtained such a good Spirit Ring!"

Xuan Zi remained standing perfectly straight, even taking the time to drink a mouthful of wine.

Countless petals struck Xuan Zi's body, producing a clanging sound. Under Yue Ling's control, the Golden Winged Eagle's unique tearing trait concentrated its attacks on a single point, attempting to rip open a weakness.

But as a level ninety-eight Power Attack Type Super Douluo, the gap in their strength was like an unbridgeable chasm. Moreover, Xuan Zi's Martial Soul was the Godly Taotie Bull, which specialized in physical durability.

With the domain's enhancement, Yue Ling's second Soul Skill was like a tiny drill. It could do nothing to Xuan Zi's "reinforced steel."

Yue Ling sighed. The gap in strength was still far too great.

He had also used the Heartbroken Red Domain on his teacher in the Star Dou Great Forest, but unfortunately, it had had no effect. Perhaps it was because Xuan Zi had no attachments and lived freely and unrestrained.

The chrysanthemums on the ground swayed in the wind, their fresh fragrance and beautiful sight making Bei Bei's eyes shine.

"Grand Ancestor, those flowers are so pretty. I want to plant some in the courtyard too."

Mu En looked kindly at his great-grandson and smiled softly before agreeing.

There had been no possibility of a surprise in this battle, but it was clear that this kid still had another card up his sleeve.

"Hehe, somewhat interesting."

Seeing Xuan Zi standing around without a care in the world, Yue Ling could only helplessly wave his hand and disperse both the skill and the domain.

"Teacher, your defense is far too strong. I really have no way to deal with you."

Xuan Zi scratched the spot where he had been struck, then casually pulled out a large chicken drumstick and wolfed it down.

"Mm... mm."

With his mouth full, Xuan Zi said indistinctly, "I'm already a Super Douluo. It would be strange if you, a level twenty-three Soul Grandmaster, could make me move even half a step."

"Mm... your attack is still quite powerful. Whether you're taking the initiative or controlling the field, it's very good. Against opponents of the same level, ordinary Soul Grandmasters won't be able to withstand that kind of output. But be careful not to let them get close. Otherwise, it'll be hard for you to bring out your advantage!"

Xuan Zi casually tossed away the bone after finishing the drumstick and smacked his lips. He had keenly noticed Yue Ling's weakness and effectively pointed out what he needed to do now.

Yue Ling nodded excitedly. Witnessing the might of a Super Douluo and suffering a minor defeat had not shaken his confidence. Instead, it only strengthened his fighting spirit.

"During this time, recover properly, train your body, increase your physical strength, and cultivate diligently. If you hit a bottleneck while this old man is away, find your Sister Lexuan or Mu En!"

"Mu En?" Yue Ling tilted his head.

Xuan Zi smacked his lips.

"The old man sitting in the chair to your right."

Xuan Zi concealed some of the truth and did not tell Yue Ling everything, but it was for his disciple's own good. Knowing too much and seeing too far ahead would instead make him hesitate.

Young people needed vigor, lofty ambitions, and calm, confident steps to attract girls. Hehe.