Shield-Blade Soldier

At the edge of Sunset Forest, a tall woman and a young boy walked through the woods.

"Master, what kind of soul beast are you going to find for me?" Zhou Liang turned to Liu Erlong and asked.

"There are very few types similar to your Martial Soul. The only remotely similar one in Tiantou City is the Fire Shadow Martial Soul of the Blazing Fire Academy headmaster's daughter. Though it is also a humanoid Martial Soul, it is a fire-attributed shadow with a distinct attribute. Your Martial Soul, on the other hand, has no clear attribute. So for your first soul skill, you should choose a relatively simple but powerful soul beast. We need to see how it develops afterward before we can specifically search for suitable soul beasts." Liu Erlong spoke helplessly.

Zhou Liang nodded. Then, the two continued through the forest in search of a suitable soul beast.

As they walked, countless green points of light appeared on both sides of the forest. No, they were not green lights—they were pairs of glowing green eyes.

One wolf after another emerged from the trees on both sides. Counting them, there were thirteen in total. One was a hundred-year soul beast, while the rest were all ten-year soul beasts.

Watching the wolves surround them, Liu Erlong released a burst of dragon might. With a thunderous shout, a sound like a dragon's roar spread outward.

"Get lost!"

The pressure of a level-seventy Soul Saint, coupled with the bloodline suppression of a dragon, sent the wolves fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs.

"Xiao Liang, that wolf leader is over three hundred years old, so its age is suitable for you. But its race is simply too weak." Liu Erlong shook her head as she spoke to Zhou Liang.

"Master, my body is stronger than an ordinary person's. Could I choose a soul beast over five hundred years old?" Zhou Liang asked as he turned toward Liu Erlong.

Bang!

Liu Erlong flicked Zhou Liang's forehead with her finger and said, "Strong? How strong can you be? Before your first Soul Ring is added, your body hasn't received any enhancement from a Soul Ring, so its strength is still limited. Besides, absorbing a Soul Ring is dangerous in itself. You mustn't act recklessly."

Zhou Liang covered his forehead with both hands and leaned back, pouting. "All right, Master."

Liu Erlong did not notice his little movement. Instead, she watched their surroundings and continued leading Zhou Liang in search of an appropriate soul beast.

After some time, they encountered another soul beast.

This soul beast was a turtle over two meters long. Liu Erlong's eyes lit up when she saw it.

"Xiao Liang, we've found a suitable soul beast." Liu Erlong pointed at the turtle ahead.

Zhou Liang looked at the turtle. Its shell was pitch-black, with red patterns emerging across it. Sharp, long spikes grew around the edges of its shell.

"Xiao Liang, this is a Firm-Armored Thorn Turtle. It has great defense and immense strength, with speed as its only weakness. The spikes on its shell also give it some offensive ability. It is a powerful soul beast, but one without a clear attribute," Liu Erlong introduced it to Zhou Liang.

Then Liu Erlong took a large step forward and appeared before the turtle. She punched it on the head, knocking it unconscious, then dragged it back and set it before Zhou Liang.

"This Firm-Armored Thorn Turtle looks to be around three hundred and eighty years old. It hasn't exceeded the limit. What do you think? Do you want this soul beast?" Liu Erlong asked Zhou Liang.

"A turtle-type soul beast... After absorbing its Soul Ring, it should be able to turn the Soldier's half-armor into full armor, right?" Zhou Liang looked over the turtle, then nodded. "Master, I'll choose this one."

Liu Erlong nodded, took out a dagger, and handed it to Zhou Liang.

After taking the dagger, Zhou Liang walked over to the turtle and drove it directly into its eye.

The dagger pierced straight through the turtle's brain, ending its life. A yellow Soul Ring then emerged.

Zhou Liang sat cross-legged beside it and began absorbing the Soul Ring. Drawn by his spiritual power, the Soul Ring descended onto his body.

A great deal of Soul Power surged into Zhou Liang's body. Yet it caused him no pain at all. Whether due to his cultivation technique's absorption or the strength of his body, this First Soul Ring brought him no suffering whatsoever.

Zhou Liang then opened his eyes, delight shining within them.

"How is your first soul skill?" Liu Erlong quickly asked upon seeing Zhou Liang open his eyes.

Zhou Liang summoned his Martial Soul. The Soldier appeared behind him, while a yellow Hundred-Year Spirit Ring emerged from above.

"First soul skill, Shield-Sword Soldier."

As Zhou Liang's words fell, the yellow First Soul Ring dropped to the ground and instantly expanded. In the end, three soldiers clad in full armor appeared before Zhou Liang, each holding a round shield in the left hand and a longsword in the right.

"Master, this is my first soul skill. It summons three Soldiers armed with shields and swords," Zhou Liang said excitedly to Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong looked at the three tall Soldiers and asked curiously, "How strong are these three Soldiers?"

"Master, I'll show you." After speaking, Zhou Liang surveyed the area, then pointed at a tree as thick as a water barrel and ordered a Shieldblade Soldier to attack.

Upon receiving the order, the Shieldblade Soldier instantly assumed a stance. It raised its shield before itself with its left hand and drew its sword back with its right, then charged forward in an instant.

Bang!

The Shield-Sword Soldier slammed directly into the tree. Countless leaves shook loose under the tremendous force, and a crack appeared in the trunk from the impact.

But the attack did not stop. The moment after the collision, it took a step back, then swung the sword in its right hand from behind it and struck the tree directly.

It carved a massive gash into the trunk, then immediately rammed into that opening again. With a sharp crack, the impact snapped the trunk apart. It tilted and crashed to the ground.

The Shield-Sword Soldier stepped back once more and swung its sword, completely severing the trunk that was still connected.

Liu Erlong was somewhat astonished by the sight. The attack power had far exceeded her expectations.

"Xiao Liang, the offensive power of your first soul skill, Shield-Sword Soldier, is already nearly comparable to that of an ordinary level-eleven attack-type Soul Master." Liu Erlong looked at the broken tree.

"You can summon three Shield-Sword Soldiers. Adding your own Martial Soul Soldier and yourself, that's equivalent to fighting five against one. But what about your consumption?" As Liu Erlong spoke, she suddenly frowned.

"Master, the consumption isn't very high. Holding on for one or two hours won't be a problem at all." Zhou Liang sensed the Soul Power in his body, already restored to full by the Revival Spring, and answered confidently.

"Master, my soul skill does more than that." As Zhou Liang spoke, the Martial Soul Soldier changed.

The yellow Hundred-Year Spirit Ring enveloped it, and the Martial Soul Soldier directly transformed into the form of a Shield-Sword Soldier.