Second Soul Skill: Myriad Annihilation Return to Void! Zhu Zhuqing's Shock!

Tang Chen opened his eyes.

Two Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

The first Soul Ring was dark purple, while the second was an even deeper shade of purple.

The two Soul Rings slowly revolved around his body, and the powerful aura brought by the Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Ring continued to spread through the forest.

Just then,

a system notification appeared in Tang Chen's mind once more.

[The host has successfully absorbed the second Soul Ring.]

[Selection triggered.]

[Please choose one of the following four Soul Skills.]

[One: Thousand Shadows Flash.]

[Summon countless shadows to confuse enemies.]

[Two: Netherdark Sweep.]

[Summon a black tide to engulf enemies across a wide area.]

[Three: Power of Triumph.]

[During battle, physical strength is doubled.]

[Four: Myriad Annihilation Return to Void.]

[Summon a sphere of light containing destructive power, capable of devouring all enemies.]

Tang Chen's gaze fell upon the four options.

Thousand Shadows Flash excelled at confusing enemies.

Netherdark Sweep could cover a vast area.

Neither Soul Skill was weak, but both required coordination with other abilities to achieve their greatest effect.

Power of Triumph appeared more straightforward.

Doubling his physical strength in battle would enhance his close-combat ability.

Yet physical strength would ultimately be limited by his cultivation level and what his body could endure.

Tang Chen now possessed the Destruction Scepter, while the Life Ancient Tree could continuously repair his body.

Rather than simply increasing his strength, he needed a means capable of ending battles completely.

His gaze settled on the final option.

Myriad Annihilation Return to Void.

Once the sphere of destructive light took shape, it could devour its target.

For Soul Masters, such power was extremely difficult to resist.

As long as their Soul Power was insufficient to contend with the Destruction Force, their defenses would gradually collapse amid the devouring.

Tang Chen immediately made his decision.

"I choose Myriad Annihilation Return to Void."

[Selection complete.]

[Congratulations, host. You have obtained the second Soul Skill: Myriad Annihilation Return to Void.]

Purple-black radiance surged from Tang Chen's body.

The Destruction Scepter emerged behind him.

The dark-purple crystal at the top of the scepter trembled lightly, and complete information regarding the Soul Skill entered Tang Chen's mind.

The method of circulating Soul Power.

The method of condensing the Destruction Force.

As well as the details that needed to be controlled when the sphere devoured its target.

Tang Chen closed his eyes and swiftly grasped all of it.

A moment later,

a mass of purple-black light appeared in his palm.

The sphere was only the size of a fist, and its surface did not ripple in the slightest.

The fallen leaves around it turned into black powder the instant they drew close.

Even space itself twisted faintly around the sphere.

Tang Chen dispersed his Soul Power.

The sphere vanished with it.

"This power already surpasses my first Soul Skill by far."

He lowered his head and looked at his hands.

"The second Soul Ring came from a Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and Myriad Annihilation Return to Void is powerful enough as well."

Tang Yuan walked over from the side.

The old man raised his hand and patted Tang Chen on the shoulder, his eyes filled with gratification.

"You succeeded."

"You really absorbed a Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Ring."

"Chen'er, just how strong is your body?"

"You dared to absorb a Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Ring as your second Soul Ring. In all my years, I have never heard of such a thing."

Tang Chen put away his Martial Soul.

"The Destruction Force can temper my physique, while the life force can repair my injuries."

"As long as the two powers remain balanced, the impact brought by the Soul Ring cannot hurt me."

Tang Yuan looked at the two Soul Rings, and the smile on his face became even more pronounced.

"What a combination of life and destruction."

"With those two powers protecting you, you will no longer be restricted by Soul Ring age limits when you absorb Soul Rings in the future."

Not far away, Zhu Zhuqing was still watching Tang Chen.

Since childhood, she had been praised as a genius.

The Nether Civet Martial Soul, outstanding combat talent, and a cultivation speed far surpassing those of her peers had always placed her among the forefront of her generation.

Yet everything that had happened today had completely changed her understanding.

Level twenty-three Soul Power.

A thousand-year first Soul Ring.

A nine-thousand-year second Soul Ring.

And terrifying combat strength capable of slaying high-year Soul Beasts head-on.

Compared to Tang Chen, the talent she had once taken pride in now seemed utterly ordinary.

Zhu Zhuqing pursed her lips and stepped before Tang Chen.

Her black clothing bore several tears from the earlier battle.

The black fabric cinched her slender waist, making her figure appear trim and tall.

Her long hair fell behind her shoulders, revealing a stretch of fair neck.

Her legs were straight and well-proportioned, and amid the dappled forest light, her cool aura remained unchanged.

"Tang Chen."

Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to look at him.

"From now on, can I cultivate together with you?"

Tang Chen froze for a moment.

"Together with us?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

"If I leave the Star Dou Great Forest alone, the Star Luo Imperial Family will still hunt me down."

"If I stay with you, I can at least be safer."

She paused briefly before adding,

"I will not hold you back."

"I can help with traveling and searching for Soul Beasts."

"If we encounter a battle, I will not hide behind you either."

Zhu Zhuqing's tone was extremely earnest.

She understood her current situation very clearly.

Dai Mubai had fled to a distant land, and the Star Luo Imperial Family would never let her go.

With her current strength, if she fled alone, she could fall into the hands of her pursuers at any moment.

Tang Chen looked at Zhu Zhuqing before him, a trace of surprise flashing through his heart.

According to the original course of events, she should not have asked to follow him at this time.

However, if Zhu Zhuqing continued fleeing on her own, she would likely encounter Yu Xiaogang and the others in the future.

Rather than letting her cultivate with those people, it would be better to keep her by his side.

At the very least, he could guarantee Zhu Zhuqing's safety.

"Alright."

Tang Chen agreed without hesitation.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered.

"You agreed?"

"As long as you are willing to stay with us, you are not an outsider."

Tang Chen looked toward Tang Yuan beside him.

"Grandfather, what do you think?"

Tang Yuan stroked his beard, his gaze moving back and forth between Tang Chen and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Of course Grandfather has no objections."

The old man paused, and the smile in his eyes grew even more obvious.

"Sooner or later, you will become Grandfather's granddaughter-in-law."

"What difference does it make if you stay together sooner?"

A faint blush immediately spread across Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks.

She instinctively lowered her eyes, her slender hands gently straightening the hem of her clothes.

The black fabric clung to her figure, outlining the girl's upright form.

Her waist was slender, her long legs straight, and every movement carried the distinctive lightness of the Hell Spirit Cat.

Tang Yuan took one look and nodded in satisfaction.

"Good figure, good talent too."

"Chen'er, you have good judgment in saving someone this time."

"Grandfather."

Tang Chen looked at him helplessly.

"Say a little less."

"Fine, Grandfather will stop."

Tang Yuan turned around, but his shoulders shook lightly, clearly showing how pleased he was.

Zhu Zhuqing lifted her eyes and secretly glanced at Tang Chen.

Tang Chen happened to turn his head.

Their gazes met.

Zhu Zhuqing quickly looked away, but the redness at the tips of her ears did not fade.

"Please guide me from now on."

"We will cultivate together."

Tang Chen nodded.

"Let's go."

"First, we will leave the Star Dou Great Forest."

The three of them packed their things and headed toward the edge of the forest along the path they had taken in.

Tang Chen walked in front.

Tang Yuan followed in the middle, leaning on his wooden staff.

Zhu Zhuqing walked quietly at the rear.

The trees ahead gradually thinned, and sunlight passed through the branches and leaves, falling upon the three of them.

Their figures soon vanished into the depths of the forest.