The Fourth Spirit Ring

As the giant python was transformed by Demon Blood from a living Soul Beast into a dying Demon, a pitch-black Spirit Ring gradually rose above its body.

"Could turning a Soul Beast into a Demon also count as killing a Soul Beast? Then why didn't Ah Yin produce a Spirit Ring when she was Demonified?" Lin Qing was rather confused when he saw the Spirit Ring appear over the Titan Python.

"Master, perhaps it is because I had already sacrificed my Spirit Ring before that. At the time, I was effectively in the midst of resurrection, likely in a state between life and death, which is why no Spirit Ring appeared," Ah Yin explained to Lin Qing through telepathy from within Infinity Castle, where she could also see what was happening outside.

"Is that so?" Lin Qing accepted the explanation.

"Forget it. I should absorb this Spirit Ring first." Lin Qing transmitted, "Ah Yin, come out and stand guard for me. I'm going to absorb the Spirit Ring."

"Master, you can actually absorb the Spirit Ring within Infinity Castle," Ah Yin transmitted. "Send this Titan Python into Infinity Castle as well. Not only will it be safer for you to absorb the Spirit Ring here, but the Titan Python can also use the demonic aura here to accelerate its Demonification."

"You have a point. Then I'll absorb the Spirit Ring in Infinity Castle."

Having made his decision, Lin Qing summoned his second Martial Soul, the Red Spider Lily. After marking both the Titan Python and the Spirit Ring, he moved them into Infinity Castle with a thought.

The moment it entered Infinity Castle, the Titan Python seemed to have arrived in paradise. Its entire body became excited as it opened its mouth and greedily inhaled the demonic aura.

"Enough. If you want to absorb demonic aura, go somewhere else. I need to absorb my Spirit Ring here." With that, Lin Qing beckoned, drawing over the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. The Spirit Ring instantly shrank into his hand. Then, with another wave, the Titan Python vanished from sight as Lin Qing transferred it elsewhere.

"Ah Yin, stand guard for me."

"Yes, Master."

Lin Qing nodded, then immediately sat down cross-legged, summoned his Martial Soul, and drew in the Spirit Ring.

This time, Lin Qing finally felt a trace of pressure while absorbing a Spirit Ring, but the process was still very smooth overall. He did not even encounter any spiritual backlash.

There didn't seem to be any spiritual backlash. Was it because the Titan Python's soul was still intact within its body? Lin Qing thought after absorbing the Spirit Ring.

Just as Lin Qing finished absorbing the Spirit Ring, he sensed an inexplicable connection. It was as though a Demon possessing his blood had appeared somewhere in the world, and he could control its life and death at will.

"The Titan Python has completed its transformation." That was the only explanation Lin Qing could think of. After all, there was no way absorbing a Spirit Ring into the Nichirin Blade, a weapon specialized in slaying Demons, should have given him such a feeling.

However, Lin Qing did not summon the Titan Python over immediately. Instead, he began testing his fourth Spirit Skill.

"Fourth Spirit Skill: Serpent Breathing!"

That was right. Since his fourth Spirit Ring had come from the Titan Python, a snake-type Soul Beast of pure strength with virtually no other attributes, the sword style unlocked by this fourth Spirit Ring was Serpent Breathing.

The pitch-black Spirit Ring flashed, and Lin Qing's Nichirin Blade changed. Its blade turned purple, while its body became winding and curved, like a snake in the jungle twisting its way forward. The words "Demon Extermination" were engraved on one side of the blade, while "Lin Qing" was engraved on the other. Its guard had changed from an oval black disk into a snake-shaped guard. It resembled a snake coiling around itself, its tongue biting its tail to form a complete loop, with an outer ring encircling the little snake.

"Is this Master's new blade? It certainly has many characteristics of that giant snake," Ah Yin said in amazement as she looked at Lin Qing's newly unlocked Nichirin Blade.

"Ah Yin, thank you for the reminder this time. Otherwise, absorbing the Spirit Ring might not have gone so smoothly," Lin Qing said as he withdrew the Nichirin Blade.

"There is no need to thank me, Master. Offering Master advice is simply what I ought to do as your subordinate," Ah Yin said with a slight bow.

Lin Qing was quite satisfied to see Ah Yin behaving this way. He walked up to her and stood before her, meeting her gaze.

As a Soul Emperor, Ah Yin stood over 1.7 meters tall. Although Lin Qing was only twelve, the enhancement of eight Spirit Rings had brought him close to 1.8 meters. Once five or six centimeters shorter than her, he was now slightly taller.

"No matter what, you rendered a service. Since you did, you deserve a reward."

Before Ah Yin could react, Lin Qing used his right hand to pinch her chin and lift it slightly. His left hand stroked her smooth cheek as he leaned in and kissed her.

Ah Yin's pupils contracted at first, as if she had not processed what was happening. Then a flash of delight passed through her eyes, and she closed them, beginning to enjoy the kiss.

At first, Lin Qing pressed his lips to Ah Yin's, pried open her teeth with the tip of his tongue, and slipped it inside to entwine with hers.

Once Ah Yin came to her senses, she was no longer passive and began responding to Lin Qing. The two embraced and kissed as the atmosphere gradually grew intimate.

In the end, Lin Qing's assault slowly weakened, while Ah Yin began to take the initiative and counterattack. The battlefield shifted from Ah Yin's mouth to Lin Qing's.

Only after quite a while did Lin Qing and Ah Yin finally separate.

"Hah... hah..." After pulling away, Lin Qing panted heavily. It was obvious that he had been defeated in his first kiss with Ah Yin.

"I'm sorry, Master. Ah Yin became too absorbed just now." Seeing Lin Qing like this, Ah Yin's cheeks flushed crimson. She lowered her head like a little girl who had made a mistake.

Lin Qing's heart burned as he looked at Ah Yin like this. He reached out and caressed her cheek. "It's fine. After all, this was your reward."

"And besides," Lin Qing whispered as he brought his lips close to Ah Yin's ear, "Ah Yin's mouth is very sweet."

"M-Master..." Hearing such an intimate remark from Lin Qing, Ah Yin's entire face reddened as though steam might rise from it.

"Hahaha, Ah Yin, you've already given birth before. How are you still so easily embarrassed?!" Lin Qing teased when he saw her reaction.

"Master, please do not make such jokes." Ah Yin suddenly threw herself into Lin Qing's arms, wrapping both arms around his waist and burying her head against his neck. "That person is not my son, nor do I acknowledge that I have ever given birth. Besides..." Ah Yin raised her head and gazed lovingly into Lin Qing's eyes. "I now have a completely new body. I am a virgin, and now, I belong only to Master."

Naturally, Ah Yin held such thoughts because, during her transformation, Lin Qing had added some of his own memories into the Azure Blue Spider Lily and Blue Other Shore Flower. Those memories were filled with conspiracy theories about Tang Hao and Tang San, father and son, as well as the truth that Tang San's soul had already been replaced.

Although Lin Qing had claimed that he could not be bothered to prove anything to Ah Yin, she was already his. How could he let her keep thinking about other men every day? Therefore, Lin Qing had still decided to make Ah Yin wake up to the truth.

As she spoke, Ah Yin rose onto her toes and kissed Lin Qing again.

Lin Qing froze for a moment before responding to Ah Yin.