Breaking Through Twice, Starting at Level Nineteen

At this, Cao Xin nodded.

But since his First Dad and Second Dad had personally chosen them from the Soul Beast Pool, there was naturally no need to question their quality.

As long as they could level up, that was enough.

As for whether they were Soul Spirits or Soul Rings...

He did not care.

But after thinking about it, he suddenly understood why Soul Rings could also be upgraded.

Because the Spirit Pagoda's Ascension Platform...

Was actually a fragment of the God Realm.

It contained an energy level far beyond that of the Douluo Plane itself. It could temper and raise the age of Soul Spirits, which was why upgrading Soul Spirits was possible.

And since the Ascension Platform was fundamentally powered by the God Realm...

It naturally worked on Soul Rings, which were likewise forms of energy.

Do not forget.

Back then, Tang San and the others had their Soul Ring ages raised drastically by the Sea God.

The principle was the same: divine power infused them with energy, allowing the Soul Rings to surpass their original limits.

Therefore, based on this conclusion...

It was perfectly normal for the Ascension Platform to upgrade Soul Rings as well.

But perhaps this was also because...

The Ascension Platform contained immortal spiritual energy.

Cao Xin sorted through the logic in his mind.

He felt that it generally made sense, so he stopped dwelling on the difference between Soul Rings and Soul Spirits.

Thus, he obediently nodded.

"Okay."

At that moment, Zang Xin picked up the circular Soul Tool that emitted a pale cyan glow.

His movements were gentle. His fingertips brushed the edge of the ring as his gaze carried a trace of reminiscence.

He spoke in a warm, serious voice.

"I will not tell you..."

"What Soul Beast this Soul Ring came from."

"But there is something you definitely still remember."

"Do you remember my first Soul Skill?"

Cao Xin suddenly understood and nodded.

"I remember. Once."

Once.

That was Second Dad's first Soul Skill.

Second Dad had once explained this Soul Skill's effects to him in detail.

Its effect was to evoke the purest emotions buried deep within the opponent's heart, creating a soul-stirring shock like first love, while returning all of the opponent's actions to one second earlier.

That stirring from the depths of the soul would catch people off guard and leave them dazed.

And the effect of reversing time by one second would instantly nullify all of the opponent's attacks and defensive actions.

This Soul Skill was incredibly overpowered.

It possessed both spiritual and time attributes.

Either of those attributes alone was already powerful enough.

Yet fused into the same Soul Skill, they produced a qualitative transformation.

At this, Zang Xin said happily, undisguised delight spreading through his eyes and brows.

"That is right. Once."

"There is a high chance that this Soul Ring will grant you the Soul Skill Once."

Cao Xin had already suspected as much.

But now that it had been confirmed...

Warmth still surged through his heart.

He looked at Zang Xin and said excitedly.

"Thank you, Second Dad."

Zang Xin immediately beamed.

He reached out and gently ruffled Cao Xin's hair, the gesture familiar and natural.

At this moment, Cao Dezhi hurriedly began introducing the Soul Ring he had prepared for Cao Xin.

He stepped forward half a pace and picked up the Soul Tool radiating a golden-red halo, speaking in a strong, resonant voice.

"My turn."

"Little Xin."

"First Dad."

Cao Xin turned around, his gaze falling on that dense, heavy golden-red glow as he waited for First Dad's explanation.

"I selected this Soul Skill after great deliberation."

Cao Dezhi's expression carried a rare hint of solemnity.

"Although it is not my first Soul Skill, it is highly suited to complementing Once, the Sentimental Sword's first Soul Skill."

"It is called Autumn."

"Autumn?" Cao Xin was puzzled.

With a one-character Soul Skill name like this, he truly could not guess its exact effect.

Once possessed dual spiritual and time attributes.

Then what kind of ability would Autumn be?

Some kind of environmental domain?

Or some corresponding ability related to emotions?

But Cao Dezhi did not explain. A mysterious faint smile appeared on his face.

"It is not easy for me to describe this Soul Skill's effects. Once you fuse with it, you will understand."

His tone was relaxed, but Cao Xin noticed that First Dad's gaze was full of confidence, as though he had complete faith in this Soul Skill.

Seeing this, Cao Xin obediently nodded.

"Mm."

Although he was intensely curious, since First Dad had chosen to keep him in suspense, there was naturally a reason for it.

Soul Skills were indeed often impossible to describe precisely with words. Only by personally merging with them and touching them with one's own soul could one truly understand their full meaning.

Although First Dad had not explained, Cao Xin knew that this Soul Skill was definitely no ordinary one.

After all, given First Dad's personality, for him to personally select it from the Soul Beast Pool after such careful consideration...

And specifically emphasize its synergy with Once...

There was no way it could be anything mundane.

Thus, Cao Xin was filled with anticipation.

He almost wished he could begin absorbing them immediately.

Afterward...

Cao Dezhi and Zang Xin left the meditation room.

Cao Xin decided to absorb Once first.

So he picked up the circular Soul Tool that gave off a pale cyan halo.

The ring felt slightly cool in his hand, its surface as smooth as a mirror.

He took a deep breath and slowly poured his Soul Power into the ring as Second Dad had taught him.

The Soul Tool instantly lit up.

That pale cyan halo poured from within the ring...

And flowed through his fingertips into his body.

During the absorption process, scenes also appeared around him, all fragments of memories from his six years of life.

From when he had still been wrapped in swaddling clothes...

To the blurry image of Second Dad, Zang Xin, holding him in his arms.

And every time First Dad returned from the Blood God Legion...

The rare smile on that stern face.

Those scenes circled around him like a revolving lantern, every frame carrying warm, vivid colors.

A moment later, Cao Xin's aura surged explosively.

An invisible wave fiercely spread outward from the center of his body.

He felt the Soul Power within him rise like a swelling tide in that instant, rushing ever higher.

A moment later...

His Soul Power broke through from level ten to level fifteen.

A full five-level increase.

For a Soul Master who had awakened his Martial Soul less than a day ago, this was an almost unimaginable rate of advancement.

Joy flashed in Cao Xin's eyes. He could clearly sense that his Sentimental Sword Martial Soul had become increasingly solid, while that gentle, water-like Soul Power flowed more smoothly through his meridians, as though it had merged with an entirely new rhythm.

Then, while the momentum was hot.

He picked up the other ring radiating a golden-red halo and continued absorbing Autumn, the Ruthless Sword's first Soul Ring.

Autumn leaf phantoms appeared around him, drifting through the air.

Withered yellow, russet red, pale gold...

Leaves of every color seemed to be stirred by an invisible autumn wind.

They whirled around his body.

At times gathering, at times scattering.

Once the absorption was complete...

Cao Xin's Soul Power rose again.

He closed his eyes and sensed it for a few breaths, then knew that his cultivation had climbed another step.

He had reached level nineteen.