Passing the Trial, Signing the Symbiotic Contract

Xiao Shenghe opened his eyes as the cocoon of light slowly dissipated. His face was pale as paper, and his Soul Power was nearly exhausted, but his eyes shone with unusual brightness.

"Seniors, did I... pass the trial?"

The Tigerfang Blazing Panda fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Good! Good! Good! As expected of a human who could forge the Secret of Symbiosis with the Clouded Deer clan! You passed!"

The panda stepped forward and clapped Xiao Shenghe on the shoulder. The blow was heavy, but it held no malice.

"From today on, you're my symbiotic partner! If anyone dares bully you, I'll be the first to object!"

The Skyvault Bamboo King also came forward, its blue-gold leaves swaying gently.

"I will keep my promise and sign a Symbiotic Contract with you."

Joy surged through Xiao Shenghe. He was about to speak when dizziness swept over him. His body went limp, and he collapsed.

"Brother Shenghe!"

Lu Yao cried out and hurried forward to catch him.

Lu Xuan and Lu Xue rushed over too. Lu Xuan raised a hand and sent a thread of gentle Soul Power into Xiao Shenghe's body to examine him.

"Don't worry. He's only exhausted his Soul Power and suffered a few minor injuries. Some rest will set him right."

Lu Xuan spoke with a hint of approval.

"I never thought he could truly pass the trials of two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. Such perseverance and talent are rare."

Lu Xue nodded, her eyes full of relief.

"This child hasn't let us down."

The Tigerfang Blazing Panda scratched its head, looking a little embarrassed.

"I didn't realize I'd hit him so hard."

The panda raised a paw and sent a thread of orange-red Soul Power into Xiao Shenghe's body.

"This is my innate Soul Power. It'll help his injuries heal quickly."

The Skyvault Bamboo King also released a thread of blue-gold Soul Power, which flowed into Xiao Shenghe.

"My Bamboo Soul Power can nourish his soul and stabilize his Symbiotic Link."

Nourished by the Soul Power of two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, color gradually returned to Xiao Shenghe's face, and his breathing steadied.

About half an hour later, Xiao Shenghe slowly opened his eyes. He felt his Soul Power recovering rapidly, and most of his injuries had healed.

"Thank you, seniors."

Xiao Shenghe struggled to stand, but Lu Yao held him down.

"You've only just recovered. Don't move around."

Lu Yao's gaze was gentle.

"There's no rush to sign the contract. Wait until you've fully recovered."

The Skyvault Bamboo King shook its leaves.

"It's all right. Signing the contract won't take much strength. It will help him adapt to our Soul Power faster."

It turned to Xiao Shenghe.

"Are you ready? We'll sign the Symbiotic Contract now."

Xiao Shenghe nodded.

"I'm ready!"

The Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda exchanged a glance and released their soul power at the same time. Two differently colored apparitions appeared before Xiao Shenghe.

One was a blue-gold bamboo soul; the other, an orange-red panda.

"A Symbiotic Contract, witnessed by our souls and pledged with our hearts. We shall not harm one another, but help each other grow. In life and death, we stand together, never leaving, never forsaking!"

Two voices entered Xiao Shenghe's mind at once, carrying an ancient, mysterious power.

Xiao Shenghe released his own soul power. It intertwined with his soul connection to Lu Yao, forming a silver-and-jade apparition that met the other two.

The three apparitions converged in midair and merged into a dazzling, multicolored sphere of light.

The sphere slowly descended and entered Xiao Shenghe's body. At the same time, two tiny wisps of light entered the Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda.

The contract was sealed!

Xiao Shenghe could clearly feel a new soul connection linking him to the Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda. It resonated with his Symbiotic Link to Lu Yao.

He could sense their emotions and their condition, and could even call upon some of their power.

At the same time, the Soul Power within him surged. The instant the contract was completed, his level 24 Soul Power broke straight through to level 26, and it was still slowly rising.

So this is the power of a Symbiotic Contract!

Xiao Shenghe was beside himself with excitement. He could feel that his Heaven Soul Martial Soul had changed as well. Its silver-white wings bore not only jade-green points of light, but also blue-gold patterns and orange-red Flame Marks. His strength had taken a qualitative leap.

The Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda felt the change too. Their power had grown more concentrated, their souls more stable. They even sensed the faint beginnings of a breakthrough in their cultivation.

"I never knew a Symbiotic Contract could bring benefits like this!" the Tigerfang Blazing Panda said excitedly, its orange-red eyes full of delight.

"We're partners now, kid. You'd better treat us well!"

The Skyvault Bamboo King nodded too.

"From now on, you are an honored guest of the Skyvault Bamboo Forest. You may come here whenever you wish. If you run into trouble, call on us, and we will do our best to help."

Xiao Shenghe smiled. "Thank you, seniors! From now on, we're family!"

Lu Xuan watched them with a relieved smile.

"Shenghe, congratulations. Now we can begin the Inheritance Imprint."

Xiao Shenghe nodded, his gaze firm.

"All right!"

In the heart of the Skyvault Bamboo Forest lay a clearing where an enormous Skyvault Bamboo grew.

It stood several times taller than the surrounding bamboo, its trunk as thick as a mountain peak and its branches lush. Blue-gold leaves gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight, radiating dense Soul Power. It was clearly the oldest bamboo in the forest.

"This is our clan's Inheritance Land."

Lu Xuan pointed to the enormous Skyvault Bamboo, his tone respectful.

"This Skyvault Bamboo has lived for a million years. It is our clan's guardian bamboo and the vessel for the Inheritance Imprint."

Xiao Shenghe and Lu Yao exchanged a glance, each seeing the other's surprise. A million-year-old plant Soul Beast was exceedingly rare even across the whole Douluo Continent.

"A million-year-old Skyvault Bamboo?" Xiao Shenghe could not help exclaiming. "No wonder the Soul Power here is so dense."

Lu Xue nodded.

"This Skyvault Bamboo has deep ties to our clan. Our ancestors were able to establish themselves in the Star Dou Great Forest only because it sheltered them."

"The Inheritance Imprint uses its power to seal our clan's inherited power deep within your soul. There, it will merge with your Symbiotic Power and Soul Spirit power, allowing your Martial Soul to evolve completely."

The Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda came over as well. They looked at the enormous Skyvault Bamboo with a trace of awe in their eyes.

Clearly, they knew its origins too.

"I never thought this old bamboo had lived for a million years," the Tigerfang Blazing Panda muttered.

"No wonder I always feel a power from it that makes my heart tremble."

The Skyvault Bamboo King gently swayed its leaves.

"A being that has lived a million years is nearly a spirit. Drawing on its power for the inheritance is an opportunity as vast as the heavens for this kid."

Lu Xuan walked up to the enormous Skyvault Bamboo and pressed a hand against its trunk. He closed his eyes and began murmuring an incantation.

As he chanted, the enormous Skyvault Bamboo began to tremble. Blue-gold Soul Power streamed from its trunk, forming a great pillar of light that shot straight into the clouds.

The pillar of light descended and enveloped Xiao Shenghe. Warmth wrapped around him, leaving him utterly at ease.

"Shenghe, relax your mind. Don't resist."