The Third Soul Ring, Three Thousand Burning Flame

Before long, Ye Han had gathered the immortal herbs he wanted. Including the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, he had picked three in total.

Beside him, Dugu Bo watched with a trace of surprise in his expression.

He had already told Ye Han to take whatever he wished, yet the young man had taken only three in the end.

That had truly exceeded his expectations.

Faced with such an opportunity, ripe for the picking, most people would struggle to keep their composure and rein in the greed in their hearts.

Ye Han raised a hand to pat the Wishful Hundred Treasure Pouch hanging at his waist, then lowered his gaze toward Dugu Bo. "Senior, before we head back, I'd like to ask you for another favor."

"What favor? Never mind one—even a hundred, and I'd agree."

Dugu Bo thumped his chest and answered without hesitation.

"My cultivation has reached level thirty. Since we're already in the Sunset Forest, I might as well find my third soul ring here."

A hint of excitement threaded through Ye Han's voice.

He had reaped a rich harvest during this visit to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"That's easy enough. It's only a thousand-year soul beast. Tell me, what requirements do you have for your third soul ring?" Dugu Bo asked.

"A fire-attribute soul ring takes priority. Ideally, it would come from a dragon-type soul beast, but it's fine if it doesn't. As for its age, I've assessed my limits. As long as it's no older than five thousand years, I won't have any trouble absorbing it."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Ye Han solemnly. "Ye Han, have you thought this through? For an ordinary soul master's third soul ring, the limit is generally around seventeen hundred years. Even allowing for individual differences, it won't vary much."

"Absorbing a soul ring is no child's play. You intend to attempt a five-thousand-year ring as your third, but that's a threshold ordinary four-ring soul masters would only just dare approach. The danger involved is no small matter!"

"There's no need to worry, Senior."

Ye Han shook his head gently, his tone calm. "I possess twin martial souls. Moreover, my second martial soul is a body martial soul, and the boost it gives my physique far surpasses that of an ordinary beast martial soul. Naturally, the limit of the soul rings I can withstand is higher than that of an ordinary soul master."

Dugu Bo nodded.

Ye Han continued, "Besides, I've consumed quite a lot of whale rubber before, which greatly improved my constitution. The two poisonous herbs I ate at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well a few days ago also nourished my body. If you're still worried, Senior, you can examine me yourself. I never make plans without confidence in my chances..."

Smiling, Ye Han extended his hand toward Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo hesitated no longer and took his hand.

He carefully examined the condition inside Ye Han's body. The more he investigated, the deeper the shock on his face became.

Only after a while did Dugu Bo release his hand, looking somewhat stunned.

"Whale rubber has that sort of use? I always thought it was only used to stimulate lust." Dugu Bo was full of bewilderment.

"Its aphrodisiac effect is only a side effect." Ye Han scratched his head. "Consuming it in large quantities can strengthen a soul master's body. It's especially effective for lower-ranked soul masters and can raise the maximum age they can withstand for their first few soul rings. But it isn't a cure-all. The body develops a tolerance if you eat too much."

"That's a useful thing indeed."

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, and he unconsciously rubbed his palms together. "I'll find some for Yanyan later. When it comes to soul rings, the older they are, the better—as long as they're within your own limits."

Ye Han smiled faintly at the sight and said nothing more.

"Then let's set off. The Sunset Forest may not compare to the Star Dou Great Forest, but the soul beasts here are still fairly good for youngsters like you," Dugu Bo said with a smile.

"Of course, finding a true dragon-type soul beast here is all but impossible. But if you only need a fire attribute, there are plenty of options."

"Mm." Ye Han nodded.

The Sunset Forest had a unique environment. Its soul beasts were of decent quality, but there were no hundred-thousand-year soul beasts here—at least, not at present.

Thus, calling Dugu Bo's conduct here brazen no longer did it justice. He was almost utterly unrestrained.

On the second day of their search, Ye Han found his target: a soul beast—or rather, a plant—that perfectly suited his requirements.

This plant-type soul beast did not appear in any of the texts Ye Han knew, so Dugu Bo explained its origins to him.

It was called the Sunfire Golden Disc Flower, a rare fire-attribute plant soul beast.

Judging by the size of its flower head, its cultivation was around forty-five hundred years. Even if that estimate was off, its true age would not exceed five thousand years.

It belonged to the same category as the infernal delicate apricot at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and was exceedingly rare.

The Sunfire Golden Disc Flower's main stem was a dark-red vine. Its leaves bore flame-shaped patterns, and at its tip grew a flower disc resembling a compass.

According to Dugu Bo, the Sunfire Golden Disc Flower's innate soul skill was called Sunlight, and it had both passive and active forms.

Its passive effect enhanced the power of fire elements within a hundred-meter radius.

Once Sunlight was actively unleashed, the flower disc at its tip became like a blazing sun suspended in the air, radiating intensely bright, scorching light with astonishing power.

After hearing Dugu Bo's explanation, Ye Han's heart gave a jolt.

This flower was a perfect match for his martial soul!

"Ye Han, you intend to have your Fire Qilin Martial Soul absorb this Sunfire Golden Disc Flower's soul ring? Won't something go wrong if a beast martial soul absorbs a plant soul ring?"

Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes slightly.

"There won't be any problem."

Ye Han nodded, eagerness in his voice, and the Fire Qilin beside him let out an excited growl.

"I can feel it. This Sunfire Golden Disc Flower's innate ability is highly compatible with the Fire Qilin. If they fuse successfully, I'll definitely gain a powerful soul skill."

"Good. Since you know what you're doing, I'll make my move." As Dugu Bo finished speaking, his clenched fists crackled, and he flashed straight toward the Sunfire Golden Disc Flower.

Ye Han shook his head helplessly at the sight.

Ever since fusing with the earth dragon golden melon, strengthening his martial soul, and gaining the ability to fight at close quarters, Dugu Bo had developed a particular fondness for this flesh-pounding style of combat over the poison arts that had once made his name. Perhaps the novelty was to blame.

Ye Han signaled to the Fire Qilin, and the man and dragon followed close behind, stepping into the area covered by the Sunfire Golden Disc Flower's Sunlight.

Unfortunately for this Sunfire Golden Disc Flower, whose cultivation approached five thousand years, the scorching heat of its Sunlight posed no threat whatsoever to Dugu Bo, Ye Han, or the Fire Qilin.

Before long, Dugu Bo had beaten the Sunfire Golden Disc Flower to the brink of death.

The Fire Qilin stepped forward at just the right moment. A layer of luminous green light covered his right claw, and his dragon claw struck down, cleanly ending the Sunfire Golden Disc Flower's life.

Then, beneath Ye Han's expectant gaze, a rich, regal purple soul ring slowly condensed above the Sunfire Golden Disc Flower's body.

"Absorb it. I'll stand guard for you both." Dugu Bo studied Ye Han and the Fire Qilin with interest.

Ye Han answered and sat down cross-legged.

The Fire Qilin imitated him, lying down at his side.

As usual, the Fire Qilin opened his mouth and inhaled, swallowing the purple soul ring into his body. He even smacked his lips in a remarkably human fashion, looking thoroughly satisfied.

Such a lively gesture left Dugu Bo momentarily stunned.

Are all beast martial souls this intelligent when separated from their wielders?

Or is Ye Han's Fire Qilin Martial Soul inherently special, with this intelligence unique to him?

Although he was only a martial soul, after spending these two days together, Dugu Bo had found his every movement almost indistinguishable from that of a real soul beast. His intelligence was even a cut above theirs.

Dugu Bo had anticipated that Ye Han would absorb soul rings far faster than ordinary people, but he had never expected him to be this fast.

Ye Han finished absorbing this forty-five-hundred-year soul ring in less than two hours.

At the third soul ring stage, he had absorbed a ring of an age ordinary soul masters could only attempt when acquiring their fourth, and he had remained so composed throughout. Dugu Bo was filled with astonishment.

At that thought, he lowered his gaze toward the cross-legged Ye Han, a little more anticipation entering his eyes.

Judging by this standard, when Ye Han sought his fourth soul ring, he might have a chance to secure a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring outright.

"How did it go? Did you get the soul skill you expected?" Dugu Bo asked, looking at the exhilarated Ye Han.

"Yes. The result suits me perfectly."

Ye Han nodded repeatedly and focused on his Fire Qilin Martial Soul. Lines of information slowly appeared in his field of vision.

[Martial Soul: Fire Qilin]

[Fused heavenly flames: Green Lotus Core Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, Three Thousand Burning Flame]

[Soul power: Lv32]

[Mastered soul skills: ...]