The Third Soul Skill (Part One)

The bonfire at the center of camp burned quietly, its orange-red flames swaying and dancing. Sparks crackled and burst from time to time, steadily driving back the bone-chilling cold and damp of the midnight forest.

Amid the dark, fathomless sea of trees, where murderous danger lurked unseen, it stubbornly sheltered a small haven of warmth, safety, and peace.

All around, not a sound stirred. The entire mountain forest was so still that it left a faint, oppressive weight in the chest.

Only the gentle night breeze passed through the trees, stirring a soft rustle of leaves and branches. Together with the faint, persistent crackling of the bonfire, it formed the only movement and sound in the midnight woods.

The day's heart-stopping soul hunting, which had exceeded his limits and put his very foundation on the line, had finally ended. All its dangers and upheavals had settled like dust.

Through his resilient will and solid foundation, Lin Chen had successfully broken through the level-thirty Soul Master bottleneck and absorbed the two-thousand-year Soul Ring of a Flame Spirit Fox, far beyond what his level should have allowed.

After undergoing the most extreme tempering, he had achieved an unprecedented, profound transformation. Liuli had evolved alongside him, developing a three-tailed form and greatly increasing in strength.

Having just endured an agonizing Soul Ring tempering that had pushed him to the brink, sitting peacefully to settle his mind and sort through his entirely new system of power was the only way to stabilize his cultivation and digest this opportunity. It was also the safest choice at present.

Lin Chen sat upright beside the bonfire, his back straight. He slowly gathered his mind inward, shutting out the agitation of the day's trials and every distracting thought stirred by the midnight forest.

He gradually quieted all his thoughts and emptied his mind, sinking his entire awareness into his body. He focused on examining the subtle changes in his Martial Soul, Soul Power meridians, flesh, sinews, and bones, working through every inch of the comprehensive transformation brought about by this breakthrough beyond his limits.

Power earned through a life-and-death ordeal would be utterly wasted if he could not fully understand and master it. He understood that well, and so he remained especially patient.

The entire Soul Ring absorption process had been rushed and perilous, leaving him not a moment to catch his breath.

At the time, the Flame Spirit Fox's savage, scorching fire energy had completely flooded and scoured every meridian in his body.

Scalding Soul Power had rampaged and crashed through his meridians. Every inch of his flesh had endured searing agony, while overwhelming pressure had engulfed and pulled at his soul.

That pain and danger at the very edge of his limits had forced him to grit his teeth throughout, hold fast to his inner resolve, and pour every ounce of strength into maintaining his chaotic Soul Power circulation. He had endured the terrifying backlash of the Soul Ring beyond his limits through sheer grit.

Throughout the process, all his attention had been focused on staying alive, stabilizing the Soul Ring, and securing his foundation. He had no strength of mind left to examine or sense the subtle transformations within him. He had only barely completed the most basic Soul Ring fusion and survived this life-and-death trial.

Now that the turmoil had finally subsided and the camp was safe and undisturbed, the nerves he had kept stretched to their limit for days at last relaxed completely.

Gentle, steady Soul Power flowed slowly through his newly widened and refined meridians, moving freely and smoothly.

The meridians that had once been somewhat narrow and sluggish had been thoroughly expanded and reshaped by the Thousand-Year Soul Ring's energy. His flesh, sinews, and bones had all been renewed through extreme tempering, and he could clearly sense even the smallest change.

The transformation of his martial soul origin, the improvement in the quality of his Soul Power, the strengthening of his body, and the evolution of his Soul Skills—countless subtle yet crucial changes emerged layer by layer, reflected in Lin Chen's spiritual perception with perfect clarity, down to the finest detail.

He exercised all his patience, neither rushing nor growing restless, and sorted through the new power within him bit by bit, repeatedly familiarizing himself with his transformed Martial Soul system.

From the pulsing of his martial soul origin to the speed of his Soul Power circulation and the coordination of power throughout his body, he examined and adapted to each aspect in turn, leaving no room for disconnected power or unfamiliarity in his control.

First and foremost was the comprehensive advancement and evolution of his four existing Soul Skills.

His first Soul Skill's original water-element restraining move, Rain of Sorrow, Clouds of Grief, had undergone a complete transformation, advancing into Rushing River.

Its accompanying defensive Soul Skill, Unyielding Iron Bones, had also completed its transformation, becoming Meet the Enemy with Soldiers. It could now provide defense to three teammates at once, increasing their defense by thirty percent.

The two Soul Skills of his second soul ring had likewise undergone complete transformations. Pluck Leaves, Scatter Flowers, a precise surprise-attack skill, had advanced into Immortal Willow Arrows. Its Soul Power arrows were sharper, faster, and more penetrating, making its surprise attacks even more formidable.

Meanwhile, Pull Up Seedlings to Help Them Grow, originally a support enhancement skill, had advanced into Add Fuel to the Fire, allowing him to restore Soul Power and heal injuries for two teammates at once.

All four of his established Soul Skills had been renewed. Together with the two new twin Soul Skills unlocked by his third Soul Ring, Lin Chen's overall combat capabilities were already worlds apart from what they had been before his breakthrough.

All four of his established Soul Skills had been renewed, their mechanics, forms, and power completely overhauled.

Together with the two new twin Soul Skills unlocked by his third Soul Ring, Lin Chen's overall combat capabilities were already worlds apart from what they had been before his breakthrough, having undergone a comprehensive transformation and upgrade.

To thoroughly understand this hard-won new power and turn his opportunity into genuine combat strength, Lin Chen repeatedly channeled faint traces of Soul Power, simulating the complete operation of every type of Soul Skill.

He meticulously refined each move's Soul Power consumption, release timing, points of exertion, transitions, and finishing details.

From the initial stage when Soul Power quietly condensed, to the peak moment when a move was smoothly released, and through the entire finishing sequence and return flow of Soul Power, he practiced every step repeatedly, growing steadily more familiar with it.

After a long period of quiet contemplation and repeated practice, all his old and new Soul Skills flowed smoothly and naturally, without the slightest hitch. At last, he had fully mastered this new power and made it entirely his own, with no trace of unfamiliarity remaining.

Once he had confirmed that all his Soul Skills operated steadily, his control was proficient, and his cultivation foundation held no flaws or hidden dangers, Lin Chen slowly ended his practice and steadily drew back all the Soul Power he had released.

He slowly opened his eyes. They were clear, composed, and serene, without the slightest agitation or arrogance following his breakthrough.

His aura was steady and restrained, gentle yet substantial. All the turbulence in his Soul Power caused by his recent breakthroughs had settled and dissipated. His entire spirit had become more composed and focused, and his state of mind had transformed along with it, growing ever more resilient and peaceful.

Mo Yuan, seated nearby on watch, had remained quiet and upright from beginning to end, observing silently. He had not spoken a word to disturb him, giving Lin Chen a safe, peaceful environment in which to contemplate and consolidate his cultivation.

With a calm gaze, he carefully followed the changes in Lin Chen's aura, the circulation of his Soul Power, and the fluctuations in his condition. He clearly watched his disciple progress from the awkward adjustments of the beginning to proficient control at the end, fully digesting and absorbing his power.

Only after Lin Chen's aura had settled into perfect balance and his condition had completely stabilized.

Did Mo Yuan slowly speak, his voice gentle and steady, carrying a teacher's particular patience and rigor:

"Finished examining everything? This breakthrough beyond your limits has brought you an exceptional opportunity. Not only have all your old skills advanced, but you've also unlocked a rare pair of twin third Soul Skills.

"While things are peaceful tonight and there are no outside disturbances, demonstrate your new Soul Skills here. I'll help you check their stability and look for any hidden problems with your control."