The Third Soul Skill (Part Two)

"Yes, Teacher." Lin Chen nodded slightly.

He turned toward Liuli, curled beside the campfire. His voice was gentle as he quietly instructed:

"Liuli, get up and test your skills. Use your third soul skill. First, unleash the offensive soul skill, Lifting Fire to Burn the Sky. Aim at the clearing ahead and give it everything you have."

Liuli, who had been resting nearby with closed eyes, immediately awoke. Its lively eyes lit up, brimming with energy.

Its three fluffy, tricolored fox tails rose and swayed gently. Its thick, vibrant red fur gleamed in the firelight, full of vitality after its Martial Soul's advancement.

The next moment, dense, scorching fire-attribute soul power slowly rose from its body. Rolling waves of warmth instantly swept through the entire camp, easily dispelling the lingering chill of the forest's night breeze.

A purple thousand-year Soul Ring slowly lit up around the fox. Its rich, mellow purple radiance pulsed in layers and circulated continuously. The third soul skill took shape in an instant, its soul power condensed and stable, without the slightest disorder.

Humm—

A faint tremor of soul power resonated in the air. Invisible fire-attribute energy rapidly gathered, compressed, and condensed. The temperature throughout the camp soared, enveloping everything in stifling heat.

Within a few short breaths, a huge, translucent crimson fireball hovered in midair. Its core was dark and deep, its energy highly compressed, without the slightest excess leaking out.

The fierce, violent power of its flames carried tremendous force. With the whistle of air being torn apart, it hurtled precisely toward the patch of ground Lin Chen had indicated.

Boom!

A muffled explosion erupted. There was no extravagant blaze filling the sky, but its terrifying destructive power was concentrated to the utmost.

The instant the fireball struck, its force erupted deep into the ground. Thick soil and rotting leaves were shattered and crushed, leaving a neat, half-meter pit in the earth.

The pit's walls were charred black and cracked. All the surrounding weeds and dry branches had been scorched to ash by the intense heat. A heavy burnt smell filled the air, and the heat lingering in the ground refused to fade, a testament to the attack's power.

Mo Yuan watched the entire execution of the soul skill, from the rapid condensation of soul power and the precise formation of the fireball to its steady flight through the air and the deep eruption upon impact. Not a single detail or trace of changing energy escaped him.

He carefully sensed the fireball's energy purity, degree of condensation, and explosive power. Nodding slightly, he offered a fair assessment:

"Quite good. Strong offensive power, highly condensed energy, and a concentrated strike that doesn't scatter. It has tremendous value in actual combat."

Reassured by his teacher's approval, Lin Chen gave another quiet instruction. "Liuli, switch to the support soul skill, Urgent as Ten Thousand Fires. Apply it to Teacher."

Liuli gently flicked its fox tails. The purple Soul Ring circulating around its body shone as before; only the nature of the soul power flowing within it quietly transformed.

The once fierce, destructive power of the flames instantly became docile, light, gentle, and pure. It shed every trace of lethal aggression, retaining only an exceptionally swift speed-enhancing property.

Fine strands of crimson, fiery light wound outward, gently settling around Mo Yuan. They circulated along his meridians and limbs, completing the entire enhancement in an instant. The process was smooth and natural, without backlash or obstruction.

Mo Yuan slowly rose and followed with several quick movements: short shifts, sideways dodges, changes of direction, and rapid turns. He carefully experienced the changes brought by the speed enhancement firsthand, precisely gauging its magnitude.

After a moment, he stopped, dismissed the enhancement, and slowly delivered his assessment:

"My overall speed increased by roughly twenty percent. This soul skill is very good. Its enhancement is solid and pure, with no hollow inflation. It's an excellent support ability."

One offensive skill and one support skill complemented each other, each serving its own purpose. Exceptional burst damage paired with a solid speed enhancement provided both offense and defense, adapting to all kinds of battles. Liuli's Martial Soul abilities had become thoroughly balanced and versatile, no longer confined to a single role.

On this perilous soul-hunting journey through Star Dou, both Lin Chen and Liuli had gained far more from their evolution than ordinary Soul Masters did from their training. Their opportunities had been immense, and their transformations profound.

The night deepened, and the forest breeze grew colder. The beast meat roasting over the campfire was thoroughly cooked, golden and glistening with fat, crisp outside and tender within. Its rich, savory aroma drifted freely throughout the camp.

Teacher and student sat quietly beside the campfire, enjoying their hard-earned dinner in peace.

The physical and mental exhaustion brought by days of forest travel, dangerous trials, breakthroughs beyond their limits, and tempering slowly ebbed away amid the warmth of the cooking fire and the ease of a full stomach.

In the stillness of that deep night, the treacherous Star Dou Great Forest offered a rare moment of peace. All slaughter and danger seemed to fall away, leaving only the warmth of the hearth.

After dinner, the coals still glowed warmly, while the night breeze grew colder. Mo Yuan brushed charcoal dust from the hem of his clothes, gazed into the boundless black sea of trees, and calmly laid out his arrangements:

"It's getting late. You absorbed a Soul Ring beyond your limits today, and it took a heavy toll on your body, meridians, and spiritual power. The tent is ready. Go inside and rest. I'll keep watch tonight."

Hearing this, Lin Chen immediately stood and said sincerely:

"Teacher, you protected me and fought off enemies all day. You expended a great deal of mental effort and soul power, so you must be tired. Why don't we take turns keeping watch? That way, you can rest for a while too."

Mo Yuan shook his head gently. His tone was warm, but his resolve allowed no argument:

"No need. You've only just broken through, and your Martial Soul's foundation hasn't fully settled and stabilized. You urgently need quiet rest to regulate your breathing and consolidate your cultivation.

Your strength is still immature. At night, undercurrents surge through the Star Dou Great Forest, and danger lurks on every side. Countless high-level soul beasts hide in the darkness, prowling unseen. If you encounter one, your current perception and ability to protect yourself will make it difficult to escape unscathed. One oversight could easily put you in danger.

Just rest without worrying. With me here, there's no need for you to concern yourself with the camp's safety."

Lin Chen knew that every word Mo Yuan said was true. All of it came from genuine concern for the stability of his cultivation and his personal safety, without a trace of empty reassurance.

He no longer insisted. After thanking his teacher respectfully, he turned, bent down, and entered the tent.

The tent's interior was dry and warm. The soft fleece mat beneath him completely insulated him from the dampness and chill of the ground, making it quiet and comfortable.

Days of strenuous travel, dangerous battles, breakthroughs beyond his limits, and constant mental tension had long since exhausted him in body and mind.

The instant he fully relaxed, a heavy wave of fatigue swept through him, leaving his entire body loose and at ease.

Liuli obediently followed and lay docilely beside Lin Chen, drawing in its three tails and nestling close without worry.

Both human and beast lowered their guard completely. In the safety of the camp, they fell into a deep sleep, their breathing long and even, and passed a dreamless night.

Outside the tent, Mo Yuan sat alone beside the campfire and began his long night watch.

Every so often, he gently added a few thick pieces of dry wood, keeping the campfire burning steadily. Its warm light continued to cover the entire camp, driving back the deep night's chill.

At the same time, his soul power quietly spread outward, forming an invisible, intangible net of perception that securely enveloped the camp and the dense forest for a hundred meters around it.

The sound of the night breeze, swaying branches and leaves, distant beast roars, faint tremors in the ground—every subtle disturbance, fluctuation of soul power, and movement of living creatures in the forest registered clearly in his senses.

Throughout the long night, he remained focused and vigilant, never relaxing his guard or resting for even a moment. With his overwhelming strength, he preserved an entire night of safety and peace for Lin Chen and Liuli as they slept inside the tent.

Time flowed slowly and silently. The bitter chill of the deep night gradually soaked through the forest, and the vast Star Dou Great Forest sank into deathly stillness. Not a single stray sound disturbed the silence, which was oppressive in its depth.

Countless nocturnal soul beasts lay hidden in the darkness. None dared casually approach this camp held under the soul power of a powerful expert.