Just as Yu Xiaogang's transformation reached its critical moment, rustling came from deep within the woods, as though something were pushing aside the undergrowth and slowly emerging.
"Whew... I'm exhausted!"
A voice rang out. The newcomer was no Soul Beast, but a familiar face: Lin Nuo.
After circling around, Lin Nuo had discovered that the Soul Beast wasn't targeting him. Only then had he found a safe place to recover his Soul Power.
Now that his Soul Power had recovered, Lin Nuo grew bolder and came back to see whether he could at least collect Yu Xiaogang's corpse in one piece.
Pushing aside the undergrowth before him, Lin Nuo saw Yu Xiaogang sitting quietly cross-legged on the ground. Seeing him alive, Lin Nuo was so thrilled that tears nearly spilled from his eyes.
Who could have imagined how tormented he had been while fleeing, constantly worrying about being held accountable by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan later?
Now that Yu Xiaogang was still alive, he breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't have to take the blame.
This experience taught Lin Nuo one thing: he absolutely could not get involved with Yu Xiaogang again. Not only did this guy drag others into trouble, he also carried his own rotten luck-luck so poisonous that if Lin Nuo kept associating with him, he might die without even knowing how.
Having sorted out his thoughts, Lin Nuo steadied himself and walked straight toward Yu Xiaogang.
Once he drew closer, judging from Yu Xiaogang's current state and the charred corpse on the ground, Lin Nuo guessed that he was absorbing the Mandala Snake's Soul Ring.
That lifted Lin Nuo's spirits. At least his ten-thousand-year fifth Soul Ring was secure.
Just as Lin Nuo was indulging in rosy visions of his Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, Yu Xiaogang beside him underwent a dramatic change.
The spectral Luo Sanpao behind him rose into the air and covered the lingering image of the Golden Sacred Dragon. The next moment, the spectral Luo Sanpao turned into a streak of light and plunged into Yu Xiaogang's body.
Then Yu Xiaogang's body began showing the signs of Martial Soul Possession. His nose, ears, and skin color all became like Luo Sanpao's, and his figure grew bloated as well.
Lin Nuo watched from the side, utterly dumbfounded. Whose Martial Soul could do something like this?!
Under Martial Soul Possession, Yu Xiaogang slowly opened his eyes. If his Martial Soul hadn't undergone that strange change, he would have easily absorbed a ten-year Soul Ring long ago.
To find a respectable excuse for running away, Lin Nuo stood beside Yu Xiaogang and asked with an ingratiating smile, "Xiaogang, how do you feel now that you've absorbed the Soul Ring?"
"And my sudden departure... there was a reason for that."
Lin Nuo stumbled over his words. He honestly couldn't believe anyone would buy what he was about to say.
While Lin Nuo hesitated, Yu Xiaogang, who had already filled in all the blanks himself, spoke up. "Lin Nuo, thank you for your efforts this time. I won't forget the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring I promised you."
Hearing that, Lin Nuo felt as though they weren't speaking on the same wavelength at all.
Though he had no idea what Yu Xiaogang had imagined, as long as the other man was putting a favorable spin on things, he had nothing to object to.
So Lin Nuo played along. "Xiaogang, we've been friends for years. How could I abandon you?"
At those words, a trace of guilt rose in Yu Xiaogang's heart. I'm truly a beast. How could I have doubted him like that earlier?
Seeing Yu Xiaogang standing there in a daze, Lin Nuo feared he might grow suspicious and quickly diverted his attention. "Xiaogang, I saw the spectral Martial Soul flickering behind you. Was something wrong?"
That question touched on exactly what was on Yu Xiaogang's mind. He immediately activated Martial Soul Possession, taking on a form that combined man and beast.
"Hahaha! Now that I've absorbed this Soul Ring, I can use Martial Soul Possession too!"
"Take a look. How do I look now?"
With that, Yu Xiaogang stood up and struck a pose he thought looked handsome.
"Well..."
Lin Nuo opened his mouth, then closed it again. He didn't know how to describe it. Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul Possession was simply too bizarre-he looked exactly like Luo Sanpao standing upright.
Lin Nuo couldn't bring himself to answer against his conscience, so he resorted to his old method: changing the subject.
"Xiaogang, what about your Soul Skill?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened with displeasure. Why does he keep changing the subject? Could my Martial Soul Possession really look that ugly?
But considering how loyal Lin Nuo had been, and since he was curious about his third Soul Skill himself, he naturally brought out his Soul Rings.
The instant Yu Xiaogang's Soul Rings appeared, Lin Nuo's pupils contracted. He couldn't believe his eyes. Why was the third Soul Ring white?
Seeing Lin Nuo's shocked expression, Yu Xiaogang looked toward his own Soul Rings with a touch of smugness.
One glance was enough to leave Yu Xiaogang utterly frozen. "My Soul Ring... where's my Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"
His hoarse, ducklike voice pierced the forest, making Lin Nuo's eardrums ache.
Lin Nuo hurried forward to support Yu Xiaogang, who was about to fall, and comforted him. "Xiaogang, don't panic. Try your Soul Skill first."
At those words, a flame rekindled in Yu Xiaogang's heart. "Right, my Soul Skill! My Soul Skill!"
Yu Xiaogang straightened up again. The white Soul Ring around him lit up. Third Soul Skill: Ignite!
Due to the mutation of his Martial Soul, the living Luo Sanpao had disappeared. Only Luo Sanpao the Martial Soul remained.
When he used his third Soul Skill, a small flame shot without warning from Yu Xiaogang's backside while he was under Martial Soul Possession.
Lin Nuo grumbled inwardly. A flame that tiny would struggle to light firewood. I just hope Yu Xiaogang doesn't lose his mind.
Seeing that his third Soul Skill was such a piece of trash, Yu Xiaogang's heart shattered clean in two.
Noticing that something was wrong with Yu Xiaogang, Lin Nuo could only manipulate him with a hastily fabricated explanation. "Xiaogang, don't lose heart yet. The way I see it, a problem with your Martial Soul caused this harmful change to your Soul Ring."
"Though there are drawbacks, you can use Martial Soul Possession now. Why couldn't you follow the path of a Battle Soul Master in the future? All you need is to obtain a powerful Soul Ring for your fourth."
Yu Xiaogang fell silent for a moment. Lin Nuo was right. After Martial Soul Possession, his strength, defense, and speed had all improved significantly. He might yet become a Soul Master with formidable offensive power.
Besides, by sensing his own condition, Yu Xiaogang could clearly feel that his Soul Power had already reached rank thirty-one. If he had truly absorbed a ten-year Soul Ring, how could he possibly have reached rank thirty-one?
Thus, Yu Xiaogang firmly believed Lin Nuo's words. This experience could even add a few more principles to his Martial Soul Theory, so light gradually returned to his eyes.
Meanwhile, a fierce battle raged in Lin Nuo's mind. He had to think of a combination for Yu Xiaogang's Soul Skills. Otherwise, what if Yu Xiaogang stopped believing him?
"I've got it!"
After thinking for a long while, Lin Nuo actually came up with an idea involving farting and ignition.
"Got what?" Yu Xiaogang asked curiously, coming back to his senses.
Lin Nuo quickly grabbed Yu Xiaogang's arm and said excitedly, "Xiaogang, I have an idea! It might give you a pretty decent attack!"
Seeing the disdain on Yu Xiaogang's face, Lin Nuo hurriedly explained his idea.
At first, Yu Xiaogang found it hard to believe. Are you the theoretical Grandmaster, or am I?
But considering that it just might work, he listened carefully anyway.
"Yes, just like that!"
Lin Nuo stood to the side, giving instructions.
Three.
Two.
One.
Ignite!
Whoosh-boom!
A stream of fire suddenly blasted out from behind Yu Xiaogang's rear!!!
Before you continue