Combat Power Sharing Halo

"So strong!"

Tang San cried out in astonishment. This Mandala Snake, over four meters long, had been utterly powerless to resist his teacher!

Tang San had originally thought his teacher had only made achievements in theory. He had never expected his combat abilities to be just as impressive.

Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction. After his bloodline had been purified, not only had Sanpao's Soul Skills changed, but his combat power had risen by more than a single tier!

The two walked forward, and Yu Xiaogang reached out to examine the Mandala Snake's corpse.

"Teacher, what are you doing?"

Yu Xiaogang smiled. "I'm checking whether it dropped a Soul Bone. Soul Bones are exceedingly precious, even known as Blood River Treasures. Each Soul Master can possess at most six Soul Bones, corresponding to the head, torso, and four limbs. Of course, there are exceptions: External Soul Bones."

After examining it, Yu Xiaogang shook his head.

"This Mandala Snake doesn't have a Soul Bone. Remember to check whenever you kill a Soul Beast in the future."

"Yes, Teacher."

The two continued onward. The farther they went, the denser the trees became and the dimmer the light grew.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, Luo Sanpao gave a low roar, drawing Yu Xiaogang's attention as well.

The moment he looked, his gaze was caught.

Ahead, countless blue-green vines lay tangled across an open stretch of decaying soil. They wound around one another and climbed several nearby trees, wrapping them so tightly that not a breath of wind could pass through. From a distance, they resembled a green fortress built of vines.

Fine blue-green patterns covered the vines' surfaces, faint glimmers flowing along them in the dim light. Each main vine was as thick as an adult's arm.

"This is... a Blue-Patterned Longevity Vine."

Yu Xiaogang observed it closely.

"It's a relatively high-grade Plant-type Soul Beast, known for its toughness and vitality. Look closely at the thickness of its stems and the area it covers. This one is roughly eight hundred and ninety years old."

Following behind him, Tang San looked at the dense mass of vines before him and could vaguely sense the rich aura of life within.

"It's very suitable for your First Soul Ring."

Yu Xiaogang's expression was serious. "Eight hundred and ninety years-close to a thousand, but not quite there. With your constitution after taking whale rubber, it's just right for you to absorb. Its vitality is also extremely tenacious, and it's a plant-type Martial Soul beast, which will greatly aid your future Martial Soul Evolution."

Tang San tightened his grip on his dagger. "Teacher, what should I do?"

"There's no rush."

Yu Xiaogang looked around and carefully surveyed their surroundings. Only after confirming that no other Soul Beasts were lurking in the shadows did he nod.

"At lower ages, Plant-type Soul Beasts have less ability to resist than animal-type Soul Beasts, but that doesn't mean they're powerless."

"Sanpao, go."

"Roar!"

Luo Sanpao gave a low roar, pushed off with all four hooves, and charged. Lightning flashed around his body, and his Holy Dragon's Claw instantly lit up with a golden glow.

He plunged into the vines, slashing with both claws. Wherever the golden claw light passed, blue-green vines snapped, scattering fragments in all directions.

The Blue-Patterned Longevity Vine seemed enraged. Countless vines surged in from every direction, trying to envelop and bind Luo Sanpao.

For a moment, green waves churned, sweeping toward Luo Sanpao as though alive.

But Luo Sanpao darted and rolled nimbly between the vines. His Holy Dragon's Claw was incomparably sharp, each swipe severing a vast swath of vines. Any blue-green vines that tried to coil around him shattered inch by inch the instant they touched the golden claw light.

The Blue-Patterned Longevity Vine's vitality was indeed tenacious, however. As soon as Luo Sanpao cut down one patch, another quickly grew in its place, over and over.

Only after he had torn at it for more than ten minutes did the Blue-Patterned Longevity Vine's regeneration finally begin to slow.

The last few thin, weak vines swayed feebly twice before drooping limply, no longer able to extend themselves.

Panting heavily, Luo Sanpao leaped out of the heap of vines. Quite a few broken vine fragments clung to his body, but he was otherwise fine.

He shook off the debris.

"Snort, snort."

"Sanpao, thanks for your hard work."

Luo Sanpao would not have needed to go to such trouble to kill this Blue-Patterned Longevity Vine, but Tang San had to deliver the final blow. For Tang San's safety, he could only exhaust the Blue-Patterned Longevity Vine's vitality.

"All right."

Yu Xiaogang turned to Tang San.

"Xiao San, go end its life. Remember, a Plant-type Soul Beast's core is in its roots. You must sever its main root to kill it completely. Sanpao has already exhausted almost all its strength, so you only need to go up and deliver the final blow. Be careful. It might still have the strength for one last counterattack."

Tang San nodded. His hand rose and the blade fell, driving the dagger deep into the main root before slashing sideways.

A deep yellow Soul Ring slowly rose from the severed main root. Its light was so rich it seemed almost solid, and faint purple patterns vaguely appeared along its edge.

"This is a Hundred-Year Soul Ring extremely close to a thousand years old. Normally, a Soul Master can only absorb a Soul Ring of this level after becoming a Soul Grandmaster, but you'll have no problem absorbing it."

"Absorb it now. I'll stand guard."

"Yes, Teacher."

Tang San sat cross-legged and followed the method his teacher had taught him, drawing the Soul Ring toward himself through Meditation and beginning to absorb it.

Yu Xiaogang stood guard beside him. The absorption lasted a long time, until the familiar system notification sounded early the next morning.

[Ding, detected that the host's disciple Tang San has absorbed a Soul Ring.]

[First Soul Ring age: 890 years. Potential increased, far exceeding expectations!]

[Congratulations to the host on obtaining: Martial Soul Combat Power Sharing Halo.]

Yu Xiaogang immediately inspected it.

[Martial Soul Combat Power Sharing Halo: the user's own body shares 100% of their Martial Soul's combat power. Restricted to external Martial Souls incapable of possession.]

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. What a great thing!

What did he need most right now? Combat power! Combat power for his own body.

After Luo Sanpao's bloodline purification, his combat power had soared and was no longer weak. But because his Martial Soul existed outside his body, Yu Xiaogang could not perform Martial Soul Possession, leaving his own body lacking in combat power.

Put plainly, he was a summoner: a powerful summoner with a frail body. But now that he had the Combat Power Sharing Halo, things were different.

With his own body possessing the same combat power as Sanpao, it was equivalent to doubling his combat power.

And it was not that simple. After his physique shared Luo Sanpao's strength, performing the Six Styles would also become easier.

His combat power was far from being as simple as one plus one being greater than two.

Tang San also finished absorbing his Soul Ring and opened his eyes.

So this was what absorbing a Soul Ring felt like. It felt wonderful.

He moved his body a little and sensed his Soul Power.

I broke through! The second level of the Mysterious Heaven Skill!

What about my Martial Soul?

Tang San summoned his Martial Soul, and a layer of blue light shone from his right hand.

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!!

Countless strands of Blue Silver Grass erupted from Tang San's palm, instantly binding the surrounding trees together.

"So strong. I can control it freely within a fifty-meter radius, and its toughness has improved too. Wait, what's this?"

He looked at the armor-like substance covering his right hand.

"That's True Body Armor."

Yu Xiaogang's voice reached him.

Tang San turned. "Teacher."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "When Soul Masters activate their Martial Souls, a horny layer appears on their bodies, called True Body Armor. The more Soul Rings you absorb in the future, the more your True Body Armor will improve along with them. Everyone has a different Martial Soul, so their True Body Armor is different too."

Understanding dawned on Tang San, and he looked with some curiosity at the True Body Armor covering his right hand.