Although Lin Feng hadn't yet told the two about his second soul ring being a thousand years old, the two—already knowing the effects of the immortal herb—weren't particularly surprised by his ability to absorb a millennium ring.
"Now? Xiaofeng, you just absorbed your soul ring. Isn't it a bit too soon?
Maybe you should first stabilize your cultivation and get familiar with the soul ring before trying again?"
Qian Renxue frowned. After yesterday, her concern for Lin Feng had clearly risen another level.
Ling Yuan recalled the scene when Lin Feng forged his first soul meridian and bit her lip unconsciously.
"No, Xiaofeng, there are no healing-type soul masters here right now.What if something goes wrong? You didn't have any soul power left to heal yourself last time after succeeding."
Lin Feng grinned: "No need to worry too much. I've already mastered my second soul skill—Earthfire Surge!"
In an instant, blazing flames flared up again. This time, however, as soon as the flames emerged from the ground, Lin Feng gathered them in his palm.
"Soul skill secondary transformation!"
Ling Yuan's expression shifted, her lips parting slightly in awe.
Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes widened, filled with joy.
"I knew it. Xiaofeng isn't some simple support-type soul master. The power of this soul skill already surpasses what most assault-type Soul Masters are capable of!"
Ling Yuan frowned: "If that's the case, then how should Xiaofeng choose his development path moving forward? You know, having too broad a skillset often means one can't reach the peak in any one field."
"Sis Ling Yuan, don't forget—soul masters fight using soul skills.Xiaofeng's second soul skill can already be used like two different abilities.Condensed, it's offensive. Scattered, it's control. And its power is top-tier.In my opinion, Xiaofeng's martial spirit is definitely top-grade. You can tell just from the effects of his two soul skills.There's no need to worry about his future growth."
Ling Yuan paused, then slowly nodded: "Makes sense. As long as there's no rejection when the soul ring is absorbed, it means the ring truly fits the martial spirit.That's a trait of the martial spirit itself."
Lin Feng smiled slightly, flame flickering at his fingertip:"So? How's my control over the sudden increase in power and new soul skill?"
Ling Yuan rolled her eyes at him, feigning annoyance:"Showing off now, are we?"
Lin Feng shrugged: "Can't help it. I'm just that good. Life is lonely at the top.If you're still worried, Sis Ling Yuan, you can go outside and find a healing-type soul master.If something does go wrong, you can bring them in to treat me in time."
Ling Yuan thought about it. She did happen to know a friend in Tian Dou City, a relative of that Ye Zixin.
"No problem, I'll go check if she's around.If something really happens, I'll just drag her here. Worst case, she'll curse me out a bit. Haha!"
In a flash, Ling Yuan sped off toward the western side of the city, returning not long after.
"No problem—she's here. I arranged for her to stay at a shop. She's picking out skirts right now."
Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan exchanged a glance and nodded at each other.
"Grandfather Chrysanthemum, Grandfather She, please keep watch over the surroundings."
"Yes."
Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed quietly. What a pity—he couldn't witness that incredible process firsthand. But then he remembered the Stinghog and Old Ghost who went out for intel and didn't even get news of the immortal herbs. Suddenly, he felt a little better.
At least he knew more than them. Which meant what? Meant the Young Master trusted him more! Xiaofeng's pillow talk must've worked wonders!
Wait—why was he thinking about pillow talk? They hadn't even slept together.He shook his head. "Well, it won't be long anyway," he muttered.
"Alright, I'm starting. It shouldn't take too long this time."
Lin Feng sat cross-legged, circulating his soul power.The purple soul ring gradually stopped pulsing and separated from the Innate Pearl.
Qian Renxue stared unblinkingly. She had missed Lin Feng's first soul meridian forging—this time, she wouldn't miss a second.
The pearl once again entered his dantian, glowing with radiant light, its misty aura nurturing his meridians and body.Sensing the soul ring on his hand, Lin Feng felt a new understanding rise within.
Soul rings, as a condensation of soul power, contain the laws of heaven and earth.When structured properly, they birth soul skills.
A soul ring serves as a vessel and foundation for soul skills—like a piece of machinery that enables techniques.But beyond that, it's also the key to breaking through limits.It holds the extra soul power, forming the base upon which a martial spirit can grow.
A martial spirit grows like a high-rise building—layer upon layer. The soul ring is the platform that allows it to build upward.Or rather, the staircase to the next floor.
Without it, a soul master can't ascend, though their foundation will keep strengthening through cultivation.That's why soul power still increases without new rings.Soul rings bring qualitative leaps in power, while personal cultivation accumulates soul power quantity.
"So that's it… The martial spirit… and one's own self… between them…"
Something clicked in Lin Feng's mind. A gleam flashed in his eyes, but just as he reached for that insight, it slipped away.
"Forget it. I'll figure it out eventually. For now, I need to condense the soul meridian.Break!"
Ping!
The faint purple soul ring instantly turned into a misty halo and entered Lin Feng's body.
With the first experience under his belt, Lin Feng handled it smoothly, forming the crucial meridian around his heart!
A sound like a war drum thundered through his body. Lin Feng coughed up a mouthful of blood.This second soul meridian proved tougher than he expected.
Possibly due to the fire attribute—even though he had chosen the relatively tame Earthfire Lizard soul ring, condensing a meridian at the heart was still incredibly difficult.
The heart is both vital and fragile. Forging a soul meridian here was far from simple.
Lin Feng composed himself and fully activated the Innate Pearl, guiding his soul power.
Seeing Lin Feng bleed, Qian Renxue panicked and rushed forward—
Smack!
Ling Yuan's pale hand stopped her. She gave Qian Renxue a reassuring look and shook her head.
But her eyes stayed fixed on Lin Feng's trembling body, her lips tightly pressed.Clearly, she was just as anxious inside.
Qian Renxue paused. Seeing the tension on Ling Yuan's face stirred strange emotions in her heart.She halted and watched Lin Feng's actions with Ling Yuan, not daring to make a sound.From time to time, she glanced at Ling Yuan, feeling increasingly irritable.Her worried gaze toward Lin Feng now held a tinge of jealousy.
Two and a half hours later, Lin Feng let out a long breath but was too weak to stand.
Ling Yuan stepped forward to hold him—But a golden figure moved faster. Qian Renxue gently placed Lin Feng's upper body on her lap.
She shot Ling Yuan a wary glance, then lowered her head, caressed Lin Feng's face, and probed his condition with her soul power, asking softly:"Are you okay?"
Lin Feng nodded.
Ling Yuan: …
Forget it. I already hugged him last time anyway.
The Innate Pearl floated in the air. The purple soul ring was now gone.The originally pale gold pearl now shimmered with a reddish glow within its misty halo.
With a flick of his finger, a wisp of flame danced forth.
T/N: For up to eleven chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at P@treon.com/LordHipposApostle