Deep within the dense forest, three figures moved swiftly through the undergrowth.
"Lin Xiao, have you decided what kind of soul ring you want for your second one?" Dugu Bo called out.
"I'm thinking," Lin Xiao replied. "I already have a wide-range offensive soul skill that includes a control effect. That's enough for early combat. Now, I want something that boosts my stats—preferably an enhancement-type skill."
His first soul skill, Phoenix Feather Formation, came from a 500-year-old Fire Sparrow and was already comparable to the second ring skills of ordinary soul masters. It featured long-range area damage and a secondary Evil Fire Chain that sealed space—plenty powerful for now.
As a power-type battle soul master, what he needed next was a stat-enhancing skill—something like White Tiger Vajra Transformation used by Dai Mubai.
"How about a 1,500-year-old Blazing Flame Roc?" Lin Xiao suggested.
This avian soul beast, despite being flightless and resembling a red-feathered ostrich, had terrifying strength. During battle, it entered a berserk state, massively boosting its power and unleashing explosive flames with every attack.
Dugu Bo and Ye Qingxian both agreed it sounded like a good choice.
"Not bad," Dugu Bo nodded. "Let's see if we can find one. Sunset Forest isn't small, but it's still nothing compared to the Star Dou Great Forest."
Thankfully, the Blazing Flame Roc wasn't a particularly rare beast.
By late afternoon, they finally spotted a flock nesting in a hay-covered clearing. Most were century-level beasts, but the leader stood out—a towering Blazing Flame Roc that looked to be about 2,000 years old.
"There it is!" Lin Xiao pointed.
"Two thousand years, huh… What a shame," Dugu Bo said with a trace of disappointment.
Lin Xiao's next ring would only be his second, and the official limit recorded for second rings was 764 years, according to the Spirit Hall archives.
He had chosen a 1,500-year target because of his freakish physique, which already surpassed most Grand Soul Masters.
As for third rings, the upper limit was 1,760 years, also based on Spirit Hall's records.
Amusingly, there was once a certain so-called "Grandmaster" who plagiarized this data from Spirit Hall and published it in his own papers—without even citing the original source.
A petty thief. Nobody of importance.
"Let's go find a weaker one," Dugu Bo suggested.
But Lin Xiao didn't move.
"Senior Dugu, I want to try this one," he said calmly.
Dugu Bo thought he misheard. "Are you insane?! The limit for a Soul Elder is 1,760 years, and you—you're just a Soul Master! You want to absorb a 2,000-year soul ring?!"
"It's only a few hundred years more. What's the point of risking it? We have time—we can keep looking!"
Lin Xiao remained composed.
"I know the risks, of course. But in my opinion, the so-called 'maximum absorption years' is just a reference point."
"In real practice, it depends entirely on the individual's Martial Soul quality, physical toughness, and spiritual power."
"My Martial Soul is exceptional. As long as my body and mind can withstand the soul ring's impact, then my limit isn't some number in a book—it's the true boundary of my own endurance."
"My body has already surpassed most Grand Soul Masters, and when I enter my Obsidian Divine Phoenix form, my physical stats jump even higher."
Dugu Bo still couldn't accept it.
"Even if your body holds, what about your spirit? Can your mental strength survive the shock of a 2,000-year soul ring?"
What if the boy became brain-dead from spiritual backlash?
How would he explain that to Yan Yan?!
To him, Lin Xiao was being reckless—delusional even.
But Ye Qingxian's voice interrupted sharply.
"Maybe… he really can do it."
Her eyes flickered with complexity. Dugu Bo might not understand Lin Xiao's spiritual strength—but she did.
Every time he underwent Evil Fire Body Tempering, enduring searing agony while maintaining clarity of mind through the Ice Heart Technique… It was nothing short of hell.
And yet, he had endured it all.
A mere child, forced to suffer more than most grown men.
How much more would he have to endure on this path?
Dugu Bo stared at her in disbelief.
Ye Qingxian was known for her caution and steadiness. She treated Lin Xiao like her own family. How could she condone this madness?
Did she not fear a single misstep would ruin everything?
But before he could object, she sighed and said:
"Poison Douluo, why not test his spiritual power?"
Dugu Bo grunted and extended his spiritual sense to probe Lin Xiao.
His expression changed instantly.
"Approaching Soul Elder level?!"
"His mental strength is stronger than his physical?!"
He stared at Lin Xiao in awe.
What kind of monster was this kid?
Was this really just a six-year-old child?
Ye Qingxian spoke softly:
"Senior Dugu, do you remember what it feels like when your poison flares up?"
His face darkened. "Like being devoured by ants… searing itch and agony all at once. It's worse than death. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl."
Ye Qingxian nodded.
"Then know this—Lin Xiao's Evil Fire Tempering is even worse."
"It's under that inhuman torture that he forged such extraordinary spiritual strength."
Dugu Bo was left speechless.
He looked at Lin Xiao with a thousand unspoken questions.
How had this mere boy survived it all?
Lin Xiao simply smiled.
"I've said it before—habit is a powerful thing."
"Most hardships… once you get used to them, don't feel so unbearable anymore."
"People grow, even without realizing it—simply by enduring."
Of course, there was more to it.
His Ice Heart Technique had been his saving grace. Whenever he reached the brink of collapse, a cool, calming energy would snap him back to clarity.
Dugu Bo said nothing for a long time.
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, the 2,000-year-old Blazing Flame Roc dropped to the ground—poisoned into unconsciousness.
He turned to Lin Xiao and said solemnly:
"Very well. Show me just how far you can go!"
The beast, barely clinging to life, lay limp.
Seeing their leader fall, the surrounding century-level Rocs panicked and fled in all directions.
Lin Xiao stepped forward.
With one clean strike, he finished off the 2,000-year Blazing Flame Roc.
A radiant purple soul ring rose into the air.
Summoning his Obsidian Divine Phoenix, Lin Xiao sat cross-legged beneath the setting sun.
And began the soul ring absorption.