After an intense and grueling battle, the berserk Flame Azure Wolf was finally slain.
At that moment, Yan was left panting heavily, drenched in sweat.
Yue Guan approached, a look of deep satisfaction in his eyes.
He had witnessed every moment of that fight — every strike, every decision.
A Flame Azure Wolf with a cultivation of twenty thousand years was far tougher than most beasts of the same level.
It was an offense-and-defense-type spirit beast, possessing overwhelming strength and the destructive power of pure flame.
Yan had fought cleverly, skillfully playing to his strengths while avoiding his weaknesses, ultimately landing the fatal blow that ended the battle.
Moments later, a swirl of black mist began to rise slowly from the Flame Azure Wolf's corpse, gradually condensing into a soul ring radiating dark light.
"Yan," Yue Guan said solemnly, "go and absorb the soul ring. I'll stand guard for you."
"Understood."
Yan walked over to the hovering black ring, sat cross-legged beneath it, calmed his breathing, and began to absorb it.
As the energy of the soul ring slowly flowed into his body, Yan felt a surge of tyrannical power rampaging within him — crashing against his body and spirit with overwhelming force.
It was both agony and ecstasy — every cell in his body seemed to awaken, greedily devouring that boundless energy.
Yue Guan stood beside him, his eyes fixed on Yan with faint concern.
Although Yan had absorbed three immortal herbs and possessed a body far stronger than that of an ordinary soul master, this was still his first ten-thousand-year soul ring — and it was twenty thousand years old. The amount of energy contained within far exceeded the limit most could endure for a fifth ring.
Yet Yan's performance exceeded all expectations.
Though his body trembled from the pressure and pain flashed across his face, he clenched his teeth and persevered without yielding.
As time passed, the aura around him gradually stabilized — he was clearly adapting, slowly gaining control over the immense power within.
Only then did Yue Guan finally relax.
Three hours later, when the last wisp of energy was drawn into his body, Yan slowly opened his eyes.
His pupils glowed with a blazing light — flames seemed to dance within them.
Seeing this, Yue Guan's expression broke into a pleased smile.
"Yan, you've finally finished absorbing it. How do you feel?"
Yan smiled faintly.
"The Flame Azure Wolf's power is incredibly fierce. I feel… filled with strength."
"Good. And your soul power — how much did it increase?"
"It rose by two levels. I'm now level fifty-two."
"Just as I expected," Yue Guan nodded approvingly. "A twenty-thousand-year fire-type beast is no ordinary ring."
Then he asked with a glint of curiosity, "You're officially a Soul King now. What ability did that fifth ring grant you?"
Yan raised his right hand and clenched his fist. He could feel power coursing through every inch of his body — stronger than ever before.
"This fifth soul skill perfectly combines the Flame Azure Wolf's strength and fire attribute. I've named it 'Furious Magma Fist.'"
"Furious Magma Fist? Sounds impressive."
Yan explained,
"When I use this ability, both my physical strength and flame power are doubled. Scorching magma surges from my fists, infused with explosive force. The destructive power is immense — especially its impact and piercing strength. The closer the target, the greater the damage."
As he spoke, he clenched his right fist again.
At once, his entire arm seemed to swell with power — his muscles tensed and expanded, veins bulging with the surge of soul energy.
A powerful wave of spirit pressure erupted from him, causing the very air to tremble.
To demonstrate, Yan stepped before a massive boulder.
He drew in a deep breath — then drove his fist forward.
With a deafening boom, the seemingly unbreakable rock was instantly shattered — a gaping hole burned through it, its edges molten and glowing from the searing magma that had pierced it.
Yue Guan's eyes flashed with astonishment. Then he smiled.
"Yan, the penetrative force of that punch is extraordinary. Even a soul master ten levels higher than you would struggle to block it. This move can be used for both offense and defense — a true all-around killing technique."
Yan nodded, though a hint of regret flickered across his face.
"It's powerful, yes — but it has one major weakness. The energy consumption is enormous. With my current level of soul power, I can probably only use it three times a day."
Yue Guan chuckled softly.
"That's only natural. The stronger the ability, the greater the cost. But don't worry — as your cultivation grows, you'll gain finer control over it. You'll master it in time."
Yan smiled. "Mm. I'll keep working at it."
Inwardly, though, he was already thinking ahead.
If he could win the Soul Master Tournament championship, the reward he desired most would be that right arm bone of Explosive Blazing Flame.
If he could use this new soul skill while the soul bone's power was activated, the resulting destruction would be terrifying beyond measure.
Soon after, Yan and Yue Guan left the Star Dou Great Forest and began their journey back toward Spirit City.
Time flew by — in the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
At this time, Tang San had already been in the Icefire Yin Yang Well for half a year.
He had successfully developed an antidote that effectively suppressed the toxins within Dugu Bo's body, earning the old poison master's trust.
One day, Dugu Bo came to see him again.
"Little monster," he said with a crooked smile, "you've been here for six months already. My poison's pretty much cured. It's about time I let you go. Hand over my inner core."
Hearing this, Tang San smiled slightly and spat out the serpent core Dugu Bo had given him.
But as he prepared to leave, he couldn't help feeling reluctant.
The medicinal herbs surrounding the Icefire Yin Yang Well were treasures beyond compare — he wouldn't find anything like them anywhere else.
So he asked tentatively,
"Before I go… could I take a few herbs with me?"
Previously, with Dugu Bo's permission, Tang San had picked and consumed a stalk of Amethyst Thorn Vine.
Though it was a relatively ordinary immortal herb, it had still raised his soul power by nearly three levels.
Combined with half a year of cultivation beside the Icefire Yin Yang Well — enhanced by the serpent core's energy — his soul power had grown even further.
All told, his level had risen from thirty-four when he first arrived to thirty-nine now.
[Author's note: The Shrek Seven Devils each absorbed relatively ordinary immortal herbs, so their increases weren't as dramatic. Without those herbs, their combat strength would've been too low — they wouldn't even have made it to the finals, let alone be crushed by Yan. Also, Ma Hongjun's fourth ring isn't ten thousand years.]
Hearing Tang San's request, Dugu Bo froze for a moment.
He knew the boy's talent for pharmacology was exceptional — perhaps even surpassing his own.
Those herbs were his greatest treasures. Someone had once trespassed into the Icefire Yin Yang Well and stolen several of his finest immortal herbs; since then, he had been far more cautious.
Tang San saw his hesitation and said with a smile,
"What's this? I cured your poison, and you can't spare me a few herbs? Don't worry — I won't take them for free."
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