Afterwards, Tang Yin returned to the seclusion quarters and retrieved the Heart Soul Bone from his storage ring. It pulsed with vibrant life force, far surpassing even the Right Leg Bone of the Blue Silver Emperor.
The sheer vitality radiating from it made his heart race—he could barely contain the restless anticipation building inside him.
"Let's see what kind of surprise you'll give me," he muttered, settling into a cross-legged posture as he regulated his soul power.
He pressed the pulsing bone against his chest—directly over his heart—and the moment it began to merge, a searing wave of agony tore through him. Fine beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as his body trembled. He gritted his teeth, clutching his chest, veins bulging.
His healing factor finally kicked in, gradually dulling the pain—but even then, it lingered, as if an invisible hand were still clutching his heart in a relentless grip.
"Why the hell does it hurt so much?" Tang Yin cursed inwardly, his chest still throbbing. "Even the Eight Spider Lances didn't hurt this bad when they fused with my spine… but this—this is something else entirely. Is it because the heart is a vital organ?"
He clenched his fists, sweat dripping from his jaw. "Tch—no matter. If I survive this, it will only make me stronger."
The Energy Absorption and Conversion ability might seem overpowered now—but Tang Yin knew its limits. Against divine laws, it was truly useless. If this mutant ability ever evolved into Omega-level, then—only then—would he truly become invincible.
Two hours later...
Tang Yin exhaled heavily, steam rising from his skin. He had finally completed the absorption process. His soul level had surged past Level 70, but he had no intention of absorbing a soul ring—not yet.
Tang yin needed his seventh ring, the Martial Soul True Body, to be perfect. Only the right one could push him to a true transformation. He would obtain it during the Sea God's Trial, through a God-Bestowed Soul Ring.
Suddenly, the skill information of the Soul Bone surged into his mind—and his breath hitched. His lips curled into a crooked grin.
"A broken skill… no, two broken skills…"
"My first skill—Self-Revival. Upon death, I'll automatically be revived with 10% of my soul power restored. Cooldown: 10 days. I've got a literal life-saving ability now. insane!"
His grin widened as he blurted excitedly.
"Second skill—Resurrection. I can revive the dead once every ten days, and it only takes 10% of my soul power. With this… I won't have to fear losing my loved ones anymore."
Tang Yin's voice softened as he trailed off— "Damn… this Heart Soul Bone is insane. I can't wait to evolve it into a million-year-old—maybe the cooldown will drop significantly."
Suddenly, his fifth soul ring began to glow.
It floated into the air—quivering—its deep black hue growing darker, richer. The age climbed steadily from 50,000… to 60,000… and finally halted at 80,000 years.
Tang Yin felt it instantly—his innate soul skill had grown even stronger than before.
"Eighty-thousand years, huh?" He smirked, eyes gleaming. "The Emperor's Boost grants an eightfold amplification to every aspect of my Blue Silver Emperor… and it lasts for a full sixty minutes."
He chuckled inwardly. "Gotta admit—it puts Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor Tyrant Spear from the original works to shame."
But it seems the surprises weren't over yet.
A tingling sensation erupted along his spine. Tang Yin's back flexed, and with a sharp crack, the Eight Spider Lances burst out from behind.
"Hm? They're evolving too?" he muttered, slightly amused. "Well, I have grown stronger over the past few days—it's only natural."
The transformation didn't last long—as his healing factor accelerated the process. When the pain faded, the lances had fully evolved.
The lance gleamed a deep metallic violet, their edges serrated and sharp like obsidian blades.
Tang Yin narrowed his eyes as he studied them intently. "Their aura is much stronger—easily comparable to a 50,000-year-old soul bone now." He tested their feel—light, flexible, and deadlier than ever.
"Their amplification's increased too. From 90%… to a solid 100%." He smirked.
"If I can find another spider-type soul beast to devour… maybe I can push this even further."
With that, he slept soundly in his quarters for the night. Tomorrow, he'd be heading back to Sunset Forest—for another soul beast hunt.
The Next Day
Tang Yin and the girls skipped their usual Purple Demon Eye training that morning—today, they had to leave early for the forest.
The Empire had promised them three soul rings as part of their reward—but after some internal struggle, he ultimately gave up on claiming them for the girls.
He simply wasn't ready to face Xue Qinghe… or rather, Qian Renxue. He wanted to remain incognito for the time being.
Instead, he quietly arranged for the three promised soul rings to be transferred to two reserve members of the Lanba and Oscar.
When Oscar learned about the opportunity, he was so moved that he promised Tang Yin he would join the Tang Sect after graduation.
Three hours later…
As they entered the Sunset Forest, Tang Yin quietly activated his telepathy, sweeping the area for threats and leading the girls straight toward the Nine Heart Begonia.
Numerous powerful soul beasts lurked nearby, but he didn't act. Instead, he turned to the girls and calmly instructed, "I want you to hunt and defeat three decade-millennium soul beasts. Work together—and don't hold back."
Huo Wu exchanged skeptical glances with the Shui sisters—Why did Tang Yin want them to hunt exactly three soul beasts?
But when they saw the eager expressions on Meng Yiran and the others' faces, they kept their questions to themselves and nodded in agreement and immediately got into action.
Backed by Ning Rongrong's amplifications alongside Lingling's regeneration, the girls moved in perfect sync as they fought.
In less than an hour, they had taken down three powerful soul beasts—each over ten thousand years old—and returned with their lifeless bodies, eyes gleaming with eager anticipation as they laid them before him.
Tang Yin gave a small nod. "It seems you've grown stronger," he said, his tone proud yet calm. "But don't let that get to your head. We'll be facing far more dangerous opponents in the future. And from now on— You'll be hunting for your own Soul Ring."
The girls nodded solemnly, fully grasping the weight of his words. No longer just lovers, they were his comrades—prepared to stand by his side against the envious sects that would try to suppress his rise. And when that time came, they would be ready.
Tang Yin focused, extending his hand toward the ethereal soul rings hovering above the lifeless bodies. Slowly, he absorbed their soul power. Huo Wu and the Shui sisters stared in dumbfounded silence as the three soul rings vanished one by one.
Next, Tang Yin attacked the spiritual sea of the Nine Heart Begonia, rendering it brain dead.
He transferred the absorbed soul power using Energy Conversion causing the flower's vitality to surge. Finally, its soul age surpassed sixty thousand years.
"Lingling, get ready," Tang Yin instructed, releasing his telepathy to ensure no threats were nearby. Then, he allowed the soul beast to willingly sacrifice itself to Lingling.
A brilliant golden light burst forth as a black soul ring slowly hovered above her.
Shui Bing'er's mouth fell open in astonishment as she watched Ye Lingling absorb the soul ring willingly given up by the beast. Yue'er and Huo Wu also shared her stunned expression.
Seeing their surprise, Rongrong snickered. "That's Tang Yin's secret—he can make any soul beast willingly sacrifice. Not only that the soul beast will also guarantee a soul bone."
Eventually, Lingling finished absorbing the soul ring, and her level soared from 50 straight to 59. The massive leap was thanks to the hundred-thousand-year-old soul bone they had absorbed a year before.
"Everyone, I'm now Level 59—just one step away from becoming a Soul Emperor," she smiled, looking excitedly at Tang yin.
The rest of the girls showed only mild surprise, but Huo Wu and the Shui sisters had strongest reactions. Didn't this mean that with Tang Yin's help, their talents would continue to grow over time, fueled by these soul ring and bones?
Tang yin glanced at Lingling and asked her curiously, "What kind of amplification did the soul ring give you Lingling?"
Her eyes lit up as she smiled and stepped closer. "It's a Health recovery amplification— 30% boost. And it'll keep increasing by 5% as I absorb more soul rings in the future alongside my regeneration potency."
Without hesitation, she hugged him tightly, then leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Thank you," she added softly, eyes shimmering with gratitude.
Tang Yin smiled at her as they parted, then retrieved the soul bone from the soul beast and stored it in his storage ring.
"Don't absorb any more soul bones for now. Once you reach Titled Douluo, it'll become much harder to increase your level. That's when I'll gift them to you."