Chapter 8: Frost Shot
Lin Zhiruo quietly observed Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er as they absorbed their spirit rings, both nervous and full of anticipation.
The two of them were undergoing the impact of the spirit ring's energy, sweat continuously beading on their foreheads.
This was the first spirit ring they were absorbing, but it was already four hundred years old — a bit of a risky endeavor.
Even so, Lin Zhiruo chose to trust these two children.
She believed that Shui Bing'er, who possessed the top-tier beast spirit Ice Phoenix, could handle it. She also believed that the powerful strength left behind by Xiao Han's parents would secretly protect him.
As time passed, Xiao Han felt the once-violent energy within him gradually become gentle, slowly merging into every cell and meridian of his body.
The process was both painful and miraculous, as if his body were undergoing some kind of transformation — becoming tougher and stronger.
Suddenly, Xiao Han felt a warm power rise from his dantian.
It was his own soul power. Rather than being suppressed in the process of merging with the foreign energy, it was instead stimulated, bursting with new vitality.
The two forces intertwined and eventually formed a new balance within him — a unique power that belonged to him alone.
"It's done!"
When the last trace of energy was fully absorbed, Xiao Han suddenly opened his eyes.
The sky was beginning to lighten, and everything before him became clearer.
Xiao Han could clearly feel his spirit power had significantly increased — as if he had crossed a major threshold overnight.
On the other side, Shui Bing'er had also successfully absorbed her spirit ring.
Lin Zhiruo stood by, feeling immense relief and joy as she watched the two children complete their spirit ring absorption.
"You two finally finished absorbing your rings."
"Mom, you didn't sleep at all last night. That must've been hard on you."
"Dean Lin, thank you for staying up with us."
Lin Zhiruo smiled warmly.
"I'm fine. How do you two feel? How much did your spirit power increase?"
Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er exchanged a smile, then replied:
"Now that I've obtained my first spirit ring, I finally feel like a real soul master. My spirit power increased by two levels. Bing'er, how about you?"
"I also increased by two levels."
"That's great. You're both at level twelve now."
"Mom, I told you — the bigger the risk, the greater the reward. If we'd only absorbed one- or two-hundred-year rings, we might've only gained one level."
Lin Zhiruo affectionately poked Xiao Han's head.
"You little brat, always showing off. What soul skill did you get?"
Xiao Han grinned and released his martial soul and spirit ring.
"Mom, my first soul skill has a slowing effect and increases my own attack power. I'm calling it 'Frost Shot.'"
As he spoke, he drew his bow fully and fired an arrow straight ahead.
The Frost Arrow was wrapped in an icy blue glow, leaving behind a misty frost trail as it flew.
Xiao Han explained: "When I use this soul skill, enemies within my attack range are slowed by 20% to 50%, depending on their spirit power. Also, my attacks deal an extra 120% damage to those affected by the slow, with a chance to freeze them."
"Amazing!"
Shui Bing'er clapped her hands in admiration.
Lin Zhiruo smiled.
"You brat, that's quite a good soul skill. Bing'er, what soul skill did you get?"
"Dean Lin, my first soul skill is similar to the Ice Seal skill you used before. It's a group control skill — I'm also calling it 'Ice Seal.'"
Shui Bing'er then released her Ice Phoenix martial soul and spirit ring to demonstrate in front of the two of them.
As soon as the Ice Seal skill was activated, a fifty-meter radius centered on her was instantly frozen under a thick layer of hard ice.
This was a soul skill with powerful control ability — it could instantly immobilize opponents, creating a favorable battle environment for herself and her teammates.
Once an enemy was spiritually locked onto, it was hard to escape and would require significant spirit power to resist the encroaching cold.
"Bing'er's skill is quite good — it's very useful for team battles."
Lin Zhiruo glanced around.
"Daybreak is near. We should get going. Let's eat something, pack up, and head back."
"Dean Lin, you didn't sleep all night. Don't you want to rest a bit?"
"No need, I'm fine."
The three of them replenished their energy, packed their belongings, and set off.
On the way back, all three were in high spirits.
Xiao Han collected some herbs that only grew in extreme cold regions.
Eventually, the trio walked out of the Frozen Forest.
"Bing'er, Xiao Han, this trip to the extreme north went quite smoothly. You both obtained your first spirit rings and improved your strength. Once we return, be sure to train hard and aim for your second ring soon."
"Mm, we will."
Suddenly, Xiao Han said:
"Mom, before we return to Tianshui City, can we make a trip to the Sunset Forest?"
Hearing this, Lin Zhiruo frowned, puzzled.
"Sunset Forest? What for?"
"I want to collect some herbs that only grow in warm environments."
Lin Zhiruo was half-skeptical of Xiao Han's explanation.
"Xiao Han, you're a soul master now. You should focus more on your cultivation and not spend too much energy on herb studies."
"Mom, I am a soul master. But having a few medicinal herbs on hand will always come in handy."
Xiao Han wasn't sure whether Dugu Bo had already discovered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
If Dugu Bo had found it, he would definitely set up his Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array. Upon seeing that, Xiao Han would have to retreat immediately.
But if Dugu Bo hadn't yet found it, then Xiao Han could get there first and harvest all the celestial herbs — he might even retrieve the Ice-Fire Dragon King Bone from the spring.
Celestial herbs greatly aid a soul master's cultivation.
The divine-level Ice-Fire Dragon King Bone could provide an unimaginable power boost.
The plants in this world were vastly different from those in his original world. Xiao Han had started studying the Herb Compendium early on but had never seen the Celestial Herb Compendium.
Very few people in this world understood celestial herbs. Even Dugu Bo, who had studied herbs for many years, didn't recognize many of them.
Based on the original story's descriptions, Xiao Han could identify top-tier celestial herbs like the Eight-Petal Ice Grass, Fiery Apricot Delicate Branch, and Lovesick Heartbroken Red.
As for ordinary celestial herbs, he didn't know much.
To truly understand them, he would need a copy of the Celestial Herb Compendium, which apparently only the Spirit Hall possessed.
According to the original timeline, there were still nine years before Tang San discovered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Xiao Han had made up his mind — before that, he must collect all the celestial herbs from there, preventing Tang San from gaining immunity to both ice and fire.
After a moment of thought, Lin Zhiruo finally agreed to Xiao Han's request.
"Alright, Xiao Han. We'll go, but we must return quickly. Don't waste too much time."
"Got it."
Lin Zhiruo shot Xiao Han a glance, feeling that her child was growing up — and his ideas were becoming more and more unusual.
(End of Chapter)
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