Chapter 13: Soul Rings Beyond the Limit
Looking at the powerful Xuanming Turtle in front of them, Yang Lin and Sun Yu both displayed very worried expressions. This was a five-hundred-and-forty-year-old soul beast, and even as a second soul ring, it was an excellent choice. No soul master had ever reached such a soul ring age for their first ring.
However, Yang Xiong didn't hesitate at all. He picked up a sharp sword and stabbed it directly at the Xuanming Turtle's head, instantly covering the blade in blood.
But even so, the Xuanming Turtle did not die with a single strike. Despite being knocked unconscious earlier, its eyes suddenly began to open, showing signs of waking up.
What was more surprising was that the Xuanming Turtle actually bit down on the sword with great force, and the blade was immediately shattered. Its head seemed to retract into its shell.
Lin Gong, who had been observing the Xuanming Turtle, reacted quickly. Countless streams of soul power appeared around him, and dozens of purple bamboo shoots quickly wrapped around the turtle's head, immobilizing it as if it were stuck in a bamboo forest.
"Why aren't you making your move? If the Xuanming Turtle retracts its head, with your strength, you won't be able to kill it," Lin Gong shouted angrily.
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate. He grabbed another sword from the side and stabbed it directly into the Xuanming Turtle's eye, piercing its head completely.
It had to be said that the Xuanming Turtle's defense was indeed incredibly strong. Even the most vulnerable parts, like its eyes and head, seemed as hard as iron. No wonder it was later known as the strongest defensive soul beast.
After Yang Xiong repeatedly stabbed it a few times, the ground was soaked in blood, and after some final struggles, the Xuanming Turtle finally stopped moving, and a yellow soul ring appeared.
Lin Gong withdrew the bamboo and spoke seriously: "Yang Xiong, you still have time to regret. If you fail to absorb the soul ring, you'll be crippled at best, or dead at worst."
Yang Xiong smiled slightly. "Teacher Lin, I think your martial soul is a bit unusual. It doesn't seem like ordinary bamboo. I think it looks a bit like the legendary Zihuang Bamboo."
Lin Gong's expression darkened. "You brat, hurry up and absorb the soul ring, or it will dissipate."
Yang Lin quickly spoke: "Thank you, Teacher Lin. The child was being reckless; please bear with him."
Yang Xiong sat cross-legged on the ground, summoned his martial soul, and began to absorb the soul ring.
Unlike ordinary martial souls, the essence of his martial soul didn't manifest on his right hand. Instead, it seemed as if his entire body was filled with soul power.
Under Yang Xiong's soul power's guidance, the yellow soul ring quickly flew to his body and attached itself to his martial soul's soul ring position.
As the soul ring settled into the position, an immense force began to surge into Yang Xiong's body. This power was especially violent and fierce, as if it was trying to tear him apart.
The power from the soul ring flowed through every part of his body—his skin, blood, and bones seemed to be stimulated, with blood boiling and his skin feeling as if it were being torn apart. His bones felt as though they were being crushed.
The pain from absorbing a soul ring beyond the age limit was far greater than Yang Xiong had imagined. It felt like he was immersed in searing magma, as if his whole body were going to melt.
To Yang Lin, Sun Yu, and Lin Gong, Yang Xiong's face twisted in agony, and his entire body turned red, as if blood was about to seep out of his skin.
The three of them were extremely anxious, watching with dread, fearing that the soul ring absorption would fail, potentially leading to Yang Xiong's body bursting apart at any moment.
Unexpectedly, as time passed, Yang Xiong's expression, once filled with pain, gradually began to calm down. His body, which had been releasing a faint blood-colored aura, also seemed to steady. The yellow soul ring on his body became exceptionally bright.
When Yang Xiong opened his eyes, he felt that his body was filled with an overwhelming strength. It seemed as if he had undergone some form of cleansing, and both his power and his body had experienced significant improvements.
Yang Lin and Sun Yu immediately rushed over to Yang Xiong's side, especially Sun Yu, who appeared extremely nervous. "Yang Xiong, how do you feel now? Is there any discomfort in your body?"
Yang Xiong carefully examined his body, even meditating for a moment. He noticed that the circulation of his soul power had significantly increased, and it felt like he had grown a few centimeters taller. His muscles seemed much stronger as well.
Upon examining his martial soul, Yang Xiong noticed that his body martial soul seemed slightly stronger with the increase in his physical strength. However, this change was still small and nothing like a second awakening.
"Mom, Dad, I feel really good, and my soul power seems to have reached level 13."
Yang Lin and Sun Yu immediately conducted a thorough check on Yang Xiong's body. They even took out a crystal ball to test his soul power, confirming that his body condition was very good. His soul power was remarkably stable and didn't resemble that of someone just entering level 13.
Both of them breathed a sigh of relief, while Lin Gong, who was nearby, seemed a little excited. "I never expected to witness a historical moment in the soul master world. Yang Xiong, you're probably the first soul master in history to have a first soul ring that exceeds 500 years!"
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in space, towering in size, with a form resembling a massive skeleton. It was none other than Bone Douluo, whom they had seen before.
Everyone immediately bowed. "Greetings, Elder Bone!"
Bone Douluo's face was also serious. "Everyone present, listen carefully. Yang Xiong has absorbed a 400-year-old Xuan Gui soul ring. No one is to disclose even a word of this to others. Anyone who leaks this information will be dealt with according to the sect's regulations."
Bone Douluo was highly respected within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, regarded as a guardian deity. His words were like an imperial edict within the sect.
Everyone nodded in agreement, clearly understanding that Bone Douluo's words were unquestionable.
Yang Xiong was a bit confused. He didn't understand why such a big figure like Bone Douluo would appear just because of his soul ring absorption. He also realized that Bone Douluo must have been watching the whole time.
But at that moment, Yang Xiong had no time to dwell on it. His mind was entirely focused on the first soul skill he had obtained, as it was much better than he had imagined—almost like a divine skill.
Yang Xiong didn't make a fuss about it and simply followed his parents back home. Lin Gong, however, had a gloomy expression. Having witnessed such a miracle in the soul master world, he might have been able to change the course of history, but being in the sect meant he couldn't publish this research.
After Yang Xiong returned to his room at home, his previously calm expression suddenly contorted. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and his soul power seemed to be completely out of control.
(END CHAPTER)
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