The snow had thickened into a near-whiteout, the village below barely visible through the swirling flurries. Mo Xuan stood at the edge of the northern slope, Spirit Spring glowing faintly against his chest, ancient beast stirring within his consciousness like a coiled storm.
[Soul Power: 10.1]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 50/100]
[Soul Ring Progress: 45%]
Ahead, the forest floor shook. Branches cracked under immense weight. The Frostmane Direwolf had returned, larger, more aggressive than before, a true Rank 4+ monster, crimson eyes blazing with intelligence and malice.
Mo Xuan's hand rested lightly on the Spring. He could feel the latent energy building—the first Soul Ring's threshold pulsing in his chest. His body had been pushed, tested, and honed for this very moment.
Lin Yue appeared beside him, twin martial souls shimmering faintly, ready. "Are you certain?" he asked, his voice calm but alert.
Mo Xuan's cold gaze met his. "There is no certainty in battle. Only control. Stay ready."
The Frostmane lunged, its claws slicing the air. The force of its strike alone would have shattered most hunters' bones. Mo Xuan released the first pulse from the Spirit Spring, warping the snow beneath it. The beast stumbled slightly but recovered immediately, growling, eyes narrowing.
Good… this will be interesting, the ancient beast murmured inside his consciousness, voice dripping with amusement. Do not hesitate. Push further.
Mo Xuan leapt, dagger in hand, Spirit Spring pulsing around him in golden arcs. He struck with precision, not to kill but to assert control. The Frostmane recoiled, caught in the subtle manipulation of the Spring. Lin Yue acted simultaneously, combining his attack aura with support energy to reinforce Mo Xuan's influence.
[Combined Attack: Spirit Spring + Twin Martial Souls]
The Frostmane's amber eyes widened—this was unlike any encounter it had faced. The golden arcs of Spring energy intertwined with Lin Yue's twin aura, guiding its trajectory subtly, shifting momentum without direct force. Mo Xuan felt the surge—the energy of the first Soul Ring calling, coaxing, demanding recognition.
A deep hum resonated in his body. The snow around him shimmered as latent soul energy pooled, the Spirit Spring vibrating in response. Mo Xuan's vision fractured slightly, overlapping layers of energy and consciousness revealing the subtle forces at play.
Now… the ancient beast whispered, voice low and serious. Do not falter. Claim it.
He thrust the dagger forward, releasing a concentrated surge from the Spirit Spring. Snow exploded outward in a wave of golden light, colliding with the Frostmane. It howled, staggering back, caught in a web of invisible pressure. Mo Xuan felt a sharp pulse in his chest, warmth spreading through his veins.
[Soul Ring Threshold Reached]
Type: Space Attribute
Rank: 1st Ring
Effect: Expands storage, enhances spatial manipulation abilities, boosts soul power growth rate
Skill Bonus: Minor spatial distortion usable in combat
The surge of energy was intoxicating. Mo Xuan staggered slightly as the Soul Ring embedded itself into his soul, the golden light spinning around his chest like a tiny sun. His body felt light yet infinitely powerful, every movement sharper, faster, more precise.
[Soul Power: 10.1 → 11.0]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 50 → 60/100]
[Soul Ring Progress: 45% → 60%]
The Frostmane stumbled back, cautious now, clearly sensing the dramatic increase in Mo Xuan's power. He allowed it to retreat slightly, releasing energy subtly to restrain rather than harm.
Lin Yue stepped forward, twin auras flaring in response. "You've done it… the first Soul Ring," he said quietly, admiration in his voice. "Your Spring… combined with our synergy… incredible."
Mo Xuan's cold expression softened fractionally. "It is not over. Control must be maintained. Power is meaningless if wasted."
The Frostmane howled one last time, then vanished into the forest. Snowflakes drifted lazily around them, but the battlefield remained charged with latent energy—the imprint of Mo Xuan's first Soul Ring and Spirit Spring mastery.
Later, away from the forest, Mo Xuan and Lin Yue tested the new capabilities. A small patch of snow and ice became the arena.
Mo Xuan focused, releasing a pulse of Space energy from his Soul Ring. The snow warped subtly, creating a sphere around him that bent light slightly. With a flick of his wrist, he transported small snow-laden branches across the area, moving them with precision.
[Skill Test — Space Manipulation: Minor teleportation of objects, environmental control]
Lin Yue's twin auras shimmered, amplifying and stabilizing the distortions. He struck with his attack soul, enhanced by Mo Xuan's spatial manipulation, landing blows with a grace and destructive elegance previously impossible.
Impressive, the ancient beast murmured. You now command space and Spring simultaneously. Efficiency and destruction combined.
Mo Xuan allowed himself a faint smile. This is only the beginning.
That night, snow fell silently on the village. Mo Xuan returned, Spirit Spring gently glowing, the warmth of his first Soul Ring pulsing like a heartbeat. Lin Yue accompanied him, quietly walking beside him. For the first time, Mo Xuan allowed a subtle closeness, a silent acknowledgment of partnership, of trust, of shared power.
Inside his hut, he poured a vial of Spring water into his mouth, letting the golden warmth flood his body. The ancient beast inside purred with satisfaction, stretching in his consciousness.
Finally… we have ascended beyond the threshold. But this is only the beginning. There are greater beasts, greater powers… and the world will test us.
Mo Xuan closed his eyes, feeling the immense potential now coiled within him: Space Soul Ring, Spirit Spring mastery, growing soul power, and a partner he could rely on. The snow outside drifted quietly, yet within him, energy pulsed, strategy formed, and anticipation for future battles surged.
[Soul Power: 11.0]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 60/100]
[Soul Ring: 1st — Space Attribute]
[Ancient Beast Status: Fully aware, guiding, observing, amused]
[Team Formation: Mo Xuan & Lin Yue synergy established]