Chapter 35: Absorbing the Second Soul Ring

Chapter 35: Absorbing the Second Soul Ring

"Xue Xiang, is all this fanfare necessary just to obtain my second soul ring?" Wang Si glanced at the caravan trailing behind them and couldn't help but express his doubts. Though he had access to intelligence from the Wuhun Temple, he knew that this trip was not as simple as it seemed.

However, Tian Dou Empire had kept him in the dark about many things—Xing Luo Empire's response to the Hundred Refinement Bone technique, their plan to assassinate him, and even Xue Qinghe and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had concealed information from him.

Therefore, when it came to the matter of the assassination attempt, he had to feign ignorance.

"This precaution is necessary," Xue Qinghe said nonchalantly, as if discussing the possibility of an "assassin" was an everyday matter.

Wang Si nodded slightly and then stuck his head out of the window before withdrawing it.

It seemed rather unusual that Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi would both accompany him just to obtain his second soul ring.

Wang Si had "noticed" something amiss, but he said nothing.

Xue Qinghe noticed Wang Si's expression, as if he had realized something, and he merely smiled faintly before turning away and gazing out of the carriage, deep in thought.

Wang Si was accustomed to this intentional distancing from Xue Qinghe.

When did Xue Qinghe start becoming distant? It seemed to be after he had proven to Dugubo that the Hundred Refinement Bone technique could alleviate the effects of the Bi Lin Snake poison.

At that time, Dugubo had stated that he owed Wang Si a favor, which Wang Si then passed on to Xue Qinghe.

Perhaps from then on, Xue Qinghe had viewed him with a hint of wariness in his eyes.

Initially, Wang Si hadn't been sensitive to this change in attitude, but it was the Thorny Pig Douluo who had pointed it out to him.

Did Xue Qinghe feel that he was becoming too powerful and thus kept a cautious eye on him? Concealing the intelligence about the Xing Luo Empire might be a way to lower his guard and achieve their goals through indirect means.

The imperial higher-ups were likely involved, and it was even possible that the orders came directly from Emperor Xue Ye himself.

Although Wang Si had heard the saying, "the imperial family knows no sentiment," he still felt a twinge of emotion when he realized that the "friend" he had lived with for over two years wanted him dead.

However, when he recalled that his original plan with Qian Renxue had been to kill Xue Qinghe and usurp his position to control the Tian Dou Empire, Wang Si's complicated feelings suddenly eased.

............

"Wang Si, you're well aware of the strength of your body. Absorbing your second soul ring can't be done in the same way as an ordinary soul master.

This two-thousand-eight-hundred-year-old Blazing Lion is a perfect match for you, in my opinion. According to our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's research on soul beasts, this Blazing Lion is highly likely to grant you a soul ring that amplifies your physical strength."

A crimson-maned lion lay on the ground, blood trickling from its mouth, its life force fading. Its eyes held a mix of anger and unwillingness.

Standing nearby was the Bone Douluo, who had reduced the lion to its current state, while Ning Fengzhi kindly explained the situation to Wang Si.

Ning Fengzhi had personally come to witness the continent's first thousand-year second soul ring.

Looking at the dying soul beast, Wang Si nodded slightly and then took out a dagger from his storage soul guide. The dagger emanated a sharp, icy light, its blade coated in poison.

The lion, a proud creature nearing three thousand years of age, glared at the young man before it, barely in his twenties, who was about to end its life. Its eyes blazed with fury. How dare this brat try to make me his soul ring! I'm almost a three-thousand-year-old soul beast! Even if they want to humiliate me, they shouldn't do it like this!

Sensing the power building within the lion, Wang Si frowned and glanced at the Bone Douluo, as if asking: Aren't you going to do something about it?

Noticing that the soul beast was preparing a final desperate attack, the Bone Douluo let out a cold snort and unleashed the oppressive might of his Douluo-level soul power.

Under the suppression of the Bone Douluo's soul power, the Blazing Lion could only sputter out another mouthful of blood.

"Hurry up and finish it off. This soul beast is on its last legs," the Bone Douluo urged, seeing how uncooperative the lion was being.

Knowing that Wang Si's second soul skill was meant to enhance his physical strength, they had searched far and wide to find a lion of the right age.

If this one died, they would have to start their search for a suitable soul beast in the Royal Soul Beast Hunting Ground all over again!

Ning Fengzhi quickly released his martial soul, and one by one, his soul rings lit up, bestowing upon Wang Si numerous buffs that enhanced his strength and physique.

Feeling the surge of power within him, Wang Si took a confident step forward, raised the dagger, and plunged it into the soul beast's eye socket, piercing its brain.

The dagger sank effortlessly into the lion's skull, causing its body to violently tremble twice before a purple soul ring slowly rose from its body.

"This beast actually thought it could stir up some trouble," Xue Qinghe said, unable to hold back a soft laugh as he looked at the purple soul ring.

The Bone Douluo merely smiled in response; if a soul beast of over two millennia could turn the tables on him, he might as well give up his cultivation now.

"Wang Si, don't worry and absorb it. My Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda will assist you throughout the process of absorbing the soul ring," Ning Fengzhi reassured, seeing Wang Si's hesitation.

Hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Wang Si seemed to make up his mind and began to absorb the soul ring.

As Wang Si started the absorption, Ning Fengzhi, the Bone Douluo, and Xue Qinghe moved to the side and slowly sat down.

Watching Wang Si absorb the thousand-year soul ring, Xue Qinghe sighed softly.

Ning Fengzhi, who was quick to notice Xue Qinghe's action, smiled and turned his attention to Wang Si.

The first soul skill enhanced his skeleton, leading to the Hundred Refinement Bone technique.

If his second soul skill could enhance his strength, perhaps they could research and develop a brand-new cultivation method for strengthening power.

It seemed like a real possibility.

If they could develop such a cultivation method, the first to benefit would be their auxiliary-type Soul Masters.

If it was indeed possible, then the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would have to consider the inevitable...no, the impending assassination attempts.

If Wang Si proved to be valuable, it would be imperative for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to protect him.

Ning Fengzhi silently signaled to the Bone Douluo, who nodded back discreetly, indicating that he would keep a close eye on Wang Si's condition and any unusual occurrences.

The Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi waited.

The Star Luo Empire assassins, having received prior intelligence, were also waiting. After all, both the Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi had arrived together.

Any faction that understood the amplifying effect of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda knew that with Ning Fengzhi accompanying a Title Douluo, they were essentially facing two Title Douluos.

The Tian Dou and Star Luo forces were both on high alert, unaware that high above them, several Title Douluos from the Douluo Hall were keeping watch.

Qian Daolu and his granddaughter hovered in mid-air, observing Wang Si's every move.

"He's started absorbing the second soul ring, a 2,800-year-old Blazing Lion.

Ning Fengzhi is assisting him with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and there don't seem to be any issues so far," Qian Daolu reported.

Hearing that Wang Si had indeed begun absorbing the thousand-year soul ring, Qian Rinxue pouted slightly.

"Grandfather, do you think he'll really succeed in absorbing a soul ring from a soul beast that's almost three millennia old?" Qian Rinxue asked, her gaze fixed downward even though she couldn't see Wang Si's location.

"Rest assured, his limit should be around three millennia. A 2,800-year-old soul ring should be relatively easy for him," Qian Daolu assessed rationally.

"I hope he'll be alright," Qian Rinxue murmured.

Hearing his granddaughter's soft mutter, Qian Daolu let out a soft snort and gently pinched her bones, suppressing the anger that had been rising within him.

After all, that boy was dependable. His granddaughter's second soul ring might not be a thousand years old, but her subsequent soul rings were impressive. Her fourth soul ring, while not quite ten thousand years old, was still over nine millennia in age.

Ultimately, Qian Daolu's concern stemmed from the potential impact of a ten-thousand-year soul beast's soul on a young soul master.

The continent's eleven-year-old Soul Master, the first person on the continent to possess a fourth soul ring nearing ten thousand years in age—a true genius.

Qian Daolu felt immense pride at that moment. He knew that his granddaughter would undoubtedly be able to take the Angelic God Test in the future.

"Little Snow, even if you were to replace Xue Qinghe's position, do not slack off in your cultivation. Only when your status is built upon a foundation of strength can it withstand the test of time.

Shortcuts like going undercover are not long-term solutions," Qian Daolu advised, his concern evident.

In response to her grandfather's words, Qian Rinxue nodded with a smile.

"Don't worry, Grandfather, I won't slack off!" she assured him.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end