With a loud explosion in the air, Qian Renxue's right hand shot forward with a powerful punch.
"First Soul Skill, Angelic Assault!"
Accompanied by a flash of golden light, a pillar-like burst of energy was launched from Qian Renxue's hand.
At the same time, a golden light shield manifested around her body.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly.
Angelic Assault, as her first soul skill, was a purely close-combat type.
Though it could be used both offensively and defensively and was highly practical, its nature made it difficult to adapt or transform.
Fundamentally, the easiest soul skills to vary and evolve were elemental or long-range types.
Once mastered, they could be extrapolated and developed into many variations.
Unlike plant-type martial souls, where a binding skill—even with variations—remains a binding skill at its core.
And Qian Renxue's first skill was purely melee.
Its potential for adaptability was limited. Though her soul vein increased her control over it to a higher level, it still couldn't reach the kind of versatility Lin Feng had.
She felt slightly disappointed.
Lin Feng approached her:
"No need to dwell on it too much. Your first three soul skills aren't meant to be changed significantly—just adjusted.
For strong attack-type soul skills like this, the power can still vary depending on how the soul power is circulated.
Think of it like this—if before you were using all your strength to hit with a hammer, now you can use half that strength to strike with a chisel.
The difference in destructive power can be just as significant."
Qian Renxue nodded. Thinking of her fourth soul skill, a glint appeared in her eyes.
Her fourth skill was a long-range control type—six chains that, combined with its emitted pressure, offered much more flexibility.
Her mood improved. She grabbed Lin Feng and called Ling Yuan to go together to report the situation to Qian Daoliu.
On a high platform of the Pope's Hall, a purple-clad figure was silently watching the three make their way to the peak of the mountain toward the Douluo Hall.
The Douluo Hall sat atop the peak, above the Pope's Hall.
Each time Lin Feng and the others ascended or returned, Bibi Dong could sense it, and so she began observing.
Unconsciously, watching the three of them laughing and chatting made Bibi Dong's jealousy grow more intense.
If only back then, when Lin Feng awakened his martial soul, I had taken him in... would he have been mine now?
His gentleness, his wisdom, even his looks—they could all have been hers.
Bibi Dong took a heavy breath and shook her head, annoyed.
She took out a Fragrant Delicate Immortal Product (Youxiang Qiluo), and the light fragrance helped calm her mind a little.
Her gaze cleared, and she sighed—it was nothing but a fantasy.
At that time, how could she have possibly paid attention to him?
She had only noticed his unusually calm demeanor when she learned he had only one innate level of soul power.
Unless she had been like her daughter, frequently visiting the library and slowly drawn in by him…
The library.
Bibi Dong's brows furrowed tightly. Heh, what a familiar story development.
"Yu Xiaogang… Don't let me find you. If I do, your death will be a nightmare."
Her voice was slightly hoarse.
"No… I can't let you die so easily. Martial soul theory and your strength—that's your obsession.I want to see your expression when you become a pariah of the soul master world, when your cultivation is ruined!Only then—only through powerless struggle and unimaginable torment—can you die!"
"Heh heh..."
Taking another greedy breath of the immortal product's aroma, Bibi Dong walked into the main hall.
"Teacher."
"Mm."
Bibi Dong sat regally on her throne and handed a storage pouch to Hu Liena.
"Inside is a piece of ten-thousand-year whale gelatin. As you heard before, it can strengthen your physical constitution, allowing you to absorb higher-level soul rings."
"Mm. Thank you, Teacher."
Hu Liena's eyes sparkled. Though she didn't fully understand why her teacher seemed unhappy with Scholar Lin Feng and the others that day, she had definitely overheard a series of astonishing things.
Thankfully, she was cautious and discreet. If her older brother had been there, he probably would've already told others everything.
And that annoying red-haired guy—always running his mouth—clearly couldn't keep a secret.
"Sit cross-legged. You can begin the treatment now. Remember, Nana, it might be painful—endure it."
"Yes, Teacher."
Bibi Dong had no intention of delaying the whale gelatin treatment.
Soul masters grow quickly in the early stages.
With Hu Liena's talent, she could likely break through a major rank within three years.
So the whale gelatin had to be taken early.
Millennium-level whale gelatin was already rare—ten-thousand-year quality even more so.
The Spirit Hall had preemptively gathered and nearly monopolized all known sources—save for a few noble families' secret stashes.
The benefits were enormous. For top talents in Spirit City's younger generation, yellow-purple starting soul ring configurations were now essentially guaranteed.
Bibi Dong looked out toward Spirit City, lost in thought.
"Whale gelatin… another contribution of Lin Feng. When his theory is published, what kind of prestige will he hold in the soul master world?"
Qian Daoliu remained calm as he listened to the group explain.
He nodded slightly, then asked:
"Xiaofeng, when do you think you'll be ready to construct a second soul vein for Xue'er?"
Lin Feng pondered for a moment:
"At least a year from now. Her soul vein has only just formed. Her body needs time to adjust.The subtle influences of the laws within the soul vein also need time to settle."
"Mm. No rush—act only when you're confident."
Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and sent out a pulse of soul power.
A giant statue of the Angel God glowed between the brows, descending under his guidance before the group.
"This soul bone is for Xue'er. As for you two—"
Qian Daoliu retrieved two soul bones from his storage tool.
They glowed with radiant crimson and azure light.
"These are the 60,000-year Flame Dragon Feather Eagle right arm bone and the 70,000-year Prairie Red Wolf left leg bone.
Accept them as parting gifts for now."
Ling Yuan's pupils contracted.
This was not like later times when hundred-thousand-year soul bones were common.
Back now, both hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones were the most revered treasures of the soul master world—almost mythical.
Even Ju Douluo and Gui Douluo didn't have soul bones yet.
These two were already extremely high-grade, and the Grand Worship had casually given them to Lin Feng and herself.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. She quickly helped Lin Feng accept the gifts.
Lin Feng smiled at her haste but didn't say much. He thanked him as well.
Ling Yuan took a deep breath and gave a deep bow:
"Ling Yuan thanks the Grand Worship."
Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and raised an eyebrow:
"Still calling me Grand Worship?"
Ling Yuan's cheeks flushed, and she mumbled softly:
"...Thank you, G-Grandfather."
"Good, good."
Qian Daoliu laughed heartily. Since she'd accepted, she might as well accept fully.
He was over a hundred years old—Ling Yuan had just passed thirty. What was wrong with calling him grandfather?
Under Qian Renxue's teasing gaze, Ling Yuan shyly lowered her head, hiding behind Lin Feng.
T/N: For up to thirteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle