With a loud crack in the air, Qian Renxue threw a punch with her right hand.
"First Soul Skill, Angel Strike!"
A column of golden energy shot out as Qian Renxue swung her arm.
At the same time, a golden shield formed around her body.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly.
Angel Strike, her first soul skill, was a purely close-combat ability.
While it was versatile, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities, its nature made it difficult to modify.
In essence, the easiest soul skills to transform were elemental or long-range types.
Once mastered, they could be adapted and expanded into various forms.
However, Qian Renxue's first soul skill was a close-combat ability.
Its inherent flexibility was limited. Although the soul vein had increased her control over it, she couldn't achieve the same level of mastery as Lin Feng.
She felt a little disappointed.
Lin Feng approached her:
"Don't worry too much. Your first three soul skills aren't meant to be changed drastically. Being able to adjust them is enough.
For strong attack-type soul skills like this, the way you channel your soul power can significantly alter their effectiveness.
If you used to use ten units of force to swing a hammer, now you can use five units of force to drive a spike.
The change in attack power is still substantial."
Qian Renxue nodded, her thoughts turning to her fourth soul skill. Her eyes lit up.
Her fourth soul skill was a long-range control ability—six chains that could exert pressure. It would be much easier to modify.
Feeling better, she pulled Lin Feng along and called Ling Yan to join her as they prepared to inform Qian Daoliu about the situation.
---
On a high platform in the Pope's Hall, a figure in purple quietly observed the trio heading toward the Elder Hall at the mountain's peak.
The Elder Hall was located at the very top of the mountain, above the Pope's Hall.
Every time Lin Feng and the others went to or returned from the Elder Hall, Bibi Dong could sense it. Thus, she began observing them.
Unconsciously, as she watched the three laughing and chatting, a sense of jealousy grew within her.
If only I had taken Lin Feng under my wing when his martial soul awakened, would he have been mine?
His gentleness, his wisdom, his looks—all of it could have been mine.
Bibi Dong's breathing grew heavy for a moment before she shook her head in frustration.
She took out the Aromatic Silk Beauty, and its faint fragrance calmed her mind slightly.
Her eyes regained clarity, and she sighed. It was just a fleeting fantasy.
Back then, she wouldn't have paid him any attention.
The only thing that had caught her interest was his calm demeanor when he learned that his innate soul power was only level one.
Unless, like her daughter, she had frequented the library and been drawn to him...
The library...
Bibi Dong's brows furrowed. What a similar story.
"Yu Xiaogang, don't let me find out where you are. You'll die a miserable death."
Her voice was hoarse.
"No, I can't let you die so easily. Your obsession with soul theory and your own strength—I want to see the look on your face when you become the laughingstock of the soul master world.
I want to see your despair when your cultivation is completely destroyed!
Only after you've struggled in vain and suffered extreme agony will I let you die!"
"Heh."
She took another deep breath of the Aromatic Silk Beauty's fragrance and walked back into the hall.
"Teacher."
"Hmm."
Bibi Dong sat on her throne and handed a storage pouch to Hu Liena.
"This contains a piece of ten-thousand-year whale glue. As you heard that day, it can enhance your physical constitution and increase the years of the soul rings you can absorb."
"Yes, thank you, Teacher."
Hu Liena's eyes sparkled. Although she didn't understand why her teacher seemed to have some tension with Lin Feng and the others that day, the things she had overheard were incredible.
She was glad she was level-headed. If it had been her brother, he would have already blabbed about it to others.
And that annoying red-haired guy who kept chattering—he was definitely a loudmouth who couldn't keep secrets.
"Sit down and begin absorbing it now, Nana. Remember, the process might be uncomfortable, but you must endure it."
"Yes, Teacher."
Bibi Dong didn't plan to delay the use of the whale glue. Soul masters grew quickly in the early stages.
For someone like Hu Liena, who had exceptional talent, she could break through a major realm in just three years.
Thus, the whale glue had to be consumed as soon as possible.
Thousand-year whale glue was already a rare treasure, let alone the ten-thousand-year variety.
With the Spirit Hall's early collection efforts, they had almost monopolized the supply of whale glue.
Aside from some privately held stocks by nobles, the benefits were immense.
For the top talents among the younger generation in Spirit City, it was now certain that their initial soul ring configuration would be yellow and purple.
Bibi Dong gazed out over Spirit City, lost in thought.
"Whale glue—another of Lin Feng's contributions. Once this theory is published, what kind of prestige will he gain in the soul master world?"
---
Qian Daoliu listened calmly to their report.
He nodded slightly and asked:
"Xiao Feng, when do you think you can shape Xiao Xue's second soul vein?"
Lin Feng thought for a moment:
"At least a year. Xiao Xue's soul vein has just formed. Her body needs time to adapt, and the subtle influence of the laws within the soul vein also requires time."
"Good. There's no rush. Proceed when you're confident."
Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and released a surge of soul power.
The massive statue of the Angel God emitted a bright light from its forehead, which, under Qian Daoliu's guidance, descended before the four of them.
"This is a soul bone for Xiao Xue. As for you two—"
Qian Daoliu took out two soul bones from his storage device.
The radiant glow of crimson red and azure blue shimmered.
"These are a sixty-thousand-year Flame Dragon Hawk Right Arm Bone and a seventy-thousand-year Prairie Red Wolf Left Leg Bone.
Consider them parting gifts for now."
Ling Yan's pupils contracted.
This wasn't the later period when hundred-thousand-year soul bones were everywhere.
Hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones were the ultimate treasures in the soul master world, existing mostly in legends.
Even Title Douluo like Ju Douluo and Gui Douluo didn't have soul bones yet.
These two soul bones, with their high years, were incredibly valuable. Yet, the Grand Worship had casually given them to Lin Feng and herself.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up, and she quickly took the soul bones for Lin Feng.
Lin Feng smiled at Qian Renxue's eagerness but didn't say anything, simply thanking Qian Daoliu as well.
Ling Yan took a deep breath and bowed deeply:
"Ling Yan thanks the Grand Worship."
Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and raised an eyebrow:
"Still calling me Grand Worship?"
Ling Yan's cheeks flushed, and she stammered softly:
"Thank you... Grandpa..."
"Good, good."
Qian Daoliu laughed heartily. Since he had accepted the situation, he might as well embrace it fully.
After all, he was over a hundred years old, while Ling Yan was just past thirty. Calling him "Grandpa" wasn't inappropriate.
Under Qian Renxue's teasing gaze, Ling Yan buried her face in embarrassment, hiding behind Lin Feng.