"I don't know what happened either. The soul ring came to me on its own, so I had no choice but to absorb it."
Facing the questions from Zhao Wuji and Li Yusong, Xu Yunhan couldn't offer an explanation.
Generally speaking, it's difficult—and sometimes even dangerous—for a soul master to absorb a soul ring.
Of course, if a soul beast voluntarily sacrifices its soul ring to a soul master, then there's no danger at all.
This time's situation was somewhat similar to a soul beast's voluntary sacrifice—there was absolutely no danger involved.
Though no one knew the exact reason behind it, and maybe it could never be explained in the future, it had to be regarded as a special case.
"It seems that some unprecedented event caused this strange occurrence. Fortunately, Yunhan is unharmed."
Li Yusong said, "When we return, let's discuss this with Fland and the others. I guess even they won't be able to figure it out."
Zhao Wuji nodded. This matter was just too strange and unexplainable, but thankfully Xu Yunhan was fine. "Alright, that's settled."
After a pause, he said to Xu Yunhan, "Yunhan, show us your soul skill."
Because of the unexpected incident, they worried that his soul skill might not be up to expectations.
Xu Yunhan now had an external soul bone called "White Bone" attached to the back of his right hand, granting him a soul bone skill—essentially giving him an additional soul skill.
The soul skill from his first soul ring, however, was a special passive skill that remained constantly active. It was called: Charm!
Xu Yunhan didn't need to consciously activate this skill. From the moment he obtained it, it was always "on," and couldn't be turned off.
Fortunately, the soul power consumption of this skill was very low—almost manageable with just Xu Yunhan's natural soul power regeneration.
So keeping it active at all times was no problem.
But this "Charm" soul skill had a powerful effect, much to Xu Yunhan's delight.
The effect of the Charm skill was that it increased other creatures' goodwill and trust toward Xu Yunhan.
For those who stayed with Xu Yunhan long-term, their goodwill and trust would continuously accumulate and grow.
In other words, the longer someone was around Xu Yunhan, the more they trusted him and grew fond of him.
The benefits of such an effect were unimaginable—how could Xu Yunhan not be excited?
Now Zhao Wuji and the others wanted to see his soul skill.
Soul ring skills were very special—their effects couldn't be visually displayed. Besides, Xu Yunhan didn't want others to know about the Charm skill, wanting to keep it as a secret trump card.
So Xu Yunhan could only show the soul bone skill granted by the external soul bone "White Bone."
Under the watchful eyes of Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, and Oscar, Xu Yunhan raised his right hand and clenched his fist.
Immediately, the fist quickly transformed into white bones, becoming a skeletal fist.
Not only did this skeletal fist look powerful, but they could also sense a large amount of soul power condensed within it—its strength was undoubtedly formidable.
The three were surprised.
Oscar was amazed by the soul skill itself.
Zhao Wuji and Li Yusong, however, were more surprised because they hadn't seen Xu Yunhan's soul ring appear.
Normally, when a soul master uses a soul skill, their corresponding soul ring shows up.
Xu Yunhan used a soul skill without his soul ring appearing—there was only one explanation.
"Instant-cast soul skill!"
Zhao Wuji and Li Yusong said in unison.
Oscar looked puzzled; he hadn't studied this topic yet.
"Mm," Xu Yunhan said seriously, not caring whether Zhao Wuji and the others doubted him.
"An instant-cast soul skill!" Zhao Wuji exclaimed, staring at Xu Yunhan in amazement. He hadn't expected the kid's talent to be this good.
Instant-cast soul skills were usually only possible for mid- to high-level soul masters, were very rare, and generally required a certain mastery of a soul skill combined with natural talent.
To have an instant-cast soul skill right after absorbing a soul ring could only be explained by exceptional innate talent.
"An instant-cast soul skill—that's quite an extraordinary thing…" Li Yusong briefly explained what an instant-cast soul skill was.
An instant-cast soul skill, as the name suggests, is a soul skill that can be executed in an instant.
This greatly shortens the time the skill takes to take effect, bringing enormous benefits and advantages.
Imagine in battle, when others need time to cast their soul skills, you can strike instantly.
In martial arts, speed is invincible—that's the principle.
"Haha, you always surprise people. Good!"
Zhao Wuji was very pleased. After all, he had saved Xu Yunhan and already treated him like a disciple.
The better Xu Yunhan became, the more face Zhao Wuji would have.
"Come on, use your soul skill to attack me. Let me see how strong you really are."
Excited, Zhao Wuji wanted to give it a try.
"Alright."
Xu Yunhan didn't mind. He swung his skeletal fist—or it could be called the "White Bone Tiger Fist."
The skeletal fist formed by the external soul bone "White Bone" was pale white and terrifying, exuding great strength.
He punched Zhao Wuji, who hadn't used much soul power to defend. Zhao Wuji felt a slight pain but wore a satisfied smile.
"Good. Although it's only a first soul ring skill, its power surpasses many second soul ring skills. Much better than expected."
Li Yusong watched and said, "After all, it's a soul ring close to six hundred years old. Not many people can absorb a soul ring of such age as their first. And using bone as a fist greatly increases its strength, so its attack power naturally isn't weak."
"Haha…" Zhao Wuji laughed and patted Xu Yunhan on the shoulder. "You've got good talent, good luck, and you work hard. You'll definitely achieve great things!"
Oscar walked over, his face full of envy. If he could choose, he'd also want an offensive spirit. How cool it would be! "Boss, congratulations."
Xu Yunhan, sounding old and serious, said to Oscar, "Little Ao, as I always say, stick with me and no one will bully you."
Only I can bully you!
"Mm." Oscar nodded repeatedly. As a support soul master, he needed strong soul masters to protect him, and Xu Yunhan was a good candidate.
Moreover, Xu Yunhan had been nice to him lately, so Oscar already accepted him as his boss.
Xu Yunhan's old-soul mannerisms were something Zhao Wuji and the others were used to by now—not surprising anymore.
"Let's go back. When you become great soul masters, you can consider training on the outskirts of the Soul Beast Forest. For now, just focus on cultivating."
Zhao Wuji and Li Yusong led the two back.
When they returned to Shrek Academy, Fland wasn't there. He had a shop in Sotto City that earned some funds for the academy.
Tangdou Shao Xin and Xing Luo Qilu Qibin were very surprised when they heard about what had happened in the Soul Beast Forest.
But they couldn't explain the "soul ring coming on its own" incident—they had never encountered it before.
Even the well-informed Fland was puzzled when he learned about it, though he sent a letter to Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang was curious but couldn't figure it out either. He could only record it as a special case.
In the blink of an eye, Xu Yunhan had been on Douluo Continent for over a year.
"Boss, your cultivation speed is way too fast!"
Oscar was somewhat frustrated. Training with Xu Yunhan every day, the gap between their levels was only growing wider.
"It's probably because my spiritual power is stronger, so cultivating is easier for me."
Because of his Three-Eyed White Tiger martial spirit and the experience of transmigration, Xu Yunhan's spiritual power was far greater than that of soul masters in the same grade.
After absorbing his first soul ring, his spiritual power had increased several times, becoming even stronger.
Now, Xu Yunhan's soul power level had already reached 18, while Oscar was only at 14.
"Yunhan, Little Ao, look! The dean has brought you a new companion."
Just then, Zhao Wuji and Fland arrived, bringing along a little boy with bright red hair.
"Come, get to know each other."
Fland smiled warmly. "His name is Ma Hongjun. He's six years old—much younger than both of you. Xu Yunhan, Oscar, you'll need to take good care of Ma Hongjun from now on…"
They had found another genius—not born with full soul power, but still very talented. What's more, he had a pretty impressive mutated martial spirit, which made Fland very happy.