Looking at the powerful Dark Underworld Tortoise before them, both Yang Lin and Sun Yu displayed expressions of deep concern. This was a soul beast that had lived for five hundred and forty years - an age that would be considered excellent even for a second soul ring. No one in the recorded history of the Soul Master world had ever attempted to absorb a soul ring of this age as their first.
However, Yang Xiong showed no hesitation whatsoever. He picked up a sharp sword and drove it directly toward the Dark Underworld Tortoise's head. Instantly, blood flowed down the blade, staining the weapon crimson.
Even with such a direct strike, the Dark Underworld Tortoise did not die immediately. Though it had been knocked unconscious earlier, its eyes began to slowly open, showing clear signs of awakening from its forced slumber.
Most alarmingly, the Dark Underworld Tortoise bit down hard on the sharp sword with tremendous force. The blade that had seemed so sturdy was crushed completely between its powerful jaws. Its massive head began to show signs of attempting to retract into the safety of its shell.
Lin Gong, who had been carefully observing the Dark Underworld Tortoise from the sidelines, reacted with lightning speed. Soul power erupted from his body in brilliant waves, and countless purple bamboo shoots suddenly sprouted from the ground. The bamboo wrapped around the turtle's head like living chains, creating what appeared to be an entire bamboo forest that held the creature's head completely immobilized.
"Hurry up and finish it!" Lin Gong shouted urgently. "If you wait for this Dark Underworld Tortoise to fully retract its head into its shell, you won't be able to kill it with your current strength!"
Yang Xiong did not hesitate for even a moment. He grabbed another sharp sword from the collection of weapons nearby and drove it directly into the Dark Underworld Tortoise's eye, piercing through its entire skull with determined precision.
The Dark Underworld Tortoise's defensive capabilities were truly impressive to witness. Even the most vulnerable parts of its anatomy - the eyes and head - seemed as hard as blocks of forged iron. This incredible durability explained why future generations would recognize it as among the strongest defensive soul beasts in existence.
After Yang Xiong delivered several more precise strikes, the ground beneath them was thoroughly soaked with blood. The Dark Underworld Tortoise struggled violently for several long moments before finally ceasing all movement. As its life force faded completely, a brilliant yellow soul ring materialized above its massive form.
Lin Gong withdrew his purple bamboo restraints and spoke with a grave expression. "Yang Xiong, it is not too late for you to reconsider this decision. Once you begin the absorption process and fail, you will be permanently crippled at best, or die outright at worst."
A confident smile appeared on Yang Xiong's face despite the serious warning. "Teacher Lin, I noticed something interesting about your martial soul. It should not be ordinary bamboo - I believe it resembles the legendary Purple Emperor Bamboo."
Lin Gong's expression darkened with slight irritation. "You troublesome boy, hurry up and absorb that soul ring before it dissipates completely!"
Yang Lin quickly intervened from the side, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Teacher Lin, for your assistance just now. My child can be thoughtless sometimes - please forgive his curiosity."
Yang Xiong sat cross-legged on the blood-stained ground, summoned his unique martial soul, and began the dangerous process of soul ring absorption.
Unlike ordinary martial souls that manifested on the right hand or as external weapons, his Body Martial Soul caused his entire form to become enveloped in swirling soul power. Every inch of his skin seemed to glow with internal energy.
The yellow soul ring from the Dark Underworld Tortoise, drawn by the pull of Yang Xiong's soul power, quickly descended to envelope his entire body. As the ring settled into position around his martial soul, it seemed as though infinite power began flooding into Yang Xiong's physical form.
This power felt incredibly violent and fierce, as if his entire being might be torn apart by the overwhelming force. The energy from the soul ring poured into his body like a raging torrent, quickly integrating with every part of his anatomy. His skin, blood, and bones all seemed to react violently to the stimulation. His blood began to boil within his veins, his skin felt as though it might be torn apart by enormous pressure, and even his bones seemed on the verge of being crushed to powder.
The agony of absorbing a soul ring so far beyond the recommended age limit exceeded Yang Xiong's wildest imagination. His entire body felt as though it had been plunged into molten lava, as if every cell was about to melt under the incredible heat and pressure.
From the perspective of Yang Lin, Sun Yu, and Lin Gong, Yang Xiong's face had become completely distorted with pain. The skin covering his entire body turned a deep red color, and it appeared that blood might seep through his pores at any moment.
The three observers looked increasingly anxious as they witnessed this alarming transformation. Given the severity of his physical reaction, it seemed certain that the soul ring absorption had failed catastrophically, and his body might explode from the overwhelming energy at any second.
However, against all expectations, as time slowly passed, Yang Xiong's originally agonized expression gradually began to calm. Even his body, which had been radiating that frightening bloody aura, slowly stabilized. The yellow soul ring surrounding his form appeared exceptionally brilliant and stable.
When Yang Xiong finally opened his eyes, he felt that the power coursing through his body had reached an incomparably full state. His entire being seemed to have undergone some form of profound baptism. Both his physical strength and other capabilities had been dramatically enhanced beyond his previous limits.
Yang Lin and Sun Yu rushed to Yang Xiong's side immediately. Sun Yu looked particularly nervous as she examined her son. "Yang Xiong, how do you feel right now? Do you sense any discomfort anywhere in your body?"
Yang Xiong carefully observed his internal condition and even meditated briefly to assess his state. He discovered that the flow speed of soul power throughout his body had increased significantly. His entire frame seemed to have grown several centimeters taller, and the muscles covering his body had become noticeably more defined and powerful.
When Yang Xiong carefully examined his martial soul, he found that his Body Martial Soul had indeed become slightly stronger as his physical form had been enhanced. However, this change remained relatively modest - nothing approaching the dramatic transformation of a second awakening.
"Mother and Father, I feel incredibly well. My soul power seems to have reached level thirteen already."
Yang Lin and Sun Yu conducted a thorough and careful examination of Yang Xiong's physical condition. They even produced a crystal orb to test his soul power levels precisely. His bodily state was indeed excellent, and his soul power felt remarkably stable - far more so than someone who had just recently advanced to level thirteen.
Both parents released sighs of tremendous relief. Lin Gong, standing nearby, appeared somewhat excited by what he had witnessed. "I never expected that I would have the privilege of witnessing Soul Master history being made. Yang Xiong, you are quite possibly the first Soul Master in recorded history whose first soul ring exceeded five hundred years in age."
At that moment, a figure appeared rapidly in the space around them. This person possessed an extremely tall stature, and his frame resembled that of a massive skeleton. It was Bone Douluo, whom they had encountered previously.
Everyone present quickly offered respectful salutes. "Greetings, Elder Bone."
Bone Douluo's expression remained serious as he addressed the group. "Everyone present here today must pay close attention to my words. Yang Xiong absorbed a four-hundred-year-old Dark Tortoise soul ring. Not a single person shall reveal even one word of this event to others. Anyone who does so will be dealt with as if they had leaked vital sect secrets."
Bone Douluo's reputation throughout the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was legendary - he served as the sect's guardian deity and was admired by everyone. His words carried the weight of imperial decrees throughout the entire organization.
Everyone nodded quickly and seriously. Bone Douluo's commands clearly allowed no room for questioning or debate.
Even Yang Xiong felt somewhat puzzled by this development. His soul ring absorption seemed like a relatively minor personal matter - why would it attract the attention of such an important figure as Bone Douluo? Moreover, it appeared that the elder had been observing the entire process from the very beginning.
However, at this moment, Yang Xiong could not spare much mental energy to worry about such concerns. All his thoughts were focused on the first soul skill he had obtained, because this ability far exceeded his expectations and could genuinely be called a divine technique.
Yang Xiong chose not to make any dramatic announcements about his success. He simply followed his parents quietly back to their family residence. Meanwhile, Lin Gong's expression remained troubled. He had witnessed what might be considered a miracle of the Soul Master world - something that could potentially change the course of Soul Master history. Unfortunately, being bound by sect regulations, he could not publish his observations or research about this extraordinary event.
After Yang Xiong returned to the privacy of his room at home, his previously calm facial expression instantly became distorted with pain. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and the soul power throughout his entire body seemed to spiral completely out of control.
The true cost of his ambitious gamble was only now beginning to reveal itself. While he had successfully absorbed the soul ring and gained incredible power, the strain on his body had been far more severe than anyone realized. The absorption process had pushed his physical limits to their absolute breaking point, and now the delayed effects were threatening to overwhelm him completely.
Yang Xiong realized that his journey toward unprecedented power would require not only courage and determination, but also the strength to endure consequences that others could never imagine. The path he had chosen was indeed extraordinary, but it would demand everything he had to give.
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