As Lin Xiao absorbed the soul ring, both Dugu Bo and Ye Qingxian watched with bated breath.
Even though Lin Xiao's body and spirit power were approaching the level of a Soul Elder, the idea of absorbing a 2,000-year soul ring as a second ring was unheard of on the entire continent.
If he succeeded—
He'd be rewriting soul master history!
Dugu Bo stood tense, soul power surging and ready to act at the first sign of danger. If anything went wrong, he would forcefully interrupt the absorption. It would cause immense damage, but at least Lin Xiao would survive.
Ye Qingxian had her Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul fully prepared.
If anything happened, she would immediately cast her healing skills.
Lin Xiao frowned slightly during the process, but no alarming changes occurred. After just half a quarter of an hour, the glowing purple soul ring vanished into him.
He opened his eyes—his expression filled with joy.
Seeing that, both Dugu Bo and Ye Qingxian finally exhaled in relief.
Ye Qingxian quickly stepped forward.
"Lin Xiao, what's your second soul skill?"
Lin Xiao summoned his Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, and two soul rings emerged—one a deep yellow, the other gleaming purple.
"Second Soul Skill: Blazing Phoenix Transformation!"
As his voice rang out, the purple soul ring behind him lit up. Flames surged around his body, and his height shot up—from 1.2 meters to 1.7 in an instant.
Though lean in frame, his muscles were now sleek, toned, and full of explosive power.
A crimson flame sigil appeared on his forehead. Fiery markings lit up across his arms, legs, and back, pulsing with raw energy.
Clenching his fists, Lin Xiao marveled at the transformation.
"This skill boosts all my core attributes—attack, defense, and speed—doubling them for 30 minutes. It's a full-range buff."
"Additionally, these flame markings on my body store the fire-element soul power I release in battle. I can channel or detonate it at will. That's the Blazing Burst part."
The second soul skill's buffing effect even surpassed what most soul masters gained from their third ring.
A group-wide stat buff like this was nothing short of divine.
Dugu Bo and Ye Qingxian were both clearly impressed—until Lin Xiao mentioned the Blazing Burst part. That, they didn't quite understand.
"What do you mean by 'Blazing Burst'?" Ye Qingxian asked.
"It's easier to show than explain," Lin Xiao said.
He lowered his stance, aligned his hips, and threw a seemingly ordinary punch at a thick tree.
Boom!
The tree exploded straight through—wood chips flying everywhere.
He turned and calmly said:
"That was without using Blazing Burst."
"Now, I'll use it. The impact might be… louder."
He faced another tree—one even thicker.
Then, another punch.
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion echoed like thunder out of nowhere, shaking the air around them.
Dugu Bo and Ye Qingxian jumped in shock. The blast rang in their ears like a shockwave.
Flames lit up the sky. Smoke and splinters filled the air. When the dust cleared, the tree was completely gone—reduced to a crater and scorched earth.
Cough cough.
Lin Xiao waved away the smoke, his fist burning slightly.
If he had used his Obsidian Divine Phoenix form, the explosion would've been even stronger—and his fist wouldn't hurt.
Dugu Bo stared in disbelief.
"That kind of power… You could heavily injure a Soul Elder!"
Ye Qingxian added, "No, if detonated at close range, even a Soul Ancestor would be in serious danger!"
She glanced at him.
"Lin Xiao, what's your soul power level now?"
"Level 25," he answered.
Dugu Bo nearly choked on his own breath.
"Just 25?! The way you say it—you think that's low?!"
Eight years old, already a high-level Grand Soul Master? That alone was absurd.
Ye Qingxian nodded gently.
"That sounds about right. Even with support from the immortal herb and a millennium ring, don't forget—your soul power has been continuously refined by Evil Fire tempering. It's far purer than average."
"So naturally, you gain levels more slowly."
Still, Lin Xiao's cultivation speed was nothing short of monstrous. Even in levels, he outpaced most of his peers.
After a moment of thought, Ye Qingxian advised,
"Lin Xiao, this Blazing Burst—keep it hidden."
"It's your trump card. Use it only when it truly matters. The less others know, the more dangerous you become."
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll never lose a battle.
But just as importantly—
Don't reveal your strongest card unless absolutely necessary.
Lin Xiao nodded in agreement.
The Blazing Burst trait from the Blazing Flame Roc had broadened his thinking. His flame possessed an extreme attribute—if he could further compress it under high heat and explode it at a pinpoint moment…
The power could be devastating.
He wondered—could he improve the technique on his own?
If he remembered correctly, in Soul Land II, protagonist Huo Yuhao had obtained a soul bone skill called Ice Explosion Technique from an Ice Jade Scorpion.
One of its highlights? Using it to blast off an Armored Darkgolden Dreadclaw Bear's limb, even scaring the powerful Elder Xuan.
True, his current Blazing Burst might not match Huo Yuhao's Ice Explosion—yet.
But who cared? He'd just keep refining it.
He didn't believe his Blazing Burst couldn't surpass an ice-based version someday.
Worst case? Like Xiao Huo Huo, he'd get blown up a few times while developing Buddha's Fury Lotus Flame. With the protection of his Obsidian Divine Phoenix form, he could survive even a hundred explosions.
He was tough. He could take it!
"If I get it working… maybe I can teach Bing'er how to use Ice Explosion too. She'd love that."
Night began to fall.
Ye Qingxian still hadn't hunted her seventh soul ring yet, but there was no rush.
The three of them pitched a tent and decided to rest for the night. Tomorrow, they would focus on Ye Qingxian's soul ring hunt.
Lin Xiao set up a grill.
His eyes drifted toward the fallen Blazing Flame Roc.
"Nothing goes to waste. Looks like you're tonight's dinner."
With a whisper of apology in his heart, he dragged the beast to the stream.
With precise control of flame, he singed off all the feathers without burning the meat.
He cleaned out the organs, sliced off the wings and legs with practiced ease.
Dugu Bo, leaning against a tree, raised a brow.
"You… know how to cook at your age?"
Lin Xiao arched a brow. "A little."
Dugu Bo scoffed.
This kid's showing off again, huh?
Fine. As long as it was edible, he'd consider it a win.
Lin Xiao paused for a moment.
Something about this scene…
Felt oddly familiar.