Qian Renxue sat cross-legged, with her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul emerging behind her.
Under her guidance, the soul ring enveloped her martial soul and began to pulsate.
Her brows raised slightly.
The improvement in her physical attributes brought by the Ice and Fire Immortal Herbs had far exceeded her expectations.
Given her talent, the benefits she gained from absorbing these two herbs were undoubtedly far greater than what Tang San could achieve.
This 12,500-year soul ring didn't cause her any suppression — only a slight swelling sensation.
And under the pressure of the soul ring's power, her bones emitted faint hollow sounds.
"Calm your mind, focus on your martial soul, and prepare to break through that layer of spiritual impact!"
Qian Daoliu said solemnly.
Qian Renxue nodded slightly and began to fully absorb the soul ring.
Fiery energy surged into her body, cleansing her physique.
At the same time, Qian Renxue felt as if she had entered another world.
It was bright yet hazy — everything was indistinct.
Here, she felt as if she were swimming freely in an ocean, though still faintly constrained.
As the soul ring shrank, a wave of spiritual impact followed.
It took the form of a golden lion, roaring in her spiritual sea.
Its eyes were blood-red, as if expressing unwillingness and resentment.
Qian Renxue clenched her teeth and snorted coldly.
"What kind of worthless beast dares to roar in front of me!"
Qian Renxue had always been proud, always placing herself at the peak of power.
Only when facing those she was familiar with would she reveal a softer side.
To enemies and strangers, she was the embodiment of coldness and purity.
"Get lost!"
With a furious spiritual shout, she counterattacked the residual will of the dead soul beast.
The golden lion seemed to develop intelligence, showing shock and fear in its eyes.
"Wait, sis, aren't you supposed to be the one under pressure right now?"
Completely reversed!
As the inheritor of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, Qian Renxue naturally possessed supreme holy attributes, along with a hint of True Sunfire.
Extreme light and fire were natural counters to spiritual attacks like this.
With her full spiritual power unleashed, the lion's soul was extinguished in an instant.
The soul ring shrank suddenly, shimmering with light, and floated around the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.
The black ring looked dazzlingly brilliant!
The yellow-yellow-purple-black ring configuration brought a powerful visual impact.
Her soul power surged, eventually stabilizing at Level 42.
Level 43 was not far off.
Lin Feng sighed inwardly.
Qian Renxue truly was the most gifted individual in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Despite being assigned tasks in Heaven Dou, she hadn't wasted her talent.
The speed at which her soul power increased was terrifying.
Even a 10,000-year soul ring posed no challenge for her now.
"It's done!"
Qian Renxue's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Good."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly — this outcome was within his expectations.
He had never doubted Qian Renxue's talent. Out of love and because she was the inheritor of the Angel God's legacy, he had previously refrained from letting her attach high-year soul rings.
Even a slight misstep would have caused him endless regret.
He glanced at Lin Feng and saw him smiling warmly — he looked like a proud mother.
"Is this your child? What's with that doting smile?"
"This soul skill…"
Qian Renxue activated her Angel Martial Soul, her body glowing with golden light as three pairs of wings unfurled behind her.
At this moment, she seemed more mature than ever.
The last trace of youthfulness on her face had faded, replaced with firmness and calm.
Her entire temperament transformed, radiating undeniable authority and majesty.
She rose into the air, overlooking Lin Feng and the others.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Angel Chains!"
Golden soul power turned into six chain-like beams of light, slicing through space like blades.
They pierced the ground's barriers, embedding deep beneath the earth and forming a golden prison on the surface.
Each chain radiated sacred and searing energy.
Light flickered on the chains, sending out waves of soul power that raised the temperature inside the cage even higher.
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled. With a thought, one of the chains detached.
She gripped it in her hand, her eyes flashing with excitement.
She glanced subtly at Lin Feng — her ears turned red for some reason.
With her martial soul withdrawn, she landed immediately and moved closer to Lin Feng and Ling Yuan.
Qian Daoliu said:
"Congratulations, Xiaoxue. You're the first to achieve a 10,000-year fourth ring."Ling Yuan looked on with envy.
"Not bad. It's all thanks to Xiaofeng's herbs and whale jelly."
Lin Feng smiled:
"This is a powerful control-type soul skill, and its damage is also considerable."
Qian Renxue wrapped her arm around Lin Feng's, her cheeks still flushed from absorbing the soul ring.
"Exactly. With this skill, enemies dreaming of overpowering me are just fooling themselves."
Lin Feng gently shook his head:
"Grandfather just reminded us not to underestimate anyone.
Xiaoxue, even with tools to restrain enemies, never let down your guard."
Qian Renxue turned back and gave a slightly frustrated huff.
She winked at Qian Daoliu, then nodded with some embarrassment and whispered:
"Mm, I'll remember."
Lin Feng stored the golden lion's corpse into his spatial ring.
Ling Yuan and Qian Renxue's eyes lit up.
"Xiaofeng, are you making barbecue today?"
Lin Feng nodded:
"The meat of a 10,000-year soul beast is highly nourishing — no other food compares. Regular consumption also promotes soul power growth.
And because of the golden lion's attributes, its flavor and quality are rare. We can't waste it."
"Awesome, let's head back then."
Qian Renxue pulled Ling Yuan along and hurried back with Lin Feng.
"Ahem!"
A slightly irritated cough sounded behind them. Qian Daoliu facepalmed.
"I was the main force in this soul hunt, and you're leaving me behind like this?"
Xue'er, is it really okay to openly show affection to Lin Feng and Ling Yuan in front of me like this?
Even if I've approved of your relationship, can't you be a little considerate of my feelings?"
Qian Renxue paused and waved him over:
"Grandpa, come with us! Xiaofeng's barbecue is really delicious!"
Qian Daoliu followed reluctantly, muttering:
"How good can it be? That brat can't possibly make fine cuisine.
Hmph! Even if I die in Spirit Hall and jump from the Douluo Temple, I won't eat a single bite of his soul beast meat!"
— Two and a half hours later, outside the forest cabin —
The air was filled with the smell of barbecue. With Lin Feng's special sauce, it was mouthwateringly irresistible.
Around the fire pit, the group sat together. Qian Renxue took a bite of grilled meat and sighed in satisfaction:
"Xiaofeng, you could make endless gold soul coins just selling this."
Lin Feng chuckled:
"I don't sell this — I only cook for the people I'm close to."
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled with a strange light.
Qian Daoliu sat alone under a tree, holding a piece of leg meat, staring at Lin Feng.
He bit into the meat as if biting Lin Feng himself.
Damn it… but it's really delicious!
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle