Chapter 18: Contrast of Zhang Lexuan
Level 80 absorbs a 100,000-year soul ring. Although according to Zhang Lexuan's current physical fitness and mental strength, absorbing this soul ring is not a problem, doing so at her limit will undoubtedly take a long time.
Soul ring absorption cannot be interrupted. If it is interrupted midway, it can cause serious injury, regression in cultivation, or even death. Therefore, unless it is absolutely safe, soul masters will not rashly absorb a soul ring.
With Xuan Lao still missing, Zhang Lexuan could only ask Lin Qinghan to help protect her during the process. But based on her current thoughts, even if no one protected her, she would still absorb the soul ring without hesitation. After all, so many of her classmates had lost their lives because of it.
Zhang Lexuan pushed aside her messy thoughts, and the soul power in her hands surged, pulling the 100,000-year soul ring toward her.
In an instant, she felt herself completely enveloped by a powerful pressure, one that even affected her spiritual sea. The pressure came too fast, catching her off guard, and she let out a muffled groan.
However, Zhang Lexuan was a genius. She quickly adapted to it, and the soul ring fusion proceeded smoothly.
Lin Qinghan, standing nearby, saw Zhang Lexuan's aura gradually stabilize and strengthen. Relieved, he extended his spiritual stance to monitor the surroundings, remaining on constant alert.
Zhang Lexuan had already agreed to go hunting for the fourth soul ring with him. Since she had now gained a 100,000-year soul bone, he naturally had to take her protection seriously.
"As a student in the inner courtyard of Shrek Academy, Zhang Lexuan should have deep knowledge of soul beasts, right?" Lin Qinghan muttered to himself. Though he had deliberately studied a lot about soul beasts, the Star Dou Great Forest was vast and complex. He only had a basic understanding of how to judge their age. He hadn't delved into details like their habits or habitats. What's more, no one could fully comprehend the Star Dou Great Forest—most only knew parts of it.
This mixed area of the forest mainly contained thousand-year and ten-thousand-year soul beasts. Due to the residual pressure from the corpses of 100,000-year soul beasts, most soul beasts had fled far away. Additionally, the forest was usually uninhabited, and anyone who sensed the pressure would keep their distance.
As a result, Lin Qinghan's spiritual stance detected no signs of life.
His thoughts wandered—he wasn't a quiet person by nature. His eyes soon landed on the corpse of the Blood Moon Wolf King.
"I wonder what the meat of a 100,000-year soul beast tastes like," he thought.
Lin Qinghan walked over, took out his dagger, and tried to cut off one of the front legs. However, he clearly underestimated the durability of the beast's body. Even though his dagger was a third-level soul guide, it couldn't pierce the flesh.
"Well, I can only look," Lin Qinghan said, putting away the dagger with slight disappointment. He stopped fooling around, sat cross-legged, and focused on recovering his soul power and mental energy.
Time passed slowly. Zhang Lexuan took over a day to absorb the soul ring. Lin Qinghan's spiritual stance remained open the entire time.
This prolonged use gave Lin Qinghan deeper insight into his martial soul. Since his martial soul was a fusion of bioelectric and brainwave types—both considered main body martial souls—its inherent domain wasn't just a soul skill but more of a natural instinct. However, it came with a heavy energy cost.
By now, Zhang Lexuan's soul ring absorption was nearing completion.
As the 100,000-year soul ring fully merged into her body, her aura surged threefold. It was clear that under the effect of the soul ring, she had broken through from level 80 to level 83.
A powerful wave of soul power suddenly erupted. Zhang Lexuan's long hair fluttered, and then her aura gradually calmed.
After a moment, she opened her eyes, the surrounding fluctuations of soul power dissipating.
"Thank you for protecting me."
As soon as the absorption ended, Zhang Lexuan expressed her gratitude to Lin Qinghan. She seemed more relaxed now, her formerly tense expression easing to reveal her original gentle temperament.
In contrast, she seemed to have shifted from a powerful Valkyrie to the girl-next-door type.
"What kind of soul ring do you need? I have a lot of knowledge about soul beasts—I can give you some advice," Zhang Lexuan offered. Looking at Lin Qinghan, who appeared so youthful, she recalled his earlier display of strength and felt unsure again.
But she had already made a promise. If Lin Qinghan needed a 100,000-year soul ring, she would have to risk her life again.
Seeing her slightly panicked expression, Lin Qinghan found it a bit amusing. She seemed worried that he would drag her into another deadly battle.
"I'm level 40 right now. I need a thunder-attribute soul ring—attack type—about 50,000 years. Can you give me some suggestions?" Lin Qinghan said calmly, but his words were shocking.
'Level 40, 50,000-year soul ring—how can those words even be in the same sentence?'
Zhang Lexuan was a little dazed by Lin Qinghan's request. But thinking back to his earlier, outrageous strength, she realized he might not be joking.
For a moment, her expression turned blank in surprise. Combined with her gentle temperament, she looked just like an innocent and bewildered big sister.
Lin Qinghan, watching her, couldn't help but think: This sister really is full of surprises.
"Well, I'm being a bit rude, but—how old are you?" Zhang Lexuan asked, realizing that Lin Qinghan seemed much younger than her. Using honorifics suddenly felt a little odd.
"It's not convenient to reveal my age right now. Let's just hunt the soul ring first," Lin Qinghan replied, implying that if she knew the truth, she'd be even more shocked.
"Alright. The soul ring you need should be found in the mixed area of the Star Dou Great Forest," Zhang Lexuan said, her voice unconsciously carrying a coaxing tone, like she was talking to a child.
Even though Lin Qinghan didn't reveal his age, she had already guessed it from his behavior.
He couldn't be as young as he looked, could he?
Hearing her gentle tone, Lin Qinghan twitched the corner of his mouth but said nothing. His age wasn't a secret—he just didn't want to be treated like a kid.
"I know a place where thunder elements are abundant. You should be able to find the spirit ring you need there."
"Let's go. I've been looking for spirit rings for a long time," Lin Qinghan said eagerly. Living outdoors these past few days was wearing him out.
Zhang Lexuan hurriedly led the way. As she glanced at Lin Qinghan from the corner of her eye, her suspicions deepened.
How could someone so young have such high cultivation and incredible combat power?
"This must be a monster," Zhang Lexuan thought to herself.
As her thoughts drifted, the two quickened their pace and moved swiftly toward the target area.
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(End of this chapter).