For my first Soul Ring, I chose a powerful Earth Dragon. Its immense power promised a significant boost to my abilities, a soul skill that resonated with my own burgeoning strength.
Meanwhile, across the clearing, Ning Rongrong carefully considered her options. She traced a finger along the list of potential Soul Beasts, her lips pursed in thought.
The flashy, powerful beasts held little appeal; she needed something practical, something that would enhance her already considerable support abilities.
Ning Fenghzi, observing the pair from a distance, noted the stark contrast in their approaches. Xiaosheng, Earth Dragon. Pretty straightforward. Max power,. Ning Rongrong, as always, prioritized efficiency and practicality. A fascinating study in contrasts, he mused.
I chose a Golden-Armored Bull. A practical choice, of course—its strength will make my support even better.
Besides, who needs flashy when effective works? I grinned at Xiaosheng.
Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly at the pair. "You will be heading out with Grandpa Bone tomorrow," he announced, his voice carrying a hint of both pride and anticipation.
As the two turned to leave, the sunlight catching the dust motes dancing in the air, a nervous energy thrummed between them.
The weight of the upcoming hunt, the uncertainty of facing powerful Soul Beasts, pressed upon them, yet it was tempered by a shared excitement, a thrilling anticipation for the power they would soon gain, and the strength their partnership would bring.
They walked hand-in-hand, their steps a little unsteady, their hearts pounding a rhythm of hope and trepidation.
Sunrise painted the eastern sky in hues of fiery orange and soft rose, promising a day of both thrilling adventure and daunting uncertainty.
Xiaosheng, Ning Rongrong, and Gu Rong set off for the Sunset Forest, their destination the wild, untamed outer reaches, where the hunt for their first Soul Rings—a fearsome Earth Dragon, and a sturdy Golden-Armored Bull—awaited.
The air crackled with anticipation, a mixture of excitement and apprehension hanging heavy between them as they embarked on this perilous yet crucial journey.
After a time wandering the forest's depths, Xiaosheng, Ning Rongrong, and Gu Rong located a suitable Earth Dragon—a creature of perfect age for Xiaosheng's first soul ring.
At last, they found it: an Earth Dragon ideally suited for Xiaosheng's first soul ring.
Gu Rong moved towards the creature, his words following his steps.
"Stay back, both of you," I commanded, my voice low and firm.
The concern in their eyes was understandable, but this was Xiaosheng's trial.
I would weaken the beast, prepare it, but the final blow...that belongs to him. Let him claim his power.
We watched, mesmerized, as Gu Rong effortlessly dispatched the Earth Dragon.
It wasn't a battle; it was a dismantling.
With barely a flicker of movement, he reduced the colossal beast to a whimpering shadow of its former self, leaving it on the brink of death, a mere sliver of life clinging desperately to its existence.
As the dragon lay dying, Gu Rong beckoned Xiaosheng closer to deliver the killing blow.
Dust swirled around my worn boots as I reached Gu Rong, halting before him. He stood like a statue carved from shadow and granite, his stillness a palpable tension in the heavy air. He pressed a wickedly sharp knife into my hand, the weight of the moment heavy, suffocating.
My face was grim, a stark contrast to the dull, cracked scales of the massive, wounded Earth Dragon as Gu Rong silently urged me to end its suffering. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating.
With each step, the coppery tang of blood and the ragged breaths of the dying Earth Dragon grew stronger.
Finally, I stood over its colossal head, the knife held high, a silent question hanging between us.
In its dying eyes, I saw pure hatred, a burning intensity that belied its failing strength.
It was a terrifying, yet strangely compelling gaze.
The dragon's hatred burned in its dying eyes, a searing intensity that almost made me falter. But I clenched my jaw, refusing to yield. With a fierce cry, born of grim determination, I brought the knife down in a single, decisive blow. As the Earth Dragon exhaled its final, shuddering breath, a vibrant yellow soul ring materialized in the air, pulsating with the raw power of a creature 500 years old.
As the vibrant yellow soul ring shimmered into existence, Gu Rong's voice cut through the silence, "Absorb it, Xiaosheng. I will protect you."
With a deep breath, Xiaosheng began to absorb the soul ring, its energy flowing into him; a wave of power, both exhilarating and terrifying, washed over him.
A cold dread iced my veins as Xiaosheng absorbed the soul ring.
My usually bright eyes were clouded with a fear so intense it felt physical, a suffocating weight in my chest.
I anxiously watched Grandpa Bone, silently begging him with my eyes to assure me Xiaosheng would be okay, to tell me he wasn't going to be lost to this immense power surging through him.
My hands were clenched so tightly they ached, my shoulders hunched as if to shield myself from the blow I felt was inevitably coming.
Every muscle in my body was tense, poised to react, to spring into action if needed.
My gaze was riveted on Xiaosheng, a desperate mixture of concern and a fragile hope clinging to the edge of my fear.
Grandpa Bone small, reassuring nod was like a lifeline thrown to a drowning person, a wave of fragile relief washing over me, but the underlying tension remained, a taut wire stretched to its breaking point.
The hour stretched into an eternity, each second a hammer blow against my heart, a relentless assault on my already frayed nerves.
Then, his eyes flickered open—the radiant yellow soul ring pulsating, intertwined with him like a living flame.
A sob of relief escaped my lips as I rushed to his side, my heart a frantic drum against my ribs, my hands trembling as I checked him over and over again, desperate to confirm that he was, indeed, safe.
Ning Rongrong was a whirlwind of worry, her hands flying over me, checking for any injure. I gently cupped her face, brushing away a tear, and murmured, "Hey, it's alright. I'm fine, really."
Giving her hand one last reassuring squeeze, the warmth of her touch a comfort against the icy dread in my own heart, I walked with Ning Rongrong towards Grandpa Bone, her small hand nestled securely in mine, a silent promise of support
As Ning Rongrong and I finally stood before Grandpa Bone, he looked at me expectantly. "And what is your first Soul Skill, Xiaosheng?" he asked.
I took a deep breath, a thrill of anticipation mixed with a touch of nervousness. "It's called Bone Requiem," I announced, my voice steadier than I felt. "I can summon bones—I can manipulate their shape and hardness, and control every single one I create. But," I added, a slight frown creasing my brow, "the number and power of the bones I can summon depends on how much soul power I put into it."
With a smug grin, Gu Rong declared to Xiaosheng, "This is no ordinary first soul skill. It's so powerful, it can even match some Soul Masters' second soul skills!" The subtle emphasis on "second" highlighted his self-satisfaction.
"So sorry, Little Princess," Gu Rong said, a hint of his usual arrogance still present despite the apology. "We'll have to look for your first soul skill tomorrow."
Ning Rongrong, her voice small but firm, said, "It's all right, Grandpa Bone.
A small campsite was hastily constructed, a meager shelter against the encroaching night. Xiaosheng and Ning Rongrong, exhausted from their day's journey, drifted off to sleep. Gu Rong, however, remained awake, keeping a watchful eye over them.