Chapter 145: Zhu Zhuqing's Third Soul Ring, External Soul Bone
The absorption of a ten-thousand-year soul ring was clearly not as simple as expected.
Watching Ah Du's agonized expression, the others felt a deep sense of worry. Although with Ning Bei's medicinal pills, there was no danger to life, a failed absorption would still have irreversible effects on his future cultivation.
Fortunately, Ah Du's expression was grim for a while, his veins bulging, but there were no further signs of deterioration. The group finally relaxed.
Ning Rongrong teased Xiao Wu with a playful glance.
"If this were at Shrek Academy, that useless Master would probably have made a dual martial soul out of this!"
Long Nian Bing and Ye Yin Zhu looked at Ning Rongrong in confusion, while Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but laugh.
Thinking about Master's confidence, which was inversely proportional to his cultivation, they realized he might genuinely think that way.
"Miss, why do you say Ah Du has a dual martial soul?"
Seeing their confusion, Ning Rongrong sneered and laughed.
"Isn't it because that useless Master thought it was impossible to have a second soul ring of a thousand years and a fourth soul ring of ten thousand years, so he insisted that your Xiao Wu sister had dual martial souls!"
"Huh? There are such people? Isn't that just showing off their ignorance?"
Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, agreeing with the statement.
"Exactly! He insisted that I reveal the soul skills of my other martial soul so he could 'guide' me. Where was I supposed to find another martial soul?"
It could only be said that Master and the others' attitudes disgusted the two girls, and they couldn't get over it even after leaving the academy.
Zhu Zhuqing, hearing her friends' complaints, felt a lingering gloom in her heart. She would never forget how those people had tried to force her to stay at the academy.
The two girls, understanding the painful memory resurfacing for their friend, each took her hand and gave her a comforting look.
Ah Du's soul ring absorption lasted for several hours. During that time, several careless soul beasts had attacked, but they were quickly repelled by the group. Their friendship deepened as they fought together.
When Ah Du finally finished absorbing, the group quickly gathered around.
"Ah Du, how is it? Is the soul skill useful? Also, what level is your soul power now?"
Seeing everyone staring at him, Ah Du bashfully scratched his head.
"I think this soul skill is really suitable for me. Thanks, everyone! As for my soul power, it's already level 46."
"46? That's amazing! Now, only Xiao Wu and Nian Bing are above you."
Ye Yin Zhu looked at her friend with admiration but wasn't envious. She would soon get her fourth soul ring too.
"How about your soul skill? Let us see it!"
Ah Du glanced around, hesitating before speaking.
"It's probably inherited from the Soul-devouring Beetle's abilities. The soul skill is called 'Crack the Shadow.' I can't test it yet because it needs to burrow into the enemy's body to activate."
Ning Rongrong stepped back with a look of disgust.
"Huh? You had to inherit such a gross ability? But the Soul-devouring Beetle's speed is impressive too!"
"Uh..."
Seeing Ah Du's awkwardness, Ye Yin Zhu quickly intervened.
"Miss, the Soul-devouring Beetle is known for its ability to enter the body and devour souls. We should be happy for Ah Du."
"Alright, sorry Ah Du, I shouldn't have said that."
Ning Rongrong nodded, acknowledging Ye Yin Zhu's explanation, and apologized to Ah Du.
Ah Du quickly waved his hand, signaling that he didn't mind.
"Next, let's continue helping Zhu Zhuqing find her soul ring."
The group didn't raise any objections and continued to walk towards the left side of the forest. Here, they could encounter ten-thousand-year soul beasts, so there was no need to venture deeper; they just needed to move sideways.
Perhaps it was the luck they gained from encountering the first soul beast, but less than half an hour later, they came across a 4000-year-old Shadow Magic Wolf, which was a perfect match for Zhu Zhuqing in terms of both attributes and age.
Seeing the dark beast, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up, and her claws started to twitch eagerly.
"Such good luck! Rongrong, assist me! I want to try my new soul skill!"
Ah Du, seeing that the Magic Wolf was a good match for Zhu Zhuqing, quickly released his martial soul and prepared to test his soul skill.
The group understood his intention and didn't object. Ning Rongrong quickly released her martial soul, continuing her work.
"Nine Treasures, never stop working!"
Feeling the enhanced strength and speed in his body, Ah Du smiled confidently. His third soul ring pulsed, and he disappeared from everyone's sight, blending with the ground as he quietly approached the vigilant Shadow Magic Wolf.
The Magic Wolf didn't notice Ah Du's movement and remained focused on the others.
When Ah Du was close enough, he didn't hesitate and activated his fourth soul skill, burrowing into the wolf's body.
A shadowy glow flashed across the Magic Wolf's body, and a giant scythe hovered above its head – Ah Du's martial soul.
Sensing something was wrong, the Magic Wolf began to struggle desperately, but no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't attack the enemy inside its body.
Gradually, the wolf's breath weakened, and when its soul power was nearly drained, it collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
The scythe slashed down, leaving a terrifying wound on the Magic Wolf's body.
"Wow, Ah Du, your soul skill is so sneaky!"
Xiao Wu looked at the easily defeated Shadow Magic Wolf, clicking her tongue as she looked at her little brother.
Ah Du awkwardly smiled, unsure how to respond to Xiao Wu.
It was Ye Yin Zhu who saved him from the situation.
"Miss Zhu, hurry up and finish it!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded gratefully at Ah Du, then excitedly approached the Magic Wolf. She used her Nether Claws to pierce its body, taking its life. A deep purple soul ring quietly rose.
"Thanks, everyone!"
After thanking them, Zhu Zhuqing quickly took the Heart Pulse Pills that Ning Bei had given her and sat cross-legged next to the Magic Wolf's corpse, starting to absorb the soul ring.
As before, the others surrounded her, standing guard.
Compared to Ah Du's difficult absorption of a ten-thousand-year soul ring, Zhu Zhuqing had an easier time. After all, a thousand-year soul beast was less powerful than a ten-thousand-year one, so there wasn't as much soul impact.
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing only had a slight tremble in her body, everyone relaxed, confident that the absorption would succeed without any issues.
Minutes passed, and the purple soul ring on her body grew stronger, indicating that the absorption was nearing completion.
Just as everyone let their guard down, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly let out a painful groan.
The group quickly looked toward her with worried expressions.
Suddenly, her right arm exploded from the sleeve, and a vicious claw appeared.
"Is that a soul bone?"
Ah Du looked at Zhu Zhuqing's right hand in surprise, turning to Ye Yin Zhu for clarification.
Before he could respond, Ning Rongrong's shocked exclamation drew their attention.
"This isn't just any soul bone, it's an external soul bone, second only to a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. Given the position, it should be a right-hand external soul bone."
Hearing Ning Rongrong's explanation, the others were even more surprised, looking at Zhu Zhuqing with admiration.
After several more minutes, Zhu Zhuqing finally opened her eyes.
(END CHAPTER)
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