Unknowingly, more than twenty days had passed since Yan had last parted ways with Xie Yue and Hu Liena.
During this period, Yan had immersed himself completely in cultivation. Through deep contemplation and countless experiments, he finally succeeded in creating his own unique killing move—Blazing Sand Prison.
This technique was astonishingly powerful. It fused fire and sand into one, forming a blazing inferno that imprisoned his enemies within.
After repeated combat trials, Yan had grown increasingly proficient at deploying this move, and the power of the Blazing Sand Prison continued to rise.
He knew well that as his personal strength advanced, the terrifying might of this self-created skill would only become more pronounced.
Thus, he resolved to train even harder, striving to achieve another breakthrough in the shortest possible time—to become stronger.
Since obtaining his fourth soul ring, Yan could clearly feel that his soul power had undergone a qualitative transformation.
When cultivating in combination with his Tai Chi Circulation Technique, his soul power flowed with greater smoothness and efficiency, producing markedly enhanced results.
That night, after finishing his cultivation, Yan decided that he would set out at dawn to find Xie Yue and Hu Liena.
By his reckoning, the three of them had already been in the Death Canyon for two months.
When they had first arrived, Bibi Dong had given them three months in total.
Both he and Xie Yue had already broken through level 40 and obtained their fourth soul rings within just over a month.
He guessed that by now, Hu Liena should have achieved her breakthrough as well.
Deep within the canyon
A sharp cry echoed through the darkness as a cunning and ferocious Dark Demon Black Fox fell beneath Hu Liena's blade.
Hu Liena had successfully broken through level 40, and while searching for a suitable soul beast, she had encountered this creature.
The Dark Demon Black Fox's attributes perfectly matched her martial soul.
These beasts preferred solitude, appearing only at night like ghosts slipping through the shadows.
Although they lacked formidable offensive power, their elusive stealth techniques and cunning minds made them masters of survival even within the perilous depths of the canyon.
The one they faced now possessed roughly five thousand years of cultivation—a rare and ideal match for Hu Liena.
She naturally could not afford to miss such an opportunity.
Brother and sister had pursued the fox for several hours before finally cornering it and, working together, brought it down. In the end, Hu Liena struck the killing blow.
The prolonged battle left them both panting heavily from exhaustion, but the thrill of success after such effort filled Hu Liena with elation.
"Brother, that Dark Demon Black Fox was really sly! It made us chase it all night!"
"Yeah, it wasn't easy," Xie Yue replied, wiping the sweat from his face as he gazed at the slain fox with satisfaction.
"Still, we finally got it. Our hard work paid off."
As they spoke, a cluster of purple mist slowly rose from the fox's corpse, condensing into a resplendent purple soul ring that floated in the air.
Excitement flickered across Xie Yue's face.
"Liena, dawn's coming soon. Adjust your state quickly and start absorbing the ring. I'll stand guard for you."
"Alright."
Hu Liena sat cross-legged beneath the purple ring, regulating her breath before beginning the absorption process.
Once her aura stabilized, Xie Yue relaxed, seated himself nearby, and started meditating to recover his own soul power while keeping watch.
Dawn broke on the horizon.
With the external spirit bone granting him the power of flight, it wasn't difficult for Yan to locate the siblings within the canyon.
Unfolding his Flame Wings, he soared through the air with effortless speed, soon sensing Xie Yue's presence.
He descended about two hundred meters away, his aura quickly detected by Xie Yue.
Recognizing the familiar energy signature, Xie Yue stood up, eyes lighting with excitement.
"Yan, is that you?"
Moments later, Yan strode toward him.
Noticing Hu Liena in the midst of soul ring absorption, he instantly understood the situation.
"Yan, you're here."
"Yeah. How's Liena? Looks like she's been at it for a while."
Xie Yue grinned teasingly.
"What, you actually care about her now? If you'd come a day earlier, you could've joined us in hunting that Dark Demon Black Fox."
"You hunted a Dark Demon Black Fox?"
"Mm. We chased it for hours before finally taking it down."
Yan nodded approvingly.
"That kind of soul beast suits Liena perfectly. I wonder what soul skill she'll gain from it."
Glancing at his sister, still absorbing the ring, Xie Yue smiled.
"I'm curious too. She should be nearly done."
"Come on," Yan said, raising an eyebrow. "Let's sit for a bit. I caught a rabbit earlier—let's roast it."
Seeing the half-meter-long rabbit in Yan's hand, Xie Yue looked genuinely surprised.
"In a place like Death Canyon, filled with savage beasts, you actually managed to catch a rabbit?"
"Just lucky," Yan replied calmly.
Xie Yue laughed.
"Still blaming luck, huh? Well, your luck's treating us well today—we'll finally have a proper meal! Haha!"
The two started a campfire a short distance away, roasting the rabbit as they chatted about their recent experiences.
As time passed, Hu Liena finally completed the absorption.
The moment she opened her eyes, the air was thick with a rich, savory aroma. Looking up, she saw her brother and Yan enjoying roasted meat by the fire and quickly stood, hurrying over.
"Brother, what meat is that? It smells amazing!"
Seeing his sister awake, Xie Yue's face lit up with relief and joy.
"Liena, you're done absorbing it! It's rabbit—Yan caught it. Sit down and eat while it's still hot."
Hu Liena's gaze swept briefly over Yan before she sat.
The long chase and the taxing ring absorption had left her drained and starving.
After a few mouthfuls of tender rabbit, she finally felt her strength returning.
"Brother, this rabbit's delicious!"
"Right? Yan caught it himself," Xie Yue replied with a grin.
"Oh."
Hu Liena stole a quick glance at Yan, who was calmly chewing his meat. A faint spark of delight flickered in her heart—it felt as though the Yan she once knew had returned.
Back when the three of them first entered Death Canyon to train, it had always been Yan who took responsibility for finding wild game, often doing so willingly—just to satisfy Hu Liena's appetite.
But this time was different. He hadn't shown his usual gentle attentiveness or offered her the best portion. Instead, he simply ate alongside them, silent and composed.
As they ate, Xie Yue suddenly asked,
"Liena, how much did your soul power increase after absorbing that ring?"
"About a level and a half, the same as you, Brother."
"A level and a half? That's great. What's your fourth soul skill?"
Hu Liena gracefully set down the
bone she'd been holding, wiped the corner of her mouth, and said excitedly,
"My fourth soul skill is an invisibility ability—it's called Invisible Body."
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