That night, Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying checked into a hotel outside the city. After spending some time enjoying themselves, the two shared another blissful night together.
The next morning, they returned to Dugu Bo's residence looking refreshed and energetic. Preparations were made to head to the Sunset Forest with Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin so that Dugu Xin could obtain his next soul ring. Once Dugu Xin advanced to Soul Saint, they would then proceed to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, using its unique environment to help Yin Zhang completely absorb the remaining medicinal power of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot hidden within his body.
The night before, after a good rest, Yin Zhang had refined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pearl. Not only did his mental strength increase dramatically, he also gained a brand-new soul skill—one based on mental power.
Yin Zhang named this soul skill Mental Storm.
This was not a single-target mental attack, but an area-of-effect soul skill.
Once activated, it unleashed a violent storm of mental energy. Any Soul Master within the affected area would be impacted by it—the closer they were to the center, the greater the effect. The damage it caused depended primarily on the target's own mental strength.
If used correctly, it was an extremely powerful soul skill—perhaps even one worthy of being called divine.
At present, the sheer number of soul skills Yin Zhang possessed meant that he could be considered the Soul Master with the most soul skills in the history of the Douluo Continent.
Soul Skills:
Dragon Claw, Double Team, Azure Flame Shield (soul ring), Flamethrower, Fire Dragon Evasion Kill (soul ring), Dragon Tail, Crimson Flame Roar (soul ring), Sunny Day, Solar Beam, Mirror Move, Roost, Fire Dragon Flying Slash (soul ring), Dragon God Transformation, Dragon Rush, Draco Meteor, Outrage, Mental Storm.
Seventeen soul skills in total.
Even a Soul Master with twin martial souls, before becoming a god, would need to attach nine soul rings to each martial soul—excluding soul bone abilities—to reach such a number.
Yet Yin Zhang was currently only a Soul Ancestor. He hadn't even reached Soul King yet.
Thinking of this, a smile tugged at the corners of Yin Zhang's mouth.
As for the exact level of his mental strength, even Yin Zhang himself wasn't sure.
Regarding mental strength in the Douluo world, he only knew about the four realms of Tang San's Purple Demon Eye from the first era. In later eras, mental strength was often measured in relation to soul power ranks.
What level he was actually at, Yin Zhang couldn't say. And in terms of mental-type attacks, he currently possessed only Mental Storm.
"All right, since everyone's here, let's set off," Dugu Bo said, glancing around the courtyard with satisfaction.
Yin Zhang nodded lightly. "Mm. Let's go."
The night before, after everything had settled, Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying had each written a letter.
Yin Zhang's letter explained why he and Qiangu Yunying would be staying in Heaven Dou for the time being. He also left things deliberately vague, mentioning that he would bring Golden Crocodile a surprise once he returned to Spirit Hall.
Although that "surprise" might be leaked once Qiangu Yuan and the others left Heaven Dou and returned to Spirit City, Yin Zhang felt that the waiting wouldn't matter much to Golden Crocodile.
After all, the man had spent decades in the Hall of Worship—waiting a little longer meant nothing.
That letter was naturally addressed to Golden Crocodile.
Qiangu Yunying's letter, on the other hand, was written to her father, Qiangu Yuan. She explained that the two of them would be staying at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for several months. If they returned to Heaven Dou, they could come directly to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in the Sunset Forest to find them and talk in person.
"Martial Soul Possession!"
Yin Zhang summoned his martial soul—Charizard. Once possessed, he lifted Qiangu Yunying into his arms. Though the hardened dragon scales were a bit uncomfortable at first, the warmth radiating from the crimson scales quickly spread through her body, making her feel cozy instead. Under Yin Zhang's control, the scales softened, ensuring she wouldn't feel any discomfort during the flight.
Dugu Xin, on the other hand, was far less fortunate.
While Dugu Bo had been frantic and even shed tears when Dugu Xin's life was in danger, once the crisis passed, his attitude changed completely.
This time, since Dugu Xin had just reached Soul Saint and still couldn't fly, he could only stand atop the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor with Dugu Bo's assistance, flying from Heaven Dou City toward the Sunset Forest.
Yin Zhang's speed at this point could only be described as terrifying. With a single flap of his wings, he could cross dozens of meters instantly, his wingbeats rapid and powerful—faster than a fighter jet.
He had no intention of traveling alongside Dugu Bo, whose flying speed was noticeably slower.
Watching the small black dot in the distance—the retreating figure carrying Qiangu Yunying—Dugu Bo couldn't help but turn to Dugu Xin beside him, his tone full of frustration.
"Look at your Uncle Zhang! You've completely made me lose face. Your Uncle Zhang is practically at the Sunset Forest already with your Aunt Qiangu, and because of you, I'm lagging behind!"
Dugu Xin, a grown man, could only turn his head away in silence.
Dad, can you not compare us like this?
When you were my age, you weren't even as strong as I am now!
He complained inwardly, but didn't dare say a word out loud. Decades of his father's authority weren't something he could challenge.
Meanwhile, Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying had already arrived at the Sunset Forest. They landed in an open area and waited for Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin to catch up.
Qiangu Yunying yawned lazily, her tone slightly helpless. "I wonder how long we'll have to stay at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. I really hope you can finish absorbing everything quickly, Xiao Zhang."
Yin Zhang laughed softly. "What's wrong, Sister Yunying? Don't you like cultivating with me in the valley, living a life cut off from the outside world?"
Qiangu Yunying froze for a moment, then quickly laughed awkwardly. "Of course I like it! How could I not? Hehe."
Yin Zhang didn't press the issue and simply continued waiting for Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin.
After some time, he looked into the distance. "They're here."
"Here?" Qiangu Yunying asked curiously. "Brother Bo and the others?"
"Mm. Ever since I absorbed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pearl, my mental strength has improved a lot. Under normal conditions, I can sense everything within a five-hundred-meter radius."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a small black dot appeared in the distance.
Qiangu Yunying stared for two seconds before recognizing Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin.
Once they arrived, Dugu Bo spoke without wasting any time. "I know a place that definitely has a suitable soul beast for Xin'er. I'll take you there."
Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying didn't object and followed Dugu Bo toward the upper-right region of the Sunset Forest's core area.
Their destination was a place known as Golden Canyon.
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