Strength Amplification

During the process of absorbing the soul ring, Chen Yuan felt that he had managed to refine the immense energy that surged into his body without too much danger.

However, to an outside observer, the process was fraught with peril.

From the moment he began absorbing the soul ring, his body started to swell, like a balloon being inflated. His complexion grew increasingly pale, as if he might explode at any moment.

Ning Rongrong, seeing this, grew worried. She tightly gripped Chen Xin's sleeve and asked anxiously. "Grandpa Sword, is Chen Yuan… going to be okay…?"

Chen Xin was also somewhat concerned, fearing that Chen Yuan might not be able to absorb the soul ring of the 400-year-old Saber-Toothed Beast. However, in front of Ning Rongrong, he couldn't express his worries. Instead, he confidently reassured her. "Rongrong, you've seen how seriously Chen Yuan has trained over the past 40 days. A 400-year-old Saber-Toothed Beast's soul ring won't be enough to defeat him."

Ning Rongrong nodded, but a trace of worry still lingered in her eyes. Chen Yuan was the first person to promise to protect her, and she truly didn't want anything bad to happen to him.

With Chen Xin guarding them, no creatures—snakes, insects, rats, or ants—dared to approach. In the quiet waiting, Chen Yuan eventually overcame the crisis. His swollen body returned to normal, and it seemed he would wake up soon.

However, it took another hour before Chen Yuan finally opened his eyes. A flash of sword light seemed to pass through his gaze before his eyes returned to their usual clarity.

Chen Yuan stood up in one swift motion, and a yellow soul ring rose from his feet, rotating around him and glowing brilliantly.

He turned to Chen Xin and said gratefully. "Thank you, Master. I've successfully absorbed the Saber-Toothed Beast's soul ring!"

Chen Xin maintained a calm expression, as if he had expected this outcome. However, he still nodded with satisfaction and praised.

"Not bad. What are the specific effects of your first soul skill?"

Chen Yuan had no intention of hiding anything. Hearing the question, he answered truthfully.

"My first soul skill enhances the sharpness of the Seven Kill Sword, strengthening its cutting and tearing abilities, and increases its attack power by 40%."

After saying this, Chen Yuan glanced around and walked over to a large tree that required two people to wrap their arms around. He stood with his sword and said solemnly.

"First soul skill—The Sword Emerges!"

Immediately, his first soul ring lit up, and at the same time, invisible streams of air coiled around the Seven Kill Sword. Though the streams were invisible, their sound was unmistakable.

"Kill!"

With a light shout, Chen Yuan swung his sword horizontally. A cold light flashed, and the Seven Kill Sword cut through the tree as effortlessly as a hot knife through butter.

The smoothness of the cut made Chen Yuan's eyes shine brighter. Previously, the 400-year-old Saber-Toothed Beast had made him hesitant to engage in direct combat. But now, if he encountered a similar soul beast, he would dare to face it head-on.

Absorbing just one soul ring had brought Chen Yuan comprehensive growth—strength, speed, reflexes, explosiveness… and especially the tremendous boost from his first soul skill, which was nothing short of astonishing.

At this moment, the tree finally split into two parts and, under the force of gravity, toppled to the side.

Chen Yuan quickly stepped back, not wanting to be hit by the ten-meter-tall falling tree.

With a loud *bang*, the tree crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and revealing the clean, smooth cut.

Ning Rongrong was deeply impressed and clapped her hands, exclaiming in a sweet voice.

"Brother Chen Yuan, that sword strike was amazing!"

Even Chen Xin showed a hint of surprise. He glanced at the Saber-Toothed Beast and said.

"Your first soul skill is even stronger than mine was back then. It seems this Saber-Toothed Beast's age was significantly higher than 400 years."

By now, Chen Yuan had already retracted his martial soul and returned to Ning Rongrong's side. He smiled and said. "Master, now that I've obtained my first soul ring, it's time to help Rongrong get hers."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Rongrong's face lit up with anticipation. She looked at Chen Xin and said in a sweet, pleading tone.

"Grandpa Sword, which soul beast are we hunting for me?"

Chen Xin smiled and began walking as he explained.

"Let's go. The soul beast I've chosen for you is one from the Giant Ape tribe in this Soul Hunting Forest. Strength-attribute soul beasts provide strength amplification. For your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the most perfect combination of seven soul rings has long been determined: strength amplification, speed amplification, soul power amplification, defense amplification, attack amplification, attribute amplification, and the most important—Martial Soul True Body!"

Behind him, Ning Rongrong and Chen Yuan quickly followed.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could only accommodate seven soul rings. The seventh soul ring was fixed as the Martial Soul True Body, and the optimal use of the first six soul rings to achieve the most comprehensive amplification had already been proven.

After walking for a while, the three of them stopped. The surrounding forest echoed with roars.

Moments later, numerous figures leaped into view, surrounding them from all directions—on the ground and in the trees.

As they drew closer, their true forms were revealed. They were all grayish-brown, muscular, humanoid soul beasts—Giant Apes.

There were dozens, if not hundreds, of them, all roaring incessantly. The noise was deafening and intimidating, as if they were trying to drive away the intruders.

Chen Xin simply let out a cold snort, and his soul power pressure swept out. A Titled Douluo's aura was comparable to that of a 100,000-year soul beast, and it was utterly terrifying.

In an instant, the dozens of Giant Apes that had dared to approach fled in panic, retreating even faster than they had come. Most of these Giant Apes were only a few decades old, and they had no intention of staying after sensing Chen Xin's overwhelming presence.

As they fled, Chen Xin's sharp eyes locked onto one Giant Ape that was over 300 years old.

"Yuan'er, protect Rongrong!"

With those words, Chen Xin shot forward like a gust of wind, chasing after the 300-year-old Giant Ape.

Chen Yuan shielded Ning Rongrong and remained vigilant, though there was little to be wary of. Any creature capable of fleeing had already been scared off by Chen Xin's aura.

Ning Rongrong's lips curled into a smile. Her large, watery eyes looked at Chen Yuan, who, though not particularly tall, stood firmly in front of her, shielding her. For some reason, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.

In just a few moments, a white figure flashed back. With a loud *thud*, a Giant Ape landed heavily on the ground, clearly unconscious. Chen Xin landed gracefully, like an immortal descending from the heavens.

After landing smoothly, Chen Xin waved his hand, and a beautifully decorated short sword appeared in his grasp from his storage soul tool.

Looking at Ning Rongrong, Chen Xin smiled warmly, unlike the stern expression he often wore when dealing with Chen Yuan. He encouraged her in a gentle tone. "Rongrong, take this short sword and kill this soul beast. Its soul ring will be yours."

Ning Rongrong stepped out from behind Chen Yuan and reached out to take the short sword. She didn't forget to thank Chen Xin.

"Thank you, Grandpa Sword!"

(End of Chapter)

Word Count : 1,265

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