This Four-Winged Sky Soaring Dragon had a complete set of seven reverse scales, with the eighth scale yet to grow. If there were an immature eighth scale, it would differ visibly from the others. Thus, this Four-Winged Sky Soaring Dragon's age had just recently surpassed 700 years.
Theoretically, Ye Wen could absorb its soul ring.
However, part of the reason why Yu Xiaogang was infamous stemmed from his so-called "soul ring absorption theory." This theory was based on the most talented individuals risking their lives to test the limits. Otherwise, how could the numbers be so precise, almost as if they were Guinness World Records?
In the past, many commoner soul masters attempted it, resulting in countless deaths. Even Wang Sheng and other non-soul masters despised him for it.
Huo Rui had naturally investigated Ye Wen's background. When she learned that Ye Wen's innate soul power was only half of what was expected, she initially looked down on him. However, upon discovering that Ye Wen's potential wasn't as superficial as it seemed, she eventually accepted the reality of Ye Wen being together with Huo Yu'er.
Moreover, Huo Rui, as a Soul Douluo, had her own pride. Even if Ye Wen wanted to attempt Yu Xiaogang's dubious theory of absorbing soul rings, she wouldn't object. Her spiritual power ensured that she could interrupt the absorption process immediately if anything went wrong, at the cost of leaving Ye Wen with some internal injuries.
But that was under normal circumstances.
When Ye Wen informed her of the exact age of the Four-Winged Sky Soaring Dragon, Huo Rui glanced apologetically at Ye Wen, who was covered in wounds. In this state, absorbing the soul ring was out of the question.
However, this posed no challenge for Huo Rui. She simply picked up the Four-Winged Sky Soaring Dragon and headed with Ye Wen to the nearest Hunter's Town.
Upon arriving, Ye Wen immediately sensed many unfriendly gazes.
Though the Four-Winged Sky Soaring Dragon was a rare variant soul beast, that didn't stop knowledgeable soul masters from recognizing it as a powerful dragon-blooded soul beast—and one that hadn't been killed yet.
As everyone knew, anything remotely connected to dragons was considered a treasure across the multiverse. Soon, some opportunists began plotting to intercept them.
"Miss, your soul beast is impressive. We're from the Ghost Hand Soul Hunters—"
Before the speaker could finish, he was met with an overwhelming surge of soul power.
The next second, he was speechless, staring dumbfounded at Huo Rui's terrifying eight soul rings, perfectly aligned.
Because her younger family member had just faced life-and-death peril, Huo Rui's mood was especially foul. Though she couldn't kill indiscriminately, she coldly snapped:
"Scram! Keep yapping, and you'll die!"
"Yikes!!!" The person directly targeted by Huo Rui wet himself in fear, letting out an embarrassing sound. Realizing his humiliating state, he quickly covered his face and fled in shame.
Soon, news of a Soul Douluo's arrival spread throughout the Hunter's Town, causing the previously chaotic town to fall into line.
In the extraordinary world, strength was law, and might made right. At the level of a Soul Douluo, unless one offended the royal family, they were practically untouchable in any nation.
Hmm, though anyone who truly acted recklessly at this level would've already been chased to the Slaughter City by the Spirit Hall, which was why the Douluo continent maintained overall peace.
Soon, Huo Rui found a soul master with healing abilities in the town and had them treat Ye Wen.
In just moments, Ye Wen, who had looked battered and bruised, was restored to a healthy state—aside from a few lingering bloodstains. However, he had lost a significant amount of blood and needed replenishment.
This was no issue either. While medical care in the Douluo continent was lacking, research into replenishing soul masters' vitality and medicinal herbs was quite advanced. Soon, Ye Wen's group found a high-end restaurant in town and began feasting heartily.
As for the captured Four-Winged Sky Soaring Dragon…
Though Yu Xiaogang once claimed that soul beasts were extremely proud and would never submit to humans—even committing suicide if captured—in the face of absolute power, such notions were mere luxuries.
The moment it woke up, before its mind could even clear, Huo Rui knocked it unconscious and suppressed it further.
Moreover, a hundred-year-old soul beast, even a rare sub-dragon type, stood no chance against a Soul Douluo. Any attempt to self-destruct would be detected instantly by the slightest movement of energy. Suicide? Forget about it!
By the next day, Ye Wen's body had fully recovered. After a brief warm-up, he began absorbing the second soul ring under the watchful eyes of Huo Rui and Huo Yu'er.
This time, Ye Wen didn't separate from Nana's martial soul to let it absorb the ring independently. Instead, he first activated his first soul skill, Armament, and then began drawing the soul ring onto himself.
The Armament soul skill wasn't just armor; it was also a parasitic skill that could permeate his body, enhancing speed and strength.
The moment the soul ring enveloped him, Ye Wen felt a foreign energy seeping through his martial soul into his meridians, beginning to circulate within his body—just like the descriptions in novels.
The shackles of the world's rules broke at this moment. Ye Wen felt his soul power, which had stagnated after breaking through level 20, undergo new changes.
Level 21… Level 22…
Ultimately, it was just a hundred-year soul ring, offering limited enhancement. Reaching level 23 still seemed far off.
However, Ye Wen understood the allure. No wonder Tang San constantly sought the highest-age soul rings—he could leap several levels in one go, bringing him closer to the next major breakthrough. Such progress was tempting for any cultivator.
But each soul master's condition was unique, and the acceptable soul ring age varied accordingly. Only Tang San, backed by the advanced Xuan Tian Gong cultivation technique, could avoid self-destruction during these risky attempts. Otherwise, Yu Xiaogang's experiments would've ended him long ago.
Thinking about this, Ye Wen couldn't help but chuckle.
If that had happened, the Douluo world might have ended prematurely. Tang Hao, having lost all hope, would've crushed Yu Xiaogang in retaliation. Then, too afraid to confront the Spirit Hall, he might've stormed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect instead—a truly dramatic turn of events.
However, Huo Rui and Huo Yu'er didn't know what Ye Wen was laughing about. They assumed his joy stemmed from acquiring a desirable soul skill.
But seeing the usually composed Ye Wen laugh aloud piqued Huo Rui's curiosity. She asked:
"Xiao Wen, what soul skill has you so delighted?"
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.