Although Xiao Lin trusted the insight of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, he wasn't entirely convinced that the two Dragon Kings could really evolve the power of Chaotic Qi.
Still, no matter what—
According to their explanation, this twenty-thousand-year Chaotic Right Leg Bone was already no weaker than an ordinary one-hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Lin directly fused the Chaotic Right Leg Bone into his right leg.
Soul bones were truly mysterious.
All Xiao Lin had to do was place the leg bone beside his right leg. With just the thought of absorbing it, the soul bone merged into his body—becoming part of him.
"Good, good, good! Xiao Lin, by absorbing this soul bone, you can already be said to have laid the foundation for becoming a god."
The Ice Dragon King burst out in hearty laughter at the sight.
"The so-called Chaotic Qi—it is the source of matter and energy at the very birth of a newborn world."
"It contains boundless energy, enough to create and destroy worlds, and even influence time and space itself."
"It is the origin of all things, and thus it can also draw upon the energy and matter of all things to strengthen itself."
"It was once part of the immense power possessed by the Dragon God."
"Xiao Lin, there is no need to worry. Our combined Ice and Fire energies are enough to strengthen your right leg bone to the hundred-thousand-year level."
The two Dragon Kings explained piece by piece the greatness of Chaotic Qi.
But one thing still puzzled Xiao Lin—if the combined power of the two Dragon Kings could only raise it to the hundred-thousand-year level, then how had the Comet Snow Wolf managed to strengthen its soul bone so much?
How had it cultivated a soul bone to the twenty-thousand-year level in the first place?
With this doubt lingering, Xiao Lin asked the Dragon Kings directly.
Unfortunately, they couldn't give him a clear answer on that matter.
But soon after, Xiao Lin found his own explanation from the ability granted by his soul bone.
His right leg bone's soul skill was called Chaotic Magnetic Field—or, in a more advanced sense, Chaotic Domain.
Of course, with the bone only at the twenty-thousand-year level now, it could not truly be called a "domain."
The effect of the Chaotic Magnetic Field was that it condensed a special field of Chaotic Qi around Xiao Lin's body. This field could disassemble enemy attacks into their most primitive state—nullifying the attack—and then convert that energy to strengthen Xiao Lin himself.
In short: attacks were nullified, and Xiao Lin was enhanced.
In a sense, it was similar to "devouring," except this was a proactive defense skill.
Realizing this, Xiao Lin couldn't help but think of a possibility—
"Could it be… the Comet Snow Wolf absorbed its own kind?"
That explanation made some sense. But other details didn't fit.
With such overwhelming power, why had the Comet Snow Wolf still been injured by those Fallen?
And how had Xiao Lin managed to kill it in an instant?
Puzzled, Xiao Lin questioned the two Dragon Kings again.
This time, they gave him a perfect explanation.
It turned out Chaotic Qi could indeed strengthen one's body without side effects. But this ability wasn't meant purely for attack or defense.
In fact, most of the Comet Snow Wolf's cultivation had been nurtured by Chaotic Qi.
As for the Chaotic Magnetic Field's defensive and devouring capabilities—they had limits.
The field couldn't protect Xiao Lin from attacks by a Soul King.
And once Xiao Lin himself reached the Soul King level, it still couldn't defend against a Soul Emperor.
Because the skill was meant for Xiao Lin to strengthen himself, not to endlessly block others.
The so-called "magnetic field" wasn't truly Chaotic Qi's magnetic field, but Xiao Lin's own life field, with Chaotic Qi merely granting it the Chaotic attribute.
As the Dragon Kings explained: once Xiao Lin devoured the essence of powerful soul beasts, the leg bone would perfectly absorb their energy and use it to nourish his body.
As Xiao Lin grew stronger, his own magnetic field would naturally grow stronger as well.
Now that he understood the true might of his Chaotic Right Leg Bone, Xiao Lin had nothing more to say.
The first thought that came to mind was—the divine power of the Sea God.
"Let the Sea God's divine power come at me even fiercer."
And then, the bodies of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings—he suddenly had the urge to eat dragon meat. (Wry smile.)
The Real World
The moment Xiao Lin opened his eyes, Donnie and the others immediately asked with concern:
"How was it, Xiao Lin? What kind of soul bone skill is it?"
"Mm, not bad. It's a defensive-type soul bone skill."
"It should be able to perfectly block any attack from opponents of the same level."
Xiao Lin didn't know the exact details, so he only gave a watered-down version of the skill's effect.
Even with this "weakened" description, Xiao Lin still wasn't sure if it could be paired with his ability to fight without consuming soul power.
If it could, then Xiao Lin would essentially be able to keep his Chaotic Magnetic Field active twenty-four hours a day.
In reality though, the Chaotic Magnetic Field couldn't remain permanently active.
But passively, it did grant Xiao Lin significant resistance to energy—about 50% resistance.
That meant any same-level attack would only deal half its damage to him.
Adding that to his indestructible Vajra-like soul power and his blood-energy shield, Xiao Lin couldn't even imagine who could break through his defenses anymore.
When Donnie and the others heard Xiao Lin's "weakened" description, they were all stunned.
With such a soul skill, even the Shi brothers had to admit they were outclassed.
Still, considering the likely consumption of such a powerful skill, they accepted it.
"So, what's our next move?"
Donnie suddenly asked.
Though she didn't speak much, everyone present had been through countless life-and-death crises together. They were comrades who trusted each other completely.
They all understood what she meant—
Should they go destroy that base?
"Do you even need to ask?"
Xiao Lin's lips curved into a smile, faint flames flickering in his eyes.
To receive an attack and not return it—that would be disgraceful!
How many times had they already been ambushed?
If they didn't retaliate now, where would their pride be?
As for that "boss" who was at least Soul Sage level, perhaps even a bizarre spiritual-type control soul master—that was someone they had no means to deal with for now. That was why they hadn't made a move against him.
But the people inside the base? Why not?
"I agree to go. But we need to investigate their abilities first."
Even Ye Lingling, a support-type healing soul master, chose not to back down. Naturally, the Shi brothers wouldn't either.
"We don't know exactly what kind of experts they have. If they have a Soul King, I alone can protect Ye Lingling. If it's a Soul Emperor, the two of us brothers can hold them off for a short time."
Shi Mo spoke seriously.
With the strength of their martial souls and perfect coordination, only Soul Emperors could truly threaten them.
A Soul King would first have to exhaust their soul power before attempting to land a fatal blow.
Of course, if the opponent's martial soul was top-tier or their skills were strange, then Shi Mo's words wouldn't necessarily hold true.
They were geniuses, yes—but there were always stronger geniuses out there. If such people were higher level than them, even they couldn't withstand it.
"As long as it's not a Soul Emperor, I can take one down by myself. And if it comes to it, give me enough time and I can kill them anyway."
Donnie added confidently.
She trusted her own strength completely. Even if she started at a disadvantage, by enduring injuries, she could ultimately win.
She was essentially a self-harming berserker battle soul master.
"Perfect. I can ambush one Soul King and kill them instantly."
Xiao Lin added.
He still wasn't sure how wide the gap between him and a Soul Emperor really was, so he could only say this. If things turned dire, he would use his trump cards.
(End of Chapter)