Xiao Lin's "sacrifice" caused Donnie and the others to feel a twinge of guilt.
But soon, Xiao Lin smiled and told everyone not to worry too much.
"How many soul masters in this world can collect a complete set of soul bones?"
"Besides the Martial Soul Hall, even the top three sects like Haotian Sect probably can't complete a full set."
Hearing Xiao Lin comforting them, Donnie and the others felt even more uneasy.
"Then why not let me use this soul bone? Using it wouldn't be a waste, and I'm not weak either."
At this, Donnie suddenly spoke.
If she absorbed the soul bone and became stronger, their team would have an easier time facing the enemy.
"I could absorb it too, but I won't be of much help."
Ye Lingling said the same, though her voice quickly weakened.
She was just an ordinary healer-type support soul master. Even if she absorbed the soul bone, it wouldn't make much difference.
Seeing the way the others wanted to help, Xiao Lin's mood lifted a little.
He, of course, realized that Donnie and Ye Lingling were not freeloaders.
Xiao Lin smiled and handed the soul bone to Donnie. Then, he spoke seriously:
"Donnie, don't absorb this soul bone unless it's absolutely necessary."
Xiao Lin wasn't unwilling to part with a ten-thousand-year-old soul bone. He simply had confidence in defeating the enemy and didn't want Donnie to waste her potential.
Honestly, if he were alone in this extreme northern land, his chances of success would be even higher.
If he couldn't win, he could run. If he could, he could ambush.
One enemy killed per ambush was a gain. If he ran into the far north, he didn't believe anyone would dare pursue him.
And if he were alone, he could unleash his full firepower.
"Alright, we'll follow the plan for an ambush. I'll take the lead."
"If I manage to kill one of the enemies with a sneak attack, you draw their attention."
"If I don't, continue to retreat. If I can't win, I'll escape to the far north and draw them away."
"I guarantee your safety."
As Xiao Lin finished speaking, Ye Lingling's vision blurred.
"Xiao Lin~"
She couldn't help calling out. She really couldn't bear for Xiao Lin to cover them.
"Quiet. This is the plan. I'm the captain, I decide."
Xiao Lin stopped Ye Lingling's sentimentality and said firmly, "Alright, I'm going first."
With that, he summoned the Qiu Long Staff, and four soul rings at his feet flickered simultaneously.
The soul power of one yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring surged into Xiao Lin's body.
In the next moment, an ice-blue comet-like tail blazed behind him as he disappeared from their view.
"Donnie, what should we do?"
Ye Lingling still worried about Xiao Lin and looked to Donnie.
"There's nothing to discuss. We can only help him."
Donnie clenched the soul bone in her hand and turned to chase Xiao Lin.
Ye Lingling and the Shi brothers watched Donnie's disappearing golden figure silently.
After a while, Shimo spoke:
"Let's go. We'll leave now. This time difference is enough to confirm whether Xiao Lin's sneak attack succeeds."
As Shimo finished speaking, Ye Lingling wiped her eyes and choked out:
"Let's go. We're going to help Xiao Lin."
As defensive and healing-type soul masters, they couldn't let Xiao Lin be distracted. Now was the perfect time to return.
…
Elsewhere.
Xiao Lin, moving at full speed, returned near the base in less than a minute.
Without further delay, he faced the four cadres and charged straight at them.
He appeared with dazzling lightning and an ice-blue comet tail blazing behind him.
Soon, he attracted the attention of Bett and others who were recovering their soul power.
"Interesting. He doesn't run from four of us, but charges at us instead?"
"It's just a small soul sect. Does he think he can defeat us with barely half our soul power?"
Bett and the others laughed, hands on hips, joking around, clearly unaware of the seriousness.
"I'll handle this guy. I love bullying geniuses."
Brock chuckled. Being the strongest in soul power present, his words carried weight — the others had no objection.
"Xi Lan Hua, don't underestimate them. They destroyed our base."
Angsh still felt uneasy and warned:
"I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice."
Brock sneered, ignoring Angsh completely.
Yet instinctively, as a soul master, he activated Martial Soul possession the moment Xiao Lin charged him.
"Ice Rock Spirit Fusion!"
In an instant, Brock's already muscular body fused with a thick layer of ice rock, making his bulk seem even larger.
To anyone unfamiliar with the Ice Rock Spirit, Brock looked like a purely defensive fighter.
In reality, after Martial Soul possession, Brock stood three meters tall.
Thick ice-rock gauntlets protected his fists. Even top-tier defensive beast Martial Souls would find attacking him troublesome.
The Ice Rock Spirit strengthens its attack as its ice-rock diminishes. Brock's Martial Soul followed the same rule. He even had a skill to reduce his ice-rock defense to increase attack.
"Fourth soul skill: Flowing Fragment Rock Fist."
Xiao Lin, wielding the Qiu Long Staff, charged at Brock at incredible speed and saw Brock activate a purple soul skill.
Water surged around Brock's ice-rock gauntlets, enlarging them.
Clearly, the soul ring was chosen for the extreme northern environment. The freezing water fragments could further enhance his attack.
Thinking this, Xiao Lin activated his Spirit Weapon True Form as he approached Brock.
In the next second, a dazzling blue light flashed across Xiao Lin. The golden and ice-blue flame cores in his chest fused.
Finally, his fourth soul ring activated again.
The Qiu Long Staff became enveloped in ice-blue flames.
"This speed! Black soul ring?"
Pat and the others were blinded by the lightning, shocked, and lost their casual stance.
"Bad. Brock's going all out."
Pat and the others hurriedly warned, sensing danger they couldn't explain.
"Martial Soul possession!"
Pat, Bett, and Angsh all activated Martial Souls to assist Brock.
But Xiao Lin, using Spirit Weapon True Form, doubled his speed, arriving in front of Brock in an instant.
"Comet Star Trace Slash!"
Brock, just as he prepared to open his eyes and counterattack, saw a tens-of-meters-long staff sweeping toward him.
(End of Chapter)