With the assistance of Wang Xiao's formidable soul power, Xu Zihuang spent about half an hour refining and absorbing three jade bottles of ten-thousand-year whale gel.
He could feel an invigorating warmth spreading through his entire body, a sensation that seeped into his meridians and bones, filling every inch of him with a comforting energy.
Breaking out of his meditative state, Xu Zihuang stretched slightly. His body emitted a series of popping sounds, like firecrackers going off in succession, leaving him feeling incomparably relaxed. The whale gel had enhanced his physical constitution in every way. His meridians and bones were now far sturdier, allowing him to withstand greater energy flow. Even his strength had grown to a level comparable to strength-type soul masters at the same rank.
On the side, Yao Yang carefully assessed Xu Zihuang's condition and realized he had underestimated him.
Back when Yao Yang reached the Soul Elder stage, his physical strength had been far inferior to what Xu Zihuang displayed now.
Describing Xu Zihuang as merely "gifted" no longer felt accurate—it was more apt to say he was uniquely blessed by the heavens.
Wang Xiao silently exchanged a glance with Yao Yang. He hadn't yet informed Yao Yang of Xu Zihuang's successful integration with the external soul bone, Brilliant Dragon Claw. It wasn't that he doubted Yao Yang's loyalty; rather, he was still deliberating whether to involve him in the larger plans.
If Xu Zihuang intended to reclaim what was rightfully his, his enemy would be the entire Sun Moon Empire.
Both men harbored their own thoughts as their eyes briefly met.
Just as Xu Zihuang was about to step onto the iron bridge leading from the ship to the icy platform, he paused and turned to address Meng Lang, who had been respectfully standing guard nearby.
"Meng Lang, if I remember correctly, your martial soul is the Black-Striped Narwhal, and your soul power has just reached rank 40, but you haven't acquired a new soul ring yet. One of the two three-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orcas will be perfect for you. Take it."
"Y-Yes, Young Lord!" Meng Lang was stunned for a moment before he snapped out of it, his face turning bright red with excitement.
He hadn't expected Xu Zihuang to remember his situation, let alone grant him such an opportunity. He felt both elated and overwhelmed by the honor.
After all, this was an Evil Spirit Orca's soul ring.
All three of the thousand-year Evil Spirit Orcas had already been subdued and immobilized, unlike the two powerful ten- and twenty-thousand-year ones, which had required constant vigilance to prevent them from self-destructing. These orcas' strong vitality meant they could even be transported alive to the Southern Moon Islands and sold for several hundred thousand gold soul coins.
Meng Lang's emotional reaction didn't escape Xu Zihuang's notice. Smiling faintly, Xu Zihuang stepped onto the iron bridge leading to the icy platform. For those loyal to him, he was never stingy.
Moreover, he intended to cultivate Meng Lang as one of his key subordinates.
Meng Lang was talented and still young at only 17 years old—perfect to groom into a core member of his future team.
The icy platform emanated a biting chill, but Xu Zihuang walked across it steadily, as if he couldn't feel it at all. Calmly heading toward the direction of the three orcas.
Having fused with the external soul bone Brilliant Dragon Claw and his first soul ring, his robust vitality made such cold negligible.
Meng Lang followed closely behind, his face full of excitement.
"Young Lord," greeted one of the soldiers stationed near the immobilized Evil Spirit Orcas. Among them was Meng Lang's father, Meng Cang.
Xu Zihuang smiled at Meng Cang and casually said, "Meng Lao, no need to confine back the second three-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca with its cultivation. It's suitable for Meng Lang to absorb it."
Meng Lang glanced at his father, whose expression grew increasingly complicated. The young man shifted uncomfortably under his father's darkening gaze.
After a deep breath, Meng Cang ultimately said nothing.
He couldn't openly oppose Xu Zihuang's decision, but deep down, he felt both grateful and guilty. The Evil Spirit Orca's soul ring was a perfect match for their family's Black-Striped Narwhal martial soul, and he'd secretly hoped Meng Lang would get one. Yet he hadn't dared to ask, especially since the orca could have been sold for much-needed funds for the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion.
But now, Xu Zihuang had offered it without hesitation, hitting directly at Meng Cang's unspoken desires.
His respect for Xu Zihuang deepened—after all, who wouldn't admire a Lord who was generous and cared for his subordinates?
Xu Zihuang stopped in front of one of the three-thousand-year-old Evil Spirit Orcas. This one's massive body was encased in thick ice, with only its breathing hole exposed.
One of the soldiers handed Xu Zihuang a barbed, soul tool harpoon, similar to those used by the whale-hunting team in the icy seas of the northern border of the Sun Moon Empire.
"Young Lord, aim for its breathing hole to quickly end its life."
Without hesitation, Xu Zihuang thrust the harpoon into the orca's exposed blowhole and began twisting it methodically.
The Evil Spirit Orca is a powerful soul beast that has skin as tough as iron, and this blowhole is its only vulnerable point.
Having killed a person before, he was unfazed by ending the life of a soul beast, especially one that was naturally hostile toward human soul masters.
"Whummm—whummm—"
The three-thousand-year-old Evil Spirit Orca let out a mournful cry, but it wasn't long before it fell silent.
A wave of crimson light rose from its massive corpse, followed by a deep and luxurious purple soul ring that formed above it.
Xu Zihuang's expression remained calm, though his eyes gleamed with barely concealed anticipation. He relished the feeling of gaining strength, bit by bit.
"I hope the soul skill won't disappoint me," he murmured.
Sitting cross-legged on the icy platform, Xu Zihuang extended his left hand, channeling his soul power to call the Evil Spirit Orca's soul ring.
The purple glow, as if waiting eagerly, surged toward him like a flood breaching its banks.
A torrent of immense energy rushed into Xu Zihuang's body, scorching hot like molten fire. Before he could fully react, the searing heat began burning its way through his meridians.
Unlike the seamless fusion of the Silver Scaled White Whale's soul ring, this process was excruciating. Xu Zihuang's brows furrowed, and his body trembled involuntarily as sharp, swelling pain wracked his meridians.
If not for his strong will, he might have been overwhelmed in an instant.
"As expected of an Evil Spirit Orca's soul ring—it's truly domineering."
Xu Zihuang thought to himself, quickly adjusting his state of mind.
This was his first time absorbing a soul ring under normal conditions. It wasn't that he couldn't endure the energy's impact; he simply needed time to adapt.
Gradually, his breathing steadied, and his aura stabilized, allowing the soldiers standing guard nearby to relax.
"Just as expected, the Young Lord has no problems."
They had already witnessed Xu Zihuang perform what they considered miracles. Unknowingly, their trust in him had grown to near-blind faith.