Chapter 15: Tang Yiran Obtains Her Third Soul Skill and Her Feelings.
Tang Yiran seemed to sense Bibi Dong's deep affection. Meanwhile, Lin Fan, in the Star Dou Forest, clenched his fist and said firmly,
"Bibi Dong, don't worry, within three months, I will definitely take you away from the Spirit Hall. That child isn't just yours, it's mine too."
With Blood Demon's Fury, Lin Fan felt even more confident.
He looked at his system's attribute panel.
Character: Lin Fan.
Health: 4000
Defense: 400
Attack: 1300
Soul Power: 400
Speed: 200
Spirit Power: 100
Excluding equipment bonuses, Lin Fan's attack power should have been 300, and his health was 1000. With the bonuses from the Shadow Axe and Blood Demon's Fury, his attack power had increased by 1000.
This value was more than three times his original attack power, so Lin Fan believed that even without activating Super Blood Fury, his current attack power was at least above level 40 for a Soul Master.
As a Soul Master's level increases, these attributes will also improve, with each level up resulting in a greater increase in these attributes.
However, Lin Fan didn't know the attack power of others; they didn't have a system. He could only roughly estimate. He only had 300 attack power at level 30, so even at level 40, others couldn't possibly have several times that increase.
Calculating an opponent's attack power was also difficult. A Soul Master's attributes were related not only to their level but also to their Martial Soul. Some power-type Martial Souls, even at a lower level, could have attack power exceeding that of opponents ten levels higher. For example, Tang Yiran's attack power likely far surpassed that of an ordinary level 70 Soul Saint.
Some Martial Souls had relatively low attack power but astonishing defense.
Some Martial Souls possessed speed far exceeding other Martial Souls.
As for Soul Power, it was essentially like a mana bar; both releasing Soul Power and using Soul Skills consumed Soul Power. The higher a person's level, the higher their Soul Power. Some auxiliary Soul Skills could restore Soul Power.
Lin Fan glanced at Ye Keke not far away. Indeed, her Nine-Hearted Begonia could significantly and continuously restore health and soul power. As her level and soul power increased, this restoration value would become increasingly terrifying. No wonder the Spirit Hall wanted to take her.
Compared to the all-around support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, her pure healer-like support had a much higher health and mana restoration value.
Just then, Tang Yiran walked up to him and said,
"Xiao Fan, the maximum age of your third soul ring is 1700 years. Just choose a soul beast over 1000 years old. Don't take risks. Every year, many soul masters die from the backlash of absorbing soul rings above their level." "
This… okay, I understand."
Lin Fan thought for a moment. He certainly didn't dare risk his first spirit, after all, it was the spirit within his body. But he wasn't worried about the Shadow Battle Axe at all. Even if he equipped a 100,000-year soul ring, it wouldn't matter; it was just equipment within the system.
Lin Fan was also observing the surrounding spirit beasts when he suddenly spotted a blue scorpion swooping down from a large tree on his left. This scorpion was about the size of two people, and its stingers emitted venomous gas, making it quite frightening.
Tang Yiran quickly said, "That's a Azure Poison Scorpion, Xiao Fan. It's definitely over a thousand years old. Do you want its spirit ring?"
Lin Fan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, this is it. My Purple Flame Fire Tiger already has strong attack power, and it also has attack effects. Besides, I still have the Shadow Battle Axe. Adding a pure attack power soul skill wouldn't be very useful. This scorpion contains potent venom, which is exactly what I need."
Tang Yiran nodded and said, "That's right. This Azure Poison Scorpion, as far as I know, is indeed the most venomous among five-thousand-year-old soul beasts, almost on par with the most venomous snake soul beasts."
"That's perfect..."
Lin Fan smiled, and then he immediately leaped up and charged towards the thousand-year-old Azure Poison Scorpion.
The Azure Poison Scorpion also noticed the human boy at this moment. Its two huge, disgusting eyes glared at Lin Fan and let out a howl.
"Ugh..."
The scorpion touched a mouthful of venom, but the range was too small, and Lin Fan easily dodged it. He was still a little cautious.
After all, although Lin Fan had a lot of health points, his defense was not high, and his anti-armor was gone.
"This scorpion's skin doesn't seem to offer much defense, so I won't use the Shadow Battle Axe. I'll just test my current attack power."
Lin Fan leaped up, and instantly the shadow of a Purple Flame Tiger appeared around him. The tiger roared, and purple flames enveloped Lin Fan's hands.
"Bang..."
Lin Fan threw a punch, and before the Azure Poisonous Scorpion could even utter a sound, its entire body shattered into pieces, flames still burning on its surface.
"What?" Tang Yiran, Liu Erlong, Shui Yue'er, and Ye Keke were all shocked by this scene.
With just one strike, a 1,500-year-old Azure Poisonous Scorpion was shattered into several pieces?
The Azure Poisonous Scorpion wasn't a weak soul beast; it was considered one of the higher-level soul beasts. Liu Erlong knew that even if she used her full strength, she couldn't possibly smash it into pieces with one punch, or even kill it. She would have to hit it at least several times.
"Teacher, just now, Xiao Fan didn't even use his second martial soul, did he?"
Liu Erlong said in surprise.
"No." Tang Yiran nodded and said, "Can you do that kind of attack power?"
"Impossible..." Liu Erlong said seriously, "Although I possess the top-tier Martial Soul Fire Dragon, which gives me an absolute advantage in strength, even if I use my second Soul Skill Dragon Arm, it's impossible to smash a 1,500-year-old Soul Beast into pieces in one blow, let alone seriously injure it."
Tang Yiran looked at Lin Fan with increasing curiosity.
"He's only level 30, yet he surpasses you with just the attack power of his first Martial Soul. Just how many secrets does this kid hold?"
After killing the Azure Poison Scorpion, Lin Fan immediately began absorbing Soul Rings.
Lin Fan wasn't shocked by the damage he suffered. Although he hadn't summoned the Shadow Battle Axe, its attack power was already added to him. Against opponents with little defense, summoning the Shadow Battle Axe or not made little difference.
The difference is significant when attacking opponents with high defense. Their defense can greatly negate the impact of your attacks. Summoning the Shadow Axe can reduce their defense by 1000 points. As long as their defense doesn't exceed 1000, it's the same as attacking an opponent with zero defense.
This is similar to the game Honor of Kings, where armor penetration doesn't significantly increase damage, but it makes hitting tanky targets feel like hitting squishy ones.
Lin Fan quickly completed the absorption of his spirit ring. His plan was almost complete; his third spirit skill was called Poison Flame Impact.
It contained the potent venom of the Azure Scorpion, capable of unleashing a purple flame accompanied by venom. This poison not only paralyzed the opponent but also rapidly weakened their body, quickly depleting their stamina and spirit power.
After Lin Fan demonstrated his spirit skill, several girls nearby watched him curiously.
"Little Fan, how come your attack power was so high just now? Is your first spirit spirit this powerful?" Liu Erlong asked him in surprise.
"Well," Lin Fan explained, "my first spirit has indeed become much stronger than before. Plus, both of my spirits are offensive, and although I didn't use my second spirit just now, its attributes are still attached to me. So, with twin spirits, my attack power has always far surpassed others."
"Is that so?" Liu Erlong said cheerfully, "My spirit is the same. Even without summoning my spirit, my power is much stronger than others. Twin spirits are truly amazing! Xiao Fan, you're a genius!"
"Uh..." Lin Fan was somewhat speechless, not expecting that his random fabrication might actually be correct.
Tang Yiran looked at Lin Fan and said, "Xiao Fan, now that you have your third spirit ring, let's leave the Star Dou Great Forest. This forest is fraught with danger; besides the Spirit Hall, there must be people from other sects."
Lin Fan quickly said, "Wait, teacher, I still need to obtain a ten-thousand-year spirit ring, the higher the better. My second spirit needs it."
Tang Yiran said in shock.
"What... Xiao Fan, are you crazy? Don't you know how the first person in history with twin martial souls died?"
"Don't worry, Teacher Yiran," Lin Fan said with a smile, "My second martial soul isn't subject to that restriction. As far as I know, the recorded twin martial souls were both beast martial souls, right? Mine is a weapon martial soul, so it won't attach itself to me in battle. Even if my first spirit ring is a 100,000-year one, it'll be fine."
Lin Fan could only start making things up at this point; he didn't even know if what he said was right.
Tang Yiran thought for a moment and immediately denied it, saying, "No... even if it's a weapon martial soul, theoretically speaking, it's impossible to absorb a 10,000-year spirit ring with your first spirit ring. Your body simply can't withstand the energy of a 10,000-year spirit ring."
Lin Fan insisted, "Teacher Yiran, I know my own martial soul. Why don't you let me try? If you think I can't do it, then you can stop me. Or, you guys go back first, and I'll find a 10,000-year spirit beast myself."
Now that he was in the Star Dou Great Forest, Lin Fan had to equip his second martial soul with a 10,000-year spirit ring and then advance his Divine Brush skill. His divine skill, even before advancement, was comparable to an ordinary ten-thousand-year soul skill; its power after advancement was unimaginable.
He had to improve his strength as soon as possible because Lin Fan had decided that he must go to the Spirit Hall within three months and bring Bibi Dong out. Although it was a dragon's den and a tiger's lair, he had to venture in.
That was his child; Lin Fan had never had a child in his previous life.
"You little brat, why are you so disobedient? Sigh..."
Tang Yiran said helplessly, looking ahead.
"If we go deeper, there's a high chance of encountering ten-thousand-year soul beasts, or even tens of thousands of years old. There's also a possibility that powerful experts from other sects will come to hunt soul beasts. Murder and theft of soul beasts often happen there. In the battle just now, I've already consumed some soul power. If we encounter danger again, I might not be able to protect you all."
"Teacher... I... my spirit can restore your soul power,"
Ye Keke said cautiously.
Tang Yiran patted her head and said, "Your level isn't high yet. Your martial soul is very helpful for replenishing their soul power, but it only increases my level by one or two percent. However, Xiao Fan wants to try. Are you willing to go with him? There might be dangers later."
"I'm willing. Xiao Fan is my first friend," Ye Keke said earnestly.
Liu Erlong quickly added, "I'm willing too. Xiao Fan helped me hunt soul beasts before. No matter what dangers there are, I must go with him."
"What about you, Shuiyue?" Tang Yiran looked at the rather aloof Shuiyue.
Shuiyue glanced at Lin Fan and said, "I don't want to help that guy, but I want to train myself, so if you go, I'll go."
"Okay, let's go then. It will get more and more dangerous later. Everyone must be careful. Xiao Fan, come to the back and go with Keke," Tang Yiran said seriously.
Lin Fan nodded and went to Ye Keke's side. Seeing that his teacher and three companions were willing to go on the adventure with him, he was still a little touched. He said earnestly, "Teacher, you really don't need to come with me on this adventure. I can manage on my own."
Tang Yiran glanced at Lin Fan and said,
"Silly boy, how could I abandon you? You have twin martial souls. If you can absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring, it will greatly enhance your abilities."
"Thank you, teacher, and you all. Don't worry, I will definitely protect you all."
Lin Fan said firmly. Now, if he used all his trump cards, defeating an ordinary Soul King would not be a problem. Moreover, his Shadow Battle Axe was extremely effective against the high defense of soul beasts, so he was not afraid of danger.
"Okay, let's go."
After turning around, Tang Yiran walked ahead, her face slightly flushed. She thought to herself, why did what she said to this kid just now sound so ambiguous? Although she loved her disciples, she had never cared about any disciple like this before.
Seeing Lin Fan confess his feelings to that saintess, she actually felt a pang of disappointment, yet she still desperately wanted him back by her side to protect him.
Could it be…?
Tang Yiran was suddenly startled by her own thoughts. Good heavens, how could this be? He's just a fourteen-year-old child. She's more than ten years older than him! Tang Yiran, what are you thinking?
Tang Yiran quickly dismissed those strange thoughts, and the five of them ventured deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest once more.
(End of Chapter)