Among fire-attributes soul beasts, the Skyfire Fox is notoriously difficult to handle. Not only does it possess the cunning of a fox, but it also has the ability to fly, making it extremely fast. Soul Masters without flight abilities cannot hope to catch it.
To Yan, spotting a battle-worn Skyfire Fox was like a gift from above, a rare chance to capture it. Hidden in a concealed spot, he quietly observed the battle, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The clash between the two beasts grew increasingly intense. The Skyfire Fox moved with swift, unpredictable motions and delivered fierce attacks. The Two-Headed Demon Snake, in contrast, relied on its massive body and venomous attacks to retaliate. However, as the fight dragged on, the Two-Headed Demon Snake began to show signs of fatigue. Its massive size, once an advantage, now hindered its speed, while it's the venom was neutralized by the flames of the Skyfire Fox.
Finally, the Skyfire Fox clawed into the Two-Headed Demon Snake's body, tearing into it, and then set it ablaze, ultimately ending its life. Nevertheless, the fox was not unscathed; one of its wings had been injured in the battle, likely broken by the heavy blow of the snake's tail. It panted, clearly exhausted.
This was Yan's chance. Without hesitation, he darted forward.
The Skyfire Fox, sensing the threat, let out an angry cry and charged toward him. Yan, prepared for this, quickly unleashed his Flame Lord martial soul. A blaze erupted from his hand, surging to meet the oncoming fox.
Being a fire-attributed beast, the Skyfire Fox was naturally unafraid of flames. Spotting a lone Soul Master with fire abilities, a glint of cunning and hunger appeared in its eyes. For the beast, consuming Yan could both restore its energy from the recent battle and enhance its fire abilities.
Yan had anticipated this reaction. He deliberately revealed his fire attributes to lure the Skyfire Fox in, knowing full well that such a cunning beast wouldn't pass up the chance to devour a compatible opponent.
Sure enough, the fox, thinking him an easy target, launched a fierce assault. It growled and dashed at him with the speed and ferocity of lightning, hoping to overpower him. Yan, however, remained calm, skillfully evading its attacks while patiently waiting for the right opportunity.
At last, as the fox lunged close for another strike, Yan seized the moment. He activated his second spirit ability, Granite Barrage.
This skill could be used in two modes, for both offense and defense. While it could form a protective barrier, this time, Yan wielded it offensively.
In an instant, a barrage of solid, heavy rocks shot out from every direction, hitting the Skyfire Fox. The fox hadn't expected this fire-based Soul Master to wield such a skill, and it was caught off guard. The granite rocks pounded it relentlessly, pinning it under a pile of rubble, immobilized.
Not giving it a chance to recover, Yan quickly approached, and with a swift, precise strike of his blade, he slashed the fox's throat. The Skyfire Fox's struggling ceased instantly, its life force draining away.
Moments later, a mist of purple rose from the fox's body. The mist gradually coalesced, forming a bright purple soul ring that floated above.
Yan looked at the ring with satisfaction. This was his first soul ring achieved solely through his own efforts since being reborn in this world. Although it wasn't a ten-thousand-year ring like the ones elite Soul Masters aim for, Yan was content. Catching such a fast and fire-attributed soul beast had been no easy feat, and luck had played a part.
He knew that his current mental and physical capabilities weren't ready to handle a ten-thousand-year ring yet. But this six-thousand-year Skyfire Fox ring would be valuable, enhancing not only his fire powers but also his speed.
Sitting cross-legged beneath the purple soul ring, Yan prepared himself. This area had just been the site of two fierce battles, so most soul beasts had fled. His intense fire aura also helped keep weaker beasts at bay. As a result, Yan felt confident he could absorb the ring safely, even on his own.
However, he was aware that the ring's six-thousand-year age surpassed the usual five-thousand-year limit for a Soul Master's fourth ring. He felt confident, though, thanks to his strong fire constitution.
With his preparations complete, Yan began absorbing the ring.
As the absorption progressed, he felt a surge of energy flooding his body, pushing him to the brink of his endurance. The overwhelming power roared like a wild torrent through his meridians, causing excruciating pain.
"Just an extra thousand years, but it's so fierce," he gritted his teeth, struggling to control the raging energy.
Minute by minute, Yan relied on his tenacious willpower, gradually subduing the rampant energy. The power within him eventually calmed, and the soul ring neared complete absorption.
Suddenly, Yan sensed something unusual on his back. It felt as though something was pushing from beneath his skin, quickly tearing through his clothes.
An intense pain shot through him as if something was trying to burst out of his body.
"What's happening?" Yan endured the pain, glancing back to see a pair of wings emerging from his shoulders.
Initially soft and frail, the wings rapidly grew, stretching out to an impressive three meters in span. They glowed with an intense heat, appearing as though they were made of pure flame.
Yan's heart raced as he began to understand what he had just gained.
"An external spirit bone!"
In his past life, Yan had never obtained anything like this. He'd only heard of the rarity and power of such a feature. Yet here he was, reborn into this world, and after hunting his first soul ring, he had not only succeeded in capturing a flying, fire-attributed soul beast, but had also acquired an external spirit bone.
It seemed that fate had indeed granted him a stroke of fortune in this life.