The forest was quiet, almost reverent, as the purple soul ring hovered above the corpse of the Man Faced Demon Spider. Its glow pulsed faintly, casting a dim light onto the blood-soaked ground. I sat against a nearby tree, my breaths coming hard and fast as exhaustion weighed me down.
"You're ready, Bei," Grandpa's voice broke the silence. Dugu Bo and Uncle Xin stood nearby, their eyes sharp as they scanned the surroundings for any sign of danger. Even now, they wouldn't let their guard down. Protecting me during the absorption process was their top priority.
I pushed myself to my feet, my legs shaky but resolute. The adrenaline from the fight had started to wear off, leaving behind soreness and fatigue, but there was no time to waste. The purple soul ring was right in front of me, and I could feel its energy calling out, waiting for me to claim it.
"Remember," Uncle Xin said, stepping closer. His gaze was serious, yet reassuring. "Absorbing a soul ring for the first time is unlike anything you've ever experienced. The energy will surge through you, and it will test your endurance and willpower. The older the soul ring, the harder it will be to control. This spider's ring is much stronger than any first soul ring has a right to be. Don't let it overwhelm you."
"I know," I said quietly, staring at the ring. My hands clenched into fists.
"Good." Dugu Bo crossed his arms. "This ring is dangerous, but so are you. Don't forget your martial spirit's nature. You're not weak, Bei. Focus, and the Poison Devouring Spider Emperor will guide you."
I nodded, swallowing hard. Then, with slow, deliberate steps, I approached the soul ring. It pulsed brighter the closer I got, almost as though it could sense me, feel me. My martial spirit reacted instinctively, a green aura flaring around me. I retracted my transformation, my arms returning to normal as I prepared myself mentally for what was to come.
Kneeling beside the spider's corpse, I sat down cross-legged, my back straight as I entered a meditative state. I focused on calming my mind, forcing away the lingering exhaustion and tension from the battle. Once my spirit and body felt steady, I "called" to the soul ring.
The purple ring shimmered, and as if obeying my will, it began to descend slowly toward me. The moment the ring made contact, the energy surged into my body like a tidal wave, overwhelming my senses with its raw, untamed power. My veins felt like they were on fire, burning with the poison and ferocity that came from the Man Faced Demon Spider's soul.
I forced myself to remain seated, fighting the instinct to recoil. The spider's venomous essence flowed through me, clashing violently with my own poison affinity.
"Focus, Bei!" Grandpa's voice cut through the storm in my mind. "Don't fight it, control it! The poison is your strength!"
Control it, I repeated in my mind, gritting my teeth as I fought to steady myself. My martial spirit stirred inside me, hungry, powerful. I could feel it resonating with the energy of the soul ring, devouring the spider's poison as though it were nourishment. Slowly, painfully, I leaned into the feeling.
The energy coursed through me like a raging river, but as I surrendered to it, it began to settle. My breathing slowed, my heart steadied, and the flames of pain subsided, replaced by something new, power. My entire body thrummed with it, my martial spirit surging to new heights.
As the absorption process continued, my mind began to clear, and I reflected on what I had read in my previous life about soul rings and their optimal ages.
White soul rings represent 10 years of cultivation, yellow rings 100 years, purple 1,000 years, black 10,000 years, red 100,000 years, and gold 1,000,000 years. For a first soul ring, a 400-year soul ring is considered optimal… but this spider's ring is far beyond that. A 2,000-year soul ring is unheard of for a first absorption.
I smirked faintly despite the pressure. But then again… I'm not like anyone else.
Time passed slowly, but eventually, the sensation ebbed away. The energy of the soul ring settled deep within me, fusing with my martial spirit and unlocking something entirely new. My breathing steadied as I opened my eyes. The green glow of my martial spirit pulsed faintly in my arms.
I stood, my body steady, the soreness fading into the background. My connection to the Poison Devouring Spider Emperor felt stronger, clearer. Grandpa and Uncle Xin approached cautiously, their expressions eager.
"Well?" Uncle Xin asked, eyes shining. "Did you succeed?"
I nodded. "I did."
Dugu Bo let out a rare chuckle, his pride unmistakable. "Of course you did. I'd expect nothing less from my grandson."
"What ability did you gain?" Uncle Xin pressed, excitement bubbling over.
I summoned my martial spirit once more. The green lances replaced my arms again as the soul rings appeared around me. The single purple ring hovered closest to my feet, its glow vibrant and menacing.
Focusing on the power from the Man Faced Demon Spider, I activated my new ability. My single purple ring shone brighter than before, drawing their attention as green threads shot out from the tips of my lances. Faster and sharper than I anticipated, the threads embedded into a nearby tree. Almost instantly, the bark began to sizzle and dissolve, the poison's corrosive nature revealing its terrifying strength.
"It's called Venom Thread Bind," I explained, retracting the threads effortlessly. The tree now bore deep grooves where the poison had eaten through. "Not only can I bind my enemies, but the poison corrodes and weakens them the longer they're trapped. It's deadly up close and from a distance."
Grandpa's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Not bad. That ability suits you perfectly."
Uncle Xin whistled low. "A first soul ring ability like that… truly terrifying. You're already well on your way to becoming a monster on the battlefield."
Their praise filled me with pride, but I wasn't finished yet. A small grin crept across my face as I looked between the two of them.
"That's not all," I said, my voice calm but brimming with excitement. "I have an even bigger surprise."
Both Grandpa and Uncle Xin froze, their expressions shifting from pride to shock and curiosity.
"What do you mean?" Dugu Bo asked, his eyes narrowing.
I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I let my grin widen as I clenched my fists, feeling the new power coursing through my veins and bones.