NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Chapter 8: The Soul Ring
The Yellow soul ring hovered above Ryo, spinning lazily as it descended toward him. He sat cross-legged in the clearing, his face calm but taut with focus. His eyes were closed, his breaths steady, and in front of him, his martial soul—the glass box—floated silently, faintly glowing as the sunlight filtered through the forest canopy. The scene felt serene, almost peaceful, but the tension in the air spoke to the magnitude of what was unfolding.
The energy from the soul ring was unlike anything Ryo had ever experienced. It poured into him in heavy, deliberate waves, spreading through his body like molten metal. Each breath he took slowed as he guided the energy inward, letting it sink deeper into his core. The glass box shimmered faintly, rippling as the essence of the Crystal Tortoise began to merge with it. For a brief moment, strange patterns flickered across its surface before vanishing into the translucent glass.
Li Anye stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on Ryo. His crescent-shaped mustache twitched slightly, betraying a mix of pride and concern. Most first-time soul masters chose their soul rings carefully, opting for beasts with manageable energy levels. But Ryo had aimed higher—a 751-year-old Crystal Tortoise. Its power was dense, its attributes profound. It was a gamble, one that even experienced soul masters might hesitate to take. Yet here he was, silent and unflinching, as he absorbed its energy.
The clearing seemed to hold its breath. Even the forest itself felt subdued, the usual rustling of leaves and distant calls of soul beasts fading into a tense stillness. Only the soft hum of the soul ring and the occasional rustle of a breeze broke the quiet.
The golden glow around Ryo grew brighter, the energy flowing into him in steady torrents. His body adjusted gradually, adapting to the overwhelming force. The glass box trembled more visibly now, a faint vibration rippling outward. Ryo's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't waver. His composure held firm.
Deep within his consciousness, something stirred.
In the vast white expanse of Ryo's spiritual void, the Pangu Box began to glow. The intricate carvings on its surface shifted, the ancient patterns coming alive. The lid turned slightly, and a dim purple light leaked from within, growing steadily brighter.
The void trembled as the artifact reacted to the energy pouring into Ryo. A massive figure emerged from the box, faint at first but gradually taking shape—a coiled dragon-like statue, wreathed in flames. Its stone surface radiated heat, each crack in its form glowing with fiery orange light.
The statue shuddered violently, the cracks spreading like spiderwebs until the entire structure splintered. With a soundless roar, it exploded, releasing a torrent of golden flames that surged through the void. The energy hit the edges of Ryo's consciousness like a tidal wave, forcing his spiritual sea open in a single, overwhelming rush.
In the clearing, the air around Ryo grew hotter, faint ripples of heat distorting the space around him. His skin glowed faintly, and the grass beneath him blackened and withered under the rising temperature. The golden light surrounding him pulsed one final time before fading. The heat dissipated just as quickly, leaving behind a faint shimmer in the air.
Ryo's crimson eyes snapped open, steam rising from his skin. His gaze flickered briefly, the orange and gold glow in his irises fading back to their usual red. He exhaled slowly, his body feeling lighter yet more powerful, his core humming with newfound energy.
Li approached cautiously, his expression steady but his eyes sharp. "Your spiritual sea has opened," he said, his voice calm but tinged with something deeper. "And it looks like you've gained the fire attribute."
Ryo didn't respond immediately. He flexed his fingers experimentally, adjusting to the changes in his body. The glass box hovered in front of him, radiating a faint warmth that hadn't been there before. With a thought, he activated his soul ring. The golden circle appeared around him, faint lines of orange and gold energy weaving through it, subtle but unmistakable.
He extended his hand, and the box shimmered, bending the light around it. Thin beams of light refracted, twisting into sharp, intricate patterns. With a flick of his wrist, the light condensed into a single, focused beam that shot forward, piercing the trunk of a nearby tree with a clean, precise hole.
Li watched silently, nodding faintly. "Your first soul skill," he murmured. "We'll explore it further later. For now, let's head back to the academy."
Ryo stood, his body steady despite the intensity of the process.
The glass box vanished with a thought, and he cast one last glance at the clearing—the faint scorch marks on the ground and the withered grass the only signs of what had transpired. Without a word, he followed Li back toward the forest path.