Chapter -26 Soul ring: Azure Sky Dragon Fox.

Chapter - 26.

The word that the Saintess of the Spirit Hall was engaged to Ye Chen traveled fast. Within hours, over a hundred challengers showed up to take him on. However, when they learned that the wedding battle wouldn't start for another three days, they made themselves comfortable, sitting on the grass in front of the West Building, waiting patiently for the event.

Ye Chen, at only level 40 as a Soul leader, was seen as a relatively average competitor at Spirit Hall Academy. Yet, many sought to defeat him and claim the Saintess for themselves, dreaming of a swift rise to fame.

As time flew by, dusk fell over the West Building. After spending some time resting in his dorm, Ye Chen headed over to the Pope's Hall. He wasn't quite sure what Bibi Dong was thinking, but one thing he knew for certain was that she would never want to harm him.

With a gentle creek, Ye Chen pushed open the grand doors and entered the empty hall. There was no one else present, only Bibi Dong, who sat regally on a large throne, radiating her timeless beauty and grace. Her eyes were focused and unwavering. Ye Chen felt that he hadn't quite achieved what he set out to do, as Bibi Dong hadn't increased her fondness for him by 300% at all. It felt as though they were strangers, with her on a pedestal above him.

"Take a trip to the East Hall; I have a gift waiting for you there," Bibi Dong said flatly, gesturing towards the eastern door. She added, "I expect you won't disappoint Xiao Na. You have to win this wedding battle; otherwise…"

"Otherwise, will you kill me?" Ye Chen questioned, moving closer to the imposing throne.

But as he placed his foot on the first step, Bibi Dong quickly raised her scepter, conjuring a barrier of soul power that halted his advance.

Bibi Dong turned her back to him, her tall figure now emanating a chill. "If you lose, I will shatter your martial soul and banish you from the Spirit Hall, cutting off your ties to the soul master world forever."

What's gotten into her? 

Seeing Bibi Dong's sudden anger left Ye Chen feeling perplexed. She shouldn't be so distant; something was definitely off.

After glancing back at her, Ye Chen stepped back and declared, "I will win for sure; I refuse to let my master down."

At the mention of "master," Bibi Dong's body quivered ever so slightly, just as quickly regaining its composure.

Ye Chen shook his head and walked toward the East Hall. The closer he got to the eastern door, the more an uneasy sensation washed over him—as if some terrifying creature lurked inside.

It was only when Ye Chen had fully disappeared through the eastern door that Bibi Dong turned slowly, her gaze fixed on the locked entrance to the East Hall.

"Why do I feel this way about him? Why, when i am his master? What's the meaning behind these feelings?" 

As she pondered these questions, Bibi Dong looked up at the starry sky outside her window, a whirlwind of emotions raging within her, and a single tear rolled down her flawless cheek.

Caught in a mix of love and fear, she felt as if she were suffering from a love virus, yearning yet too afraid to let go.

Everything from her past seemed like an invisible barrier, keeping her apart from Ye Chen, one outside and one within, as if that barrier would never dissolve.

Suddenly, the sound of a door creaking open broke her introspection. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Ye Chen had returned to the hall, quietly observing her.

"You seem a bit lost in thought; you didn't even notice I had come back."

Ye Chen had merely turned to leave at the eastern door, his concern more for what might be troubling Bibi Dong than the unknown gift awaiting him.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the woman before him. 

Due to her exceptional talent and her desire to depart from the Spirit Hall, her master had kept her confined, which led to her painful separation from her boyfriend, Yu Xiaogang. To make matters worse, after all this time, Yu Xiaogang had moved on and sought companionship elsewhere without even grasping her situation.

Ye Chen yearned to protect Bibi Dong, vowing that she would no longer endure suffering.

"Just go; my affairs don't concern you." 

Bibi Dong didn't turn to look at him this time; she remained still, her expression indifferent.

Her facade of strength only deepened Ye Chen's heartache. She was evidently a woman in need of support, yet she concealed it so well that no one could reach her.

Once more, a barrier of soul power emerged before Ye Chen, preventing him from moving forward. Even with all his strength, he found himself unable to make further progress.

With determination in his eyes, Ye Chen focused on Bibi Dong and vowed, "Even if I'm weak now, one day I will surpass everyone else. When that time comes, I will always stand by your side, forever!" 

"Go to the East Hall!" A flicker of emotion crossed Bibi Dong's face, her complex feelings beginning to stabilize as she quietly regarded the audacious young man in front of her, feeling an undefined sense of tranquility.

Not wanting to push any further, Ye Chen could only lament his own limitations, unable to bear the burden of everything Bibi Dong wanted to change. Yet, he trusted that one day he would possess the strength to do so.

As soon as he stepped into the East Hall, he was confronted with the sight of a massive, lifeless soul beast sprawled on the ground, its body marred with wounds, blood pooling beneath it.

"Is this really the 50,000-year soul beast, the Azure Sky Dragon Fox? A remarkably rare type of soul beast, capable of battling ordinary ten thousand-year soul beasts with only a thousand years of cultivation!" 

"Is this what you prepared for me?" 

Ye Chen felt a rush of excitement; having a 50,000-year soul beast as a fourth soul ring was simply incredible, and the Azure Sky Dragon Fox was extremely rare. The abilities he would gain from absorbing it were sure to be extraordinary.

However, he didn't feel entirely ready this time. In the past, he had relied on reaching a sufficient level of soul power at level 40 to counteract the negative effects encountered during soul ring absorption.

Yet with the wedding battle only three days away, he couldn't afford the luxury of hesitation.

"It's time to start the absorption."

Summoning the Seven Star Demon Abyss, Ye Chen drove a sword into the head of the Azure Sky Dragon Fox, ending its lengthy life. Instantly, a powerful dragon fox spirit surged forth from the remains.

While it still resembled an ordinary fox, its belly was adorned with dragon scales, and its elongated mouth was lined with several delicate dragon fox features. The soul of the dragon fox was in a frenzy, roaring as Ye Chen felt a wave of dizziness washing over him.

"What a formidable mental attack. It looks like absorbing this Azure Sky Dragon Fox will take quite an effort." 

As he frowned in concentration, Ye Chen placed his hand over the dragon fox's soul, channeling his internal soul power to try and harmonize with it.

Just as the dragon fox's soul was drawn into his body, its wild mental assaults surged throughout his mind.

Within moments, Ye Chen was compelled to spit out a mouthful of blood, leaving him feeling weak and drained.

Thankfully, his spirit had been nurtured by the system's cultivated soul power for years, granting him a level of resilience that saved him from collapse, unlike others who might have perished on the spot.

Note : Guys, some power stones will be really helpful.

*****

If you want to read more (Upto Ten) while supporting me, you can join me on patreon.com/EmptyThoughts ; Thanks.