Chapter 9: First Soul Skill – Frozen Snow

"Your soul ring is not bad, but don't get too excited just yet. Sit down. I'll teach you the method of guiding energy back to its origin," Chen Xin said seriously. "The soul ring just now was too violent. Your soul power has already impacted your internal organs. If you don't sort it out, it might leave hidden injuries." "Yes, teacher!" Tian Lin obediently sat cross-legged as instructed by Chen Xin. Chen Xin spoke slowly, "Calm your mind, focus on your martial soul, guide your energy back to its origin, focus on your dantian, and let your energy flow through the Ren and Du meridians." Following Chen Xin's instructions, Tian Lin began to sort out the soul power within his body. About an hour later, he felt his meridians nourished by the soul power, leaving him with an indescribable feeling of comfort. Moreover, the sorted soul power became smoother and more responsive, as if it were an extension of his limbs. "Remember this mantra and practice it often in the future. It might slightly slow your cultivation, but the benefits are far greater. Soul power isn't just about having more; it's about being purer. Between soul masters of the same level, disregarding differences in martial souls, soul rings, and soul bones, the one with purer soul power can completely suppress the other. Additionally, purer soul power will greatly help you in breaking through to Title Douluo, or even Super Douluo, in the future," Chen Xin advised. "I understand, and I won't slack off." Having read countless martial arts novels in his previous life, Tian Lin naturally understood the importance of pure internal power. The more chaotic the power, the harder it is to break through to higher realms. "Good that you understand. Now, tell me, what is your first soul skill?" Chen Xin asked with interest. "Teacher, my first soul skill is called Frozen Snow. It has two activation modes. One is state-based, where the power of ice attaches to the blade, and every strike carries the force of ice. The other gathers all the ice energy into a single point, unleashing a long-range attack in one strong slash." After hearing Tian Lin's explanation, Chen Xin was a little surprised. "It's ice? I didn't expect the sword to transform the water attribute into ice after absorbing it. This is a pleasant surprise. Ice has very strong offensive power, and the two activation modes prove the excellence of your soul skill. Very good. We've gained a lot this time." "Teacher, are we heading back to the sect now?" Chen Xin shook his head. "No rush. We came here to help you obtain a soul ring quickly, but there's no need to hurry back. We'll walk back slowly. I'll take this time to teach you the basics of swordsmanship. Once we're back at the sect, I'll be busy with many things and won't have time to teach you." Tian Lin was slightly stunned. Busy? What would a Guardian Douluo like Chen Xin be busy with? Usually, he was either cultivating or playing with Ning Rongrong. He probably just didn't want to be pestered by Ning Rongrong when they got back. The mighty Sword Douluo, utterly subdued by a little girl—what a world we live in. But this was good too. This was Tian Lin's first time leaving Seven Treasure City and Seven Treasure Village to see the outside world. It'd be nice to enjoy the scenery of the continent. The two began heading toward the exit of the Spirit Hunting Forest. As they made their way through the forest, suddenly, the sound of a snake slithering and a terrifying hissing noise reached their ears. At the same time, a man's panicked voice called out, "Xiao San, run!" "A middle-aged man and Xiao San? Could this combination be...?" Tian Lin realized he had stumbled upon the original storyline. It was the moment when Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was accompanying Tang San to obtain his first soul ring. They happened to encounter a 400-year-old Datura Snake. With his Level 29 soul power, the Grandmaster was no match for it and could only flee with Tang San. "Teacher, someone is in danger over there. Let's go help them!" Tian Lin wanted to meet the protagonist of the original story. Besides, this was a good chance to test his first soul skill on the Datura Snake. Chen Xin nodded. Leaving someone to die wasn't his style. "I'll go first, teacher. Watch the power of my first soul skill!" Tian Lin leaped forward. At this moment, Tang San was constantly throwing items behind him. Using the Tang Sect's exquisite hidden weapon techniques, every strike accurately hit the Datura Snake's eyes, significantly delaying its pursuit. Just then, Tian Lin suddenly landed in front of Tang San, his back to him. Raising his sword high, he shouted, "First Soul Skill: Frozen Snow!" With a swing of the sword, a powerful blast of icy energy shot forward in a straight line. Everything in its path was frozen, including plants on the ground. The Datura Snake, too, was first frozen and then sliced in two by the sharp sword energy imbued in the demonic blade. The soul ring from the Spiraling Tail Needlefish not only absorbed its water attribute energy but also made the sword itself sharper, thanks to Chen Xin's careful selection. If it had been up to Tian Lin alone, he'd likely have just hunted down any suitable water-attributed creature, such as a jellyfish. It seemed he needed to study soul beasts carefully after returning. He'd need to understand not only their attributes but also their characteristics to obtain the most suitable soul rings for himself. "What... what kind of martial soul is that sword? Such powerful offensive strength! It killed a 400-year-old Datura Snake in one strike with just a first soul ring," Yu Xiaogang exclaimed, his researcher instincts kicking in rather than simply being grateful for being rescued. Tian Lin ignored him and turned to Tang San. "Hey, are you planning to absorb this Datura Snake's soul ring or not? If so, hurry up." "Hurry up?" Tang San looked at the Datura Snake, sliced in two. How was he supposed to do that? "The Datura Snake isn't dead yet. Even if a snake-type soul beast is cut in two, it doesn't die immediately. I also froze it, which extended its survival time. You still have time," Tian Lin explained. It was common knowledge that a snake's body doesn't die immediately after being severed. As a disciple of the Tang Sect, Tang San should have known this, but he'd been too panicked to think. Now, reminded by Tian Lin, he quickly said, "I understand. Thank you!" Tang San walked to the Datura Snake, smashing the frozen portion of its head with several punches until it was completely shattered. With its head destroyed, the snake naturally died. Tang San immediately sat cross-legged and began absorbing the soul ring. "Young man, thank you for saving us just now," Yu Xiaogang said, approaching Tian Lin. "By the way, could you let me take a look at your martial soul? I've never seen such a powerful sword-type martial soul." "Yu Xiaogang, probing someone's martial soul upon first meeting them—are all members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan this rude?" Chen Xin appeared silently behind Yu Xiaogang. With his strength, he could remain undetected if he didn't want to be noticed. "Y-you're Sword Douluo Chen Xin! Greetings, Your Eminence!" As a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang had met Chen Xin a few times and recognized him immediately. "Teacher!" Tian Lin also greeted respectfully. Yu Xiaogang realized that this young man was Sword Douluo's disciple. No wonder his attack power was so terrifying. After all, Sword Douluo was known as the strongest offensive Title Douluo on the continent. It would be strange if his disciple wasn't this powerful. PS: Wow, a Douluo fanfic without anti-Tang San? Nice.