Chapter 218: Methods for Utilizing Soul Power
Bi Ji seemed to have seen right through her thoughts.
She smiled gently. "However, you need not worry too much. With me here, I will help you."
She raised her hand.
Within her palm, a cluster of emerald-green light began to emerge.
The light was soft and warm, radiating a rich, vibrant aura of life. It grew increasingly intense and brilliant, until finally, it coalesced into a shimmering apparition.
A colossal swan materialized behind her.
The swan was entirely emerald-green, its feathers gleaming like crystalline jade; it possessed a slender, graceful neck and an air of exquisite elegance.
It gave a gentle flutter of its wings, scattering specks of green light that nourished the surrounding flora like a gentle spring rain.
The Emerald Swan.
Ye Lingling’s pupils contracted ever so slightly.
She could sense that the aura of life radiating from that Emerald Swan was far more profound—and far more vast—than that of her own Nine Heart Begonia.
It was an aura that seemed capable of awakening every spark of vitality. Bi Ji spoke up: "My Martial Soul is also of the healing type, but it is far more versatile than the Nine-Heart Begonia."
She looked at Ye Lingling: "I cannot alter the inherent characteristics of the Nine-Heart Begonia, but I can teach you how to harness both Soul Power and the Power of Life."
"You humans have yet to delve deeply enough into the utilization of Soul Power. Beyond merely activating Martial Souls and Soul Skills, Soul Power can also be drawn out and wielded independently."
She paused for a moment. "Of course, the prerequisite is that your mastery over Soul Power has reached a certain level."
Wait... humans?
Ye Lingling listened intently, a flicker of astonishment flashing through her eyes.
Bi Ji continued: "For instance, by continuously compressing Soul Power, we can condense it into a Soul Power Orb—a neutral, attribute-less orb of pure energy."
As she spoke, she opened her palm.
Upon her palm, Soul Power surged.
The energy swirled and compressed within her grasp, growing increasingly solid and concentrated. Finally, it transformed into a glowing gray orb, hovering just above her palm.
The orb was small—only about the size of a fist—yet it radiated energy fluctuations that made the heart pound with trepidation.
"A neutral Soul Power Orb contains energy that is both incredibly pure and violently volatile. Once detonated, its destructive power is immense,"
Bi Ji explained.
Then, with a flick of her wrist...
The glowing gray orb shot out like a streak of light, flying toward the small stream running alongside the garden.
"BOOM—!!!"
A deafening explosion rang out!
The surface of the water erupted, sending spray flying in all directions.
Even the silt at the bottom of the stream was blasted upward, churning into the water and turning the entire stream into a muddy, turbid mess!
Ye Lingling’s eyes went wide with shock; her face was a mask of utter astonishment!
She stared at the violently disturbed water, her mind going completely blank!
This... is this something an Auxiliary-type Soul Master can actually do?!
She instinctively turned her gaze toward Bi Ji, her eyes filled with sheer disbelief.
Although she uttered not a single word, three words were written clearly across her face:
I want to learn this!
For an Auxiliary-type Soul Master—someone typically devoid of any offensive capabilities—to master such a skill...
It would undoubtedly be a god-tier technique for both self-preservation and catching enemies completely off guard!
Bi Ji looked at the look of intense yearning in Ye Lingling’s eyes and smiled faintly. Then, she shook her head: "This... is something you cannot learn just yet."
Ye Lingling’s gaze instantly turned wistful.
Why?!
Bi Ji explained: "Generally speaking, the soul power of us Auxiliary-type Soul Masters is weaker than that of Soul Masters from other types. The reason you witnessed such immense power just now is that my cultivation level is sufficiently high, and my soul power is exceptionally deep."
She paused briefly. "As for you... well, it might be enough to stun some fish, but if you want it to serve any practical purpose in actual combat, it is still far from sufficient."
Ye Lingling’s wistfulness deepened even further.
Stun some fish...
Alright, she had to admit that stunning fish was indeed all she was capable of doing right now.
Watching the look of slight disappointment on the girl’s face, Bi Ji chuckled inwardly.
This child really is quite adorable.
She continued: "Therefore, what I am going to teach you is how to utilize your soul power to provide defensive effects, protective shields, and similar boons for yourself or your teammates."
"This is an ability that the Nine-Heart Begonia Spirit does not inherently possess."
She paused again. "You could call it... a self-created Soul Skill, I suppose?"
As she spoke, Bi Ji raised her hand once more.
Within her palm, a cluster of emerald-green light began to manifest.
This light was far gentler and warmer than the one she had produced earlier. It was not a volatile orb of raw energy, but rather a soft, soothing glow.
"We still begin by compressing our soul power to form a concentrated orb. However, we must then infuse it with the Power of Life—an ability bestowed upon us by our Martial Spirits."
Ye Lingling’s gaze fixed upon that cluster of emerald-green light.
She could sense that the light contained an incredibly pure form of life energy.
That energy felt even more profound and boundless than the energy of her own Nine-Heart Begonia Spirit.
It felt as though it possessed the power to nourish all living things and awaken the very spark of life.
Bi Ji continued: "Although this ability cannot provide you with any offensive means, it can be expanded outward to form a protective shield."
As she finished speaking, the light in her hand blossomed open.
The light unfurled like a blooming flower, forming an emerald-green dome of energy that enveloped both women within its embrace.
The shield assumed a hemispherical shape, its surface shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. Though it appeared as delicate and translucent as fine silk, it radiated an overwhelming sense of invincibility. Bi Ji looked at Ye Lingling: "Your Nine-Heart Begonia currently serves only to heal injuries. However, if you can master and control your soul power, your abilities will ascend to an entirely new realm."
Her voice grew profound: "The ways in which soul power can be utilized are myriad and boundless—truly, nothing is impossible. Perhaps... even life-attribute soul power can possess the capacity to kill."
She paused briefly: "But that is something you must explore for yourself."
A flicker of emotion stirred in Ye Lingling’s eyes.
An entirely new realm...
Life... capable of killing?
This thought, like a seed, took root deep within her heart.
Observing the look in her eyes, Bi Ji knew that her words had taken hold.
She withdrew the light glowing in her palm, her demeanor gentle...
She spoke: "No rush; let’s take our time."
"Starting today, you will first learn from me how to sense life energy."
Ye Lingling nodded.
Within those hollow eyes of hers, a faint glimmer of light now appeared.
...
Evening.
In the bamboo grove on the back mountain, on the open ground just outside the pavilion.
Shui Bing’er stood in the clearing, gasping for breath.
She was drenched in sweat; her training uniform was soaked through, clinging tightly to her body and accentuating her lithe, graceful curves.
The aqua-blue fabric, saturated with perspiration, had turned a deep indigo hue, adhering to her skin and revealing the contours of her form beneath.
Her hair was disheveled, with stray strands plastered against her forehead as beads of sweat trickled down her cheeks.
She looked utterly disheveled.
Yet, her eyes shone with extraordinary brilliance.
Like two dazzling stars.
The Ice Emperor stood before her, arms crossed over her chest, and nodded with satisfaction:
"Hmm, your fundamentals aren’t bad. Although you strayed down the wrong path, your foundation remains intact."
She paused briefly: "That will be all for today. We continue tomorrow."
Shui Bing’er took a deep breath, struggling to steady her rapid, labored breathing.
She braced her hands against her knees, bent at the waist, and continued to pant heavily.
"Yes... Thank you, Senior..."
Her voice was broken and intermittent; she was clearly utterly exhausted.
Watching her in this state, a faint smile flickered in the Ice Emperor’s eyes.
Then, she turned around, clasped her hands behind her back, and—taking small, measured steps—walked away.
That retreating figure, no matter how one looked at it, bore the distinct air of a precocious little adult.
Shui Bing’er raised her head and watched her go, unable to suppress a smile.
This "Senior"... she was actually quite interesting.
...
Meanwhile, in the garden.
The lingering glow of the setting sun spilled down, bathing the entire garden in a golden halo.
Ye Lingling sat cross-legged on the grass, her eyes closed.
Her hands rested gently upon her knees.
Her palms faced upward.
Wisps of faint green light began to slowly emanate from within her body.
The light was ethereal and dim—much like the soft glow of fireflies—as it drifted and swirled around her. Flickering between brightness and dimness, gathering and dispersing in turn—it seemed almost as if it possessed a life of its own.
Every single wisp of light was imbued with the very breath of life.
That aura was both warm and gentle.
Bi Ji sat beside her, watching in silence.
A flicker of approval flashed within her eyes.
This child possesses remarkable aptitude.
She thought to herself.
She is already capable of a rudimentary perception of life energy.
Given time, she is bound to achieve greatness!
She raised her head, gazing out at the evening glow on the horizon.
The sunset clouds blazed like fire, painting half the sky a fiery red.
It was a beauty that took one’s breath away.
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