Xiao Tianyang turned around and examined his fourth soul skill.
Soul Flame Magma: This soul skill almost entirely inherited the core combat power of the Magma Flame Soul Beast!
The reason? It was an ability that transformed flames into magma!
For Xiao Tianyang, this transformation was akin to a magical skill.
You see, Emperor Flame was already immensely powerful, being the Supreme Master Heavenly Flames.
But when comparing flames and magma of equal quantity, which one was more destructive and lethal?
The answer was almost self-evident.
Of course, this alone wouldn't have led Xiao Tianyang to regard this fourth soul skill as a good ability.
The main reason was that while this skill converted flames into magma, it also retained the flames!
In other words, Emperor Flame's magma can be coated with a layer of Emperor's flames!
With this combination, even Xiao Tianyang himself wasn't sure if he could counter an opponent wielding such an ability...
As he pondered, footsteps suddenly sounded from the cave entrance.
Xiao Tianyang snapped out of his thoughts and looked toward the entrance. "Have you finished eating?"
Qian Renxue nodded and glanced at him. "You've obtained your fourth soul ring. This place isn't like other soul beast forests. We should leave now."
"No, I still have something to do here. I can't leave yet," Xiao Tianyang shook his head and stood up. "But you should go. Given your current status, disappearing for too long will arouse suspicion."
Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned by his words.
After all, this was the Star Dou Forest, not the Great Spirit Arena.
Apart from obtaining soul rings, what else could one do here?
As for the latter part of his statement, she simply ignored it. She was well aware of the implications.
Before leaving, she had claimed to be in seclusion, but as the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, her absence would undoubtedly cause complications.
Moreover, if too much time passed, a certain woman from Spirit Hall Palace wouldn't remain idle.
If she tracked Qian Renxue down or followed her trail to find Xiao Tianyang, the trouble would only escalate!
After careful consideration, she had made the decision to leave. But she hadn't expected Xiao Tianyang to refuse.
"What else is there for you to do here?" A hint of displeasure flickered across Qian Renxue's delicate face. "Tell me directly, or we'll both stay here together."
Xiao Tianyang fell silent for a moment before finally meeting her resolute gaze. "This matter is very important to me, and you can't help, no matter how strong you are."
He didn't give her a chance to interject and continued, "Don't worry, there's no danger involved. You know my strength. Besides self-protection, I also have many treasures. Even if I encounter an enemy, I can retreat confidently."
Qian Renxue narrowed her beautiful eyes. "Then why were you lying injured in the forest last time?"
Xiao Tianyang was momentarily speechless but eventually sighed. "I'm not lying to you this time."
Seeing his earnest expression, Qian Renxue relented. "Fine, I'll leave. But if I don't receive news of your return within seven days, I'll come back to find you!"
After a brief mental calculation, Xiao Tianyang nodded. "Alright."
"I'm leaving then," Qian Renxue said straightforwardly, ready to depart immediately.
But before she could leave, Xiao Tianyang stopped her.
"Take these two things with you."
He held two wooden boxes in his hands. Handing her the first one, he explained, "This is a medicinal herb called Glazed Holy Light Vine. I'm not entirely sure of its specific effects, but consuming it will undoubtedly enhance your power."
Then he handed her the second box. "This is called the Azure Sea Flowing Clouds Hairpin. Don't underestimate it. It not only increase the probability of breaking through but also cultivate the body and mind."
Qian Renxue took the two boxes and gave him a strange look. "Tell me honestly, are you a tomb robber?"
Xiao Tianyang rolled his eyes. "I just have a lot of treasures. Is that so hard to believe?"
Qian Renxue didn't press further but handed the hairpin back. "Keeping this hairpin with you would be more useful than leaving it with me."
Xiao Tianyang spread his hands helplessly. "Can't you tell? This hairpin is meant for women. If it could be used by men, why would I give it to you?"
Qian Renxue was momentarily surprised. It was the first time she'd heard such a stupid excuse.
Seeing Xiao Tianyang's genuine refusal, she finally accepted the items without further hesitation and left.
There was no lingering reluctance or other emotions.
This was Qian Renxue character, resolute and unflinching.
After tidying up, Xiao Tianyang also left the cave.
Currently, he only had one task left: [Tit for Tat].
As for the other task, [Revenge], it would automatically complete and settle once he left the Star Dou Forest.
Leaving now wouldn't pose a problem, but it would mean abandoning the other task.
"No wonder the rewards for [Tit for Tat] are so generous. It's designed to increase the difficulty of [Revenge], making it harder to claim the rewards," Xiao Tianyang mused as he moved forward.
Soul Skill Sublimation Card—though he'd never received such a reward before, its meaning was clear from the name alone.
This was the cunning nature of the system.
[Revenge] could be completed easily, but [Tit for Tat] served as a restraint on his actions.
Some might argue that he could leave now and return later.
While that made sense, Xiao Tianyang disliked the idea.
Moreover, he needed to improve his strength now. If he returned later, these rewards might become useless, or the task's difficulty might increase—neither of which was favorable.
Additionally, Xiao Tianyang preferred to handle matters promptly. Procrastination only bred bad habits.
The most crucial reason he dared to stay, however, was the Sky Swallowing Demonic Beast's injury.
Although it was possible for the beast to send other ten-thousand-year soul beasts after him, Xiao Tianyang deemed it unlikely.
After all, while ten-thousand-year soul beasts weren't rare in the forest, they weren't abundant either.
Among them, only the divine beasts harbored deep-seated hatred for Xiao Tianyang.
As for the rest, as long as he didn't provoke them, they likely wouldn't go out of their way to hunt him down.
If the situation were different, he would've left immediately without hesitation.
After all, everything he'd said earlier was based on the assumption of survival.
Without life, what use were rewards?
From this perspective, Xiao Tianyang was both brave and resourceful—at least for now.
…
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