With the help of Breath of Life, Lin Feng quickly recovered, trading a portion of his soul power for the healing of his injuries.
Qian Daoliu changed his shirt mid-air, his expression complex as he looked at Lin Feng and asked:
"How do you have so much soul power?"
Lin Feng was taken aback.
"Is it a lot?"
Ling Yuan nodded.
"It really is. You have at least double the soul power of an ordinary soul master at your level."
"Oh?"
Lin Feng stroked his chin. He hadn't really thought about this before.
After forming his soul veins, his body had been continuously nourished, and his soul power and physical strength had been steadily increasing.
Without external comparisons, he hadn't noticed this change.
During the battle, he had used his second soul skill, Earthfire Surge, twice, and his third soul skill twice.
He had also experimented with variations of his second soul skill. Both area control and extreme offensive skills consumed a lot of soul power.
After that, he had used Breath of Life to fully restore his condition.
Even now, he still had about 30% of his soul power left.
With such reserves, he was practically a humanoid weapon. In a game, he'd be the kind of boss players would complain about.
Thanks to his soul veins, he never lacked for soul skills.
Once he unlocked a skill's attributes, it was as if he had countless variations of that skill at his disposal.
A true mechanism monster. In some games, he'd be the kind of character players would say, "Just one shot from him and it's over."
Qian Daoliu brushed off his clothes.
"You don't suffer from being a jack of all trades.
Your soul skills are all incredibly powerful, far surpassing those of soul masters at your level. That compressed fireball you used earlier had the power of a Soul Ancestor's attack.
At close range, it would seriously injure anyone hit by it."
Lin Feng nodded slightly.
"That's right. My soul power reserves allow me to engage in prolonged battles.
At the same time, the variations of my soul skills give me strong offense, defense, control, and healing abilities.
With full mastery of my soul skills, each one has top-tier power.
At my level, I'm invincible!"
Lin Feng declared proudly.
Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan covered their mouths, chuckling. This side of Lin Feng, occasionally showing the brashness of youth, was what they loved most.
Qian Renxue's eyes gleamed with a strange light as she watched Lin Feng's confident demeanor. A strong sense of possessiveness rose within her.
She touched the storage ring on her finger, her eyes flickering. The whale glue… it hadn't been used up yet.
Lin Feng…
Qian Daoliu clicked his tongue.
"I can't figure out how your soul skills can be so versatile. Is it because of your soul veins?"
"Probably. Ever since forming my soul veins, my control over each soul skill has reached a new level.
True mastery, where I can use them freely, will take some more time."
Qian Daoliu glanced at Lin Feng's Innate Treasure Pearl, deep in thought.
"Soul veins… the root of it all? Or is it the laws of the universe…"
"Ju Douluo mentioned that you'll soon be able to create soul veins for others?"
Qian Daoliu suddenly asked.
"That's right. Once I fully understand the deeper principles of soul veins, I'll be confident in constructing the first soul vein for someone else."
Qian Daoliu nodded, pointing at Lin Feng.
"Don't get too arrogant. Remember, the world is far more vast than what we know.
The strong stay strong because they always maintain the heart of a learner.
Even when facing those weaker than yourself, you should respect them and learn from their strengths.
Only then can you truly become strong."
Lin Feng was momentarily stunned. He clasped his right fist with his left hand and bowed.
"Thank you for your guidance, Grandpa. I'll remember it."
"Hmm—"
Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction, stroking his beard.
"Lin Feng, you're the best! Don't listen to Grandpa. You're the strongest, whether it's in theory or combat. You're unmatched in the world!"
Ling Yuan didn't speak, but the look in her eyes said it all.
The affectionate gazes of the two women made Qian Daoliu's breath hitch.
Crack.
A faint sound broke the moment. Qian Daoliu's smile froze as he casually flicked away the beard hair he had "accidentally" pulled out. He said sternly:
"Let's go. We still need to find a soul beast for Xue'er."
His heart ached as he added, unwilling to give up:
"Xue'er, I have some minor injuries too. Shouldn't Lin Feng heal me?"
Qian Renxue thought for a moment.
"No need, Grandpa. You're not seriously hurt. Besides, Lin Feng's soul power is almost depleted. Do you want him to suffer?"
"Never mind. Forget I asked."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand, walking ahead in silence, his figure exuding an air of loneliness.
Gritting his teeth, Qian Daoliu sent a voice transmission to Lin Feng:
"Kid, I'm really annoyed right now."
Lin Feng was puzzled. Why was he telling him this?
If you're annoyed, just deal with it.
"You should 'voluntarily' come to me for 'guidance.' Understand?"
Lin Feng's mouth twitched. What do you even know, Poseidon?.
As the old saying goes, "A wise man knows when to yield." Lin Feng nodded imperceptibly.
Fine, at least he might learn something. Letting Qian Daoliu vent his frustration was probably for the best. After all, he had not only taken his precious granddaughter but also the guardian of the garden.
Seeing Lin Feng agree, Qian Daoliu clenched his fist under his robe.
His fist was clenched, and now he could finally beat Lin Feng up legitimately. The kid was smart to agree.
Feeling slightly better, Qian Daoliu's steps became lighter.
Lin Feng watched Qian Daoliu's change in demeanor, feeling a bit speechless. The old man's priorities seemed a bit off.
---
The perception and search capabilities of a Title Douluo were far beyond those of ordinary soul masters.
Especially when it came to soul beasts like the Golden Lion, which were highly compatible with the Angel Martial Soul.
Qian Daoliu even knew the territorial habits of such soul beasts.
Thus, the four of them quickly found the soul beast Qian Renxue needed.
"This one is just over 12,500 years old. Xue'er, I'll capture it for you.
Ling Yuan, keep an eye on them."
The Golden Lion was lazily lying in the grass, basking in the sun.
Thinking about its lioness, it suddenly felt a thud and was knocked unconscious, its eyes rolling back and its tongue lolling out, looking utterly defeated.
Qian Renxue looked at the Golden Lion's silly expression and frowned.
"Grandpa, this thing looks really stupid."
Qian Daoliu snorted.
"That's because I'm too strong. If it were another soul master, you'd see how fierce it can be. One breath of fire, and even a Soul King would be killed on the spot!"
"Oh~"
Qian Renxue, who had been eager to fight after watching Lin Feng and Qian Daoliu's battle, calmed down.
She had thought about fighting the Golden Lion one-on-one, but now she decided against it.
She wanted to fight, not die.
"First Soul Skill: Angel's Strike!"
The sacred energy of the Six-Winged Angel gathered in Qian Renxue's fist as she struck the Golden Lion's head.
Without any resistance, the Golden Lion died instantly.
A faint black soul ring appeared.