"As for the fourth soul skill..."
Lin Rong paused for a moment as he checked the soul skill granted by his fourth soul ring. For a brief moment, he stood there in a daze.
Fourth Soul Skill: Dragon Roar Thunder Realm.
Upon activation, a thunderous barrier would be unleashed. Unless Lin Rong permitted it, no one could enter or exit the barrier unless it was broken.
Once the barrier was in place, it could autonomously absorb the world's vital energy to maintain itself, no longer consuming Lin Rong's soul power.
While inside the barrier, Lin Rong's soul power would double, his lightning element strength would increase by 200%, his speed would be enhanced by 100%, and the dragon's might from his martial soul would be doubled.
Additionally, the fourth soul ring granted Lin Rong a passive effect: Control over Lightning Elements!
This was equivalent to having an elemental martial soul that could not add soul rings.
"Even Kong Qingzhu couldn't grant me control over the space element, but I never expected that the Thunder Prison Vine would give me control over the lightning element," Lin Rong thought.
"It seems that no matter how extraordinary Kong Qingzhu's roots were, they still can't compare to the Thunder God bloodline of the Thunder Prison Vine."
Lin Rong raised his hand, and a small blue lightning dragon formed, swirling in his palm.
"However, although the fourth soul skill granted by the Thunder Prison Vine is good, it's still a support-type enhancement skill, not the explosive output skill I was hoping for."
"Thankfully, the Thunder Prison Vine also dropped a soul bone. I hope this soul bone will provide me with a powerful offensive skill."
With that, Lin Rong took out the deep blue left leg bone from the Dragon Pattern Jade Pearl.
"Before gaining control over the lightning element, it would have been troublesome to allow this soul bone to absorb thunderbolts and increase its age," he muttered. "But with control over lightning elements, I can generate thunder on my own and allow the soul bone to absorb it, keeping this soul bone in a state of constant evolution, just like the other two."
"Speaking of which, soul bones truly are a product of the rules of the world."
"Even though everyone's bone sizes are different, once absorbed, the soul bone perfectly fits their bone structure."
"Moreover, even if a soul bone is removed after being absorbed, it will return to its original size no matter who absorbs it."
Lin Rong looked at the left leg bone of the Thunder Prison Vine in his hand. The size of the soul bone was nearly identical to that of an adult.
It wasn't just this one.
The two complete soul bones from Kong Qingzhu and the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng were also the size of an adult's bones.
Even the three-thousand-year-old soul bones inherited from his family were similarly sized to fit their corresponding bone positions, even though they weren't complete.
Generally speaking, the higher the age of the soul bone, the more complete it is.
Once a soul bone exceeds 50,000 years in age, its completeness is nearly perfect.
But even then, it's only nearly perfect. Only a 100,000-year-old soul bone can be considered truly flawless.
However, there are exceptions.
For example, Kong Qingzhu, with its mysterious roots, and the Thunder God bloodline of the Thunder Prison Vine...
"Thunder God bloodline... Soul bones are products of the world's rules. I wonder if the Thunder God bloodline contained in the Thunder Prison Vine can be refined into the soul bone."
Lin Rong held the soul bone in his hands and speculated, "The reason the Thunder Prison Vine can absorb thunderbolts to enhance its strength is because of the Thunder God bloodline within. Since this soul bone inherited the Thunder Prison Vine's ability to absorb thunderbolts, it's not surprising that the soul bone contains the Thunder God bloodline."
After a moment of hesitation, Lin Rong made a firm decision.
The Four Great Realms of the Cleansing Marrow Scripture:
Heart Empty, Body Transformed
Complete and Clear, Observe All Things
Manifest and Conceal All Beings
Flick of the Finger, Transcend the Beginning
Lin Rong had already perfected the first two realms.
With the protection of these two realms, even if the soul bone contained the Thunder God bloodline, under the refining of the Cleansing Marrow Scripture, the diluted bloodline shouldn't be able to contaminate the purity of his blood.
He could even use the Cleansing Marrow Scripture to refine and purify the faint traces of the Thunder God bloodline.
Once he made up his mind, Lin Rong stopped overthinking and began to meditate for a while, operating the Cleansing Marrow Scripture. Afterward, he began absorbing the soul bone.
During the absorption process, Lin Rong fully activated the Cleansing Marrow Scripture, not daring to slacken for even a moment. He carefully refined every trace of energy contained in the soul bone.
In the mirror of his mind, everything was visible down to the smallest detail.
"So, this is the Thunder God bloodline?"
Lin Rong could see that within the energy contained in the soul bone, there were strands of faintly blue liquid.
These liquids seemed alive, full of vitality.
The moment they entered his body along with the soul bone's energy, they immediately sought to merge with his bloodline.
However, Lin Rong gave them no chance. The soul power cultivated by the Cleansing Marrow Scripture swiftly wrapped around these liquids, sealing them tightly.
Although the Thunder God bloodline resisted, its power was too weak to pose any serious threat.
Moreover, the soul power refined by the Cleansing Marrow Scripture was incredibly profound, effectively binding the Thunder God bloodline.
Next, the soul power wrapped around these liquids circulated throughout his meridians, slowly purging the "impurities" contained within the Thunder God bloodline.
With the threat of the Thunder God bloodline removed, the process of absorbing the soul bone proceeded without any further disturbances.
Lin Rong had already absorbed the Thunder Prison Vine's soul ring, so absorbing its soul bone felt like a natural process.
However, to avoid any remaining traces of the Thunder God bloodline, Lin Rong intentionally slowed down the absorption of the soul bone.
He aimed to be methodical and cautious, ensuring every step was precise.
Time slowly passed.
Lin Rong had absorbed all the energy contained in the soul bone, meaning it was fully integrated with him.
At this point, the only thing left was to refine the Thunder God bloodline circulating in his meridians.
Once again, he activated the cycle of his meridians.
The faint blue soul power surrounding the Thunder God bloodline finally cleansed the last bit of "impurity."
The originally faint blue liquid turned clear and colorless after the impurities were removed, becoming like pure water.
Only then did Lin Rong feel comfortable starting to absorb the purified Thunder God bloodline.
Once refined, the bloodline silently merged with Lin Rong's flesh and blood, and the divine substance it contained subtly nourished his body.
Soon, the absorption of the bloodline was complete.
Lin Rong opened his eyes, and his entire aura seemed to have undergone a subtle change.
This change was minute, so others wouldn't be able to notice it. But the old butler, who had watched Lin Rong grow up, noticed it immediately.
"Young master, what's happened to you...?"
Lin Rong saw the concern in the old butler's eyes and took his hand, reassuring him:
"Grandfather Yu, I'm fine."
"I've absorbed some of the divine bloodline. A slight change is normal. You needn't worry."