Xu Zihuang's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
In the mere 15 days or so they had spent together, the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion soldiers' attitude toward Xu Zihuang had quietly shifted. Their respect for him was no longer solely due to him being Prince Zhengxuan's only son.
"Follow the earlier plan and don't waste time," Wang Xiao's steady voice broke the silence, snapping the soldiers out of their thoughts. They began moving methodically, their training evident in their precise coordination.
First, several ice-attribute soul masters worked together to freeze the surrounding thousand-meter stretch of ocean. This prevented the blood in the water from spreading and potentially attracting other sea soul beasts.
The Evil Spirit Orcas were indeed one of the three apex predators of the sea, but they weren't invincible. Most sea soul beasts would flee at the sight or scent of them, but there was always the slim chance of drawing their natural enemy, the Demon Soul Great White Shark, another top-tier soul beast.
Demon Soul Great White Sharks typically traveled in large packs, numbering at least a hundred. If they were to appear, they'd pose a greater threat to the group than the five Evil Spirit Orcas combined.
Even if the odds were low, it wasn't a risk worth taking.
The thick ice sheet was anchored to the ship on one side and secured to the orcas' massive bodies on the other, stabilizing the surface and making it easier for Lin Long to absorb his soul ring.
Half of the group stayed on high alert, scanning for any potential threats, while the other half began harvesting materials from the two ten- and twenty-thousand-year-old Evil Spirit Orcas.
The corpses of Evil Spirit Orcas were treasures in every sense.
Their tough hides and sharp teeth could be crafted into high-level soul tools. Their flesh was a rare delicacy with immense nutritional value for soul masters. The fat and internal organs could be refined into whale oil. And most precious of all was the Whale Gel found in their skulls.
When dried, Whale Gel became Whale Rubber, a highly prized substance that could enhance a soul master's physical constitution. For instance, a soul master who could only absorb a thousand-year soul ring might be able to handle a 1,500-year soul ring after consuming whale rubber.
The ten-thousand-year whale rubber from the Evil Spirit Orcas was even rarer and more valuable, making it one of the most sought-after items in high-end auctions across the continent.
Whale-type soul beasts were undoubtedly among the ocean's strongest. Evil Spirit Orcas, as one of the apex of this group, were even more formidable. It was only because of Wang Xiao's exceptional strength and the group's advanced soul tools that they dared take on these beasts.
From the two ten- and twenty-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orcas alone, they would likely harvest materials worth at least a million gold soul coins.
On the deck, Yao Yang's gaze fell upon the three captured, severely weakened thousand-year Evil Spirit Orcas. He seemed to have an idea and turned toward Xu Zihuang.
"Zihuang, it seems you won't have to search far for your second soul ring."
"You mean the Evil Spirit Orcas?" Xu Zihuang withdrew his martial soul, furrowing his brows. "But Evil Spirit Orcas aren't spiritual-type soul beasts, are they?"
He had learned about Evil Spirit Orcas as a child, given how infamous they were.
"True, Evil Spirit Orcas aren't primarily spiritual-type in nature," Yao Yang explained with a smile, "but their spiritual power is no weaker than that of specialized spiritual soul beasts of the same level. It's precisely because they have no real weaknesses that they are so powerful."
Yao Yang continued, "The two powerful skills you saw earlier, the Evil Spirit Orca's Mirror Destruction and Absorption, are both driven by a combination of spiritual power and soul power. If you can successfully absorb one of their soul rings, there's a good chance you'll obtain one of these skills. And with Uncle Wang's help refining some of the ten-thousand-year whale gel, your body should be able to handle the thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca soul ring without much difficulty."
He paused, glancing at Xu Zihuang with a knowing smile. "When I was at rank 20, I absorbed a thousand-year soul ring myself. The Evil Spirit Orca's soul ring is undoubtedly stronger, but your physical constitution far surpasses mine back then. With your twin martial souls, the risk is minimal."
Xu Zihuang's expression flickered with interest, but he quickly shook his head.
"Brother Yang, I don't intend to absorb that thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca soul ring."
"What?" Yao Yang was visibly shocked and immediately tried to persuade him. "Zihuang, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even if you hunt a more suitable spiritual-type soul beast later, the soul skill you gain may not..."
He trailed off, suddenly realizing something. His sharp gaze met Xu Zihuang's determined, deep purple-clear eyes.
"Brother Yang, I plan to absorb the three-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca's soul ring," Xu Zihuang said, his tone resolute.
"You've seen it yourself," he continued. "A thousand-year soul ring is far from my limit. Spiritual soul masters can gauge physical strength by probing spiritual energy—you know my body's condition better than anyone."
With a playful wink, he added, "Don't you agree?"
"Zihuang, you're really..." Yao Yang shook his head, equal parts amused and exasperated. But his tone quickly became serious.
"No, it's too risky. You're a twin martial soul wielder—you don't need to push for higher-age soul rings. Safety comes first. Besides, Uncle Wang won't agree to this."
"I do."
Before Yao Yang could argue further, Wang Xiao landed lightly beside them.
"Uncle Wang…" Yao Yang began, frowning.
"The imperial family's Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon martial soul has a unique ability—it can erase the residual spirit and resentment within a soul ring using its destructive energy. As long as the Young Lord's body can withstand the soul ring's energy, there's no need to worry about backlash," Wang Xiao explained, with a serious expression, addressing not only Yao Yang but also Xu Zihuang.
Having served Xu Zihuang's father for decades, Wang Xiao was well-versed in the secrets of the imperial family martial soul.
What truly convinced him, however, was witnessing Xu Zihuang's successful fusion with the external soul bone.
"I've thoroughly assessed Zihuang's physical condition," Wang Xiao continued. "He can handle a three-thousand-year soul ring. If that's his choice, then I support it."
Yao Yang deliberated briefly before nodding in agreement. "Alright. If Uncle Wang says it's safe, then I have no objections. Zihuang's Golden Eyes martial soul is spiritual in nature, and his willpower is strong enough to handle it." He had been concerned about the soul ring's attached resentment, but now that this issue had been resolved, he had nothing to worry about.
Without further delay, Wang Xiao retrieved several jade containers from his storage soul tool. Inside was a viscous, golden whale gel that shimmered like molten gold and exuded an enticing fragrance.
The two ten- and twenty-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orcas each had massive heads, with nearly a cubic meter of whale gel stored in their brains. What Wang Xiao had prepared was only a small portion, but it was more than sufficient for Xu Zihuang. Even with Wang Xiao's assistance, Xu Zihuang's current level and physique would require significant time to fully absorb the whale gel's effects.
"Young Lord, ingest this and enter a meditative state," Wang Xiao instructed.
Xu Zihuang complied without hesitation. Having consumed whale gel in his youth, he was familiar with its effects. Whale Gel and Whale Rubber were essentially the same thing; in their fresh form, they were even more potent. Its rich fragrance was almost intoxicating as it entered his mouth.
Before Xu Zihuang could fully savor it, he felt a pair of warm hands press against his back. Wang Xiao was already channeling his soul power, guiding the gel's energy through Xu Zihuang's meridians and dispersing it throughout his body.