The golden sun rose from the eastern horizon, driving away the final remnants of darkness.
The blue seawater was dyed a radiant gold-red hue, and the vast sheet of ice reflected dazzling light beneath the morning glow.
Over the course of the night, just as the sun fully emerged, Xu Zihuang finally completed the absorption of his second soul ring.
With a crisp sound reminiscent of shattering glass, the purple soul ring suddenly expanded, then contracted, syncing perfectly with the rhythm of the first ring around Xu Zihuang's body.
The two noble purple soul rings hovering around him exuded an air of unparalleled grandeur, giving him an even more regal aura.
"Young Lord," the surrounding people all turned their eyes to him the moment he opened his eyes and rose to his feet.
Xu Zihuang scanned his surroundings and noticed Wang Xiao and Yao Yang standing nearby with concern etched on their faces. He nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
As Yao Yang had predicted, Xu Zihuang's second soul skill indeed derived from one of the Evil Spirit Orca's powerful control-type abilities. With this new soul skill, he was beginning to take shape as a genuine control-system soul master.
His soul power had also risen directly to rank 22, nearing rank 23. At his current rate of cultivation, he was confident he could reach rank 30 before the age of eleven.
However, having two purple soul rings as his first two soul rings would make him stand out wherever he went. When he used his martial soul in the future, discretion would be nearly impossible.
Although it had been early morning when he began absorbing the soul ring, Xu Zihuang had taken less than an hour and a half to complete the process for the three-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca.
In comparison, Meng Lang and Lin Long were still immersed in their own fusion, far from the ease Xu Zihuang had displayed. Nonetheless, their soul power fluctuations and auras remained steady, showing no signs of danger.
Wang Xiao and Yao Yang stayed vigilant while the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer soldiers stood guard, maintaining a tight perimeter.
The team dissecting the two ten- and twenty-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orcas was still busy at work. Meanwhile, the smaller three-thousand-year-old Evil Spirit Orcas had already been processed, leaving behind only bloodstains and broken bones on the icy platform. Most of the carefully butchered orca meat had been frozen and transported to the ship's storage.
The rich aroma of cooking reached Xu Zihuang's nose as a portly soldier approached, carrying a tray with a sizable piece of pan-seared evil spirit orca tail cooked in butter.
"Young Lord, I prepared this Evil Spirit Orca tail steak with butter. Please have a taste," the man said, chuckling as he placed the tray on the table and pulled out a chair out of his storage soul tool for Xu Zihuang with practiced care.
"You've gone to great lengths," Xu Zihuang responded with a smile. He didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down and picking up the silver knife and fork to savor the dish.
Seated on the icy platform, with the vast sea waves rolling in and the sunrise as his backdrop, the moment could only be described as refined and luxurious.
"It's my duty, Young Lord," the man replied. As he took out a crystal glass cup from his storage soul tool, filled with fragrant green fruit juice. "Please, have a drink."
The man's name was Rong Jin, not technically part of the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion but a long-time servant of the Xu household. Rong Jin's cultivation wasn't particularly impressive—he was only in rank 40 or so—but his culinary skills were exceptional.
During their journey at sea over the past two weeks or so, Xu Zihuang's meals had all been meticulously prepared by Rong Jin.
His dedication and loyalty were unquestionable. As he followed Wang Xiao to participate in the rescue mission.
The seared orca tail steak, with its buttery aroma and unique freshness, was tender and delicious—perfectly suited to Xu Zihuang's palate. Paired with a glass of refreshing green fruit juice, it made for a thoroughly satisfying breakfast.
"Ahhh."
Just as Xu Zihuang was finishing his meal, a shout of astonishment erupted from the direction of the ten- and twenty-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca corpses.
Even though they were no longer in the deep-sea region, danger could arise at any moment. The earlier encounter with the Evil Spirit Orcas served as a sobering reminder.
One moment Xu Zihuang was leisurely sipping green fruit juice, but in the next moment, he was on high alert. His deep purple eyes turned a brilliant gold, and his two purple soul rings materialized at his feet, emitting waves of energy.
The soldiers of the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion swiftly readied themselves for battle, their expressions grim.
"Everyone, no need to panic!" A young man standing near the massive corpse of the twenty-thousand-year-old Evil Spirit Orca raised his hands, realizing the commotion he had caused gave an embarrassed smile. "I found a soul bone inside the orca!"
The youth held up a jet-black leg bone, its luster deep and restrained. Despite its subdued appearance, the energy it radiated was fierce and overpowering, as if it absorbed all surrounding light.
Although it was classified as a leg bone, its shape resembled the tail of an orca more than a human limb.
The crowd instinctively held their breath. Even Xu Zihuang's heart raced slightly at the sight of the soul bone.
Soul bones were incredibly rare treasures, far more valuable than soul rings. The stronger the soul beast, the more powerful the soul bone it could produce.
A soul bone from a ten-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca would undoubtedly be of the highest quality among its kind. Infusing it would not only grant the recipient a formidable soul skill but also significantly enhance the strength of their legs. It was an ideal match for power-attack or defense-type soul masters.
Though this particular leg bone was best suited for such soul masters, it was by no means useless to others. Any soul master who could integrate a top-tier soul bone like this would experience a dramatic boost in their abilities.
The young man gazed at the soul bone in his hands with a look of longing but hesitated only briefly before stepping forward and presenting it to Wang Xiao.
He was fully aware that the final decision regarding the soul bone's ownership would rest with Wang Xiao—or, more accurately, with Xu Zihuang.
The soldiers' gazes turned toward Xu Zihuang and Wang Xiao, waiting for their response.
"Uncle Wang," Xu Zihuang said after exchanging a look with Wang Xiao, "please hold onto the soul bone for now. Later, it can be awarded to someone who has made significant contributions. Finding this soul bone was a group effort, so it rightfully belongs to everyone."
Even if he chose to absorb the soul bone right now, no one would object.
However, Xu Zihuang's ambitions extended far beyond the present.
With his talent, he was confident he could obtain soul bones of far higher quality in the future. The hundred-thousand-year Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well alone held enough treasures to assemble multiple sets of hundred-thousand-year soul bones.
He had no intention of following any of the Tang Sect's rules. When he had enough strength, he would take it all. Even all of the Immortal Herbs.
For now, his priority was to reignite the morale of the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion, turning them into a formidable force under his command.
"As expected..." Wang Xiao sighed, his expression a mixture of pride and concern.
"The path you've chosen will not be an easy one," he murmured.
Yao Yang observed the interaction between Xu Zihuang and Wang Xiao with a thoughtful look. A faint smile tugged at his lips as realization dawned.
Meanwhile, the soldiers' eyes burned with admiration, as their eagerness was almost palpable.