In the forest clearing, the atmosphere was tense and focused. Osler and Qiu Yao sat cross-legged before the corpses of the Nether Panther and Thought Beast respectively, beginning the critical process of absorbing the Soul Rings.
Osler took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes as he placed the Mandala Flower given by Marco into his mouth. He then guided the deep purple Soul Ring emerging from the Nether Panther's corpse to envelop him. Instantly, violent and cold dark energy flooded through his entire body like a tidal wave! The Nether Panther's residual ferocious will fiercely assaulted his Sea of Consciousness, attempting to devour him. Osler grunted, his face instantly turning pale as his body trembled violently.
At this critical moment, the Mandala Flower in his mouth transformed into a gentle yet pure dark primordial energy, acting like a lubricant that guided the Nether Panther's violent energy along specific meridian pathways while continuously soothing and merging with that ferocious will. Osler firmly maintained his mental focus, fully activating his Nether Leopard Martial Soul to guide this unprecedented powerful energy. Changes began to appear on his body's surface - what seemed like black flowing flames moved beneath his skin, and his bones emitted faint cracking sounds.
The entire process lasted nearly two hours. When Osler opened his eyes again, his pupils had turned crimson red similar to the Nether Panther's, sharp as blades. He stood up, radiating an aura far more powerful than before. Beneath his feet, three Soul Rings - yellow, yellow, and purple - shone brilliantly, with the third purple ring appearing particularly deep in color.
"Third Spirit Ability, Nether Panther Transformation!" Osler shouted softly, the purple Soul Ring glowing brightly. His body underwent significant changes: his figure became more agile and slender, his muscle lines filled with explosive power, his fingers sharpened, his joints covered with dark blue keratin layers, and a long panther tail with dark blue flames burning at its tip swung behind him - this was complete beast transformation similar to Rob Lucci's human-beast form in One Piece! Faint black mist swirled around him, with all attributes - attack, speed, and defense - greatly enhanced, every attack naturally carrying highly corrosive dark energy.
"I succeeded! I succeeded! My Martial Soul... has completely evolved! It's no longer the Ghost Panther, but the true Nether Panther!" Osler could hardly contain his excitement as he felt the surging power and new form within him. He looked at Marco, his eyes filled with endless gratitude, "Boss! Thank you! Without you and this Mandala Flower, I could never have succeeded!"
On the other side, Qiu Yao's absorption process appeared much calmer but was no less dangerous. The five-hundred-year Thought Beast Soul Ring's energy flowed into her Brain Soul Spirit like a pure mental torrent. The massive Mental Power impacted her Sea of Consciousness - if not for her special Martial Soul, innate strong Mental Power, long-term nourishment from Whale Jelly, and Mind Calming Grass stabilizing her mind, she would likely have been overwhelmed instantly. Her small face was tense, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, but her eyes remained exceptionally clear as she diligently guided this gentle yet vast mental energy to merge with herself.
Chapter
Over an hour later, the mental fluctuations around Qiu Yao gradually subsided. She slowly opened her eyes, her pupils shimmering with a glass-like luster that made her appear even more intelligent and lively. A bright yellow Soul Ring materialized at her feet.
"Qiu Yao, how do you feel? What is your Spirit Ability?" Marco asked with concern.
Qiu Yao blinked, seemingly sensing her newly acquired power. She raised her small hand and pointed at a fallen leaf nearby, concentrating her mind. The leaf wobbled and floated into the air, tracing simple trajectories as she subtly moved her fingers.
"Brother, my first Spirit Ability is called 'Psychokinesis'," Qiu Yao said, her voice tinged with novelty and excitement. "I can directly move and control objects with my Mental Power. I feel... the stronger my Mental Power, the heavier the objects I can move, and the more precise my control becomes."
Li Zhaoyan and Yang Wudi exchanged glances, both seeing astonishment in each other's eyes. The Brain Soul Spirit combined with the Thought Beast Soul Ring had actually produced such a direct and immensely potent mental manipulation ability! This was undoubtedly the perfect starting point for Qiu Yao.
"Excellent! Truly excellent!" Li Zhaoyan clapped his hands and laughed heartily, the worries of the past few days completely vanishing. Even Yang Wudi's stern face broke into a rare smile as he nodded in approval.
Marco watched the two who had successfully absorbed their Soul Rings and greatly enhanced their strength, his heart filled with relief. Osler's Martial Soul had evolved, skyrocketing his combat power; Qiu Yao had gained an exceptional mental-type Spirit Ability, laying a bright foundation for her future. This expedition to the Star Dou Great Forest could be considered a complete success.
After resting and allowing Osler and Qiu Yao to familiarize themselves with their new abilities, the group set off on their return journey. Eager to return and bolstered by the team's enhanced strength—especially Osler's breakthrough to Soul Honour and Martial Soul evolution—their pace was significantly faster.
Osler could hardly contain his excitement, frequently activating his "Nether Panther Transformation" to nimbly dart through the forest, acclimating to the power and speed of his new form. The azure tail flame left dazzling trails among the trees. Qiu Yao quietly followed beside Marco, occasionally using her Psychokinesis to pick up small stones or leaves to play with, her small face wearing a focused expression and a faint smile.
Several days later, they neared the outer regions of the Star Dou Great Forest, with just one more day's travel to exit the forest. As evening approached, the fading sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
Just as they were about to search for a suitable campsite, Qing Yu, who had been scouting ahead, suddenly let out a sharp warning cry and swiftly returned to Marco's shoulder, its feathers slightly bristling. Almost simultaneously, Marco, Li Zhaoyan, and Yang Wudi all tensed up!
An extremely subtle yet intensely discomforting aura—cold, sinister, and decayed—seeped out from a valley not far ahead like a venomous snake. Though not powerful, it felt as if it could corrode one's very soul, causing Osler and Qiu Yao to instantly feel a palpitation and nausea.
"Such an evil aura!" Li Zhaoyan's eyes sharpened like an eagle's as he immediately shielded Qiu Yao behind him. Yang Wudi had silently gripped his Soul Piercing Lance, its tip aimed toward the source of the aura, his entire body radiating a fierce killing intent. Marco's Double Pupil Eye...
Li Zhaoyan fully activated his Observation Haki, sending it flooding toward the valley like a tidal wave. However, the sinister aura seemed to possess some property that blocked perception. His probing felt like casting clay oxen into the sea—only able to vaguely sense a deathly stillness within the valley, as if something extremely ominous was lurking there.
Osler instantly entered a state of alert, his Nether Panther Transformation ready to be unleashed as he firmly shielded Qiu Yao.
"There's something strange ahead," Marco said gravely, his brow furrowed. "This aura... doesn't feel like an ordinary Soul Beast. It's more like..."
"An Evil Spirit Master!" Li Zhaoyan and Yang Wudi spoke almost in unison, their expressions turning extremely grim.
In the twilight at the forest's edge, a hidden danger quietly revealed its ferocious edge.
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