Du Feng already had a clear idea for his second soul skill.
The inspiration came from his mother, Jiang Mu's third soul skill, Crystal Armor, which coated her body in a layer of amethyst, drastically increasing her defense while granting her extra reaction time in dangerous situations. Crystal, after all, was both hard and resilient, capable of withstanding tremendous pressure and impact without breaking easily.
Du Feng's first soul skill, Giant Strength, could amplify his physical power threefold. But even with focused training, the recoil from such immense force still stressed his body beyond its limits. He realized that without a way to protect himself, increasing raw strength would only bring injury.
After some thought, observing his mother's ability gave him an idea: what if he could develop a defensive skill that complemented his growing strength? Armor could absorb most of the backlash from his own power, allowing him to endure attacks far more effectively.
Guided by Du Tu and Jiang Mu, Du Feng now ventured into a volcanic region to hunt Fire Crystal Lava Snakes. These creatures lived in lava-rich terrain, their bodies built for brute force rather than venom. Using their powerful muscular constriction, they crushed prey until bones fractured and lungs collapsed, swallowing weaker animals whole. When threatened, their scales would thicken, increasing both weight and defense, making their strangling attacks even deadlier.
Du Feng aimed to hunt a Fire Crystal Lava Serpent over six hundred years old—prudent, considering the maximum age for a second spirit ring was seven hundred and thirty-two years. With Jiang Mu's guidance and knowledge of the serpents' territory, they located a suitable target within two days.
As expected, Du Tu's powerful strike left the serpent on the verge of death. Finding a safe spot, Du Feng prepared to finish it. He drew a small knife and delivered the final blow.
The moment the serpent's yellow spirit ring began to condense above its lifeless body, Du Feng seated himself cross-legged, channeling his soul power to guide the ring toward him.
The instant the yellow light entered his body, an immense force surged through his meridians. Du Feng directed it carefully, guiding it to the right channels. Then, a series of changes rippled through his Amethyst Bear Martial Soul. Scales began to sprout across its surface, and crystal growth spread from the fur to the flesh beneath.
The pain was excruciating. Du Feng's face contorted, and he screamed involuntarily.
From the sidelines, Jiang Mu and Du Tu's hearts sank. "Stay awake! Push through it! If you falter now, even if you survive, your future as a Soul Master will be compromised!" Jiang Mu shouted.
Gritting his teeth, Du Feng endured. Three hours of agonizing absorption later, he had finally taken in all the power of the soul ring. Completely drained, he felt a wave of fear linger—but relief as well.
Examining his body, Du Feng was pleasantly surprised. His soul power had risen to level twenty-three, and his Martial Soul had undergone a significant mutation. Crystals growing along his body now reinforced his defensive capabilities far beyond their original level.
Unlike his mother's Crystal Armor, which functioned as a full suit, Du Feng's new skill—Crystal Transformation—was more specialized. It enhanced the thickness and strength of the scales naturally generated by his Martial Soul. Tiny pentagonal crystals interlocked, covering his body and reflecting a deep purple hue in sunlight.
Jiang Mu and Du Tu, witnessing the transformation, exhaled deeply. They had nearly feared the worst. But now, seeing Du Feng alive and stronger, their relief was palpable.
"How are you feeling? Any unexpected reactions during the absorption?" Jiang Mu asked.
"My Martial Soul mutated again," Du Feng replied. "A layer of amethyst grew across my skin. The pain nearly made me give up, but I managed it."
"Let me see your Martial Soul Possession," Du Tu urged.
Du Feng activated Martial Soul Possession. His body was now sheathed in crystalline armor, the scales hardened and layered. "This isn't Mom's Crystal Armor exactly. It's my own mutation: crystallization that enhances my scales' defensive strength. The downside is the added weight, which reduces speed, though it can be offset by expending more soul power."
"That's a very beneficial mutation," Jiang Mu noted. "But we should return to Tianfeng City to analyze the changes further. Let's find the nearest town to rest tonight and head home tomorrow morning."
Following her advice, Du Tu carried Du Feng out of the volcanic region. A few days later, back in Tianfeng City, experiments began in earnest. They discovered that with Crystal Transformation, Du Feng's defense had increased dramatically. When fully focused, even an ordinary Soul Master would struggle to break through his crystalline scales.
The downside was clear: the heavier scales hampered his speed. Both Du Tu and Jiang Mu exchanged amused, yet exasperated glances.
In the days that followed, Du Feng returned to his usual routine of school and home, now armed with a second soul skill that balanced his immense strength with formidable defense, preparing him for the next stage of his journey.