The miniature worms formed from grains of sand collapsed completely the instant they touched the flaming sandstorm, whose sand and flames carried Phoenix divine power and temperatures high enough to melt ordinary metal instantly.
They did not even have time to make a sound. Every grain of sand crystal that formed their bodies was melted and vaporized by the extreme heat!
The faint life energy and soul imprint within them, so weak as to be almost negligible—were torn apart by the violent flames and swirling sand, like snowflakes thrown into a blazing fire, vanishing instantly.
There was no resistance, no scream.
Only countless tiny flashes, so small they were almost invisible, flickered briefly within the fiery storm. Those were the faint glimmers from the destruction of the energy cores that made up their bodies.
Lin Xia stood within the relatively calm core of the storm. His gaze was cold and sharp, like a deity controlling the tempest. His spiritual power remained highly concentrated as he sensed the annihilation of every sandworm along the edges of the storm.
A few seconds.
Only a few seconds!
The tens of thousands of sandworm clones that had scattered in all directions were completely destroyed by the heaven-burning flame sandstorm, leaving not a single trace!
When the final trace of energy representing the sandworms' existence vanished at the edge of the storm, a strange scene appeared within the center of the raging golden-red sandstorm.
Countless faint purple points of light, like fireflies separated from the storm.
As if guided by an invisible force, they were no longer carried by the sandstorm. Instead, they slowly yet firmly gathered toward the air above the safe zone at the storm's center, where Lin Xia and Larvitar stood.
These points of light were the purest remnants of life essence and soul power left behind by the destroyed sandworm clones.
Under the guidance of a mysterious rule, they gathered like rivers flowing into the sea, attracting and merging with one another.
Buzz…
The air emitted a low resonance.
At the moment when all the light completely fused together, a complete and solid purple Soul Ring, radiating deep and powerful fluctuations, quietly appeared floating before Lin Xia!
The color of the Soul Ring was so rich it was nearly black. Across its surface flowed a texture resembling sand grains, and faint swirling patterns, symbolizing quicksand, could be seen slowly rotating.
This was the proof formed from the essence of the seven-thousand-year Sandstorm Worm King.
The flaming sandstorm gradually calmed under the control of Lin Xia and Larvitar after losing its target.
The scorching currents of air carried away the last traces of golden-red light, revealing the sand below, which had been baked by extreme heat into a glass-like surface that still emitted thin wisps of smoke.
Terrifying heat still lingered in the air.
The scene looked like a furnace-like inferno.
Lin Xia looked at the purple Soul Ring before him, so difficult to obtain and achieved through such a bizarre process and let out a long breath, filled with emotion.
"The cunning of Soul Beasts and the tenacity of life are truly beyond imagination… If not for Larvitar, the Phoenix divine flames, and that fused sandstorm, today would likely have ended in complete failure."
Lin Xia once again deeply realized the complex and ever-changing ecology of Soul Beasts on the Douluo Continent. Knowledge from books could never cover every possibility.
"Now isn't the time for reflection!"
Lin Xia's gaze sharpened as he suppressed his thoughts.
He turned to look at his companion beside him, who had also expended considerable energy but still had eyes full of fighting spirit.
"Larvitar, get ready!"
Lin Xia's voice was serious and solemn.
"We're about to start absorbing the Soul Ring!"
"Larvitar!"
Larvitar immediately understood. It knew this was a critical moment.
It no longer behaved in its usual lively way. Instead, imitating Lin Xia, it plopped down onto the still-burning glass-like sand.
Its four small claws were neatly placed in front of it, its back straight, and its crimson eyes tightly shut. Its small face was tense as it entered an unprecedented state of concentration.
The pose looked serious, yet carried a touch of childlike cuteness, like a child imitating an adult's meditation.
Seeing Larvitar's "meditation" posture as if facing a great enemy, the tightly pressed corners of Lin Xia's mouth curved slightly upward, warmth rising in his heart.
He quickly glanced around, confirming that although the massive sandstorm infused with Phoenix divine flames had dissipated, the lingering high-temperature field and the hardened glass-like ground still formed a natural protective barrier.
For a short time, no other Soul Beasts would dare approach.
"Now's the time!"
Lin Xia no longer hesitated. He sat down cross-legged, with the five hearts facing the heavens.
His thoughts, like an invisible hand, carefully guided the deep purple Soul Ring before him, slowly lowering it as it moved to encircle his body.
Buzz!
The instant the Soul Ring touched his body, a vast and heavy torrent of energy, carrying the wild fury of the desert and a deep, oppressive aura, rushed violently into Lin Xia's meridians like a collapsing ocean!
This energy was extremely domineering!
It was filled with the impact of sandstorms, the devouring sensation of quicksand, and the boundless will of the desert itself.
If it had been an ordinary Level 20 Soul Grandmaster, their body would likely have had its meridians burst apart the instant they made contact, and even their soul might have collapsed under that primitive will!
However, Lin Xia was not an ordinary Soul Grandmaster!
His body had been tempered by the core of a Sun Essence mineral vein, and had also been indirectly forged by the divine flames of the Phoenix God. Its strength, toughness, and capacity for containing energy had already reached the level of a Soul Ancestor!
His meridians were like reinforced and expanded river channels, extremely resilient, more than capable of withstanding the impact brought by a seven-thousand-year Soul Ring.
More importantly, his soul!
Within the soul furnace formed by the Phoenix divine flames, he had personally experienced the shocking rebirth of Teacher Lou Gao's soul. Through misfortune that became a blessing, he had also endured the mental torrent carrying Lou Gao's lifelong insights into the Dao of forging!
His spiritual will had long been tempered far beyond those of the same level, like steel refined a hundred times, unyielding and indestructible!
Although the Sandstorm Worm King's Soul Ring energy was violent and carried the wild will of the desert, attempting to impact and assimilate Lin Xia's consciousness.
It was ultimately still not ten thousand years old.
No matter how special it was, before Lin Xia's will, tempered by divine flames and having borne the soul imprint of a divine craftsman, this impact was like ocean waves striking a reef. Though imposing, it could not shake his foundation!
Within Lin Xia's sea of consciousness, it seemed as if an unwilling roar from the ancient desert resounded.
But very quickly, that roar was forcibly suppressed, shattered, and absorbed by Lin Xia's will, which stood as steady as a mountain!
Wherever the energy passed, his meridians transmitted swelling sensations. Yet supported by his powerful physique, they were not damaged at all. Instead, like a riverbed scoured by powerful currents, they became even tougher and wider.
His Soul Power Level began to rise at a speed visible to the naked eye!
Level 21!
Level 22!
Level 23!
Level 24!
…until finally, it stabilized firmly at the peak of Level 25!
Only the time it took for a single stick of incense to burn!
A seven-thousand-year Soul Ring had been completely absorbed and fused by Lin Xia!
The speed and efficiency were so astonishing that any Soul Master who witnessed it would be utterly dumbfounded.
When the deep purple Soul Ring had fully merged into his body, transforming into a solid purple halo pulsing beneath his feet, Lin Xia slowly opened his eyes.
Within the depths of his dark golden pupils, faint reflections of drifting sand seemed to flash briefly. His entire aura became more condensed and heavy, faintly carrying the vastness and killing intent of the desert.
Seven years old.
Level 25 Soul Grandmaster!
Such a cultivation speed, even in the entire history of the Douluo Continent, could be considered shocking beyond belief.
A truly monstrous-level talent.
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