Staring at the scene before them, Yu Tianheng and the others were stunned.
Ning Rongrong's pink lips pressed against Lin Mu's cheek, a fleeting touch that left a faint mark. A blush crept onto her face the instant after the kiss. Lost in the joy of completely eliminating her martial soul's flaw, she had forgotten the many people watching, including Ah Yin. Fortunately, Ah Yin, always gentle and quiet, disliked competition and wasn't angry.
"Teacher Lin Mu—" Ning Rongrong began to explain, but Lin Mu interrupted her, saying calmly, "I gave you the pills to help Little San pass the assessment. Don't overthink it."
Hearing this, the light in Ning Rongrong's eyes dimmed instantly. Although she hadn't spent much time with Lin Mu in private, and they had even been enemies before, how could she not have feelings for a handsome young powerhouse like Lin Mu, who was unparalleled in the world? She had simply kept them hidden deep inside, and now, having finally mustered the courage, she felt she had lost completely.
Lin Mu paid no attention to Ning Rongrong's reaction and turned to walk toward Tang San.
Just then, Tang San finally finished fusing with his left arm soul bone and slowly opened his eyes. Before him stood his most respected master. Seeing his master protecting him, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
"Master, my soul power has broken through to Level 79. Should I continue fusing with this million-year soul bone?"
"Don't be in such a hurry," Lin Mu said, reaching out to help Tang San up. "The energy contained in a million-year soul bone is extremely vast; it's entirely possible to increase your soul power by several levels at once. Let's wait until you break through to Soul Douluo before absorbing it."
Tang San naturally had no objection to his master's arrangement. After all, his master had always considered his needs, even giving him the million-year soul bone. He could only repay his master by having his mother serve him more.
A moment later, Tang San's gaze fell on Yu Tianheng and the others, and he suddenly noticed that their soul power had increased significantly. Several of them, who were originally at the Soul Emperor level, had even broken through to Level 70. This showed that his master hadn't only given him five 100,000-year soul bones; the others must have received treasures like 10,000-year soul bones.
He hadn't expected his master to go to such lengths to ensure his success in the assessment. Thinking of this, a resolute glint flashed in Tang San's eyes, and he solemnly said, "Master, our strength has greatly increased now; we'll definitely pass this the second trial tomorrow."
"We'll talk about it later," Lin Mu smiled faintly.
As his personal disciple, he knew best how strong Tang San was. Although the Clear Sky Hammer wasn't equipped with soul rings, the several soul rings attached to the Blue Silver Emperor were extremely compatible, making its control ability virtually invincible among its peers.
If it weren't for the fact that soul ring skills were disabled during the assessment, Tang San could have fought Xiao Bai head-on and even gained an advantage with the additional skills of the Hell Demon Dragon King soul bone. Of course, this was only on land. In a battle at sea, Tang San would be at a clear disadvantage. Even with the True Dragon soul bone, he would likely be no match for Xiao Bai.
However, the others had also improved significantly. Ning Rongrong, in particular, had transformed her Martial Soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, greatly enhancing its amplification effect and pushing her soul power to Level 70. This meant that helping Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and the others acquire their seventh soul rings would be enough to cross the Ring Sea.
Another half hour passed, and Ye Lingling, Bai Chenxiang, and Shi Mò awoke one after another. After fusing with the 100,000-year-old soul bone, Ye Lingling broke through from Level 73 to Level 75, while Bai Chenxiang and Shi Mò remained at Level 70, their exact levels still unknown.
In addition, Bai Chenxiang's martial soul also underwent a transformation. She gained a greater affinity for wind elements, and even without changing her soul ring skills, she could use attacks like wind blades, transforming from a pure agility-type soul master to an agility-attack-type soul master.
Compared to other soul masters, pure agility-type soul masters are undoubtedly the most useless. While they are fast, they have almost no offensive means, serving virtually no purpose other than escaping and relaying messages. This extreme route is best suited for power-attack-type soul masters. As long as all soul rings are focused on attack, a Soul Douluo can rival a Titled Douluo; Yang Wudi is the most prominent example.
The next best option is to enhance strength and defense; while not as strong as the former, it won't be far behind. Examples include Tai Tan and Niu Gao. It's important to understand that the higher a soul master's cultivation level, the stronger their physical attributes become. Even without defensive soul skills, Yang Wudi's physical strength wouldn't be too bad.
Pure agility-type soul masters are different; no matter how high their cultivation, they lack decent offensive methods. Even Bai He, a Soul Douluo-level expert, couldn't defeat a Soul Saint. Before joining the Wuji Sect, the Speed Clan was the most impoverished of the four single-attribute clans. Pure agility-type soul masters were only wanted as messengers; no one even wanted them as guards.
Another reason was that Bai He ordered his clansmen not to collect the Spirit Hall's subsidies, further exacerbating the already impoverished family's situation. However, now that the Speed Clan has become the Speed Hall of the Wuji Sect, they no longer need to worry about survival.
After everyone absorbed their soul bones, Lin Mu led them out to sea to hunt for their seventh soul rings. Generally, soul masters above the Black Rank assessment possess a divinely bestowed soul ring, but Yu Tianheng and the others had already used this opportunity when they broke through to Level 60. In fact, this opportunity would have been more suitable for the seventh soul ring, since the Martial Soul True Body is crucial.
However, even if Lin Mu had reminded them to save the divinely bestowed soul rings for later, Bo Saixi would most likely not have agreed. The energy of a divinely bestowed soul ring comes from the Sea God's Light, and the higher the age, the more energy it consumes.
Fortunately, before participating in the first trial, Tang San, Ye Lingling, and Xiao Wu's soul power had already exceeded Level 60. Therefore, all three had divinely bestowed soul rings for their seventh soul rings. Once Tang San breaks through to Level 80, he can absorb the soul ring and soul bone of the Evil Spirit Orca King.
As for the Blue Silver Emperor's ninth soul ring, Lin Mu had already decided on it: the strongest plant-type soul beast, the Myriad Demon King, with 500,000+ years of cultivation. Once the Blue Silver Emperor absorbs the Myriad Demon King's soul ring, it will surely become the most powerful plant martial soul.
At this moment, the group is sailing out to sea on the Dragon Abyss Boat to find suitable sea soul beasts. Under Lin Mu's vast spiritual power, even sea soul beasts living in the deep sea cannot escape his perception. In addition, with the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King as a guide, finding suitable sea soul beasts is not difficult.
Over the next week, Lin Mu helped Ning Rongrong and the others find suitable sea soul beasts. The hunting process was simple and brutal, with most of the time spent searching for soul beasts. By this time, everyone's cultivation had reached the Soul Saint level.