The demon power and soul power within her body, upon the influx of another unfamiliar force, seemed to instantly tear away the mask of calm, revealing the ferocity of a demon and ghost. It clashed with the power, thick with the scent of blood, tearing at her soul.
【Beep—The soul ring has exceeded the body's bearable lifespan. Host's body reinforcement is commencing.】
An even more intense pain swept over her. Tang Sui, who had never experienced such agony in this life, let out piercing screams of pain.
"It hurts... I hurt so much..."
"Brother..."
"Sui Sui!"
Tang San started in surprise. He didn't have time to ponder if Tang Sui would harm him.
Taking advantage of Tang Hao's distraction, he skillfully broke free from Tang Hao's grip. He gathered power in his feet, shifting his center of gravity forward, and was about to rush forward when Tang Hao's hand shot out and grabbed Tang San again, his voice grave.
"Her soul power is overflowing. If you approach rashly, not only will you be backlashed by that soul power, but you might also cause her to explode and die!"
Tang Hao's words made Tang San halt, freezing him in place. His voice was anxious, "Then what should I do?"
Tang Hao's other hand, hidden beneath his black robe, tightened. His hoarse voice carried a sense of helplessness, "You... can only wait. Wait for her to absorb the power of that soul beast, break through the constraints of her soul power, and become a true soul master!"
"But... Sui Sui looks so much in pain. Her body is already frail, can she withstand such immense power?" As he spoke the last sentence, Tang San was no longer sure if he was asking Tang Hao or muttering to himself.
Tang Hao clenched his fists, not answering Tang San. Instead, he gazed at Tang Sui, who had become a bloodied figure suspended in mid-air, with a deep and suppressed look. His clenched fists dug deep into his palms as he, too, endured.
Meanwhile, Tang Sui's eyes were tightly shut, her curled-up body trembling as it floated in mid-air. She felt as though her body was being shattered inch by inch by a hammer. The pain clung to her like a persistent parasite, coming in waves, yet she could find no outlet for it, forced only to endure.
Crimson blood flowed from Tang Sui's nose, mouth, and eyes.
Her hair, mixed with sweat and blood, obscured her face.
【Beep—Demon power conversion complete. Soul ring lifespan difference has been self-compensated. Host, please note, the first soul ring absorption will continue!】
The system's voice sounded in her mind and then faded, but Tang Sui, consumed by the pain, could no longer hear it.
"That is!"
Tang San exclaimed in surprise, seeing a point of deep purple light emanate from beneath Tang Sui, who had fainted but remained suspended in mid-air.
A soul ring, deep purple, signifying a thousand years, floated up from beneath Tang Sui. The purple light it cast landed on her, miraculously washing away the bloodstains.
"Thousand-year soul ring!"
Even Tang Hao couldn't suppress his astonishment. His entire body trembled, and he blurted out, his eyes fixed intently on the deep purple soul ring.
"Buzz—"
The black fox mask trembled. Jade white bloomed on the dark mask, transforming back into a white fox mask before flying into Tang Sui's body and disappearing.
At this instant, Tang Sui lost the support of the wind and her small body plummeted from mid-air.
"Sui Sui!"
Faster than Tang San's cry, Tang Hao released him and darted from his side.
A weight landed in his arms, yet Tang Hao could barely feel its heft.
Tang Hao lowered his head, gazing at the small, frail body.
He could feel that the body cradled in his arms was slender and fragile due to malnutrition and its congenital weakness, which had not been properly treated. It felt as though a gentle squeeze could kill her.
She shouldn't have had to live such a difficult life...
He froze, a fleeting, complex emotion crossing his face.
Tang Sui in his arms, curled up, no longer exuded the terrifying aura that had once made him uneasy. Instead, she resembled a newborn fawn, completely trusting her elder, exuding an innocent and pitiable charm. This made his embrace unconsciously gentler, more cautious.
—Author's notes—
There will be another update tonight~