"Heart of the World: The Rise of the Eternal Guardian"

The golden light of the soul ring's absorption faded, leaving Xiao Tian standing alone in the heart of the Azure Spirit Forest. The forest seemed alive now, not with fear, but with potential. He could feel it—a strange, unfamiliar energy coursing through his body, as though a new part of himself had awakened.

His gaze dropped to his hands, trembling not from exhaustion, but from the thrill of his new power. He clenched his fists, and a faint shadow seemed to ripple around him, a manifestation of the soul skill he had just acquired.

[Skill: Misty Shadow Step.]

[Effect: Grants burst movement speed and enhanced agility for a short duration, making the user difficult to track or hit.]

The system's mechanical voice sounded calm and clinical, but to Xiao Tian, these words were everything. They were proof that the impossible was now within his grasp.

---

A Test of Strength

Xiao Tian wanted—no, needed—to test his newfound power. He scanned the clearing, his sharp eyes picking out a sturdy tree about twenty meters away. It was thick with ancient bark and stood as an immovable giant among its peers.

"Let's see what this skill can really do," he muttered.

Closing his eyes, he focused on the energy within him. It was like a coiled spring, waiting to be released. He felt the soul ring's presence in his body, and with a deep breath, he activated the skill.

In an instant, his body felt weightless. The world around him seemed to slow as shadows wrapped around his form, propelling him forward. Before he knew it, he was standing before the tree, his hand outstretched to steady himself.

"That… that was amazing!" Xiao Tian exclaimed, his heart pounding. He looked back at the spot where he had been standing just moments before. The distance he had covered in the blink of an eye was staggering.

But his excitement was tempered by a sudden wave of fatigue. His knees buckled slightly, and he leaned against the tree for support.

[Warning: Overuse of Misty Shadow Step can lead to energy depletion. Host must rest or recover before repeated use.]

"So, it's not unlimited," Xiao Tian murmured, catching his breath. He straightened himself, determination flashing in his eyes. "That's fine. I'll train until my limits expand."

---

A Dangerous Encounter

As Xiao Tian turned to leave the clearing, a low growl froze him in his tracks. His head snapped toward the sound, his body instinctively tensing. Emerging from the underbrush was a Green Scale Wolf, its emerald eyes locked onto him.

[Soul Beast Identified: Green Scale Wolf (200 years).]

The wolf was massive, its sleek body covered in shimmering green scales that caught the dappled light filtering through the canopy. Its claws dug into the earth, and saliva dripped from its sharp fangs as it snarled.

Xiao Tian's mind raced. The wolf was more powerful than the Misty Shadow Hare, and its aggressive posture made it clear it wasn't going to let him leave without a fight.

The system's voice interrupted his thoughts. [Host must remain calm. Analyze the enemy's movements and exploit its weaknesses. Recommended strategy: Utilize Misty Shadow Step to evade attacks and target the underbelly.]

Xiao Tian's heart was pounding, but he nodded. "I've come this far. I won't run now."

---

The Battle

The Green Scale Wolf didn't wait. With a guttural snarl, it charged, its claws tearing through the ground as it lunged at Xiao Tian.

Instinct took over. Xiao Tian activated Misty Shadow Step, and his body blurred out of the wolf's path just as its claws slashed through the air where he had been standing. He reappeared a few meters away, adrenaline coursing through his veins.

The wolf skidded to a halt, growling in frustration. Its glowing eyes tracked Xiao Tian's movements, but the young spirit master was already moving again, darting around the clearing with bursts of speed.

"I can do this," Xiao Tian muttered, circling the wolf. He waited for an opening, watching as the beast grew increasingly agitated.

The wolf lunged again, and Xiao Tian sidestepped, his reflexes sharper than ever. He saw it—the vulnerable underbelly the system had mentioned. Without hesitation, he picked up a jagged branch from the ground and struck.

The wolf howled in pain as the makeshift weapon pierced its softer flesh. It thrashed wildly, knocking Xiao Tian back with its tail. He hit the ground hard, the impact jarring him, but he refused to stay down.

"Not yet," Xiao Tian grunted, forcing himself to his feet.

The wolf staggered, blood dripping from its wound. It was weakened, but far from defeated. Snarling, it prepared for another attack.

---

Pushing Beyond Limits

Xiao Tian knew he couldn't let the fight drag on. His energy was waning, and the wolf was still a formidable opponent. He took a deep breath, focusing on the system's advice.

[Host must utilize Misty Shadow Step in combination with physical attacks to maximize effectiveness.]

Summoning the last of his strength, Xiao Tian activated his skill once more. Shadows wrapped around him, and he darted forward with blinding speed. This time, he didn't hesitate. As the wolf swiped at him, he ducked under its claws and drove the branch deeper into its underbelly.

The wolf let out a final, anguished roar before collapsing to the ground. Its body shimmered, and a golden ring of light emerged, floating above it.

Xiao Tian fell to his knees, gasping for air. The battle had taken everything out of him, but he had won.

---

A New Possibility

The golden ring hovered before him, a symbol of his victory. Xiao Tian stared at it, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. He reached out, his fingers trembling, and the ring descended.

As the energy of the soul ring enveloped him, Xiao Tian felt a familiar pain. His body screamed in protest as the power of the Green Scale Wolf merged with his own.

[Soul Ring Absorption in Progress…]

Minutes passed like hours, but eventually, the pain subsided. Xiao Tian opened his eyes, his body humming with newfound strength.

[Soul Ring Absorption Complete.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Scale Armor.]

The system's voice explained the skill. [Scale Armor grants the host temporary defensive enhancement, reducing damage from physical attacks.]

Xiao Tian's lips curved into a tired smile. He now had two soul rings, each representing a step closer to his dream.

"Thank you," he whispered, gazing at the wolf's fading body. "I'll use this power to protect the people I care about."

Rising to his feet, Xiao Tian began the journey back to Heavenly Sky Village, his heart filled with hope for the future.

[End of Chapter 3]